{"product_id":"mat-memories-my-wild-life-in-pro-wrestling-country-music-and-with-the-mets-9781770415645","title":"Mat Memories: My Wild Life in Pro Wrestling, Country Music, and with the Mets","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA man with three different names ties together the stars of professional wrestling, country music, and the New York Mets.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJohn Arezzi was a lifelong Mets fan who dreamed of a job in baseball. In 1981, he took a job with the Mets Class A team in North Carolina. But Arezzi had another love: professional wrestling. He ran a fan club for the villainous \"Classy\" Freddie Blassie as a teenager, then progressed to wrestling photographer, and finally even stepped into the ring himself as John Anthony. Eventually he escaped to pursue a new life in altogether different world: country music. After adopting a new name, John Alexander, his many accomplishments include discovering both Patty Loveless and (decades later) Kelsea Ballerini. But wrestling is tough to shake ...\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the 1990s, Arezzi hosted the pioneering radio talk show \u003ci\u003ePro Wrestling Spotlight\u003c\/i\u003e. He also ran the first major conventions, assembling a wrestling who's who to meet with fans. He promoted shows, both at home and abroad, and was a key figure behind importing lucha libre into America.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eMat Memories\u003c\/i\u003e is Arezzi's chance to hold the mic, and he holds nothing back -- he names names and tells the untold behind-the-scenes stories: from the ring, the stage, and the diamond.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e ECW Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 04\/06\/2021\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781770415645\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 264","brand":"Arezzi, Greg Oliver","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39398111903925,"sku":"9781770415645","price":16.96,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_a793d486-85d8-496b-95ba-726a8f472375.jpg?v=1615299363","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/mat-memories-my-wild-life-in-pro-wrestling-country-music-and-with-the-mets-9781770415645","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}