house-show loop, J. Hardy, Chikara, Owen-like, here comes summer

We're running on two hours of sleep while seated uncomfortably in a jam packed airplane. As soon as Nick and I got to our seats, just like all flights we are on, we searched for crying babies and/or children that seem like they’ll misbehave. Unfortunately for us, one of these was heading right toward us. Nick gave me the look. Then, two more were spotted.... And then another! Our heads moved from left to right. We were surrounded! Before take-off, a "problem-child" kept kicking the back of Nick’s seat. Nick looked at me with a defeated, disgusted face. We were just getting in the air when two of the toddlers sitting together decided to have a screaming contest. I looked at Nick like I wanted to cry. He shared my pain.

So, since sleeping is not an option, I'm going to write this.

We just completed a couple of house shows for TNA Wrestling in Vicksburg and Greenwood, Mississippi which had crowds that were both large and enthusiastic. The weather was muggy and damp all weekend which was actually quite uncomfortable. It felt like I was locked in a bathroom, and the shower was on at its hottest temperature. Nonetheless, the shows were absolutely killer, especially the second night in which we tore the house down with the Machine Guns. On this loop, we got to spend some time chatting and making conversation with Jeff Hardy. He is easily the coolest dude we've met during our TNA run. He mentioned how watching us work reminds him so much of he and his brother when they were our age. We mentioned how High Risk Wrestling (our independent group we started) was influenced largely by OMEGA, and that we grew up watching them come up. He gave us some really good advice that we intend on using, and just came across as a truly humble person. We look forward to spending more time with him.

Last weekend we brought our youngest brother Malachi with us to Philadelphia for Chikara's King of Trios three day events at the old ECW Arena. It was fun traveling with both of my brothers - it's something I could get used too. If someone would have told me a few years ago that the Three "Jackson" boys would be headlining an ECW Arena show one day, I wouldn't have believed them. It was a very cool feeling being out there with them. That building is obviously special to Nick and me, as we've had many breakout performances there. How fitting, for Malachi to do the same. Night 2 was fun, watching from the crowd as my baby brother took the stage all alone. At 19 years old, it's got to be intimidating but he didn't even show it. Nick and I we're so proud of him. The third night we had a fantastic match against Mike Quackenbush and Jigsaw. The crowd really ate it up. While on the subject of Mike, he really is a great guy that runs a wonderful promotion. The guy just does it RIGHT. Everything about his show is air tight, professional and squeaky clean. I can't say enough how much I wish more independent wrestling companies were like Chikara.

When someone asked me earlier, why we'd rather fly all the way across the country back home (which we're doing right now), rather than just go straight to Orlando for TV like most of the roster is doing, I answered that I'd do absolutely anything in my power to spend any extra time I have with Dana. It may seem like a hassle, but 36 hours at home with my beautiful wife is worth it. I said, "I guess I'm Owen Hart about these types of things." I remember reading stories about Owen taking the latest flights out, and earliest flights back home and how he completely went out of his way for more family time. Man, I can totally relate to that. So anyhow, this means that tomorrow night we will be heading back to the airport for a red-eye flight across country to Orlando. I think we've spent equal time in the air with time we've spent on land this year.

After we film TNA iMPACT! we will fly home Wednesday morning, but catch another red-eye flight Friday night for a Pro Wrestling Syndicate show in New York on Saturday. Sunday morning, we will fly back home where we have the possibility of wrestling three times in one night for Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's DDT4 tournament. Nick and I have our work cut out for us these next few days to say the least.

Dana and I are on the hunt for some patio furniture. We both agree that it'd be fun to have a nice table set up outside for us to enjoy. The thought of a nice lunch outside on a hot California Summer day with Dana seated across from me sounds awesome. We're both really excited about this time of year. Maybe it’s because we were formally introduced to each other this time of year nearly 7 years ago? Every time I get home from the road, we have a little simple tradition. I ALWAYS take her out to a nice dinner. This way, she doesn't have to cook, and we can get caught up on lost time. Leaving is never easy, but having little things like this to look forward to really makes a difference. She and I have been doing a lot of talking about our future. I'm so excited what the Lord may bring us in the next couple of years!

Anyhow, I'm about to ask for a coffee from one of the flight attendants - the equivalency of me tapping out. There really is no chance of getting any sleep on this flight under these circumstances. It's like Chuck E. Cheese's in here minus the smell of pizza and children's feet. Well, okay, it kind of does smell like feet.

-Matt