Mat Memories cover art

Mat Memories

My Wild Life in Pro Wrestling, Country Music and with the Mets

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About this listen

John 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....

In the 1990s, Arezzi hosted the pioneering radio talk show Pro Wrestling Spotlight. 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.

Mat Memories 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.

©2021 John Arezzi and Greg Oliver (P)2021 Tantor Baseball & Softball Combat Sports & Self-Defense Sports Wrestling Combat Sports Wrestling Biographies
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Most relevant
I'm unsure what motivated me to purchase this book however glad that I did. I had never heard of John Arezzi when I found this in my list of already purchased reads.

I'm going to guess that he was on a wrestling podcast promoting it or something, and the additional mention of the Mets (who I am a fan of in the UK) and the music industry is what pushed me to purchase it.

Really interesting listen and really took me into his life

Good job and all the best in the future.

Mark, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Excellent listen

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As a fan of Pro Wrestling Spotlight first on PW Torch and now the podcast, I couldn’t wait to read this book.

Even though I’m not a fan of baseball or country music, John had me hooked from the start.

Very interesting to learn how much John has done over the years and how he’s followed his dreams.

A must read.

Not just for wrestling fans.

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Excellent book. Well worth a read. Fascinating insight into a life well lived. Highly recommended.

Brilliant

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Discovered Arezzi through pro wrestling podcasts. That part was interesting. Baseball & Nashville? Not so.

Man embittered in 3 different fields of endeavour

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