Published: March 24, 2008 02:25 pm      

Grandmas and wrestling

Sunday, March 23, 2008 — At Easter, we often think about relatives who are no longer with us. It’s especially a time to think about Grandpa and Grandma Drye. Grandpa died 10 years ago this week and Grandma six years ago this week.

They lived a long life, Grandpa to age 88 and Grandma to age 89, only a few weeks away from 90. They had nine children, and with that many youngsters running around, there were bound to be some fights.

Which brings me to the topic of my column this week: fights, more importantly, wrestling.

Grandma found a love for watching wrestling near the end of her life. I don’t know if she watched it in earlier years.

I’ve often been told about other relatives who’ve liked the sport through the years, back when it probably seemed more real than it does today.

This week I had the pleasure of interviewing Elizabeth Poplin, an 82-year-old resident of Forrest Oakes Healthcare. (For the full story, see 6A.)

Poplin is getting to go see live wrestling for the first time Tuesday night for a taping of “WWE Smackdown!”

Some strange coincidences came to light during the interview.

Poplin, just as Grandma, liked wrestling, was in her 80s and stayed at Forrest Oakes.

Poplin has been a wrestling fan for 28 years.

I turn 28 years old in a week and a half.

Poplin’s mother’s favorite wrestler was Ric Flair.

Flair has always been my favorite. With his long blonde hair, flowing sequined robes and feather boas, the long, stretch limos, being surrounded by women, Flair has always been special.

The whole story comes about through fate, I guess.

Poplin fell a few months back, leading doctors to send her to Forrest Oakes for rehab. If she had never fallen, Poplin most likely would have never ended up at Forrest Oakes. And if she hadn’t arrived at Forrest Oakes, she would have never met Melanie Evans, the center’s activities director who wrote WWE, telling them of Poplin’s desire to see a live event.

I’ve seen a few matches in my 28 years, getting the full effect at ringside a few times.

Flair always puts on a good show.

I remember seeing him tackle the mammoth Big Van Vader at Cricket Arena (then Independence Arena) in 1993 at Starrcade.

Flair was on the brink of retirement, but he found a way to win in his hometown of Charlotte.

At Wrestlemania 24 on March 30, Flair is on the edge of retirement once again. However, this time, it looks like it may be for good. Months ago, Mr. McMahon said the next match Flair loses will be his last.

At Wrestlemania, Flair battles “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels, someone who has been pretty close to Flair over the last few years.

I don’t think Flair will lose at Wrestlemania, more like he will win with his signature move, the figure-four leglock, then ride off into the sunset like a true Horseman.

But don’t look for him to totally stay away from the ring; he’ll most likely show up every now and then.

For me and Ms. Poplin, I wish he would pay us a visit some time.

Grandma would probably like that.



B. J. Drye is managing editor of The Stanly News and Press. Write him at P.O. Box 488, Albemarle, NC 28002. E-mail him at snaponline25@yahoo.com.