Published: March 26, 2008 09:00 am         

82-year-old wrestling fan to realize dream

ALBEMARLE, N.C. — Elizabeth Poplin feels pretty lucky to be staying at Forrest Oakes Healthcare.

Poplin, 82, has been at the center for the last few months after suffering a fall.

While some people might have viewed this as a set-back, it has helped make a longtime dream come true for Poplin.

“This whole situation has made me a whole new woman,” she said.

“[Imagine] going to a nursing home and getting to see live wrestling.”

Poplin’s talking about her trip to Fayetteville on March 25 to see “WWE Smackdown!”

It’s all thanks to a 28-year-old love of wrestling, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and Melanie Evans.

Evans, activities director for Forrest Oakes, wrote WWE a few months ago and told the organization about Poplin and her desire to see a live event. WWE soon responded, offering up tickets for Poplin and a guest. She plans to take her 28-year-old granddaughter.

“She’s my little wrestling fan,” Poplin said.

Evans and a few others will attend the event with her.

Evans said Poplin has been walking on air ever since learning her good news.

“She does not miss it,” Evans said.

“On Mondays and Fridays, we make sure her TV is on the right channel. She refers to them as her boys.”

A poster of Triple H and Shawn Michaels and a promotional poster of Wrestlemania 24 hang in Poplin’s room.

She has opinions on most of the wrestlers and the storylines.

“I think it’s a disgrace the way they treat him,” she said, talking about Hornswoggle, a leprechaun who recently suffered a beating inside a steel cage at the hands of JBL.

As for the highly-publicized match between the 441-pound Big Show and WBC Welterweight Champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather, Poplin has a very strong opinion on the outcome.

“Boxing don’t mix with wrestling,” she said.

“The Big Show’s going to beat the [heck] out of him.”

She has a few favorites, such as John Cena and Batista.

“I like Triple H. He’s handsome, he’s got the muscles. He knows how to do his thing,” she said.

Her favorite wrestler is The Undertaker.

“I saw him roll that big 400-pound man over in the casket the other night,” she says.

“[The Undertaker] plays like he’s out and rises back up.”

One of her favorites is a connection to how she became a wrestling fan in the first place.

“My mama was a wrestling fan,” she said.

“Every time I went over there she would say, ‘Please stay and watch wrestling with me.’ I just got hooked.

“Ever since Ric Flair wore those long robes. That’s who my mama liked. She said, ‘That’s my man.’”

During the current story, Flair must retire after the next match he loses.

“Ric Flair has always been there,” Poplin said.

“Seems like that just went along with wrestling, was Ric.”

Just about every obstacle has been thrown in his path, such as a 2-on-4 steel cage match a few weeks ago or the street fight with Mr. McMahon on a recent Monday night. McMahon hit Flair with a kendo stick, a trash can and a steel chair.

“I cried when they beat him. They just beat him and beat him,” Poplin said.

Last Friday night, Poplin, Evans and others participated in a sign-making party, because when attending a wrestling event, many fans hold up signs touting their favorite wrestlers or catch-phrases.

“I never dreamed of this. I’m 82 years old and I never dreamed I’d get to see wrestling in person,” Poplin said to Evans.

“I’m just doing my job, Ms. Poplin,” Evans replied.

“I’m just glad you’re getting to go.

“The doctors thought you needed therapy. I thought you needed John Cena.”



B. J. Drye writes for the Stanly Nes and Press in Albemarle, N.C.