I was in Kings Plaza Mall in Flatbush, Brooklyn in 1988 at the age of 16 with my very first girlfriend Stacey Strum doing our Christmas shopping. Since our relationship was getting serious, she decided to introduce me to two of her very good friends – Steven Ettinger…

…and Bradd Beck.

From the moment I met Bradd – with all due respect to Steve – I knew that Bradd and I would be friends for life. He was funny, witty, smart, into wrestling – and the perfect person to be a best friend.

Little did I or anyone know that his life would end on January 5, 2001 from cancer – at the very young age of 32.

As I sit here now, almost 72 hours away from the day I got the worst phone call of my life from his Brother-In-Law Doug Stout telling me Bradd was gone 10 years ago – I already feel the ocean of tears filling my insides waiting to burst. Having to absorb the fact that Bradd’s life was stolen from a Godforsaken disease like cancer was impossible for me to believe then and still is now. If the Human lifespan was based on humor, the eagerness to entertain – and pure wit – Bradd would have been the last Human Being on the face of this Earth. He was born with a natural charisma that made you laugh even when you were in the worst of moods. He was the quintessential “funny guy” and “wingman” – and he could light up a room if it was blanketed in total darkness…

…but despite all that – cancer chose to steal Bradd from everyone who loved him.

As a matter of fact, we had a Ring Fever radio show four months ago with Kurt Angle, who is currently a TNA Superstar but used to work for the WWE. The Ring Fever television show we did with Kurt Angle in late 2000 was the last show we did with Bradd before we lost him – so when we had Kurt Angle on the radio show last Summer – I actually cried at the end of the show – because I still heard Bradd’s voice in my head as clear as day when he talked to Kurt at Fun Time U.S.A. – and it made me miss him even more.

As of June of last year, Ring Fever has experienced a resurgence and has become better then it ever has. We have contacts in WWE, TNA, and most major independent wrestling promotions. We have interviewed, through our radio and television show – everyone from Rob Van Dam, to Kevin Nash, to Harley Race, to Awesome Kong, to Jake “The Snake” Roberts, to Lanny Poffo, to Dory Funk, Jr. – to Tommy Dreamer. And while people have told me that the shows and interviews were great – I do not think they were by a long shot – because there was no Bradd.

In fact, Brain is my co-host on Ring Fever now and he does a great job – but I can’t tell you, since we re-launched Ring Fever – how many times I have called him Bradd. He reminds me so much of him – and while Brain is an extraordinary talent – he, or no one – will ever be Bradd.

As the old cliché goes, “Time Heals All Wounds” and “The Show Must Go On” – but I can tell you from experience – that is bullshit. No matter how huge Ring Fever gets, no matter how famous myself and the Crew become – and no matter if Ring Fever gets a network television show and becomes one of the most popular shows on television – something will always be missing – and that is Bradd. Without Bradd, I am Peanut Butter without Jelly, I am Ham without Swiss, I am Tuna without Mayo…

…and I am Paul Wein without Bradd Beck.

Yesterday, I watched the Bobby “The Brain” Heenan DVD about his glorious career. When he talked about the passing of his commentating partner and good friend Gorilla Monsoon – he couldn’t hold it together. That is me when I talk about Bradd Beck. Some people, whether they are fans, workers, or “boys” in the business – they have really put me over. As far as I am concerned – I could never hold a candle to the amazing talent that Bradd Beck was – and never will be able to.

And Bradd, I know you can see this – so I just want to say that I miss you, I love you, I wish you were here with me to continue the Ring Fever legacy…

…and I think of you every day.

Hold the Pearly Gates open for me brother – until then…