Whenever I do a Ring Fever shoot, people always ask me to either take a picture with them or to give them an autograph. Even though I have done those two things hundreds of times, I am still as amazed and appreciative when people ask me for either a picture or an autograph as I was the first time someone asked me. But last night, at the Ring Fever Rock And Wrestling Extravaganza – someone asked me for something that I have never been asked for before – my shoes.

In 1998, I went to the PC Expo at the Jacob Javits Convention Center and was given a demonstration of a new website called Wham.net. In exchange for “walking” their website – they gave me a free pair of purple converse sneakers. Considering my affection for free stuff, I fell in love with them and wore them as often as I could. I even nicknamed them my “funky purple sneakers”. Apparently, I am not the only one that fell in love with my sneakers – because last night – someone bought them for ten dollars.

Towards the end of the Rock And Wrestling Extravaganza last night, we were having a raffle for a few giveaways. After the giveaways were given away, the fans that did not win anything were hungry for more prizes – and one person jokingly suggested I raffle off my sneakers. A fan in the crowd heard the suggestion and instead – offered to by them for two bucks. Another fan then offered five – and an impromptu auction began for my footwear.

I never thought in my life that someone would actually want to buy an article of my clothing. I realize that being the host of a wrestling show brings some recognition – but for someone to actually spend money on a pair of sneakers that I have had for the past three years was something I never imagined would happen to me. But sure enough – a fan won the auction for ten dollars – and walked away with my shoes.

In the almost ten years that I have been in the wrestling business, there have been many memorable moments. But I think that this one tops them all. I will always remember the fan that bought my shoes – which he made me autograph after he bought them. But more then just the fact that he bought them – I will remember him for the fact that he considered me someone that was of enough importance and status that he wanted to have something of mine. To me, no amount of money could even come close to the feeling that brought me – and I will always be grateful for that – except for the feeling of having to go home barefoot.