On the SidE. . .

ON THE SIDE. . .
This and that from the world of Valley politics.
WRESTLING WITH POLITICS: U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles met with World Wrestling Entertainment wrestlers earlier this week to discuss registering college students for the general election and student voting rights as part of the wrestling company's "Smackdown Your Vote" campaign. Meeting with Ryan, D-17th, were the Hurricane, a very good wrestler with green hair whose gimmick is he believes he's a super hero; Maven, a former school teacher who recently returned to action after an injury, and Christopher Nowitski, a Harvard graduate who hasn't wrestled in several months because of post-concussion syndrome.
You may be wondering how in the world I know anything about these guys. I have to admit I've been a huge fan ever since I was a kid, and have published a wrestling newsletter for the past 14 years. Actually the similarities between wrestling and politics can sometimes be frightening. But I've yet to see a chair thrown during a political debate. As for Ryan, he too was a wrestling fan when he was younger, particularly enjoying Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka and the Wild Samoans. But, unlike me, he grew up. Even so, it didn't stop the congressman from a good photo op, and talking about his adventures with the wrestlers on the floor of the U.S. House.
skolnick@vindy.com