WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - s4story -- Tens of millions of us grew up watching professional wrestling. We experienced the best of the best every week on television and many of us regularly attended live matches.

Several decades ago in Burlington, North Carolina, I witnessed an obnoxious 14-year-old kid at ringside interfering in a match. He handed a "foreign object" to a hated villainous wrestler. The kid incited a mini-riot and was escorted out by police for his own safety. In less than six years, that skinny 130-pound teenager became a cocky, condescending, arrogant, muscular 236-pound, bleached blond, sun-tanned professional wrestling "bad guy."

That man was and is Rock Riddle, the Original 'Mr. Wonderful' of professional wrestling! This morning we had the pleasure of interviewing the four-time Hall of Famer. He answered dozens of questions, some in character as Mr. Wonderful, and some that revealed the great guy behind the persona.

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"Do you ever meet the fans, sign autographs or take pictures with them?" we asked.

Scowling and looking down his nose, Rock blurted "Of course not! I don't know where they've been!" He paused for a moment to watch our shocked reactions. He grinned.

"Actually," he continued, allowing his nice side to come out, "I'll be joining over two hundred notables and legends – some of the biggest names in the history of professional wrestling at WrestleCade 2023, from November 24^th through the 26^that the Benton Arena in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This is a major event and an opportunity to meet your heroes in person!"

"This is a rare family reunion of 200+ professional wrestlers where we invite the public to join us. I'm especially looking forward to seeing my friends Sgt. Slaughter, Jake 'the Snake' Roberts, Ted 'the Million Dollar Man' DiBiase, Ricky Steamboat, Chavo Guerrero, Dory Funk Jr., Greg Valentine, Jimmy Hart, Jimmy Valient, The Nasty Boys, Rikishi, the Boogeyman, and so many more." Rock paused, thinking for a moment. "It's going to be great to catch up with Ron Simmons, Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, the Brooklyn Brawler, Buff Bagwell, DeVon Dudley, Demolition, Eric Bischoff, Kane, Mike Rotunda, Ricky Morton and over 175 more."

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"This really is a Who's Who of professional wrestling legends! (https://www.wrestlecade.com/guests)" Rock stated, smiling. He thought for a moment and hesitated as his eyes moistened with foreboding sadness. "Unfortunately," he added, "this may very well be your last opportunity to meet some of our famous friends."