Rumble Road (16 page)

I’d like to thank all of the WWE Superstars and Divas who met with me in various hotels and arenas throughout the country to share their thoughts and stories from life on the road. I’d also like to thank all of those stars who called on their days off to fill me in on the tour’s most recent ribs, rental car wrecks, and hotel horrors. Special thanks go out to Dean Miller for all of the introductions, Mike Archer for hooking up his boy “Ballgame,” and Jaime Jensen for helping set up my first road trip (and breaking the gas cap off the rental). As someone who grew up a follower of everything Ricky Steamboat, it’s amazing to see the experience from the other side
of the curtain, and no fan should ever take for granted the sacrifices (both physical and mental) each of these men and women make in order to entertain the WWE universe.

To Kofi Kingston: One day I’m going to show you how a true
Madden
abbot plays the game. And Randy, you owe me a ride on that bus.

To the B-Man and Sunshine, thanks for going to bed early so Dad could finish his book. Your WWE Title and Divas Championship will be ready in about eighteen years. Extra special thanks to my wife, Nicole, who makes the return of my every road trip that much more special.