The Big Apple. New York. New York/New Jersey was an incredible time because CSR was getting recognized in one of the biggest cities in the world. We kicked off the weekend with arriving at The Hotel Pennsylvania and Justin LaBar unpacking in his closet bedroom. Hitting an Irish Bar is tradition during WrestleMania weekend with David Herro and Dameon Nelson of PWR. Another weekend kicked off the celebrations. When we realized Justin LaBar would meet with Michelle Beadle, who was working at NBC during this time, all of us ran to a few bars to get that on the screen. Finally, we hit a bar and was able to see our boy on National Television, something we STILL hear to this day. It was great to see for a guy who busts his ass in a business that is not all that glamorous.
This was the first WrestleMania with our new addition, Brian Gulish. What he brings to the show can’t be described. Professionalism, entertainment, business acumen and a really unique perspective from an “old school” brain. The guy knows his history and when he first arrived, it was not the best timing. I moved to Baltimore, pursuing my work with MLB, and would work remote for CSR. Brian was on set, every week, for no money. He did it because he loved it. I respect the hell out of him for this, but the fans did not. What they did not realize is LaBar and I have been working in television and radio since 2006. Brian had no chemistry there early on because he was new at working with LaBar. Justin is not easy to work with and he knows that. When a guy works for ESPN in Bristol, CBS in Pittsburgh and has established his career outside of “on-screen work,” it is going to take time to adjust. Yes, we butted head. Yes, we actually did not like one another. We were both similar in butting heads about ideas and I understand that his situation was tough. But, New York was an opportunity for us to connect and enjoy what WE were a part of.
