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A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

hacksaw jim duggan

Hacksaw entertains with his one-man show

February 18, 2016

Hooooooooo!

With that ever-popular catchphrase, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan can excite a wrestling crowd, even still as he has reached his 60s.

Originally from Glens Falls in upstate New York, Hacksaw played college football and was in the NFL before turning to the world of professional wrestling.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan laughs as he talks about his career at his one-man show in Binghamton.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan laughs as he talks about his career at his one-man show in Binghamton.

A favorite among many fans, he’s colorful, candid, and entertaining. He’s patriotic and will get a crowd chanting “USA USA USA!” without issues. And, he does it all with his trusty 2×4 by his side (or over his shoulder).

He stills gets in the ring occasionally, usually to throw a few punches or tag up, but he’s still out there entertaining people. If you follow him on Twitter or Facebook, you’ll get an inside look at the WWE Hall of Famer’s life as he travels all over to different types of wrestling shows, conventions or just a glimpse at life.

I’ve written about Hacksaw on the blog before, such as when he was doing a fundraiser for shoulder surgery, or just looking back at Hacksaw when he came to my hometown for an independent card. I’ve had in in various other posts when talking about professional wrestling as he’s one of my all-time favorites.

Recently, it was announced Hacksaw was doing a one-man show. The 2×4 Show is a way for people to get a glimpse behind the curtain, so to speak, and see Hacksaw in a different way. He’s on a stage talking wrestling, telling stories, and taking questions, which gives fans a true look at his remarkable career. He doesn’t hold back any punches, either.

Hacksaw keeps the crowd entertained with tales from the road.

Hacksaw keeps the crowd entertained with tales from the road.

I saw he had an upstate New York tour set, and was trying to plot where I could get to one. With five spots close enough to see this show, I knew I’d hit one. It turned out to be the closest – Binghamton.

One thing’s for sure – I definitely don’t regret going to this show.

The setting for the Binghamton show was at the Relief Pitcher, in a downstairs conference room. It was a nice and relaxed setting for the show. After a local opening comedian, Hacksaw took the stage and took the crowd of more than 50 through his career. The stories ranged from growing up in Glens Falls, to his football days, to becoming a wrestler.

His stories were candid, open, funny and genuine. He told the crowd about how he went from Big Jim Duggan to the Convict (in a mask) to Hacksaw, and how Bruiser Brody told him he needed something to carry to the ring, which led to his trademark 2×4. .

Originally a heel in the ring, he made his biggest stamp as a patriotic wrestler, leading crowds in the chants of USA. He fought the evil wrestlers, such as the Iron Sheik (no love lost between those two, which Duggan pointed out), and enjoyed success as one who battled Andre The Giant so many times.

Signing a 2x4 after the show!

Signing a 2×4 after the show!

He didn’t hide from the past, either. He was honest when a fan asked about the situation with he and the Iron Sheik riding together and getting pulled over. Duggan admitted to having some “doobies” under his seat and then it turned out the Sheik had cocaine in the car.

This was before the days where “the truth” of wrestling was known, so it was bigger news. It cost Duggan big time, but he would rebound.

One could tell how much Duggan enjoyed being with fans and talking stories and telling his tale. His well-placed “Hoooo” chants always kept the crowd into what was going on.

He also breaks the molds of some wrestlers as he’s been married to his wife for more than 30 years. She was with him at the show, at one point bringing him some water. He spoke amazingly highly of his family and how important they were to him.

Duggan also spoke about some of his closest friends in the business and how many of them are no longer with us.

The biggest thing I took away from this was how personable Hacksaw is. He took time to answer questions and didn’t shy away from things. He told about life on the road and in the ring. And following the show and Q&A session, he went to a table in the back where his wife was handling the sales of merchandise.

They worked so well as a team, too. She would get the name he was signing on items and make sure he knew what to sign, and even switching markers and such. That allowed Duggan to do what he is so good at – talking with fans and being personable to give each person in line a true intimate setting to talk with Hacksaw for a few moments.

My brother, Hacksaw and me after Duggan's one-man show.

My brother, Hacksaw and me after Duggan’s one-man show.

She also took the photos for people, with their cameras. It wasn’t like some independent shows where it’s one photo and gone. She made sure the photos came out well and Hacksaw would insist on a couple of different poses. The line might not have moved as swiftly as some may want, but it gave people their money’s worth, that’s for sure.

One final funny story from that night, and being in line. I wanted to get a photo, so it was going to be me, my brother, and Hacksaw. As I noted, his wife was taking the photos. So I set up my DSLR and was like “Now this isn’t like a phone, it’s big equipment.”

Yes, I was trying to be funny.

She responded “Don’t worry, I can handle big equipment.”

Yes, very funny.

To which (can’t make this up), Hacksaw laughs and says … yes she can, she’s a “HOOOOOOOOO!”

Laugh out loud funny! I can see why they have been married for (I think he said) 35 years.

I hope this tour and this show continue. If you have the chance to see the show, take advantage of it and go watch. Even for non-wrestling fans, it’s a cool experience and a lot of fun. It’s well worth the couple of hours.

HOOOOOOOOOOO!

For more photos from the event, visit my Flickr album.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please Like HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Filed Under: My world, Pro Wrestling Tagged With: 2x4, 2x4 show, binghamton, comedy, hacksaw, hacksaw jim duggan, hacksaw jim duggan show, hacksaw show, hoooo, jim duggan, jim duggan show, pro wrestling, professional wrestling, usa, wrestling

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Helping Hacksaw … Hooooo!

December 5, 2013

I first saw “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan when I was a youngster.

It was in Binghamton at the Broome County Arena and he took on Andre The Giant, then a heel in the world of professional wrestling. With his chants of “HOOOOOOOOO!” and “USA USA USA,” Duggan was a larger-than-life hero to me.

“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan at a 2CW event I attended.

I even got his 3/4-sleeve baseball jersey-style shirt. And, despite being a wrestling fan most of my life, that’s still one of the very few wrestling shirts I’ve owned. Since then, I can only think of a few others — a Hulk Hogan one (duh), a bWo shirt from the ECW days and one I recently received as a gift for shooting promo photos for a couple of friends who are indy wrestlers.

Outside of that, I can’t remember any, though I may be missing one or two.

But Hacksaw has always been one of my favorites.

I’ve said it here before, but when I watch wrestling, I like to believe. I understand how it works. I know what goes on. But when the show is on, I like to believe. I’m old school in that I cheer for the good guys and boo the bad guys. Though there are rare exceptions to the rule, I will usually follow those thoughts.

Heck, at a recent independent show where the aforementioned friends are heels in one federation, I booed them. It’s how I like things to be.

Hacksaw still gets around to events. He wrestles on the indys and, occasionally, shows up on WWE television for a cameo, usually getting a massive cheer when he does.

I’ve seen Duggan in recent years and he’s still entertaining. Despite approaching 60, he still captivates fans, smiles and seems to enjoy the life (as I gather from watching him Tweet).

A few years ago, he wrestled as part of BTW in my town. I got to chat with him quickly and, being we weren’t far from his hometown of Glens Falls (a couple of hours away), I mentioned I always enjoyed seeing his photo in the state champions pages when I covered the New York State high school wrestling championships. He seemed genuine in his responses and made me realize why I was still a fan.

A few weeks back, I saw he was behind an Indiegogo campaign.

He was looking to raise $6,500 for surgery to fix a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. His inability to get insurance, because of the high risk pro-wrestling has, makes it difficult to have this surgery. At the point of me writing this, he had more than $10,000 raised with about four hours to go.

I had some “found” money in my PayPal account — from some blog-related things. I kept it there because I hadn’t known how my employment situation was going to pan out, but with the job front doing well, I thought it was OK to spend some of this money.

So I did.

Despite getting older, Hacksaw is still entertaining.

I donated to Hacksaw’s cause. I realize pro wrestlers take risks each day and it’s part of the job. But the reality is, giving to this cause is giving back for the endless memories Hacksaw has given me.

Plus, there are perks.

Much like Kickstarter, Indiegogo has it set up so those running the campaigns can give perks to those who back them.

I went with the $30 setup and, sometime in April or so, I’ll receive my perk — a phone call from “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. That’s right, WWE Hall of Famer “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan will be calling ME. I can’t wait, either. I think it’s going to be fun. I don’t know how long the call will be, but I just know it’s going to be way too cool to get the call and be able to chat with Duggan.

And, hopefully, this surgery will help him still be able to do what he does among the best — entertain, bring many of us back to our childhoods and make some of us believers.

HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Filed Under: My world, Pro Wrestling Tagged With: hacksaw, hacksaw indiegogo, hacksaw jim duggan, jim duggan, jim duggan indiegogo, pro wrestling, professional wrestling, wrestling

7 Comments

Foto Friday: Pro wrestling always seems to be interesting

May 17, 2013

A few years ago, I was looking for different subjects for photography.

I did a search for independent wrestling and came up with a group — 2CW — out of Syracuse. A couple of us went to an old Legion hall in Binghamton and watched. I was sold.

I’ve long been a fan of pro wrestling and have written about it here at times. I’ve done photo posts and other things. I’m slowly even working on a few bigger writing projects about wrestling. Slowly being the key term.

I’m heading off to see an event tonight. It’ll be the first live show I’ve seen in several months. It’s always a lot of fun to watch, from the action in the ring to the fans in the stands.

And, as always, I’ll bring my camera.

Since that first event, though, I’ve hit up more than 20 independent events and they’ve been a hoot. There’s been some great stuff, some bad stuff and everything in between.

With that in mind, I’ve decided to make this week’s Foto Friday about the squared circle and the battles going on. I probably have done this before, whether in a regular post or a Foto Friday, so I’m going to try and pick a few different shots.

I’ll be sure to leave the gore elsewhere though.

No matter what, though, I have to start with a certain image. Truthfully, it’s what sold me on going to many more independent shows, especially 2CW. From there, the images are in no particular order and I’ve tried to mix the federations a bit.

1. Fire!

This came after the last match of the evening. The one guy — Jason Axe — dragged his foe out of the ring, brought him back to this spot and set up a table. As he started squirting lighter fluid on the table, I knew what was coming. The camera had already been put away as this was it — but I quickly grabbed it and the flash and started snapping. (From 2CW in Binghamton, Sept. 24, 2010)

Through the table, Mikey.

2. Here’s dust in your eye!

One thing with pro wrestling is knowing how things work. I’ve watched and learned about the way things go for a long time. So I can usually anticipate. This one was setting up pretty well and I was just hoping I’d snap at the right time — and I did. (From BTW in Delhi, Sept. 30, 2011)

I can’t see!

3. Packed house

Sometimes, it’s about capturing the atmosphere. With the lights on only over the ring, the dusty look and feel and a packed house inside an old Legion hall, this is independent professional wrestling. (From 2CW in Binghamton, Feb. 24, 2012)

A packed house makes it even better.

4. Up close and personal

In many independent setups, you are really close to the action. So if you are prepared and snapping away, you can come up with some cool shots. Such as this one with Tommy Dreamer and Colin Delaney. (From XCite in Binghamton, Sept. 28, 2012)

Beat down!

5. Stars of the past

Finally, going to independent shows often gives you the chance to see the stars of the past and those you watched growing up. Many of them are very approachable and friendly, which makes it even better. These guys have been through it all in the industry, and are still going. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan is one of my all-time favorites and I’ve had the chance to see him on these indy shows several times. (From 2CW in Rome, April 14, 2012)

Hacksaw!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Filed Under: Foto Friday, My world, Photography, Pro Wrestling Tagged With: 2cw, foto friday, hacksaw, hacksaw jim duggan, jim duggan, photography, photos, pro wrestling, pro wrestling photography, pro wrestling photos, professional wrestling, sports photography, wrestling, wrestling photos

2 Comments

Hacksaw HOOOOOO!

October 3, 2011

Hacksaw says HOOOOOOOO!

There are things that bring you back to your childhood.

Whether it’s passing a house or a lot where you used to play ball. Or seeing an old friend. Or one of a million other things.

Or events.

I’ve always been a pro wrestling fan. As a kid, I loved the larger-than-life characters. As an adult, I like the storylines — it’s more like a soap opera for adults. But sometimes, you get to go back to what you loved.

Wrestling came to town this past Friday. Among the names on the card was “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. The WWE Hall of Famer and the 57-year-old who hails from Glens Falls was going to wrestle.

Awesome.

And he still has the 2X4!

See, though he’s not in the “big leagues” anymore, he’s a draw. People love him. Kids love him. He still marches around with his trusty 2X4, yells “HOOOOOO” to the crowd and leads them in “USA USA” chants.

He’s still Hacksaw.

Despite a smaller crowd numbering in the hundreds, they got excited when Hacksaw was out. And that’s good. It’s what wrestling is all about. It’s a show and they entertain.

Before the card, the older wrestlers sign autographs and take photos. It’s how they make a lot of their money. Hacksaw was out there with Carlito, Tommy Dreamer, Eugene, and a little later, Shane Douglas.

I took a moment to chat with Hacksaw and let him know I always got a kick out of it when I covered the state high school wrestling championships and see his photo in the past champs. He was a New York state champion in 1972 or 1973. We laughed a little about it when I mentioned his glasses that he wore in that photo.

He greeted fans with grace and smiled all along.

This is what wrestling was like to me as a kid. Seeing these guys was amazing. If I got to talk to them or slap hands? It was awesome. I got to see that look in many kids eyes Friday night when Hacksaw came to the ring.

He still has it.

He never was much of a technical wrestler, but he always put on a good show. He still does, albeit a shorter show. He smiles. Shakes hands. Leads the crowd in chants. In the end, he gets into his three-point stance, clotheslines his opponent and wins.

Take a peek at the finish from his match in Delhi:

It never gets old with Hacksaw.

Following the card, he left wearing glasses and a sports coat. He looked more like a college teacher at that point than a professional wrestler. He shook hands with people and made sure those he talked to had a good time at the show. He then carted off his suitcase and out the door he went, heading off to the next event he worked.

Life isn’t easy for a professional wrestler, especially not in the independent circuit.

Does Hacksaw need this work? Who knows. Some do, some don’t. But he still seems like he enjoys it.

And he still finds a way to bring out the kid in all of us.

HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! USA!! USA!! USA!! USA!!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook by clicking the button on the right side of the page!

Filed Under: My world, Photography, Pro Wrestling Tagged With: big time wrestling, btw, carlito, delhi, eugene, hacksaw, hacksaw jim duggan, jim duggan, pro wrestling, professional wrestling, shane douglas, suny delhi, tommy dreamer, wrestling, wwe hall of famer

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A great bark in the park day Sunday at the Bingham A great bark in the park day Sunday at the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Harper got her first foul ball (as you can see she enjoyed!) and we also had the chance to grab a couple others and give them to some other dogs. All in all, four dogs walked away with balls! 

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One year ago today, I put a down payment on this g One year ago today, I put a down payment on this goof. Two weeks later, she came home … look at her now! 

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softball29 P.J. @softball29 ·
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New blog post: Photo Blogging Challenge (June 2022): Water. #PBC #PhotoBloggingChallenge #Photography #Challenge https://hoohaa.com/?p=15668

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Sharing a hot dog with Harper at bark in the park at @SyracuseMets ! #baseball #barkinthepark #dog #dogsoftwitter #hotdog

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A great bark in the park day Sunday at the @RumblePoniesBB. Harper got her first foul ball (as you can see she enjoyed!) and we also had the chance to grab a couple others and give them to some other dogs. #baseball #dogsoftwitter @MiLB

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When these boxes come, there usually some excitement. But this one ... is the ultimate unboxing! 

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