Make Movement: Remembering Chris Candido

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I didn’t think I’d be this sad

celebrating your life



too short, so short

leaving so many of us



crying and questioning, why

what did God want



taking you too soon

it kills me

– part of a poem I wrote for Chris called “you did better than okay”

[The video above is the opening of UXW’s Chris Candido Memorial Show that I attended last year.]

Anyone who knows me knows that I hate April. If it wasn’t for the fact that my sister was born in April, I’d never want to deal with April at all. April 28th, 2005 didn’t help. I’ll never forget where I was when I found out about my close friend Chris Candido’s passing. I don’t look forward to this week, I haven’t looked forward to this week and though a lot is going in my life, good and bad, more than anything, I miss Chris.


When Chris passed away, my parents weren’t getting along. It was a pretty harsh family affair as usual fights are, my father had went to bed from coming home from work in a bad mood and it woke me up. I was frustrated so I went online at about 8 o’clock that morning to get my mind off of things and I saw some emails from some friends who knew my AOL account. A few ‘I’m sorrys’ and ‘did you hear what happened to Chris’ type emails. It still wasn’t really hitting me, even seeing my friend saying, ‘please tell Tammy and I’m really sorry for both of you and his family for your loss.’ Even writing that now seems unbelievable. I remember going to WrestlingDB.com and seeing the headlines from all the major wrestling sites and it sinking in as I read each and every one and them, and most especially TNAWrestling.com. Somehow I went to bed thinking life was okay and Chris was going to be fine since the surgery, and to wake up and he’s no longer here. I woke up my father in a distraught, wrecked fashion explaining incoherently that Chris was dead. I didn’t want to do anything, I wanted to just cry, not move and talk to Tammy. It’s a day I hope to never experience again. I remember the strange irony in timing, that the last time I had heard from Chris was explaining to me how he was doing a double-shot in two different states for May 21st, 2005, one being the UXW show, and that he loved me. I ended up going to that UXW show after all in memory of Chris since I wasn’t able to with my job to make the funeral much to my incredible dismay. I don’t try to understand the indy wrestling scene drama but to be with Tammy and Johnny Candido that night was absolutely where I had to be and no other place on the planet would have been acceptable.


[The Ohio Valley Wrestling tribute to Chris Candido.]

Everyone who saw Chris wrestle over the years saw his absolute love for two things, pro wrestling and Tammy Sytch. He was gifted beyond belief and never received the credit due to him with his talented athletic ability and ability to entertain crowds. Though sometimes it’s still difficult for me to watch a full Chris Candido match now because I feel my heart sink, when I’m able to watch it, I’m instantly smiling, I’m instantly laughing at him being a heel and making fun of someone like Taz or Sabu. The people who took time of their lives to criticize Chris failed to see the loyalty in his heart for his family and friends and his ability to come back from the most difficult situations like injury, drug issues and personal drama. There are days when I’m going through personal drama of my own and I remember Chris telling me that anyone I’d date would have to be good to me or they’d have to deal with him as my big brother figure and how I miss that as I’m going through life’s trials of romance. I miss knowing that Chris could listen to my problems and help remind me that I’m young and have plenty of time. With Chris, you can talk about wrestling for hours, 24 hours, because he lived for Tammy, family and wrestling. However, I was blessed to be able to call Chris like a brother to me, a close friend, to be able to be ‘normal’ with him and discuss love, life, writing and music.


(A touching fan video made in honor of Chris Candido.)

I remember all the hundreds of emails that Tammy and I got when Chris passed and how supportive fans were, as shocked as we all were. Thank you again because without that support, it would have been even harder to accept Chris’ passing. Everyone has different belief systems, but in my spiritual walk, I completely believe and deeply accept that Chris is in a better, more peaceful realm, and is watching out for me, as well as others, from the ultimate Gorilla Position. I miss Chris every day and there isn’t one day that I don’t think about Chris, but I know that he loves me and is smiling that trademark Chris Candido grin at me. No matter what you believe, if Christopher Candito ever touched your life, please think a warm thought for him, watch some videos of Chris, play “Back in Black” by AC/DC for him and do the Candido/Flair strut in your home. Whatever the case may be, Chris lives on for those who loved him and could never forget him.


For the latest on what Tammy is up to and in the future, as well as I put more Chris memories up as I collect them so I can archive them up, please visit the official site for Chris and Tammy at CandidoOnline.com.



Thanks to all those who tune into the Big E Sports show at Rockland World Radio every Tuesday between 7-8 EST to hear hosts Erik Fenton, Dave Lagreca and I to discuss professional wrestling and whatever else is going on! You just never know what we will say next! Always remember, for things to change, you have to make movement. Thanks for reading and for all the feedback, feel free to contact me anytime at Bam@4sternstaging.com.