Wrestlers in Tampa Bay?

[LuigiD]

I have been visiting this forum for some time and finally decided to join.
I have been living in Tampa for a few years and I know there is a ton of wrestlers in the area. I occasionally see wrestlers at shopping centers, restaurants, etc. I even got to see Eddie and Test before they passed away.
Does anyone know why? I know FCW is around but if I am not mistaken, there was a ton of them around here even before that.

[Funky Fly]

It's a nice place. Very relaxing. That's probably why.

[The Mackem]

There are a lot of wrestlers based in Florida. Plus as you mentioned FCW are there plus TNA Impact is filmed at Orlando where they also have an office.

[Destor]

FIP, FCW, and TNA are the current reason. Other than that Florida has always been a abig wrestling state and even on top of that it's easy for wrestlers to get stunt work on the side down there. Many perks. Plus great wheather and hot chicks.

[Dave Youell]

When you travel all the time and pick home anywhere in the states, Florida would seem like a good place to call home

Apart from all the Hurricanes, and that army of snakes I heard about this week

[Fabien Barthez]

A Wrestlers time off the road is his vacation. Florida is perfect for that need. It is realistically drivable to New York, Atlanta, Carolina and Georgia. They have always been the places Wrestlers needed to get to to work. Also Miami Airport has flights going to all the big cities in the US.

[Shisen Kopf]

I live in Tampa now I and know Jimmy Hart's kid

[LuigiD]

I live in Tampa now I and know Jimmy Hart's kid
Sounds cool. School buddies?

[KayfabeMan]

Tampa area has always been a big spot for wrestlers to settle in actually.

Going back to the days of Eddie Graham running the Tampa Sportatorium, and the CWF being wildly popular. The Florida territory led to a lot of wrestlers settling in that area at the time.

Nowadays I think it remains popular as a lot of people like to settle in Florida, and Tampa has a good real estate market. A lot of celebrities live in Tampa, even George Steinbrenner. As someone who has spent some time in Tampa, I don't see the attraction - but to each their own.

Unfortunately, Tampa also has a long history of wrestling related deaths going back to Eddie Graham, who killed himself there in early 1985. Test, Mike Awesome, Bam Bam Bigelow, Curt Hennig and IIRC, Hawk, fall into the category - among others.

[hb2k]

Actually, the real reason there's so many wrestlers living in Tampa is because it is an income-tax free state.

[KayfabeMan]

The entire state of Tampa? Or just certain parts of it? :shifty:

[hb2k]

I meant Florida ¬_¬

[KayfabeMan]

I know :)

Rep all around.