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By JIM VARSALLONE
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 16, 2001
Fans packed the Sanford Civic Center near Orlando recently to see former WCW and WWF stars Rena and Marc Mero, Prince Iaukea, Typhoon and Earthquake along with local talent such as Justis, Sonic Youth, Sean Christain and the Market Crashers during an Intense Florida Wrestling show.
The highlight for fans was when former WWF/WCW star Scott Hall made his way to the ring. All the big names worked for friend John Tenta (former WWF star Earthquake) gratis, helping him draw a good crowd. Tenta runs John Tenta's School of Professional Wrestling and Intense Florida Wrestling in Sanford.
"We had a real good card," said Iaukea, a former WCW star. "The guys from John's school are good, hard workers. He's working real hard with them. There were also Rena and Marc Mero and Scott Hall. I was excited, and the event was great."
After a successful stint in Japan, Hall received a huge pop from the central Floridians. Hall greeted the crowd with "Hey yo!" and then beat Earthquake.
WCW star Kevin Nash stood backstage, hanging with his Outsiders buddy Hall. Hall and Nash live in central Florida. They signed autographs and posed for photos backstage.
With the rival WWF buying WCW, Nash is in no hurry to negotiate with the WWF. Nash said he has 10 months left on his existing WCW contract, and he will stay home, rest his body and collect his money.
"Just a couple of years ago, WCW was on top of the world. Now look at them," Iaukea said. "I feel bad for a lot of the guys. Hopefully, the WWF buying them out is good for the business. It can't be any worse for WCW. I have a lot of good friends still there, so I wish them the best of luck."
The crowd chanted "Rena! Rena! Rena!" during the event. Rena Mero (better known as Sable) spoke to fans, signed autographs and posed for photos.
"I'm used to walking out in front of 20,000 or more fans," Rena Mero said. "We had a soldout crowd here, which is probably about 1,000 fans, but it's just as exciting. I don't think you ever get tired of it. It's a wonderful feeling."
Get this. Rena Mero, a Jacksonville resident, will be starring in a made-for-TV movie, Ariana's Quest, shot in the Czech Republic, and co-starring in a TV series, The Immortal, with Lorenzo Lamas in the fall.
"Wrestling was very good to me," said Rena Mero, who also posed for Playboy in one of the best-selling issues in its history. "Out of wrestling came a lot of opportunities."
Former WWF/WCW star (Johnny B. Badd, Marvelous) Marc Mero looked good in his first match in nearly two years. Mero defeated Wild Child Michael Todd, managed by Gentleman Ed. Mero said he is not interested in the WWF or WCW right now, but would work another local show when their schedule permits. Currently, the Meros are busy with other projects.
"We've been married seven years now, and it's fabulous," Rena Mero said."We are together seven days a week, 24 hours a day, and I don't know how we would make it without each other."
Former WCW star Prince Iaukea pinned Frankie Capone.
Former WWF star Typhoon and Major Force defeated the Market Crashers and Bruiser Layton. Live Wire beat Justice.
Big Mac Daddy pinned Von Tankard. Gino Latino and Rico Casanova beat Slim & Trim. Sonic Youth and Sean Christain battled to a double countout.
"Hopefully, John can get a show going monthly or every other month around here (Sanford)," Iaukea said. "Of course, it's hard to get big names like Rena and Marc Mero, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash regularly, but maybe fans will see some good matches and want to see some of the other guys."
Want to become a pro wrestler? Visit John Tenta's School of Professional Wrestling, 1396 Tropic Drive (U.S. 1792) in Sanford (near Orlando). For information, e-mail bigtenta@bellsouth.net or call (407) 688-4742. NWA-Florida returns April 24 to Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, 504 N Howard Ave. in Tampa. Check out http://www.nwa-florida.com, http://www.nwa-wrestling.com