Interview with Tessa Blanchard
The Charlotte Knights welcomed professional wrestler Tessa Blanchard to BB&T Ballpark on Thursday, August 13 to throw out a ceremonial first pitch.
Tessa is a third generation wrestler, who is the granddaughter of Joe Blanchard, and the daughter of Tully Blanchard.
As a wrestling fan, of course I remember Tully Blanchard from his days as one of the legendary Four Horsemen. In fact, also at the ballpark on Thursday was one of the Four Horsemen, Arn Anderson — Tully’s “Brain Busters” tag team partner. On a side note, I remember seeing the Brain Busters defeat Strike Force at Wrestlemania V in Atlantic City. I attended that event as an eight-year-old and remember it fondly to this day!
Tessa also brought her stepdad with her, legendary wrestler Magnum TA, who I had the pleasure of meeting. And last, but certainly not least, Gwinnett Braves play-by-play man, Tony Schiavone, was also in the house. All of this took place a day after we welcomed WWE referee Charles Robinson and wrestler Lodi to BB&T Ballpark on Wednesday!
Tessa, a Charlotte native, currently wrestles for PWX Wrestling here in Charlotte. Brian Kanabroski, the COO of the promotion, was also on hand for the night. It was great to hang out with both of them, as they spent a good amount of the night in the press box.
It was certainly a busy night for Tessa, who sat down with Mike Pacheco for a pre-game show interview. She even had a chance to spend some quality time with Charlotte Knights mascot Homer the Dragon — both on the field and in the press box for a few minutes!
I had a chance to catch a few practice pitches from Tessa and minutes later, she got a few tips on how to throw out her ceremonial first pitch from Charlotte Knights pitching coach Richard Dotson. Although she says she was nervous, her first pitch was a good one!
I had the chance to talk to Tessa for a bit about her night at BB&T Ballpark, her career, growing up in a wrestling family, and what’s on the horizon for her.
She has some big matches in her near future and at just 20 years old, she is a star in the making!
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