There is no amount of
time that allows you to prepare yourself for the inevitable when you
want to hope against hope for a different outcome.

I can't even
begin to put into words the heartbreak that I am feeling right now over
losing a friend and yet another former member of the Fannin Family over
the years. I could take a little solace in knowing that in a matter of
moments, Chris Candido/JProdigy/Rollin will be winning the 6 Man Tag
Championship in Heaven. However, the true solace comes from knowing
that my friend got exactly what he wanted: Christmas at home with his
family and then an end to all the pain and agony that had filled his
life.

Rollin Hard was a fighter right until the end and that is
why he will always be a champion and role model in my eyes. He fought
this thing for so long and so hard that he became an inspiration to
many. Hopefully everyone on this board and other wrestling boards is a
little more aware of colon cancer and will be getting checkups to make
sure that they don't have to endure what my friend has. Early detection
can be a life saver and that would then make Rollin a life saver.

Rollin
will always have a special place in my heart. When I started in
wrestling, Mitch Page and myself always talked about how I would manage
him while we were doing security and setting up the ring. I started
managing Ian at first to break in so he could give me on the job
training and help me from anear. Since I was good friends with Ian, it
almost felt like I hadn't "earned" it just yet since he was leading me
and showing me the way.

It was when I made my break away from
Ian and got to manage on my own that I felt like I had begun to "earn"
my spot. The first two people that I managed were Mitch and Rollin.
Rollin was my first heavyweight champion after the two Ian won with me
as a manager. I will always remember how excited and thrilled Rollin
was when he won the IWA title. He took all kinds of pictures at home
with the belt and I hope Angie and the kids still have those pictures
to remember that great time in Rollin's life.

I'll always
remember the IWA softball team and how Rollin along with Corporal and
Cash were like the only good players and Rollin was the only one to hit
a home run over the fence on the team. The games were on Monday nights
so the guys would still be sore as hell and beat up from Saturday night
but it was such a fun time for all of us even though we lost every time
we didn't play the Dixie Highway Fire Department.

I'll also
always remember the last time I saw Rollin. Mitch and I went to visit
him and watch the UK/Florida football game a couple of months ago. It
was a perfect visit where we could talk Cubs, Bears, UK sports and just
have a normal day.

Rollin was an inspiration and a hero and one of the toughest men that I ever got
the honor to meet. He will be sorely missed.

I
love you Rollin and I'm so thankful that I got to meet you and to know
that you are in a much better place and finally feeling no pain.

RIP and say hi to JProdigy and Candido for me behind the pearly gates.








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