Voice Of Enfield-Based Wrestling Promotion Spins The Wheel With Mickey
ENFIELD, CT — In his four years as ring announcer for Enfield-based Blitzkrieg! Pro Wrestling, Phil McManus has become well-known for his clear, excited delivery while introducing performers. However, it would be hard to exceed the excitement he recently experienced on national television, as a contestant on a special holiday edition of America’s top game show.
McManus was chosen to appear on “Wheel of Fortune” following a selection process that began when he spied an audition notice on the show’s Instagram page.
“I’ve been a Disney fan all my life, and growing up, my mom watched “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy” every night,” he said in an exclusive interview with Patch. “I cut a wrestling-style promo and sent it in, and got a virtual audition.”
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He said he got a fast callback which resulted in a virtual interview with one of the show’s producers. Then followed a second audition in which he and other hopefuls played a mock game.
“They said they would get back to me within a month, but I actually got a call back that same night,” he said.
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He said the producers were particularly impressed with his array of Disney tattoos, including Madam Leota from Haunted Mansion on his right hand, Scar from The Lion King on his left hand and Cinderella’s Castle from the Magic Kingdom on his leg.
He and his girlfriend, Katherine Albetski, were flown to California, and the program on which he appears will air next Tuesday, Dec. 17. The Disney Secret Santa Holiday Giveaway special editions of “Wheel of Fortune” run through Dec. 20, with home viewers able to match a contestant’s winnings, from cash to Disney vacations.
While on the West Coast, McManus and Albetski got the thrill of experiencing Disneyland for the first time.
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“I’ve been to Disney World in Florida probably 16 times, but never Disneyland,” he said.
He also said it was tremendously exciting to meet hostess Vanna White, who is celebrating 42 years with the show, and new host Ryan Seacrest, who took over this fall following the retirement of Pat Sajak.
“It was absolutely surreal being there with Vanna, someone I grew up watching,” he said. “Ryan Seacrest was a wonderful human being, everything you’d expect.”
McManus is bound by an agreement with the show’s producers not to disclose how he fared. “Nonetheless, finding out the results should be thrilling,” he said.
Locally, the show airs at 7 p.m. on WWLP-TV22 in Springfield, and at 7:30 p.m. on WTNH-TV8 in Connecticut.
In the meantime, before his face becomes nationally known, it will be business as usual for McManus Saturday afternoon at another holiday-inspired performance, as mic man for BPW’s benefit show, “Sleigher.” With a special bell time of 4 p.m. Saturday at Thompson Hall (formerly the Old Country Banquet Hall) at 4 Alden Ave. in Enfield. The front row is long sold out, but general admission tickets are available online at blitzkriegpro.net.
Fans are encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy for donation to the Enfield Police Department’s Toys for Joy drive, and in exchange will receive an autograph or photo opportunity with IWTV champion Krule, dubbed “Santa Krule” for one night only.
After Tuesday night’s airing, it may be McManus’ autograph which becomes in high demand.
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