Chris Click cultivated his love for pro wrestling as a boy, when his father, Jim - maybe you've heard of him - took him to World Wrestling Federation matches in Tucson.
The younger Click got to meet Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant and other wrestlers of the era.
"I used to be a real big wrestling fan," Chris Click said. "I'm a casual fan now."
At age 38, Chris Click has become a wrestling promoter, staging a minor-circuit World of Unpredictable Wrestling event. The night will include autograph sessions with wrestlers, a post-card concert with singer Kaci Battaglia and a party with former NBA player and pro wrestler Dennis Rodman handling DJ duties - HDNet reality show "Geek to Freak" in tow.
Click hopes the diverse mix of entertainment attracts as many facets of Tucson's fan base as possible. He is putting up all the costs for the event and needs to sell at least 6,000 tickets in the 8,750 capacity arena to break even.
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After working for his father for several years - Chris appeared on commercials for Click's auto dealerships and worked in advertising - Chris Click decided to break off on his own to start a concert-promotions company, Click Jab Promotions, last year.
"It was just time for something new. Time for a change. Time to do something I like," Click said. "I've always really liked concerts and promotions. This is what I always wanted to do."
Despite the career change, dad wishes his son well.
"Like any dad, I would love to have Chris in the automobile business, but I want him to do what he wants to do," Jim Click said. "He wanted to try this and I'm really proud of him."
Jim Click said this won't be his first meeting with Rodman, who used to lead the NBA in rebounding and body art. Several years ago, Click and his daughter, Carrie, were in Los Angeles to watch the San Antonio Spurs, who then had former University of Arizona great Sean Elliott and Rodman, play the Clippers. Rodman dove for a loose ball and ended up in Carrie's lap.
"Hopefully Dennis is on his good behavior," Jim Click quipped.
The main event features former Total Nonstop Action wrestlers Abyss and Tommy Dreamer facing off in a non-TNA-sanctioned bout.
The festivities kick off at 5 p.m., with guest commissioner Rob Van Dam - a former WWE Champion - signing autographs. After the wrestling and concert, Rodman and DJ Vic Latino will emcee an after-party at Pearl Nightclub, 445 W. Wetmore Road. Admission is $20 at the door.
Battaglia, the 23-year-old songstress who turned heads by featuring Ludacris in her song "Body Shots (At the Bar)," which topped the Billboard dance chart, said she doesn't know what to expect from the night.
"To be a recording artist, you have to jump through so many hoops and overcome so many obstacles," Battaglia said, "and that's just one phase of it."
Contact reporter Phil Villarreal at 573-4130 or pvillarreal@azstarnet.com
