When I was growing up, I was obsessed with the sport of wrestling. Not much has changed. I was sitting with my kids today while they were opening up some gifts, and I thought about how many gifts I've gotten throughout the years and, more importantly, how many of them were wrestling related. 

Some of them were complete throwaways, but some helped shape the wrestler, and ultimately, the person that I became. I know I'm not the only one who asked Santa for wrestling stuff, so I asked a few friends.

Mike Malinconico, Associate Producer, FloWrestling.com

Blank VHS Tape

I've spent the better part of my adult life studying human motion and applying it to wrestling. I never really thought about this until I started writing this article, but the roots of this obsession started a long time ago. 

When I was young my dad would get me a pack of blank VHS tapes. This was a yearly occurrence. The first year that he got them for me I really didn't mention it. I just figured that it was one of those stocking-stuffer-type gifts that were put out specifically to make the gift count look higher under the tree on Christmas morning (a pack of socks are great for this). The second year that my dad gave me a pack of VHS tapes I can distinctly remember asking him, "What the heck are these for?" (I'm sure I didn't say "heck," but it was NJ in the '90s, don't be too judgy.) 

When I asked him, I was half joking. I really believed that they were a throwaway gift. He turned to me and said "You should have someone tape your matches so that you can watch them later." We didn't have a video recorder, but some of my friends' parents did. That gift seems to have kindled a fire in me that hasn't gone out.

Connor Boike, Owner, Wrestle Boutique

Brand New Orange Gables

2lb

Cliff Fretwell, Owner, Compound Clothing

Granby Camp

"One year I got a trip to Granby Camp. Keith Lowrance changed my life and my wrestling career. He put together one of the best camp/technical systems

Kendall Cross, 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist

A Scale

"Dad got me this piece of...truth and honesty when I was about 12 years old."

Andy Hrovat, 2008 Olympian

Nothing

"I can't remember any." 

Christian Pyles, Site Manager, FloWrestling.com

"A Season On The Mat"

"I got 'A Season On The Mat' in 2004. My girlfriend, now wife, Katie, gave it to me. It poured gasoline on the fire of my wrestling fandom."

Coleman Scott, 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist

Kendall's Adistars

Jeff Zannetti, Owner, Wrestling Mindset

"Train Like A Madman" Posters

Eric Guerrero, 2004 Olympian

Perspective