Scott Bowden presents Kentucky Fried Rasslin

Marathons assign you a number--just like in prison.

As some of you may recall, I survived the 2010 LA Marathon with a time of 5 hours, 22 minutes, 23 seconds. I’ve been training the last several months in preparation for this year’s event, but something inside me has prevented me from signing up for the upcoming race on March 20.

Some may call it fear. Some may say it’s common sense. Deep inside I know it’s thoughts of that feeling around mile 21 last year when I muttered to myself as my knees buckled, “I am never fucking doing this again. I am NEVER fucking doing this again. This is so stupid. Stupid!” That, combined with the concern that I may again suffer the dreaded “runner’s knee” (think of an icepick penetrating your kneecap when you attempt to run) during training as I did last year has also left me hesitant to commit.

I received an e-mail yesterday informing me that that 20,000 maniacs have signed up for the 2011 LA Marathon, meaning that this year’s event is on pace to sell out again. I ran seven miles after work last night and considered my decision. I woke up today at 4:15 a.m. and by 4:30 I was signed, fate sealed: I’m in. Not only that, but I’m also determined to beat my 2010 time by at least 35 minutes.

I figure if Jerry “the King” Lawler can challenge for the WWE championship at age 61, then I can damn sure run another marathon at 39. Even if that means I have to pull down the proverbial strap at mile 21.

Wish me luck. And promise me you’ll look after my wife if I don’t make it.

For the record, Willis did not break down and sob after this photo was taken.

Last night on Comedy Central’s Tosh.0, David Willis, who became an Internet sensation when he broke down crying, “It’s still real to me, damn it,” during a Q&A session when discussing the untimely deaths of wrestlers at the “Tribute to Starrcade” fan convention years ago, received his long-overdue Web Redemption.

Hosted by comedian (and old-school wrestling fan) Daniel Tosh, the show regularly features guests who have achieved unlikely overnight fame via mishaps or other forms of less-than-flattering video footage posted on the Internet, providing them an opportunity to face their demons and overcome their dubious past.

On past episodes, Tosh has referenced Arn and Ole Anderson, the Four Horsemen, Hulk Hogan, Sting, Randy Savage, J.J. Dillon, Ric Flair, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Gorilla Monsoon and other stars from the ’80s and ’90s

I met Willis at the 2009 NWA Wrestling Legends Convention when he politely asked to have his photo taken with me. I laughed, saying, “Hell, I’m the one who should be asking you for a photo-op–you’re a bigger celebrity than I’ve ever been.” When I published my initial post of our meeting, reader Eric Plunk suggested a Tosh.0 Web Redemption for Willis, and I wholeheartedly agreed.

David Willis and "Dowdy" Daniel Tosh.

Glad to see Willis finally redeem himself with the help of Tosh, Koko B. Ware (my former traveling companion on the road), Ted DiBiase and Sgt. Slaughter. (I wonder if Tosh will stick with kilts this season after so many years of cardigans, casual jackets and hoodies.)

The Tosh skit featuring all three WWE Hall of Famers is provided below, along with the original footage of Willis’ outburt from Jimmy Kimmel Live.

In 1996, I was crowing on live Memphis wrestling about Jerry Lawler being over the hill–that his best days as a wrestler were behind him. Somehow, I managed to mumble the words “1,000th show” like Daffy Duck–sounding more like “snow” than “show”–which Lawler immediately picked up on. See clip below. First, YOU trying saying “1,000th show” really fast–not that easy, is it?) In hindsight, I can’t believe I got away with implying on the air that Lawler was getting old, as he was quite sensitive about that. (Hence, his son being billed as “Brian Christopher” as he didn’t want the general public to realize that was he was old enough to have a son wrestling.)

Here we are, about 15 years later, and Lawler’s not only wrestling in the main event with two of the biggest stars in the industry on Monday’s RAW, but he’s also getting the pin with his patented fistdrop from the ropes. (Only fitting that Monday’s RAW was in Nashville.) Guess he proved me wrong.

I have to think Lawler’s ongoing Miz feud is perhaps leading to a Lawler match at WrestleMania, something he’s openly campaigned for over the last five years as he’s never worked the company’s biggest show as a wrestler.