Dan Gross: A plug for Stormin' Norman: 'He eats like a slob'

SOUTH PHILLY'S

Bobby Dailey

says his friend

John Tiska

, aka

Stormin' Norman

, is the man to beat at the sold-out Wing Bowl 17.

Dailey left us a nasty voicemail after reading last week's profile of "Damaging" Doug Canavin, and said the real story was about Stormin' Norman. "He's a pig. He eats like a slob," says Dailey.

In Wing Bowl world, those are compliments, we assure you.

The Mummer pals - Dailey's a Satin Slipper member and Tiska is part of Froggy Carr - have their own pizza-eating contests which Tiska always wins. Tiska asked his pal to speak to us on his behalf and Dailey estimates Tiska, who works in construction, is 6 foot 3 inches and about 280 pounds. "He's solid, he ain't a fat pig, but he eats like one," Dailey says of his buddy.

Tiska qualified for the Wing Bowl by eating a large pizza in 6 1/2 minutes.

From backstage to main stage

Rick "The Manager" Russo says he was tired of sitting on the sidelines. Russo formerly managed past Wing Bowl contender Dave the Dumpster, but decided to try out this year himself.

The owner of Russo Landscaping out of Royersford and wife Sherri are excited for his chances. Sherri, who is being treated for cancer, and a Wingette volunteered to be a human plate for Russo, who qualified by eating four feet of sushi off the women at 610 WIP studios recently.

"I'm a manager, not an eater. I go for the showman end of things," admits Russo, 43, who is practicing heavily and says he's "gonna give it the old college try."

"I love the event and I wanted to take matters into my own hands and mouth," says Russo, who is 5 foot 10 inches and weighs 230 pounds, and also works as a PIAA high school basketball referee.

He's set up a Web site at RickTheManager.com, where you can hear his hip-hop theme song, written and performed by veteran competitive eater Eric "Badlands" Booker.

Breakfast of champions

Wing Bowl is the biggest day of the year for area strip clubs, and several spots including Club Risque (1700 S. Columbus) and Center City's Gold Club (1416 Chancellor) will offer complimentary breakfasts. The Gold Club has added a new promotion this year. During its breakfast buffet from 9 a.m. to noon, the club is also selling two-for-one couch dances.

Cataldi explains increased cost

Not that anybody was complaining, but 610 WIP's Angelo Cataldi explains that the increase in ticket price this year - from $5 to $7.50 - is to raise more funds for the Philadelphia Police Foundation. Cataldi, Wing Bowl's ringleader, says a police officer will sing "The Star-Spangled Banner," while other officers will make up one of the contestant's entourage. Cataldi still hopes an officer qualifies for the contest. *

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