Caliendo refused to shake Mesenbrink's hand on the podium

[MPhillips]

5 hours ago, mr.nonothingatall said:

No it's not, your over reacting just like everyone else.

Now, now...No one overreacts about Iowa like you.

[Hurricane Wrestling]

12 minutes ago, Mr. PeanutButter said:

Dude you're a weirdo

I won't deny your allegation, Mr. PeanutButter. 

BTW, were you around back in the day when ValAttack and Suzy_Shagwell had their epic and hilarious back-and-forths on the old forum?  I'm just trying to rekindle that old magic.

[kschlosser]

4 hours ago, JimmyCinnabon said:

Even as a huge PSU fan I find MM to be obnoxious. Whatever media training Cael gives his wrestlers is awful. Most of the PSU wrestlers are insufferable in interviews at this point and insufferable in other ways. It becomes harder every day to root for these PSU guys, who many appear to be in a cult.

I am not sure who is guiding them, but take your pick amongst the team elder, high priest, patriarch, seventy, apostle, deacon, priest, or bishop and those boys are prepared to stand at their chosen pulpit on Sunday afternoons and Saturday nights and speak to the wards and stakes of wrestling America.

[BAC]

57 minutes ago, Hurricane Wrestling said:

 @VakAttack  Note that at the end of the match in which you allege Mesenbrink acted foolishly, he leaned forward, gave the winner a vigorous handshake and a smile, while looking directly at him. 

OTH, Burroughs averted his gaze, and only limply shook hands.  (Note the position of his thumb and extended fingers.)

I call upon you to publicly apologize to Mr. Mesenbrink on this forum.  And, should you see him in person, express your regrets and offer your hand (and, for God's sake, don't do so limply).

In conclusion, I'm appalled at your baseless allegations against MM (and Nickal), Mr. Vak.  I only regret that Ms. Suzy Shagwell isn't here to offer you her constructive criticism.  

Sorry Hurricane, I see my post is sort of duplicative of yours. Didn't mean to steal your thunder.

But it sounds like you are as excited as I am to see the "well-documented" examples of Mesenbrink's poor post-match behavior.  Because who would call someone out for poor post-match sportsmanship without a good basis, or without sharing all the documentary evidence they claim to have amassed?

So far, we have the supposedly "limp handshake" against Carr that was mentioned earlier (seconds after Mesenbrink, mad at himself, realized he'd forgotten about riding time and the match wasn't going to OT). 

But hmm, I wonder if Mesenbrink's handshake is firmer when he *beats* David Carr?Take a look here, where he later beats Carr at the US Open.  Jeez, pretty much the same flacid handshake, eh?

I'm sure is Mitch sorry he disappointed the forum that he doesn't always have a firm, look-you-in-the-eye, "pleased to meet you, sir" businessman-like handshake after going all-out for 6-7 minutes.  I dunno, maybe he's tired?

I do remember the JB match.  There was some chippiness mid-match by both sides, but after the match, Mesenbrink stretched out his hand, as your photo shows.  (Note:  What your photo doesn't show is that right after, when Mesenbrink walked over to JB's coaches to shake *their* hand, JB ran over and shoved Mesenbrink away, preventing the handshake.  I remember that plain as day, and the cascade of boos that rained down. I love JB but that was his worst moment.)

But surely there's post-match misconduct in Mitch's other losses to Carr, both in Final X, here and here.  But I looked and, hmm, looks like a regular, exhausted-but-respectful handshake.  Did I miss something?

Maybe there's some other Mesenbrink losses I'm not thinking of... the ones where he's acting with "pure foolishness" after the whistle?  There HAS to be, right?  It's well-documented!

If Vak's upload button is on the fritz, maybe one of forum's other members of the ever-growing "Mitch Mesenbrink Teched My Guy So Now I Defame Him" Fan Club can chime in with some video evidence?

Maybe a junior high match where he spit in his palm before shaking hands?  Anything?

Edited March 23 by BAC

[The Kid]

6 minutes ago, BAC said:

Sorry Hurricane, I see my post is sort of duplicative of yours. Didn't mean to steal your thunder.

But it sounds like you are as excited as I am to see the "well-documented" examples of Mesenbrink's poor post-match behavior.  Because who would call someone out for poor post-match sportsmanship without a good basis, or without sharing all the documentary evidence they claim to have amassed?

So far, we have the supposedly "limp handshake" against Carr that was mentioned earlier (seconds after Mesenbrink, mad at himself, realized he'd forgotten about riding time and the match wasn't going to OT). 

But hmm, I wonder if Mesenbrink's handshake is firmer when he *beats* David Carr?Take a look here, where he later beats Carr at the US Open.  Jeez, pretty much the same flacid handshake, eh?

I'm sure is Mitch sorry he disappointed the forum that he doesn't always have a firm, look-you-in-the-eye, "pleased to meet you, sir" businessman-like handshake after going all-out for 6-7 minutes.  I dunno, maybe he's tired?

I do remember the JB match.  There was some chippiness mid-match by both sides, but after the match, Mesenbrink stretched out his hand, as your photo shows.  (Note:  What your photo doesn't show is that right after, when Mesenbrink walked over to JB's coaches to shake *their* hand, JB ran over and shoved Mesenbrink away, preventing the handshake.  I remember that plain as day, and the cascade of boos that rained down. I love JB but that was his worst moment.)

But surely there's post-match misconduct in Mitch's other losses to Carr, both in Final X, here and here.  But I looked and, hmm, looks like a regular, exhausted-but-respectful handshake.  Did I miss something?

Maybe there's some other Mesenbrink losses I'm not thinking of... the ones where he's acting with "pure foolishness" after the whistle?  There HAS to be, right?  It's well-documented!

If Vak's upload button is on the fritz, maybe one of forum's other members of the ever-growing "Mitch Mesenbrink Teched My Guy So Now I Defame Him" Fan Club can chime in with some video evidence?

Maybe a junior high match where he spit in his palm before shaking hands?  Anything?

The rumors are that MM likes to trash talk during the match.  Wtf knows? Wtf cares?

[mr.nonothingatall]

21 minutes ago, MPhillips said:

Now, now...No one overreacts about Iowa like you.

Lol. BREAKING NEWS. YOU ARE CORRECT 

[LoserJucoMan]

3 minutes ago, The Kid said:

The rumors are that MM likes to trash talk during the match.  Wtf knows? Wtf cares?

Mesenbrink is super annoying to wrestle, and he's clearly really good. At the same time, I don't think he's done anything to prove the handshakes as malicious. Trying to shake somebody's hand, getting rejected and keeping it moving is getting painted as having bad sportsmanship. that's nuts lol.

[The Kid]

2 minutes ago, LoserJucoMan said:

Mesenbrink is super annoying to wrestle, and he's clearly really good. At the same time, I don't think he's done anything to prove the handshakes as malicious. Trying to shake somebody's hand, getting rejected and keeping it moving is getting painted as having bad sportsmanship. that's nuts lol.

Like I said, wtf cares?

[Rassling]

1 hour ago, Xmas32 said:

It could just be me, but I noticed way, way more of wrestlers shaking the opposing coaches hands after matches this year at NCAAs then I have in a long time. I'm not sure if that was the case this year or it's one of those, "I saw a yellow car on the road today and now I see yellow cars everywhere" type thing. 

Good to see - it’s the right thing to do.

[LoserJucoMan]

Just now, The Kid said:

Like I said, wtf cares?

People are looking for anything to nitpick since the season's over now I guess

[Rassling]

14 minutes ago, The Kid said:

The rumors are that MM likes to trash talk during the match.  Wtf knows? Wtf cares?

Haven’t heard / read that once all season - until now. Don’t buy it. Won’t but it.

[The Kid]

2 minutes ago, Rassling said:

Haven’t heard / read that once all season - until now. Don’t buy it. Won’t but it.

No one is selling you anything.

[wrestlingshoe]

I still remember the look on the guys face that I beat for the state title decades ago. We were both seniors and had been working for that title our entire lives. His expression was identical to Caliendo. I would have never tried to shake his hand (and didn't) and I would not fault him if he snubbed me if I tried. 

[Rassling]

Just now, The Kid said:

No one is selling you anything.

not you kid, the rumor monger you read it from. I don’t buy half the crap I read online. You’re certainly not at fault. My apologies 

[wrestlingshoe]

5 minutes ago, Rassling said:

not you kid, the rumor monger you read it from. I don’t buy half the crap I read online. You’re certainly not at fault. My apologies 

If you even buy half the things you read online I'm hoping you are reading a different internet than me. Ever since AI, I'm guessing we may be hard pressed to find 10% online that is not false to some degree. 

[MarkGA]

It is up to the non-champ to initiate a handshake, not the champ.  Having champ try it just makes him look like a buffoon which MM does so well. 

[boconnell]

2 minutes ago, MarkGA said:

It is up to the non-champ to initiate a handshake, not the champ.  Having champ try it just makes him look like a buffoon which MM does so well. 

It's absurd that you think there is a protocol for who initiates a handshake.  The ability to broadly complain on the internet has led to absurdity like this.

[ChickenWing]

On 3/22/2026 at 1:57 PM, mr.nonothingatall said:

Stayed in his row. They shook hands after the match and after every match. Why is is mitchell even shaking everyone ones hands again anyway.

Theater

If MM just wanted to congratulate the other place winners there were plenty of off-stage one-on-one opportunities

 

Edited March 23 by ChickenWing

[Hurricane Wrestling]

4 minutes ago, BAC said:

Sorry Hurricane, I see my post is sort of duplicative of yours. Didn't mean to steal your thunder.

But it sounds like you are as excited as I am to see the "well-documented" examples of Mesenbrink's poor post-match behavior.  Because who would call someone out for poor post-match sportsmanship without a good basis, or without sharing all the documentary evidence they claim to have amassed?

So far, we have the supposedly "limp handshake" against Carr that was mentioned earlier (seconds after Mesenbrink realized he'd forgotten about riding time and the match wasn't going to OT).  Hmm, I wonder if Mesenbrink's handshake is firmer when he *beats* David Carr?

Take a look here.  Pretty much the same flacid handshake, eh?

I'm sure Mitch sorry he disappointed to forum that he doesn't alwayes have a firm, look-you-in-the-eye, "pleased to meet you, sir" businessman handshake after going all-out for 6-7 minutes.  I dunno, maybe he's tired?

I do remember the JB match.  There was some chippiness mid-match by both sides, but after the match, Mesenbrink stretched out his hand, as your photo shows.  (Note:  What your photo doesn't show is that right after, when Mesenbrink walked over to JB's coaches to shake *their* hand, JB ran over and shoved Mesenbrink away.  I remember that plain as day, and the cascade of boos that rained down. I love JB but that was his worst moment.)

But surely there's misconduct in Mitch's other losses to Carr, both in Final X, here and here.  But I looked and, hmm, looks like a regular, exhausted-but-respectful handshake.  

Maybe there's some other Mesenbrink losses I'm not thinking of... the ones where he's acting with "pure foolishness" after the whistle?  There HAS to be, right?  It's well-documented!

If Vak's upload button is on the fritz, maybe one of forum's other members of the ever-growing "Mitch Mesenbrink Teched My Guy So Now I Defame Him" Fan Club can chime in with some video evidence?

Maybe a junior high match where he spit in his palm before shaking hands?  Anything?

Your "Mitch Mesenbrink Teched My Guy So Now I Can Defame Him" fan club appellation is spot on.  Earlier Vak said "I'll see if we can find the 165 lb. award ceremony," apparently to further bolster his allegations about MM.  But it looks like that's proven fruitless for him.

Later, Vak accused Bo Nickal as acting "in the same vein" (i.e., performative and condescending).  That's rather ironic considering Nickal was quoted in this thread as saying; "Have some grace for Caliendo.  Probably didn't even notice what was going on and in a head space most people cannot relate to whatsoever.  I'm sure Mitchell was not offended."

Apparently, Vak (and some others) are still having a hard time dealing with the fact that Penn State has supplanted the Hawkeyes as the dominant power in college wrestling.  I guess they're just trying to cope by lashing out at MM (and Nikal) with flimsy, exaggerated, and specious allegations.

[Rassling]

31 minutes ago, wrestlingshoe said:

If you even buy half the things you read online I'm hoping you are reading a different internet than me. Ever since AI, I'm guessing we may be hard pressed to find 10% online that is not false to some degree. 

exactly - same percentage for me. Truly disappointing. I don’t belong to any other forum or social media and have no idea how bad it really is, however what little I follow on FB - things I really enjoy, I’ve noticed an almost immediate change in legitimacy. That’s why if I see something I’m interested I put it on pause and go straight to the comments. Of more than a few people feel it’s AI I move on and forget about it. 

[Hurricane Wrestling]

9 minutes ago, ChickenWing said:

Theater

If MM just wanted to congratulate the other place winners there were plenty of off-stage one-on-one opportunities

 

Actually, he did congratulate them off-stage with a heart felt card to each AA: 

[CHROMEBIRD]

1 hour ago, Hurricane Wrestling said:

BTW, were you around back in the day when ValAttack and Suzy_Shagwell had their epic and hilarious back-and-forths on the old forum?  I'm just trying to rekindle that old magic.

A hilarious memory was when Vak and Flying Dragon were jawing back and forth, then they decided to meet up at NCAAs or something and settle it on the mat. Then it was revealed that FD was 125lbs and Vak would be a Hwt  

H3 and TBar were also great. H3 is still around, so Imma give him the W on that rivalry

[BAC]

9 minutes ago, CHROMEBIRD said:

A hilarious memory was when Vak and Flying Dragon were jawing back and forth, then they decided to meet up at NCAAs or something and settle it on the mat. Then it was revealed that FD was 125lbs and Vak would be a Hwt  

H3 and TBar were also great. H3 is still around, so Imma give him the W on that rivalry

Flying Dragon?  Or was it Flying Tiger?  Lots of names have been kicking around here for a while.

I think TBar is/was an older guy.  I hope he's OK.

Vak is a good egg, my present criticisms notwithstanding. 

[Hurricane Wrestling]

Lots of good memories.  Agreed, Vak is a good egg but he's fun to argue with.  I remember when he was just a pup in law school and Suzy Shagwell began mentoring him.  She's the reason he's a big success today! 

The one I miss the most is my old pal Rossel3.  He really loved his Hawks and always joined "Officer Vak" in defending them.  Rossel couldn't handle Penn State supplanting Iowa as top dog.  I recall one of his last posts was something to the effect of: "Taylor and Ruth are generational talents. Iowa will return to dominance after they graduate."  

Hopefully, Rossel is still around and doing well.  Alas, Suzy Shagwell transitioned to the Big Mat in the Sky several years back.  

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

2 hours ago, Rassling said:

Haven’t heard / read that once all season - until now. Don’t buy it. Won’t but it.

It is pretty well-documented.  You can see his mouth moving during matches.  Flo brought it up once and Askren confirmed and said he has experienced it and it is annoying.  (Although Ben would do it himself)