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In a wrestling conversation the other day the subject of John Bradshaw Layfield investing in pro wrestling related businesses since his retirement came up, and I was asked what I thought (didn’t this person know better then to ask my opinion?) of all this.
My educated guess is that JBL has invested wisely over the years and we won’t be doing any benefits for him. If he has the resources to dabble in these things I think it’s great for the wrestling people he is backing, and he is keeping his finger in the industry which gave him a high profile name, and the income to invest in other ventures and to become independent.
I know there are as many opinions of John as there are people to voice them, but please take into account that he was the idea guy behind the WWE trips to entertain our troops over seas which has brought a lot of high profile positive publicity to our industry which with things as they are was/is sorely needed. Say what you will, when given the push to the top as JBL the oil baron he stepped up and elevated his game, and as a color man on Smackdown also stepped up and delivered when it was called for. Personally, I have had nothing but positive contact with John.
Danny Davis is a class gentleman and should still have the checks coming from WWE as they owe him far more then he will ever owe them, but corporate politics rears its ugly head and OVW is on its own. JBL is investing here and they have started up the Viper Fight League to go along with Ohio Valley Wrestling. It serves several purposes as a helping support for OVW, getting involved in the growing MMA business, and advertising the Layfield Energy products. A positive deal for everyone all the way around.
The Custom Muscle mail order business which John has entered into with Charlie Haas is something that has been out there for years and giving discount prices on sports supplementation via mail order is a lucrative industry. I stocked those products that way in Gyms that I ran and when I owned my training school. Again, it’s a vehicle to get the name of Layfield Energy out there, and Charlie already had the base of operations with a store front in Texas. For the aspiring young wrestlers who have figured out that they need to be in a weight room as well as a wrestling ring, this is a web site you should visit and start using the supplements weather to gain lean mass, or for dieting down. I hope it works for all of those involved, and its wrestling money helping wrestling related people and industries. I take my hat off to JBL for giving back in this manner to the business he spent his time in while helping the smaller operations stay afloat.
You know if I were to win a big lottery jackpot I have often thought I would build the ultimate pro wrestling training center, offer a couple of scholarships each year and run it as I feel a place developing athletes for our industry should, and hope to produce some serious talent for the industry while having the opportunity to totally put into practice what I preach. The best I can do as far as giving back right now is doing the weekend training camps.
Another question thrown at me this past week was “Do I want to see Ric Flair wrestle again?” The short answer is NO! I have known “Natch” before he had that name and from the first time he stepped into a ring in North Carolina over thirty five years ago, respect his legacy in this industry and consider him a friend.
First his return to the ring would make a sham of the great retirement match at the 2008 Wrestlemania, and the retirement proceedings the following night on Raw. Second I would much rather young fans current and future watch the great matches with Steamboat, Race, and Funk on DVD or tape and not judge the current sixty year old athlete who like it or not has the same mind set, and brain skills as years ago, but healthy or not has lost a step or two like any human being moving past age sixty. I love this guy and the history he has brought to our business, and like all the greats I was privileged to work with back in the seventies I don’t want to see anyone diminish those memories or the legendary legacy that goes with it. Would I like to be able to wrestle again? It’s been quite a while since I last wrestled fulltime, and I damned sure would, but I know better. I also would like to play for the Boston Celtics which is as realistic as my coming back at anywhere near the level I left. This for me is the point. I want to remember him as the top performer he was, and that’s how I want everyone to remember him and the other legends from our era; not in any lesser form. If you stop and think about it, there’s a reason they don’t show baseball highlights of Willie Mays during his final season with the Mets, but do feature his over the shoulder catch in the “54” World Series among other things from the peak of his career.
Ric may be growing weary of pressing the flesh at autograph signings, but he is a great PR guy for the business, and he is as prolific at that as he was at crafting a main event masterpiece. Please let the comeback dream be just that, and I say that with all the respect in the world for “The Man”.
Train hard and master your craft.
Till Next Time,
Les
Les and Harley Race form Elite Pro Wrestling Training along with the principles left by former staff members Ricky Steamboat and Dr. Tom Prichard. For information on the company go to www.epwt.com . To book an EPWT seminar, camp, or trainer contact Les at les@epwt.com .
Get your copy of “The Professional Wrestler’s Workout & Instructional Guide” by Harley, Ricky, Les, and Alex Marvez published by Sports Publishing LLC at your local bookstore, www.highspots.com or one of several web sites.
The annual Harley Race/ Pro Wrestling Noah training camp is set for September 28th thru October 1st at Harley’s school in Eldon, MO. This year’s special guest is Ric Flair. You can sign up now. All the details are at www.harleyrace.com .
Les will be in Peoria, IL. Saturday May 30th for a training seminar 1: PM till 5 CST sponsored by the Heartland Wrestling Association, and their HD pilot TV taping that evening at the Exposition Gardens. For all the details go to www.hwaonline.com or e-mail hwareborn@yahoo.com .
Join Les and Host Rich Tate every Wednesday at 9: PM EST for “Peach State Pandemonium” discussing the wrestling news. Click on www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com .
