 Show: The Interactive Interview
courtesy of www.WrestlingEpicenter.com
Guest: Al Snow
Date: 4/21/08
Your Hosts: Patrick Kelley & James Walsh
Special Contributor: Nick "Griffin" Noel
What an interview! Former WWE/ECW superstar Al Snow stops by and really gives
an education on pro wrestling, training, and the problem facing the business
and the trainees of today. This one gets really real, and really in depth.
Thinking about becoming a wrestler? Are you already an indy wrestler? Consider
yourself a wrestling insider? Hell, even if you think you're a "smart mark",
you will learn a thing or two by listening to Al educate in this sensational
interview.
Everything from the above mentioned topic to Chris Benoit to politics and
the future of pro wrestling plus how he met his fiance "Bobcat" now known
as Pussy Willow in WEW.
This one isn't one to miss. So, tune in and listen!
AL SNOW
- The interview begins with Al Snow talking about his
current situation. Heýs no longer with the WWE, but heýs got
lots of other things he wants to do and his wrestling career is ýnot
totally over yetý as heýs done some independent shows and
heýs not opposed to going back to WWE or even TNA.
- He is very thankful for his run in the WWE and says it was a compliment
that they kept him on the roster as long as they did. He says at the time
of his run, he was his own worst enemy and didnýt see some of the
chances he had that were there. But he is also enjoying the free time he
has now and he has plenty of opportunities now, and thanks to his time with
WWE.
- When asked about TNA, he says that he hopes it succeeds as competition
for the WWE will benefit everybody involved. As for whether or not heýll
ever go there, he says ýWho knows?ý and then explains that
he is loyal to the WWE, but his primary loyalty is to his family, and if
the situation was right, he would consider going to TNA.
- When asked about all the Reality shows that are similar to Tough Enough,
he says that its flattering and points out that a lot of the popular Reality
shows like Ultimate Fighter, Top Model, and The Apprentice are very similar
to Tough Enough in the way its used.
- He doesnýt know why the format for Tough Enough was changed in its
last incarnation, but he has some speculation about it. He doesnýt
want to state the speculations feeling that if he doesnýt have an
informed opinion about it and says that the media likes to take stated
speculations and blow it out of proportions.
- This leads into a very interesting conversation regarding the Benoit situation
and how people seemed to think that wrestling was the reason for what happened
which allows for people to disassociate themselves from the tragedy and not
worry about it ever happening (for example, the Columbine Kids being linked
to Marilyn Manson)
- When asked about why the Benoit thing was blown up in the news so much
because quite simply ýit was a sexy storyý and ultimately the
news is a TV show that has to get high ratings.
- His opinion on Benoit being erased from WWE history is that itýs
Vinceýs company and he is responsible for him, his family, and the
1000s of people that work for him and he has to do what he think is right
for his entire company.
- With young stars being trained, Al Snow says that there are a lot of newer
talents who do moves when they donýt make sense. Snow says that when
he got into the business, it was very hard to get in, but it isnýt
now. Al then gives a great explanation for why wrestlers shake hands. He
broke in during the territory days and the handshake was a standard thing.
He says that the reason is because the wrestlers understood that everybody
was dependent on everybody and how every decision you make could affect the
entire territory. Nowadays, he feels that anybody can break in now and not
be held accountable, and they arenýt as committed to training.
- Snow then says that the definition of a great worker is not to entertain,
but to convince (or con, as Al says) the crowd that itýs a real fight
and get people to get sucked into the fantasy, similar to what is done in
movies (he cites Spider-Man as an example. Listen for the quote on this one)
- When talking about making moves important in wrestling, he says moves are
done for two reasons: 1) To win a match & 2) To not lose a match. He
says it makes no sense to do an amazing move and then pick the guy back up.
- He then says that Vince is often said to be the reason for the degradation
of the business because he ended the territories, but Al blames it on the
creation of The Monster Factory training facilities that were licensed all
over the country. As it was spread out, it became guys with less and less
experience running these places and training guys.
- He also feels that the wrestlers donýt take as much pride in their
look today. He says that all wrestlers should look like they make a living
off of athletics (not necessarily through size, body type, or size)
- He also says that some guys donýt realize the money that is spent
on TV time and advertisement, and the promoters want that money back and
the wrestlers should work to try make the most of their opportunities.
- The New ECW from WWE is brought up and Al says that the decisions for running
it is Vinceýs and its going to have a different direction as Vince
is different from Paul. He also says that at the end of the day, no matter
what or how its done, the point of wrestling is the same in all promotions:
to sell worked prize fights.
- Snow then talks about how he got together with his fiancý Bobcat,
and says that they first met years ago, but didnýt really hit it off
until Al met up with her again on the Indy scene. When asked if heýll
ever make an appearance in WEW, he jokingly states that he wonýt go
there because ýthose girls are crazy!ý
- He then talks about one of his custom bikes and he talks about how he loves
riding it.
- When asked if heýll ever write a book, he says that heýs
got a lot of great stories and wrestling is the greatest business in the
world, but heýs not sure if he feels it will all translate well to
a book.
- Al Snow loved all of his characters that he ever played and enjoyed doing
them all. ýIf it got me in front of the audience and got me doing
what I loved to do, then I didnýt care what they did [with me]ý
- He then talks about how he feels some people take wrestling way too seriously,
and he quotes Joey Matthews saying that we take two men in their underwear
and have them pretend to fight each other, and he doesnýt understand
why so many people take it seriously.
- Snow is then asked about some films that heýs done including Still
Life, and he says he likes it, but it doesnýt hold a candle to wrestling
in his eyes.
- In another funny part of the interview, James then brings up Francineýs
story about wanting to wash Headýs hair. Snow says immediately ýyou
canýt do thatý And his reasoning is that after all his years
in wrestling, it wasnýt him the fans were chanting for, it was Head,
and he didnýt want to Head to start looking better than him.
- Snow is then asked about some of his wacky phone messages, specifically
an imitation of Quagmire (which unfortunately turned out not to be him).
- The discussion goes back to the handshake tradition, he says that young
guys do the handshake, but they donýt know why they are doing it.
He then talks about things like guys showing up and wanting to have the greatest
match on the card, to which he says ýyou shouldnýt try to have
the best match, you should try to have the match that sells the most
ticketsý and then says that it comes from a desire to impress the
people that write reviews. He says the fans that do write reviews and do
star ratings mean well, but they donýt know what makes a match great
as theyýve never been wrestlers themselves, and the wrestlers should
be aware that they are the ones that run the show, not the fans.
- The interview ends with James complimenting Al on one of his favorite matches
which was his match with Shane Douglas at Wrestlepalooza 1998.
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