Date: 1990
Length: 90 min.
PHOTO BY WADE KELLER ©
The new Vintage Audio Torch Talk, being heard now for the first time ever (previously published only in transcript format), is with Jim Cornette. In this interview he talks in detail about his frustration with WCW, in particular V.P. Jim Herd. He also talks about his philosophy on the state of the industry, its future, changes he'd make, his early impressions of the Steiners, his thoughts on insider newsletters (or "sheets") reporting on wrestling's inner-workings, and more..
AUDIO: PT. 1 | PT. 2
NO TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE
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Date: May 31, 1991
Length: 141 min.
PHOTO BY WADE KELLER ©
In the first part of this interview, Foley talks about the psychology he brought to his matches in Japan, his series of independent match against Eddie Gilbert, his new fiance, how he changes his approach to matches depending on the audience and context, how fans were reacting to his big spots and innovative moves, how his body was holding up given his style, his aspirations for the future, and more. It's a fascinating glimpse into his mind very early in his career. This was his second "Torch Talk" and among his most early interviews, long before he knew he'd become one of the top stars of the 1990s, a best selling author, a multi-millionaire, and Hall of Famer.
In the second part of this interview, Foley talks about his dreams of one day headlining in front of huge sellout crowds. He does name association with colleagues and bosses such as Ric Flair and Ole Anderson. He talks about jumping off the roof of his garage for the first time publicly. He even explains why he likes The Munsters more than the Adam's Familiy. It's a wide-ranging interview, a fascinating glimpse into the mind of one of the great performers of the 1990s on the mic and in the ring, and one of the most influential wrestlers, talkers, and wrestling authors ever. This was his second "Torch Talk" and among his most early interviews, long before he knew he'd become one of the top stars of the 1990s, a best selling author, a multi-millionaire, and Hall of Famer..
AUDIO LINKS: PT. 1 | PT. 2
NO TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE
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Date: 1994
Length: 210 minutes
PHOTO BY WADE KELLER ©
In the first 30 minute segment, DiBiase talks about growing up the son of a wrestler. He talks about why his father told him he'd support him in anything he did for a career other than becoming a pro wrestler. He explains why. He talks about why being a pro wrestler is a lonely life, especially once you get to the age where you want to raise a family. He talks about how he found out as a kid that pro wrestling matches weren't genuine competition, how he handled that revelation, and the fights he got into over defending it's authenticity before that. He also describes his respect for how Vince McMahon changed the perception of pro wrestling, including detailing arguments he had with McMahon over how to portray pro wrestling.
In the second 30 minute segment, DiBiase talks about revisiting the arena where his father had a heart attack during a match and died. He also discusses how being a pro wrestling affected his family life and whether his sons were excited about being sons of a famous pro wrestler. He also explains why pro wrestlers shouldn't think the promoter owes them a job for life and that they need to look out for themselves.
In the third 30 minute segment, in a timely statement, DiBiase defends the opportunity he was given because his father was a wrestler (which also applies to today to Ted DiBiase Jr. getting his chance in WWE). He also addresses criticism of his signing with the WWF, talks about when he realized he was going to be a great worker, his reaction to TV taping results being reported before the shows air, describes the criteria for whether he decides to help a younger wrestler and how often it happens, lists his favorite opponents over the years, predicts why Bill Watts would fail as WCW V.P. (with statements that apply to Hulk Hogan & Eric Bischoff returning to run TNA this year), talk of how he polished his persona, and more.
In the fourth 30 minute segment, in a timely statement, DiBiase talks about his idea to turn heel on Junkyard Dog and the challenges he faced afterward, plus his work in Japan and how the style of working there differed and adjusting to the fans, a great story of Giant Baba taking care of him, thoughts on the pros and cons of the hard-hitting Japanese style versus the more minimalistic WWF style, plus more.
In the fifth 30 minute segment, he finishes his case for how doing less can mean more in the wrestling ring, plus what it was like working for Bill Watts, how close he came to becoming NWA Champion, whether Dusty Rhodes held him back, the backstage attitude regarding Hulk Hogan, whether Ric Flair might have gotten the Million Dollar Man gimmick if not him, his conversations with Vince McMahon pitching the Million Dollar Man gimmick to him, why he said yes, how he changed his approach as a wrestler because of the gimmick, and insider details on the filming of the famous public pool scene with crying kids.
In the sixth 30 minute segment, he talks more about the filming of the famous Million Dollar Man skits, his early impression of the WWF behind the scenes, Hulk Hogan's abilities in the ring, why he became a defender of Vince McMahon and his business plan, whether the industry was in worse shape in 1994 compared to previous eras he was part of, and what was the perception of McMahon among the wrestlers.
In this seventh and final 30 minute segment, he talks more about the filming of the famous Million Dollar Man skits, his insight and analysis of Vince McMahon as a businessman and a boss, stories of how McMahon took better care of him than Bill Watts, his thoughts on steroids and steroid testing and the government indictment of Vince McMahon.
AUDIO LINKS: PT. 1 | PT. 2 | PT. 3
PT. 4 | PT. 5 | PT. 6 | PT. 7
NO TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE
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Date: May 31, 1991
Length: 141 min.
PHOTO - www.cowboybillwatts.com
This is one of the most influential, newsworthy, talked about interviews in the history of the industry - the 1991 "Torch Talk" with Bill Watts that originally was published in transcription form in the Pro Wrestling Torch Summer Annual IV in 1991.
This interview features one of the industry's most respected, successful promoters memories and opinions of his years working with virtually every power broker during the 1970s and 1980s. He talked about his entrance into pro wrestling, how he became a headliner, his transition into promoting, and his philosophy on how to be successful.
The interview progresses to a discussion about Watts's opinion of the haplessly run WCW promotion, his ideas to right the ship, what it would take for him to take on that project, and extremely harsh opinions of those running WCW at the time. He also talks frankly about Dusty Rhodes's ego and the strengths and weaknesses of other wrestlers, bookers, and promoters he dealt with.
He also, in reaction to a discussion about steroid testing, broke off into a libertarian rant about government getting involved in personal business in ways he disagreed with, which included extremely harsh language on race and sexual orientation which ultimately influenced and perhaps accelerated his departure from WCW.
It's one of the most frank, fascinating, authoritative walk through the life and career of the recent WWE Hall of Famer and one of the most outspoken major influences on the course of the wrestling industry.
It's an interview that has never been heard before - only read in transcript format. Now, 18 years later, we present one of the early Torch Talk interviews that put the Torch Talk format on the map as the premiere news-making and history-chronicling interview format in the industry.
AUDIO LINKS: PT. 1 | PT. 2 | PT. 3
NO TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE
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Date: June 2, 1991
Length: 50 min.
PAUL ORNDORFF P.R. PHOTO
In this interview, Orndorff walks through his career before the WWF, his decision to among the major defections from territories to the WWF as Vince McMahon began the WrestleMania era, and his hot run as a top heel opponent for Hulk Hogan in the WWF in the 1980s. He speaks about working for Vince McMahon and compares it to his stretch of time in WCW. He also speaks about Herb Abrams's upstart UWF that he was working for at the time of this interview, his high praise for Mick Foley as a potential main event talent, his thoughts on steroids in pro wrestling, his explanation for his shoulder injury and smaller arm that resulted, and much more....
AUDIO LINK
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