Instructions: to listen to this episode, scroll down to find the audio player. Hit the play button to start the episode. Remember to turn the volume up on your computer and enjoy this episode!
Instructions: to listen to this episode, scroll down to find the audio player. Hit the play button to start the episode. Remember to turn the volume up on your computer and enjoy this episode!
I cannot help but laud Ron Fuller Welch for his candor regarding the Florida promotion’s controversial Snake Pit. After taking in 3 installments of his podcasts regarding the Snake Pit (and actually having watched Florida wrestling during the time in question), I have these comments/questions: 1. Despite being a promoter of no small stature in the ensuing years, Ron apparently never felt the necessity to replicate his Snake Pit experience when he was running the show. Question: Did Eddie Graham’s sadistic attitude toward “marks” actually hurt his promotion in some ways, in that legitimate potential professional wrestlers were discouraged from pursuing that dream? For example, Terry Bollea had his ankle broken by Hiro Matsuda on his first “tryout”? 2. If there were no wannabes to “stretch” or “mark” on a given week, did the actual pros attending the Snake Pit wrestle each other for real? Were such shoots beneficial to the participants? Was Ron pressed into real wrestling battles with Bob Roop, Jack Brisco, Hiro Matsuda or Don Curtis? 3. Did Ron actually encounter a situation in which he was forced to use the “Sugar Hold” or the “Fuller Leglock” in a non-work situation during a professional wrestling match? 4. I could not help but postulate on the possible insidious effects of CTE on Eddie Graham and Stu Hart when listening to Ron’s memories of those wrestling legends. Does Ron have thoughts on this matter? Thanks or the insight, Ron, and I appreciate your efforts in taking a “no holds barred” approach to your podcasts with regard to historical accuracy.
another great podcast,..great questions Larry (mister newspaper man) for what it’s worth, I always thought Graham got the kid-gloves treatment with respect to the snake pit, which in my opinion was insidious and bush-league. running a great promotion, which he undeniably did, doesn’t excuse such horsecrap behavior. Thanks Mr Fuler, yourself and jj Dillon put together informative clean shows, keep up the great work.