Lou Thesz: Have you ever went through his posts...

[Downhome 0]

I'm sure most of you know that Lou Thesz has an entire forum dedicated to him over at the WrestlingClassic's message board. For some reason I've never went through it to read his thoughts and rants, but I decided to do so tonight. I made it so that all of the topics since the forum opened up back in 2000 is viewable, and I started with the very first one. I haven't looked through them all yet, but I've noticed that the man had a lot of very bright and insightfull things to say, just as you could imagine. Some of them that I've already noticed are...

 

Question: Lou,

What is your opinion on the disaster area WCW has (de) evolved into?

Was there ever a promotion in history that made more bad decisions?

 

Answer: I hate to just blow this off, but I don't follow today's wrestling. I jguess I need to let you guys know that up front.

I am more involved with the amateur wrestling and working to help build the International Wrestling Insitute and Musuem.

 

Wrestling has always had a show biz quality to it, but I don't enjoy what is happening today in any of the so called Pro Wrestling arena's. One of the privileges of being 83 is that you don't have to do things you don't want to do!

 

Lou

 

 

QUESTION:  Mr. Thesz,

First, I would like to say it is a defininte honor to have you on this message board. You are definately one of the true legends of pro wrestling.

 

Now, on to my question.

 

When you held the NWA title for eight years, how did you manage to stay focused on wrestling for so long? Most of today's "champions" don't hold the belts for eight DAYS, let alone eight years.

 

I'm sure it was a very grueling adventure.

 

Thanks again for gracing us with your presence.

 

ANSWER: Hi Larry,

I appreciate the kind words.

 

I also like your guestion. It was a grueling adventure, but I had Ed Lewis on my team and it was like magic. Ed knew all the newspaper people and they all liked and respected him. He would go into town ahead of me and work up the press. Between the two of us, we were selling the hell out of tickets and if the current champions could do that, they would be champs for eight years.

 

In all fairness, the fans are not very loyal today and their attention span is that of a ten year old. The fans of my time were wrestling fans, and we were the special effects - not explosions, music and death defying acts.

 

The eight years were very grueling and the NWA was supposed to give me one week out of every month off, but that never happened. At teh end of the eight years, I could not have cared less about any of them. I was used up. The grueling part was the mind games not the wrestling. I had to demand my money and listen to all kinds of sad stories. However, a few of the promoters were good friends and kept me going when I wanted out.

 

Lou

 

 

QUESTION: Heard rumor Lou Thesz will come out of retirement to work a match or two in Japan, so he can become the first wrestler to wrestle in eight different decades. If anyone can do it, Thesz can. Better him to be the first than Mae Young (who probably never wrestled in the thirties anyway!)

 

ANSWER: Mae Young is a great gal, but she never "wrestled" in her life.

However, the rumor is NOT true. I was old enough to know better last ime, but I am really old enough now. I must admit, I am flattered by the rumor. I would love to do it again, but my day has been lived.

 

Thanks,

 

Lou

 

 

QUESTION: Would be interested in Lou's thoughts on the career of Ric Flair, and Ric's current status with WCW.

 

ANSWER:  (Also talking about what a few guys replied with before he did) Thanks Guys,

Good job. All true about Ric. I have to say, it is hard to remain a wrestler when you have no one to wrestle.

 

The only star today I can comment on, is Kurt Angle. he was at the CAC meeting in Las Vegas and what a fantastic wrestler. the neck on that kid is incredible. he is one of the finest youg men I have even met as well as being a great athelte. I don't know why he chose to wrestle professionally, but I hope he can make a difference in the eyes of the young audience. What a role model!

 

Lou

 

 

QUESTION: Dear Lou Thesz Being only 43 years old, and being that New York was strictly WWF territory, sadly I never got to see you wrestle. Did you ever wrestle Bruno Sammartino? If so, how did it go? Do you have any feelings or opinions on "The Living Legend"?

 

ANSWER: I wrestled him one time in Toronto, Canada. The match was about a half hour and I won.

Bruno was very strong, and had a great image in the Eastern U.S. His expertise was weightlifting, not wrestling.

 

Lou

 

 

QUESTION: Hi Lou-I'm baaaack. Please note my question in the Harry White chain. I know you prefer the word "contest" to "shoot", and "Performance" to "work",so I'll use them.(Don't know if the folks at this site know that). Does one get cauliflower ears from performance matches which involve headlocks, or does it require contests to get cauliflower ears. To clarify, when I see a wrestler with cauliflower ears, may I assume he has had some legitimate contests?

 

ANSWER: Welcome back,

Most of the time that is true, but a cauliflower ear can be casued by a good right hand. The real culprit in the formation of a cauliflower ear is not letting it heal. the repeated bruising makes the body think the tissue is not suffecient and it is replaced by cartilage or calcified blood. Whether a contest or a performance, it occures because he is really devoted to doing his very best without concern for discomfort or deformity.

 

Lou

 

 

QUESTION: Heard rumor Lou Thesz will come out of retirement to work a match or two in Japan, so he can become the first wrestler to wrestle in eight different decades. If anyone can do it, Thesz can. Better him to be the first than Mae Young (who probably never wrestled in the thirties anyway!)

 

ANSWER: My apologies,

I did think I answered this.

 

I promised Charlie, after the Chono match, I would only wrestle with her.

 

Note from Charlie: As a husband, Lou interprets his promises like most men. All he needs is someone to offer him the right amount of money! :-)

 

 

QUESTION: Dear Mr. Thez,

I am a professional wrestling fan who was deeply saddened by the loss of one of the greatest performers in the ring: Owen Hart. Ever since Mr. Hart's death, I've been trying to set up some sort of memorial show or memorial fund for Owen. Unfortunately, I've been turned down by all perspective sites or organizations. I was just wondering if there was anyone you knew who I could contact who could help me set something up. I honestly want to do this for Owen, and specifically, his family. I appreciate any reply of yours sir. I've been a wrestling fan for 10 years now but I've been fortunate enough to view some of your matches which I've found to be excellent. Your title victory over Buddy Rogers I consider to be one of the greatest matches I've ever seen. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

 

ANSWER: Hi Jim,

I am sure your intentions are well meaning, but I think the Hart family is best left alone. If the fans were so caring why didn't they walk out when he was hurt? I still find it incredulous that so many people sat there and went on with their lives and the matches as if no one had fallen into the ring and been taken away in an ambulance. It says so much about professional wrestling and its fans. Where was the respect for Owen then?

 

I wrestled Owens father when we were both 17 years old in Rochester< MN. Stu is very knowledgeable about wrestling but he is more a demonstrator of holds than a hooker. He has all the knowledge, but never hones his execution skills. they are a terrific family and will be there for Owen's family.

 

Lou

 

(THEN ANOTHER REPLY BY HIM)

 

I think it is time to put the Owen Hart tragedy to rest.

 

 

As far as the show must go on - that was true in the Coliseum, as they dragged the bodies from the arena to procede wit hthe days entertainment.

 

 

 

The saddest remark I picked up on is the one so true about wrestling ability not being necessary in professional wrestling today. Can you imagine pro football players without football ability, or tennis without tennis ability. I wonder how many of the stars today have ever seen a wrestling match, or even want to.

 

 

 

The loss of Owen is personal and sad, but the it represents to so many of us the loss of our indusrty, our sport and Owen's sport. If true professioanl wrestling had existed Owen would have been there and not on a cable above a ring. It is as if one of the last remaining thread of wrestling die with him.

 

 

 

Lou

 

 

QUESTION: (You wont understand this, as it had an image with it but it's been deleteted) (Zapped this over from the other Board---just thought Lou'd get a kick out of it!---CM)

I would love to have seen the former REAL WORLD CHAMPION make mince meat out of the cartoon character. How would you like to see old Terry screaming as Lou does a little hooking?

 

(Steve Yohe then replied with this) I saw film of Lou working out with UWF guys in the early 80's & at that time Hogan would have had no chance. This was not the Thesz that we saw vs Chono. IM 53 & have run for 30 years & IM having a lot of trouble keeping it all together. So IM feeling this ageing thing. 84 is a big number to be having people trying to book you against a 275 lb body builder. IM sure Lou could care less & it would be no big deal to Lou if he did tie Hulk up. In all fairness to Hulk Hogan, he would admit in a second that he had no chance vs a true wrestler like Thesz.--Yohe

 

ANSWER: Yohe,

I would only be interested in taking on Hogan for a big price. This is a business to me still. You are right, I couldn't care less about Hogan or what happens to him - unless $$$ are involved, of course.

 

Lou

 

...I just found some of this so interesting, I am loving this. Not to mention all of his other posts just reflecting back on his day and age. I highly suggest that you all check out all of this, have it be if you agree with his views or not.

 

Sincerely,

...Downhome...

[Guest Jay Z. Hollywood]

Thanks so much for doing this Downhome!

 

This was an incredibly fascinating read- and coming from a very "old school" mindset I found myself agreeing with almost all of what he said.

 

And sadly, I *still* haven't bought his book yet. I've gotta make that a priority soon.

[Downhome 0]

Thanks so much for doing this Downhome!

 

This was an incredibly fascinating read- and coming from a very "old school" mindset I found myself agreeing with almost all of what he said.

 

And sadly, I *still* haven't bought his book yet. I've gotta make that a priority soon.

Same here, I want to get his book, and a few other ones.

 

I'm learning so much by reading all of these threads though, every Pro. Wrestling fan should read all of this even if you don't agree with him.

 

A lot of people may already know this, but I didn't know that he TRAINED Jumbo Tsuruta...

 

QUESTION: Lou

Did you know Jumbo Tsuruta well? What are your feelings now that he's gone?--Steve Yohe

 

ANSWER: I trained Tsuruta and really like him. In fact, I taught him the greco roman backdrop and he made good use of it. he was a wonderful person to be around and wanted to learn about wrestling. He is a lose to wrestling and to me personally.

lou

 

...like I said, a lot of you might already know that, but it is cool to me seeing how I just read it, lol.

[Downhome 0]

Here is another one that I find interesting...

 

QUESTION: Mr. Thesz,

Do you consider it a compliment that one of the most popular wrestlers (Steve Austin) of the last decade uses the Thesz Press, and, unlike others, did not rename it to suit his character?

 

Please forgive me if you've already been asked this on this board. I checked it (all 12 pages) and didn't see any discussions about it...

 

Madison

 

ANSWER: Actually, I kinda felt used by Austin..I don't think respect is involved - just self serving. I contacted him about a contibution to the Museum - since he tries to appear so history conscious - then he didn't know my name.

Lou

 

...once again, if you have already read/heard this then ignore it, heh.

[Slayer 0]

Interesting read, and a shame he is no longer around to shine a light on true wrestling history

[Guest Ray]

A lot of people may already know this, but I didn't know that he TRAINED Jumbo Tsuruta...

 

QUESTION: Lou

Did you know Jumbo Tsuruta well? What are your feelings now that he's gone?--Steve Yohe

 

ANSWER: I trained Tsuruta and really like him. In fact, I taught him the greco roman backdrop and he made good use of it. he was a wonderful person to be around and wanted to learn about wrestling. He is a lose to wrestling and to me personally.

lou

Holy shit!

 

I never knew that. Jumbo Tsuruta was a godly wrestler.

 

I need to get me some Thesz matches...

[Downhome 0]

I need to get me some Thesz matches...

Good luck on tracking most of them down, lol.

[Guest Ray]

I need to get me some Thesz matches...

Good luck on tracking most of them down, lol.

Thesz on DVD~!

[Downhome 0]

I need to get me some Thesz matches...

Good luck on tracking most of them down, lol.

Thesz on DVD~!

I know of that DVD, and it is not a good representation of his work from what I've been told.

 

It's sad, but most of his "great" matches do not even exist on video.