I had as a guest on my syndicated radio show last week, my old friend, J. J. Dillon – the manager of the legendary Four Horsemen, as well as the booker in WCW and WWE back in the day and one of the smartest minds in the history of our business. J. J. is one of the featured performer in the upcoming movie “350 Days”, which was produced by my old friends Evan Ginsburg, Darren Antola and Fulvio Cesare – all of whom were also involved in the awesome Mickey Rourke movie, “The Wrestler,” a few years ago.
I’m told that “350 Days” renders a candid, compelling and, at times, brutally honest look at life on the road in the wrestling business of, from back in the day and from the recent past – from the perspective of the boys themselves. Among the wrestlers who appear in the movie were many of my old Stampede Wrestling colleagues, including Abdullah the Butcher, Greg “the Hammer” Valentine, Paul “Butcher” Vachon, Angelo Mosca, Nikolai Volkoff, Wendi Richter, as well as others whom I’ve crossed paths with over the years, including Ted di Biase, Paul Orndorff, Stan Hansen, Tito Santana, as well as a cameo appearance with my brother the Hitman, as well – which has the makings of a fascinating behind the scenes look at life on the road in the wrestling business.
I haven’t seen the movie yet, but in talking with J. J. and having spent more than twenty years on the road myself, in various territories around the world and enduring the trials and tribulations, the long road trips, the interaction, the politics, the “ribs” (practical jokes) and so many other behind the scenes elements of the business.
J. and Evan both told me that one of the most compelling aspects of the movie is the incredible toll that the wrestling business takes on your mind, your body, family, marriages and your psyche.One of them said it reminded him of that Eagles’ song – Life in the Fast Lane, with many a casualty, who proved to have tragic outcomes.
When he said that, it brought to mind wrestlers that I used to know, work with and trained, including guys like Brian Pillman, Chris Benoit, my brother-in-law Davey Boy Smith and my brother Owen, all of whom I was extremely close to, who paid the ultimate price for having been in the wrestling business. Even so, I know that all of them loved the wrestling business and were proud to be a part of it and if they had it do over again, they probably would have chosen to go into it without hesitation.
There’s an old saying that truth is often stranger than fiction and if “350 Days” comes close to rendering what the wrestling business was really like, through the eyes of the boys – most of whom I hope are just candid and honest and not engaging in politics, backstabbing and stooging, this has the makings of a fascinating and enlightening classic.
Having worked in the past with Evan and Darren – both of whom are consummate professionals and stand up individuals, I have a lot of confidence in their artistic capability and their integrity. As such I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing the movie when it hits theatres on July 12th and urge my readers to check it out.
On that note, I’ll call this a wrap but shall look forward to catching up with you all next time for more musings on the wrestling business. Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian readers and Happy July Fourth to my American neighbors!
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