Professional Wrestling Studies Association
Studying the Past, Present, and Future of Professional Wrestling
“A cross between Little Richard and Muhammad Ali” is how Marc Mero, better known as Johnny B. Badd, described himself in 1992 when I talked to him. The description was quite apt for the muscular, tanned wrestler who wore lipstick, rouge, and skimpy wrestling tights. Mero was a newcomer to wrestling in 1992 but off … Read more Before Shoot Interviews: Marc Mero
Manning, Dirk, Tony Schiavone, and Friends. Butts in Seats: The Tony Schiavone Story. Source Point Press, 2021. Review by Christopher J. Olson With Butts in Seats, long-time professional wrestling commentator Tony Schiavone –with help from co-author Dirk Manning and several talented artists – provides a glimpse into his life both in and out of the … Read more Review: Butts in Seats: The Tony Schiavone Story
Ox Baker sits at a table at a 1991 wrestling convention outside of New York City, selling t-shirts displaying his intimidating face. The t-shirts read, “Ox Baker: Big, Mean, and Ugly,” and Baker’s bulky frame, bald head, and immensely bush eyebrows and beard seem to confirm that claim. In fact, his fearsome appearance led to … Read more Before Shoot Interviews: Ox Baker
At the time of this 1991 interview, Joel Goodhart–with his beard, glasses, and long hair– looked more like a roadie for the Grateful Dead than a successful, albeit controversial, wrestling promoter. Goodhart earned a loyal following by promoting an influential brand of wrestling called (at the time) “shock wrestling.” In 1992, Goodhart declared bankruptcy and … Read more Before Shoot Interviews: Joel Goodhart
After badgering Larry Sharpe for an interview at a 1991 wrestling fan convention outside of New York City, the “Pretty Boy” allowed me to follow him to his hotel room. As we got to the hotel room door, Sharpe, who had recently wrestled his retirement match, muttered, “If you want this damn interview, it’ll have … Read more Before Shoot Interviews: “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe
It’s Time! It’s WrestlePosium Time! The President of the PWSA invites submissions for the association’s WrestlePosium IV. This virtual symposium will happen online on Saturday, April 1st, 2023. We are having the symposium with the WrestleMania festivities to be a part of the general festivities. For more on the WrestlePosium series, see https://www.prowrestlingstudies.org/home-2/wrestleposium-the-online-symposium/ The PWSA seeks … Read more Call for WrestlePosium IV Presentations, Papers, Panels
During my 1992 visit to the Memphis-based United States Wrestling Association (USWA), I was able to visit with African-American prelim wrestler Anthony “Cat” Garrett. Garrett, who had just won his preliminary match that night, was standing next to a souvenir table and talking to his family, before he excused himself to talk to me. … Read more Before Shoot Interviews: Cat Garrett
What is your area of research? I am Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice, in the School of Justice Studies at Liverpool John Moores University. You can find my faculty profile here. What led to your interest in pro wrestling and how do you approach pro wrestling from your scholarly discipline? I watched … Read more PWSA Meet and Greet: Karen Corteen
After an hour of pestering the promoter of Memphis’s United States Wrestling Association (USWA) at a 1992 show, the promoter brought out one of the promotion’s top good guys (or “faces”), Jeff Jarrett, to talk to me. Sporting a mane of shiny blond hair and a friendly demeanor, Jarrett patiently described his wrestling career before … Read more Before Shoot Interviews: Jeff Jarrett
What is your area of study/research? I am an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Tusculum University in Greeneville, Tennessee. My research interests primarily center around organizational and consumer behavior in combat sports, along with the globalization and labor economics of combat sports. What led to your interest in pro wrestling and how do you … Read more PWSA Meet and Greet: Nick Davidson