May 18th 2024 03:29pm

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

Latin Thunder: Confidence And Harley Race

Latin Thunder: Confidence And Harley Race

Posted: Oct 15th 2014 By: Latin Thunder

Confidence. Man it sounds so easy but that's a tough thing to keep in wrestling at times.
I mean who can disagree that in order for a performer to succeed in pro wrestling they need confidence?

Problem is many of us who get involved in wrestling have insecurity issues to begin with.

When I talked with the great Nick Bockwinkle about former AWA wrestler and Minnesota Governor Jesse "The Body" Ventura, Bockwinkel chuckled. "Bodybuilders. So thinned skin." Add the psyche of your average wrestler who spends a lot of time in the gym and you exasperate insecurities.

The inventor of the Nautilus system Arthur Jones called bodybuilders "little boys in gorilla suits." There's a lot of truth in that. I know.

But probably the biggest factor for breaking down my confidence was when someone doesn't think your that good.

When I was starting out in wrestling I began to gain a little momentum. I had some good matches for a promoter who believed in me and liked me, Dan Adams. I got a lot of bookings from Dan in Kansas and Missouri and gained valuable experience. My confidence also grew as he always wanted me on his cards.

After some time I put a tape together and hoped to get booked by the biggest living legend actively involved in the Midwest Indy scene in the late 90's.

I eventually got booked for the great Harley Race. A former N.W.A. World Heavyweight Champion. And one of the greatest of all time. I thought Harley was simply the best wrestler in the world from about 1977 to 1981. He was also one of the best bump takers ever.

Dusty Rhodes when asked about all the world champions in his era, including Ric Flair, said simply, "I thought Harley was the best."

Harley booked me for his new Indy promotion WLW. Working for Harley at that time was the best spot for a Midwest Indy wrestler. I had some good matches for Harley including a tag with Chuck Palumbo as my partner against Griz and The Barbarian.

But after a while Harley didn't book me as much as I hoped. He thought I was a good guy and all but he didn't think my abilities were as good as others in his locker room.

Maybe he was right.

Regardless, it was his company and the guys he booked were all talented wrestlers, well trained and good in the ring. I certainly had a lot of improving to do as a performer.
I was boring. My gear sucked. I had no star power.

But my point to this blog is about something bigger than a booking or two. Its not a gripe against one of the legends of our sport. I've certainly passed on talent before as a promotor and was wrong.

Its about confidence. Again, its easy to say " a wrestler needs to have confidence in himself!"

But how do you keep that confidence when the greatest wrestler of his time doesn't think your that good?

I mean who are you to say Harley Race is wrong?
Tough isn't it?

Yet that's what is required out of the wrestler. Because if you don't have confidence you don't got shit in that ring.

Colt Cabana talks on his podcast about being down in Florida developmental and performing in front of some of his heroes. Legends, great minds such as Dusty Rhodes.
He also talks about how hard it is when one of your heroes doesn't see your talent.

Doesn't get you. Doesn't think your that good frankly.

What do you do when Dusty Rhodes thinks your not that good? You know, Dusty Rhodes, one of the greatest stars in history. One of the best judges of talent. The man who booked Jim Crockett promotions when it was on fire.

I think that's the true test of confidence. And it isn't easy. Cabana has showed the world the past several years many people were wrong about him.

Its easy to be confident when someone you don't think highly of thinks your the drizzling shits. But when someone you truly admire thinks your just o.k. or that you suck you have to have the awareness to look in the mirror and see what you need to improve.

Then you have to have the confidence to say their wrong. Maybe their right about you the wrestler today.... but their wrong about you.

Take that chip on your shoulder, take that feeling you got when you were punched in the gut and do something about it.

Get better. Then show yourself they were wrong about you.


Latin Thunder

 

Printable version Email to a friend

Supplemental Information

Latest News

2
The If Factor: Rikishi Was to Have His Own Bloodline-like Faction in 2000/2001

The If Factor: Rikishi Was to Have His Own Bloodline-like Faction in 2000/2001

The ‘If Factor’ are a series of articles that takes a look at real scenarios in pro w... Read More

All Columns

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1970 Boris Malenko def. Mil Mascaras for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 1973 Jose Lothario def. Blackjack Mulligan for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 1979 Mark Lewin became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 1984 Gino Hernandez def. Jimmy Garvin for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 2007 Lonnie Valdez & Epic became the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 2013 The P.I.N.K. Nation (Ray Martinez & Tommy Toops) def. Bobby Burns & Sam Stackhouse (substituting for Psycho Sawyer) for the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 2013 B-Arthur became the SRPW Womens Champion
  • 2013 Anarchy [2nd] def. The Mercenary for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 2014 Striker def. Robert Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 2019 Skylar Slice def. Erica for the MSWA Ladies Champion

Week of Sun 05-12 to Sat: 05-18

  • 05-12 2002 Rocco Valentino became the OCW Oklahoma Television Champion
  • 05-12 2012 The New Era [2nd] (Richie Adams & Goldeneye) def. The Dramatic Athletes (Jake McCoy & X-Cal) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 05-12 2012 Venus became the IZW Queens Champion
  • 05-12 2013 The Canadian Red Devil def. Bobby Starr for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-12 2013 Impact, Inc. (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Shawn Sanders & Tyson Jaymes for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-12 2018 Garrett Murphy became the NAW Lightweight Champion
  • 05-12 2018 Big Smooth def. Dusty Gold for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-12 2018 Brayden def. Kareem Sadat for the BCW Independent Hardcore Champion
  • 05-12 2018 Gavin Dixon def. Mikey [2nd] for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-12 2023 Ronnie Morton def. Red James for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-13 1979 Wahoo McDaniel def. The Spoiler for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-13 1984 Magnum T. A. def. Mr. Wrestling II for the MSW North American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-13 2006 Justin Lee def. Gary Gram for the NWA-U X Division Champion
  • 05-13 2012 Les Mayne became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-13 2016 Terry Montana & Mighty Mouse def. Dynamic Shields (Justin Dynamic & Shawn Shields) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 05-13 2017 Sam Stackhouse def. Drake Gallows for the BCW Buzzsaw Champion
  • 05-13 2017 Garrett Murphy def. Anarchy [2nd] for the NAW Lightweight Champion
  • 05-13 2023 Lunchador def. Dr. Corvus for the WAH Hunger Dojo Champion
  • 05-13 2023 Rush Freeman became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-13 2023 The Psychotic Messengers (Tank Bryson & Malachi) def. Dark Forces (San La Muerte & Reese) for the WAH Tag Team Champions
  • 05-14 1975 John Tolos def. Al Madril for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-14 1975 Danny Miller def. Skandor Akbar for the TSW North American Champion
  • 05-14 2004 Butch Dalton def. Jon Davis for the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-14 2004 Devon Monroe def. Mitch Carter for the TPW Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-14 2005 John O'Malley became the IZW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-14 2005 Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-15 1959 Mike DiBiase def. Dory Funk for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-15 1962 Bull Curry def. Jack Dalton [1st] for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-15 2010 X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & Bobby Star) def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-15 2010 Jonathan Cross def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-15 2015 Charlie Haas def. Jerome Daniels for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-15 2021 Killbane def. The Canadian Red Devil for the NCWO Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-16 1981 Eddie Gilbert & Ricky Morton def. Akbar Army (Jerry Brown & Ron McFarlane) for the TSW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-16 1983 Chris Adams def. Terry Gordy for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-16 2009 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-16 2015 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. Team Bull (Aaron Neil & Bobby Starr) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-16 2015 Clint Cassidy def. Mr. Nasty for the UWE United States Champion
  • 05-16 2015 Brett Stopp def. Fuel for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-16 2015 Anarchy [2nd] def. Brett Stopp for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-17 1965 Bull Curry def. Karl Kox for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-17 1986 Bruiser Brody def. Rick Rude for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-17 1987 The Lightning Express (Brad Armstrong & Tim Horner) def. Rick Steiner & Sting for the UWF Tag Team Champions
  • 05-17 1996 The Bad Boyz (Krull Danzig & Brett Knight) def. The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Dan Wilder) for the WWEmp Tag Team Champions
  • 05-17 2008 El Super Colibri def. Tim Rockwell for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 05-17 2008 Michael York def. Brett Taylor for the SECW Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-17 2008 Michael York became the SECW Eastern Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-17 2009 Kevin Morgan became the AWFUL Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-17 2014 The Sexy Camachos (Angel Camacho & Roberto Camacho & Vinnie Camacho) def. Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-17 2024 Gorilla Militia became the TexPro Texas Champion
  • 05-18 1970 Boris Malenko def. Mil Mascaras for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-18 1973 Jose Lothario def. Blackjack Mulligan for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-18 1979 Mark Lewin became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-18 1984 Gino Hernandez def. Jimmy Garvin for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-18 2007 Lonnie Valdez & Epic became the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-18 2013 The P.I.N.K. Nation (Ray Martinez & Tommy Toops) def. Bobby Burns & Sam Stackhouse (substituting for Psycho Sawyer) for the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-18 2013 B-Arthur became the SRPW Womens Champion
  • 05-18 2013 Anarchy [2nd] def. The Mercenary for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-18 2014 Striker def. Robert Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 05-18 2019 Skylar Slice def. Erica for the MSWA Ladies Champion
05-18
  • J. R. Wind May 18th Today!
  • Akuma Jones May 18th Today!
  • Kristopher Haiden May 18th Today!
  • Jimmy Snuka May 18th Today!
  • Luna Nightshade May 18th Today!
  • Gajo May 18th Today!
  • Matt Riviera May 18th Today!
  • Dick Slater May 19th
  • Andre the Giant May 19th
  • Bateman May 19th
  • Will Chambers May 19th
  • Buzz Markley May 19th
  • Mongol May 19th
  • Dale Veasey May 20th
  • Chuey Martinez May 21st
  • Ivan Kalmikoff May 21st
  • Babyface D'Amanti May 23rd
  • Donna Christanello May 23rd
  • Slash May 23rd
  • Santana Jackson May 23rd
  • Shane Rawls May 24th
  • Gemini [2nd] May 24th
  • Ricky Romero May 24th
  • Lucas May 24th
  • Dominique Lereaux May 25th
  • Quarky Storm May 25th
  • Dark Journey May 25th
  • Michael York May 25th
  • Guy Atticus May 25th
  • Reggie Lincoln May 26th
  • Tank Bryson May 26th
  • Michael Duplanti May 26th
  • Justin Adams May 26th
  • Crucifer May 27th
  • Kelly Kiniski May 27th
  • Jim Thorpe May 28th
  • Edge Stone May 28th
  • Kamala May 28th
  • Maria Star May 28th
  • Dean Lambert May 28th
  • Psycho Mike May 29th
  • Max McGuirk May 29th
  • Samu May 29th
  • Jimmy Kane May 29th
  • Boss Hardzog May 30th
  • Jesse Storm May 30th
  • Jake Roberts May 30th
  • Mascara Purpura May 31st
  • Fuel May 31st

More Look Back In History

Card Results

1