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He's Not Getting Older, He's Getting Bolder

Posted: Apr 30th 2009 By: CMBurnham

Retiring gracelessly from almost five decades of doom and destruction, Larry Shreve, a.k.a. legendary wrestler Abdullah the Butcher, talked to the Star about his career and the tour that's brought him to Toronto tonight for one last fight.

Long removed from the bright lights and big paydays for locking shoulders with Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant, the Windsor native is no archetype for the aging, fallen hero like the one played by Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler. Shreve claims to be 49, but is believed to be closer to 70.

Q: Are you really on a retirement tour?

A: I'm always on a retirement tour. This will probably be my last event in Toronto. I'm getting up there in age. I promised my two nephews in Toronto I'd retire. They said, `Uncle Butch, it's time to get out.' I've been in the business 48 years. Don't you think it's time to get out? I've got scars on my head, my neck. I'm trying to get out.

Q: After your legendary career, what world title or championship belt means the most to you?

A: All the promoters have their own world title. Belts don't mean too much, my friend ? it's what you draw, it's your drawing power. I've wrestled everyone who's dead and still around, Hulk, Andr?, the Sheik. I wrestled Hogan in Tokyo. We sold out for two weeks straight.

Q: Have you seen The Wrestler?

A: I haven't seen it, but I heard it was great. The guy (Mickey Rourke) was down, now all of a sudden he's back up.

Q: His character in the movie was also down, trying to get back up. Did you hit rock bottom in wrestling after you passed your prime?

A: No, I loved it and I still love it. I never in my life hit bottom. I don't trust no promoter. You got to take care of yourself. It's not about being old. How many singers, how many movie stars are still old? It's timeless. The younger wrestlers are dying faster than the old ones. They're doing steroids, drugs. I've never done any of that, never touched it. I still look great.

Q: Is it frustrating now to fight on cards with little-known fighters, in venues that only hold a few hundred people?

A: You know what it is, you're still getting paid. Fans who couldn't have afforded to see Abdullah the Butcher years ago get to see me now. Maybe a long time ago it would have bothered me, but not now, hell no. For a couple thousand (dollars), you go in for a few minutes, your plane fare, hotel, food is all paid for. I (own) restaurants. I'm all right. I won't be calling you up asking for a job.

Tags: Abdullah the Butcher, Andre the Giant