Wrestling legend Al Snow was a recent guest on Interactive Wrestling Radio and spoke to host James Walsh about his 7 year run working as an agent for TNA/Global Force Wrestling, the company’s darker times, his love for wrestling, training young talent and much more. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
His time working as an agent for TNA/GFW and his departure back in June:
“Yeah, I’m certain it was a budget thing. Jeff brought his own group, his own guys that he brought with him and there are only so many spots financially and budget wise that you can afford to have as far as producers. And, have a necessity and need for to produce the segments. It was myself and 2 other guys and he had brought in his own group. Somebody had to go! That’s just how it works. I had a great run there. It lasted MUCH longer than I expected. I have no complaints whatsoever. I wish them nothing but the best. I hope they strive and succeed and be a real force in wrestling. Hopefully, someday, I can come back and do business again.”
“In life, especially in wrestling, it isn’t a matter of if it will end. It is a matter of when it will end. You go into it knowing that. You’re going to have a run, you’re going to finish up, and you’re going to leave the territory. That’s an inevitability. You can’t get around it. Things change and then you move on.”
Internet negativity towards TNA affecting morale backstage:
“Of course it was felt backstage. I’m not giving lip service. Even if I still worked for GFW, TNA, Impact… I’d still state what the facts are. The facts are that everybody knew there were issues or factors that would occur or come up. But, i’ve got to tell you, one of the things that impressed me so much is that everybody there, and I do mean everybody there, worked so hard on that show. From the in ring talent to the production team to the camera crew to the office staff… I mean, you’ve got to think. They put on a comparable product to the WWE with not even a third of the budget, not even a third of the roster, not even an eighth of the resources, not even an eighth of the office staff, not even an eighth of the production staff… ”
His ‘love affair’ with pro wrestling:
“Oh God, I love wrestling! I’ve been so blessed to get to do what I’ve been able to do for so long. It is probably the most awesome thing that anyone could do. I’m not just saying that. I really love wrestling. I’ve had a love affair with it for 35 years. Every chance I get in the ring, no matter if it is in front of 10 people or 10,000 people, I love every minute of it!”
His new clothing line, COLLARxELBOW:
“Collar and Elbow, I started an apparel line for fans of wrestling because, you know, I’m a wrestler but really I’m just a fan… A fan of wrestling. And, wrestling of all styles. I generally just love wrestling. It is such a great backdrop to tell such incredible stories no matter the style or the form that helps mesh with the audience emotionally. It’s the purest competition there is. One person against another person. I started Collar and Elbow to kind of represent that. I also wanted to… To be selfish. I got a shirt from a supplement company that has to be the most comfortable shirt I’ve ever gotten. It is soft… The company went out of business but I don’t care! I still wear it. So, I said when I start a company, I want to make shirts like that… And, so, I have! Shirts people will genuinely enjoy wearing.”
CollarAndElbowBrand.com
His Al Snow’s Wrestling Academy network:
“It is still very much a thing. I have a school in London, England. But, I also have one in Cheshire, the Midlands, Romania, Denmark, Greece, Chili, and I’m working on one in Italy. My long-term goal is to create a network of acadamies that philisopically all teach the same way. I supply a syllabus. By creating a network, a talent from lets say England… They are going to learn, they are going to evolve, they’re going to grow to a certain level but then they are only able to go so far because they’re only able to get so much of that kind of experience. By creating this network, a student in London could contact a school in Purtugal and be confident that philosophically, it’s all the same. Then, they can travel there, work their shows, and get a whole different variety of experience. Then, if they ever get an opportunity with a national or international product company like WWE or GFW, TNA, Impact… They will have a polish that will help them fully take advantage of that opportunity.”
If he would work with WWE on another season of Tough Enough:
“Certainly! I loved being a part of Tough Enough. I’ve got to tell you, I think it is one of the greatest things I think I’ve ever done in my career. It was such a pleasure. if I’m remembered for only 1 thing, I hope I’m remembered for Tough Enough.”
Follow Al Snow on Twitter @TheRealAlSnow.