Les Thatcher

Les Thatcher has done it all in the wrestling business. From wrestling, to promoting, to commentating, the man has conquered it all. Now, in addition to joining the Wrestling Clothesline's Independent Wrestling Hall of Fame Selection Committee, he runs training seminars on a regular basis. Mr. Thatcher was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to anser 10 Questions for us, here at the Wrestling Clothesline. Be sure to check out Les Thatcher's website as well as epwt.com!

1. What are some memorable moments that you have when you first started in the wrestling business?

Over 44 years there have been so many exciting and memorable times we would have to write a "Memorable Moments" book. I think the young guys just getting their foundation built, hanging out together, living in the same rooming house, and the brotherhood it fostered is a super memory for a 19 year old kid living away from home for the first up in Boston. I do remember one evening the late great Pepper Gomez was doing a couple of shots for our office in the area, and he wondwered down to our rooming house, sat on the steps with a bunch of us and talked shop into the early hours of the morning. Things like that don't happen anymore.

2. What are your favorite things about being a wrestler, writer, and trainer, respectively?

I think my favorite things about being a wrestler, and writer is being given creative freedom to try some of your own ideas. I think we tend to forget that creativity is the life blood of our business. As a trainer it is to see one of the athletes I have worked with move up the ladder, and advance their careers

3. What's different from wrestling in the late 70s, early 80s, as opposed to today?

Gosh, that would take another book. The main thing that I wish would return is the territories. That was the breeding ground, the minor leagues, the finishing school for talent in those days. The indies for the most part today aren't preparing athletes to advance in their careers.

4. What's the worst injury you ever had from professional wrestling?

In that regard I have been lucky and blessed. The injuries haven't been all that serious. Tears, sprines, muscle pulls, concussions. Today my knees and lower back give me fits off and on, but as a trainer at 63, I can still move around the ring nimbley enough to teach. When I go to reunions with my peers and see how stoved up some of them are. I feel relly lucky.

5. What are some of the things participants will be able to learn at your pro wrestling camp?

Everything pretaining to our industry that is important to a career. We call our training sessions, like we called our matches years ago. In the ring and on the fly. We look to see what is needed in each session and adjust to that area or level

6. Did you ever think you'd be in the wrestling business as long as you have?

Hell no ! I really plan to get a real job someday ! I'll die doing soemthing in this business. It is who I am and what I do.

7. Would you do another special on wrestling like you did for MTV a few years ago? Why or why not?

Yes I would. It was fun, good PR, and educated a lot of people to what it is really like in a serious training camp. I believe Banks Tarver the producer did an excellant job.

8. What is your opinion on the current state of professional wrestling?

It needs an overhaul with adjustments from entry level to the top.

9. What is your all time favorite moment in wrestling?

There would be too many to recap. My career spanned an era where I was blessed with the chance to perform with some of the top wrestlers of anytime in history.

10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Probably answering another ten questions, and getting ready to do a seminar.:)

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