Harold Potter Interview.
By P. Staniforth 2004.

I recently had a chance to sit down and have a chat with a good friend of mine, who I would like to introduce you all to - referee Harold Potter. Having the honour of being only the 2nd ever referee that I have interviewed, this is what was said.

PETER) : - Thanks for your time. What was your childhood like, and growing up?

HAROLD) : - I had a usual childhood. Baseball was an important part of my life before I discovered wrestling. I played for several years before I got hit in the eye with a baseball that almost destroyed my vision. It was in my time away from baseball that I turned the TV stations and came across WCW Saturday Night.

PETER): - Ah, WCW. Sadly missed in a lot of ways. Was this when you first discovered wrestling?

HAROLD) : - It was around 1990-91 when I remember watching WCW. Looking back at old home videos from birthday parties, WCW Saturday Night was on the Television. I was instantly hooked with it.

PETER) : - Which leads to the fact that a lot of people who watch wrestling want to be an in-ring worker? What made you want to be come a referee?

HAROLD) : - Well, I knew I wanted to do something in the business. I have always been a tiny person, not physically fit to wrestle on a weekly basis; so being a referee is another important role. After spending every weekend at shows, I finally got the courage to talk to my parents about it; since I was 14 at the time.

PETER) : - I can relate. I'm big enough to wrestle, but I just don't think I'd be that good - hence I do what I do. How did you get your break in the business?

HAROLD) : - I was 14 years old at the time and was always at shows setting up chairs, putting together rings etc? I became friends with a few wrestlers, Devil Bhudakahn, CJ Sensation (who at the time wrestled as Mantis), Jake Garrett, Nikita Allanov, and so many more! I also got hooked up with these folks who worked with promoters to bring in your "Names," like Shane Helms, Tommy Dreamer, Nova, Chris Hamrick, and so many more. With them, they let me travel along side them and help with the names by working their gimmick tables and taking pictures for them. To make a long story short, I was invited to a Meet and Greet with Chris Hamrick, and Nova. Listening to their road stories, and their experiences with ECW, WWE, made me hungry for this. Since I was only 14, I really couldn?t train. It was not until I became 15 (in 2001) when Devil Bhudakahn took me under his wing and started my training. Two days a week for the next year and a half I would be driving 30 minutes to this warehouse that had no heating and no air conditioning. A few months into my training, I was invited to a clinic with Chris Hamrick, Trent Acid and Johnny Kashmere. There I learned the basic bumps and psychology, which I still remember to this day. And finally, May 26th, 2001, IYFW in Weirton West Virginia; I made my referee debut.

PETER) : - I interviewed Chris Hamrick, and helped him get booked here in England. I can imagine being around such independent names, must have been amazing at that point in your life. What were your first matches like?

HAROLD) : - My first matches were scary. I wasn?t quite used to the workers I was in the ring with. It took quite a while to get used to everything.

PETER) : -  What would you consider your best moments in wrestling so far?

HAROLD) : - There have been so many. I was on a show where they crowned an NWA World Champion (Shin?ya Hashimoto), and did a run in at the end of the match to break up a fight between Dan Severn and Hashimoto. My 5th show ever, I got to referee WWE Prospects (Rosie, Jamal, and Charlie Haas), Joining Cleveland All Pro Wrestling has been a major help in bettering me as a person. I cannot thank JT enough.

PETER) : - That's quite an achievement. A lot of people never get breaks like that for a long time in their careers, if at all. But you're very level headed and deserve it a lot. What have been your favorite matches you've been a part of, and also who are your friends in the business?

HAROLD) : - I have a favorite moment in almost everything that I do. I recently got to referee a Tracy Smothers vs. Buff Bagwell match that was simply amazing. I believe the attendance was 231 people and they were all loud and on their feet. As far as friends are concerned, my friends are what keep me going. If it weren?t for them pushing for me to get better, then I probably wouldn?t have been around this long. I am 18 now, and I still have a long way to go!

PETER) : - I'm a big mark for Tracy Smothers, so I know I would have loved that! What do you like to do in your spare time?

HAROLD) : - Spare time is rare right now because I am still in school and am graduating in a couple weeks. But I am just like your average teenager, hang out with my friends (which are all involved with wrestling), walk around the malls, and spend time with my wonderful girlfriend who keeps me in line. I do eventually want to go into the Art Institute of Pittsburgh to further my education. I am feeling something like Videography or Film?Not sure yet though.

PETER) : - It's often echoed by many in this business, that you need to have an education to fall back on in case things don't go as planned. What are your thoughts on WWE and TNA?

HAROLD) : - They produce different styles of wrestling. WWE is definitely not like it used to be. TNA has been entertaining as of late. I'm glad to see Sonjay Dutt on TV, he?s phenomenal! Ron Killings is finally getting another chance to prove that he is a worthy Champion, which is good. I totally love the overall product.

PETER) : - Oh, I'm just plain biased towards Sonjay - a good friend of mine and a great worker who I was telling promoters to notice long before he made it into TNA. What are your thoughts on the indy?s?

HAROLD) : - I have learned to keep my mouth shut now that I understand what goes on. I will say this though, promoters who promote in the same area, should work close together to make an area the best it could possibly be, by giving the fans what they want. I think it is stupid to run head to head with another promotion in the same town, or 10 miles away. I wish some people would understand it is not about them, but it?s more about what the fans like, and what they want to see.

PETER) : - All too true, and well put. Maybe one day ego's will be put aside, and these sentiments will finally be taken to heart and used. Do you have any advice for people who want to get into the business?

HAROLD) : - It would be very hypocritical of me to say this but definitely get an education first. Wrestling takes it's toll on you mentally, and especially when you are young, like I was. Once you have a fall back plan, then pursue this as a career not a hobby. That is one thing that upsets me, when someone uses wrestling as an escape from his or her personal lives. There are some of us who live and breathe wrestling. I am definitely one of them. When I work, I am serious. I give 110% every time.

PETER) : - I can totally agree with that. To finish, what are your plans for the future, and is there anything you'd like to add yourself?

HAROLD) : - I have tons of goals that have not been accomplished. I would love to have a chance to work high profile shows outside of the Pittsburgh area like TNA, CZW, ROH. I just want to be the best I could possibly be. I have definitely put the time in where it counts. In my home federation, we are given the opportunity to work out on a weekly basis. Sometimes I put 3 days in a week down there then have at least one show a weekend (at times there are 3 a weekend) so hopefully things happen. But I am young and ready! I would like to promote my website, www.HAROLDPOTTER.vze.com ; email me, my AOL IM name is on there, I am always willing to talk to whomever. I like to listen and lend my opinion on various matters, and would be glad to hear from anyone who's read this interview.

PETER) : - Thanks for your time, my friend; and all the best for the future.

HAROLD) : - Thank you.

Peter Staniforth.
Peter is an English based professional wrestling journalist, currently writing for the following websites : - www.prowrestlingdaily.com, www.wrestlingclothesline.com, www.pwbts.com, www.bgwwrestling.com,  and the exclusive wrestling writer for www.ukevents.net.

Peter has written press releases for http://www.wweeuroshop.com/?tid=ps101, the official WWE merchandise outlet for the UK & Europe; and has had work published in Total Wrestling magazine.

Peter is the exclusive booking agent for independent wrestling star Z-Barr, who can be found at www.zbarr.com. Any promoter wishing to book him for work, can email at this address for more details.

Also, in addition to that; Peter runs a independent wrestling bookings website for wrestlers - names such as Nick Berk (of CZW and NWA Wildside), Shark Boy, Colt Cabana and many more can be found available to book at  *WEBSITE ADDRESS CURRENTLY BEING MOVED, PLEASE ASK FOR MORE DETAILS . * . Peter was also mentioned on the credits of the cult PC wrestling simulation game EWR 4.0, by Adam Ryland.

Peter is associated with UCW (Ultimate Championship Wrestling), of www.ucw-wrestling.co.uk; in a Talent Relations capacity. Peter is also currently Senior Vice President of Public Relations for IWA-Worldwide, a wrestling promotion currently working out of Florida; who can be found online at www.iwaworldwide.com.

Peter reviews video tapes for the following wrestling tape traders, who come strongly recommended by him - www.simania.co.uk, www.violentjtapes.com, www.modtrom.com (the official video production team behind Jersey All Pro Wrestling), www.a1wrestlingvideos.com, www.ruffneckwrestlingvideos.co.uk, EITC Video (email eitcvideo@yahoo.co.uk) and www.bluethundervideo.com.

When using any of this information give proper credit to Cactusb and the Wrestling Clothesline at http://www.wrestlingclothesline.com

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