1. I remember watching you wrestle (the original) Steve Regal in Pendleton, Oregon. Whatever happened to Regal?
-- Mark

Steve went back to Indianapolis and got married to Wilber Snyder's daughter. Nice man and a great athlete to work with. He worked in the AWA, then later Windy City Wrestling.

2. I was just curious as to what happened to the original ring and championship belts, etc. after Don Owen left the business.
-- John Grey

The Grappler sold the Northwest Heavyweight title belt on EBay. The tag belts are spread all over with different wrestlers carrying them. Sandy Barr, I believe, has one or two. So many different versions of the tag belts existed, but there were only a few of the heavyweight title. Many of rings are spread out through all the promotions in the Northwest. We use one in our wrestling school. Most of the Rings have had their ropes re-taped and the posts repainted, so they wont look exactly as you remember them.

3. My question, what advice would you have for someone who would like to start promoting some Indy shows? After reading through your web site, it has inspired me to try to put on a good old fashioned show where I live in North Carolina...
-- Duane Ellis

It all depends on what kind of a show you are going to promote. The bottom line is this: you get what you pay for. Good luck if you ever decide to do it. Anyone can run a show, but to run a great show is a different matter. Getting established, signing contracts, securing the right talent and venue, advertising, bonds, insurance, etc. – it’s a LOT to balance.

4. I noticed that you put you alias of The Executioner on your list, but I remember one night you wrestled as the "real Top Gun" in Portland. I know there were some people who thought it was really Ric Flair under the hood... but I’m pretty darn sure it was you.

I wore the Executioner mask at Wrestlemania only. I wore another mask as The Real Top Gun to work a nice angle with Dave Sierra (the actual Top Gun) in a mask vs. mask. I did wear different masks for different angles, depending on the circumstances, and what was working to make the most money.

5. I was at the match between you and Roddy Piper at the sports arena on Chautauqua when you strung him up with a coat hanger. I was very young then and I thought it was real… and I hated you for it. Do you have any memories of that angle?

I remember it well. Roddy towel-burned his neck to make it look real. He was going in for minor eye surgery, so we added that I stuck his eye as well with the coat hanger. We sold out the Portland Sports Arena more times in a row then any other wrestlers in Northwest history. The fans really flocked to see us perform against each other.

6. I'm watching an old tape of Portland Wrestling and was noticing how stiff some of the shots that Nord the Barbarian were. Was he a brute or just a great worker?
-- LeRoy

Nord was a great friend and a good guy. I never worked with him, but many wrestlers who did found him a little stiff at times, but all and all a Bruiser Brody Imitation.

7. It seems to me that part of your great ability to work a crowd was the element of vulnerability you would bring to the ring. You would often have a pensive, thoughtful look on your face that made you seem more human than other heals, or wrestlers in general. How did you cultivate this, and do you think it is missing in today’s business.

I believe it came from the training I got from Verne Gagne and Billy Robinson. When you go through the moves and you do them for real, and then you learn how to sell, it separates you from the rest of the pack. Great question. I am happy that you noticed the attention to detail.

8. In your time in the AWA you had some outstanding bouts with the Midnight Rockers (Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels). At that stage did you see either of them eventually becoming the household names? Also, what was Doug Summers like as a teammate?
-- John Stallard

Yes, I knew they were going to make it even bigger then they were in the AWA -- there was no doubt in my mind. Marty was 24, Shawn was 21, and they were on with every spot I called. Doug was good as well, and we both were able to have a very good run with the Midnight Rockers.

9. What are your memories of working with a young King Parsons in his pre-Iceman era?
-- Marcus Barkley

King Parsons, It was a learning experience for him in the Northwest. He went to Dallas, Texas from the Northwest and got a little run as a main event performer.

10. I am sorry to inundate you with yet another Von Erich question as you have answered two already on your site. You have verified wrestling Kevin in his debut. There is a newspaper clipping that says you wrestled David in his debut on 6/28/77 is Dallas. It does not seem to fit the time line you were in the territory and many claim Dave wrestled George McCreary in his debut. What do you remember? Even if this is not so, could you tell the boys had talent early on?
-- Red

I trained and wrestled Kevin in his first match in Dallas, Texas. I never wrestled David.

11. Was your face turn planned or was that a reaction to fan response?

I planned it out, and it was my choice as far as creative control on my babyface turn, with the stipulation I would go back to heel after the run.

12. I just wanted to know if Wrestle Reunion will ever be released on DVD. I would love to see that card. I’ve heard all about the big bump that you took.

I do not believe they have. Thank you for the kind words.

13. Have you ever taken on Wayne Coleman {a.k.a. Superstar Billy Graham}? That would have been a great match.
-- Joseph Erwin, Jr.

Never wrestled Wayne, but Billy was a great friend and a top-notch talent.

14. Has the WWE contacted you? It would be great to see the Playboy back in action.

Yes, I just did a Legends Interview for Smackdown Magazine. It should be out in a month or so. As far as Wrestling, I am very happy teaching young talent to learn how to wrestle and perform, instead of wrestling myself. Bottom Line, I am trying to wrestle my way out of wrestling as a performer. Never say never, though. I did wrestle in Tampa, Florida at the first Wrestle Reunion show.

15. With the school that you and Ed are running, is there any chance of starting your own promotion to showcase the talent you are developing?

Yes, we have plans to do so much, with promoting as well as running the wrestling school. We have done a few shows with our students and other local wrestlers, and they turned out great.

16. What are your memories of Mean Mike Miller and where is he now?
-- Darin D.

Mike Miller a personal friend and a great guy. He is now back in the Portland area with his kids and doing very well.

17. Is there an update on the Portland Wrestling documentary that I read about?

Last update is that the Documentary was on hold until the man who made it possible is healthy.

18. Could you please share a favorite Crusher anecdote of yours? I bet you probably have a few, but if you could take the time to even talk about just one it would be greatly appreciated.

I watched The Crusher when I was a kid in Minneapolis, and never thought I would be wrestling him on the same televion show I use to watch him on. He was a wonderful person and the Hulk Hogan of the old-school generation. He will be truly missed.

19. I noticed in Portland during 2/3 falls matches, you always went back to dressing room after each fall. Why is that?

Don Owen sold more consessions if we left the ring than if we staying in the ring. More beer, candy, pop, etc. It came off like we were working three times.