
SWF Backstage, Episode 4 6/26/04
Dean welcomes us to the 4th edition of SWF Backstage, where tonight, The Janitor, Crazy Phil, Octane, Generation Gap, Ayatollah Sheik, Lt. James Dingle, & Walter will be profiled. We waste no time in starting the profiles.
Profile of The Janitor
He was born Stanley Keller in Chicago Illinois. Stanley was an odd kid, and was ostracized the by his schoolmates, which lead to many fights. All those fights ended up getting him expelled in 8th grade, and going to reform school. Stanley's rage only grew by being sent away, and that rage never seemed to dissipate. The only thing he ever liked was wrestling, and the time spent watching it appeared to be the only time he was ever happy. After school, Stanley became a janitor, preferring a hard day's honest work instead of conforming to society's need to be wealthy and powerful. Stanley worked at a big insurance firm, but after a run-in with the company's head honcho, he was fired, since he didn't appreciate being yelled at, so he clocked the boss with his push broom. Stanley ended up working in a gym, one that trained both boxers, and wrestlers. When everyone left at nights, Stanley trained secretly, picking up wrestling with ease. Stanley now knew that he wanted to pursue his love of wrestling, and it just so happened that the upstart SWF was bringing it's talent search to town. We go to the Extreme Superstar footage, where he states that Janitor not only proved to be a talent brawler, but the anger in his promos and ring work were astounding, and that is what made him sign the newly dubbed Janitor.
Profile of Crazy Phil
He was born Phil Margolis in Portland Oregon. Phil had a normal upbringing, it was adult life that makes up his harrowing tale. Phil was a pretty successful owner of a car dealership, had a nice home, two great kids, and a loving wife, but he threw it all away. Times got a little tough when a new dealership came to town, stealing all his business. In desperation, Phil turned to gambling to solve his money woes, but he just ended up deeper in the hole. With bills piling up, and feeling helpless, Phil turned to alcohol. Within a few months, Phil was a gambling addict and an alcoholic. Phil refused help, so feeling powerless, his wife left him, and took the kids with her. All this did was drag Phil deeper into depression, as did the eventual loss of his home and business. Now living on the streets, Phil turned into a rambling fool, having had a nervous breakdown, and he was dubbed Crazy Phil by the locals because of it. Phil eventually was taken to the psych ward after being picked up wandering down the highway. It was there Phil was treated, and he kicked his bad habits, resolving to turn his life around. When he was released, Phil started working on the docks, making just enough to feed himself, and buy an old car to sleep in, but fate had something else in mind for him. You see, Phil was always a big wrestling fan, so when he heard about the SWF tryouts, despite being older, with no experience or skills to speak of, something inside told him he needed to go. Phil had at one time considered being a wrestler, but life interrupted his plans, but now he saw it as a sign. He didn't go in expecting to wow anyone, but just to give it his all, so that he could at least say he tried, and if he did by some chance get signed, he'd have a fresh start, possibly even showing his family that he wasn't a bum. In the never before seen footage, Extreme states that Phil showed up with the same passion he had when he started the SWF, so while Phil wasn't the best athlete, he wanted to give him a shot. Extreme ended up working with Phil himself, training him hard to be as good as he possibly could get him. Extreme says that Phil's desire is the same as what the SWF was built on, and while people laughed, he knew that there was no way he could have turned him away, because he had the heart of a true champion.
Profile of Octane
He was born Dante Black in Detroit Michigan. Dante was always a quiet loner, as well as the biggest kid in school. Dante's parents weren't around much either, not seeming to care about their son, they just left him money, went off doing whatever, and he fended for himself. Dante, having nobody there, learned to cook, and even drive at an early age, since it was necessary if he wanted to eat/get around. That early start at driving allowed Dante to become quite skilled, so as soon as he officially got his licence, he took off to trucking school. The proprietors of the school nearly turned him away, but hired Dante when he showed his excellent driving skills during a road test meant to only humor the kid. Dante spent some years on the road, but grew tired of that, then decided to settle down in Los Angeles working as a bouncer who's reputation stretched to bars across the country. One day, after hearing the loud reaction to a wrestling event being shown in the bar he was working at, Dante decided that he should try that, as he was a monstrous man, who also happened to enjoy the sport since he was a kid. Dante put in his notice, and started training, along side his future ally Petey Pizzazz, who he'd met while working the LA bar scene. The two ended up at the Los Angeles tryouts, and that was that. We see the Extreme footage that says how much he was blown away by the power, and dominance of Octane.
Profile of Disco Danny
He was Born Daniel Torella in New York City. Daniel, or Danny to his friends and family, always seemed enamored with the style, and attitude of the 70's, especially loving disco music. Apparently, seeing what turned out to be his favorite movie, Saturday Night Fever is what hooked him on the decade. Danny got heavy into the disco age after seeing the movie, learning to do the dances, and play guitar/keyboard so he could make his own disco songs. This fascination earned him the nickname he took as a wrestling name, Disco Danny. Danny eventually started his own retro band, covering all the classic disco tunes, and then opened his own vintage record shop/clothing store, where it was all 70's items. Danny's other love was wrestling, so he also decided he needed to try that. Danny ended up hearing about the SWF, and according to Extreme, his hybrid technical/high flying style is what convinced him to hire Danny.
Profile of Jimmy Jam
He was born James Garrett in Los Angeles California. Jimmy, being a child of the 80's, grew up in the era he came to love, and when the decade passed, he never let go, seeing the oncoming 90's generation as inferior. Jimmy started his own 80's tribute bands for various rock groups, playing lead, as well as bass guitar, and singing. Jimmy also opened his own record shop in San Francisco, where he worked while he trained to become a wrestler, a dream of his, since he grew up in the golden age of the WWF. When the SWF tryouts came to San Fran, Jimmy was there, and according to Extreme, Jimmy showed great high flying skills, and wrestling knowledge, plus he has a soft spot for the 80's too, so he liked his "gimmick".
Profile of X
He was born Scotty Phillips in Pine Bluffs Wyoming, to wealthy parents who owned, and operated a meat packing plant. Scotty grew up the all-American kid, was in boy scouts, had good grades, etc, then, he got into the grunge movement of the early 90's. Scotty changed his name to X, separating himself from his wealthy parents, and moved to Seattle, which ironically was funded by his stake in his family business. In Seattle, X trained to become a wrestler, since he, like all the SWF wrestlers, grew up loving the sport. X ended up at the SWF Seattle tryouts, and Extreme says it was his fast paced brawling that impressed him, explaining how he was hired.
Profile of Ayatollah Sheik
He was born Yosef Hussad in Sari Iran amidst much poverty. Yosef overcame all that however, becoming a reputed amateur wrestler and weightlifter. After dominating the Iranian scene in both of his fields, he decided it was time to come to America, ready to compete at the pro level of wrestling. When he felt prepared enough, Yosef sent a tape to the SWF, and Extreme says Yosef reminded him of the Iron Sheik, so he gave him the Ayatollah Sheik name, and signed him, since he could really wrestle, and also showed tremendous power.
Profile of Lt. James Dingle
Dingle was born in Tulsa Oklahoma, but moved to San Francisco where he became a police officer. Dingle is said to have been a bumbling cop, only solving crimes after completely botching up everything. When he was tired of all the reports his exploits forced him to write, Dingle quit the force, and sent an audition tape to the SWF. Extreme apparently liked (since Dingle is newer, we don't see any footage of him on the subject) Dingle's technical wrestling skills, and "interesting" behavior, so he gave him a shot, which obviously landed Dingle a contract.
Profile of Walter
He was born Walter Sobinski in Chino California, where he grew up spending most of his time bowling. Walter became a regional bowling champ in both singles, and team leagues. After a while, Walter wanted to put his large size to better use, by pursuing a career in wrestling. Walter showed much anger and hostility in his promo tape he sent to the SWF, and according to Dean (since as stated earlier, Extreme was gone before he could comment on the newer talent), Extreme loved it, seeing the eery similarities to Walter from a favorite film of his, The Big Lebowski. Extreme had Walter come in, was impressed by his superb brawling ability, and tweaked his character to better match the movie Walter, giving birth to the Walter from SWF.
We then head back to Dean, who tells us to tune in next week for the final SWF Backstage, and that SWF Main Event returns in 2 weeks!
Just before we can see the logo, one of those weird "SOON" promos hits. This one says "Don't fear, because it will all end......SOON". I'll tell you, these promos certainly have me interested.
END OF SHOW