Draven Blaze returns with a closeup of ring veteran Ricky Bauer.

Hotspot with Draven Blaze

Highlight: Ricky Bauer!

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For those who do not know, this man has helped me tremendously throughout my training and furthering in the wrestling industry. Ricky Bauer, also known as Ricky Dakota, is this issue’s Highlight.

DB: Where did you start your training, and with whom? When was your first match?

RB: I started my training in September, 1986, one week past my 22nd birthday (September 14). I went to Moolah’s school in Columbia, SC. There was a major heat wave going on at the time, and serious drought conditions down there, too. The first week, I trained double sessions. During the mornings, I trained with the girls, and Donna Christiantello was the main trainer. At night, I trained with the boys. Jimmy Kent was trained the men. He reminded me somewhat of Jerry Lawler.

My first match was in May, 1987, against Abdullah the Butcher, of all people. It was Brick, NJ. for NWF TV tapings. I got cut and carried out of the ring. It was a fantastic experience. The next day I was sore as hell. Before that, though, I was a referee and ring announcer for Moolah’s promotion in South Carolina.

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DB: Rick, this is for those who don’t know, what was your involvement with my training?

RB: My involvement with you was getting you your first paid match! I worked with you a little on putting the match together, making sure your bumps were smooth and clean. I didn’t have to help you with selling too much because you played the gimmick so well.

We did some things in the ring where I proved to you that as much as you could do the high flying stuff, you were capable of putting on a good show using basic stuff, and pacing your high flying stuff, when to place it in your matches, when to back off and do basics. Too many guys out there want to show off.

DB: What has been, up to this point, your most special moment in wrestling?

RB: Hard to say. Having my parents see me wrestle for the first time and telling me how proud they were of me is right up there.

Having Damien Kane come up to me for feedback on a match I had with one of his students is another — that’s a respect thing, and all the guys in the locker room should strive for that kind of respect — that I was almost as green as his student, yet he thought enough of my abilities to want to know my opinion.

What is really special though, is the screenplay that I wrote and am trying to produce getting very good reviews from people not only in the wrestling industry, but by people in the film industry who see its promise and potential.

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DB: About your screenplay, I have read the two versions, and edits you have made. I think it’s an amazing story, either way you tell it. If you could, right now, please tell everyone what your screenplay is all about:

RB: The title of the screenplay is Bobby Champion. Bobby is an 18 year-old high school wrestling phenom who turns down a scholarship to a major collegiate wrestling powerhouse to marry his pregnant girlfriend. He falls into pro wrestling, something that he looks down on, but falls in love with the business.

As he works his way into a major wrestling promotion, he, by chance, finds himself in the middle of a drug smuggling ring within the industry (this is based on an actual wrestler). There are startling revelations as to who is running the ring, and the wrestler who is an undercover cop. He’s basically a good kid who dotes on his son, loves his wife. All he wanted to do was take care of his family, and winds up in a huge mess.

The other version you mention is closer to what I originally wrote in 1988. Same thing, without the drug angle. Bobby works his way to the top while dealing with backstage politics, temptations with his fidelity, and a manipulative female promoter who has her sites set on him sexually.

DB: What are your plans for wrestling that you may have in the future?

RB: A number of wrestlers are on me to start promoting again. I enjoy that, enjoy the process, and love giving opportunity to the younger guys coming up. Anything to give guys a chance to pursue something they love to do.

DB: What are your views on how pro wrestling has evolved, or changed in the past few years?

RB: I’m not really a fan of what I am seeing these days. I really, really miss the old days when there were territories. I hate seeing guys making little more than gas money to do these small indy shows. When I was working, a lot of these guys would be in a territory, making decent money. WWE has taken all of that away, and that is sad. The window is so small for the guys to succeed. That’s really sad.

I’m also not a fan of the way the work has become, either. Too many high spots, too many chair shots, not enough logic and psychology involved. Everything has to have a reason. Guys are getting hurt without justification. Still there are some fantastic workers out there that I enjoy watching. The problem is that there are guys who don’t know how to work who are teaching, and shouldn’t.

DB: Are you planning on promoting again, or is it far fetched for you?

RB: Right now, it’s on hold because of the financial aspect of it. I’m not that much of a mark for the business where I NEED to do it. Mostly, though, my focus right now is to get Bobby Champion from screenplay to big screen. Right now, that’s about to go through the budgeting process, then raising the money, etc. I really don’t see how I can dedicate equal time to both.

There needs to be a solid promotion in the NJ/PA/Delaware area. There really isn’t anything that is up to my standards, but my standards have always been very high. One is starting to evolve that I like, Force One. They’re taking baby steps. I like what they’re doing.

DB: IF you could prepare the future generations in wrestling, what would your advice be?

RB: Treat the business for what it is — a business. You’re there to make a living. It is a job. Forget about belts, forget about titles, learn all you can to be the best. Dedicate yourself to it. It is a craft, just like any other business. Don’t mark out over it.

Also, watch everything that is OLD! You Tube has a wealth of videos of old time wrestling — Southwest Wrestling, World Class, Portland, WWWF, etc. Look for things you’ve never seen before. Make that stuff new again!

DB: So is there any possible in ring return for you in the future, or has the ring seen its last of you?

RB: No, I haven’t taken a bump in a few years. I’m in my 40s now. Let the kids have their time. I learned that when I first broke into the business. I hate seeing these older guys working in front of 100 people in some PAL. I like keeping my hand in it in some capacity, but I prefer to be behind the scenes. It’s more of a thrill for me to help the new guys coming up, instead of taking a spot from them.

This man is a great guy, not only in the business, but in life as well. He has loaned me video tapes, that I still have to give back to him for years now, HAHA, and is constantly concerned in my life. Being a friend of his is a truly great thing, and I’m proud to say he helped mold me to what I am today.

Blaze out.

Draven, I’m right in the midst of reading Rick’s revised screenplay (w/out the drugs), and I think I like the rewrite better! Ricky is very articulate & knows the business, something that is lacking in both workers & trainers today.

He attended the Force One October show at my request, because I value his opinion so much.

We as a promotion, continue to take baby steps, because we believe in slow, deliberate growth. Benjamin Franklin said “Plan your work, and work your plan”, and that applies to what we’re doing at Force One.

Rick, I wish you continued success with this excellent screenplay, but if it doesn’t work out…….we could always use a good trainer!