Bill Irwin Shoot Interview

One of the last great journeyman wrestlers of the last three generations is “Wild” Bill Irwin. Along with his brother Scott, the Long Riders dominated the territorial world of the National Wrestling Alliance. The Long Riders may wrestle in Texas, Tennessee, Japan, and Georgia all in one week. If there is a man with a story to tell, it would be “Wild” Bill Irwin. Bill Irwin sat down with RF Video and took us for a trip down memory lane. Drop a name and Bill could tell you a story and a half about that person. Whether it is a wild road trip, carrying his inebriated opponent to ten minutes, traveling overseas, a bloody war, various bookers, drugs, alcohol, and the rock and roll life, Bill Irwin talks about it all in this shoot interview. Bill may be most known to newer fans as part of the revolution known as World Class Championship Wrestling. Along with the glory of WCCW, came tragedy. Bill recounts 72 hours of madness surrounding the death of David Von Erich. Bill was the last person to see David alive. Bill talks about the plane ride to Japan with David, his last hours in Japan, their last conversation, and the madness that ensued once the news broke about David’s passing. It is the most detailed account of one of pro wrestling’s biggest mysteries that you will ever hear. Were drugs flushed down the toilet as Gary Hart claimed in his shoot? You will have to watch the shoot and find out how Bill responds to Gary’s accusations. If you don’t know Bill from the various territories, World Class, or even his days as Super Destroyer, you may know him as someone else. The Goon! Bill talks about winding down his career in the WWE as the Goon and why he thinks this character is still engrained into current WWE culture. Will you see the Goon again on your television set? Watch the RF Video shoot interview and find out. Here are the list of questions that we talked about with Wild Bill. Bill also spent alot of time talking about the day that David passed away because he was the one who found him. Howd you get started Was the training more difficult than you thought What was the kayfabe like for a young guy back then Memories of working for Central States early in your career Talk about paying your dues back then Memories of your first match Thoughts on Bob Geigel Memories of Ric Flair Memories of Harley Race Early memories of Skandor Akbar Who was the captain of calling your matches with Scott How did you develop your interviews Memories of Memphis Memories of Jerry Lawler Thoughts on Jeff Jarrett Memories of matches with Jimmy Valiant Memories teaming with Larry Latham Memories of matches with the Gilberts Memories of matches with the Poffos Thoughts on Bill Dundee How did you wind up in World Class Initial impressions of Fritz Von Erich How bad was the drug scene in World Class Did you ever have a problem working with anyone that partied too hard Thoughts on how the business changed such as WWE?s Wellness Policy today Memories of matches with the Von Erichs Whos idea was it to put you and your brother under masks Could a masked gimmick get over today Memories of Gary Hart as a booker Did you ever get in the crossfire between Hart and Ken Mantell Memories of your first Japan tour Could you tell there was something cutting edge about World Class Any good road stories Memories of matches with David Von Erich Some say he was the best wrestler of the boys, do you agree Memories of wrestling Chavo Guerrero at the Super Dome Memories of matches with Roddy Piper Memories of matches with Iceman Parson Memories of Bruiser Brody What do you remember about the night David died Gary Hart claims that drugs were flushed down the toilet, true? Did WWE cut anything out of your interview How out of control was the partying in WCCW Are you surprised at the resurgence in WCCW interest How did things change in WCCW after the Freebirds angle Do you think that feud gets too much credit for WCCW?s success What caused you to leave Memories of Ole Anderson Memories of Tommy Rich Memories of touring with All Japan Memories of Roddy Piper on the tour Memories of Giant Baba Did you like the style How did you wind up in the AWA Did you think the AWA would compete with Vince at the time Memories of Verne A lot of people say he was out of touch, true Scott Hall in our shoot said he didn?t like working with you and your bother, what are your memories of those matches Memories of matches with Curt Hennig Memories of matches with the Road Warriors Memories teaming with Harley at Super Clash against Baba, Tenryu, and Tsuruta Memories of matches with the Rock N Roll Express How sick did your brother get before he passed Was it tough to keep wrestling while he was sick How hard was it to keep going Could you see the business changing in the late 80s Did you ever worry when you saw the territories evaporating How did you wind up back with Bill Watts Thoughts on Eddie Gilbert as a booker Memories of teaming with Leroy Brown Memories of matches with the Fantastics Memories teaming with the Angel of Death Were you surprised Watts sold How different was World Class when you came back in the late 80s Memories of matches with Chris Adams You went to WCW in 89, howd that come about Initial impressions of Jim Herd Thoughts on Ric Flair Memories of matches with a young Sting Memories of matches with Brian Pillman Memories of Terry Funk from this run Memories of Paul Heyman Memories of a young Sid Vicious Memories of the Steiners Memories teaming with Terry Gordy in Japan Thoughts on Abdullah the Butcher Was it hard to not have a big role at that time Why do you think you didn?t get a bigger push How did you wind up in Global Did you think itd succeed How did you wind up in Global Whyd Global fail Memories of Mick Foley and Scott Levy from Global Memories of a young John Hawk Was Joe Pedicino over his head Did you think Lightning Kid and Jerry Lynn were too over the top How did you wind up back in WCW What did you do from 94-96 How did you wind up in the WWF Who?s idea was the goon Memories and thoughts of Vince McMahon Who did you like to work with the most up there Did you think the gimmick would get over Thoughts on Shawn Michaels Any good road stories Were you surprised when Steve Austin started taking off Did you have an idea that Vince was going to drop you from the roster How did that happen Did you ever try working with ECW What led you to retire How did you wind up back for the gimmick battle royal Did you like it Any good Iron Sheik stories How had things changed How were you treated that night What makes someone a good heel in your opinion Is there anyone that made it that surprised you and is there anyone who didn’t make it who you thought would Do you still watch wrestling What are your thoughts on all of the deaths of the past few years and which in particular hit you hardest Thoughts on UFC and comparisons to pro wrestling Do you want to write a book How did you wind up working with the WWE on the Von Erichs DVD Will you be doing more projects with them Is it hard to adjust to life after pro wrestling What do you do today Fav ribs and road stories Favorite ribs How did you wind up back last year Did you like it Any chances of coming back Thoughts on the lack of kayfabe today Do you still have a passion for the business What do you miss most and least about being a full time wrestler