Reading through the latest issue, I saw where Frank quoted as saying how he approached Giant Haystacks with some trepidation due to his in-ring character and was happy to find that he was quite a nice man!
I remember many years ago at a time when I was more involved as a wrestling writer (who wore a rather embarrassing mask) rather than as now and just as an old (very old!!) fan.
It was (I think) the first visit to London by WCW and they were afraid that because the then-WWF had become so well known through TV and tours, that no one would know their stars - two of whom were Ric Flair and Sting! They were known to every wrestling fan but not to those that only watched the WWF on TV!
I think it was being held at London's Olympia and I was there on the morning of the event talking to some of the backroom staff when I saw Haystacks listening to a conversation between Rick Rude and Sting. So with my heart in my mouth, I went up to the trio and it turned out that the American pair didn't really know of Haystacks, so I introduced myself and "bigged" up Haystacks, who was obviously just a guest and not fighting. I asked if they would pose in the ring for me with Haystacks apparently standing between the two WCW men and keeping them apart. I had to agree not to publish the photo in any magazines, but all three were so nice and were happy to wait until I had the photo I wanted. Not only that, but Sting took me outside and posed for me with his make up on. They were just so nice and knew there would be no personal benefit in posing. And with few exceptions, that's how I've found most wrestlers to be...
Mal Kirk. Through the ropes, the best of the bad guys, outside a lovely, lovely feller always time for a word..