Great link to the piece on Haystacks in the latest issue. I remember meeting him during a tour of the UK by Ted Turner's WCW company. I was doing some work for an agency that was struggling to sell many tickets because most of those that enjoyed US wrestling had only heard of the (then) WWF.
The show was at London's Olympia and the afternoon of the show saw me wondering around pretending to be talking about ticket sales when in reality I was a real fan and knew who all the WCW wrestlers were. Back then, guys such as Ric Flair were unknowns to most UK fans, but to me he was almost a God and seeing him standing there was a (then) highlight of my year! Sadly for me, I was too taken aback at seeing him and couldn't think of anything to say! Not that long afterwards he signed for Vince McMahon and everyone suddenly knew who he was!
But I did speak to several others including Sting (really friendly guy) and "Ravishing" Rick Rude (not quite so friendly). However, out of the corner of my eye I spotted Giant Haystacks, who I had spoken to a few times before, although unsurprisingly he didn't remember me! I knew he wasn't on the bill and asked if he was working for WCW and his answer was "not yet!" He wouldn't say anymore about the topic but was happy to chat generally about the British wrestling business - which was really struggling at that time. But going by the article, I assume he went over to the States to try his luck. What surprised me about Haystacks was his quiet demeanour as against the rather brash US guys.
So, rather nervously, I asked Sting and Rude if they would mind me taking some photos. Sing was great but Rude said he was pushed for time! Thankfully Sting asked him to pose and he did. After a few individual pics and seeing Haystacks standing around watching, I asked if I could set up a pic with the three of them - suggesting that Haystacks stood in between the two wrestlers keeping them apart. Sting called out to someone to ask if there was any problem with that particular photo as Haystacks wasn't signed to the group. Whoever that person was just nodded ok and I took a photo that I really am proud of; Sting and Rick Rude trying to get to each other with Haystacks keeping them apart.
Afterwards I had to promise the guy that had earlier nodded an 'ok' that I wouldn't send it to any US wrestling mags and of course I agreed to that. Other than my own collection, the only other public sighting there has been of that photo is in the Gallery section here under Alan's photos. And yes, it is the only photo anywhere featuring those three guys.
And out of interest, I also remember seeing Dr Death v Dr Blood at the Poplar Baths in East London. It was definitely Paul Lincoln as Death, but Blood turned out to be Geoff Portz!
Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to everyone...
A great photo!
Haystacks when he was a British Hwt Champion held the most prestigious belt in English History the 1909 George Relwyskow Sr original gold and silver belt which he was awarded when he beat Peter Gotz for lightweight world's title.
G'day callsignmag,
What a great situation you experienced with Haystacks, Sting and Rick Rude!
Thanks for sharing the moment.
Did your work with the agency lead to any other memorable moments - even outside of wrestling?
Cheers!