Bastion Booger FULL Interview on WCW, WWF, Stampede & Global

Here's a comprehensive summary of the YouTube video transcript, maintaining the original language and technical precision:

Early Career and Amateur Wrestling Background

The interviewee, Mike Shaw, discusses his unconventional entry into professional wrestling. He never watched wrestling growing up in northern Michigan due to limited TV access in his small hometown. His initial exposure was sporadic AWA shows late on Saturday nights. He only saw a live wrestling match at age 21. Shaw's athletic background was in amateur wrestling, where he competed in high school and some open college tournaments. He even became the youngest head Varsity wrestling coach in Michigan at 18. He also held a professional boxing license for a period.

Shaw's transition to professional wrestling began in Florida, where he was trying out for a slow-pitch softball team. He met some wrestlers who encouraged him to pursue the business. He then attended Walter Kowalski's wrestling school in Boston to get trained.

Training at Kowalski's School

Training at Kowalski's school in Salem, Massachusetts, was rigorous. The gym was hot with no air conditioning. Kowalski, a legend in the business, focused on the psychology of wrestling and how to work a match, rather than predetermined outcomes. Shaw emphasizes that Kowalski taught them to "work and respect the business," a concept he feels has been lost. He notes that many trainees were scared off by the intensity, with some lasting only a week or even a workout. Shaw's biggest challenge was shedding his amateur wrestling mindset, which often clashed with the business aspect of needing to lose or "do a job."

First Matches and Early Experiences

Shaw's first match was in Westerly, Rhode Island, against TV Ricky Steamboat. He recalls Steamboat's comment that it was the best match Shaw would ever have, which Kowalski immediately refuted, stating it "stunk." His fourth match was at the Boston Garden, a significant experience for the small-town kid. He also had opportunities to meet notable figures like Bruno Sammartino. Kowalski's school attracted media attention, leading to Shaw's involvement in various TV segments and photo opportunities with athletes like Marvin Hagler.

Career Progression and Territories

Shaw's early professional career saw him work in various territories. He spent time in Vancouver with Jean Kiniski and Al Tomko, describing their promotion as self-destructive due to their ego-driven booking. He then moved to Calgary for Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling, where he spent seven years. He describes Calgary as a "hotbed" for wrestling, with Bruce Hart being ahead of his time in promotion, incorporating elements like hockey players, music, and smoke.

Key Characters and Gimmicks

• Klondike Mike: A character used in Vancouver, based on a previous wrestler named Klondike Bill. Shaw and Bill looked alike, and the gimmick was promoted as a familial connection.
• Muka Singh: A heel character used in Calgary, developed with Gamma Singh. The name "Muka" was an Indian/Pakistani translation of Mike. This character generated significant heat, with one incident involving a thrown can of Coke.
• Norman: The character he used in WCW. This was initially a babyface character that resonated strongly with children, evidenced by the weekly delivery of teddy bears. Jim Ross and Eddie Gilbert were instrumental in developing this character.
• Trucker Norman: A later iteration of the Norman character in WCW, which Shaw disliked, feeling it was a step backward and killed the character's momentum.
• Booger: The character he used in WWE. This gimmick was initially intended to be a masked gargoyle-like figure but was changed due to concerns about looking too much like Vader. Shaw found the gimmick "dumb" and ineffective as a heel.

Experiences in WCW and WWE

Shaw found WCW to be a chaotic environment with multiple bookers, leading to uncertainty about storylines. He felt the Norman character had potential but was ultimately killed off by booker Ole Anderson, who wanted to revert to a 1950s style of wrestling. Despite the character's popularity and positive publicity, it was phased out. Shaw also expressed frustration with being paid without being used extensively, attributing it to internal politics and Turner's money.

His time in WWE was also challenging. He felt the company was more "cutthroat" than WCW, with wrestlers vying for pay-per-view spots. He received a "shitty deal" with the Booger gimmick and had a difficult start with poor matches and a lack of clear direction. He felt Vince McMahon was approachable but that agents and other backstage personnel were the source of his issues. He regrets not getting a clearer direction for his character and believes he could have performed better if given the opportunity.

Notable Wrestlers and Promoters

• Walter Kowalski: Shaw's trainer, whom he respected for his focus on psychology and respect for the business.
• Stu Hart: Shaw's promoter in Calgary, described as a "rugged guy" and a "tremendous guy" who liked big, amateur-style wrestlers.
• Owen Hart: Shaw considered him the "best babyface" he ever wrestled. Their angle in Calgary was highly successful.
• Dynamite Kid: Described as a "brutal" individual and a great ribber, ahead of his time as a talent.
• Davey Boy Smith: Shaw found him more standoffish than Dynamite Kid.
• Bret Hart: Shaw had a complex relationship with Bret, initially not getting along due to Bret's perception of Vancouver as "bush league." However, Bret later offered advice for Shaw's WWF tryout and reportedly put in a good word for him.
• Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart: Shaw recalls his athleticism and power, particularly his shot-putting ability.
• Terry Funk: A significant mentor and travel companion, described as one of the "craziest people" but also incredibly tough and dedicated to wrestling.
• Jim Ross: Shaw found him to be a good person who treated him well and allowed him to do some announcing in WCW.
• Kevin Sullivan: Shaw had a good run with Sullivan in WCW, appreciating his creative ideas for their storylines.
• Mick Foley (Cactus Jack): Shaw was amazed by Foley's willingness to take extreme risks, describing his bumps as "unbelievable."
• Ole Anderson and Jim Herd: Shaw identified them as problematic figures in WCW, with Herd being particularly clueless about the business.
• Ric Flair: Shaw believes he could have had a good match with Flair if politics hadn't intervened.
• Hulk Hogan: Shaw credits Hogan with making and saving the wrestling business, emphasizing his generosity and impact.
• Yokozuna: Shaw traveled with him and noted that he was advised to lose weight, unlike himself.

Key Concepts and Themes

• The Business of Wrestling: The distinction between amateur wrestling and professional wrestling, the importance of psychology, and the need to "do a job."
• Politics and Backstage Drama: The pervasive influence of politics in wrestling, affecting storylines, character development, and career progression.
• Character Development: The process of creating and evolving wrestling personas, and the impact of management decisions on their success.
• Territory System: The historical system of regional wrestling promotions and its evolution.
• The Changing Landscape of Wrestling: The shift from a more wrestling-centric product to entertainment-focused programming.
• The Importance of Fans: The fundamental role of fans in supporting the business.
• Longevity and Toughness: The dedication and physical resilience required of wrestlers in earlier eras.

Conclusion

Mike Shaw's journey in professional wrestling is marked by an unconventional start, a strong amateur background, and a career that spanned various territories and characters. He highlights the importance of psychology and respect for the business, while also acknowledging the detrimental effects of backstage politics and poor management decisions. Despite facing challenges with gimmicks and creative direction, Shaw expresses gratitude for the opportunities and the fans who supported him throughout his career. He now focuses on his family and security business, reflecting on his experiences with a mix of pride and candid observation.

Key Concepts

• Amateur Wrestling
• Professional Wrestling
• Wrestling Psychology
• Heel/Babyface
• Gimmick
• Territory System
• Booking Committee
• Ribs
• Pay-Per-View
• WCW (World Championship Wrestling)
• WWF (World Wrestling Federation) / WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment)
• Stampede Wrestling
• The Dungeon (Stu Hart's training facility)
• NWA (National Wrestling Alliance)