September 16, 2001

You know its amazing how 1Wrestling.com, the biggest wrestling media website, can help you meet great people just by having a column. In my first column, which was an interview with WWF diva Jackie, I got an email from someone who managed Triple H, while on the Indy scene in Killer Kowalski's federation. At first, I did not believe it, but after he sent me the tape, and I saw him manage Triple H it was amazing. I now bring you an interview with John Rodeo, the man who managed Triple H during his Indy career.

CHRIS YANDEK: "First off how are you?"

JOHN RODEO: "I am doing pretty good Chris. I would like to thank you, and I would like to thank anyone else who is spending time hearing my story."

YANDEK: "First maybe you could explain how you got in touch with me, and how this all came about, and how you are?"

RODEO: "Sure I am John Rodeo. I managed through out the East coast independents, and I was a heel manager from 1992 to 1999. I was trained by Killer Kowalski, and I had the opportunity to work with some people like Raven, Triple H, Chyna, Saturn, and among others. I was fortunate to live out a dream, and based on that I have decided to try and share my story with some people through my website www.johnrodeo.com. I have always been a fan of the Internet and wrestling, so therefore it would only be natural to have a wrestling website. I came across 1Wrestling.com, and saw some of your interviews, and based on the fact that they looked interesting, I would try to contact you, and that is how we met."

YANDEK: "How did you get paired with Triple H?"

RODEO: "I met Triple H back in 1992 for the first time. I met him first through a mutual friend, and from that time we both obviously have gone to Killer Kowalski's school. It was my third night working that I was actually paired with him, and it was a relationship that we both enjoyed, or at least I would like to think that I enjoyed. I believe we worked well together, and from that point on we pretty much worked a lot with each other through the years, which would be for him late 1992 to early 1994 the East coast independents. There was four people who managed him Mr. Majestic which I believe which was just for one night, The Court Jester which was probably a few times, and there was Vito Carlucci, who is the person most obviously seen on the tape if anyone has the boot leg tapes of Triple H winning the IWF Heavyweight Championship. But I would say in all honesty, that I am the person who did manage him the most through out the independent career he had. Then signing with WCW, then previously signing with the WWF."

YANDEK: "Did you think Triple H would get as far as he did?"

RODEO: "When I first met Triple H, he certainly to me had all the looks, and certainly the attitude of someone who would be a star in the wrestling industry. He had a positive attitude, that was willing to listen, and was able to quickly pick up things verbally or physically. So I always had a very strong feeling that he would go far in the industry, as to would he go quite this far I am not sure. In 1994, Lanny Poffo was doing some independent shows around the area, and he had said to Triple H that he would be the next Hulk Hogan. He really is not that far off the market at all. He is one of the people that I would have to say is the stand out, and on the mic gives his generation."

YANDEK: "Keep in contact with anyone from your wrestling days?"

RODEO: "Maybe a half dozen people at most. Recently I did finally go back to wrestling school; after three years since I have been out of the business. It was definitely nice to see some old faces, and meet a couple others. But as far as people I had a chance to work with, if I still keep in touch with the people I met through the industry, and I am actually happy that I can call them my friends."

YANDEK: "What were your big involvement's in wrestling besides Triple H?"

RODEO: "My biggest impact would probably have to be Tony Roy. He may not be a house hold name, but maybe in another era he may have had a shot in the sense that he is not the biggest guy you will ever see, but he is an all around talent, and he has a very good attitude."

YANDEK: "What do you think of wrestling today?"

RODEO: "Wrestling today is a lot different then the wrestling I grew up on. When I grew up I was more of a fan of the wrestling. Bob Backlund was my favorite wrestler. Today is definitely an entire different product, and some of the wrestling is just unbelievable. But overall wrestling is pretty popular, so you can't argue with the formula that has been put in the recent years."

YANDEK: "Final comments?"

RODEO: "My career was something many people may not know about, but it is something that I keep near to my heart. I am also happy that I am able to share my experiences with others at my website www.johnrodeo.com. As far as my future involvement, I don't see myself really ever doing an independent show again. I am grateful for my career cause at the time it all happened, it was a wonderful time in my life, and I just want to thank all the people that are reading this I really appreciate it."

Chris Yandek is a Contributing Writer for the St.Petersburg Times Online Wrestling Section at Ringfury.com and a Columnist at 1Wrestling.com.

He has Interviewed People from Road Warrior Hawk to Buff Bagwell to Brother of Bill Goldberg Steve Goldberg to WWF Superstars and Divas Molly Holly and Jacqueline.

Check out his weekly Low Down Report Every Sunday at 11pm Eastern Time on Tap Out Wrestling Radio Show out of Las Vegas at www.lvrocks.com.

Check out his official site www.neweraofwrestling.com for all his interviews Audio and Transcript. Also checkout the Audio commentary with the Manager of Champions himself Bill Alfonso.

 

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