On Friday, October 31, 2008 at 1:48 PM EST
Gary Kevany sent this article in:
Legend living up to his name
By Gary Kevany
Two appearances in Mayo, six months apart, two main events and two victories – it would seem Joe E Legend is living up to his moniker. The name came about by chance and what started on a whim has stuck with him to this day and within the independent wrestling circles, especially South Africa, Germany and the United Kingdom Joe E Legend is indeed a living legend.
Bret Hart once wrote "for as long as I can remember, my world was filled with liars and bullsh*tters, losers and pretenders – but I also saw the good side of pro wrestling. To me there is something bordering on beautiful about a brotherhood of big tough men who pretended to hurt one another for a living instead of actually doing it. Any idiot can hurt someone"
And when you see the camaraderie among the wrestlers as the eat their meals prior to the show, sign autographs and pose with their legions of fans for photographs that there is some truth in that assertion.
The previous time Joe competed in Castlebar he interrupted a promo by former WWE Intercontinental Champion "The Masterpiece" Chris Masters as he was berating the fans and the Irish in general – this led to a closely fought main event which Joe eventually secured the victory in. Similar circumstances brought about the main event for last month's show.
Following the opening bout of the sold out Rampage American Wrestling event in the Theatre Royal, Castlebar, Joe E Legend came out to announce that he was suffering from a leg injury.
"I've been told by my doctors not to compete tonight, I pleaded with them time and time again to allow me to compete but they said that the injury was so severe that competing would be far too risky." Joe stated.
"Wah, Wah, Wah; somebody call the Wahmbulance!" came the response from former WWE Tag Team champion, Rene Dupree, who then proceeded to attack Joe's injured leg. Rene was then joined by Duncan Disorderly who assisted in the assault. Another former WWE employee, Eugene, made the save and after talking things over with Joe and helping him to his feet the tag team main event was made.
The match went back and forth with Rene and Duncan spending most of their time focusing on Joe's injured leg but when Eugene got into the ring things turned in favour of the fan favourites. One airplane spin later and Eugene pinned Duncan to give his team the victory.
Both men posed for pictures afterwards to the great adulation of those in attendance.
As Bret Hart said there is something bordering on beautiful on a brotherhood of tough men competing to give the fans enjoyment and having the opportunity to do something they themselves enjoy for a living.
More wrestling is coming to Ireland soon with Total Nonstop Action making their inaugural appearance in Dublin's national stadium featuring Rhino and Christian Cage, two men Joe E Legend helped get into the business.
"I wouldn't say that without me they wouldn't be where they are but I helped Adam [Copeland aka three time WWE World Champion and multiple time tag team champion], Rhino and Christian out a lot in the early days."
Is there some jealousy behind those words? "I wouldn't say jealousy, of course, I'd love to making the millions they make and appearing in front of thousands of fans on a weekly basis but I'm content doing what I do. I'm just not very good at the backstage politics; maybe if I was, I'd still be in the WWE."
One thing that Joe often wonders about is just why the wrestlers get the respect, requests for autographs and pictures along with the never ceasing adulation of the adoring public.
"There are people out there like Policeman, Fireman who go out and risk their lives and are much more valuable to society than any wrestler. They don't get to travel the world like I do; they probably don't make the money I make. They would never get a standing ovation and i've gotten many in my career. They'll never be asked for an autograph. I get treated like, kind of, a B-level star, around the world. I've seen all the great parts of the world and will undoubtedly see them again so if I can't give one hundred per cent for the fifteen minutes which everyone has paid equally to see then I won't wrestle. When the time comes that I can't regularly put on a show worthy of the price of admission I'll hang up my boots."
Modest words from a God fearing, family man as the pictures on his website http://www.legendwrestling.com indicate, hopefully that day won't come any time soon.