?Reported by Adam Martin of WrestleView.com

On Monday, August 8, 2005 at 8:06 PM EST

Doc Young sent in the following recap:

Ricky Morton Talks about His Destiny as a Pro Wrestling and Terry Taylor Talks TNA's TV Deal:::

Please credit Betsy Byrd and http://www.wrestlingweekly.com if using this information.

While co-host Les Thatcher was wrapping up his voice-over work in Georgia August 7, Wrestling News Live co-host, JSK, filled in to talk with Doc Young about all the latest wrestling news on Sunday. Even though original guest, A-Train, couldn't make it, Wrestling Weekly welcomed legendary wrestler and tag team phenomenon Ricky Morton and TNA's talent relations honcho, Terry Taylor, to the show.

Les joined the show just a half-hour behind schedule to talk about the remarkable job Jerry Oates and his partner at Georgia Championship Wrestling do to entertain hundreds every Saturday night in the Columbus, GA area. If you recall, Jerry was Wrestling Weekly's "legend" interview from the July 31. Les had just finished his duties as master of ceremonies for GCW's 2nd Annual Fred Ward Memorial show that featured both wrestling legends and current superstars on the GCW roster.

Les remarked about how professional the venue is which seats 700 comfortably, has full-service concessions, merchandise tables, computerized sound system, air conditioning, and a jumbo screen, just to name a few amenities. He said the show was close to capacity August 6 but draws 300-400 a night on average. He said, "It was just tremendous" and should be a benchmark for anyone with their own independent wrestling promotion to strive for.

Ricky Morton, best known as one-half of the legendary tag team, Rock-n-Roll Express, began the interview talking about how he's "been in the business all my life." His father is wrestling referee, Paul Morton and his uncle was also a pro wrestler. Ricky wanted to become part of the business ever since he was a kid but said when he got a little older he lost interest for awhile. Once he went to a wrestling show with his Dad again he finally said to himself, "This is my destiny."

Robert Gibson, his partner of 23 years in the Rock-n-Roll Express is still his on-and-off tag team partner in many of the indie shows and legends reunion shows Ricky does throughout the U.S. He vaguely commented on the split between him and Robert by saying that it had nothing to do with the business, but rather was more personal in nature. Still, he said, "Everything gets blown out of proportion" and he left it at that.

Ricky gave his props to the Andersons, Ole in particular. He said they always brought out the best in him and since it's so rare that Ole pays him a compliment, it means much more coming from him. He also said that "Ric Flair was the true, real heavyweight champion." Ric lived his gimmick, dedicated his life to the sport, and it shows even today.

Ricky also made comments about the stellar organization in Columbus, GA run by Jerry Oates and his partner at GCW. He likes that they run the fed "old school." Even though with Jerry "it's his way or the highway," his strictness shows in the quality of matches and the top-notch production they present in Columbus.

When asked about the Rockers and if he thought they were a rip-off of the Rock-n-Roll Express, he said, "I took it as a compliment." He himself admitted that he took his super babyface gimmick from another wrestler saying, "I copied my whole style from Ken Lucas."

Conversation turned to the state of wrestling today and Ricky elaborated on his ability to sell a match compared to what he sees now. He always felt that if he can convince the guy in the front row that he is actually hurt, then he is successful. Nowadays, he sees guys taking extreme abuse during a match and then end up losing with a small package. He says everybody is in competition with each other now rather than working together so everyone can make money like it was in the old days. He said, "Nowadays no one gives a crap about you."

Ricky said he knew he had made it in the heyday of the Rock-n-Roll Express when after years of breaking records in Louisiana, he and Robert held the world tag team titles in Charlotte, NC. He said he bought a house in Charlotte and one day 600 people were standing outside it. The fans even stole the flower pots and the tags from his car for souvenirs. He said, "I even tried to disguise myself" when he went out in public but it didn't work. But he admitted, "I enjoyed every bit of it." Now he gets a thrill when his son points out a picture of Ricky and Robert in a WWE magazine at Wal-mart.

Many people don't realize how tough the business is, especially for the older guys who didn't make the kind of money some guys make now. While working for Jim Crockett promotions the most he ever made in a year was $135,000, making the comment that Crockett kept the rest including merchandise profits. He says about the current crop of stars at the WWE, "These guys make more in one pay-per-view than I made working for five years." Despite that, Ricky still makes his living doing what he loves as he tries to get at least four bookings a week.

Ricky still accepts outside bookings and participates in various wrestle reunion shows throughout the U.S. His upcoming appearances include wrestling in the main event at Carolina Professional Wrestling on August 13 in the Raleigh, NC area and at the NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest August 19-21 in Charlotte. You can find out more about Ricky by checking his Website: http://www.rockandrollrickymorton.com/.

Total Nonstop Action (NWA-TNA) talent relations contact and legendary wrestler, Terry Taylor, joined Doc and Les for the last segment of the show. He said he was gearing up for the Oct. 1 debut of TNA on Spike TV. He is happy about the times slot-11:00 pm Saturdays-because he believes their 18-34 mostly male demographic will be home to watch at that time. He "doesn't see it as a problem."

He is enthusiastic about the TNA promotion. He realizes that they will never be able to touch the success of WWE but that they cater to people who are looking for "a real alternative." He says they are very positive and although nobody is getting rich, everyone is enthusiastic at TNA. He says, "Our company needs an identity" but their mission is clear: "carve out who we are, who our fan base is."

He talked about the current state of wrestling. He would like it to "get back to where things like (high spots) matter-our business could be healthy again." He specifically referred to when "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka jumped off the top of a cage at Madison Square Garden 20 years ago. "People still talk about it," he said. Now fans aren't as emotionally invested in the stars as they witness one extreme bump after another. He commented on how talented the previous guest, Ricky Morton, was as a babyface saying, "(He) could have little girls crying" and "Guys pulling for him." Terry said Ricky was the master at "selling."

A listener asked if Terry could wrestle anyone who would it be and he said, a few years ago it would have been HHH. Now he says, "I have no desire to wrestle anybody anymore." He would rather be remembered for what he was and not for what he is today. He added that the athlete is always the last person to know when enough is enough and "that's just pride." Even Ric Flair, the most talented guy on the WWE roster, isn't what he used to be.

Don't forget to tune in next week, Sunday, August 14, as Doc and Les welcome the incomparable Jim Cornette, legendary manager of the Midnight Express and later, as top brass at Ohio Valley Wrestling. And if that's not all, future interviews are being confirmed with Elix Skipper, Bob and Brad Armstrong, B.G. James, and Lance Storm. So keep checking www.wrestlingweekly.com for dates as these classic interviews are announced.

Wrestling Weekly Radio featuring Doc and Les can be heard every Sunday from 6:00-8:00 pm EST at http://www.wrestlingweekly.com.