Jerry Wiseman Interviews “Beef Stew” Lou Marconi
Posted on July 9, 2010 by Jerry Wiseman
Lou Marconi
Marconi has spent the majority of his career, since 1994, in the mid-west and recently debuted for Firestorm Pro Wrestling and is seeking the one pinnacle to an otherwise outstanding career, the coveted “10 pounds of gold.”
“The Stew” has made a habit over the years of collecting regional titles, both singles and tag team much the way a homeless man collects tin cans, with ease and grace. A no-nonsense wrestler who is “old school” and not afraid to speak his mind about the injustice of whatever he takes a liking to, Marconi has definitely left a mark on the sport he loves.
It was a real pleasure to talk to the man to whom legendary WWWF grappler Charlie Fulton referred to as “a credit to the business” and “talented in the ring.”
Q. Your dream opponent would be?
A. Ric Flair, Brett Hart, Arn Anderson and Dean Malenko .
Q. What is your best road story?
A. The time I woke up in Ft. Wayne Indiana after a WWE Raw Show. I was hung over and I didn’t know where I was. Luckily Frank Stalletto was there to help me find my way the next show (laughs).
Q. Who is someone you always like to watch wrestle?
A. Barry Windham and Tully Blanchard
Q. As a promoter who would be in your money match?
A. Me (laughs) just kidding I’d like to watch Evan Bourne and Rey Mysterio Jr. in something like that.
Q. Do you think tag team wrestling is a lost art?
A. Yes, absolutely gone are the days of the Midnight Express and the Rock and Roll Express.
Q. If you got the call from New York, would you change your gimmick and to what?
A. Of course I would and the gimmick would be that I’m the new Red Rooster.
Q. Do you think titles need to mean something again?
A. Oh god yes, they change hands too often now.
Q. You own a promotion, who are the first five workers you hire?
A. Mick Foley, Shane Douglas, Ray Rowe, Matt Cross, John McHesney and JRocc.
Q. What is the craziest match you have done?
A. I quit match with T-rantula.
Q. Do you prefer hardcore, traditional or a mix of the two for your own matches?
A. Traditional, wrestling is wrestling.
Q. Besides yourself, who is the best to ever step into the ring?
A. (Laughs) that would be Lou Thesz.
Q. Who is your favorite opponent?
A. Denny Gregory.
Q. If you could change one thing about the business, what would it be?
A. Bring back territories. (Editor’s Note: this is a statement echoed by many of the veterans including Terry Funk.)
Q. Does wrestling need a union?
A. No, it would be even more corrupt then ever.
Q. What drew you into the business?
A. I was always a fan.
Q. Do you think heels and faces need to be clearly defined again?
A. Not necessarily, there are always grey areas in real life. Why not wrestling?
Q. In the annals of wrestling, what do you want to be said about you?
A. That I’m a true professional.
Q. What decade, the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s or 00s do you think best defined wrestling?
A. The 80’s for sure, because the territories died and we have the business we have today.
Q. Do you think internet PPVs would help indie promotions?
A. Yes, why not?
Q. What is one thing you want fans to know about you?
A. That I’m really an old school respect guy with manners.
Q. Have you ever had aspirations of trying MMA?
A. (Laughs) no.
Q. Do you think the proposed changes that a lot of state athletic commissions will help or hurt the sport?
A. It depends on the changes.
Q. Who I someone you would not want to work again?
A. Reckless Youth.
Q. Do you think blading is a necessary evil in the sport?
A. Yes when its’ right.
Q. Is the punishment you take worth the money you make?
A. No not at all, but it’s not about the money.
Q. We are all marks; have to be to love the business, how big a mark are you, what is your favorite piece of swag?
A. I’m a mark of great work and great wrestling. So I’d say anything nostalgic.
Q. Is there any match you would refuse to do?
A. Nothing I can think of.
Q. With more and more ladies taking on the men in the ring, would you have a problem doing a job for a woman?
A. Pin me pay me.
Q. How big of an impact do all the recent deaths of the boys have on the business?
A. Not big enough to change anything.
Q. Using steroids is still a sore subject among some of the boys, especially now that Ivan Putski came out and admitted using and Bruno Sammartino is against them but used them when they were legal, what is your feeling on them?
A. I never needed them.
Q. Does there need to be more competition in the business and do you think TNA is the answer or does someone else need to come along and step-up?
A. More competition the better and someone should step up soon.
Q. Does it take an addictive personality to be a pro wrestler or what type of mental attitude do you need to make it in the business?
A. You need to have thick skin and be persistent and open minded.
Q. What kind of pre-match ritual do you have before you go through the curtain?
A. I like to warm up with push ups, jumping jacks etc…..
Q. Do you find yourself giving 100% no matter if there are 25 people in the crowd or 2500?
A. Oh yes, they paid money to see a show.
Q. Do you ever practice cutting a promo in front of a mirror?
A. Shhhhhh oh course I do (laughs).
Q. How do you define yourself as a pro wrestler?
A. Old School.
Q. What is the weirdest thing you have had happen while in the ring?
A. Blue Meanie couldn’t stop farting once the match started.
Q. Fans either love you or hate you, what has been your worst experience with a fan?
A. One time a fan punched me. As reflex I hit him right back. It wasn’t at all good.
Q. If you could go back to any era and wrestle for one night, where would you go and who would you step into the ring with?
A. The 1950’s with Lou Thesz.
Q. What move do you think is overused and just does not get over now, like the carotid clutch in the 70s?
A. Probably the spear, because so many indie guys use it.
I am now also the National Pro Wrestling Memorabilia Examiner so please check out new articles being posted.
As always I am Jerry Wiseman and then the bell rings.
