Interview:
"Exotic" Adrian Street, wrestling legend,
wrestling trainer, artist, entrepreneur and
author - 31st October 2014
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Man continues to interview some of the most interesting
people on the planet...
Today
we interview a legitimate professional wrestling legend,
who is also a multi-talented entertainer, artist,
author and all round innovator and entrepreneur, "Exotic"
Adrian Street. Today Adrian is based in Florida, USA,
with his lovely wife who is best well known as "Miss
Linda". We've been aware of "The Exotic
One' for close to 25 years, but recently he generated
a great amount of wrestling buzz over the Internet
via a resurfaced photograph of him with Miss Linda,
The Undertaker, The Big Show and Vince McMahon. We
thought we should interview this great of the business,
and Adrian was kind enough to grant one of the most
unique and bizarre interviews we've ever conducted.
Who or what inspired you to become a professional
wrestler, and when and where was that?
I
was very good at hurting people and found out I could
earn a living at it. The day after I learned to walk.
Who
were your favorite couple of wrestlers growing up,
and who are your favorites now?
Don
Leo Jonathan & 'Nature-Boy' Buddy Rogers. My favorites
now would be Miss Linda and myself.
How
did you come up with the "Exotic" ring name
and all round gimmick or persona (if you call it that)?
I
first got the 'Exotic' tag in Mexico in 1981 where
they billed me as 'Exotico Adrian' then when I came
into the States January 1982 that translated into
Exotic Adrian Street.
Do you think (or even care) that some of the general
public and even hard-core wrestling fans don't know
you are a legit living legend of pro wrestling, and
created the awesome costume / outfit for "Dude
Love" (Mick Foley)?
No
I don't.
You
have wrestled some of the world's greatest pro wrestlers
including the late, great "Macho Man" Randy
Savage. Was he your favorite opponent, or just arguably
the most famous you took on?
Savage
was one of my American favorites - but the best wrestlers
I ever wrestled was in Britain - Lightweight Champion
of the World, George Kidd being the pinnacle of a
very, very illustrious heap.
Who was your first opponent, where was the match,
and what were the circumstances that led to your entry
into the business?
August
8th 1957 in London. I wrestled my first professional
match against 'Gentleman' Geoff Moran - I won by dislocating
his left shoulder 2 minutes of the first round.
What's your motto and mindset into the business of
professional wrestling, and has this altered much
over the years?
It
has altered a lot - in my time we wrestled.
What's your advice for any aspiring pro wrestler who
think they have what it takes to be a pro wrestler
aka "sports entertainer"?
It
doesn't matter how you win - as long as you cheat.
What's the most serious injures you suffered over
the decades, and did you ever need or feel the urge
to get square with anyone who was involved in you
suffering an injury?
Cauliflower
ears - a torn Achilles Tendon - a kneecap the ended
up in my thigh - cracked ribs - broken nose - even
though I did much more damage to opponents.
When did you feel you had "made it" in the
world of pro wrestling?
in
the early-mid 60s.
For the uninitiated, what's the 3 major world championships
you have held?
Middleweight
- Light Heavy and Heavy.
When did you and Miss Linda start teaming up (for
real), and what years would you consider the pinnacle
of your in ring career, when your gimmick was on fire?
Once
the fire began it never diminished - in fact I'm still
feeling the heat.
What main group of wrestlers do you feel "borrowed"
much of your gimmick and fashion? (we think they might
include "Adorable" Adrian Adonis and even
"Superstar" Billy Graham, but you tell us
(if its not going to cause to much heat)
There
have been countless contestants who have imitated
my persona - I have yet to see any of them imitate
my wrestling skills.
Did Vince McMahon (or his father or agents) see you
perform in person, and if so, what were some of the
reactions?
I
don't know or much care - I don't think Vince would
recognize a 'wrestler' even if he had any working
for him.
What country's has the pro wrestling business taken
you too?
All
over Europe - Japan - Malaya - Singapore - Thailand
- Many counties in Africa including Zambia where I
won 2 of my World Titles. Canada - Mexico - The Bahamas
- All over the States including Hawaii. I've had offers
to visit as many counties again but declined for various
reasons.
In your prime years as a pro wrestler, how you you
describe your ring style?
Fucking
fantastic - the only thing that prevented me being
absolutely perfect was my overabundance of modesty.
Did you prefer to work as a villain or a good guy,
and why?
I
liked being a villain as it gives you more control
over the fans - later I became a good guy 'cos Linda
was getting attacked by the fans every night.
What
led you and Miss Linda to start designing your own
ring gear and costumes, and when did other wrestlers
start to order wrestling gear and ring attire from
you?
I've
always designed my own costumes - read my books!
What's
your secret of success with your wrestling and personal
relationship with Miss Linda?
Determination for wrestling and lots of love for Linda.
Are you allowed to sell a replica "Dude Love"
shirt and / or tights, and if so, how much would you
charge?
I
can sell whatever I create, and I would need specific
design in order to price the garment.
When and how did you discover you were also an artist
(with the brush, hands etc), as well as an artist
in the wrestling ring?
I
probably began drawing or painting first time I saw
a pencil or a paint brush - it was always Red Indians
- with pained faces and feathers in their hair - much
Like 'Exotic' Adrian Street.
What are the favorite movies and documentaries that
you have performed in?
Canterbury
Tales - A drink out of the bottle - Quest for Fire
- Grunt The Wrestling Movie - I had 3 songs I wrote
and performed in that movie. I have 2 record albums
that I also wrote and performed myself.
With what may be perceived as bizarre, or even cross
dressing elements, how much would you say is purely
show business, and how much is real, or at least shades
of grey?
I've
always been inspired by colorful warriors - The fans
got the wrong impression when I first attempted to
emulate them - so I punished their ignorance by pushing
the envelope ever further each time I stepped into
the ring.
You have been the author over over half a dozen books,
primarily on the professional wrestling business,
with lots of information about your life? What your
favorite couple of books?
It's
my journey of a lifetime so I like them all - 'MY
PINK GAS MASK' - 'I ONLY LAUGH WHEN IT HURTS' - 'SO
MANY WAYS TO HURT YOU' - 'SADIST IN SEQUINS' - 'IMAGINE
WHAT I CAN DO TO YOU' - I am presently writing number
6 'VIOLENCE IS GOLDEN'.
You and Miss Linda are true survivors of the pro wrestling
business. Did you even have any near death experiences,
either in or out of the ring?
Lots
- but if you want details, you'll have to read ALL
my books.
What was your strategy or method to fighting and beating
cancer?
A
very positive outlook - I was diagnosed with throat
cancer in 2001. The Doctor who gave me the glad tidings
said "I'm going to give it to you straight Mr.
Street. You have two very malignant types of throat
cancer - you are not going to make it out of this
- I suggest you go home and put your affairs in order."
I replied 'I'm not dying yet mate - there's still
too many people in the World that I haven't pissed
off yet!" - I never did do what quacks told me
to do - that's why I'm still very much alive and still
kicking - very hard..
How
popular is your website, and how does it maintain
its high popularity, despite you not appearing much
on worldwide television much these days?
Everything
we do is popular because we are.
Who are a couple of your wrestling students who you
trained, that you are most proud of?
There
were too many to mention, but Bernard Van Damme of
Belgium who is Light Heavyweight Champion of Europe
and from Britain, Stu Allen who wrestles as 'The Dominator'
spring to mind.
Who is the best our of this group of wrestling legends,and
why? - Kurt Angle, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Hulk
Hogan, Roddy Piper and Bruno Sammartino?
I
like Kurt Angle - Shawn Michaels who had his first
TV contest against me - and Bruno Sammartino - they
were wrestlers.
What was Australian pro wrestler Bill Dundee like
both as a person, and as a pro wrestler?
I
like Bill - but his ego surpassed his ability.
Which
pro wrestlers did you like to watch on television
these days?
None
- I only watch cage-fighting.
What changes would you like to see in the WWE product?
Total
retirement - they've taken all the wrestling out of
wrestling.
What's the strangest or best road story you can share
with our readership?
I
have thousands - read my books.
What'
s a few of your current projects?
Writing
my 7 book autobiography.
How would you like to be remembered?
EXTREMELY
OLD & VERY VERY RICH!

VS
Randy "Macho Man" Savage

Shake
Wrestle 'N' Roll

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