THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT

I went to see Frank Sinatra sing at the Royal Albert Hall.  Because I wrestled there many times I knew the way out under the stage.  I passed him in the corridor, with his two bodyguards, and he said to me, “Mr Haystacks, I watched you on television this afternoon!  I believe that British wrestlers are the best entertainers in the whole world!”  We exchanged pleasantries, and he gave me his autograph.

*

Haystacks picked Schumann up, looked at the audience and wrapped the little Austrian in a cocoon of fear as he slammed him onto the canvas.  The Austrian didn’t move, and the referee counted him out.  He was still lying flat out long after Haystacks had returned to his dressing room.  In the end the officials rolled him out under the bottom rope, and he staggered back with a blue face.  Then he showered and went to the bar and told Austrian jokes.

Garfield/Wrestling, 1996