Wrestler
Chapter Three: Tim Parks - 17 Years and Would Do It Again
#PWHS #Interview #Wrestling #ProWrestling #TimParks #BoogieWoogie #Valiant
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Question 1
It is my privilege to spend a few minutes with someone that many Mid-Atlantic independent fans would recognize as Wolf Davidson, or maybe even as the Masked Battle Cat. That’s right, Wolf Davidson: a rebel flag-waving biker red-neck. In these days of political correctness, I could see the local promoter book Wolf as the hero in some communities and in political-correct communities as the vile villain. So tell us Tim, how did you discover pro wrestling?
Answer
Terry, thanks for this opportunity and it would be my pleasure to talk to you about my career and my interaction with several Hall of Famers. I had a neighbor that sorta “adopted” me as his grandson. I was 7 years old and we watched Championship Wrestling from Florida one morning. The first match I remember was Blackjack Mulligan & Bugsy McGraw vs 2 (what most people would call) jobbers. What really hooked me was these guys looked to be killing each other. The passion of the interviews was riveting. These guys made you BELIEVE IT. Every Saturday saw me watching, cheering and booing.
Question 2
Did you go to any live cards with your neighbor?
Answer
He was in a wheelchair, so our match watching was on the TV. I do remember my 1st live card though; it was Starrcade ’84. What a night! 18,000 screaming fans in the Greensboro Coliseum! I will never forget the World Television Belt match where an injured Ricky Steamboat made comebacks against pre-Horseman Tully Blanchard until Blanchard used a chain to finally knock Ricky out and walk out as Champion. 1984 also had karate-gimmick Billy Graham lose to Mid-Atlantic favorite Wahoo. The main event was the $1 Million World Heavyweight Championship challenge match between Flair and Dusty with Joe Frazier as special ref.
Question 3
Do you remember any of the feuds growing up in Florida?
Answer
I don't remember a lot about the angles back then. I was too young to pay attention to that. I know Dusty, Blackjack, The Funks, Wahoo, Bugsy were there along with a young Ric Flair. I moved to North Carolina in 76 and most of the same guys were working that area.
Question 4
For our many wrestling fans, what are your treasured memories of Mid-Atantic Wrestling?
Answer
My favorite memories of JCP was Jimmy Valiant vs Paul Jones Army. Seemed no matter what Jimmy did, or who he knocked off, Jones always had someone new to step up. Superstar Graham's baby face turn really blew my mind when he helped Jimmy Valiant. Pez Whatley turning ON HIM made me so mad I was livid. The memories I have of the old Greensboro Coliseum will be with me forever. I attended every card there for years. Most times sitting in the front row. Tully vs Magnum I Quit match....Best of 7 Sting vs. Muta ....Flair vs Rhodes 10,000$ challenge....Slaughter-Kernodle vs Youngblood-Steamboat, all great matches I attended. I was privileged to attend all the Starrcades they had there as well. Really hated when they started moving it to other venues. In North Carolina we had several venues close by such as Raleigh, Charlotte, and Fayetteville. Going to Charlotte for the United States title tournament was a treat. Say what you will, Dr Death was a hell of a man. Busted open, stitched up, and still kept going.
Question 5
What happened next in your life? Did you wrestle in High School?
Answer
I got to where I was wrapped up in sports in school so really didn't get back into Pro Wrestling till about 81. I didn't wrestle in school; well at least not in sanctioned matches. Lol.
Question 6
So, did JCP seem like CWF, but with Bob Caudle instead of Gordon Solie? By the way, did you like Bob or Gordon better? How did you get started as a Pro Wrestler?
Answer
Yes, Crockett seemed a lot like my CWF memories-but I started catching onto the storylines. And when I started going to the matches in 84, it was on. I liked Caudle the best for some reason…After seeing it live, I was hooked and began to arrive early to talk to the stars as they arrived at the venue. I met lots of the workers at the arenas here in North Carolina. Jimmy Valiant was one. I formed a friendship with him then. He and Dusty both told me I needed to get trained. At that time you had to go to Atlanta or Minnesota to train. I didn't have the funds then. Boogie left the big time and I didn't see him till 94 at a Indie show in Martinsville, Va. He told me about his school and I was there the very next day.
Question 7
You mentioned that Dusty Rhodes himself suggested you get trained also. I’m sure he didn’t tell everyone that, how did it come about?
Answer
At one time I had a workplace accident and broke all the toes on my right foot. Dusty Rhodes fought Barry O and won in 8 seconds in a match. He came to the front row and got on the chair beside me celebrating with the fans. He jumped down and landed on my foot. Needless to say, I SCREAMED. Lol. He apologized and offered to pay any medical bills involved but I declined. When he found out later I was Valiant’s friend, he said I needed training as I could take pain.
Question 8
What happened between the time Dusty told you this and you started training?
Answer
I went to San Antonio Texas to work in construction in the mid 80’s. While there I attended many WCCW cards. I was in a small bar one evening when Bruiser Body came in. One hell of a monster in the ring, one hell of a nice man outside of it. Talked to him for about a half hour. I was very impressed with him. Super nice guy. As he left he asked if I was coming to the show that night. I went and it was a good show. He wrestled Eric Embry that night.…I lost contact with Valiant after he left JCP. In 95 I was living in Martinsville Virginia. A local Indy card was having Valiant versus a local guy in a retirement match the next night. I attended the show and Jimmy remembered me after about 10 yrs; it surprised me. He informed me he had a training camp about 2 hours away. I visited it the next day and started training on Aug 7 1996. I started my career in December 1996 with the AIWF, the Allied Independent Wrestling Federation. We had several stars come through such as Chyna, before she went to WWF, Ricky Morton, Buddy Landell, Abdullah and many others. There are some good schools if you want to travel a little bit to attend them. I just didn't have the opportunity at the time due to my mom’s health.
Question 9
Your first match ever?
Answer
My first match I had was with my trainer, Jimmy Valiant himself. I was green as grass. His opponent was a no show. I was scared to death. He said listen to me and follow my lead. It wasn't a wrestling match. We had a brawl all over the building. I worked for the AIWF to start with in ‘96 & ‘97. In ‘97 I had a severe ankle injury. I healed for about a year then traveled around with New Dimension Wrestling, Atlantic Championship Wrestling, Tarheel Wrestling Entertainment and lots of shows that didn't even use a brand name.
Question 10
Your memories; what stars did you work with?
Answer
At New Dimension Wrestling is where I had many battles with Beast Master Rick Link and also met Manny Fernandez. Iron Sheik, Bobby Fulton, Jackie Fulton, Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson, Buddy Landell, as well as Abdullah all appeared there… When I was in AIWF we had a TV show on the local public access channel in Martinsville VA. They showed clips from the previous weeks show plus had live call-ins with wrestlers on the set. To say it got wild occasionally is an understatement. Lol, When I met Terry Funk it was at a card in Danville VA. Very nice man who I respect tremendously. We had around 1000 fans there that night. That's one thing about Indy shows. If its promoted right, fans show up. If not, they don’t. I worked in front of 30 one night. I never went back. I was in a tag match with partner Alan Rage against Manny and Rick one night when a drunk fan decided to come in the ring after Manny and Rick while we were making our entrance. Manny very quickly took the guy down with a leg sweep. I heard his leg break while I was probably still 30-35 feet away. Needless to say all the fight went out of him quickly. Manny was all business inside the ropes. He was the toughest guy I've ever tangled with… Terry Funk told me one thing that always stuck with me: "Make them believe in you! Good guys kiss the ole ladies, shake the men's hands, and hug the babies. Heels piss them off. Make them leave the venue loving you or hating you! Give them a reason to remember you! Cause when they forget you....you're done".
Question 11
Sounds like great advice. I believe we could apply that to our everyday lives. Madonna said that is why she “pushes the boundaries” of Rock Music so she would always be remembered.
Answer
I've always tried my best to remember that whether it was in front of a big crowd or a dozen. Yes, I said a dozen! Once drove 146 miles one way and 12 people showed up. And I think they may have been worker’s family or friends. Lol, but you still go out and try to wow them. They might bring others next time. Nowadays my body's getting slower to recover so I've hung up my boots and moved on. I never was able to fully live off wrestling but I loved it. For 8-20 mins getting in there and doing the dance. Forgetting the lost loves...the bills owed...the pains of everyday life...just loosing all the chains of life while I endeavored to put all my problems aside as I entertained the fans. Would I do it again? HELL YES, in a heartbeat. No questions asked. I loved it when I did it and still do to this day. I don't care much for the sports entertainment it has become. I'm more old school that's why I support the good indys.
Question 12
This has been so enlightening. What is Tim Parks doing today?
Answer
June of 2013 was my last match. It was a show in a nightclub for my friend of 30+ yrs Rob Boogie Woogie Man McBride. I started in July 96 and wrestled till June 2013, so nearly 17 years. I've started my own business now doing stump grinding here in North Carolina. When people have trees cut I have a machine that grinds the stump into mulch. It makes the landscape look nicer and you can plant grass or whatever.
Terry Kent
Tim, it has indeed been my pleasure to share this time talking about your career in wrestling. PRICELESS is what many fans would call your memories and you rubbing shoulders with so many of our childhood heroes.
Tim Parks
Terry, its been my pleasure. I hope its been entertaining and somehow inspirational.
Question 7
You mentioned that Dusty Rhodes himself suggested you get trained also. I’m sure he didn’t tell everyone that, how did it come about?
Answer
At one time I had a workplace accident and broke all the toes on my right foot. Dusty Rhodes fought Barry O and won in 8 seconds in a match. He came to the front row and got on the chair beside me celebrating with the fans. He jumped down and landed on my foot. Needless to say, I SCREAMED. Lol. He apologized and offered to pay any medical bills involved but I declined. When he found out later I was Valiant’s friend, he said I needed training as I could take pain.
Question 8
What happened between the time Dusty told you this and you started training?
Answer
I went to San Antonio Texas to work in construction in the mid 80’s. While there I attended many WCCW cards. I was in a small bar one evening when Bruiser Body came in. One hell of a monster in the ring, one hell of a nice man outside of it. Talked to him for about a half hour. I was very impressed with him. Super nice guy. As he left he asked if I was coming to the show that night. I went and it was a good show. He wrestled Eric Embry that night.…I lost contact with Valiant after he left JCP. In 95 I was living in Martinsville Virginia. A local Indy card was having Valiant versus a local guy in a retirement match the next night. I attended the show and Jimmy remembered me after about 10 yrs; it surprised me. He informed me he had a training camp about 2 hours away. I visited it the next day and started training on Aug 7 1996. I started my career in December 1996 with the AIWF, the Allied Independent Wrestling Federation. We had several stars come through such as Chyna, before she went to WWF, Ricky Morton, Buddy Landell, Abdullah and many others. There are some good schools if you want to travel a little bit to attend them. I just didn't have the opportunity at the time due to my mom’s health.
Question 9
Your first match ever?
Answer
My first match I had was with my trainer, Jimmy Valiant himself. I was green as grass. His opponent was a no show. I was scared to death. He said listen to me and follow my lead. It wasn't a wrestling match. We had a brawl all over the building. I worked for the AIWF to start with in ‘96 & ‘97. In ‘97 I had a severe ankle injury. I healed for about a year then traveled around with New Dimension Wrestling, Atlantic Championship Wrestling, Tarheel Wrestling Entertainment and lots of shows that didn't even use a brand name.
Question 10
Your memories; what stars did you work with?
Answer
At New Dimension Wrestling is where I had many battles with Beast Master Rick Link and also met Manny Fernandez. Iron Sheik, Bobby Fulton, Jackie Fulton, Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson, Buddy Landell, as well as Abdullah all appeared there… When I was in AIWF we had a TV show on the local public access channel in Martinsville VA. They showed clips from the previous weeks show plus had live call-ins with wrestlers on the set. To say it got wild occasionally is an understatement. Lol, When I met Terry Funk it was at a card in Danville VA. Very nice man who I respect tremendously. We had around 1000 fans there that night. That's one thing about Indy shows. If its promoted right, fans show up. If not, they don’t. I worked in front of 30 one night. I never went back. I was in a tag match with partner Alan Rage against Manny and Rick one night when a drunk fan decided to come in the ring after Manny and Rick while we were making our entrance. Manny very quickly took the guy down with a leg sweep. I heard his leg break while I was probably still 30-35 feet away. Needless to say all the fight went out of him quickly. Manny was all business inside the ropes. He was the toughest guy I've ever tangled with… Terry Funk told me one thing that always stuck with me: "Make them believe in you! Good guys kiss the ole ladies, shake the men's hands, and hug the babies. Heels piss them off. Make them leave the venue loving you or hating you! Give them a reason to remember you! Cause when they forget you....you're done".
Question 11
Sounds like great advice. I believe we could apply that to our everyday lives. Madonna said that is why she “pushes the boundaries” of Rock Music so she would always be remembered.
Answer
I've always tried my best to remember that whether it was in front of a big crowd or a dozen. Yes, I said a dozen! Once drove 146 miles one way and 12 people showed up. And I think they may have been worker’s family or friends. Lol, but you still go out and try to wow them. They might bring others next time. Nowadays my body's getting slower to recover so I've hung up my boots and moved on. I never was able to fully live off wrestling but I loved it. For 8-20 mins getting in there and doing the dance. Forgetting the lost loves...the bills owed...the pains of everyday life...just loosing all the chains of life while I endeavored to put all my problems aside as I entertained the fans. Would I do it again? HELL YES, in a heartbeat. No questions asked. I loved it when I did it and still do to this day. I don't care much for the sports entertainment it has become. I'm more old school that's why I support the good indys.
Question 12
This has been so enlightening. What is Tim Parks doing today?
Answer
June of 2013 was my last match. It was a show in a nightclub for my friend of 30+ yrs Rob Boogie Woogie Man McBride. I started in July 96 and wrestled till June 2013, so nearly 17 years. I've started my own business now doing stump grinding here in North Carolina. When people have trees cut I have a machine that grinds the stump into mulch. It makes the landscape look nicer and you can plant grass or whatever.
Terry Kent
Tim, it has indeed been my pleasure to share this time talking about your career in wrestling. PRICELESS is what many fans would call your memories and you rubbing shoulders with so many of our childhood heroes.
Tim Parks
Terry, its been my pleasure. I hope its been entertaining and somehow inspirational.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Interview with Tim Parks.
Interviewer: Terry Kent.
Published: 2014.
Wrestler Interview: #3.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Interview with Tim Parks.
Interviewer: Terry Kent.
Published: 2014.
Wrestler Interview: #3.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
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