The Photographers
I've had the chance to meet two legendary photographers at the annual Waterloo Iowa George Tragos/Lou Thesz Hall of Fame weekend over the years. The HOF weekend is held annually the month of July and IPW hosts a great wrestling card as part of the festivities. Every year I get to talk to some of the biggest stars and legends in pro wrestling. Its a great weekend I highly recommend for every wrestler and fan alike.
George Napolitano at the HOF in 2013
Some of my fondest memories, like any wrestling fan my age, are Heading down to the local newstand to buy my wrestling magazines. Pro Wrestling Illustrated was required reading for any fan growing up in the 80's. George Napolitano had a series of magazines he published nationally as well as a few books HIGHLIGHTING his photos.
Visiting with Bill Apter in 2012 was so exciting to me. Nostalgia washed over me when I was talking to him about his career that began in the early 70's. He told me some of his favorite territories to cover when he travelled the country for PWI. He talked about the fact no one could touch Hogan when he was on the cover. The Von Erichs, The Road Warriors and later Lex Lugar were very popular also.
BILL APTER AND JUAN
I asked him about one of our favorite wrestlers Mil Mascaras. He talked about loving the character Mascaras, and how he was one of the most popular wrestlers of the 70's. I aked him if he'd seen Mascaras without his mask and he said he had several times. "He looked a lot like his nephew, Alberto Del Rio."
It suprised me when Apter said the promotors at the time were not as open as I would have thought. They never told him outright the details of an angle that was going to play out. They might hint it would be a good idea for him to be there but that was all.
Napolitano told me stories of driving Stan Hansen out of Madison Square Garden the night Hansen broke Bruno Sammartinos neck. Vince Sr feared for Hansen's well being so he asked George to do him the favor. Napolitano said the Texan Hansen marveled at the fact they were able to find a Mexican restaurant open so late. That was New York City.
Being an Indy wrestler requires you to do so many things on your own. Thats a lot of the fun of it. The control of your career, bookings, character and marketing. But its kind of hard to take pictures of yourself when your wrestling. Thankfully, there are people like George Napolitano and Bill Apter. Guys who loved the spectacle of pro wrestling and chronicled it through their talents and skills behind the camara.
Today on the Midwest Indy scene there are numerous great pros who are trying to build a portfolio. They travel most often on their own dime to small shows and take pics backstage as well as ringside. They do this because they love wrestling as we the wrestlers do.
If your a young Indy wrestler and you have access to one of these pros take advantage of it!! Get your gear on, get pumped up and take some pics. Often these photographers will allow you to share their work as long as you give credit to them. Ask them what you can use and what they need for their time.
So thank you for all the great photographers I've met the past two years since creating the Latin Thunder character. My wife Tia, Tar Macias, Miranda Cantrell, Peyton Mitchell, Matt Tucker, Wayne McCarty, Antonio Rodriguez... Thank you!!
Wayne McCarty
Miranda Cantrell
Antonio Rodriguez
Matt Tucker
Tia F.
Tar Macias