From One Fan to Another – Getting to Know Eddie Gilbert Super Fan Wayne G.
The Wrestling Estate’s Steven Jackson chats with Wayne G., an authority on all things “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert.
Being part of the wrestling community, we are very lucky. To be surrounded by so many people who share our passion, allows us to make connections, with fellow fans around the world.
During my time on Twitter, I’ve been able to learn so much about wrestlers and wrestling promotions I never knew existed. It is thanks to other Twitter users, who love wrestling how that’s come to be.
One such individual is Wayne G. Found on Twitter under the handle @HotStuffNT007, I was drawn to Wayne’s profile, due to his in-depth knowledge and celebration of the career of “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert.
So rather than interviewing a wrestler or a wrestling personality, I thought it would be interesting to interview a fellow fan on the aspect of wrestling their so passionate about. Hence the article title “From One Fan to Another”.
To wrap up the introduction, I want to thank Wayne for letting me ask him these questions, and please follow his Twitter profile to keep the legacy of “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert alive!
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STEVEN JACKSON: When did you first see Eddie Gilbert?
WAYNE G: I first saw Eddie Gilbert on Memphis television in 1988. I live in Southern Indiana so it came on TV every Saturday morning at 11am. Me and my uncle watched the wrestling religiously.
SJ: Eddie came from a strong Wrestling family. Are you a fan of his siblings too?
WG: Yes. I’m a big fan of his father, Tommy Gilbert, who was a very solid technician. Eddie’s brother Doug Gilbert (who wrestled alongside Eddie in ECW as The Dark Patriot) was good at being a dirty heel brawler. Doug is still wrestling today.
SJ: Eddie made his name in Memphis. What in particular made him stand out?
WG: Eddie just always seemed so cool and relatable. I always had to see what he would do next.
SJ: Eddie wrestled in the WWF in the early 80s. Do you think the WWF should have fought to keep him?
WG: I think if Eddie hadn’t been involved in the car accident back in 1983, and was a bit bigger in stature, he probably would have been in the WWF longer.
SJ: Nobody was able to get heat like Gilbert. What do you think was his secret?
WG: It’s well-documented that Eddie Gilbert was a huge fan of Jerry Lawler, along with the old Memphis heels. I think Eddie took what he saw and then turned the volume up full!
SJ: Gilbert was part of some historic moments. Do you have a favourite?
WG: My favourite moment occurred in Memphis, during his 1988 run, and the feud with Lawler. He burned Jerry Jarrett and Randy Hales, and wreaked havoc on everyone, including his ex-wife Missy Hyatt and even his own family! 1994 was a good run for him in Memphis as well.
SJ: Eddie worked in the UWF where he became part of the booking committee. And highly praised. Do you think Eddie was a genius?
WG: Eddie’s Mid-South and early ECW booking was great! Eddie was definitely ahead of his time as far as booking. Had he not passed in 1995, I believe we could definitely call him a genius, with the likes of Jerry Jarrett, Eddie Graham, Vince McMahon and Giant Baba.
SJ: As you’ve previously mentioned, one of Gilbert’s most fierce rivals was Jerry Lawler. They had some extremely violent matches. Do you think they went too far?
WG: No, they never went too far. They made people believe what they saw was real. That’s what’s missing in wrestling today!
SJ: Did you enjoy watching Eddie in ECW and could he have brought even more success to the promotion long-term?
WG: Eddie’s ECW work was not bad. But I believe his demons were starting to get the best of him. Maybe if he would have got them in check, it would have gotten better. Paul Heyman learned a lot from Eddie. I just think he took what they did and put more eyes on it, because he knew what the Philly fans wanted to see.
SJ: What’s your favourite Eddie Gilbert match?
WG: Eddie Gilbert vs Jerry Lawler from the Mid-South Coliseum. I believe it was April 1988.
SJ: What’s Eddie’s legacy in Wrestling?
WG: Eddie Gilbert’s legacy is that of a young photographer, who was a lifelong fan of wrestling and from a wrestling family. He made big waves in the ring and behind the scenes, showing that no matter what size you are, you do things the way you want to do them. Don’t take any nonsense from anyone. But, in a way that kind of hurt him in the end.
Eddie defied odds as well, because a lot of people never thought he would wrestle again after his 1984 automobile accident. Eddie showed us to always expect the unexpected. And yes, “Hot Stuff” was a perfect name. I’m sure Jerry Lawler would attest to that.
Be sure to follow Wayne on Twitter at @HotStuffNT007, and Steven Jackson at SteJay215.
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