Missouri Wrestling Revival

by Joshua Ray

There is more to professional wrestling than the talented men and women who square off in the ring each week for our enjoyment. Going further, there is more to pro wrestling than the individuals who book, promote, and otherwise coordinate the events. There are many others involved behind the scenes. They help in other ways that are not typically recognized, such as setting the ring up before the event, cleaning up afterwards, and helping run concessions.

If one takes the time to look, this can be one of the more intriguing aspects of the show. Wayne McCarty, a ringside photographer in the Midwest, would more than likely agree.

[The man himself, Mr. Wayne McCarty.]

Most of the time, photography is overlooked in pro wrestling. In the days before the Internet, there was more respect for the profession. Wrestling magazines such as Pro Wrestling Illustrated did well, and the photos were in more demand. The standards were higher in those days, even on the independent scene.

Wayne McCarty raises that standard. While doing my normal Internet browsing one day months ago, I stumbled upon his photo blog, called Midwest Indy Wrestling. The photography was amazing. I contacted him immediately and wanted to add his site to my blogroll. Since then, I have continued to stay in touch with him. Recently, I fired a few questions his way for this special feature.

Watching the AWA (American Wrestling Association) on Sunday mornings with my older brothers back in the mid ‘70’s is my earliest wrestling memory. Some of the big stars of the time were Nick Bockwinkle, Baron Von Rasche, The High Flyers and Jesse Ventura. I didn’t make it to a live card until about ’87 when the AWA came to a local high school.

Being a fan of both photography and pro wrestling, did wrestling magazines fuel your creative fire early in your life?

I grew up watching wrestling at a time when someone my size had no chance of being a wrestler. Seeing as there was no way that I would ever get in the ring, I thought that I could at least get close to the ring and be one of the guys who got all of the great photos for the magazines. When I would watch matches, I would take notice of which photographers were at ringside. I could pick out Bill Apter and George Napolitano. I really didn’t get into photography until I was given the chance to take photos at ringside.

You now contribute photos to wrestling magazines such as Pro Wrestling Illustrated. What is your opinion of pro wrestling magazines and their role in today’s wrestling world?

Pro wrestling magazines were one of my favorite parts of being a fan back in the ‘80’s. The magazines were the best way to learn about pro wrestling in other parts of the country. The role of pro wrestling magazines is much different today than before the Internet and dirt sheets. These days, even though any news about pro wrestling hits the Internet almost as soon as it happens, I think there is still a place for the Oscar magazines (Pro Wrestling Illustrated/The Wrestler/Inside Wrestling, formerly known as the Apter magazines when Bill Apter was an editor, but now owned by Oscar De La Hoya).

The magazines still keep with the storylines in many articles but they also break some kayfabe sometimes. One of the big benefits of PWI is they let pro wrestling fans know about promotions outside of the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). They give a lot of coverage to TNA (Total Nonstop Action), ROH (Ring of Honor), other smaller promotions such as CHIKARA, PWG (Pro Wrestling Guerrilla) and ECWA (East Coast Wrestling Association), as well as promotions from Japan and Mexico.

I tend to stick to covering the Midwest area but I have made it to Japan twice where I used my PWI connection to get ring side for a few different promotions. My first vacation there I made it to Blue Field in Chiba Japan for a Michinoku Pro card that featured TAKA and the Great Sasuke. On my second vacation to Tokyo I was ring side for 2 Zero One cards and one NOAH card.

One thing that stuck out about your history as a photographer was that you went on a sort of hiatus for eight years beginning in 1993. What brought this about?

My main goal in doing ringside photography was to sell photos to PWI (Pro Wrestling Illustrated). After a year of submitting photos and not selling any, I decided to take a break. The cost of film and processing also helped in my decision to take a break. Once I was able to buy a digital SLR camera, I went back to the local shows. It was a good time to get back into the scene, as there were no other photographers in the Minneapolis area. I also wouldn’t have started taking photos again if I wasn’t using a digital camera. Why anyone still shoots with film I don’t know.

Can you give the Missouri Wrestling Revival readers a story that you consider memorable from your time working ringside?

One of the more memorable times at ringside happened at an ROH show in Chicago Ridge, IL on July 24, 2004. There was a Chicago streetfight tag team match between the team of CM Punk & Ace Steel and the team of Dan Maff & BJ Whitmer. During the match, the wrestlers went into the crowd and started throwing chairs into the ring. Chairs were being thrown towards me, so I ducked next to the guardrail to keep from getting hit. When the match was over, the floor around the ring was covered with chairs, broken tables, streamers, and blood.

I would tell anyone to go to their local promoter and ask if there is any way they can help the promotion out. If someone is looking to be a wrestler, I would encourage them to find a good trainer.

Right now, what would be the wrestling card of your dreams?

My dream card would have the biggest stars from the United States, Mexico, Japan and Canada. I always loved the idea of promotional crossovers. One of my favorite things to do when reading PWI was to compare the top 10 rankings or the WWF, NWA and AWA. On my dream card there would be matches like Somoa Joe vs Keiji Muto, Mistico vs Austin Aries, and A.J. Styles vs Chris Jerico.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Still taking photos at the local indy promotions and contributing to the PWI family of magazines I hope. I’ve done all that I set out to do as a ringside photographer so long as I keep doing what I’m doing now I’ll be happy.

[Nate Bash promotional 8 x 10.]

I’m sure that after seeing some of your work, there will be more demand for the great things you have to offer professional wrestling. Is there any information that you would like to make available for anyone looking to put you and your talents to work?

I have a website at http://www.waynemccartyphoto.cjb.net/ where some samples of my work can be found, as well as my contact information. I also have a Myspace page, which can be found at www.myspace.com/wamccarty.

Thank you very much for your time, Wayne. I wish you the best of luck and have no doubt that we’ll all be hearing more about you in the near future!

[Curry Man vs Sonjay Dutt – Spencer, Iowa April 8, 2008 at a TNA house show.]

There are numerous other men and women behind the scenes that offer much to the Midwest pro wrestling scene. If you are one of those people an would like to be featured here at Missouri Wrestling Revival, contact me.