INTERVIEW WITH MARK FLEMING

Photo Mark Fleming

Mark Fleming wrestled throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s in several NWA territories, with brief runs in WCW and in Japan for NJPW and UWFi.

Here are the questions.

1) You were trained by the legendary Lou Thesz, who was both one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time and a legendary shooter with a background in legitimate wrestling. How did you first meet Lou Thesz, and how did you convince him to train you?

Answer.

I met Thesz while I was wrestling at a match in Norfolk. He introduced himself. He said he noticed I used a lot of holds while wrestling & he liked my style.  Said next  time I am in town let's get together. 

2) Can you describe what Lou Thesz's training was like, both in professional wrestling and in legitimate catch wrestling?

Answer.

Thesz trained me like he was trained by Ray Steele & George Tragos trained him. Lifting & a lot of mat work. 

3) Through your years with Lou Thesz, you must have heard many stories about his life and career. Could you share some of your favorite memories or anecdotes?

Answer.

We didn't do any fancy moves like you see today, just wrestling. 

4) During the 1940s and 1950s, Lou Thesz was undoubtedly the world's top professional wrestler and one of the toughest legitimate grapplers. Besides Lou, who were the toughest and most dangerous professional wrestlers of that era? Who would you rank as the toughest of them all?

Answer.

Dick Hutton was tough, Pat Oconnor, Verne Gagne, Don Leo Johnathan.

5) Lou Thesz was trained by the legendary Ed "Strangler" Lewis, who, from 1916 to 1930, was considered America's greatest shooter. What did Lou tell you about Ed "Strangler" Lewis and the other great shooters of the 1900–1930 era?

Answer.

Thesz said Ed Lewis was the best of all.

6) Lou Thesz gave you an excellent foundation as both a professional wrestler and a shooter. Which promotion did you enjoy working for the most? Was it UWFi, with its realistic, shoot-style approach?

Answer.

I enjoyed working for the UWFi the most because of its style

7) What kind of relationship did you have with your fellow wrestlers? Were you respected because of your legitimate wrestling background as a shooter?

Answer.

Yes I believe the guys respected me. I never had any problems. They respected my ability.

8) Who were the greatest professional wrestlers you had the opportunity to face during your career?

Answer.

I  wrestled so many top stars it is hard to say: Ivan koloff, Tully Blanchard, Greg Valentine, Ole & Gene Anderson, Ken Shamrock etc.

9) What were the biggest differences between the professional wrestling of the 1980s and 1990s, when you competed, and the wrestling of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, when Lou Thesz was at his peak?

Answer.

The game was different but I was taught to wrestle & not do the BS most were doing.