10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (Aug 3)

8. Phantasio Once Set The Gorilla Position On Fire

Phantasio WWE
WWE.com

Unless you happened to be watching the 16 July 1995 episode of Wrestling Challenge or enjoy researching obscure WWE characters, then you might not know who the hell Phantasio is.

The wrestling magician gimmick was a short-lived one for Harry Del Rios in the WWF. He was recommended by Jerry Lawler, but didn't last too long in the company. According to Bruce Prichard on the Something To Wrestle With podcast, ol' Phantasio is almost remembered for something else: killing people backstage.

At a small house show (in a high school gymnasium), Phantasio was messing around with some liquid fire he planned to use for a spot that evening. Minutes later, Prichard, who was orchestrating the Gorilla Position from a small, purpose-made box behind some curtains, worried he might lose his life.

Phantasio, recklessly, had accidentally set fire to one of the curtains, and it was coming dangerously close to Prichard's position. Venue staff and WWF officials were able to put the blaze out, and Phantasio worked his match without further incident.

Oops.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.