Exclusive Interview: Al Snow On The Future Of OVW, Career Goals & New Book "Self Help"
Q&A with the legendary wrestler, trainer, author, entrepreneur & Ohio Valley Wrestling owner.
For decades Al Snow has been a stand-out success within the world of professional wrestling, both inside and outside of the ring. Active as a wrestler since the early 1980s, Snow was a Tag Team Champion, Hardcore Champion and European Champion within WWF. Behind the scenes, Snow has been one of the most sought-after trainers and backstage producers for decades, notably part of the initial WWE Tough Enough series.
Snow still keeps active with convention appearances and other independent bookings beyond running wrestling seminars around the world. However, most of his efforts are rooted in and around Louisville, Kentucky. In 2018 Snow acquired Ohio Valley Wrestling, the former WWE developmental territory which helped launch the likes of John Cena, Brock Lesnar, Batista, Big Show, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton. These days, OVW is part of the Gladiator Sports Network, which also includes Top Knotch Boxing. OVW and appearances aside, Snow also has a clothing line (COLLARxELBOW) and recently penned a memoir titled Self Help: Life Lessons From The Bizarre Wrestling Career Of Al Snow.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Al Snow himself, and highlights from that Q&A are below. More on Snow's various projects -- OVW included -- can be found online at www.gladiatorsportsnetwork.live and www.ovwwrestlingnetwork.com.
People generally think of Al Snow as one of the best trainers in the wrestling business. What was your entry point from just being an active wrestler to working behind the scenes as a trainer and producer? Tough Enough?
Al Snow: I started my own school in Lima, Ohio named Bodyslammers. From there I was able to turn out several notable alumni Dan Severn, Blue Meanie and Truth Martini, to name a few. I had students from all over the world and it not only allowed me to develop athletes but also helped me to develop as well.
The old adage goes that those who can't teach do and those who can't do teach. From what I can tell, you can teach and also "do" when it comes to in-ring performance. Who were some of the trainers that influenced you within this part of your career?
Al Snow: My direct influence was the person who had trained me and that was Jim Lancaster. He imparted my understanding of what it was we all are really selling to the audience in a wrestling match. The belief in who we are and that we are in a constant competitive struggle to win and not lose said contest.
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