Prior to graduating from Columbia College
in New York City in 1991, I was awarded the Henry Evans Traveling Fellowship
to assemble an oral history of professional wrestling. The purpose
of the Henry Evans Traveling Fellowship is to complete a scholarly, post-graduate
project that involves travel. Many applicants propose to visit attractive,
glamorous locals, for example, Florence, Italy to photograph architecture.
I proposed to visit the Sportatorium in Memphis, TN, the Monster Factory
in Patterson, NJ, and other less-attractive spots. My successful
proposal was due to my somewhat well-received senior thesis entitled "Ritual
and Religious Imagery in Professional Wrestling," as well as the support
of two of my professors: Randall Balmer and Elaine Coombs-Shilling.
I tried to get the interviews resulting from this project published in
book form in the early 1990s, but publishers seemed to think that wrestling
fans can't read. I am happy to have found a great home for them on
this site, which is run by some really nice fellows. I hope you enjoy
this glimpse into the wrestling business, circa 1991-1992. - Lee
Benaka