12/28/05

-by Roger Deem

It seems as though most of what has been written about Sam Muchnick was penned by
someone who knew him well and worked closely with him, at least to some degree. 
There are multitudes like me who met the man, felt his influence, yet who remained
implacably outside his inner circle.

From 1973 to 1983 I worked as a free-lance photographer covering mat action around
the midwest.  As a fan, St. Louis wrestling was far and away my favorite.  From my first
Kiel card to my last, each time was a Nirvanic experience.

What a thrill it was to receive my first press pass on March 15, 1974, and be allowed to
shoot the entire card at Kiel Auditorium's ringside.  At the all-knowing age of 16, I
managed to make myself about as popular as Larry Matysik at a consortium meeting.  I
"endeared" myself to the fans and to Larry and Sam with childish behavior which
resulted in my ringside privileges being revoked. 

On June 4, 1976, I was given a second chance and the rest is rather obscure history.    From
what I know of Sam, the latter opportunity was in itself unusual.  He was a man who
expected people to be straight with him and conduct themselves in a professional
manner.  If one did not live up to his expectations, one's chances to continue in his
employ were narrowed down to slim and fat. 

In this website's Q & A column, Larry discusses Sam's reaction to "Superstar" Billy
Graham missing a bout against Bobo Brazil.  When no appropriate explanation for his
absence was forthcoming, Graham found himself out of Sam's good graces, never
booked locally again and his photo excised from Sam's office wall.  As I look back, I find
myself very grateful I did not suffer the same fate.  I think perhaps Sam realized my
failings were not a matter of honor but a lack of maturity.

I never knew Sam when he was not king of all he surveyed.  He was approachable in a
certain emperor-to-peasant sort of way.  I hasten to add this impression was based on
my reverence for his position in the wrestling world, not from any attitude he projected.   
I was simply in awe of him, his accomplishments and the respect he enjoyed from every
direction.

In that decade of my involvement with wrestling, three moments stand out in regards to
personal contact with Sam. 

I cannot recall the year, but probably around 1977 or 1978 I and my fellow denizens of the
press ran into a problem.  I never knew what catalyst caused the action, but Sam issued
a decree which barred all fourth estate folks from the backstage areas.  This decision
was devastating to me as I had worked a long time to develop this access.

But with the letter of eviction came a check for $25.00 in appreciation for my efforts--sort
of a carrot with the stick approach.   Perhaps that was also Sam's way of saying I was
suffering for the actions of others.  Whatever the case, after only two Kiel shows passed,
my good friend Mike Gratchner and I found our restrictions lifted.

The most protracted meeting I ever shared with Sam came in October of 1979.  I was
helming the St. Louis Fan Club and I had decided to publish a special bulletin about Sam.   
To my amazement, my request for an interview with him in his office was granted.

To this day I am not sure why he acquiesced to my request.  This took place at 10:30 a.m.
on the day of a Kiel bill and I know he must have had far more important things with
which to deal.  Nevertheless we spent almost an hour together. 

I was ushered around his Warwick Hotel suite and had the opportunity to photograph
him with many of his most cherished souvenirs.  I listened to Sam in raptured silence as
he wove a tapestry of fascinating tales about his years in the business.  I suspect my
conversational skills waned to an all-time low as I sat there with an expression on my
face which might have suggested I had just experienced the Beatific vision.

Sam had nothing to gain from this exchange and yet he was generous with his time and
respectful of my wishes.  This basic integrity was the key to his success and it is an
attitude I find completely lacking in what passes for today's wrestling promotions.

The most personally poignant of our exchanges came on his last day as a promoter and
is something I have never heretofore revealed.  Following his final show at The Arena, I
was thrilled to be invited to a surprise reception for Sam at the Dome Club. 

Like everyone else in the room, I waited my opportunity to express my personal
appreciation to Sam for his kindness and support.  It was a long wait--there was a
considerable throng standing by awaiting the same opportunity and I was well aware of
my station at the bottom of the food chain.

Yet when my chance to speak with Sam finally presented itself, I was almost tongue-tied
with nervousness.  How could I sum up in a sentence or two what this many's career had
meant to me as a fan? 

To my stunned disbelief, Sam expressed HIS appreciation for MY efforts on behalf of his
promotion.  That's rather like the government thanking Alaska's Gravina Island for the
privilege of spending $200 million to erect its infamous bridge to nowhere.

And then he said something which I have carried with me all my life.  "I've enjoyed your
work over the last few years," Sam said.  You have become one of the best
photographers I've ever worked with."  I do not believe I have ever been so touched by a
compliment and more humbled because of the magnitude of the person offering it.

That was the final time I ever saw him.  As the years passed I drifted away from
professional wrestling and today, thankfully, have no contact with it at all.  I am quite
content to savor my memories of Sam Muchnick's promotion rather than dine on the
smorgasbord of the unpalatable the mat wars of today provide.

Yet the lessons I learned from Sam and from Larry have served me well professionally
and personally:  to be honest in my dealings with others, to be fair and to put my very
best efforts forth at all times. 

I was a solitary life among hundreds of thousands of lives this man impacted.  It
staggers the mind to think how far his influence has spread through the generations.    I
am grateful I crossed his path and that I finally grew up enough to appreciate that which
he taught me. 

Rest in peace, Mr. Muchnick.  And thank you.