Les Thatcher seminar weekend at the Monster Factory

[JAxlMorrison]

Les Thatcher is coming to The Monster Factory!

By Joseph Feeney III

There are plenty of seminars in the pro wrestling world, going on every weekend, all over the country. Recently, I attended an “Everything BUT the Wrestling” seminar hosted by “The Quintessential Studmuffin” Joel Gertner, of ECW and TNA fame, at the Monster Factory. Mr. Gertner did an excellent job teaching the attendees a little about everything, including promos, backstage etiquette, when to speak up for yourself, the differences in wrestling on TV, and so much more.

The next upcoming seminar, to be held at the Monster Factory the weekend of Friday September 26th to Sunday September 28th, will be ran by none other than world famous wrestling trainer Les Thatcher! I am told the seminar will utilize every section of the Factory, including the wrestling ring, the amateur mats, and the world class gym area.

Les Thatcher became hooked on pro wrestling when he was eight years old, while watching with friends. Throughout his youth, he played baseball, football, basketball, and of course, he wrestled. He began amateur wrestling at his local YMCA when he was twelve years old. When he was nineteen years old, he began to train to become a pro at Tony Santos’ wrestling school in Boston, Massachusetts. He made his professional debut in July 1960.

For the next decade, Thatcher worked many territories, and was known for his technical wrestling prowess, and the highest flying dropkick of the time. He won several regional singles and tag team championships. In 1974, Thatcher began to host and produce Southeastern Championship Wrestling. He continued his broadcasting duties for such companies as Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling, Georgia Championship Wrestling, and Smoky Mountain Wrestling.

In the late 80s, Thatcher became interested in bodybuilding, and he also had a hand in the building and managing of two Cincinnati area gyms between 1987-94. During this time he took his interest in bodybuilding to the professional level, and in fourteen contests, he placed first in five, and in both second and third three times each.

Starting in 1995, Thatcher opened “Les Thatcher’s Main Event Pro Wrestling Camp,” and also began to promote shows under the Heartland Wrestling Association banner. After Brian Pillman’s untimely death in October 1997, Thatcher and HWA promoted the successful “Brian Pillman Memorial Shows.”

As a trainer, Thatcher has trained and graduated the following notable names: Dean Ambrose, Charlie Haas, Nigel McGuinness, BJ Whitmer, Umaga, Johnny Stamboli, Jimmy Yang, Shark Boy, Chad Collyer, Jamie Noble, Shannon Moore, and Elix Skipper. HWA was also a WWE Developmental territory for a time, from the late 90s to the mid-00s.

In 1999 Thatcher was immortalized in the MTV True Life series, as a part of the episode “I Want to Be a Pro Wrestler.” He began to take part in the world of wrestling audio on a program called “Wrestling Weekly” with Doc Young in 2005. That show is now available as part of a subscription audio feature on F4Wonline.com, and Les also does shows on PWInsider.com. Last but certainly not least, Thatcher is also on the board of the prestigious Cauliflower Alley Club.

Les Thatcher has dipped his toe in every facet of the pro wrestling world; in ring competition, broadcasting, training, announcing, magazine publications, promoting, and podcasting. He is well known for his no nonsense training abilities, and is so well renowned, WWE chose his school and promotion as one of their first developmental systems. As stated earlier, he is also a champion bodybuilder, and an expert in physical fitness.

He is coming to the Monster Factory to impart the wisdom he has incurred in his five plus decades in the wrestling business. For just $150, pro wrestlers of any experience level can spend the weekend with this pro wrestling legend, a man who has thrived in and survived every change in the wrestling landscape since 1960.

The $150 fee will include not only the once in a lifetime opportunity to train and learn with Mr. Thatcher for three days, but it can include lodging at the Monster Factory for those travelling from out of town (and who have references.) If anyone is flying into Philadelphia, rides from the airport to The Monster Factory may be available. Also, The Monster Factory has air conditioning, showers, and ample room for all.

The Friday session will include a Q & A at 6 PM sharp. Saturday and Sunday’s training sessions will run from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, ensuring that if any of the attendees have local bookings, they will have plenty of time to make them once the sessions end. There is another added bonus; exposure for all who attend, as the highlights of these training sessions will be airing on the Monster Factory’s Roku channel, which will launch in the fall!

For those interested in reserving a spot (which are quickly filling) and attending, further information is available in the following ways:

Please visit www.monsterfactory.org

Email [email protected] or

Call Monster Factory Owner/Head Trainer Danny Cage at 609-471-7904

Call the Monster Factory at 856-423-2212

The Monster Factory is located at 541 Mantua Avenue, in Paulsboro, New Jersey.