  Wavell Starr. |
"I was working my ass off because IWA was working on a national TV deal
with APTN and it had some strong financial backing and I was looking to
capitalize on the opportunity by dedicating my efforts to wrestling. I
was training hard and dieting at the same time. One day while doing
bench press, I went for a new one rep max with 405 pounds and just as I
was about to press the weight up off my chest, I felt my tendon rip from
underneath my left armpit. I didn't realize the severity of the injury,
or simply wouldn't acknowledge it, and was determined to get back in the
ring ASAP. I ended up tearing it another three times before it tore
right off and I required surgery. I actually believe I required surgery
immediately after the initial injury and wish it would have worked out
that way but it didn't. It was the most disappointing obstacle to me
yet, but it allowed me to come back more focused than ever."
Wavell has had the opportunity to work with a variety of opponents and
learn from all of them. The Indian Outlaws, Wavell and The Dream
Warrior, have had a long and brutal rivalry against Assault and Battery
(Massive Damage and Chi Chi Cruz) that fans still talk about today.
"Chi Chi Cruz, Evil Eddie Watts, Tiger Kahn, Dr. Luther, Don Callis,
Principal Pound, Damage - all those guys were great to learn from,"
Starr said. "I am not afraid to admit that my heel work is heavily
influenced by Cruz, as I was lead through many of my early matches by him."
Anyone who watches Wavell compete as a heel in the ring sees a lot of
similarities between him and 'Old-school' style heels like Ric Flair.
His promo style and in-ring gestures and facial expressions are a lost
art in today's young wrestlers, but Wavell has captured them and made
them his own.
"I am a big fan of 'old school' and I try to create that same atmosphere
that guys like Bad News Allen, Gerry Morrow and Gama Singh used to, and
still do."
He also has mastered the art of riling up a crowd. Often his tirades
against fans are profanity-laced, with sexual and racial overtones,
including his trademark catchphrase "Remember, nobody stretches beaver
like an Indian." Wavell is also able to do a tamer promo, gauging how
far he can push the line by the type of audience and the location of the
show.
"I feel the audience that shows up at adult only shows, or bar shows is
a different crowd from your traditional wrestling crowd and therefore I
USUALLY adjust accordingly," he said. "However, the content itself
always remains constant. I have done the same promo for POW adjusted for
a bar crowd, as I have for NHB at an all-ages show and it was every bit
as effective."
His character is a combination of suggestions from mentors. Bruce Hart
suggested the militant activist-type character, and Don Callis added the
'White Chick Thriller.'
"I am very thankful for their assistance and listening to them has
proved favourable. I am very thankful to every veteran that has offered
his assistance. If a younger guy want to learn, these guys are your most
valuable resource."
Many wrestlers, after having wrestled for five years, consider
themselves veterans. Wavell is not among them.
"I do not see myself as a veteran and would not feel comfortable with
that label anytime soon. I prefer to call myself a five-year rookie
because even though I have put more time into this than many at my
level, I realize there is always something more to learn and the process
never stops."
The six-foot, 236-pound Native wrestler hasn't relied on his heritage as
his gimmick, but would gladly follow in the footsteps of wrestlers like
Chief Wahoo McDaniel and Tatanka if asked.
"To say I wouldn't go in that direction if asked would be a slap in the
face of Wahoo, Tatanka, and any other Native wrestler that came before
me. Realistically, were Wahoo still around and working, I would be lucky
to carry his bags to and from the arena. That gimmick has been around
since day one."
Raised in Prince Albert, Saskatoon, and Regina, the 29 year old is a
member of the Star Blanket First Nation Band, working as the Treaty Land
Entitlement Coordinator to supplement his wrestling. His goal is to earn
a living as a wrestler full time.
"I love this business and hope to achieve longevity, and hopefully
financial security."
Wavell made serious strides towards that goal this past February when he
was invited to Louisville, Kentucky for an OVW try-out camp.
"I applied a couple of times before I was accepted. Danny Davis and Jim
Cornette ran the camp, and the instructor was WWE agent Tom Pritchard.
OVW and WWE developmental talents Nick Dinsmore, Doug Basham and Rob
Conway helped a lot through out the week-long camp. Evaluation and
instruction were offered in the areas of fundamentals, interview skills,
and ring psychology. We all had two matches, a bunch of promos, and
in-ring drills. I learned more in the week than I had my entire career
and it was all the little things. I look forward to relocating to
Louisville to continue this intense learning with OVW this summer, as I
was lucky enough to have been invited back."
Although Wavell is not under any kind of contract, he recognizes it as a
huge opportunity.
"I was contacted by Jim Cornette after himself, Davis, and Pritchard
reviewed the footage from the camp. I was told that they saw potential
but that in terms of a developmental deal 'we're not there yet'. He
suggested that I needed to get to an environment where I could work
regularly with top-notch workers in order to get to the level I need to
advance. He then offered me a spot with OVW where I would train with the
WWE developmental class daily, as well as working the weekly TV and
house shows. I'm relocating to Louisville for the sole purpose of
working towards a developmental deal, and God willing I won't be coming
back until I do. Actually if I accomplish what I want I'll be there for
awhile."
Jason Clevett, at 6'8" is the tallest contributor to SLAM! Wrestling,
and thus the rest of him are kind of scared of him. He is moving from
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to Calgary.... Alberta this summer and looks
forward to yelling insults at Stampede Wrestlers. Thoughts on this
story can be sent to hwcanadian@hotmail.com.
