Main Page >> Wrestling >> Photos >>
The Stampede Years

• At Home In Stu's House
  Training, stretching and living in Calgary, Alberta Canada.

My mentor Bruce Hart looks on as I execute a Northern Lights suplex in The Dungeon.

I spent a lot of evenings practicing highspots with Harry Smith, Bruce and T-Rex Hart in Stu's back yard.

Carl Le Duc, T.J. Wilson and Harry Smith review vintage Stampede programs in The Dungeon.

My partner Natina and Stu developed a special rapport. Stu is hard of hearing, and every time I would call him on the phone he'd keep asking "who? WHO? WHO?" until I identified myself as "Blake and Tina." I've never seen their relationship reflected on in film more accurately as in this photograph.		Myself and Neil Page goof around with the giant Elvis on Stu's doorstep. Elvis is seven feet tall. He'd sometimes run through some spots with Paul Drexler (a good friend who trained with me) and I in Stu's back yard. He's so strong that I'd get goosebumps even seeing him press Paul above his head.		The night before Natina and I left Calgary in 2001, Paul Drexler and I got drunk as skunks and watched hours of vintage WWE programming, including the WWF debut of Akeem (One Man Gang) and Warrior vs. Hogan. I'm a mark for this business, always have been, and proud of it.
Natina and Paul. We all traveled on the road together. I provided much of his training, as we threw him in the ring in record time. It was gratifying to be able to share some of my experiences with such a genuine and respectful student of the game, which is truly what I aspire to be. Paul was born with the business in his blood.		The first and last photo I have with Helen Hart. Helen always hated photos. I must have dozens from Calgary with her in the background covering her face! This photo was taken the last time we ever saw her. Bret took it for us. She passed away a month later in 2001. She was like a mother to me, and will be dearly missed.		Circa 1999; Stu beats me around his living room in gratuitous fashion. You can't see from his angle, but he stretched my leg behind my head, ripping a gaping three-inch hole in the crotch of my pants. Being stretched by Stu was a surreal experience. It made you respect and appreciate your own mortality, all you have; every breath you take.

• The Hart Family meet The McMahon Family
  The Harts met the McMahons for the first time in many years on May 28th, 2001, when the WWF came to Calgary for a live Raw Is War broadcast from the Saddledome. It was an honor the be backstage with Stu who, despite rumors at the time, wanted to bury the hatchet with WWF promoter Vince McMahon. Vince had a falling out with Stu's son Bret in 1997. Another son, Owen, died during a stunt while working for the WWF in 1999. While an air of skepticism permiated certain corners of the business regarding the intentions of both sides during the time, it was truly a heartfelt and touching experience.

The two biggest influences on my wrestling career pose for a photo; the legendary Stu Hart, whose sons inspired me to get in the ring, and The Crippler Chris Benoit, the best worker in North America with an incomparable attitude and work ethic. It was a true honor to be a part of this day.		Bruce and Stu with Stephanie McMahon and her mother Linda. All the McMahon family were genuinely gracious and friendly. Stephanie is a lovely woman; she has a warm glow about her which loves people and photographs alike.		Stu and Bruce with Vince and Linda McMahon.
Ellie Hart has some words with Vince's son Shane McMahon.		Jim Ross, one of World Wrestling Entertainment's most important executives, takes a photo with Vince McMahon and Stu Hart. Jim, whose duties include play-by-play man for the WWE "Raw" show, often speaks fondly of Stu during WWE telecasts.		Sean "1-2-3 Kid" Waltman shares a photo with Stu and Bruce. Sean helped to change the style of wrestling in North America in the 1990s, earning a WWF contract at the age of twenty in 1993 and playing a pivotal role in ushering in a more high-flying style into the company.

• On The Road In Canada
  A selection of photos from events, press junkets and shows during my time with The Harts.

One of the top fighters in the world, Dan Severn, held a shootfighting exhibition in Calgary a few years ago. He asked us to provide the ring for the show. Dan was one of my first interviews when I was still cutting my teeth in the business in 1998.

Apocalypse and I started in The Dungeon at the same time in 1999. He's a great guy and a pleasure to work with. There's certain people in the business you just have to put up with, and others that will help you put up with anything. Apoc is one of the latter.

Before the Severn show, fans were playing around in the ring. Dave Swift, the consummately competitive alpha male, was bugging Apocalypse and I to go in the ring and do some wrestling spots with him. I finally gave in. We did a little hiptoss reversal sequence.

One of my responsibilities in Calgary was promoting upcoming tours. Having booked Lance Storm, Christopher Daniels and Michael Modest for the next run, it was time to hit the radio and TV stations for some promotion. We booked Bruce Hart and Lance Storm in to do a radio gig at one of Calgary's top stations.

Bruce's son T-Rex looks on at the gear in the radio studio. T-Rex, Bruce Jr. and Lara - the adorable, youngest of Bruce's flock - are really cool. They're family.

Lance takes a photo with a fan who works at the station. Lance was a class act to work with. He, Chris and I had those rare conversations in wrestling where each of us was looking to appease the other. "How long a match do you guys want, Blake?" "How long would you like to work?" "I hope you don't mind if Lance goes over..." (Chris blurts) "Good God, I couldn't imagine otherwise..." The tour was pure class, guys who put a smile on your face and reminded you why you love the business.

Michael Modest greets his Canadian wrestling fans after a show in Medicine Hat. Mike has had a lot of success in the U.S. - he starred in Barry Blaustein's "Beyond The Mat" documentary, worked several matches for WCW and has a reputation from coast to coast as a solid ring general. He has a deep understanding of the business which rivals anyone on the circuit. He's a true friend and is a pleasure to work with.

Mike and Christopher Daniels; both came up to Calgary to work for Stampede, though I regret that we didn't get the chance to renew their rivalry, the California natives have had many classic encounters on the West Coast indies, which started in APW in Hayward, California.

The lovely Anna Conda; the size of Chyna, the beauty of Trish, Anna took her share of ribbing for being taller than most of the guys on the tour. She's a sweetheart. Her team with Monterry Jack Johnson (a 6', 400lb black man with a lisp) was a profound visual, and one of the highlights of the tour for me. They really played off each other's characters.