Recently, I attended the Continental Championship Wrestling Fanfest in Dothan, Alabama. This is the first in a series of stories from the event. The Quad Cities Daily was the only news media that was there from set-up to finish. Other local to the area news media sources came and went but the Quad Cities Daily was there the whole time.
A little background first. Continental Championship Wrestling was the premier Professional Wrestling Organization for the Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida area back in the good ole days. This was especially true during the 80s. Each year, Continental Championship Wrestling has a Legends Night, where they bring in all the Legends from the promotion as well as other Legends.
Before Fanfest started, I was walking through the arena when I saw this huge man towering over everyone. I thought to myself “that is one big dude.” I sat and watched him interact with the workers of the event. One of the ring crew workers walked by and I asked who the big guy was. He said “that is David Bezner. He is a wrestler. They call him the American Giant.”
After thinking about it a minute, I decided that I had to get my picture made with him. I went over and introduced myself to him. He was very nice and when I asked for the picture, he readily accepted. Now I’m 6 foot, 200 pounds. As you can see from the pic below, I am small compared to him. As I was talking to him, I asked him “just how big a boy are you?” He replied “7 foot 4 inches, 340 pounds and I wear a size 23 shoe.” I’m telling this guy is huge. His hands are massive.
I thanked him and walked away. As I was walking away, I thought to myself, you should have asked him for an interview. I turned around and went back to where he was. I asked him if I could interview him for the Quad Cities Daily. He said sure and we sat down. I asked him the questions and his answers are in Italics.
- Tell me about yourself. Where were you born? Where did you grow up? Your Education?
“I was born in Syracuse, New York. I graduated from Cicero North Syracuse High School in 1988. I attended and graduated from Bryant & Stratton College with a Degree in Hotel Management in 1990.”
- How did you get into Professional Wrestling?
“I started out with Dick the Destroyer in New York. In 1993, I went down to Florida where I met The Great Malenko (Boris Malenko). His Son Dean and Boris got me trained.”
- Ric Flair has gone on record several times saying that Ricky Steamboat was his toughest challenger and Sting was the talent that he liked to work with the best. Let’s turn that around to you.
“Let’s see. That’s a hard one. My toughest opponent would have to be the Cuban Assassin. As far as the opponent(s) I liked to work with the best, that would have to be Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, The Outsiders. Pistol Pez Whatley and I were a Tag Team and wrestled Hall and Nash during the NWO days.”
David with Jerry “The King” Lawler
- David told me that he had wrestled all over including Japan. I asked him what was his favorite venue to wrestle.
“That would have to be the Tampa, Florida Sports Arena”
David with Road Warrior Animal
- Tell me about David Bezner fans.
“Professional Wrestling has the best fans. Adults and kids. I get special attention from the kids due to my size.”
David does a “run-in” with Road Warrior Animal and Cowboy Dennis Gale. Animal is huge but looks small compared to David.
- Where all have you wrestled?
“I have wrestled all over. Like I said, I spent some time in Japan. I have wrestled in the N.W.A. (National Wrestling Alliance), W.C.W. (World Championship Wrestling, E.P.W. as well as the Independents areas.
David and Robert Fuller
- Out of your whole wrestling career, when was the best for you?
“That would be during my W.C.W. (World Championship Wrestling) days. I was there for the NWO period. I really had a good time. The fans were excited. The NWO was a big thing. Pistol Pez Whatley and I got to wrestle for the tag team championships several times against Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. “
David & Cowboy Dennis Gale
- Who are you looking forward to seeing here at the Continental Championship Wrestling Fanfest?
I am looking forward to seeing Tommy Rich, Jerry Lawler and Road Warrior Animal. I worked security back in New York and met them over the years. I am not sure if they will remember me, but I am looking forward to it.”
- Tell me about your physical stats?
“ I am 7 Foot 4 Inches Tall. I weigh 340 Pounds and I wear a Size 23 Shoe. I have been in Professional Wrestling for 29 years.”
- What do you want to tell your fans out there?
I want to tell them that I appreciate all the support. I also want to say that I want to thank God himself first and foremost each day. I want everyone to be proud to live in the United States of America. I am very patriotic. Our Freedoms are paid for by the lives of our Military Personnel throughout the years. Lastly, I want to tell you to be true to yourself.”
As I concluded this interview, I realized that this Giant of a man holds his religion dear to his heart in a business where sometimes temptation is strong. He is a true patriot with his beliefs in the United States of America. I believe that I have made a new friend in David. David asked me to take some pics for him for his Facebook page which I gladly did. When we went into the wrestling ring, he stepped over the top rope. Nope, not me I had to go through the ropes.
P.S. This interview was done on Saturday. On Sunday night, David called me to make sure I made it home safely as well to tell me that he enjoyed meeting me. That was pretty cool.
Bobby Inman has retired twice from Law Enforcement after 21 years of Service. He is a Consultant for Southern Heritage Gun & Pawn in Tuscumbia. He has articles published in Law & Order Magazine, Police Marksman Magazine, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement Magazine as well as several published ebooks on Amazon, Kobo Writing, as well as Nook (Barnes & Noble). He is owner of Poopiedog, an Animal Rescue Dachshund, who is his constant companion. He is a Senior Investigative Reporter for the Quad Cities Daily.
