After only two matches and no professional training, midget wrestler Short Sleeve Sampson found himself making fun of The Rock in front of millions on live television on Monday Night Raw in the year 2000.
Since then, Sampson has travelled the continent, wrestled on pay-per-view and become one of the most recognizable mini wrestlers of his generation.
He’s stood tall amongst some of the biggest stars in the professional wrestling world and now midget wrestler Short Sleeve Sampson is set to bring his skills in the squared circle to Squamish with All Star Wrestling (ASW) on Friday (Sept. 19).
But grappling wasn’t always in the plans for the four foot, two inch wrestler.
“I grew up a huge fan of wrestling,” Sampson said from his Syracuse, New York home. “My grandfather was a pro midget wrestler in the 1960s and a local midget wrestler got in touch with me back in 1999 to see if I’d be interested in doing a show. Being an adrenaline junkie and willing to try anything once – I said yes.”
A few months later he did another show and was then contacted by the WWF to appear on worldwide television.
“At first I thought it was a hoax when they called me,” he said. “But the following night I found myself in the middle of the ring with HHH, the Big Show, Shane and Stephanie McMahon. I was in awe to be there and completely mesmerized. After that night I could have retired and said I was a WWF superstar.”
The brief taste of stardom proved to be addictive for Sampson, who decided to get trained for in-ring action and continue pursuing his wrestling dreams. He admitted there was a bit of a learning curve.
“If you watched my first match I was horrible,” he said, laughing. “But I spent the next couple of years training and learning the right way to wrestle.”
The appearance with WWF (now WWE) led to many other dealings with the company. Sampson parodied other famous stars on television like The Undertaker and Kurt Angle, along with participating in a handful of matches. He also helped launch the WWE’s Juniors Division in 2005 and wrestled on pay per view at TNA wrestling’s Bound For Glory event in 2006.
Sampson returned to the WWE in May of this year when he did colour commentary and dressed as announcer Jerry “The King” Lawler.
The show in Squamish is likely the only time local wrestling fans will get to see the tiny star as he’s set to retire once he’s completed his final tour. He’s taking on full size wrestler Breaker Iton in Squamish and said fans should expect an entertaining match.
“It’s going to be unlike anything people in Squamish have ever seen before,” he said. “My style is about having fun and serious wrestling. It’s not just a typical match and it should be a great night of entertainment for the whole family.”
He said he enjoys wrestling full size competitors and that Iton should prove to be a challenge.
“With a big guy you can tell a David vs. Goliath story and we can really get the fans involved,” he said. “But Iton is a crazy guy and is completely unpredictable. I don’t really know what to expect but I won’t let the fans down.”
One of the biggest honours Sampson received happened earlier this year when he was awarded the Cauliflower Alley Club’s (CAC) active wrestler of the year award. The CAC is an organization made up of active and former wrestlers and Sampson said it was amazing to win the award.
“To be recognized by my peers is huge,” he said. “I never wanted to be just another midget. I wanted to be a wrestler who happens to be a midget. When I won that award it solidified that. I cried after I was nominated – it doesn’t get any bigger than that.”
Sampson has suffered several injuries over the years and has had back surgery but he said he wants to walk away from the business to spend more time with his family and to pursue Hollywood opportunities. But he said he will miss the fans.
“I want the fans to realize how much I appreciate them,” he said. “And this farewell tour is a great way to say goodbye to them.”
Sampson and the stars of ASW return to the Totem Hall in Squamish on Friday (Sept. 19). Doors open at 7:15 p.m., with the first bout occurring at 8 p.m. For more info on Sampson, visit www.facebook.com/officialshortsleevesampson or follow him on Twitter - @AweSampson.
