When considering the history of Lone Wolf
Wrestling, there have been numerous stars but none quite so beloved and
mysterious as the company's original megastar - Wrestling Gold. The
masked man with his throwback style and in-ring technical
prowess was unmatched in his successes and popularity during the
company's infancy.
Gold's accolades in Lone Wolf's first 16 months read like a career for most anyone else:
Gold's accolades in Lone Wolf's first 16 months read like a career for most anyone else:
Lone Wolf Champion - 5
Television Champion - 1
World Tag Team Champion - 1
TV Tag Team Champion - 2
6-Man Champion - 1
TV 6-Man Champion - 8
The five territory championships were achieved in only three reigns. Gold not once but twice outlasted contenders on subsequent tours. Only El Hijo del Armas Archuleta has since repeated a single time. In an interesting twist of fate, the five titles is matched by Mr. Magnificent Jamie Montgomery, Gold's last rival.
The five territory championships were achieved in only three reigns. Gold not once but twice outlasted contenders on subsequent tours. Only El Hijo del Armas Archuleta has since repeated a single time. In an interesting twist of fate, the five titles is matched by Mr. Magnificent Jamie Montgomery, Gold's last rival.
 | |
| Steven Paradise -1998 |
Wrestling Gold's identity went from never in
question to being a source of contempt in the locker room with the
contract signing of the previously retired Montgomery. No one knew who
the man behind the mask was but Montgomery insisted
on his being IWA Hall of Famer and villain Sexy Boy Steven Paradise.
Despite the denial of Montgomery's claim by many, Gold never addressed
the comments publicly. The veteran grappler continued working his
contracted matches, continued greeting his fans
and delivering his message of hard work and enthusiasm across the
world.
And then without warning, (poof) Gold disappeared.
Where did Lone Wolf's hero go? Why did he leave? Who was the masked man really? Would we ever know the answers?
When reviewing internal memos at Lone Wolf offices, it was quite clear that Gold's contract was nearing an end. But it appeared that a new, lucrative contract was being negotiated. When pressed for a statement on the missing legend and what if anything happened behind closed doors, an unsigned response came:
"Wrestling Gold was a vital and valuable member of the Lone Wolf family during the rise of the promotion. Unfortunately the persons most connected to the offices and negotiations at the time of his exit are no longer employed here. What we can say (based upon our own review of materials) is that contract negotiations were vigorous and looked positive. And then any and all discussion on the matter ceased abruptly. Gold's contract expired and he opted not to renew his deal at that time. Lone Wolf Wrestling is unaware of his current location but wishes him success in whatever and whereever he chooses to endeavor."
In an attempt to locate Wrestling Gold, we received quotes about the man from both his friends and opponents:
Starkiller - "Wrestling Gold was a dangerous man in his time (and he still is somewhere). He was with Lone Wolf in the very beginning. I wish that the company still had competitors like him."
Arabian Dream Ali Atari - "What happened to Wrestling Gold? Where did he go? He managed to dodge The Arabian Dream Ali Atari for two years and just when it looked as if the long awaited showdown between the LWL's most popular and most hated stars was coming, rather than face the fury of the Foreign Legion, he fled! BAH! Not only did he deny me my chance to lock him in the Atari Thumb and take him out the way I did his pall Bob Caudle, he denied all of those fools who supported him a clash for the ages. Know your shame Gold. Know your shame!"
Johnny Canuck - Wrestling Gold earned my respect on day 1 and I still rank him right up there with the best that I have ever stepped into the ring against. Win, lose or draw - he always brought his 'A' game."
Mr. Magnificent Jamie Montgomery - "My animosity toward Wrestling Gold was very real. And it was never about the character loved by the Lone Wolf fans. In fact I am very much a believer in what he demonstrated. My sole issue was based upon my belief that the man under the mask was a far lesser man than the hero being worshiped. His sudden exit left me unfulfilled in my original mission, but my return to the ring chasing that mask created what has become the greatest run of my career. No matter who is under that mask (and I still contend that it is Steven Paradise) I owe gratitude to the Wrestling Gold character."
Word of our ongoing search somehow reached the masked man. We did not get to sit down with him, but Wrestling Gold did supply us with a statement about his time in Lone Wolf, his opponents, the state of the territory and his current status.
Wrestling Gold - "Wrestling Gold was not about me, it was about an ideal. An Ideal that traced back to the roots of this great country. I was a symbol for the hard working people, the families and a beacon for the children and future of this Nation as much as I was a reminder of it's past. I enjoyed my time in the LWL territory and I am glad that it left such a mark in the annals of wrestling history that you have come back to me to speak about it. I wish you all well, especially my old partner in crime, Preston Pearson. When the world needs it most, Wrestling Gold is there to shine a light into the darkness and to forge the path for the next generation. Until then..."
The mysterious man remains so. But it would appear that he wants the good fans of Lone Wolf Wrestling to hold out hope for a possible return. The ideal that is Wrestling Gold will forever permeate into the Lone Wolf legacy.
And then without warning, (poof) Gold disappeared.
Where did Lone Wolf's hero go? Why did he leave? Who was the masked man really? Would we ever know the answers?
When reviewing internal memos at Lone Wolf offices, it was quite clear that Gold's contract was nearing an end. But it appeared that a new, lucrative contract was being negotiated. When pressed for a statement on the missing legend and what if anything happened behind closed doors, an unsigned response came:
"Wrestling Gold was a vital and valuable member of the Lone Wolf family during the rise of the promotion. Unfortunately the persons most connected to the offices and negotiations at the time of his exit are no longer employed here. What we can say (based upon our own review of materials) is that contract negotiations were vigorous and looked positive. And then any and all discussion on the matter ceased abruptly. Gold's contract expired and he opted not to renew his deal at that time. Lone Wolf Wrestling is unaware of his current location but wishes him success in whatever and whereever he chooses to endeavor."
In an attempt to locate Wrestling Gold, we received quotes about the man from both his friends and opponents:
Starkiller - "Wrestling Gold was a dangerous man in his time (and he still is somewhere). He was with Lone Wolf in the very beginning. I wish that the company still had competitors like him."
Arabian Dream Ali Atari - "What happened to Wrestling Gold? Where did he go? He managed to dodge The Arabian Dream Ali Atari for two years and just when it looked as if the long awaited showdown between the LWL's most popular and most hated stars was coming, rather than face the fury of the Foreign Legion, he fled! BAH! Not only did he deny me my chance to lock him in the Atari Thumb and take him out the way I did his pall Bob Caudle, he denied all of those fools who supported him a clash for the ages. Know your shame Gold. Know your shame!"
Johnny Canuck - Wrestling Gold earned my respect on day 1 and I still rank him right up there with the best that I have ever stepped into the ring against. Win, lose or draw - he always brought his 'A' game."
Mr. Magnificent Jamie Montgomery - "My animosity toward Wrestling Gold was very real. And it was never about the character loved by the Lone Wolf fans. In fact I am very much a believer in what he demonstrated. My sole issue was based upon my belief that the man under the mask was a far lesser man than the hero being worshiped. His sudden exit left me unfulfilled in my original mission, but my return to the ring chasing that mask created what has become the greatest run of my career. No matter who is under that mask (and I still contend that it is Steven Paradise) I owe gratitude to the Wrestling Gold character."
Word of our ongoing search somehow reached the masked man. We did not get to sit down with him, but Wrestling Gold did supply us with a statement about his time in Lone Wolf, his opponents, the state of the territory and his current status.
Wrestling Gold - "Wrestling Gold was not about me, it was about an ideal. An Ideal that traced back to the roots of this great country. I was a symbol for the hard working people, the families and a beacon for the children and future of this Nation as much as I was a reminder of it's past. I enjoyed my time in the LWL territory and I am glad that it left such a mark in the annals of wrestling history that you have come back to me to speak about it. I wish you all well, especially my old partner in crime, Preston Pearson. When the world needs it most, Wrestling Gold is there to shine a light into the darkness and to forge the path for the next generation. Until then..."
The mysterious man remains so. But it would appear that he wants the good fans of Lone Wolf Wrestling to hold out hope for a possible return. The ideal that is Wrestling Gold will forever permeate into the Lone Wolf legacy.
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