WWE Hall of Famer Charles Wright, better known as The Godfather, has a storied career in professional wrestling, marked by his memorable gimmicks and imposing presence. While fans may know him best as a flamboyant pimp character, his journey into wrestling has an unexpected connection to a Sylvester Stallone film. During an appearance on his friend Mark “The Undertaker” Calaway’s podcast “Six Feet Under,” The Godfather revealed how the movie “Over the Top” played a pivotal role in his transition from bouncer to wrestler.
From Bouncer to Wrestler: The Unexpected Push
Before stepping into the wrestling ring, The Godfather was renowned as one of the toughest bouncers in the Bay Area. His bar, frequented by various patrons, also became a hangout spot for wrestlers involved in Stallone’s film “Over the Top.” The 1987 movie, which centered around arm-wrestling, featured several wrestlers, including Scott Norton, who would visit The Godfather’s bar during their downtime.
“They were filming a movie with Sylvester Stallone called, I think it was called ‘Over the Top’? There’s a lot of other guys that weren’t big-name wrestlers but were wrestlers that were extras in that, and they would all come to the bar, and they’re like, ‘Dude? Did you ever think about wrestling?’ And I’m like ‘Nah,'” The Godfather recalled.
Intrigued by the Prospects
Growing up in the Bay Area during the ’70s, The Godfather was more familiar with Roller Derby than wrestling. Initially, he had little interest in the sport. However, the wrestlers who frequented his bar began to plant the seed of curiosity by telling him about the lucrative potential of a wrestling career. They mentioned Bam Bam Bigelow, a wrestler who had reportedly made a million dollars the previous year.
“I went, ‘Wrestling? Me get a million dollars wrestling?’ And then everybody’s like, ‘Dude, you act like a wrestler, you might as well become one because you’re as crazy as them guys,'” The Godfather recounted.
Taking the Leap
Motivated by the prospect of financial success, The Godfather reached out to Larry Sharpe, the trainer who had mentored Bam Bam Bigelow. Sharpe invited him to New Jersey for an evaluation.
“He goes, ‘Well, if you fly yourself out to New Jersey, I’ll take a look at you and put you up in a hotel,'” The Godfather remembered. Upon seeing him, Sharpe was immediately impressed by his physical presence and charisma.
“When he sees me get out the plane, because back then you can go to the plane and right at the door wait – you can see it in his eyes, he’s like ‘Wow, wow.'”
Commitment and Sacrifice
The Godfather’s commitment to pursuing a wrestling career was so intense that he asked his wife to sell their house. He believed in his potential and was willing to make significant sacrifices to achieve his dreams. Despite having minimal formal training, he quickly made an impression on the wrestling community.
“Larry was impressed with the way I could talk women into doing things. I’ll just say that. That’s a nice way to say it. I’m an old man now, but I used to be able to talk my way into something,” The Godfather explained. His natural charisma and persuasive skills caught the attention of wrestling legend Jerry Lawler, who gave him a simple but confident endorsement.
“Jerry’s like, ‘Let me see you throw a punch?’ And he goes, ‘Throw a kick?’ And he goes, ‘Oh, you’ll be alright.'”
A Storied Career
The Godfather’s wrestling career took off from there, leading to various iconic personas, including Papa Shango and Kama Mustafa, before settling into his most famous role as The Godfather. His ability to engage audiences and his larger-than-life character made him a standout performer in WWE.
Stephen’s Insight
The Godfather’s journey into professional wrestling is a testament to the unexpected twists that life can take. From a chance encounter with wrestlers involved in a Stallone film to becoming a WWE Hall of Famer, his story is filled with unique opportunities and bold decisions. His willingness to embrace change and take risks has left an indelible mark on the world of professional wrestling.
