Inducted by LWO4Life
Sometimes, a dream delayed still is a dream achieved. I am proud to induct Diamond Dallas Page to the Wrestling Headlines/LOP Hall of Fame. Over the years, Dallas Page has embodied do not quit on yourself. From overcoming injury to fulfill his wrestling dream, to overcoming dyslexia in childhood, to helping others overcome their struggles to help them lead a productive life, Page has shown over and over what it is like to use your mind to overcome the odds. And it is for this reason he’s one of the best stories in wrestling history.
As a child, I loved wrestling, like many of us. Once my dad got cable, it opened up a new world to me. Yes, World Wrestling Federation was on Fox 11 every Saturday at noon, but later that day was Saturday Night at 3:05 on TBS. Also, on ESPN, World Class Championship Wrestling, and American Wrestling Association. Yes, I watched all of them at the time. Of the names that stood out, Diamond Dallas Page was a top-five name. Manager of the stable The Diamond Exchange, Page had Curt Hennig, Badd Company (Pat Tanaka and Paul Diamond), as well as Madusa. Also, Page would be escorted by a Diamond Doll, a young lady dressed in a sexy miniskirt who added that nightclub feel to Page’s stable. What stood out was how tall Page was to his wrestlers. In WWF, except for Slick, all the managers were short. Page was a different-looking manager.
Watching Page on ESPN, I didn’t realize an important fact: nine years before he started at AWA, he had attempted to wrestle. In 1979, Page had three matches; however, he injured his knee and retired. Therefore, getting back into wrestling was a huge step for him. After leaving AWA in Minnesota, Page returned to Florida to work as an announcer in Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), where He would have his first match. Although Page’s time in Florida was short-lived in 1990, it was a significant turning point for him. A few years earlier, FCW had been acquired by WCW, so once FCW closed for good, all their talent was moved to Atlanta. This was a considerable boost for Page’s career.
Page debuted in WCW as the manager of The Fabulous Freebirds, specifically the Jimmy Garvin edition. In WCW, he also reintroduced the Diamond Dolls that he had in the AWA. Additionally, Page worked as a commentator with Eric Bischoff, and the two developed a friendship after initially having a rocky start when they were both in the AWA. This friendship would become both his biggest obstacle and greatest help throughout his career. Finally, Page acquired his own Diamond Studd, a wrestler named Scott Hall. Hall’s Diamond Studd character featured a toothpick and would serve as the blueprint for what would become Razor Ramon. However, as rumors about WCW taking Hall away from Page began circulating backstage, Page decided it was time to wrestle for himself. Instead of allowing others to dictate his career, he sought to create his path as a performer.
To close the circle, once Diamond Studd left for WWF, Page teamed with Vinnie Vegas, real name Kevin Nash. While training at the Power Plant every day, Page was determined to succeed. He was now 35, but that did not matter. He didn’t have many bumps on his bump card, so he worked his hardest to make it. Starting on the “Jobbers List” in 1992, Page worked his way up. He sought the help of Jake Roberts in 1993 to gain an edge in psychology. WCW didn’t see much in him, and he was fired in late 1992, but by mid-1993, he was rehired when Eric Bischoff was appointed as Executive Producer. I want to mention, though, that Bischoff was not in charge at that time of wrestler hires or wrestling storylines. He did influence the TV show, but he would have more control over the wrestling until 1994. So, I do want to point out Page was rehired because of his work, but do I think Bischoff might have given a good word? Of course I do.
In 1996, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash came back to WCW, this time as the Outsiders and part of the New World Order (nWo). In Page’s biggest break, Page, who was a heel, was asked by the Outsiders to join them in the nWo. Page, in a huge shock, said now and gave Scott Hall a Diamond Cutter. Page’s run that made him Hall of Fame worthy was born. Page would feud with the nWo, named Randy Savage for the next year. Eventually, he’d win the US title from nWo member Curt Hennig (call back to his original Diamond Exchange), and in 1998 he was part of a huge angle with Karl Malone against Hulk Hogan and Dennis Rodman. This angle gave him mainstream appeal, as Page was now on the front page of the sports section across the US. Page had broken through, no longer was he a fringe player, trying to get over. He was now over, and on nighttime talk shows like Jay Leno. Oh, did I mention he teamed with Jay Leno as well?
Page was finally rewarded in 1999 with the WCW world title. Page’s career is a testament to never giving up on your dreams. In 1979, when he injured his knee in what was thought to be career-ending, Page could have given up right there. He owned a nightclub, and that could have been good enough. Instead, he persisted. Dallas Page took all the punches and made himself a champion. Page would then start DDP Yoga, and work with troubled wrestlers after his career was over. His biggest success story is working with Jake Roberts. He took Jake in and helped him with his lifelong recovery. DDP is currently working with Lex Luger at the time of this publishing. Without question, DDP is a good man. And the world is better with people like him in it.
