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In some cases, wrestlers who train the next generation of performers don't get the recognition they deserve, especially those who helped wrestlers gain successful careers in the business. Wrestlers like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, who gets much respect in the wrestling industry, came a long way before getting his big break during WWE's Attitude Era in the late 1990s. No one will deny Steve Austin's talents, but even he was trained by other wrestlers when first starting in the industry. Former British wrestling veteran "Gentleman" Chris Adams played a role in Steve Austin's wrestling upbringing when he began his career.
Steve Austin Trained Under "Gentleman" Chris Adams
There's no denying that Steve Austin is among the all-time greats in professional wrestling while also becoming a household name in the 1990s. With that said, although Steve Austin's in-ring ability and charisma are highly revered, it took a while for Steve Austin to find his footing in becoming one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling.
Before making his WWE debut in 1996, Steve Austin had been wrestling for multiple promotions since starting his career in 1989. To help him get seasoned in the business, he was able to get some training from someone who also had many experiences in wrestling. This person helped Steve Austin get into the ring shape right from the start.
That person was former British wrestler and Judo champion "Gentleman" Chris Adams. Steve Austin enrolled at his school for $45 for a first seminar. Chris Adams was working for WCCW when Steve Austin started taking lessons. He'd been wrestling and promoting for the past decade. He taught his students at the Dallas Sportatorium, where Steve Austin wrestled his first match.
Not long after taking lessons from Chris Adams, Steve Austin soon engaged in a kayfabe rivalry with him in USWA. The two would have several matches with each other, including a noted cage match in USWA in September 1990.
Although Steve Austin picked up pointers from Chris Adams, he stated in his autobiography, "The Stone Cold Truth", that he felt Chris Adams didn't teach him the business side of the wrestling industry. Chris Adams's teachings emphasized the technical side of wrestling rather than understanding the kayfabe part of the industry.
Chris Adams Helped Make The Superkick A Popular Move
Although some might not be too fond of Chris Adams's teachings, learning from him could be highly beneficial, especially considering that Chris Adams is still an influential figure in today's wrestling. For instance, he's someone who got credited for popularizing the superkick maneuver. As the superkick is widely used in today's business, one could thank Chris Adams for putting over the move.
However, it wasn't just the superkick that Chris Adams is generally known for regarding his in-ring ability. Chris Adams has a reputation for doing a variety of athletic moves. Even back when wrestling in the 1980s, Chris Adams pulled off technical submission moves in the ring while performing aerial attacks, like flips and diving through the ring ropes.
Considering that he had a legitimate martial arts background, as he was a silver medalist in Judo at the 1980 and 1984 Summer Olympics, it's no surprise that Chris Adams was a well-rounded technical in-ring wrestler. Someone who's a duel-sport athlete, including rugby and amateur wrestling, participating in such sports could've helped contribute to Chris Adam's ability in the ring as a technician.
For those who may not be familiar with Chris Adams's accomplishments regarding his championship wins, he's won many singles and tag team titles throughout the organizations he's wrestled. Championships also included the WWE Light Heavyweight Championship when he wrestled for Universal Wrestling Association.
Chris Adams was not just a long-tenured wrestling veteran but also held many positions within the industry. He also worked as a promoter in the Texas wrestling scene and even produced a show overseas in Nigeria. And, of course, Chris Adams's unorthodox way of training wrestlers is something he's got a reputation for, especially the technical way of teaching his wrestlers.
Chris Adams may not be the most known figure among WWE fans, but one shouldn't forget his contributions to the business. Today's generation of wrestlers could benefit from his influences that still carry to this day. Even if his training methods weren't perfect, one can't deny Chris Adams's in-ring technique that others can learn.