Dennis Stamp
| Dennis Stamp | |
|---|---|
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | "Tulsa Tornado" |
Dennis Stamp is an American professional wrestler from Amarillo, Texas, best known for being featured in the 1999 documentary, Beyond the Mat. In 1997, he was the referee for a match between Terry Funk and Bret Hart, one of Terry Funk's many retirement matches. Stamp was working as an exterminator during the shooting of the film. He talked about how he didn't wrestle as much anymore because he hasn't been booked for matches, but made sure to stay in shape just in case he got a call. In fact, his final match was in 1991. His training ritual includes jumping up and down in his underwear on a trampoline in his backyard. Stamp used to have a mustache in his prime, but says he shaved it off so "the paparazzi wouldn't recognize him." At on point in his wrestling career he won the Canadian Tag Team titles w/Tiger Jeet Singh defeating Dale Lewis & Masa Siato. He wrestled in many undercard wrestling matches in the 70's and 80's, wrestling men who would go on to be legends such as the Funks and Bob Backlund.
He appeared in the 1978 Sylvester Stallone movie Paradise Alley.
He never was able to main event, but he always had a love for professional wrestling. Stamp has stated he would rather appear in a wrestling main event than breathe.
External links
The Dennis Stamp Film Collection
In keeping with his cult status, Stamp has been the subject of several amateur film makers. Footage from 'Beyond The Mat' has been spliced with various quotes, clips and music cues to produce such viral videos as:
Dennis Takes It To The Streets - Dennis vents his rage through the medium of rap music
Dennis Stamp: Serious - a gritty, dramatic interpretation of Dennis' frustration
The Dennis Stamp Titantron - the original, Stamp's entrance video
Dennis Stamp's November Rain - G&R provide the tones for Dennis's sorrows
Dennis Stamp vs Lex Luger - a fan video spoofing an online feud between to online favorites
A moving tribute to Dennis can also be found online, where a popular music group dedicate their song to "a man who can't be here because he wasn't booked". The dedication receives an emotional ovation.
All film productions can be found here: Film Collection
Quotes
- "I'm not booked"
- "I have to be ready for my next match. Whenever that phone rings I must be ready."
- "I have to be involved and I'm not"
- "I don't do any tricks"
- "I'd rather be in the main event than breathe"
- "I have other arrangements"
- "Here, Spot!"
- "My last match was in 1991, so it gets to be a lot longer between matches..."
Trivia
Dennis Stamp has become somewhat of a cult icon in recent times, with a loyal following developing on various wrestling forums, and even a number of tribute videos and titantrons have been created in his honor. They can be found on YouTube. Stamp reportedly resents the attention, refusing to become "another Chuck Norris."