Inside Larry Sweeney's Heartbreaking Rise and Fall!

Pro Wrestling Stories

"Sweet and Sour" Larry Sweeney had it all: looks, charisma, and the gift of the gab. He might have been one of the greatest heel wrestling managers ever witnessed. However, there was one problem: He was born in the wrong era.

A Dog-Eat-Dog World for Larry Sweeney

"You’re like a Model T Ford," a WWE Rep once told another indy heel manager buddy of mine. You see, the smooth-talking heel manager has gone the way of the dinosaur. This left the dog-eat-dog world of the indies for Larry Sweeney.

I initially met him while serving as Associate Producer on the movie The Wrestler. Doing casting calls for wrestlers, I brought in around 150 indy wrestlers for Darren Aronofsky’s consideration.

He reminded me of a young Jim Cornette mixed with some Bobby Heenan and Johnny Valiant. He was bleached blonde and brash, sharp, and just plain funny. 

I also saw him in action on a New York-based indie show promoted by Paul Sarachelli. He was rightfully in the main event against a legitimate pro boxer, Larry Barnes.

At the peak of his powers, he was clearly a master of his craft. I was pleased to help promote this bout on my own show, Legends Radio, where Sweeney had come on and hyped it like it was the Super Bowl and World Series rolled into one.

He had given his life to the squared circle, and ultimately, it was there where he would end it.

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