MG: 1. To most casual fans you were the manager of the 4 Horsemen, but before that you were a very accomplished in-ring performer. Can you tell us a little bit about your in-ring career, including capturing the Florida Championship title from Mr. Wrestling II?
J.J. Dillon: I'm very proud of my career as a wrestler. I had over 3000 actual wrestling matches. I held several titles and challenged for the NWA World Championship a number of times. I faced Dory Funk, Jr., Terry Funk and Jack Brisco in title matches. I don't remember much about holding the Florida Championship. Just to have faced Mr. Wrestling II and survived is a feat in itself. I don't think I had the title for long. I was also the Florida Television Champion. I remember that there was a championship trophy that was taller than me. I had to carry the trophy and soon realized that it wasn't worth the effort. I ended up breaking it to pieces when I smashed it over the head of Mike Graham. Those were the good old days!
MG: 2. Which is more fun between the arena walls: Managing or wrestling, and why?
J.J. Dillon: I loved doing both. To be truly successful you have to love whatever you are doing. I believe that my career as a wrestler gave me a foundation that made me a better manager. I tried to put the same intensity into being a manager as I did a wrestler. If I wasn't into each minute of each and every match where I managed, how could I expect the fans that bought tickets to have interest? That philosophy really worked for me and I believe helped me be successful.
MG: 3. As the front man for the 4 Horsemen you were constantly stirring the pot and drumming up the heat with the crowd. Was there ever a time where maybe you felt there might have been too much heat on you?
J.J. Dillon: I don't think that the heat was ever concentrated on me as the manager. Fans don't buy tickets (or watch PPV) to see the manager and I always understood that to be the case.. My role was to help tell the story, and as you state to "stir the pot" in the process. In the end I helped set the stage and hopefully build up the anticipation. The wrestlers took it from there. Once the fans were in the arena, my role was secondary. I never tried to steal the spotlight. I was like the icing on the cake and if anything, I may have provided an added dimension to the match that helped make The Four Horsemen unique.
MG: 4. What was it like working on the Horsemen dvd, and do you think it was a fair portrayal of the group?
J.J. Dillon: I was proud to be a part of telling the story because in reality I was there from the beginning and remained a player through the most successful years of the run. The WWE did a very good job and in my opinion they told the story without rewriting their own version of history. The story was complete and was well edited with a nice flow. Comments from HHH, Shawn Michaels, Dusty Rhodes, Jim Ross and others gave the piece added credibility. I believe that any true Four Horsemen fan would enjoy this presentation and would not be disappointed adding this DVD to their collection.
MG: 5. On the dvd, Tully Blanchard says that when he left for the WWF that he turned to you and said “This is an end of an era”. What went through your mind when he said that?
J.J. Dillon: Tully did make this statement and he was right. I've always stated that Ric Flair was the foundation of the Horsemen, but that Tully was the cornerstone. The four constants when we enjoyed the most success were Flair, Tully, Arn and myself. The fourth spot in the ring was a revolving door that started with Ole. A lot of fans liked Ric Flair (and that is true even today) and respected Arn. Tully was the true heel of our group. Tully Blanchard is a great wrestler and too often is not given the credit he deserves for the success of the Horsemen. When Tully and Arn left for the WWF, it was the beginning of the end for the Horsemen.
MG: 6. Who, in your opinion, was the best suited Horsemen replacement after the original group lost Ole/Tully?
J.J. Dillon: Barry Windham was the last piece of the puzzle when we were at our best. Barry could do it all. He had the youth, the size, the good looks and the athleticism. As I just stated in the previous question, when Tully left with Arn, it was over.
MG: 7. You’ve recently written book about your life and career in professional wrestling. Can you tell us a little bit about the book, and how challenging was it to get your entire career in print?
J.J. Dillon: "Wrestlers Are Like Seagulls" was published in 2005 by Crowbar Press. I had never really given serious thought to writing a book. A mutual friend introduced me to my co-author (and the publisher) Scott Teal, who in turn eventually introduced me to Philip Varriale. Philip had followed my career and was an important part of the success of the book. When I first talked with Scott I felt the timing wasn't right. I had just gone through my last divorce. I had more children late in life that came into the world after I retired from the ring. They knew very little about what I had done for the greater part of my life. The idea of creating a permanent record of my career to pass along to my family grew on me with time. I eventually told Scott that I wanted to do it right or not do it at all. I am a detail person and somewhat of a perfectionist. Scott was very patient with me and we worked together for about eight months. The end result exceeded my wildest expectations. You can visit www.jjdillon.com and click on the book for more information. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
MG: 8. What do you think the NWA could’ve done better to compete with the WWF, and had they made those choices, do you think they would be more relevant today?
J.J. Dillon: I think the big mistake was when WCW attempted to compete head up with the WWF. The WWF had a unique brand and were already established and very successful. Even when WCW was winning the Monday night ratings war, the WWF was still making money, and WCW was not. There was (and still is) ample room in the industry for two key players. WCW presented a more reality based style that made them different from the WWF in many ways, and if they had concentrated on their own brand with a solid business plan, they could still be in business today.
MG: 9. In November 05, as part of a match stipulation you had to spend 5 minutes in the ring with Dustin Rhodes (Goldust). Can you tell us about being back in the ring, especially it being the son of the man who the Horsemen feuded with for so long and so heatedly?
J.J. Dillon: It was kind of fun. I watched Dustin grow up and mature to a fine young man and become an accomplished wrestler. They say the acorn never falls far from the tree. To be in the ring with Dustin rekindled lots of old memories. Good memories!!!
MG: 10. Upon researching, we constantly came across blurbs about a shoot between you and Vince Russo, which, admittedly, I’m unfamiliar with. Can you tell us about that?
J.J. Dillon: My final year at WCW before the company closed down was a very difficult time for me. I had a contract and was being paid, but I had no day-to-day responsibilities. I liken the situation to being on the Titanic and watching the radar screen and sensing the impending doom, but no one would listen. I did communicate with Kevin Sullivan on an on-going basis to review each and every show. On one occasion my office door was open and apparently Vince Russo was walking by and overheard my conversation. Vince cut a promo in front of some of the office staff which I felt was inappropriate and over the line. I've never mentioned it until now, but earlier this year I ran into Vince Russo at a personal appearance. He approached me and we had a very private conversation that remains between us. I respect Vince for taking the initiative to approach me, and as far as I am concerned there are no hard feelings and the matter is behind us.
MG: 11. You made an appearance at ROH’s Cage of Death, which for those that aren’t aware, is a modern take on War Games. What was your ROH experience like, and what are your thoughts on the promotion and it’s fan base?
J.J. Dillon: It was a great experience for me. Jim Cornette was working with ROH and it was his idea to involve me and he was the one that called me. I was very impressed with the ROH talent roster. I had heard about Samoan Joe and met him for the first time. The fans were really into the action and a big part of the atmosphere. My only concern was the level of violence. Since I have worked in a wrestling office capacity most of my life, I was concerned about the increased risk of personal injury and the possibility of lawsuits. ROH has a unique product and I wish them continued success.
MG: 12. I’ve heard a few takes from you on the subject, but for our readers, what is your take on the current wrestling product in the U.S.?
J.J. Dillon: I'm not a big fan of the current product. The telling of a simple story that everyone can follow and the emotion that goes with the telling of a story seems to be missing. Wrestling as I knew it has become a lost art.
MG: 13. As always is the 13th question, if there is one thing you want all wrestling fans to know about you, what would that be?
J.J. Dillon: I hope I am remembered as someone that always loved and respected the business. I was never the biggest or the most gifted physically and athletically, but no one wanted it more or was willing to work any harder than me. I was often in the right place at the right time, and I had a lot of help from others and good luck along the way. Above all, it was the fans that made me whatever I was in terms of any level of success. I am very active with Cauliflower Alley Club and with the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Amsterdam, NY, because it gives me a forum to interact with wrestling fans and to continue to thank them for their support throughout my career.