Truth About The Story in Cactus Jack’s New Book

By Frank Dusek

I believe it was Rob Moore, who dropped me a line recently. He wanted to tell me that I made it into Cactus Jack’s new book, Have a Nice Day – A Tail of Blood and Sweatsocks.

I remember the incident that Cactus Jack describes very well. In fact it happened a couple of years ago at a WWF show in Fayetteville, NC.

I was visiting with several of the boys with whom I once worked when Jack came into the room. In front of all the boys he reminded me of the time I had told Jack that I thought his career path led behind the cameras instead of in front of them.

When we were both with Jerry Jarrett’s USWA in Dallas, Jack used to spend a lot of his free time in the edit suite, working with the technical people. In fact, Jack helped to edit some of the shows that the fans now call "classics".

Most wrestlers who become stars have ring personas that are really just extensions of their real personalities. For instance, Ric Flair is the same way when the cameras are off as he is when they’re on. Dick the Bruiser, Gorgeous George, The Freebirds and Jerry Lawler are the same way.

Jack was quite different from his ring character. Much like his many ring personalities he displays today in the WWF, "Cactus Jack Manson" was a simple-minded wild man who wasn’t afraid to do anything with his body.

On the other hand, Jack is educated, quiet and soft-spoken. I didn’t think he would ever be able to effectively "sell" the fans on his "crazy personality". I told him that. I said that, in my opinion, he was probably destined for success in the business behind the cameras, not in the ring.

When Jack reminded me of that, I immediately dropped to my knees and admitted to him and all that were present that I had been wrong. We all had a good laugh.

I guess that impressed Jack enough that he included the story in his new book.

Frank Dusek is a second-generation wrestler from one of the most famous wrestling families ever. He had a solid career as a wrestler and later managed several wrestlers to major titles. He also spent time as a broadcaster, promoter and matchmaker. His first memories of the wrestling business are selling programs for his father when he was 4 years old.

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