February 21, 1985
Eddy Mansfield (who was already out of the business when he appeared in front of 20/20’s cameras, despite only being 28 years old at the time) was a mid-card performer known as “The Continental Lover” during his wrestling days. In a gym with reporter John Stossel and an empty ring, Mansfield proceeded to divulge some of pro wrestling’s best-kept secrets. With B-roll footage of WWF matches spliced in between their interview, Mansfield showed Stossel (and his millions of viewers) how to perform several well-known wrestling maneuvers, step-by-step. From a Fireman’s Carry to a Body Slam, a Back Body Drop to a Flying Elbow Smash, how to “run the ropes” to delivering a convincing “working punch,” Mansfield laid it out for all to see, for the first time ever. After a half-hour of training, Stossel was able to perform a relatively convincing exchange with Mansfield that consisted of a Fireman’s Carry, two tackles and a Body Slam.
Mansfield was then joined in the ring by former wrestler “Big” Jim Wilson and the two ex-pros performed another series of “fake” moves, just like the ones that wrestling fans saw every week on TV. However, Mansfield (or possibly the 20/20 video editors) saved the best for last. After explaining to Stossel the concept of “red turns to green,” Mansfield proceeded to cut a razor into small pieces, forming a “blade,” and then wrapped it before concealing the gaffe in his wrist tape. From there, he nonchalantly displayed how wrestlers draw blood by cutting their foreheads as a disgusted John Stossel looked on.
From there, the focus was shifted to wrestling promoters, and how they often abuse their power over their wrestlers, whom they few as little more than “farm animals.” The topic of blackballing was addressed, with Jim Wilson repeating his oft-told claim that he was exiled from the profession due to his refusal to sleep with a male promoter. Meanwhile, former All-South Wrestling Alliance owner Ann Gunkel recounted how she had been frozen out of promoting in the San Diego market.
As a result of his actions, David Schultz was suspended by the New York State Athletic Commission and soon fired from the WWF while Titan Sports was subsequently sued by Stossel. Schultz was later quoted as saying that Vince McMahon had told him just prior to his interview with Stossel, “Dave, there’s a guy here mocking the business. I want you to blast him and stay in character.”