Steve "Crusher" Rackman - Champion of men Media Man Australia

Steve "Crusher" Rackman - Champion of men, by Greg Tingle

He was big, he was mean, he was ugly. And the fans loved him to a point of hating his guts. A star of the Australian Wrestling scene in the 1970's, he graduated from the performances within the ring to mainstream cinema to famously succumb to the lips of Paul Hogan's character in Crocodile Dundee.

Steve "Crusher" Rackman. A formidable name. A formidable man and a formidable flat top.

Mention him and many will say, "I know that name" or "wasn't he Donk in the Crocodile Dundee movies?" He was. And there's plenty more in his cupboard of achievements. Wrestler, Bouncer, Boxer, Entrepreneur, Gymnasium proprietor.

Sure, he hasn't done Hamlet and is still awaiting an invitation to the Oscars, but there are far more important bouts to win. He's the "Crocodile Safari Man" of the wrestling business in Oz. And he wants to put it back where it belongs. In the public's face.

Rackman grew up in England, and travelled to Australia in his teens to find a new life.

By the time "Crusher" arrived on our sandy beaches he'd cemented his credentials: boxer, street fighter and bouncer. You don't mess with this bloke.

A natural for the rough and tumble and chaos of the wrestling ring, Rackman mixed it with the best of them. And there were no better or bigger than the French mountain: the late, great Andre The Giant. To a packed house of 10,000, Rackman and the man who easily stepped over the top rope, slugged it out a steel cage no less!

Rackman is a consummate gentleman away from the ring, but get him in a situation, and his politeness and good-natured humour will step aside for something a little less congenial. "Donk" is old-school. But he also understands and collaborates with modern concepts. Some say he has big mouth, he can sure as heck back it up, with actions and a track record of success, that makes his accomplishments an envy to the many of us non achievers.

When asked, "Is wrestling real?" Rackman firmly states, "It's a lot more real than a great many people realise. The pain's real, and so are these scars." He points to a forehead carved with the wrinkles of time and the trophies of yesterday. "It's showmanship and an athletic performance of the highest calibre."

The sun and waves of the Gold Coast is home to Rackman and his family, and he's still involved on the periphery of Australian professional wrestling.

When asked what keeps him busy, he pauses.

Rackman is getting ready to cut deals with promotional films in Sydney, like Mediaman, who shares Rackman's vision to get Australian wrestling to where it was two and half decades ago.

"A documentary needs to be made that does our unique sport justice", Rackman states.

Those in the know, understand that professional wrestling is big and serious business, and the right wrestling documentary, hooked up with the right wrestling promotion, is money in the bank.

Wrestling is a cutthroat business. Dastardly acts are acted in the ring and in the locker room, where every wrestler and promoter thinks they are "king of the hill".

There are only a few real "movers and shakers" in the professional wrestling aka sports entertainment business. You know them already - McMahon, Hogan and The Rock, but rest assured, when it comes to business "down under", the names Rackman, Milano, Little Wolf, and Tingle are the ones to watch.

So, where's pro wrestling "Aussie" style heading? If Rackman and mates have anything to do with it, this modern-day, athletic display of gladiatorial proportions will one again enjoy the status of a great, golden era of days long past. Rackman is a determined man. Would you argue with someone so mean, so ugly and so big? I wouldn't doubt him.

Links:

Websites

Steve "Crusher" Rackman official unofficial website

Articles

The Great Aussie Promoters, by Greg Tingle

The Great Yankee Promoters, by Greg Tingle

What makes a boxing champion? by Greg Tingle

Movie Makers and Movie Stars - What makes a star? by Greg Tingle

Profiles

Steve "Crusher" Rackman

Interviews

Mediaman