Steve Doll started his career in Mid-South wrestling in October of 1985. In September of '86, he started wrestling in World Class, and then came to Portland on June 13, 1987. He didn't have much time on the microphone before Portland, so the interview is a little awkward, but it didn't take him long to find his style and build a HUGE fanbase here in the Northwest!
June 13, 1987. Steve Doll debuts in Portland Wrestling. I was already a big fan. I'd seen Steve on World Class some months before. We'd just gotten cable on a day when I was home sick from school. I was flipping around the amazing number of 36 channels, and came across World Class on ESPN. My previous favorite wrestler was Steve Simpson, and I heard his name, so I stayed to watch. I saw Steve wrestle for the first time, and suddenly I had a new favorite! I was conveniently sick every Wednesday so I could watch at 1pm, until we got a VCR and I could record it. We went to the Sports Arena on the kids' free night that was closest to my birthday. When we got there, I got my program and looked inside and saw the little graphic that said, "We welcome newcomer Steve Doll!" I was so excited! My favorite wrestler, here!! I'd missed the announcement the week before. I got the chance to talk to him and get his autograph. He told me that it was the first autograph he signed in Portland! I excitedly told him that he was my favorite wrestler and I had been watching him on World Class. He was all smiles and seemed really excited to be there. He won his match against the Mighty Sputnik as well as the Battle Royal that evening.
From the Oregonian 6/13/1987
Steve won the Battle Royal!
