Portland Wrestlecast: Growing up as Rip Oliver’s son

On this special edition of the Portland Wrestlecast, Jim Valley talks with Larry Oliver, son of the late northwest legend Rip “The Crippler” Oliver.

Larry talks about what it was like growing up and going to school in a time when wrestlers and their families had to protect the business. For Larry it wasn’t unusual for Andre the Giant to sleep on the living room couch. He also talks about his dad’s relationship with Billy Jack Haynes and how they went to Florida, Dallas, and WWE to try to recreate the feud that is legendary to northwest fans of the 1980s.

In addition, Larry talks about the unusual way he smarted up to wrestling as a kid. While you may not know names like “Mean” Mike Miller or Cocoa Samoa, you will learn how they were like family to Rip and Larry Oliver. 

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