About West Potter
West Potter is one of the foremost authorities on Ric Flair and a leading expert on Ric Flair ring-worn articles. His extensive wrestling artifact collection spans over six decades and encompasses nearly every aspect of the ever-changing sport of professional wrestling.
West Potter's knowledge, expertise, and devotion to "The Nature Boy" makes him a living museum of the legend surrounding wrestling's most flamboyant and talented athlete. West has also created, written, produced and contributed to various publications making him a renown connoisseur of ring-worn artifacts in the sport of professional wrestling. West Potter is the author of numerous papers on the sport including: The Evolutionary Changes in Professional Wrestling, Professional Wrestling as Legitimate Athletic Demonstration, Professional Wrestling as an Instrument of American Popular Culture, Religious References in Televisied Professional Wrestling, a media effects content analysis study, and Kayfabe: The Folklore of Professional Wrestling. He has been contacted by numerous wrestling dignitaries. His dedication, passion and appreciation of the sport have caught the eyes of several significant industry personalities.
Professional Resume Accolades include:
Interviews:
Harley Race, Ricky Morton, Bobby Eaton, Ivan Koloff, Jimmy Valiant, Tommy Young, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, George South and Ric Flair.
Publications/Print:
The Wrestling Globe Newsletter: 6th Edition, The Encyclopedia of Professional Wrestling: 100 Years of the Good, the Bad and the Collectible."
Book Cover: 
West Potter's Page: 
--Contribution to October 23, 2002 article in The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC) chronicling the history of Dorton Arena.
--Contribution in the October, 2003 publication The North Carolina State Fair: The First 150 Years by Melton McLaurin and Paul Blakinship. West's contribution is seen on page 47, where his wrestling research work is showcased. This 200-page hard cover book was released during the 150th edition of the NC State Fair in October, 2003. His work on this project was a collaborration with the history department at UNC-Wilmington and the North Carolina office of archives and history, a division of the North Carolina department of culutral resources in Raleigh.
Television:
UPN Network TV: August 25, 2005, WWE Smackdwon! (appeared as a referee, WITN (NBC): Channel 7 News, Greenville Leased Access: Channel 68, Greenville Cable Channel 7: Talk of the Town, Business Beat segments and various local television appearences. Voice over talent appears on various local commericals.
Radio:
Pirate Radio 1250AM Greenville, NC. Voice over talent provided for public service announcement.
Field Study:
Completed a comprehensive 10-month study of the progression of the sport during the past century. Notable mentions include: Authored a 13-page documentary report on the sport as part of the project which has been read and enjoyed by author Kristian Pope, and wrestling legends George South and Ivan Koloff. Received local acclaim for his research studies which culminated with a presentation on January 25, 2001 before a panel of 5 community leaders which served as judges for the 30 minute presentation/speech. Backstage access and analysis of two World Championship Wresling shows in late 2000 and early 2001 which included a study of the pre-production tests and analysis of the ring prior to the show. Maintained a detalied log of experiences that span the course of a year.
Papers:
The Evolutionary Changes in Professional Wrestling, Professional Wrestling as Legitimate Athletic Demonstration, Professional Wrestling as an Instrument of American Popular Culture, Religious References in Televisied Professional Wrestling, a media effects content analysis study, and Kayfabe: The Folklore of Professional Wrestling.
Experience:
Trained for a short stint in July of 2000 under professional wrestler George South. Received praise from fellow wrestlers during the workout session. Conducted an interview with Mr. South which was incorporated into a 13-page documentary report on the progression of the sport of Professional Wrestling. Filmed a promotional wrestling spot with a local 10-year wrestling veteran which became part of the presentation. Three-year veteran sports editor and publisher of numerous articles on the sport in the local high school publication.
Refereeing:
6 Year veteran of the squared circle working for organizations in NC, SC, VA, GA, IL and MO including World Wrestling Entertainment. and Ward Family Promotions.
Businessman:
In addition to a successful career in the ring, West has parlayed this success to the business world outside of it. He works as an event coordinator and promoter, a television writer, producer and actor and is the director of a number of other successful private ventures. Always in negotiations to acquire more artifacts for his collection, he has completed transactions with numerous wrestling personalities, most notably his acquisition of the NWA St Louis Wrestling Office archive which includes ledgers, the Missouri State Title Belt and other memorabilia.
Projects:
West is always involved in a number of wrestling and entertainment-related projects. He has worked in live stage dramas and on screen roles. His time outside the ring is spent doing countless hours of research to archive and document the history of wrestling, with a primary focus on Mid-Atlantic wrestling from Raleigh-East.
Personal:
In his spare time, West enjoys coaching high school tennis at his alma mater, Ayden Grifton High School in Ayden, NC and is invloved with a number of local charities including Marley Fund, Relay for Life and Dream Factory of Eastern NC. He is is a 2004 graduate of East Carolina University completing his studies Cum Laude with a concentration in television and an English minor.
If you are interested in contacting West Potter, please email him here:
Email: lineupwest@aol.com
