Last night I had the great pleasure of getting the chance to interview one of my very favorite wrestlers, Lon Dumont. The interview offered some sweet surprises, including Lon’s connection with another prolific homoerotic wrestler and frequent subject of this blog, as well as an upcoming non-wrestling production that we’ll have an opportunity to appreciate Lon in, in addition to his plans to tape some more matches with BG East in the coming months. As you’ll see, below, Lon is one class act and a really good sport. And taking my hint about how much I obsess about his physique (almost as much as it sounds like he does!), Lon sent me some awesome photos of him working out and competing on stage, which I’ve included here (along with some of the pics from his BGE work) with the interview transcript.
Bard: So, what are you up to right now?
Lon: Watching Rocky III on AMC.
Bard: That’s fantastic! Who do you identify with in Rocky III?
Lon: (Laughing) I’ve always identified with the Stallion. Stallone is my idol.
Bard: Excellent. I don’t see you as a Mr. T sort of guy.Lon: Maybe not, although Clubber Lang and I both train hard and enjoy our solitude.
Bard: Very interesting! Are you up for some questions now, or would you like to finish up with Mr. Balboa?
Lon: (Laughing) I’m ready, my friend…
Bard: I have to say again, to start, thanks so much for being willing to field some questions. This is a huge thrill!
Lon: No problem!
Bard: So, tell me that I’m not wrong in concluding that you showed up at BG East as a seasoned wrestler already. No rookie has the right to have the ring presence and savvy that you had in your first BG East match.
Lon: You would be correct. I was a professional wrestler for over eight years, and logged over 500 matches on the East coast in the states and Canada.
Bard: I’m not surprised in the least. How did you get connected with BG East?
Lon: I’ve been buddies with Cameron Mathews forever. I was his original pro wrestling trainer (though I had no right training students at the time!), and he and I really came up through the indy wrestling world together. Cameron had suggested BG East to me a few times, but I wasn’t comfortable with it. Certainly not because of what was expected of us in the matches, or who purchases the DVDs, but simply because I wasn’t in the shape I wanted to be in to appear in such a state of undress. I worked out at the time, but didn’t have the physique I do now. My wrestling singlet covered up my love handles quite well, something I wouldn’t be able to do with BG East!
Bard: Holy crap! You and Cameron have worked together? He’s a busy, busy boy!
Lon: He certainly is that, yes! Cameron and I have probably wrestled one another three or four dozen times, now.
Bard: Damn, that would be something I’d like to see. Perhaps we’ll see you two in action through BGE sometime.
Lon: Perhaps so.
Bard: Since you brought up your physique, and since that’s one of my favorite topics, how long have you been a competitive bodybuilder?Lon: The day after my 33rd birthday in 2009, I started dieting for my first contest, which took place in June of that year (on the same day as my dog’s birthday, coincidentally). My most recent contest was in August of 2010, and I’m training hard for my next competition in October of this year. Thus far, I’ve been in five contests.
Bard: The photos I’ve seen recently of you on stage are truly stunning. What keeps you motivated for such a demanding sport?
Lon: What can I say? I have a truly obsessive personality! Perhaps someday I’ll obsess about something that’s more financially rewarding! For right now, though, bodybuilding is a huge part of my life. I just love the sport. I love seeing changes in my body. I love breaking past old barriers, and I love competing on stage. Dieting for and finishing out a show is the most satisfying feeling I can explain. I just love it.
Bard: Very cool. So what would you say is the best part of your physique at this point in your development. I’ve got my answer in mind, but what do you think?
Lon: Everybody makes a fuss about my abs, so I’ll have to go with those!
Bard: I, also, make quite a fuss about your abs, but I have to admit I was also thinking about the very fine way you have of filling out your trunks. But that’s probably not what gets you a 1st place on stage, eh?Lon: (Laughing) I’m afraid not, no! But thanks for noticing.
Bard: Truly my pleasure (truly). So speaking of your awesome muscles, a reader of my blog wanted me to make sure and ask you if you have any plans for another forced-to-flex match with BG East. Your defeat and forced-to-flex humiliation on Eddie Rey made a really, really big impression on a lot of us.
Lon: Actually, yeah, I think that’s a great idea! I’ll just have to find someone foolish enough to accept my challenge. That shan’t be easy, ya’ know…
Bard: You’ve certainly taken a couple of big boys at BGE by surprise! I suppose they’ll all know that you’re coming, now that you’ve established the level at which you compete. I realize that you’re still pretty new with them, but do you have your eye on any of the BGE wrestlers that you’d like to get your hands on?
Lon: Not necessarily. I’m an equal opportunity humiliator! I regularly embarrass much bigger guys on the bodybuilding stage, so it only makes sense I should do it in BG east, as well.
Bard: Very nicely put. If you ever need suggestions, I’m full of them. So from what BGE has released of your work, I believe that you’re undefeated in 1-on-1 matches. Congratulations! What do you think it would take to defeat you 1-on-1?
Lon: Other than a freak act of mother nature? Hmmm, good question. Perhaps someone with a 100-pound weight advantage might have better luck, but besides that I just don’t see it happening.
Bard: Again, very nicely put. And I’d still feel a little sorry for the guy who thinks that a 100-pound weight advantage is all it will take. It seems to me that you have a knack for beating your opponents up “psychologically” just as much as you do physically. Would you say that “psychology” comes into play when you step into the ring and size up an opponent?
Lon: Absolutely. There’s also the fact that I’m flat-out more intelligent than nearly every guy I enter the ring with! I mean, Eddie Rey? Come on. The guy looks pretty, and all, but I wouldn’t want to see him on Jeopardy anytime soon.Bard: I was just about to say that you seem quite a bit smarter than your average bear! Do you have any go-to approaches that you like to use when you climb into the ring (especially against one of the big boys)?
Lon: Nah, not really. Most of these guys are so dim-witted it doesn’t take a great deal of forethought. I might choose to isolate a body part, like I did with Eddie Rey, or just out maneuver the guy like I did Terry O’Daly. I’m also in better condition than most, so I can be pretty hard to tire out!
Bard: Again, I can certainly believe that. So what’s going through your mind when you see one of these guys flexing? I mean, with the competition quality physique you craft, what do you make of all the flexing we see in wrestling these days?
Lon: Well, some of the guys look great, and many are genetically gifted to be much, much larger than I. However, I have to wonder what some of these guys eat. Truly, some lack any sort of discipline whatsoever. As soon as they choose to go three months avoiding anything with flavor, then they’re free to flex!
Bard: That sounds like hard-earned advice. So, since I’ve managed to turn the conversation back to your body, do you mind me asking what your relevant measurements are? BGE tells us your height/weight… any other details you can offer?
Lon: Sure, I can do my best! What do they list my height and weight at?
Bard: They say you’re 5’7″ and at some point you were 150 pounds.Lon: Hmmm, I suppose that’s pretty close! I think my height–quite literally–is 5’6-15/16″. My bodyweight fluctuates (it comes with the territory of bodybuilding), but 140 is probably closer to the truth. Of course, when you’re well-defined, you look larger than you actually are. As for measurements, my chest is about 40 inches, my waist goes as low as 28, and my upper arms are about 15 inches (16 when they’re pumped up). My thighs are around 24, and my calves and neck are both around 15 inches, as well.
Bard: I don’t typically find numbers sexy, but those are all working for me! Speaking of what works for me, a lot of my readers and I like to talk about “wrestling kink,” that is, wrestling as a turn on. What do you think about having a cadre of fans turned on by your work in the ring?
Lon: Eh, what the hell? What’s wrong with that? I think we’re WAY too uptight about “kink” and sexuality within our society; that’s one area in which I really wish we followed Europe’s lead a bit more. Whatever people get turned on by is fine with me, provided everyone is adults, and everyone is consenting! Why other people get bent out of shape about such things is beyond me. I’m just glad I can make somebody happy.
Bard: Speaking on behalf of a whole lot of us, you do, indeed, make us quite happy. You’ve been really generous with your time, so I hope I’m not pushing it if I ask just a couple more questions?
Lon: Absolutely not, my friend. I’m just chilling out on the couch with my dog!
Bard: That was going to be my next question! I couldn’t help but note that you mentioned that you have a dog (and that you know his birthday). I have a theory about guys who own dogs. I think when a guy owns a dog and really understands the responsibility that comes with being the “leader of the pack,” it makes him that much sexier and more skilled in knowing how to dominate in the wrestling ring. Any life lessons or wrestling lessons that you think you’ve acquired from being an alpha dog?
Lon: Well thank you! Animal welfare is a big, huge deal in my life. It has been for a few years now. I share my life with one dog and one cat, and I have rescued a few animals that live with my parents, too. Companion animals mean a ton to me, and always will. And I’m only an alpha dog with my canine companion! When I’m in the ring, I don’t need to act like the Big Man On Canvas (hey, that’s pretty clever!). In fact, I probably wrestle more like a cat than I do a canine!
Bard: Fascinating! Tell me more about why you think you probably wrestle more like a cat.
Lon: Because I wrestle arrogantly, aloofly, and always land on my feet. Unlike a dog, I couldn’t care less what my opponents think of me!
Bard: (laughing) I can totally get that. I’d put in a plug not to sell short the “wrestling like an alpha dog” angle too quickly, though. The way you schooled Eddie Rey, trained him patiently, and gave him a little “reward” for learning his lessons was totally alpha dog, in my mind. Every dog has to know his place in the pack, and you certainly taught him and Terry theirs!
Lon: (Laughing) Very true. I suppose I did.
Bard: So you have your next bodybuilding competition planned for next autumn. Anything else in store for you in the coming year? You mentioned to me that you think you may be on tap to tape some more matches with BGE?
Lon: I will definitely be wrestling more matches for BG East this year, yes. Fans will notice a little something different about me, though: a full head of hair! I recently took a leap of faith and stopped shaving my head for the first time in twelve years.
Bard: Holy crap! It’s probably a good thing you prepared us. While I have to admit that I particularly like your shaved head, I will keep an open mind, and I suspect that I’ll find plenty else to appreciate about your appearance.
Lon: Well, thus far I’ve gotten pretty much universal praise for the new look. Frankly, I think the hair makes me look a bit younger. But hey, I’ll let the fans judge!
Bard: Knowing the crowd I run in, we’ll be full of opinions to offer.
Lon: This year I’ll also be “starring” in a direct-to-DVD horror movie, one that might wind up featuring another BG East talent, as well. The filmmakers are hoping they might be able to work out a deal in which BG East would be the official distributor of a “director’s cut” of the film in which some additional footage features me in a way many BGE fans might truly appreciate! However, whether that’s something BGE might be interested in, I have no idea. That’ll be between the powers that be, and the makers of the film. Still, the movie will be something for fans to look forward to.
Bard: Oh… my… God. This is such a fantastic tease. I’m a big horror movie fan, and, as is obvious, I’m a huge fan of yours. The two things together could make me blow a blood vessel. I’m pulling for a BGE distribution and a gander at the additional footage of you that “BGE fans would appreciate.” Just those words will be haunting me now, damn it. However it’s distributed, you’ll let me know the instant we can get our hands on it, yes?
Lon: Yes, of course! It’ll be filmed this year; as for its exact release date, we’ll have to wait and see.
Bard: Fantastic! I just want to say again that you truly are a classy guy. You are as generous as you are smokin’ hot and devastating in the ring.
Lon: Thanks so much, man. The pleasure was all mine.
Bard: I hope I didn’t distract you too much from Rocky III. I can tell you how it ends, if you need me to.
Lon: (Laughing) We’ve moved on to Rocky IV. No WAY he beats Ivan Drago! The Russian is indestructible…
Bard: Ah! Dolph! Now there was a man of my fighting dreams!
Lon: (Laughing)
Bard: Enjoy. I’ll be in touch soon!
Lon: You got it, buddy. Thanks again.
neverland 
Great interview–intelligent, but still with a sense of humor. You are becoming such a big blog celebrity! It's really quite exciting.
P.S. I can't wait to see Lon with hair!
Thanks, SP! I was completely star-struck. He was so cool and comfortable to chat with though. I take a lot of delight in his shaved head, but I suspect I'll be a fan of a full head of hair on him, as well. I just resist change.
I hope he appears on the next catalog!
I just got this email from another classy guy, the Boss of BGE himself, Kid Leopard:I tried to post this on Neverland, to no availYou've captured the essence of the guy: smart, generous, witty and erudite with a keen appreciation for language – and all of that BEFORE he enters the ring! We always look forward to working with Lon, and you all can look forward to many future matches with BG East, with hair and without!
Awesome interview! Fun, entertaining Q&A. Can't get enough of the guy I think he's going to be a force in BGE. I hope you will continue to have these kind of interview with other wrestlers as well.
Terrific interview, Bard. Plenty of insight to Lon the man–and terrific scoops on what's to come! Thank you.
They say in pro wrestling the only bad reaction is no reaction. Allow me to offer an extreme reaction from a different perspective…To each his own, I say, and I don't begrudge anyone the opportunity to make a buck, so more power to the wrestlers from the independent scene migrating to BGE. However, I can't help but think where were all these guys when the gay wrestling game was getting started? In the beginning it was only a handful of gay guys, most with experience on the indy level, where they were often judged by and rejected from it, and dancers/go go boys from the gay club circuit who, while technically untrained in pro wrestling terms, were generally athletes themselves and comfortable with the reality that their audience was mostly gay men. It was a symbiotic blend: the often-straight boys brought a visual appeal that drew customers and the gay wrestlers brought depth, perspective and the skill to make it work. And work it did.This is all to say, cool though it is to have indy wrestlers working the gay circuit, I resent the fact that for decades those guys blatantly rejected the option, and have now swooped in to reap the benefits of a system they made necessary by systematically excluding this audience in the first place.I'll readily admit Lon Dumont seems to have a higher upside than a lot of indy workers who have been routinely lionized in the most high profile matches (literal Spotlights!) BGE has. I'll give him props for the effort he puts into his look, not only because he's "hot" but also because it speaks of genuine commitment and awareness of the value of physical image. And his match with Eddy Rey was brilliant (props to whoever concocted/revived the Forced to Flex idea, cough cough). But it seems to me indy wrestling cred has in many ways supplanted what existed before it on many levels. Everyone from Lon to Exavier to Jonny Firestorm has been vetted as capable, exciting and inherently "worthy" in print, while someone like Rio Garza is portrayed from the outset, before anyone even had a chance to see his first match, as a question mark who may not deserve attention. And don't even get me started on the exaltation of indy-style gear as legit or the likelihood of any non-indy wrestling match context (say, oil wrestling) in this new atmosphere. As much as I enjoyed this interview, I can't help think that it would be a cold day in hell before anyone like Brad Rochelle, Troy Baker or Joshua Goodman was ever given the same opportunity.So, I'll give Lon the benefit of the doubt, since he's certainly merited that in his handful of matches so far. But until then, the consecration of indy wrestling experience as the most high form of gay wrestling continues…
As you say, JoshH, to each his own. I'll intentionally misunderstand you just to make the point that literally, I believe when the gay wrestling game started (not sure when precisely that was) Lon was probably about 15 years old and 8 or 10 years away from being a pro wrestler. I realize that's not what you meant, but just making the point that Lon, per se, isn't really the problem you're pointing to. I'll also intentionally misunderstand you to say that I'd LOVE to take an interview from Brad, Troy, or Joshua (or Rio or Jonny or Mitch or Trent or Rusty or….) to continue my tireless effort to lionize them! Send them my way! I get the impression that Brad, Troy & Mr. Joshua have earned quite a few paychecks from "the biz" as well as literal Wrestler Spotlights and ongoing series, and Mr. Joshua is still in the very top tier of my favorites that I ramble adoringly on and on about. Lon certainly isn't my only taste for homoerotic wrestling, but in his short, relatively low-profile initial outings with BGE (in my opinion), I think he's been fantastically entertaining and sexy… as… hell.I think Lon represents himself awfully well in his interview, and I, for one, am pleased that a thoughtful, articulate, self-reflective, pro-sexuality guy who's also a fantastic wrestler with a rockin' bod can get some reward for all his hard work from a portion of what I'll be paying BGE for each and every new match he's in. I'd also pay a premium to see him oil wrestle, but even if that doesn't happen, I look forward to seeing him in anything and everything.
Yo,While I too (partially) agree with (some) of what JoshH is saying I wholeheartedly stand bellicosely (that better be a word) with Bard when it comes to Lon Dumont. That man is perfection personified !He's an excellent addition to the brawlers of Bg East and I look forward to seeing him make many more memorable muscular appearances !Bard – Brilliant work ! Lon – Brilliant work !
His relentless negativity aside, Josh H doesn't quite have his facts right. He says, "In the beginning it was only a handful of gay guys, most with experience on the indy level, where they were often judged by and rejected from it," Virtually NONE of those gay guys had ANY pro experience and those of us who did were neither judged nor rejected. I worked in the pro biz, openly gay, for two decades. He also asks "where were all these (pro) guys when the gay wrestling game was getting started?" Well, they were there: Bryan Walsh, Psycho Capone, Ronnie D as well as others who played roles behind the scenes. He also says, inaccurately, "for decades those guys blatantly rejected the option, and have now swooped in…" They haven't swooped in, they were recruited, invited and welcomed. His animus toward indy pros who perform in gay-oriented wrestling is illogical and unwarranted. Typically too, he sees biases where none exist. Of the 15 or so wrestlers featured on BG East "Spotlights", only a third are pros. So what! The fact is trained wrestlers ARE more capable than the untrained. They deliver the goods to an audience which comes to BG East first and foremost for what we have always put at the top of our agenda: wrestling ACTION. His charge that BG East respects, promotes and 'consecrates' the pros more than the non-pros is utter nonsense. We'd be callous human beings and pretty dumb businessmen if we did that.
What fantastic insider insights! I love it. I agree wholeheartedly with what I've heard Joe say on more than one occasion, that someone needs to film a "history of BGE" to tell this fascinating story. Thanks for the eyewitness account of some of the mix of people and assets that have gone into building BGE. Clearly I'm repeating myself when I say that I'm a big fan of all the diversity of wrestlers and wrestling action that BGE puts together. Keep up the excellent work, and thanks for recruiting the excellent talents of beautiful hunks like Lon.