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He appeared for my former company, the International Wrestling Cartel in Pittsburgh, from 2005-2010.
For most of 2006-2008, myself, Larry, and a few others made the monthly treks to Pittsburgh for our events. Larry shared that on May 10, 2003, he attended our second "Super Indy" tournament, won that year by Colt Cabana. It was then that he decided he wanted to become a professional wrestler.
A few years later, he started wrestling for my company. At that point, since I had made the move out to Reading, PA, I was not able to attend most of my 2005 events. But I heard time and again from fans how Larry Sweeney "stole" the show, and at a time when CM Punk, AJ Styles, Chris Daniels, and Samoa Joe were regularly appearing.
In January of 2006, I signed a deal for a regular building, and made a decision to push Larry to the upper middle of the cards. His regular Texarkana title defenses were show highlights, and I was struck by how versatile he was on the microphone, and in the ring. Our drives were spent talking about the history of wrestling, as well as the current scene, and the IWC product. He was so full of life, and so energized about the groups he was working for.
The fans took to Larry from the beginning, and the wave of support continued to grow and grow. He was perfect for our company, as I had focused on the younger guys who could "go". Larry brought a completely new dimension, however, as he worked an older style as a heel that would ground the high flyers.
Over time, I made the call to turn Larry face. On May 11, 2007, in McKeesport, just a few miles down the road from where he watched Colt Cabana win Super Indy II, Larry Sweeney won Super Indy VI, defeating Jay Lethal, Azrieal, and Shiima Xion along the way to claim the title. He went right into a feud with the former Super Indy champion John Mchesney, that culminated in two huge matches.
On December 8, 2007, he was in the semi main event of our biggest show to date, as he lost in a Steel Cage match to Mchesney. Shane Douglas appeared on the show, and pulled Larry and myself aside and explained how IWC has the next Eddie Gilbert in their locker room. He complimented Larry on the match, on his look, and on his future in wrestling. The feud ended that January, as Larry defeated McHesney in a Texas Death match that many called the best match in the history of my company. Larry held the championship until the next tournament, where he relinquished the belt to Super Indy VIII winner Jerry Lynn.
October 26, 2008 was the first time I remember things being a little different with Larry. There were some issues at Ring of Honor behid the scenes at that time, and Larry called me on the way to Pittsburgh with Delirious and Daizee Haze, as they were appearing for me that afternoon. This was not the Larry I knew, and he had an edge to him. Everything seemed to be fine after that, and he appeared in January 2009 for me against Christopher Daniels on one of our biggest events featuring Ric Flair.
It was about this time that I had made the decision to leave wrestling at the end of the year. I wasn't able to attend our follow up show in early March, but I received word that Larry had gotten into a physical altercation with one of our fans. I knew something was up, as earlier in the day, Larry had me on the phone for several hours, talking about a host of subjects. His behavior in the locker room was different as well, as this polite, energetic force had turned into something else.
It was the last time Larry appeared for me at an IWC event.
For the next several months, Larry and I would speak daily for hours on the telephone. I did everything I could to get him to get help. His struggle with his illness is well documented, but it should be known that Larry knew the battle he was up against, and most days was trying to fight the good fight. I read as most did about his unruly behavior, and it pained me that my good friend was going through so much. My friends and family know how much his battle hit close to home. His illness caused him to burn his working relationships, but not his friendships. We all wanted to figure out a way to get him better. In 2010, he appeared for my former company, and I worried about every time he would step in the ring.
Sadly, Larry was unable to win the biggest fight of his life. It pains me, even as someone who sees death and dying every day, that my good friend wasn't able to win this one. My former locker room is stunned, and rightfully so.
I would hope that people can remember Larry for who he was as a professional, and as a person. He was a great man in a business where great men are hard to come by. I remember last talking to him around Christmas. He told me things were going well for him, but I could tell by his tone that he wasn't the Larry I once knew. May he rest in peace, and to Cary, Chris, Hunter, Jimmy, and his other good friends, my heart goes out to all of you. In a business where we have all become numb to reading those fateful news stories, this one is particularly hard to take.
I use this poem for many of the services that I conduct here at the funeral home that I employed by. I hope it can bring everyone some solace:
Not how did he die, but how did he live?
Not what did he gain, but what did he give?
These are the units to measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.
Not, what was his church, nor what was his creed?
But had he befriended those really in need?
Was he ever ready, with word of good cheer,
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say,
But how many were sorry when he passed away.
Rest in peace Larry, and please don't get too upset if Moses, Abraham, et al, refuse to challenge you for the ICW/ICWA Texarkana television title. Although I'm sure there are a few workers who wouldn't mind...
Norm Connors promoted the IWC in Pittsburgh for many years.
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