Al Snow has been in wrestling for nearly three decades, with his most memorable run being in WWF. But had Al Snow gotten his way, it might not have happened.
When speaking to Real Sport recently, the former Hardcore, European and tag team champion said that following his Avatar, Shinobi and Leif Cassidy gimmicks, he wanted out of WWF. Fortunately, he was talked down by a friend who had an idea.
"Oh, back in '97. Yeah. At that time, I was pretty frustrated and had a pretty bad attitude and was pointing fingers at everybody else instead of pointing them at myself as far as my not taking advantage of opportunities that were presented to me. That invasion, I think probably saved my career because that partnership and cooperation between Vince McMahon and Paul Heyman allowed me to recreate myself. I tried to quit WWF at the time. I had a contract and asked for my release, and kind of to teach me a lesson, I wasn't allowed to have the release. But I was able to talk to Chris Candido, god rest his soul, and he talked to Paul Heyman, and Paul Heyman talked to Vince and got me put on loan to ECW. So I could take advantage of an opportunity to go somewhere else, recreate myself, and to get myself back over, make myself a brand or product that they would ask me to come back. And it worked, and I'm so grateful for that chance."
While in ECW, Snow would revamp his career, leading to a successful return to WWF. He'd later move on to TNA Wrestling, where he served as an agent until his departure this year.
