Celebrity Jobber with Jeff Zito – Al Snow (Jan 10, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, host Jeff Zito interviews professional wrestling veteran Al Snow. They explore Al's blue-collar Ohio upbringing, his unusual path into wrestling, his notorious “Head” gimmick and controversies, major career breaks—including his transition from the independent wrestling circuit to the WWE—and his recent ventures, including a starring role in an upcoming film benefitting autism-related charities. Throughout, the conversation stays candid and humorous, illustrating Al’s self-deprecating wit and deep love for the wrestling business.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Al Snow’s Gimmick, Controversy, and “Head”

• The Infamous Action Figure Ban
  • Al recounts how his wrestling “Head” mannequin gimmick led to controversy, ultimately getting his action figure pulled from stores nationwide after a professor alleged it promoted spousal abuse.
  • Quote (Al Snow, 05:37):

    “She showed up at a Walmart, saw the action figure thought it was a decapitated woman's head and then said... it was a training manual for future spousal abusers."

  • The media storm landed Al Snow in national headlines, including Time magazine and Jay Leno’s monologue—what Al jokingly refers to as being "cancelled before cancel culture was even a thing."
  • Quote (Al Snow, 06:26):

    “I was a major news event for like about a week and a half, two weeks. I mean, Jay Leno had it included in his, you know, his monologue... I was getting canceled before cancel culture was even a thing. I've always... been ahead of the curve.”

Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) & Reality TV

• OVW’s Ongoing Legacy
  • Jeff and Al discuss the Netflix docuseries Wrestlers, which chronicled Al’s work running Ohio Valley Wrestling with Matt Jones.
  • Al shares updates: OVW still produces weekly live television and operates a certified trade school for wrestling and broadcasting.
  • Matt Jones has stepped back from daily involvement—“an acquired taste,” Al jokes.
  • Quote (Al Snow, 09:14):

    “Still involved, still going... We have a training academy that is the only one certified... as a trade school for professional wrestling and broadcasting in the world.”

• Longevity in Wrestling TV
  • OVW is approaching its 1,400th episode, making it the second-longest running weekly episodic TV show behind WWE Raw.
  • Quote (Al Snow, 11:36):

    “We are the second longest running weekly episodic television show in the history of the medium. The only other one that's ran longer is WWE's RAW... then there's Smackdown... we're coming up on our 1400th episode this year.”

Acting Career and New Film: Learning You

• About the Movie & Role
  • Al Snow discusses his role in the upcoming film Learning You, a heartfelt drama about a single father and his autistic son; Al plays the “Bear Nook Bear,” an imaginary mascot helping guide the father.
  • Al expresses humility about his acting skills:
    • Quote (Al Snow, 13:43):

      “I don't consider myself an actor because... I don't think I can do it very well and two, other people seem to think so... But I'm an entertainer, and I get opportunities to be an actor..."

  • All proceeds from the movie go to autism support.
  • Quote (Al Snow, 15:51):

    “You're not just supporting a great cause... you're actually going to go and watch an enjoyable movie and have a real uplifting story...”

  • Movie premiere: Jan 16, 2026.

Al’s Origins: Family and First Jobs

• Family Background
  • Al reflects on his blue-collar roots in Lima, Ohio; dad was a grain elevator maintenance worker, mom a court stenographer.
  • At 14, Al announced his dream of becoming a wrestler—met with skepticism and amusement from his family.
    • Quote (Al Snow, 17:13):

      “Among the family, I'm the only one that ran away with the circus... I proclaimed to all of my family... that I wanted to be a professional wrestler. And they all looked at me like I had four or five heads...”

• First Job: Dishwasher
  • His only non-wrestling job: dishwashing at a local Italian restaurant, to save money for early wrestling tryouts.
  • Quote (Al Snow, 18:56):

    “I was a dishwasher and I washed dishes to earn money to go to a tryout... basically get the crap beat out of me, have my nose broken and sent back home.”

  • Name of restaurant: Parasan's Family Restaurant, American Mall, Lima, Ohio.

Career Breakthrough: The Dan Severn Connection

• Indirect Penchant for Big Breaks
  • Al’s training of UFC legend Dan Severn led to an impromptu televised moment that caught the eye of wrestling promoter Jim Cornette.
  • Quote (Al Snow, 20:14):

    “I had an opportunity... I met Dan Severn, who is a UFC legend, and Dan wanted to be a professional wrestler. I had opened up my own school... was training Dan... The UFC started, and Dan wanted... to prepare for UFC... (After a fight) I just made a smart remark, I said, ‘Well, he's going to go back in the locker room and have sex. What do you think he's going to do?’ The interviewer just yanked the microphone away and walked away. Jim Cornette... saw that remark... reached out to me and gave me an opportunity...”

  • This led to opportunities with Smokey Mountain Wrestling, and then WWF and ECW, where the “Al Snow with Head” persona was born.
• Al’s Advice on Opportunity
  • Quote (Al Snow, 22:49):

    "I can't encourage people enough. No matter what you're doing, just go do. Go do, do something. Because you just never know the... domino effect of that one little moment that will translate into who knows what."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [04:27] Al joins the show, banters about his “Head” gimmick and the infamous action figure ban
• [08:19] Updates on OVW, Matt Jones, and the school’s unique credentials
• [11:36] OVW’s place in television history—second-longest episodic show
• [13:34] Al discusses his new film Learning You and acting philosophy
• [17:13] Early life in Ohio, family background, and announcing his wrestling dream
• [18:56] First (and only) non-wrestling job: dishwashing for wrestling tryout funds
• [20:14] Career turning point: training Dan Severn and seizing an unexpected opportunity
• [22:49] Al’s take on seizing unexpected opportunities: “Just go do”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On “Head” controversy:

  “I was getting canceled before cancel culture was even a thing. I've always... been ahead of the curve.” (Al Snow, 06:26)

• On working with Matt Jones:

  “Matt's an acquired taste. Some, some of us just haven't acquired it yet.” (Al Snow, 09:14)

• On his first job:

  “It was named Parasan's Family Restaurant in the American Mall in Lima, Ohio. And I was a dishwasher back in the day... heavy on the cheese. Those dishes were tough to come clean.” (Al Snow, 19:35)

• On career advice:

  “No matter what you're doing, just go do. Go do, do something. Because you just never know the domino effect of that one little moment.” (Al Snow, 22:49)

Episode Tone & Takeaways

• The conversation is light, good-humored, and self-aware, with Al Snow’s humility and hard-earned wisdom at its core.
• Themes of persistence, unlikely breaks, and embracing one’s path—no matter how unconventional—shine through, making Al’s journey both entertaining and inspiring.
• Al champions getting out of your comfort zone and taking chances, a message he wittily links to both his career and personal philosophy.

For more episodes and updates:
Visit celebrityjobber.com or check out the Learning You trailer at learningyoumovie.com.