February 1999 WWF Raw Magazine Page 42 - 45 THE SECRET SERVICE OF THE FEDERATION... To Silently Protect. By Kevin Kelly Possibly one of the strongest men working for the World Wrestling Federation is somebody the fans are never suppossed to see. Covered in muscles, shrouded in long hair and tattoos, the man responsible for co-ordinating the safety of everybody at a World Wrestling Federation event is out of sight, but impossible to miss. His name is Jim Dotson. At first glance this veritable bull of a man looks like trouble, instead of the one who prevents it. i got the idea for this article by seeing him in action. Following a RAW taping, I was leaving the building at the same time as Mr. McMahon and his associates. Jim stopped a wall of people and parted them like Moses did that famous body of water. No incidents would befall the Chariman of the Board on this night. The Chairman of "Protective Services" was on the case. A Huge right forearm extends a massive hand. Thankfully, Jim Dotson is offering it to me as a greeting, not a warning. Soft-spoken, humble, but infinitely confident, Dotson, described a Federation event as a combination of "a rock concert, New Year's Eve and Halloween." His meeting with me is midway through a 16-hour day for the Federation's Head of Protective Services. His is one of the many jobs that are less than glamorous, but necessary for a live event to take place. Earlier in the morning, Dotson arrived and met with the head of the building. It was a brand- new facility on the campus of Ohio State Universtiy, and there were still an army of construction people putting the finishing touches on the beautiful new home of the Buckeyes and the World Wrestling Federation on this night. All that work would have to stop and those doing the work would need to leave by a set time. It was up to Dotson to ensure that the building's manager carried out his game plan. Nothing is left to chance. According to Dotson, everybody's safety is at stake. From there, his eyes and ears are wide open as the Federation Superstars begin to arrive. After making certain that the building follows his directions on crowd-control issues, Dotson focuses his attention on the stars of the show. The graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and former football player for the Moccasins looks like one of the men he's hired to protect. "So," I asked, "If you are responsible for 'protection,' then why don't you get into the ring and break apart disputes involving Federation Superstars?" Dotson replied, "It's interesting that you ask me that because I cannot allow myself to become personally involved due to the fact that I have an entire arena to be concerned about. [The Federation Superstars'} issues are not my issues. I have to be very fair in what I do. Therefore, I stay very neutral with the personal issues." That neutrality comes into play when he has to provide protective services for Vince McMahon in New York City's Times Square, as well as for Stone Cold Steve Austin at the Billboard Music Awards. He can't afford to get involved. This reminds me of the Secret Service. Rarely seen, but always there. Dotson agreed, but he was quick to downplay his role. Dotson said he now handles about 90 percent of his confrontations verbally. Occasionally a fan might get out of control and jump over the railing, for example. It's Dotson's job to restrain the fan until the police can take over. With a blend of disarming charm and a study of martial arts based-joint manipulation he handles adversity with minimal impact on the offender. But, it hasn't always been that was for the man who has spent 14 years in the field. "During the early days, I did have a bit of an 'ego problem'," Dotson explained. "I think that everyone [in this field] does, but you grow out of it and I don't have an ego problem now. Being six feet and over 260 pounds, there are times where I am challenged...verbally. If someone wants to call me something, I know they don't know me personally. but when I was working my way through school...at some events that were in a hostile environment, there was a time when I tried to satisfy my ego. But when you've been doing this as long as I have, you grow out of it." It would be easy to mistake Dotson for a Federation Superstar. he gets asked for his autograph quite often. Fans run up to him and ask him who he is. he proudly says, "I'm Jim Dotson, Protective Services." For a man who had an ego ehich got him into trouble when he was younger, he states that he is proud of who he is and what he has done for the last 14 years. He was a high school football star, played MTSU and earned his degree while working and playing ball. He does have a lot to be proud of. But would there ever be a day when the man providing the protection would want to emerge from the shadows and become one of the superstars he is paid to protect? He has the look, the athletic background... Quickly he cut me off, "Never. That is a different breed of cat and I have no interest in tangling with one of those tigers!" I asked the question again, but in a hypothetical fashion. "What would happen if you tangled with one of those tigers, hypothetically?" Dotson paused...and responded, "Hypothetically?... They'll be provided with protective services..." Interview over. Time for the show. I can't help but wonder if that "ego problem" is completely gone. i wonder if the adoring fans of Steve Austin or DX make Dotson yearn for the days when he was the star on the gridiron. They say that once you get a taste of stardom you never forget what it's like... In the meantime, I feel very safe with Jim Dotson, Protective Services, in control. 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