Sean Morley wanted to be a helicopter pilot, but instead he's taking the World Wrestling Federation to new heights with his risqu role of Val Venis.
 
    Since his introduction to the WWF more than a year ago, Val Venis -- billed as an adult film star turned wrestler -- has spent as much time in steamy back-stage segments with gorgeous women as he has in the ring.  "I absolutely hate it. It's a terrible life," joked Morley, recently from California.  "No, it's great, I love it. It is hard work, but what more can you ask for when you love what you're doing? Bring on more work."
 
    Venis and his partner the Godfather, who plays the role of a rasslin' pimp, take part in a tag team elimination championship Saturday (3 p.m.) at the Winnipeg Arena. Making it big in pro wrestling is a long shot. Even fewer enjoy instant success the way Morley has. "I think a lot of it has to do with the controversy surrounding the character Val Venis," said Morley, 28, originally from Toronto. "When the character was first developed it was really pushing the envelope."  Pushing it indeed. Scenes of Venis in bed or in the shower with wives or sisters of his rivals are common. Did Morley, who is single and nothing like the character, hesitate to take the role?
 
     "Heck no, I jumped right at it," he said. "I was working in Mexico City when Vince McMahon called me and told me about the character. It sounded good to me, so I took it." But even McMahon, WWF owner and undisputed king of the wrestling biz, couldn't predict how fans would accept Val Venis. He was supposed to be a heel, but women and men alike cheered him in droves. "I've been a heel my entire career," Morley said. "It's still beyond me as to why people actually got behind the Val Venis character. I'm just going with the flow." Venis lived in Puerto Rico for seven years, but moved to the Bahamas in July. He's been wrestling since graduating from high school in Markham, Ont.  "I was supposed to go to Colorado State for aeronautical science," he said. "I wanted to be a helicopter pilot. But after I graduated I went to England to get my first full-time wrestling job. "I figured I would go for the summer and start school in the fall, but once I started wrestling I just loved the business and stayed with it."

     Saturday's card was originally slated for May 27, but it was postponed just days before when Calgary's Owen Hart was killed in a pay-per-view event.