The Last Match: Memphis Wrestling Legends

 In this post we look at the Last Match of Memphis Wrestling Legends.

Jerry "The King" Lawler

January 21, 2023 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 
AML: Ac⁠ts Of War Games 2

defeated the Beer City Bruiser

The King is one of the most well known wrestlers in the world for not only his over 50 years in the ring but his near 30 years as a commentator in the WWE, 20 spent with partner Jim Ross.  There is no way i could summarize Lawler's career in a short paragraph, he's a former among his numerous championships that he held is is a former AWA World Heavyweight Champion.  He also held one championship 57 times that was known as the:

NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Mid-America version)

NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Memphis version)

Mid-Southern Heavyweight Championship

AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship

USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship

USWA Heavyweight Championship

MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship

Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship

Had it not been for health issues, I think Lawler would still be wrestling occasionally today.  In fact of I don't think we have actually seen the last match of Jerry "The King" Lawler, I think he has one more left in him.  The photo of us is from April 15, 2006 in Lynn, Massachusetts for Big Time Wrestling.  That night The King defeated Kamala the Ugandan Giant in a Lumberjack match. 

Sputnik Monroe

March 7, 1988 Memphis, Tennessee, Mid-South Coliseum

CWA: Continental Wrestling Association

defeated by Billy Wicks

One of the most controversial wrestlers of his area, Sputnik began wrestling in 1945 and is viewed as many as a civil rights activist for the support of his black fan base.  He captured numerous regional championships and was also inducted into the 2018 WWE Hall of Fame.  You should go watch the terrific documentary Memphis Heat where Sputnik's career is heavily covered.  He passed away in 2006 at the age of 77.

"Fabulous" Jackie Fargo

October 30, 2004 Memphis, Tennessee, Mid-South Coliseum

Memphis Wrestling Throwback Night III - "A Nightmare In Memphis" 

with Corey Maclin & Stan Lane defeat Jerry "The King" Lawler & The Rock 'n' Roll Express: Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson

The mentor of Jerry Lawler and one halve of the original Fabulous Ones, Jackie Fargo was the original King of Memphis wrestling.  He began his career in 1950 with his full time run winding down in the mid 1980's with a handful of matches before his final match in 2004.  I read he may have a had a match in 2006 but I cannot find the details of that match.  I met Jackie at the 2009 NWA Legends Fanfest where he signed this photo for me. He passed away on my birthday, June 24, 2013.

  

Jerry Jarrett

December 12, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee, Mid-South Coliseum

USWA: United States Wrestling Association

with Frank Morrell defeated Bob Armstrong & Gene Johnson

As Jerry's mother Teeny was a wrestling promoter, Jarrett first began in the wrestling business at the age of 7 selling programs.  At age 14 he began promoting his own shows and didn't set into the ring until 1965 at the age of 22 or 23.  His in ring career spanned 30 years, however he is better known today as the promoter and partial owner of numerous wrestling companies including Continental Wrestling Association, the USWA: United States Wrestling Association, and was a founder of NWA TNA.  Along the way he worked as a consultant for WCW and it was set to take over the WWF should Vince McMahon had been found guilty in the steroid trial.  He passed away in 2023 at the age of 80. 

, 

Until Next Time!

Thank you for reading, please leave a comment, check out my other posts, and if you want like my blogs Facebook page.  You can also head over to Amazon and pick up a copy of my book the 2024 Limitless Wrestling Almanac, or any of my other books.

The Last Match: 80's Big Men

It has been a very long time since I wrote a The Last Match blog post.  Recently though I came across match footage of The Big Boss Man's last match and it was in Japan.  So I took a look see and sure enough he did, so I thought it was time a new The Last Match post.

Big Boss Man Ray Traylor

August 31, 2004 Tokyo, Japan IWA Japan 10th Anniversary Show

Semi Final: defeated Freddy Krueger

Finals: was defeated by "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan for the vacant IWA World Heavyweight Championship

Hard to believe the final matches of Ray Traylor's career were in Japan, although at only age 41 when he passed away less than a month after these matches, I don't think he intended them to be.  After his WWE fun finished in 2002 he didn't wrestle again until March 2004 when he was brought to Japan for IWA.  His final tour was August 28th through the 31st.  You can find his last match on YouTube. 

"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan

May 12, 2019 Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Destiny World Wrestling

defeated by Gursinder Singh

In a career that spanned 40 years I best know Hacksaw for the 2 x 4 carrying, cross eyed, flag carrying all American WWF mid card guy.  It wasn't until many years later that I saw his Mid-South run where he was on top of the territory.  When he entered WCW I would have like to have seen him return to his Mid-South style rather than continue his WWF character.

One Man Gang

March 28, 2009 Franklin, Pennsylvania International Wrestling Cartel: Night of Legends

defeated by "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan

Also known as Akeem the African Dream, Gang wrestled for 32 years debuting in 1977 with runs in Mid-South, World Class, before going to the WWF.  He debuted as the One Man Gang in 1987 and in 1988 debuted the Akeem character, joining the Big Boss Man as the team the Twin Towers.  He left the WWF in 1990 wrestling on the independents until 2001 with a couple of short stints in WCW where he won the WCW United States Championship.

Earthquake

July 19, 2003 Tokyo, Japan All Japan Pro Wrestling

teamed with George Hines & Robbie Brookside defeated Hiroshi Hase, Masayuki Kono & Shigeo Okumura

John Tenta ending his career in Japan is fitting as he began combat sports career as a sumo wrestler in the Japan Sumo Association and in pro wrestling with All Japan Pro Wrestling.  He joined the WWF in 1989 in a very memorable segment sitting on Dino Bravo while he did pushups and then attacking the Ultimate Warrior when he attempted the same.  After a good run with the WWF he followed Hogan to WCW where he had a string of gimmick names and then had to walk around with half  beard for a few months.  His last WWF run was a member of the oddities under a mask as Golga before ending his career back in Japan with All Japan. 

Until Next Time!

Thank you for reading, please leave a comment, check out my other posts, and if you want like my blogs Facebook page.  You can also head over to Amazon and pick up a copy of my book the 2024 Limitless Wrestling Almanac, or any of my other books.

The Final Matches Of Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan is one for the greatest wrestlers of all time.  Even if you are not a fan of his in ring work, you can't deny he elevated wrestling to previously unseen heights in the 1980's national expansion of the then World Wrestling Federation, also known a when the territories died.

I was a huge Hulkamaniac when I was a kid, but even I became disenchanted with Hogan in the early 1990's and I stand by me feelings that he ruined WCW when he arrived in the promotion.  I'll also be the first to admit I popped big time during his nostalgia run in the WWE in the mid 2000's.  I was lucky enough to see him wrestle live twice during that run.

One would have thought that Hogan would have wound down his in ring career in the WWE, but sadly that was not the case.  In fact Hogan's last match was for TNA and not even in the United States.

Hulk Hogan had returned to the WWE with the NWO in 2002 and by that Summer he had returned to the Red & Yellow as a fan favorite.  He left in 2003, wrestled a match for New Japan, and returned in 2005 teaming with Shawn Michaels against Hassan & Davari at Backlash May 1st in Manchester, New Hampshire, I was at this show.  He worked more tag matches with Michaels on RAW that summer until HBK turned on Hogan leading to their match at SummerSlam that year.

Hogan left WWE after SummerSlam but returned in the Summer of 2006 at Saturday Night's Main Event setting up a match with Randy Orton in Boston at SummerSlam 2006, I was at this match as well.  This would be Hulk Hogan's final WWE match.

On April 27, 2007 Hogan wrestled what could be considered his only ever Indie show in Memphis, Tennessee.  It was supposed to be against Jerry "The King" Lawler but WWE pulled him from the event.  Hogan would pin Paul Wight to win the match.

Hogan's next series of matches would be of his own doing.  November 21, 24, 26, & 28, 2009 in Australia during the Hulkamania Let The Battle Begin Tour Hogan would wrestle and defeat Ric Flair every night.  I really can't believe that none of these shows have ever been commercially released, really seems like they dropped the ball on this.

On January 4, 2010 Hogan made is TNA television debut with the thought that he was going to be the savoir of the promotion, truth is he wasn't.  He's credited with having TNA move to Monday Nights live to go head to head with WWE, getting rid of the six sided ring, and bringing in a ton of his buddies.  In the end Hogan hurt TNA way more than he helped and it took the promotion years to recover from the damage that was inflicted.

However it would be in TNA that Hogan would wrestle his final matches:

March 8, 2010 Universal Studios, Orlando Florida

AJ Styles & "Nature Boy" Ric Flair wrestled "Immortal" Hulk Hogan & Abyss to a no contest

March 8, 2010 Universal Studios, Orlando Florida

No Disqulification: "Immortal" Hulk Hogan & Abyss defeated AJ Styles & "Nature Boy" Ric Flair

October 16, 2011 Bound For Glory Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Sting defeated "Immortal" Hulk Hogan by submission with the Scorpion Death Lock

In the build to this match Hogan had turned heel, leader of the heel faction  Immortal and was the "president" of now Impact Wrestling.  During this match if Sting won Dixie Carter would regain the presidency of the promotion.  Immortal would attack Sting post match and Hogan would make the save turning face.

January 26, 2012 Nottingham, England

"Immortal" Hulk Hogan, "Cowboy" James Storm & Sting defeated Bobby Roode, Bully Ray, & Kurt Angle

January 27, 2012 Manchester, England

"Immortal" Hulk Hogan, "Cowboy" James Storm & Sting defeated Bobby Roode, Bully Ray, & Kurt Angle

These were house show matches, and they talent on both teams was stacked, but it's not the final in ring send off that one would expect for someone the caliber of Hulk Hogan.  There is a clip from the 27th on YouTube of Hogan doing his post match pose down with James Storm and Sting while Eye of The Tiger is blaring over the sound system.

Hogan last match was released on DVD by Impact on their Hulk Hogan DVD release, so at least any major Hogan fan can own this piece of history.

Until Next Time!

The Last Match: Wrestlers that Died in 2019 Part 4

The Last Match post has returned and we are looking at more The Last Match of wrestlers that passed away in 2019.

Alexis Smirnoff 71, February 9, 1947 - January 5, 2019

Last Match: August 9, 1999 Lutte 2000 Montreal, Quebec

The Rougeaus: Jacques Sr, Jacques Jr, & Raymond defeated Alexis Smirnoff, Jimmy & Ronnie Garvin

Born Michel Lamarche in Saint-Lin, Quebec, Canada he began wrestling in Montreal in 1970 becoming a huge heel in the Quebec and the Maritimes.  Starting in 1974 he spent a couple years in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling.  In Central States Wrestling he captured their Heavyweight and tag team championships.  He traveled the territories through the end of his career making stops in All Japan, the WWF, and finished his career in New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1987.  He came out of retirement for a single match in 1999 teaming with Jimmy & Ronnie Garvin against The Rougeaus: Jacques Sr, Raymond, & Jacques Jr.

Rick Bognar 49, January 16, 1970 - September 20, 2019

Last Match: June 9, 2000 Stampede Wrestling Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Vic Viper defeated Rick Titan

Best known as the fake Razor Ramon during his 1996 - 1997 WWF run, Bognar debuted in the Canadian indies in 1988.  1991 saw him go to Japan's FMW at Big Titan capturing the Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship and tag team championships with The Gladiator Mike Awesome.  He also wrestled for CWA in Germany, ECW, AAA, & New Japan before retiring full time in 2000.

Alberto Munoz 76, January 15, 1943 - December 14, 2019

Last Match: January 11, 1980 Universal Wrestling Alliance Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico

Enrique Vera & Alberto Munoz defeated Barbaro Roman & Lobo Rubio

Debuting in 1964 for EMLL capturing the Mexican National Lightweight, Middleweight, and Welterweight championships, he was also a former NWA World Welterweight champion.  He left lucah libre in the early 1980's.

Mr. Niebla 46, February 22, 1973 - December 23, 2019

Last Match: October 20, 2019 CMLL Mexico City, Mexico

El' Terrible & Le Pesta Negra: Mr. Niebla & Rey Bucanero defeated Atlantis, Atlantis Jr., & Dulce Gardenia 2 falls to 1

Born in Mexico City, Mexico he debuted in lucha libre on November 11, 1990. From 1995 until the end of his career he primarily wrestled for CMLL, save 2007-08 when he left the promotion for Lucha Libre AAA.  He won several championships in CMLL including their Heavyweight Championship holding the championship for 543 days.  He passed away unexpectedly from a blood infection.

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page, check out my weekly podcast The Wrestling Insomniac on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network and while your at it pick up my book over at Amazon in Kindle or Paperback.

Until next time!!

The Last Match: Wrestlers that Died in 2019 Part 3

The Last Match post has returned and we are looking at more The Last Match of wrestlers that passed away in 2019.

Jacques Rougeau Sr 89, May 27, 1930 - July 1, 2019

Last Match: August 9, 1999 Lutte 2000 Montreal, Quebec
The Rougeaus: Jacques Sr, Jacques Jr, & Raymond defeated Alexis Smirnoff, Jimmy & Ronnie Garvin

Rougeau stopped wrestling full time in 1975, returned for three matches in 1984, one match in 1986 and then his Last Match.

Jacques Sr, the father of the Fabulous Rougeau Brothers: Jacques Jr & Raymond debuted in 1956 teaming with his brother Johnny.  I guess they were the original Fabulous Rougeau Brothers, I have no evidence that they wrestled under that name.  His third son Armand was also a wrestler but never reached the heights of his brothers.

Perro Aguayo 73, January 18, 1946 - July 3, 2019

Last Match: July 14, 2007 Full Contact Wrestling Los Angeles, California
Perro Aguayo, Dos Caras, Mil Mascaras & Sicodelico Jr. defeated El Hijo del Cien Caras & Los Hermanos Dinamita: Cien Caras, Masacara Ano 2000 & Universo 2000

The Mexican legend Aguayo debuted in 1968.  Over his 30 plus year career he competed in UWA, EMLL, WWA, AAA, World Wrestling Council, the WWE, NWA, NJPW and more.  He captured numerous championships all over Mexico in the middleweight and heavyweight divisions.

The King, Handsome Harley Race 76, April 11, 1943 - August 1, 2019

Last Match: November 28, 1993 WCW Jacksonville, Florida
WCW World Champion: "Nature Boy" Ric Flair defeated Harley Race by disqualification

Harley Race is one of the greatest NWA World Heavyweight Champions of all time!  He debuted in 1960 and wrestled his final matches in November 1993 filing in for an injured Vader against Ric Flair.  He wrestled for all the major promotions across the United States and around the world.  Aside from being a multi time NWA World Champion, he captured championships everywhere he went, All Japan, the AWA, Central States Wrestling, Championship Wrestling from Florida, Georgia Championship Wrestling, and more.

I can't do Mr. Race justice with this write up, Ellbow Productions made a fantastic documentary on him and Mr. Race wrote and excellent book that is well worth the read.  I met him once over the weekend of NWA Legends Fanfest 2009 in Charlotte.  My buddy smoked at the time and so more than once we ran into Mr. Race in the smoking area where he took his time telling us stories of his wrestling career.  It was amazing.

Eddie Marlin 89, August 13, 1930 - August 15, 2019

Last Match: January 4, 1993 USWA Mid-South Coliseum Memphis, Tennessee
Bert Prentice & Leslie Belanger defeated Eddie Marlin & Miss Texas

Former wrestler and promoter Marlin is the father-in-law of Jerry Jarrett and grandfather of Jeff Jarrett.  He wrestled for NWA territories before joining Jerry Jarrett's Continental Wrestling Associate based out of Memphis, TN.

Edward Baxter 81, June 4, 1938 - August 15, 2019

Last Match: July 26, 1978 Southeastern Championship Wrestling, Mobile, Alabama
Ron Fuller defeated The Wrestling Pro

Wrestled under a mask as the Wrestling Pro and later Tarzan Baxter along with other names.  He debuted in 1963 staying primarily in the Gulf Coast area of Florida and Alabama winning numerous regional NWA Championships and feuded with Jack Brisco for the NWA World's Championship.  He left the ring in 1978, however would frequent many of the Gulf Coast Wrestlers Reunions.

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page, check out my weekly podcast The Wrestling Insomniac on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network and while your at it pick up my book over at Amazon in Kindle or Paperback.

Until next time!!

The Last Match: Wrestlers that Died in 2019 Part 2

The Last Match post has returned and we are looking at more The Last Match of wrestlers that passed away in 2019.

Salvatore Bellomo 67, June 18, 1951 - February 9, 2019

Last Match: October 19, 2018 Power of Wrestling Hanover, Germany
Team Vespermann: Chris Raaber, Demolition Davies, Franz Schuhmann, & James Mason defeated Team Backhaus: Brody Steele, Fabio Ferrari, Nik Hellstrom, & Salvatore Bellomo

Born in Belgium he began wrestling in 1974.  In 1983 he joined the WWF where I remember him as enhancement talent to stars.  In 1993 he reinvented himself as an unpredictable Wildman losing to Jimmy Snuka in a match to declare the first ever ECW Champion.  He returned to Belgium in early 2000's where he opened a wrestling school and continued wrestling with his last match being in October 2018.

John Quinn 78, October 15, 1941 - April 22, 2019

Last Match: September 16, 1989 Pacific Coast Championship Wrestling Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

John Quinn wrestling Igor Volkoff to a double disqualification

Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Quinn debuted in the ring in 1961 debuting in the WWWF in 1965.  Through out his career he wrestled in World Class, Georgia Championship Wrestling, and various NWA territories.  In 1977 he toured Japan and later the United Kingdom winning the Joint Promotions Heavyweight Championship 4 times.

Silver King 51, January 9, 1968 - May 11, 2019

Last Match: May 11, 2019 Lucha Libra World London, England
Juventud Guerrera defeated Silver King

Earlier in the night he competed in a tag team battle royal that was won by Laredo Kid & El Hijo Del Fantasma

Cesar Cuauhtemoc Gonzales Barron, better known as Silver King died in the ring at a Lucha Libre World show in London, England during a match with Juventud Guerrera.  It was his second match of the day.  In the US he is best known from his time in WCW as part of the many luchadores that WCW signed in the mid 1990's.  He also starred as Ramses in the Jack Black picture Nacho Libre.

Atsushi Aoki 41, September 25, 1977 - June 3, 2019

Last Match: June 2, 2019 All Japan Pro Wrestling, Kobe, Japan
Jake Lee, Koji Iwamoto, & Nobe Bryant defeated Hiraku Sato, Yusuke Okada, & Atsushi Aoki

Aoki was trained by Jun Akiyama debuting for Pro Wrestling NOAH on Christmas Eve 2005 and was with the promotion for 7 years with his final match being on Christmas Eve 2012.  While in NOAH he captured the Junior Heavyweight Championship twice.  He debuted in January 2013 for All Japan Pro Wrestling becoming a 4 time World Junior Heavyweight Champion.  He captured other championships in NOAH, AJPW, and AAA in Mexico.  He died in a motorcycle crash.

Adrian McCallum 36, December 17, 1982 - June 19, 2019

Last Match: June 16, 2019 Insane Championship Wrestling Glasgow, Scotland 
ICW World Heavyweight Champion: Lionheart defeated European Champion: Alexander Dean to unify the championships

McCallum wrestled as Lionheart in the UK debuting in 2002 wrestling his last match three days before his death on June 16, 2019 defeating Alexander Dean in Glasgow, Scotland winning the European Championship while retaining his ICW World Heavyweight Championship.  During his career he captured eighteen championships from twelve different promotions.

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page, check out my weekly podcast The Wrestling Insomniac on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network and while your at it pick up my book over at Amazon in Kindle or Paperback.

Until next time!!

The Last Match: Wrestlers that Died in 2019 Part 1

For the first time in almost a year The Last Match post has returned and we are looking The Last Match of wrestlers that passed away in 2019.

Les Thornton 84, April 9, 1934 - February 1, 2019

Last Match Canadian National Wrestling Alliance Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Les Thornton & Bob Brown defeated Makhan Singh & Ron Ritchie

Born in Manchester, England he began his wrestling career in 1957.  He is a former five time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion.  He wrestled and held numerous championships across Great Britain, Canada, and the United States.  Thornton was wrestling for Georgia Championship Wrestling when the WWF bought GCW out.  As a result he joined the WWF, where he was treated as enhancement talent for the last couple years of his career.  He was the tag team partner of Mick Foley, wrestling as Jack Foley in his WWF debut against The British Bulldogs.

Pedro Morales 76, October 22, 1942 - February 12, 2019

Last Match
November 16, 1987 WWF East Rutherford, New Jersey
Lou Thesz won a Legends Battle Royal

July 17, 1987 WWF Long Island, New York
"Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff defeated Pedro Morales

From Culebra, Puerto Rico Morales debuted in 1959 at the age of 17.  He would wrestle in several territories before joining the then WWWF in 1970.  On February 8, 1971 he defeated Ivan Koloff to win the WWWF World Championships enjoying a near 3 year run holding it for 1,027 days.  He traveled to NWA San Francisco, the AWA, Championship Wrestling from Florida, & New Japan before returning to the now WWF in 1980.  He and then WWF Champion Bob Backlund defeated the Wild Samoans for the WWF Tag Team Championships on August 9, 1980 but were forced to relinquish the championships as Backlund was World Champion.

Pedro would go onto capture the Intercontinental Championship two times, December 8, 1980 - June 20, 1981 & November 23, 1981 - January 22, 1983.  Making him one of the greatest WWE Champions of all time.  After leaving the ring he did Spanish Language commentary for the WWE and later WCW.  He was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1995.

King Kong Bundy 61, November 7, 1957 - March 4, 2019

Last Match
May 12, 2007 Big Time Wrestling Springfield, Massachusetts
King Kong Bundy defeated Richard Byrne  
Christopher Pallies debuted in 1981 after training with Larry Sharpe at the Monster Factory.  He is perhaps best known for headlining WrestleMania 2 wrestling Hulk Hogan in a Steel Cage for the WWE Championship.  He wrestled in various territories through-out his career capturing many regional championships.  He returned to the WWE for a year in 1994 - 95 joining the Million Dollar Corporation.  He was very successful in the independent scene from 1995 - 2007.  He appeared on the television shows Married With Children and Boy Meets World.

I saw Bundy wrestle live six times from 1998 to 2007 on the independents.  My interactions with him were all positive, he was a really nice guy and was very approachable.  I was even at his second to last match in April 2007 for BTW in Framingham, Massachusetts

The Destroyer 88, July 11, 1930 - March 7, 2019

Last Match
July 29, 1993 All Japan Pro Wrestling Tokyo, Japan
The Destroyer, Kurt Beyer, & Giant Baba defeated Haruka Eigen, Masanobu Fuchi, & Masao Inoue

Dick Beyer debuted December 29, 1954.  He began his career in WWA in California winning their World Championship three times.  While wrestling in WWA as The Destroyer he wrestled in the AWA as Dr. X where he also held their World Championship.  As popular as The Destroyer was it can be said that his arrival in Japan in 1973 is when it career exploded.  He spent six straight years in Japan even hosting his own late night television show.

He wrestled is final match in 1993 in Japan teaming with is son Kurt and Giant Baba.  After his retirement Beyer open The Destroyer Golf Park and ran several charitable events.  In 2017 he was in Japan he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun.

Roger Kirby 79, December 14, 1939 - March 18, 2019

Last Match
July 16, 1988 World Wrestling Alliance Kansas City, Kansas
Solomon Grundy defeated The Red Destroyer
Debuting in 1960 after being a Golden Gloves boxer Kirby traveled the territories doing well in Georgia, Florida, Oregon, Minnesota, and Kansas City.  On May 20, 1971 he defeated Danny Hodge to capture the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship.  In Central States Wrestling Kirby cleaned winning all of their championships including their heavyweight title five times.

Kriby wound his career down in the WWE wrestling his last match in 1986.  He stated that he wanted to be remembered as a top wrestler and not climb back down the ladder in the WWF.

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page, check out my weekly podcast The Wrestling Insomniac on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network and while your at it pick up my book over at Amazon in Kindle or Paperback.

Until next time!!

The Last Match: Stars of the 1950's

It's the return of The Last Match and in this post I take a look at wrestling stars of the 1950's.

Haystacks Calhoun

August 29, 1980 Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada AGPW: Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling

defeated Goldie Rogers

Born William Calhoun on August 3, 1934 in McKinney, Texas he began wrestling in 1955 under former NWA World Champion Orville Brown.  During his 25 year career he captured several tag team championships including the NWA Florida, NWA Canadian, Mid Atlantic, WWA, and WWF tag titles.  He held the WWF titles with Tony Garea for 104 days.   He passed away on December 7, 1989 at the age of 55.

This was his last singles match, he won two battle royals on September 4 & 18 in New Glaslow & Halifax, Nova Scotia.

  

Gorgeous George

November 7, 1962 Los Angeles, California WWA: World Wrestling Alliance

was defeated by The Destroyer in a Mask vs. Hair match

Born George Wagner on March 24, 1915 and got his start in wrestling at the age of 14 working the carnival circuit.  After becoming a solid in ring worker he debuted his Human Orchid persona in 1941 fast becoming the top heel where ever he appeared.  Sadly George suffered from alcoholism which brought not only is in ring career but his life to and end.  He passed away on December 26, 1963 at the young age of 48.

Antonino Rocca

October 16, 1976 Bayamon, Puerto Rico WWC: World Wrestling Council
with Jose Miguel Perez they were defeated by Higo Hamaguchi & Gordon Nelson for the NWA North American Tag Team Championships

Born in Italy on April 13, 1921 he moved to Argentina before World War II, it was here that he was trained in the ring by Stanislaus Zbyszko.  He moved to the Texas area in the 1940's and in 1949 the New York territory for Capitol Wrestling, the precursor to the now WWE.  He headlined Madison Square Garden and became a huge box office draw in New York during the 1950's.  In the 1960's and 1970's he worked in Japan first as a wrestler and then a referee and was one of the first foreign wrestlers in New Japan Pro Wrestling.  He passed away at the age of 55 on March 15. 1977

Ricki Starr

August 7, 1975 Jersey City, New Jersey IWA: International Wrestling Association

defeated Bull Johnson

Born Bernard Herman in 1931 he became an amateur boxer winning numerous championships before becoming a celebrated ballet dancer touring Europe.  He transitioned this dance style into his wrestling matches when he debuted in 1953.  He was a high flyer long before they became popular.  He toured the United Kingdom as well as Germany, France, Turkey and other countries.  After retiring from wrestling in the 1970's he stayed in he UK.  He died September 20, 2014 at the age of 83.

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page and while you're at it check out my weekly podcast The Wrestling Insomniac on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network. 

Until next time!

The Last Match: Japanese Legends

It's been a long time since I made a post about The Last Match and it's time to bring it back.  This time I'm digging deep and looking at some of the Legends of Japanese wrestling.

Rikidozan

December 7, 1963 JWA Hamamatsu, Japan
with Michiaki Yoshimura & The Great Togo wrestled Buddy Austin, Ilio DiPaolo, & The Destroyer to a 60 minute time limit draw

The Father of Puroresu debuted in 1951 was a former Sumo wrestler before making the change to the squared circle.  He established the promotion Nihon Puroresu Kyokai  or Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance and established a training school.  He captured many championships in the Japan and a few in the United States.

He died December 15, 1963 from peritonitis a week after being stabbed by Yakuza member Katsuji Murata in a Tokyo nightclub on December 8th.

Antonio Inoki

April 4, 1998 NJPW Tokyo Dome, Japan
defeated Don Frye

Inoki began his training with Rikidozan in 1960 at the age of 17.  What he is best know for is his June 26, 1976 shoot match against Muhammad Ali that was not good.  He is also known for founding New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1972.

In 1995 he stages the two day wrestling festival for peace in Pyongyang, North Korea that drew a combined 340,000 fans to the two events and saw Inoki defeated Ric Flair in their only match against each other.

A multiple time champion with titles from around the world he is also one of only a few people to be inducted into both he WCW & WWE Hall of Fame's.
 

Shohei "Giant" Baba

December 5, 1998 Tokyo, Japan
with Mitsuo Momota & Rusher Kimura defeated Haruka Eigen, Masanobu Fuchi, & Tsuyoshi Kikuchi

Trained by Rikidozan alongside Antonio Inoki both men debuted on the same night.  In 1972 several months after Inoki launched NJPW Baba opened his own promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling.  Holding several championships in Japan he was also a three time NWA World Heavyweight Champion.

Baba died January 31, 1999 at the age of 61 from cancer.

Toyonobori

February 20, 1973 NJPW Yokohama, Japan
defeated  Bruno Bekkar

A former Sumo wrestler he turned to professional wrestling in 1954 joining the JWA.  He became the second most popular wrestler in Japan behind Rikidozan, the two of them held multiple All Asia Tag Team Championships.

After Rikidozan's death Toyonobori and others would continue running JWA where he became the number one draw for a few years.  In 1966 he formed Tokyo Pro Wrestling but it folded in less than a year.  He announced his retirement in 1970 but came out of retirement two years later when Inoki launched NJPW to help provide name value for his cards.

He died on July 1, 1998 from heart failure.

Toyonobori is often overlooked in the history of Japanese wrestling for the layperson.  Most all have heard of Rikidozan and his two prize students Inoki and Baba who would go on to form the two biggest promotions in the history of Japan.  I can't find any of his matches on New Japan World but there are some on YouTube.

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page and while you're at it check out my weekly podcast Podcast of 1,000 Holds on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network. 

Later Readers!

The Last Match: AWA World Champions

In this post we take a look at The Last Matches of former World Champions of the American Wrestling Association.

Verne Gagne

June 29, 1986 AWA Denver, Colorado
with Greg Gagne & "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka defeated Boris Zhukov, North The Barbarian, & Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissie

Ten time AWA World Champion for a combined reign of 4,677 days

Gagne was a celebrated amateur wrestler including being an alternate for the 1948 US Olympic Wrestling team.  He turned pro in 1949 founding the AWA in 1960.  Gagne awarded current NWA Champion Pat O'Connor the AWA World Championship stating that if he didn't defend it against Gagne in 90 days he would be stripped of the title.  O'Connor didn't so the AWA awarded the championship to Gagne.

I recommend watching the WWE's documentary The Spectacular Legacy of the AWA for a detailed history of the Gagne and his promotion.  Gagne passed away April 27, 2015 at the age of 89.
 

Nick Bockwinkel

May 23, 1993 WCW Slamboree 1993, Atlanta, Georgia
wrestled Dory Funk Jr. to a 15 time limit draw

Four time AWA World Champion for a combined right of 2,990 days

To me Mr. Bockwinkel is the most sophisticated wrestler there has ever been.  His dress, his demeanor, his promo style, and even his in ring style displayed this in all footage I have ever seen of him.  Trained by Lou Thesz he debuted in 1955 and traveled around the country including feuding with Dory Funk Jr over the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

In 1970 he joined the AWA teaming with Ray Stevens being managed by Bobby "The Brain" Heenan.  He won his first AWA World Championship on November 8, 1975 holding it for 1,714 days and during this title run he wrestled WWF Champion: Bob Backlund to a double count out in a unification match on March 25, 1979 in Toronto.  Bockwinkel passed away on November 14, 2015 at the age of 80.

The Crusher

February 15, 1988 WWE, Omaha, Nebraska
with Ken Patera defeated Demolition: Ax & Smash by disqualification

Three time AWA World Champion for a combined reign of 122 days

The first blur collar wrestler and arguable to most famous wrestler from Milwaukee The Crusher began his career in 1949.  The Crusher started as a heel, but in the mid 1960's became a babyface for the remainder of his career achieving a level fandom few do.  He had a very unique and entertaining promo style.  If you're not familiar take the time to YouTube some of them.  The Crusher died October 22, 2005 from a brain tumor at the age of 79.

Dick The Bruiser

February 4, 1988 AWA, Minneapolis, Minnesota
defeated Sheik Adnan Al-Kassie by disqualification

AWA World Champion November 12 - 19, 1966.

The Bruiser wrestled for thirty years starting in the mid 1950's primarily known for his tag team with The Crusher the duo are 12 time tag team champions.  The Bruiser also ran his own Indianapolis based  World Wrestling Association promotion from March 1964 until his death November 10, 1991 at the age of 62.

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page and while you're at it check out my weekly podcast Podcast of 1,000 Holds on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network. 

Later Readers!

The Last Match: Legends of the AWA

In this post we take a look at the Legends of the American Wrestling Association.  These men may have wrestled elsewhere in their career, but when I think of them in my mind the AWA was there home.

Greg Gagne

May 4, 1991 AWA, Bloomington, Minnesota
with Wahoo McDaniel defeated The Destruction Crew: Mike Enos & Wayne Bloom

Gagne debuted in 1972 for the AWA the promotion that he primarily competed until his retirement in 1991.  He is a two time AWA International Television Champion and two time Tag Team Champion with Jim Brunzell as the High Flyers.

Larry "The Ax" Hennig

January 30, 1986 AWA, Peoria, Illinois
with Scott Hall defeated Sheik Adnan Al-Kassie & The Mongolian Stomper

The Ax debuted in 1963 for the AWA after being trained by Verne Gagne.  He traveled around the territories and had a successful tag team with Harley Race in the mid to late 60's.  In 1982 he held the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championships with his son Curt for 6 days from April 27 - May 1st.

Baron Von Raschke

February 10, 1996 Superstars of Wrestling  Princeton, West Virginia
defeated David Lynch

Raschke debuted in 1966 after being trained by Verne Gagne & Mad Dog Vachon.  He held numerous championships around the territories.  His dreaded claw hold was censored on WWWF television for the blood it drew.  He headlined Madison Square Garden on March 28 and April 25, 1977 being defeated by champion Bruno Sammartino in both bouts.  A documentary on Raschke called The Claw is currently in post production, I'm looking forward to checking it out.

"Pretty Boy" Doug Somers

October 30, 2011 Rampage Pro Wrestling/ NWA Warner Robins, Georgia
defeated by Frankie Valentine in a First Blood match

I don't know a lot about Doug Somers but this is what I have been able to find.  He started wrestling sometime between 1971 - 1973 in Florida.  He wrestled for the Crockett's, Portland Wrestling, and the AWA.  In 1986 he began teaming with "Playboy" Buddy Rose in the AWA where they would go on to win the Tag Team Championships.  They would feud with the Midnight Rockers: Marty Jannetty & Shawn Michaels in Somers most famous march the bloody Las Vegas Showboat casino.

In 1989 he toured All Japan wrestling, WCW in late 1991, and the WWE in 1992.  He returned to wrestling after a 16 year absence in 2008 for a match and then more steady in 2010 & 2011.  I always enjoyed watching Somers in the ring he was extremely underrated and it would be nice to have learned more about his career.  Sadly Somers died earlier this year on May 16, 2017 at the age of 65.

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page and while you're at it check out my weekly podcast Podcast of 1,000 Holds on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network. 

Later Readers!

The Last Match: WCW Mid-Carders of the 90's

In this edition of The Last Match I explore a few of WCW's mid-carders of the 90's.  Let's face it, WCW was never really known for building stars, but they did have a few gimmicky mid-carders that are memorable.

Johnny B. Badd
March 5, 2006 World Wrestling Legends, Orlando, Florida
with Russ Rollins defeated Normal Smiley & The Blue Meanie

Marc Mero began his wrestling career in 1990 training with the Malenkos.  After working as a jobber for WCW he was signed to a contract and made his debut as Johnny B. Badd at the first SuperBrawl. He would become a three time WCW World Television Champion before leaving in 1996. 

He would go one to join the WWE for three years and then make a single appearance return in WCW where he looked to challenge Tank Abbott but nothing ever came of it.  He would show up sporadically in TNA from 2004 - 2005 as Johnny B. Badd.  He is now a motivational speaker.

The Equalizer
August 20, 1997 PWA, Kingsburg, NJ
was defeated by JL Superstar

William Danenhauer was trained by Len Denton debuting in 1989 traveling around the independents, Germany and Japan.  He would debut in WCW in 1993 as The Equalizer.  In 1994 he would be repackaged as the simply minded Dave Sullivan the dyslexic brother of Kevin Sullivan often referring to himself as Evad. He was also Hulk Hogan's number 1 fan.  He and Kevin would eventually feud over Kevin's hate for Evad's hero.  His last appearance in WCW was the World War III 60 man battle royal in 1996

"Das Wunderkind" Alex Wright
May 13, 2003 NAWA Rock N' Wrestling Night 5, Uelzen, Germany
defeated Chris The Bambikiller

Trained by his father he wrestled his first match at just 16 in Germany in 1991.  He was signed by WCW in 1994 at just 19 and debuted as Das Wunderkind.  At Starrcade 1994 he defeated Jean Paul Levesque (Triple H) in his first ever PPV match. 

He would flounder on the mid-card for the next several years a baby face and heel winning the WCW World Television, Cruiserweight, and Tag Team Championships holding them for a combined 51 days.

In 1999 he would return under a new gimmick as Berlyn, he had a new look, refused to speak English instead being accompanied by a female interpreter and a bodyguard called The Wall. This character didn't last very long and he went back to being Alex Wright.  It's a shame because I really like the Berlyn character, also I thought Wright was good in the ring but his talent was wasted.  He stayed with WCW until the WWE buyout returning to Germany to eventually starting his own promotion. 

Maxx Payne
July 20, 1996 CWA Catch Cup 1996, Wien, Austria
defeated Ulf Hermann in a street fight

Darryl Petersen was trained by Red Bastien debuting in 1987.  He would travel to New Japan Pro Wrestling training in their dojo.  He took on the persona of Maxx Payne a heavy metal guitarist wrestling in the Continental Wrestling Association winning their championships.  In 1992  he toured Germany with Catch Wrestling winning their championships.

In 1993 - 1994 he wrestled for WCW his best known match was a Chicago Street Fight teaming with Cactus Jack in a losing effort against the Tag Team Champions: The Nasty Boys at Spring Stampede 1994.  He was released in 1994 signing with the WWF as Man Mountain Rock leaving the promotion after a year.  

Van Hammer
April 11, 2009 Maryland Championship Wrestling, Dundalk, Maryland
defeated Champ Champagne

Mark Hildreth was trained by Boris Malenko debuting in 1991.  That same year he was signed by WCW has Heavy Metal Van Hammer.  He would have an impressive start racking up a string of victories over the likes of Terry Taylor, Cactus Jack, and other before being defeated by Jack at Clash of the Champions XVII.  That would be the highlight of his career.  He would leave WCW in 1993, returning in 1994 until early 1995.  He would return in November 1997 as a member of Raven's flock, then join the Misfits in Action before being released in July 2000. 

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page.

Later Readers!