At 6’5” and 265 pounds, “Lord” Athol Layton cut quite the imposing figure in 1948, the year he became a professional wrestler. Born in Surrey, England in 1921, Layton moved to Australia with his parents at the age of 13. After high school, he served in the Australian Imperial Forces during World War II, where… Continue reading Whether A Dastardly Heel Or A Beloved Babyface, “Lord” Athol Layton Won Titles And Filled Arenas
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Whether Good Or Evil, Powerhouse Hercules Ayala Thrilled Wrestling Fans Throughout Canada & Puerto Rico
So intense had the hatred gotten that Hércules Ayala had to be flanked by several other wrestlers; backup, should a mob of incensed fans rush him during the time it took him to get from the locker room to the ring. Carlos Colón, the man who had carried WWC on his back for close to… Continue reading Whether Good Or Evil, Powerhouse Hercules Ayala Thrilled Wrestling Fans Throughout Canada & Puerto Rico
From Alabama To “Hollywood”, John Tatum Whined And Whimpered His Way To Championship Gold
Throughout the history of professional wrestling, the chickenshit would almost certainly have to be considered the most despised of all the archetypes represented in the sport. Monsters are understandable: big, scary creatures capable of laying the wood to your favorite ‘white hat’ through sheer superhuman power. Athletic superior heels are equally understandable, making use of… Continue reading From Alabama To “Hollywood”, John Tatum Whined And Whimpered His Way To Championship Gold
Don’t Go Messin’ With A Country Boy: The Wrestling Life Of Hillbilly Jim
One of a very small list of pro wrestlers about whom no one has a bad word to say, Hillbilly Jim has spent close to 40 years as a wrestler, manager, TV host and ambassador in a sport he more fell into rather than actively pursued. Born Jim Morris of Scottsville, Kentucky, he was an… Continue reading Don’t Go Messin’ With A Country Boy: The Wrestling Life Of Hillbilly Jim
The Meteoric Rise & Stunning Fall Of Fred Kohler’s NWA Chicago Wrestling Empire
On June 29th, 1961, the NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion Pat O’Connor stood across the ring from “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers. In front of a raucous Comiskey Park crowd of 38,622 fans, the men wrestled a Two out of Three Falls Match that lasted 21:30 minutes and ended with Rogers picking up the final pinfall, becoming… Continue reading The Meteoric Rise & Stunning Fall Of Fred Kohler’s NWA Chicago Wrestling Empire
Surfers And Ninjas And Bikers, Oh My! – The Wrestling Life Of Brian “Crush” Adams
At 6’5” and 315 pounds with good looks and an athletic background, it’s hard to believe Brian Adams never got that signature run with either WWF or WCW that could have potentially made him a main event wrestler. Poor timing, poor gimmicks and poor decisions likely had plenty to do with him never reaching the… Continue reading Surfers And Ninjas And Bikers, Oh My! – The Wrestling Life Of Brian “Crush” Adams
“Hacksaw” Butch Reed: A Natural At Making Money While Making You Hate His Guts
A Dog Collar Match, a 10 ft. chain... You know somethin', Junkyard Dog, you ain't housebroken yet, that's your problem! You ain't learned to go in and out of the house when you're supposed to, ya understand, so, the dogcatcher, Butch Reed, is gonna have to teach you some manners! - Butch Reed From as… Continue reading “Hacksaw” Butch Reed: A Natural At Making Money While Making You Hate His Guts
When Old School Heat-Seeking Met Corporate America: The Night The Road Warriors Blinded Dusty Rhodes
I've been battered, I've been beat, I've been scraped and I've been cut. You should have made it a point to get both eyes, because when I get up in the morning and look at my children out of one eye, I think of you, Road Warriors! I'm gonna take a lot from you. My… Continue reading When Old School Heat-Seeking Met Corporate America: The Night The Road Warriors Blinded Dusty Rhodes
The Weight Of Family Legacy: The All Too Short Life Of Mike Von Erich
Michael Hayes, I came here just for an interview, but I have my stuff in the back and if you want someone to wrestle, I'll wrestle you. - Mike Von Erich On June 18th, 1983, the legendary Kerry Von Erich married Catherine Murray. After spending their honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, the couple returned to… Continue reading The Weight Of Family Legacy: The All Too Short Life Of Mike Von Erich
The Death Of Ray Gunkel & How It Catapulted Ox Baker Into Pro Wrestling Infamy
On June 30th, 1972, Ray Gunkel climbed into the Municipal Auditorium ring in Atlanta, Georgia to wrestle Ox Baker for the NWA Brass Knuckles Championship. He supposedly wasn’t even meant to be in the match. Four days prior, Baker had won the title from Beppo Mongol (who would go on to greater fame as Nikolai… Continue reading The Death Of Ray Gunkel & How It Catapulted Ox Baker Into Pro Wrestling Infamy
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