Eddie Sullivan vs The Tornado

Eddie Sullivan wrestled a load of respected people in his long career. Tommy Rich, The Medics, Terry Funk, Like Graham, Chris Colt, Cowboy Bob Kelly, Cowboy Bob Ellis, Giant Baba, Rocky Johnson, Len Rossi, Jerry Lawler, Tito Montez, Ripper Collins, Jody Arnold, Jerry Graham, Bearcat Brown, Jackie Fargo, Plow Boy Frazier,  Don Fargo...

His toughest opponent, however, would understandably have been a tornado.

Sullivan would tell the story, but somehow manage to downplay his own heroics within. The fact of the matter was he saved many lives single-handed.

When he was away from his Arizona base, wrestling in Pensacola, Florida, a tornado truck and included the trailer court where he was living within its path. Rather than ducking for cover, Sullivan left his own safety behind and started pulling people from the rubble of other demolished dwellings, including a little girl.

"The wind was still so strong it actually lifted and twirled me over like I was a pinwheel," Sullivan recalled. He also admitted he should have been afraid as that would have been common sense, but was acting on the   pure passion of the moment, upon seeing others in danger.

The incident would have made a good film, In fact, the life of Eddie Sullivan would make a good film in its own right.

"I faced Terry Funk for the NWA World Title in Mobile, Alabama," was usually Eddie's answer when asked about his toughest opponent.

On the other hand, I would contend Eddie's toughest or certainly most dangerous  opponent would have been that twister in Pensacola. Where he did not win that night in Mobile he was always talking  about against Funk, he certainly prevailed against Mother Nature in his Floridian adventure.