Hollywood Hippie Bill Smithson died in Tennessee this week. Though a mainstay in the southern states, he also made appearances in northern Arizona, Utah and Wyoming.
There are no other details available.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Steve Gator Wolf Recovering
On March 1, Steve Gator Wolf was in a major truck accident and has been in the hospital, but is recovering rapidly.
He is expected to be released in a few days.
Gator Wolf ran his own shows in Arizona in the 1990s and beyond, while wrestling earlier for other promoters in the area. past opponents included JT Law, Jody Arnold, The Lumberjacks and more.
He is expected to be released in a few days.
Gator Wolf ran his own shows in Arizona in the 1990s and beyond, while wrestling earlier for other promoters in the area. past opponents included JT Law, Jody Arnold, The Lumberjacks and more.
Death Of Paul Bearer
William Moody, also known as Percy Pringle and as Paul Bearer more so during his WWF/WWE run, passed away yesterday. The cause of death has not yet been released, but speculation has been a heart attack or blood clot. He was 58.
Just prior to his death, he was seen at the Gulf Coast reunion for old time wrestlers in Mobile, Alabama.
Moody was seen often in Phoenix at house shows and TV tapings as the manager of The Undertaker and others.
Just prior to his death, he was seen at the Gulf Coast reunion for old time wrestlers in Mobile, Alabama.
Moody was seen often in Phoenix at house shows and TV tapings as the manager of The Undertaker and others.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Bill Parks
Bill Parks made the rounds in the 1950s, usually as a heel, though in Arizona he worked as a fan favorite. He was never a major star ranking among the biggest names in the game, but capable and charismatic in the ring. He did enjoy a lengthy career and found his way into main event status in different places.
In the 1950s, Parks had a lengthy feud with Monte Ladue, who was then one of the smaller men in the game, but also one of the top villains.
Parks lost most of his encounters with Ladue, but increased rather than decreased with each defeat. This was due to the fact that Ladue always was sure to cheat in order to win, thus depriving Parks of the victory he deserved.
Ladue was the master at playing up to the crowd and simple things like holding trunks or placing his feet on the ropes to win would rive the crowd to a riot pitch. With Parks always just about to score a pin and Ladue pulling something cheap out of thin air to put him down was a sure fire way to put the audience in a rage. This brought them back fort he rematch, where again they hoped Parks would win and Ladue would once more, do something dirty to score a pinfall.
The odd part was again how Parks was cheered in Arizonan, but was a rule breaker in most other places. if nothing else, this proves his diversity as a wrestler.
Parks lived to be quite elderly and passed away in 2004.
In the 1950s, Parks had a lengthy feud with Monte Ladue, who was then one of the smaller men in the game, but also one of the top villains.
Parks lost most of his encounters with Ladue, but increased rather than decreased with each defeat. This was due to the fact that Ladue always was sure to cheat in order to win, thus depriving Parks of the victory he deserved.
Ladue was the master at playing up to the crowd and simple things like holding trunks or placing his feet on the ropes to win would rive the crowd to a riot pitch. With Parks always just about to score a pin and Ladue pulling something cheap out of thin air to put him down was a sure fire way to put the audience in a rage. This brought them back fort he rematch, where again they hoped Parks would win and Ladue would once more, do something dirty to score a pinfall.
The odd part was again how Parks was cheered in Arizonan, but was a rule breaker in most other places. if nothing else, this proves his diversity as a wrestler.
Parks lived to be quite elderly and passed away in 2004.
Ohio Old Timer Reunion
Keep in mind many wrestlers over the decades worked both the Midwest and Southwest. With this in mind, there will be an old timer wrestling reunion and potluck set for either the first or last Saturday in June, with details to be announced.
The gathering will be in Dover, below Canton.
Interested parties may query here.
The gathering will be in Dover, below Canton.
Interested parties may query here.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Death Of Ciclon Negro
Ciclon Negro has passed away and we go with the Spanish spelling of his ring name, though there are other variations.
Ciclon Negro is best known for a marathon Texas Death Match with Dory Funk Sr. at the Travel Lodge (Now Celebrity Theatre) in Phoenix in the early 1970s. In a marathon bloodbath that lasted numerous falls, Funk eventually won.
The wrestler also had a lengthy run for the Amarillo office, where he again faced Funk in a Texas Death Match where he likewise lost, following innumerable falls.
Throughout his career, he was known for a brutal and brawling style. He had many magazine features and photo spreads in The Wrestler and other publications as well in the 1970s.
Ciclon Negro is best known for a marathon Texas Death Match with Dory Funk Sr. at the Travel Lodge (Now Celebrity Theatre) in Phoenix in the early 1970s. In a marathon bloodbath that lasted numerous falls, Funk eventually won.
The wrestler also had a lengthy run for the Amarillo office, where he again faced Funk in a Texas Death Match where he likewise lost, following innumerable falls.
Throughout his career, he was known for a brutal and brawling style. He had many magazine features and photo spreads in The Wrestler and other publications as well in the 1970s.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Broadway Venus
Broadway Venus died a while ago. I cannot pinpoint the exact date off the top of my head, I remember it happening and seeing his obituary in some bulletins. This I do remember. If I recall correctly, he also lived to be ancient, so who could ask for more!
Broadway Venus and one has to love that name, was a capable journeyman wrestler who was seen throughout the United States during a long career. Sometimes he was on the undercard and sometimes in the main event. Likewise, sometimes he ended up cheered and at other times booed, depending on the opponent.
Broadway Venus was never a regular in Arizona, though he did appear there from time to time, usually facing Jesse James, Johnny James or Don Arnold. In the southwest, his loss record was bigger than his list of wins. Oh well.....
Though not the most famous of names, he did his part for the wrestling world.
Broadway Venus and one has to love that name, was a capable journeyman wrestler who was seen throughout the United States during a long career. Sometimes he was on the undercard and sometimes in the main event. Likewise, sometimes he ended up cheered and at other times booed, depending on the opponent.
Broadway Venus was never a regular in Arizona, though he did appear there from time to time, usually facing Jesse James, Johnny James or Don Arnold. In the southwest, his loss record was bigger than his list of wins. Oh well.....
Though not the most famous of names, he did his part for the wrestling world.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)