Al Green (wrestler)
Encyclopedia
Al Green is a professional wrestler
who has performed in North America
, Europe
and Japan
under a variety of gimmicks the most well known being "Rage" (One half of the team The Wrecking Crew with Fury
), Blade one half of the Master Blasters with Steel
(Kevin Nash) and the Dog in World Championship Wrestling
at the turn of the millennium.
, making his debut in 1990. Green's first role was as a replacement partner for Kevin Nash in "The Master Blasters". Green was known as "Blade" and worked for World Championship Wrestling
in September and October 1990. After leaving WCW Green competed for Florida Championship Wrestling as one half of the tag team The Bounty Hunters, first known as "Bounty Hunter #1" later on as "The Bounty Hunter. The Bounty Hunters won the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship
in November, but when one of the Bounty Hunters was injured The Terminator
stepped in and teamed up with Green to defend the tag team titles. The team held the gold until the Nasty Boys beat them on a card in Nassau, Bahamas
on January 6, 1990.
(Brett Colt
and Kip Winchester
).
By late 1992 the Wrecking Crew got signed by World Championship Wrestling
, making their debut in January 1993. Shortly after their debut the Wrecking Crew got national exposure by competing at Clash of the Champions XXII on January 13 where they defeated Tom Zenk and Johnny Gunn
.
After their success at the clash the team rode on a wave of success defeating Gunn and Zenk repeatedly, as well as looking impressive against temporary teams such as 2 Cold Scorpio
and Johnny B. Badd
, and Marcus Bagwell and Joey Maggs.
By March the team was contesting a series of matches with future WCW World Tag Team Champions
2 Cold Scorpio and Marcus Alexander Bagwell as well as feuding with the identical twin duo known as The Cole Twins
(Keith and Kent Cole). The feud with the Cole Twins was soon expanded to also include Bagwell and Scorpio as well as Tex Slazenger
and Shanghai Pierce
. As the feud wore on the Cole Twins got the upper hand in the feud over the two big men. The Wrecking Crew also faced Cactus Jack
and The Barbarian
in a series of house show matches.
As Summer turned to fall the Wrecking Crew’s time with WCW ended, returning to the independent scene. In 1994 the Wrecking Crew traveled to Europe to work for Otto Wanz
’ Catch Wrestling Association
. On July 24 they defeated David Finlay
and John Hawk
in the finals of a tournament to crown new CWA Tag Team Champions after Larry Cameron
had died during a match. Fury and Rage held the belts for only 3 weeks before being unseated by CWA regulars August Smisl and Ulf Herman
in Vienna, Austria.
In 1995 the Wrecking Crew tourned with All Japan Pro Wrestling over the summer being put over young teams like Kentaro Shiga and Mannukea Mossman. The highlight of their summer tour was a clash with multiple time AJPW All Asia Tag Team Champions
Doug Furnas
and Dan Kroffat which the Wrecking Crew lost.
. While doing guest commentary, Kevin Nash
made reference to Green being a former tag team partner of his (also making a pun of his name, relating to the more famous singer Al Green
). In 2000, he was repackaged as The Dog when he formed a hardcore
tag team managed by Fit Finlay
with former Nasty Boy
Brian Knobbs. Green's mannerisms in this gimmick were those of a stereotypical attack dog and would have habits not unlike dogs, including drinking from the toilet. He was a last minute replacement in their group for Sabu, who couldn't start for WCW due to contract issues. Upon the acquisition of WCW by the World Wrestling Federation
in early 2001, Green's contract was one of the assets not taken.
and Brooke Knows Best
on VH1
.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
who has performed in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
under a variety of gimmicks the most well known being "Rage" (One half of the team The Wrecking Crew with Fury
Marcus Laurinaitis
Marcus "Marc" Laurinaitis also known by his ring name of The Terminator, is an American professional wrestler who has primarily in Florida, Japan and Europe as well as a stint with World Championship Wrestling...
), Blade one half of the Master Blasters with Steel
Kevin Nash
Kevin Scott Nash is an American professional wrestler and actor. As of 2011, Nash is signed to a five year contract with WWE under their WWE Legends program and appears as part of their Raw brand roster...
(Kevin Nash) and the Dog in World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
at the turn of the millennium.
Career
Green was trained for a professional wrestling career by Steve KeirnSteve Keirn
Stephen "Steve" Paul Keirn is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for being part of the tag team The Fabulous Ones, with Stan Lane, and later for a run in the World Wrestling Federation as Skinner, a gimmick that portrayed him as a tobacco spitting alligator hunter from...
, making his debut in 1990. Green's first role was as a replacement partner for Kevin Nash in "The Master Blasters". Green was known as "Blade" and worked for World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
in September and October 1990. After leaving WCW Green competed for Florida Championship Wrestling as one half of the tag team The Bounty Hunters, first known as "Bounty Hunter #1" later on as "The Bounty Hunter. The Bounty Hunters won the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship
NWA Florida Tag Team Championship
The NWA Florida Tag Team Championship is the primary tag team title in Pro Wrestling Fusion. It started out in 1968 as the main tag team title in Championship Wrestling from Florida and lasted until 1990 when it was abandoned. It was picked back up in 1997 by NWA Florida, where it was the primary...
in November, but when one of the Bounty Hunters was injured The Terminator
Marcus Laurinaitis
Marcus "Marc" Laurinaitis also known by his ring name of The Terminator, is an American professional wrestler who has primarily in Florida, Japan and Europe as well as a stint with World Championship Wrestling...
stepped in and teamed up with Green to defend the tag team titles. The team held the gold until the Nasty Boys beat them on a card in Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau is the capital, largest city, and commercial centre of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The city has a population of 248,948 , 70 percent of the entire population of The Bahamas...
on January 6, 1990.
The Wrecking Crew
While the team with The Terminator was a makeshift team at first, but they began teaming regularly first under the name The Terminators then later on as The Wrecking Crew where Marc became known as Fury and Al was renamed “Rage”. The team competed for the International Wrestling Federation based in Florida showing themselves to be a force in the tag team division. On May 28, 1992 the duo beat IWF Tag Team Champions The Long RidersThe Smokin' Gunns
The Smoking Gunns was a professional wrestling tag team of kayfabe brothers Billy Gunn and Bart Gunn . They portrayed cowboys in the World Wrestling Federation from 1993 to 1996...
(Brett Colt
Mike Plotcheck
Michal Burton "Mike" Polchlopek, Jr. is an American professional wrestler and mixed martial artist, also known by the ring names Bart Gunn and Mike Barton...
and Kip Winchester
Monty Sopp
Monty Kip Sopp is an American professional wrestler, best known as Billy Gunn during his tenure for World Wrestling Entertainment. He is probably best known as one of the members of the New Age Outlaws. He also worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Kip James...
).
By late 1992 the Wrecking Crew got signed by World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
, making their debut in January 1993. Shortly after their debut the Wrecking Crew got national exposure by competing at Clash of the Champions XXII on January 13 where they defeated Tom Zenk and Johnny Gunn
Tom Brandi
Tom Brandi is a professional wrestler known for his work in World Wrestling Federation as Salvatore Sincere. He is also known for his current work as The Patriot, working for such companies as Pro-Wrestling WORLD-1, National Wrestling Superstars, and other independent promotions on the East...
.
After their success at the clash the team rode on a wave of success defeating Gunn and Zenk repeatedly, as well as looking impressive against temporary teams such as 2 Cold Scorpio
2 Cold Scorpio
Charles Scaggs is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name 2 Cold Scorpio . Scaggs has competed in Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, World Wrestling Entertainment and Pro Wrestling Noah...
and Johnny B. Badd
Marc Mero
Marc Mero is an American retired amateur boxer and professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation as Marc Mero and with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling under the ring name Johnny B. Badd...
, and Marcus Bagwell and Joey Maggs.
By March the team was contesting a series of matches with future WCW World Tag Team Champions
WCW World Tag Team Championship
The World Championship Wrestling Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling world tag team championship in World Championship Wrestling...
2 Cold Scorpio and Marcus Alexander Bagwell as well as feuding with the identical twin duo known as The Cole Twins
Cole Twins
The Cole Twins were a professional wrestling tag team consisting of twin brothers Kent and Keith Cole. They competed in North American regional and independent promotions, however the twins were best known for their stint in World Championship Wrestling during the early 1990s...
(Keith and Kent Cole). The feud with the Cole Twins was soon expanded to also include Bagwell and Scorpio as well as Tex Slazenger
Dennis Knight
Dennis Knight is a retired American professional wrestler best known for his appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment as Phineas I. Godwinn and Mideon.-Career:...
and Shanghai Pierce
Mark Canterbury
Mark Canterbury is an American professional wrestler, best known for his stint in the World Wrestling Federation under the ring name Henry O. Godwinn.-Career:...
. As the feud wore on the Cole Twins got the upper hand in the feud over the two big men. The Wrecking Crew also faced Cactus Jack
Mick Foley
Michael Francis "Mick" Foley, Sr. is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, author, comedian, actor, voice actor and former color commentator. He has worked for many wrestling promotions, including WWE, WCW, ECW and TNA. He is often referred to as "The Hardcore Legend", a nickname he...
and The Barbarian
Sione Vailahi
Sione Havea Vailahi is a professional wrestler best known in wrestling as The Barbarian.-Life and career:Born and raised in Tonga, Sione was one of five teenagers sent by the King of Tonga to Japan to study Sumo wrestling in the mid 1970s. Tonga Fifita was one of the other teenagers...
in a series of house show matches.
As Summer turned to fall the Wrecking Crew’s time with WCW ended, returning to the independent scene. In 1994 the Wrecking Crew traveled to Europe to work for Otto Wanz
Otto Wanz
Otto Wanz is a former professional wrestler and boxer. He made his professional wrestling debut in 1976. He is a one time American Wrestling Association champion and former operator of the Catch Wrestling Association. Among his most famous international opponents were Antonio Inoki, Bull Power and...
’ Catch Wrestling Association
Catch Wrestling Association
The Catch Wrestling Association was a professional wrestling organization based in Austria and Germany and was founded in 1973. It was formerly run by famous AWA champion Otto Wanz. The CWA featured a traditional brand of mat wrestling mixed with various “Strong Man” competitions...
. On July 24 they defeated David Finlay
Dave Finlay
David John "Fit" Finlay Jr. is a Northern Irish professional wrestler and road agent. He is perhaps best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling and WWE as an active wrestler and later as a road agent...
and John Hawk
John Layfield
John Charles Layfield is a former American professional wrestler, a former commentator/host for mixed martial arts promotion Vyper Fight League and financial analyst for Fox News...
in the finals of a tournament to crown new CWA Tag Team Champions after Larry Cameron
Larry Cameron
Larry Cameron was an American professional football player and wrestler.-Football career:Larry Cameron was born and raised in Chicago. When he was a teenager, he played football in high school and college. He was drafted in the Canadian Football League, where he played with the British Columbia...
had died during a match. Fury and Rage held the belts for only 3 weeks before being unseated by CWA regulars August Smisl and Ulf Herman
Ulf Herman
Ulf Nadrowski is a German professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Ulf Herman. He is best known for his appearances in Extreme Championship Wrestling between 1998-1999 where he would join with the Full Blooded Italians faction...
in Vienna, Austria.
In 1995 the Wrecking Crew tourned with All Japan Pro Wrestling over the summer being put over young teams like Kentaro Shiga and Mannukea Mossman. The highlight of their summer tour was a clash with multiple time AJPW All Asia Tag Team Champions
AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship
The All Japan Pro Wrestling All Asia Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling . It was created on November 16, 1955 in the Japan Wrestling Association when King Kong Czaya & Tiger Jokinder defeated JWA founder Rikidōzan &...
Doug Furnas
Doug Furnas
Doug Furnas is a former American professional wrestler and powerlifter. Furnas briefly worked for World Championship Wrestling in the early 1990s...
and Dan Kroffat which the Wrecking Crew lost.
Return to WCW
Green performed in WCW during the late 1990s, mainly on low level programs like WCW Saturday NightWCW Saturday Night
WCW Saturday Night was a weekly Saturday night TV show on TBS produced by World Championship Wrestling. The program existed through various incarnations under different names before becoming WCW Saturday Night in 1992...
. While doing guest commentary, Kevin Nash
Kevin Nash
Kevin Scott Nash is an American professional wrestler and actor. As of 2011, Nash is signed to a five year contract with WWE under their WWE Legends program and appears as part of their Raw brand roster...
made reference to Green being a former tag team partner of his (also making a pun of his name, relating to the more famous singer Al Green
Al Green
Albert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
). In 2000, he was repackaged as The Dog when he formed a hardcore
Hardcore wrestling
Hardcore wrestling is a form of professional wrestling that eschews traditional concepts of match rules in favor of matches that take place in unusual environments, using foreign objects that are not normally permitted...
tag team managed by Fit Finlay
Dave Finlay
David John "Fit" Finlay Jr. is a Northern Irish professional wrestler and road agent. He is perhaps best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling and WWE as an active wrestler and later as a road agent...
with former Nasty Boy
The Nasty Boys
The Nasty Boys are a professional wrestling tag team consisting of Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags, active from the mid to late 1980s and throughout the 1990s. Their gimmick was that of anti-social punks who specialized in hardcore wrestling and brawling...
Brian Knobbs. Green's mannerisms in this gimmick were those of a stereotypical attack dog and would have habits not unlike dogs, including drinking from the toilet. He was a last minute replacement in their group for Sabu, who couldn't start for WCW due to contract issues. Upon the acquisition of WCW by the World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
in early 2001, Green's contract was one of the assets not taken.
Other appearances
Al Green's most recent television appearances have been as a guest on the reality show Hogan Knows BestHogan Knows Best
Hogan Knows Best is an American television show produced by Pink Sneakers Productions and centered on the family life of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan . Often focusing on the Hogans' raising of their children, and on Hulk Hogan's attempts to manage and assist in his children's burgeoning careers...
and Brooke Knows Best
Brooke Knows Best
Brooke Knows Best was a VH1 reality series spin off from the hit VH1 reality program, Hogan Knows Best. The series first aired July 13, 2008...
on VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Diving shoulder block
- Running powerslam
- With FuryMarcus LaurinaitisMarcus "Marc" Laurinaitis also known by his ring name of The Terminator, is an American professional wrestler who has primarily in Florida, Japan and Europe as well as a stint with World Championship Wrestling...
- Wrecking Ball (Overhead gutwrench backbreaker hold (Rage) / Diving elbow drop (Fury) combination)
- NicknameNicknameA nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
s- "Big" Al Greene
- "Big Sexy"
Championships and accomplishments
- Catch Wrestling AssociationCatch Wrestling AssociationThe Catch Wrestling Association was a professional wrestling organization based in Austria and Germany and was founded in 1973. It was formerly run by famous AWA champion Otto Wanz. The CWA featured a traditional brand of mat wrestling mixed with various “Strong Man” competitions...
- CWA World Tag Team Title (1 time) with FuryMarcus LaurinaitisMarcus "Marc" Laurinaitis also known by his ring name of The Terminator, is an American professional wrestler who has primarily in Florida, Japan and Europe as well as a stint with World Championship Wrestling...
- CWA World Tag Team Title (1 time) with Fury
- Championship Wrestling from Florida
- NWA Florida Tag Team ChampionshipNWA Florida Tag Team ChampionshipThe NWA Florida Tag Team Championship is the primary tag team title in Pro Wrestling Fusion. It started out in 1968 as the main tag team title in Championship Wrestling from Florida and lasted until 1990 when it was abandoned. It was picked back up in 1997 by NWA Florida, where it was the primary...
(1 time) - with The Terminator
- NWA Florida Tag Team Championship
- International Wrestling Federation (Florida version)
- IWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) with Fury
- Pro Wrestling Federation
- PWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) with the Terminator
- Windy City Pro WrestlingWindy City Pro WrestlingWindy City Pro Wrestling was an American regional professional wrestling promotion based in Chicago, Illinois. Established by retired wrestler Sam DeCero in 1988, the promotion was one of several major regional territories in the Midwest during the late 1980s, along with Dick the Bruiser's World...
- WCPW Tag Team Championship (1 time) with Fury
- Other titles
- HVW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- ICWA Tag Team Championship (1 time) with The Terminator