Craig Pittman
Encyclopedia
Craig Pittman is a retired United States Marine and professional wrestler
. He served in the Marine Corps until the early 1990s. He then wrestled professionally as Sgt. Craig "Pitbull" Pittman in World Championship Wrestling
. After leaving WCW in 1997, he continues to wrestle in independent promotions where has remained since 2004.
Prior to his professional career Pittman was a successful amateur wrestler. Also, in 1995 he fought in two mixed martial arts
bouts.
and achieved the rank of sergeant
. He was a wrestler
in the Marines and won several championships. His biggest victories came in the 1989 and 1991 USA Senior Greco-Roman Championships, in which he won the heavyweight division. He also placed seventh in the heavyweight division at the 1989 FILA Greco-Roman World Championships.
under Terry Taylor
and The Assassin
. Pittman made his wrestling debut as Sgt. Craig Pittman, a heel
character, on February 5, 1994. During his run he made famous the saying, "The beatings will continue until morale improves
". He won his first match by pinning Brian Anderson just before the time limit expired. In his first pay-per-view
appearance, at Slamboree 1995, Craig Pittman defeated Mark Starr
by Submission. His second pay-per-view appearance, at the 1995 Great American Bash, resulted in a loss to "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan
by disqualification.
Pittman feuded
with Cobra
in 1995. According to the storyline, he had been Cobra's commanding officer during the Gulf War
. During a mission, he left Cobra behind, which led to Cobra seeking revenge in WCW. This feud led to a match at 1995's Fall Brawl, in which Pittman defeated Cobra by submission. Eventually, Pittman turned face
when he hired Teddy Long
to be his manager
. In November 1995, Pittman also appeared at WCW's first World War 3 pay-per-view. In a sixty-man battle royal
, he became the forty-second wrestler eliminated when Hugh Morrus
threw him over the top rope.
In 1996, Pittman wrestled mainly as a mid-carder, losing most of his matches to main event wrestlers. He made two final pay-per-view appearances in 1996. The first came at Slamboree 1996 as part of a "Lethal Lottery" tournament. In a storyline in which wrestlers were supposedly assigned partners in a random drawing, Pittman teamed with Scott Steiner
in a loss to Rick Steiner
and The Booty Man
. Pittman also appeared at 1996's World War 3 as part of the sixty-man battle royal, which was won by The Giant
.
's Mid-Atlantic
area.
bouts. He fought in Vale Tudo Japan 1995 a mixed martial arts competition that took place in Japan
on April 20, 1995. The tournament was ultimately won by Rickson Gracie
. Pittman won his first fight against ninjitsu practitioner Wayne Emons by arm triangle choke. His lost his second fight against Yuki Nakai
, a 150 lb shooto practitioner, by armbar. Vale Tudo Japan 1995 was well documented in the documentary Choke, a 98 minute film by filmmaker Robert Goodman which follows three of the participants (Rickson Gracie
, Todd Hays
and Koichiro Kimura) as they prepared for and fought in the event.
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...
. He served in the Marine Corps until the early 1990s. He then wrestled professionally as Sgt. Craig "Pitbull" Pittman 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...
. After leaving WCW in 1997, he continues to wrestle in independent promotions where has remained since 2004.
Prior to his professional career Pittman was a successful amateur wrestler. Also, in 1995 he fought in two mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
bouts.
United States Marine Corps
Pittman joined the United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
and achieved the rank of sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
. He was a wrestler
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
in the Marines and won several championships. His biggest victories came in the 1989 and 1991 USA Senior Greco-Roman Championships, in which he won the heavyweight division. He also placed seventh in the heavyweight division at the 1989 FILA Greco-Roman World Championships.
World Championship Wrestling
After leaving the military, Pittman trained as a professional wrestler at the WCW Power PlantWCW Power Plant
The WCW Power Plant was a professional wrestling school located in Atlanta, Georgia and owned and operated by World Championship Wrestling. The Power Plant, which was developed from a school operated by Jody Hamilton, was in operation throughout the 1990s...
under Terry Taylor
Terry Taylor
Terry Taylor , is an American retired professional wrestler best known for his time in the National Wrestling Alliance, World Championship Wrestling, and the World Wrestling Federation...
and The Assassin
Jody Hamilton
Joseph "Jody" Hamilton is an American retired professional wrestler and current wrestling promoter and trainer. In his active days Hamiltion was best known as known as one half of the tag team The Assassins where he was called "Assassin #1"...
. Pittman made his wrestling debut as Sgt. Craig Pittman, a heel
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
character, on February 5, 1994. During his run he made famous the saying, "The beatings will continue until morale improves
The beatings will continue until morale improves
The beatings will continue until morale improves is a famous quotation of unknown origin. It literally denotes how morale, such as within a military unit or other hierarchical environment, will be improved through the use of punishment...
". He won his first match by pinning Brian Anderson just before the time limit expired. In his first pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
appearance, at Slamboree 1995, Craig Pittman defeated Mark Starr
Mark Starr
Mark Ashford-Smith is an American professional wrestler best known by his ring name Mark Starr. He has competed as a member of several tag teams.-Wrestling career:Starr competed in the Memphis, Tennessee-based Continental Wrestling Association...
by Submission. His second pay-per-view appearance, at the 1995 Great American Bash, resulted in a loss to "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan
Jim Duggan
James Edward Duggan , better known by his ring name "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his time with World Wrestling Entertainment in the 1980s, when it was known as World Wrestling Federation , and World Championship Wrestling...
by disqualification.
Pittman feuded
Feud (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling feud is a staged rivalry between multiple wrestlers or alliances of wrestlers. They are integrated into ongoing storylines, particularly in events which are televised...
with Cobra
Jeff Farmer (wrestler)
Jeff Farmer is a professional wrestler best known as Fake Sting, and later nWo Sting. A mainstay of World Championship Wrestling during the 1990s, he led a Japanese faction of the heel stable New World Order in New Japan Pro Wrestling competing in the promotion until WCW's close in 2001. Farmer is...
in 1995. According to the storyline, he had been Cobra's commanding officer during the Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
. During a mission, he left Cobra behind, which led to Cobra seeking revenge in WCW. This feud led to a match at 1995's Fall Brawl, in which Pittman defeated Cobra by submission. Eventually, Pittman turned face
Face (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a babyface or face or in simple words, a fan favorite is a character who is portrayed as a heroic relative to the heel wrestlers, who are analogous to villains...
when he hired Teddy Long
Theodore Long
Theodore R. "Teddy" Long is an American professional wrestling manager and former referee who currently works for WWE on its SmackDown brand as its General Manager.-National Wrestling Alliance / World Championship Wrestling:...
to be his manager
Manager (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
. In November 1995, Pittman also appeared at WCW's first World War 3 pay-per-view. In a sixty-man battle royal
Battle royal (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a battle royal is a multi-competitor match type in which wrestlers are eliminated until one is left and declared winner...
, he became the forty-second wrestler eliminated when Hugh Morrus
Bill DeMott
William Charles "Bill" DeMott II is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment as Hugh Morrus and Bill DeMott respectively and as Crash The Terminator in Extreme Championship Wrestling and Japan...
threw him over the top rope.
In 1996, Pittman wrestled mainly as a mid-carder, losing most of his matches to main event wrestlers. He made two final pay-per-view appearances in 1996. The first came at Slamboree 1996 as part of a "Lethal Lottery" tournament. In a storyline in which wrestlers were supposedly assigned partners in a random drawing, Pittman teamed with Scott Steiner
Scott Steiner
Scott Carl Rechsteiner is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Scott Steiner. Steiner is perhaps best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling alongside his older brother Rick as the Steiner Brothers and as a member of the New World Order...
in a loss to Rick Steiner
Rick Steiner
Robert Rechsteiner is an American professional wrestler, better known under his ring name Rick Steiner.Steiner is best known for his tenure with World Championship Wrestling, where he was an eight time World Tag Team Champion...
and The Booty Man
Edward Leslie
Edward Harrison "Ed" Leslie is an American professional wrestler, best known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation under the ring name Brutus The Barber Beefcake. He later worked for World Championship Wrestling under a variety of names, mainly as "The Disciple" of real-life best friend...
. Pittman also appeared at 1996's World War 3 as part of the sixty-man battle royal, which was won by The Giant
Paul Wight
Paul Donald Wight, Jr. , better known by his ring name, Big Show, is an American professional wrestler and actor, currently signed to WWE on its Raw brand....
.
Later career
Pittman left WCW in the late 1990s for the National Wrestling AllianceNational Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
's Mid-Atlantic
Mid-Atlantic States
The Mid-Atlantic states, also called middle Atlantic states or simply the mid Atlantic, form a region of the United States generally located between New England and the South...
area.
Mixed martial arts
Pittman also had two mixed martial artsMixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
bouts. He fought in Vale Tudo Japan 1995 a mixed martial arts competition that took place in 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...
on April 20, 1995. The tournament was ultimately won by Rickson Gracie
Rickson Gracie
Rickson Gracie is a Brazilian 8th degree black and red belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a retired mixed martial artist. He is a member of the Gracie family: the son of Hélio Gracie, brother to Rorion and Relson Gracie, and half-brother to Rolker, Royce, Robin and Royler Gracie.-Biography:Rickson...
. Pittman won his first fight against ninjitsu practitioner Wayne Emons by arm triangle choke. His lost his second fight against Yuki Nakai
Yuki Nakai
is a retired Japanese shooto practitioner and mixed martial artist. He currently teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is the president of the Japan Shooto Association. He competed in Vale Tudo Japan 1995, where he was outweighed by every opponent in the tournament...
, a 150 lb shooto practitioner, by armbar. Vale Tudo Japan 1995 was well documented in the documentary Choke, a 98 minute film by filmmaker Robert Goodman which follows three of the participants (Rickson Gracie
Rickson Gracie
Rickson Gracie is a Brazilian 8th degree black and red belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a retired mixed martial artist. He is a member of the Gracie family: the son of Hélio Gracie, brother to Rorion and Relson Gracie, and half-brother to Rolker, Royce, Robin and Royler Gracie.-Biography:Rickson...
, Todd Hays
Todd Hays
Todd Hays and raised in Del Rio, Texas is an American bobsledder who competed from 1994 to 2006. Competing in three Winter Olympics, he won the silver medal in the four-man event at Salt Lake City in 2002....
and Koichiro Kimura) as they prepared for and fought in the event.
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 1-1 |  Yuki NakaiYuki Nakai is a retired Japanese shooto practitioner and mixed martial artist. He currently teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is the president of the Japan Shooto Association. He competed in Vale Tudo Japan 1995, where he was outweighed by every opponent in the tournament... |
Submission (Armbar) | Vale Tudo Japan 1995 | 2 | 7:32 | Tokyo, Japan |
||
| Win | 1-0 |  Wayne Emons |
Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) | Vale Tudo Japan 1995 | 1 | 2:12 | Tokyo, Japan |
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Code Red (Juji Gatame)
- Signature moves
- Battering ram
- Belly to belly suplex
- Gutwrench suplex
- Headbutt
- Multiple arm lock variations
- Wrist-lock followed by multiple shoulder blocks
- ManagerManager (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
s- Teddy LongTheodore LongTheodore R. "Teddy" Long is an American professional wrestling manager and former referee who currently works for WWE on its SmackDown brand as its General Manager.-National Wrestling Alliance / World Championship Wrestling:...
- Teddy Long
- 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- "The Pittbull"
Championships and accomplishments
- Amateur Wrestling
- USA Senior Greco-Roman Champion (2 times; 1989 and 1991)