Curtis Hughes
Encyclopedia
Curtis Hughes is an American
professional wrestler
, better known under the ring name Mr. Hughes. He is best known for his stints in the World Wrestling Federation. In addition to the WWF, Hughes has also worked for World Championship Wrestling
, the American Wrestling Association
, the American Wrestling Federation
, and Extreme Championship Wrestling
. Hughes currently trains up-and-coming wrestlers in the WWA4 Training School and wrestles on the independent circuit
.
, Hughes began playing on the football team
. After leaving college, Hughes began training with Sonny Myers
and Bob Geigel
to become a professional wrestler. In 1988, he made his debut and began competing with the American Wrestling Association
as Curtis "The Cat" Hughes, a friendly fan favorite
. He then moved on to World Championship Wrestling
, where he began using the gimmick of "The Big Cat". Within a few months, he adopted an enforcer character who commonly wore a suit and tie to ring and frowned a lot and changed his in ring name to "Mr. Hughes". Hughes became a prominent member of factions such as the York Foundation
, the Rat Pack and the Darkside.
between The Undertaker and Harvey Wippleman. During the feud, Hughes managed to hold his own against Undertaker and even stole his urn before being ultimately defeated by him, after which Hughes left the company.
debut as the bodyguard
for Shane Douglas
during Douglas' first and second World Heavyweight Championship
reigns. In addition to aiding Douglas, Hughes also competed in several singles matches during which he was nicknamed "The Ruffneck".
in 1997, before being replaced by Chyna. He made his final appearance for the WWF as the bodyguard for Chris Jericho
in 1999 before being turned on by Jericho himself during a tag team
match.
and has also become the head trainer at the WWA4 Wrestling School, the training school of the Atlanta-based World Wrestling Alliance. In 2006, WWA4 launched a professional wrestling program which is televised in local markets and available on the internet. Hughes co-hosts the show alongside wrestling announcer and the broadcasts executive producer, Taylor McKnight. When Mcknight left WWA4 to do work for Great Championship Wrestling, Dave Wills, better known as the "It's Still Real To Me" guy took over co-hosting along side Mr. Hughes. After beginning classes at the WWA4 school, Hughes' weight steadily dropped from 310 pounds to 250 pounds.
In 2007, Hughes became the focus of Memphis Wrestling
when he called Jerry Lawler
a "sell out
" for not showing up for a scheduled match against Hulk Hogan
, which occurred due to WWE's legal issues with the match. After his statement, Hughes began a feud with Lawler. After shoving Lawler's real life girlfriend Renee on an edition of Memphis Primetime, the two battled three weeks later at Sam's Town River Palace Arena in Tunica, Mississippi
. The match ended when Hughes got down on his knees and apologized for his actions before hitting Lawler with a low blow and punching Renee in the face, thus losing via disqualification.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional wrestler
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...
, better known under the ring name Mr. Hughes. He is best known for his stints in the World Wrestling Federation. In addition to the WWF, Hughes has also 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...
, the American Wrestling Association
American Wrestling Association
The American Wrestling Association was an American professional wrestling promotion based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that ran from 1960 to 1991. It was owned and founded by Verne Gagne and Wally Karbo...
, the American Wrestling Federation
American Wrestling Federation
The American Wrestling Federation was a national professional wrestling federation founded by Paul Alperstein.-History:Alperstein, a promoter from Chicago, founded the AWF in 1994 and was on-air president of the company....
, and Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
. Hughes currently trains up-and-coming wrestlers in the WWA4 Training School and wrestles on the independent circuit
Independent circuit
In professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indy circuit refers to the many independent promotions which are much smaller than major televised promotions. They are roughly analagous to a minor league for pro wrestling, or community or regional theatre.Specific promotions on the...
.
Early life and early career
While briefly attending Kansas State UniversityKansas State University
Kansas State University, commonly shortened to K-State, is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States...
, Hughes began playing on the football team
Kansas State Wildcats football
The Kansas State Wildcats football program is the intercollegiate football program of the Kansas State University Wildcats. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference...
. After leaving college, Hughes began training with Sonny Myers
Sonny Myers
Harold "Sonny" Myers was an American professional wrestler, involved in the business for sixty years.-Career:...
and Bob Geigel
Bob Geigel
Robert "Bob" Geigel is a former American professional wrestling promoter and also a former professional wrestler. Geigel ran the NWA Central States promotion between 1963 and 1986, until it was bought out by Jim Crockett Promotions...
to become a professional wrestler. In 1988, he made his debut and began competing with the American Wrestling Association
American Wrestling Association
The American Wrestling Association was an American professional wrestling promotion based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that ran from 1960 to 1991. It was owned and founded by Verne Gagne and Wally Karbo...
as Curtis "The Cat" Hughes, a friendly fan favorite
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...
. He then moved on to 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...
, where he began using the gimmick of "The Big Cat". Within a few months, he adopted an enforcer character who commonly wore a suit and tie to ring and frowned a lot and changed his in ring name to "Mr. Hughes". Hughes became a prominent member of factions such as the York Foundation
York Foundation
The York Foundation was a professional wrestling heel stable in that worked in World Championship Wrestling between 1990 and 1992. The stable was led by businesswoman Alexandra York with each member of the stable adopting business suits & attitudes after joining the stable.-History:Miss Alexandra...
, the Rat Pack and the Darkside.
World Wrestling Federation (1993)
After stints in several independent promotions, Hughes signed a short-term deal with the World Wrestling Federation and was brought in as a part of the feudFeud (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...
between The Undertaker and Harvey Wippleman. During the feud, Hughes managed to hold his own against Undertaker and even stole his urn before being ultimately defeated by him, after which Hughes left the company.
Extreme Championship Wrestling (1993–1996)
After his departure from the WWF, Hughes made his Extreme Championship WrestlingExtreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
debut as the bodyguard
Bodyguard
A bodyguard is a type of security operative or government agent who protects a person—usually a famous, wealthy, or politically important figure—from assault, kidnapping, assassination, stalking, loss of confidential information, terrorist attack or other threats.Most important public figures such...
for Shane Douglas
Shane Douglas
Troy Alan Martin is an American professional wrestler and promoter, better known by his ring name "The Franchise" Shane Douglas. In the course of his career, which has spanned nearly three decades, Douglas has wrestled in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling and briefly...
during Douglas' first and second World Heavyweight Championship
ECW World Heavyweight Championship
The Extreme Championship Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment...
reigns. In addition to aiding Douglas, Hughes also competed in several singles matches during which he was nicknamed "The Ruffneck".
Returns to the WWF (1997, 1999)
Hughes made two more short-lived appearances for the WWF, the first being as the bodyguard for Hunter Hearst HelmsleyTriple H
Paul Michael Levesque is an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling authority figure, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent and actor, better known by his ring name Triple H, an abbreviation of the ring name, Hunter Hearst Helmsley...
in 1997, before being replaced by Chyna. He made his final appearance for the WWF as the bodyguard for Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho
Christopher Keith Irvine , better known by his ring name Chris Jericho, is an inactive Canadian-American professional wrestler, musician, songwriter, radio personality, television host, actor, author, and dancer...
in 1999 before being turned on by Jericho himself during a tag team
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
match.
World Wrestling Alliance and the independent circuit (1999–present)
Now Hughes works on the independent circuitIndependent circuit
In professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indy circuit refers to the many independent promotions which are much smaller than major televised promotions. They are roughly analagous to a minor league for pro wrestling, or community or regional theatre.Specific promotions on the...
and has also become the head trainer at the WWA4 Wrestling School, the training school of the Atlanta-based World Wrestling Alliance. In 2006, WWA4 launched a professional wrestling program which is televised in local markets and available on the internet. Hughes co-hosts the show alongside wrestling announcer and the broadcasts executive producer, Taylor McKnight. When Mcknight left WWA4 to do work for Great Championship Wrestling, Dave Wills, better known as the "It's Still Real To Me" guy took over co-hosting along side Mr. Hughes. After beginning classes at the WWA4 school, Hughes' weight steadily dropped from 310 pounds to 250 pounds.
In 2007, Hughes became the focus of Memphis Wrestling
Memphis Wrestling
Memphis Wrestling is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Memphis, Tennessee.-History:Memphis Wrestling evolved from an earlier short-lived promotion called Memphis Championship Wrestling.-Television:...
when he called Jerry Lawler
Jerry Lawler
Jerry O'Neil Lawler is an American professional wrestler, wrestling commentator, musician, businessman, commercial artist and film actor, known throughout the wrestling world as Jerry "The King" Lawler. He is currently signed to WWE, working on its Raw brand as the color commentator and occasional...
a "sell out
Selling out
"Selling out" is the compromising of integrity, morality, or principles in exchange for money or "success" . It is commonly associated with attempts to tailor material to a mainstream audience...
" for not showing up for a scheduled match against Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan
Terrance Gene "Terry" Bollea , better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American Semi-retired professional wrestler, actor, television personality, and musician currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
, which occurred due to WWE's legal issues with the match. After his statement, Hughes began a feud with Lawler. After shoving Lawler's real life girlfriend Renee on an edition of Memphis Primetime, the two battled three weeks later at Sam's Town River Palace Arena in Tunica, Mississippi
Tunica, Mississippi
Tunica is a town in Tunica County, Mississippi, United States, located near the Mississippi River. Until the early 1990s the town was one of the most impoverished places in the United States, semi-famous for the particularly deprived neighbourhood known as "Sugar Ditch Alley", named for the open...
. The match ended when Hughes got down on his knees and apologized for his actions before hitting Lawler with a low blow and punching Renee in the face, thus losing via disqualification.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Sitout powerbomb
- Spinning side slam
- Signature moves
- Chokehold to a grounded or cornered opponent
- ChokeslamChokeslamA chokeslam refers to a type of body slam in professional wrestling in which the wrestler grasps their opponent's neck, lifts them up, and slams them to the mat. It is common in televised wrestling because it is simple and relatively safe, yet looks powerful on camera...
- Powerslam
- ManagersManager (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...
- JasonJason KnightRonald Jason Knight is an American professional wrestler and manager. He is best known for his stints in Eastern / Extreme Championship Wrestling, where he was a one time World Television Champion.-World Wrestling Federation :...
- Harley RaceHarley RaceHarley Leland Race is a retired American professional wrestler and current promoter and trainer. During his career as a wrestler, he held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship 7 times...
- Harvey Wippleman
- Jason
- Wrestlers managed
- Triple HTriple HPaul Michael Levesque is an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling authority figure, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent and actor, better known by his ring name Triple H, an abbreviation of the ring name, Hunter Hearst Helmsley...
- Chris JerichoChris JerichoChristopher Keith Irvine , better known by his ring name Chris Jericho, is an inactive Canadian-American professional wrestler, musician, songwriter, radio personality, television host, actor, author, and dancer...
- Lex LugerLex LugerLawrence Wendell "Larry" Pfohl , better known by his ring name Lex Luger, is an American former professional wrestler and football player currently working with WWE on their wellness policy...
- Alexandra YorkTerri RunnelsTerri Lynne Boatright Runnels is a former World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation professional wrestling manager, television host and occasional wrestler....
- Triple H
- 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- "Mr. Mean"
- "The Ruffneck"
- "The Big Cat"
- "Total Protection"
Championship and accomplishments
- Galaxy Wrestling Federation
- GWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Independent Wrestling Network
- IWN Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI ranked him #62 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1993
- PWI ranked him #412 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the PWI Years in 2003
- Other titles
- ASW Brass Knuckles Championship (1 time)
- IWU Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- SSCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)