Jack Reynolds (professional wrestling)
Encyclopedia
Jack Reynolds (1937 – October 16, 2008),was a broadcaster from Cleveland, Ohio who was better known outside of his hometown as a professional wrestling announcer.
(now WHKW
), and The old WWWE AM 1100 (aka 3WE - now known as WTAM)
, and as booth announcer for then independent TV station WUAB
channel 43 (now Cleveland's affiliate for My Network TV), where he was the original host (and later frequent substitute host) of the long running afternoon Prize Movie. He was also an on-air spokesman (on both radio and TV) for several local businesses.
had done so.
This experience had apparently served him well, as Reynolds joined the World Wrestling Federation’s broadcast team in September 1984. He replaced Vince McMahon as the play-by-play announcer for the WWF's syndicated program All-Star Wrestling, which was being taped at various venues in southern Ontario and repackaged and aired in Canada as Maple Leaf Wrestling
.
At the broadcast table, he was initially paired with Canadian Football League
legend turned professional wrestler Angelo “King Kong” Mosca
, but, in January 1985, Jesse “The Body” Ventura
, making his broadcasting debut, replaced Mosca as color commentator
when Mosca left his broadcasting job to concentrate on managing
his son, Angelo Mosca, Jr., who had just entered the WWF. Reynolds and Ventura were also the original hosts of WWF Prime Time Wrestling
when it debuted in January 1985 on the USA Network
.
In addition, during his time with the WWF, Reynolds was the regular play-by-play announcer, paired with Billy Red Lyons
as color commentator, for matches taped at Maple Leaf Gardens
in Toronto
that aired on Prime Time Wrestling or other WWF programming.
In July 1985, Gorilla Monsoon
replaced Reynolds as the play-by-play announcer for All-Star Wrestling and Reynolds left the WWF. Monsoon had also replaced Reynolds as host of Prime Time Wrestling.
Post WWF (now WWE) Reynolds continued to work in wrestling, traveling around the world on tours with former WWF stars such as Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, King Kong Bundy
, Kamala
, Brutus Beefcake, and others all throughout the 90's and into the 2000's.
Reynolds died at age 71 on Thursday, October 16, 2008.
One of his sons is Tony Rizzo, former longtime sports director at WJW channel 8 (Fox
) and current host of The Really Big Show, a radio talk show on WKNR
AM 850, both in Cleveland.
Broadcasting Career
Cleveland area native Rizzo (who used the Jack Reynolds name on-air due to a feeling back then that his real name would sound "too ethnic") had a career in radio and television in Cleveland which spanned several decades, perhaps most notably as a DJ/talk show host for The old WGAR AM 1220WHKW
WHKW is an AM radio station in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, operating on 1220 kHz. The station is owned by Salem Communications and carries religious programming from the company's radio network. The bulk of WHKW's programming is simulcast on WHKZ in Warren, Ohio.The 1220 frequency in Cleveland was the...
(now WHKW
WHKW
WHKW is an AM radio station in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, operating on 1220 kHz. The station is owned by Salem Communications and carries religious programming from the company's radio network. The bulk of WHKW's programming is simulcast on WHKZ in Warren, Ohio.The 1220 frequency in Cleveland was the...
), and The old WWWE AM 1100 (aka 3WE - now known as WTAM)
WTAM
WTAM — branded Newsradio WTAM 1100 — is a commercial radio station licensed to Cleveland, Ohio, serving Greater Cleveland and much of surrounding Northeast Ohio. Owned by Clear Channel Communications, the station broadcasts primarily a news/talk format...
, and as booth announcer for then independent TV station WUAB
WUAB
WUAB, identified on-air as "My43 The Block, WUAB", is the MyNetworkTV affiliate in Cleveland, Ohio. The station is licensed to the suburb of Lorain, and it shares a studio in downtown Cleveland with sister station WOIO, Cleveland's CBS affiliate. Its transmitter is located in Parma, Ohio...
channel 43 (now Cleveland's affiliate for My Network TV), where he was the original host (and later frequent substitute host) of the long running afternoon Prize Movie. He was also an on-air spokesman (on both radio and TV) for several local businesses.
Professional wrestling
Nationally, Reynolds was known for being a professional wrestling play by play voice. His first stint announcing wrestling came with the short-lived IWA promotion in 1975, which had attempted to establish a national wrestling promotion years before Vince McMahonVince McMahon
Vincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, announcer, commentator, film producer, actor and former occasional professional wrestler. McMahon is the current Chairman, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of professional wrestling promotion WWE...
had done so.
This experience had apparently served him well, as Reynolds joined the World Wrestling Federation’s broadcast team in September 1984. He replaced Vince McMahon as the play-by-play announcer for the WWF's syndicated program All-Star Wrestling, which was being taped at various venues in southern Ontario and repackaged and aired in Canada as Maple Leaf Wrestling
Maple Leaf Wrestling
Maple Leaf Wrestling was the unofficial name in the 1970s and 1980s of the professional wrestling promotion run by Frank Tunney in Toronto.-Queensbury Athletic Club:...
.
At the broadcast table, he was initially paired with Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
legend turned professional wrestler Angelo “King Kong” Mosca
Angelo Mosca
Angelo Mosca is a former Canadian Football League player and professional wrestler. He is also known by the wrestling nicknames King Kong Mosca and The Mighty Hercules...
, but, in January 1985, Jesse “The Body” Ventura
Jesse Ventura
James George Janos , better known as Jesse Ventura, is an American politician, the 38th Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003, Navy UDT veteran, former SEAL reservist, actor, and former radio and television talk show host...
, making his broadcasting debut, replaced Mosca as color commentator
Color commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
when Mosca left his broadcasting job to concentrate on managing
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...
his son, Angelo Mosca, Jr., who had just entered the WWF. Reynolds and Ventura were also the original hosts of WWF Prime Time Wrestling
WWF Prime Time Wrestling
WWF Prime Time Wrestling is a professional wrestling television program produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It aired on the USA Network from 1985-1993. A precursor to Monday Night Raw, Prime Time Wrestling was a two-hour long, weekly program that featured stars of the World Wrestling...
when it debuted in January 1985 on the USA Network
USA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
.
In addition, during his time with the WWF, Reynolds was the regular play-by-play announcer, paired with Billy Red Lyons
Billy Red Lyons
William Snip was a Canadian professional wrestler, who used the stage name Billy Red Lyons. He was an active wrestler between 1956 and 1984, and won numerous championship throughout his career. He worked for promotions in both Canada and the United States, particularly in Ontario, California,...
as color commentator, for matches taped at Maple Leaf Gardens
Maple Leaf Gardens
Maple Leaf Gardens is an indoor arena that was converted into a Loblawssupermarket and Ryerson University athletic centre in Toronto, on the northwest corner of Carlton Street and Church Street in Toronto's Garden District.One of the temples of hockey, it was home to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
that aired on Prime Time Wrestling or other WWF programming.
In July 1985, Gorilla Monsoon
Gorilla Monsoon
Robert James "Gino" Marella , better known by his ring name of Gorilla Monsoon, was an American professional wrestler, play-by-play announcer, and booker...
replaced Reynolds as the play-by-play announcer for All-Star Wrestling and Reynolds left the WWF. Monsoon had also replaced Reynolds as host of Prime Time Wrestling.
Post WWF (now WWE) Reynolds continued to work in wrestling, traveling around the world on tours with former WWF stars such as Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, King Kong Bundy
King Kong Bundy
Christopher Alan "Chris" Pallies is an American professional wrestler, stand-up comedian and actor, better known by his ring name, King Kong Bundy.-Personal:...
, Kamala
Kamala
Kamala is a common Hindu name, usually meaning Nelumbo nucifera, the lotus. Variants include Kamal and Kamla. It is unrelated to the similar sounding name of Arabic origin meaning perfection or integrity usually spelled Kamal in English but spelled Kemal in Turkish, which appears as the middle name...
, Brutus Beefcake, and others all throughout the 90's and into the 2000's.
Reynolds died at age 71 on Thursday, October 16, 2008.
One of his sons is Tony Rizzo, former longtime sports director at WJW channel 8 (Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
) and current host of The Really Big Show, a radio talk show on WKNR
WKNR
WKNR — branded ESPN 850 WKNR — is a commercial sports radio station licensed to Cleveland, Ohio. Owned by Good Karma Broadcasting, WKNR is the primary Cleveland affiliate for ESPN Radio; together with sister station WWGK, WKNR is often referred to as ESPN Cleveland.WKNR is the Cleveland affiliate...
AM 850, both in Cleveland.