Jerry Tuite
Encyclopedia
Jerry Tuite was an American professional wrestler best known by his ring names, The Wall in World Championship Wrestling
and Malice while performing for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
.
, Tuite broke into the wrestling business in the mid-90s after learning the ropes under veteran Iron Mike Sharpe at his training school in New Jersey
. Tuite trained at the WCW Power Plant
before he wrestled full-time as The Wall in WCW. It is also worth noting that he was a protegé of Bam Bam Bigelow.
, then later moved to the singles division. The Wall and Berlyn had a feud
with Vampiro and Jerry Only
of the Misfits. The feud led to WCW Mayhem
where Berlyn and Vampiro fought in a chain match, which Berlyn lost after The Wall walked out.
Then The Wall vanished for a while until returning to Souled Out where he defeated Billy Kidman in a cage match. For a while The Wall had an ongoing feud with Kidman and Vampiro. The Wall took on The Demon
at Superbrawl
where The Wall beat The Demon. The Wall then feuded with Bam Bam Bigelow, who was angry after The Wall developed a sadistic streak and attacked younger wrestlers, including David Flair
and Crowbar
. This led to Uncensored where Wall and Bigelow fought in a match where The Wall put Bigelow through a table. Crowbar and Flair tried to get revenge on The Wall, but he gave Crowbar a chokeslam
off a 20 foot high platform, sending Crowbar through the stage.
In April 2000 Eric Bishoff and Vince Russo
restarted WCW and vacated all of the titles. The Wall entered the WCW United States Championship tournament, and at Spring Stampede he faced Scott Steiner
. He lost, however, when he accidentally chokeslamed a referee through a table and another referee came and disqualified The Wall. He entered into a short feud with Shane Douglas
that led to a tables match between them at The Great American Bash, which Douglas won.
The Wall then disappeared again for a while until returning with a new look. Joining the stable The Misfits in Action, a military group that was led by Hugh Morrus, Chavo Guerrero
, Lash LeRoux and Major Gunns
, he was renamed Sgt. A.W.O.L. (occassionally spelled "Sgt. A-Wall"). The group had various stable feuds with 3 Count
, The Natural Born Thrillers and Team Canada
.
At the start of 2001 The MIA had issues involving Morrus and Guerrero, and they led the group to break up. Then Sgt. A.W.O.L. went back to his old character The Wall. The Wall and Hugh Morrus then had a short feud which led into Superbrawl:Revenge where Morrus defeated The Wall. After the feud with Morrus, The Wall disappeared sporadically in WCW, and wasn't involved in the final episode of Nitro.
After WCW was bought out by Vince McMahon
, Tuite signed a developmental contract with the World Wrestling Federation
in March 2001. He was later given his release so he could deal with personal issues.
, and won the PCW Heavyweight Championship
in the middle of 2002. He began wrestling in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
(TNA), performing under the moniker
of Malice in 2002. He appeared on the first TNA show, competing in a Gauntlet for the Gold
match, lasting to the end until he was defeated by Ken Shamrock
. He was a member of James Mitchell's Disciples of the New Church
and on numerous occasions nearly won the NWA World's Heavyweight Championship. His last TNA appearance was on November 20, 2002 when he beat Kory Williams.
Tuite began wrestling on the independent circuit
after leaving TNA, appearing for promotions such as XPW as Snuff, and also held the NWA New Jersey Hardcore Championship. He also won the AAW Heavyweight Championship Tournament in November 2002. In 2003, he wrestled for All Japan Pro Wrestling
as Gigantes, and was a regular performer for most of 2003. In his final match on December 5, 2003 Tuite teamed with Bull Buchanan
and Justin Credible
to defeat Nobutaka Araya, Tomoaki Honma
and Kazushi Miyamoto
in Tokyo
.
management and several wrestlers, including Nosawa and La Parka. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The cause of death was later identified as an apparent heart attack. No drugs were found in his hotel room and there was no evidence of drug use by physical examination, although he did have a history of drug use and that is thought to have been a contributing factor for having a heart attack.
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...
and Malice while performing for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
.
Career
Born in Ocean Grove, New JerseyOcean Grove, New Jersey
Ocean Grove is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Neptune Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey. It had a population of 3,342 at the 2010 census. It is located on the Atlantic Ocean Jersey Shore, between Asbury Park to the north and Bradley Beach to the south...
, Tuite broke into the wrestling business in the mid-90s after learning the ropes under veteran Iron Mike Sharpe at his training school in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. Tuite trained at the WCW Power Plant
WCW 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...
before he wrestled full-time as The Wall in WCW. It is also worth noting that he was a protegé of Bam Bam Bigelow.
World Championship Wrestling
Tuite debuted as a bodyguard for BerlynAlex Wright
Alex Wright is a German-British former professional wrestler. He wrestled professionally in Germany and Japan before signing with World Championship Wrestling in 1994...
, then later moved to the singles division. The Wall and Berlyn had a feud
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 Vampiro and Jerry Only
Jerry Only
Jerry Only is an American bassist. He is the current bassist and vocalist for the Misfits. He is credited with creating the infamous hair style known as the devilock.-Life and career:...
of the Misfits. The feud led to WCW Mayhem
WCW Mayhem
Mayhem was a professional wrestling pay-per-view produced by World Championship Wrestling and held in the month of November in 1999 and 2000. It is noted for being the first wrestling pay-per-view named after a video game, rather than the video game named after a pay-per-view.- 1999 :Mayhem 1999...
where Berlyn and Vampiro fought in a chain match, which Berlyn lost after The Wall walked out.
Then The Wall vanished for a while until returning to Souled Out where he defeated Billy Kidman in a cage match. For a while The Wall had an ongoing feud with Kidman and Vampiro. The Wall took on The Demon
Dale Torborg
Dale Christian Torborg is an American baseball trainer and former professional wrestler. He is the son of former Major League Baseball manager Jeff Torborg. He is currently the conditioning coordinator for the Chicago White Sox....
at Superbrawl
SuperBrawl
SuperBrawl was an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view in World Championship Wrestling during the month of February from 1991 through 2001. Along with Starrcade, Bash at the Beach, The Great American Bash and Halloween Havoc, SuperBrawl was booked to be one of WCW's flagship pay-per-views....
where The Wall beat The Demon. The Wall then feuded with Bam Bam Bigelow, who was angry after The Wall developed a sadistic streak and attacked younger wrestlers, including David Flair
David Flair
David Richard Fliehr better known by his ring name David Flair is a professional wrestler best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling , where he held the United States and World Tag Team championships...
and Crowbar
Devon Storm
Christopher "Chris" Ford is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure in World Championship Wrestling under the ring name Crowbar, where he was a one time Hardcore Champion, a one time World Tag Team Champion with David Flair and a one time Cruiserweight Champion, which he...
. This led to Uncensored where Wall and Bigelow fought in a match where The Wall put Bigelow through a table. Crowbar and Flair tried to get revenge on The Wall, but he gave Crowbar a chokeslam
Chokeslam
A 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...
off a 20 foot high platform, sending Crowbar through the stage.
In April 2000 Eric Bishoff and Vince Russo
Vince Russo
Vincent James "Vince" Russo is an American creative writer and author, well known for his work in the professional wrestling industry. He is notable for his tenure with World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
restarted WCW and vacated all of the titles. The Wall entered the WCW United States Championship tournament, and at Spring Stampede he faced 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...
. He lost, however, when he accidentally chokeslamed a referee through a table and another referee came and disqualified The Wall. He entered into a short feud with 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...
that led to a tables match between them at The Great American Bash, which Douglas won.
The Wall then disappeared again for a while until returning with a new look. Joining the stable The Misfits in Action, a military group that was led by Hugh Morrus, Chavo Guerrero
Chavo Guerrero
Salvador Guerrero III , better known as Chavo Guerrero or Chavo Guerrero, Sr., is a former professional wrestler. He is known for his work in Universal Wrestling Federation , American Wrestling Association and World Wrestling Entertainment and for being the father of third generation wrestler...
, Lash LeRoux and Major Gunns
Tylene Buck
Tylene Buck is an American Pornographic actress & model and a former wrestler and valet under the name of Major Gunns.-Professional Wrestler:...
, he was renamed Sgt. A.W.O.L. (occassionally spelled "Sgt. A-Wall"). The group had various stable feuds with 3 Count
3 Count
3 Count was a professional wrestling stable in World Championship Wrestling which formed in 1999. The group consisted of Shane Helms, Shannon Moore and Evan Karagias and they were given a boy band gimmick. For a brief time, Tank Abbott was added to the group as a manager and...
, The Natural Born Thrillers and Team Canada
Team Canada (WCW)
Team Canada was a professional wrestling stable, active in World Championship Wrestling in 2000 and 2001. The team was composed of Canadian and American wrestlers who believed that Canada was superior to the United States of America.-History:...
.
At the start of 2001 The MIA had issues involving Morrus and Guerrero, and they led the group to break up. Then Sgt. A.W.O.L. went back to his old character The Wall. The Wall and Hugh Morrus then had a short feud which led into Superbrawl:Revenge where Morrus defeated The Wall. After the feud with Morrus, The Wall disappeared sporadically in WCW, and wasn't involved in the final episode of Nitro.
After WCW was bought out by Vince McMahon
Vince 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...
, Tuite signed a developmental contract with 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 March 2001. He was later given his release so he could deal with personal issues.
Independent circuit, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, and All Japan Pro Wrestling
After his WWF release, The Wall competed for Phoenix Championship WrestlingPhoenix Championship Wrestling
Phoenix Championship Wrestling was a short-lived American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Toms River, New Jersey. It was founded by twin brothers Don and Mike Bucci in 2001 and promoted by Don Bucci until its close two years later...
, and won the PCW Heavyweight Championship
PCW Heavyweight Championship
The PCW Heavyweight Championship was the primary singles championship title in Phoenix Championship Wrestling. It was first won by Harley Lewis who defeated Dr. Hurtz at PCW's first event in Stanhope, New Jersey on March 3, 2001. The title was defended throughout New Jersey for the next two years,...
in the middle of 2002. He began wrestling in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
(TNA), performing under the moniker
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
of Malice in 2002. He appeared on the first TNA show, competing in a Gauntlet for the Gold
Gauntlet for the Gold
The Gauntlet match as defined by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, is a battle royal-style match. When it involves title implications, such as a title on the line or contendership for a title, it is called a Gauntlet for the Gold...
match, lasting to the end until he was defeated by Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
. He was a member of James Mitchell's Disciples of the New Church
Disciples of The New Church
The Disciples of the New Church, also known as the New Church Disciples or simply The New Church, were a professional wrestling stable in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling from June 19, 2002 to October 1, 2003....
and on numerous occasions nearly won the NWA World's Heavyweight Championship. His last TNA appearance was on November 20, 2002 when he beat Kory Williams.
Tuite began wrestling 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...
after leaving TNA, appearing for promotions such as XPW as Snuff, and also held the NWA New Jersey Hardcore Championship. He also won the AAW Heavyweight Championship Tournament in November 2002. In 2003, he wrestled for All Japan Pro Wrestling
All Japan Pro Wrestling
is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
as Gigantes, and was a regular performer for most of 2003. In his final match on December 5, 2003 Tuite teamed with Bull Buchanan
Barry Buchanan
Barry Buchanan is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances as Bull Buchanan and B-2 in the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment.-National Championship Wrestling :...
and Justin Credible
Peter Polaco
Peter Joseph Polaco is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with Extreme Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation under the ring name Justin Credible. He is also known for his earlier stint with the WWF under the ringname Aldo Montoya...
to defeat Nobutaka Araya, Tomoaki Honma
Tomoaki Honma
Tomoaki Honma is a freelance Japanese professional wrestler, currently touring with New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Career:Honma trained in the Big Japan dojo before debuting for the promotion in May, 1997...
and Kazushi Miyamoto
Kazushi Miyamoto
is a Japanese professional wrestler.-Career:Kazushi Miyamoto will forever have the distinction of being the first post-split graduate of the All Japan Pro Wrestling dojo. While in the Dojo Miyamoto was trained by Hiroshi Hase, Johnny Smith, and his mentor Toshiaki Kawada...
in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
.
Death
On December 6, 2003, Tuite was found unconscious in his hotel room by All Japan Pro WrestlingAll Japan Pro Wrestling
is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
management and several wrestlers, including Nosawa and La Parka. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The cause of death was later identified as an apparent heart attack. No drugs were found in his hotel room and there was no evidence of drug use by physical examination, although he did have a history of drug use and that is thought to have been a contributing factor for having a heart attack.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- 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...
, often through a tableTable (furniture)A table is a form of furniture with a flat and satisfactory horizontal upper surface used to support objects of interest, for storage, show, and/or manipulation... - Diving knee drop - TNATotal Nonstop Action WrestlingTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
- PowerbombPowerbombA powerbomb is a professional wrestling throw in which an opponent is lifted up and then slammed back-first down to the mat. The standard powerbomb sees an opponent first placed in a standing headscissors position...
, usually through a table
- Chokeslam
- Signature moves
- Backbreaker
- Belly to belly suplex
- Big boot
- Corner clothesline
- Diving leg drop
- Lariat
- Military press slam
- Short arm clothesline
- Snake Eyes
- Spin-out powerbomb, sometimes through a table
- Super belly to back suplex, sometimes through a table
- Superplex
- Two-handed chokelift
- Uppercut, sometimes to the opponent's throat
- 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...
- Major GunnsTylene BuckTylene Buck is an American Pornographic actress & model and a former wrestler and valet under the name of Major Gunns.-Professional Wrestler:...
- James Mitchell
- Major Gunns
Championships and accomplishments
- All Access Wrestling
- AAW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA New JerseyNational Wrestling AllianceThe 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...
- NWA New Jersey Hardcore Championship (1 time)
- Phoenix Championship WrestlingPhoenix Championship WrestlingPhoenix Championship Wrestling was a short-lived American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Toms River, New Jersey. It was founded by twin brothers Don and Mike Bucci in 2001 and promoted by Don Bucci until its close two years later...
- PCW Heavyweight ChampionshipPCW Heavyweight ChampionshipThe PCW Heavyweight Championship was the primary singles championship title in Phoenix Championship Wrestling. It was first won by Harley Lewis who defeated Dr. Hurtz at PCW's first event in Stanhope, New Jersey on March 3, 2001. The title was defended throughout New Jersey for the next two years,...
(1 time)
- PCW Heavyweight Championship
- 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 #126 of the 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500Pro 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...
in 2000
- PWI ranked him #126 of the 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500