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John Richmond (wrestler)
Encyclopedia
John Richmond is a retired American professional wrestler, best known by his ringname Eli the Eliminator, who competed in North American regional promotions during the 1980s in Bill Watts
' Universal Wrestling Federation
and World Class Championship Wrestling
, most notably as a member of Skandor Akbar's stable Devastation Inc..
Richmond also had a brief stint in the American Wrestling Association
as one half of the Maxx Brothers (also billed as the World or Wild Warriors) with Super Maxx
. He is not to be confused with retired independent wrestler Brian Cruz, whose used the ring name during the late 1990s.
as Mad Maxx defeating Disco Dog and Rocky Guerrero in singles matches before teaming with Super Maxx as the Wild Warriors defeating Jeff Van Kamp
& Calypso Jim on July 7 and later Jeff Van Kamp & Dick the Bruiser for the WWA Tag Team Championship in September 1984. Although suffering a loss to Dick the Bruiser & Moose Cholak by disqualification on November 10, Richmond and Super Maxx successfully defended the titles for several months including close matches against Bobby Colt & Bobo Brazil
; although the tag team title history during this time is largely unrecorded, at least one source claims the Maxx Brothers lost the titles to Bobby Colt and Bobo Brazil on December 29.
They later feuded with The Untouchables (Buster & Ice) in Windy City Pro Wrestling
facing them at the Battle of the Belts supercards, including a steel cage match in which Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart
would be in the corner of The Untouchables.
After losing the titles to Dick the Bruiser & Bobby Colt in March 1985, he and Super Maxx jumped to the American Wrestling Association the following year facing The Midnight Rockers and later feuded with The Samoan Connection (Farmer Boy Ipo & Leroy Brown) over the Polynesian Pacific Tag Team titles during the summer which was later aired by Atlanta promoter Joe Pedicino
during the Hot Summer Night in Aloha Stadium television special. During that year, they would later tour Japan facing Tatsumi Fujinami
& Kengo Kimura
.
to defeat The Fantastics at the Sam Houston Coliseum
on January 23 and in a rematch the following night. He and Irwin would later participate in the UWF Tag Team Title Tournament being eliminated by Steve Williams & Ted DiBiase
in the opening rounds on February 7, 1987.
Along with Irwin, Richmond soon aligned himself with manager Skandar Akbar's Devastation Inc. and eventually followed Akbar to Fritz von Erich
's World Class Championship Wrestling later that year. Feuding with Spike Huber, he and Abdullah the Butcher
lost to Spike Huber & Red River Jack
at the 4th annual Parade of Champions on May 3, 1987. During his time in the promotion, he would regularly appear on WCCW's weekly television program later facing Jeff Gaylord
and Chavo Guerrero
. In late 1987, he would return to Japan losing to Super Strong Machine at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan
in Tokyo, Japan on October 25, 1987. From there he appeared in Ken Mantel's Wild West Wrestling out of Fort Worth and was managed by Sunshine. He feuded with Fabulous Lance (Von Erich) and Missing Link and Savannah Jack.
feuding with former tag team partner Bill Irwin during 1990, he later teamed with Mike Samples
although the two remained in the Memphis-area only a short time and later teamed with John Tatum
and Jack Victory
against Savannah Jack, Sullivan Gundy and The Missing Link
.
Teaming with Keith Eric, he lost to Brian Christopher
& Tony Williams and later with Brian Lee
losing to Curtis Thompson
& Chris Walker in February 1991 before leaving the promotion.
Bill Watts
William F. "Bill" Watts is a former American professional wrestler and promoter. Watts was famous under his "Cowboy" gimmick in his wrestling career, and then as a tough, no-nonsense promoter in the Mid-South area of the United States, which grew to become the UWF.In 1992, he was the Executive...
' Universal Wrestling Federation
Universal Wrestling Federation
The name Universal Wrestling Federation may refer to:*Universal Wrestling Federation , an American professional wrestling promotion owned by Bill Watts...
and World Class Championship Wrestling
World Class Championship Wrestling
World Class Championship Wrestling ' was a regional professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Originally owned by promoter Ed McLemore, by 1966 it was run by Southwest Sports, Inc., whose president, Jack Adkisson, was better known as wrestler Fritz Von Erich...
, most notably as a member of Skandor Akbar's stable Devastation Inc..
Richmond also had a brief stint in 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 one half of the Maxx Brothers (also billed as the World or Wild Warriors) with Super Maxx
Sam DeCero
Samuel "Sam" DeCero is a retired American professional wrestler, manager, trainer and promoter. He was one-half of the Maxx Brothers, also known as the Wild or World Warriors, with Mad Maxx who together competed in the American Wrestling Association and the World Wrestling Association, winning the...
. He is not to be confused with retired independent wrestler Brian Cruz, whose used the ring name during the late 1990s.
Early career
Making his debut in early 1984, he first began wrestling in the Indianapolis-based World Wrestling AssociationWorld Wrestling Association
The World Wrestling Association is a lucha libre promotion based in the Tijuana-area of Mexico. It was founded in 1986 by Benjamin Mora, Jr....
as Mad Maxx defeating Disco Dog and Rocky Guerrero in singles matches before teaming with Super Maxx as the Wild Warriors defeating Jeff Van Kamp
Jeff Van Kamp
Jeff VanCamp, Sr. is former professional wrestler, who wrestled as Lord Humongous in 1984. He wrestled mainly in the South and was managed by Ron Fuller. He feuded with Fuller over the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship.-Career:...
& Calypso Jim on July 7 and later Jeff Van Kamp & Dick the Bruiser for the WWA Tag Team Championship in September 1984. Although suffering a loss to Dick the Bruiser & Moose Cholak by disqualification on November 10, Richmond and Super Maxx successfully defended the titles for several months including close matches against Bobby Colt & Bobo Brazil
Bobo Brazil
Houston Harris was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Bobo Brazil. He is credited with breaking down barriers of racial segregation in professional wrestling...
; although the tag team title history during this time is largely unrecorded, at least one source claims the Maxx Brothers lost the titles to Bobby Colt and Bobo Brazil on December 29.
They later feuded with The Untouchables (Buster & Ice) in Windy City Pro Wrestling
Windy City Pro Wrestling
Windy 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...
facing them at the Battle of the Belts supercards, including a steel cage match in which Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart
Jim Neidhart
James Henry "Jim" Neidhart is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances in the 1980s and 1990s in the World Wrestling Federation as Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart. Jim is the father of WWE Diva Natalya...
would be in the corner of The Untouchables.
After losing the titles to Dick the Bruiser & Bobby Colt in March 1985, he and Super Maxx jumped to the American Wrestling Association the following year facing The Midnight Rockers and later feuded with The Samoan Connection (Farmer Boy Ipo & Leroy Brown) over the Polynesian Pacific Tag Team titles during the summer which was later aired by Atlanta promoter Joe Pedicino
Joe Pedicino
Joe Pedicino is a retired American professional wrestling announcer, commentator, promoter, television and radio producer...
during the Hot Summer Night in Aloha Stadium television special. During that year, they would later tour Japan facing Tatsumi Fujinami
Tatsumi Fujinami
is a Japanese professional wrestler who is famous for his gimmick as "The Dragon." He is the one who is credited for inventing the Dragon Sleeper and the Dragon Suplex...
& Kengo Kimura
Kengo Kimura
Seiei Kimura is a retired Japanese professional wrestler, best known under the ring name Kengo Kimura and for his many years working for New Japan Pro Wrestling in Japan.-Japan Wrestling Association :...
.
Mid-South & World Class Championship Wrestling
In early 1987, Richmond began wrestling for the Universal Wrestling Federation teaming with "Wild" Bill IrwinBill Irwin
William Mills "Bill" Irwin is an American actor and clown noted for his contribution to the renaissance of American circus during the 1970s. He is known for his vaudeville-style stage acts, but has made a number of appearances on film and television and won a Tony Award for a dramatic role on...
to defeat The Fantastics at the Sam Houston Coliseum
Sam Houston Coliseum
Sam Houston Coliseum was an indoor arena, located in Houston, Texas. It was located at 801 Bagby Street near downtown. The arena was opened in November 1937 and had a capacity of 9,200. It was built in conjunction with the Houston Music Hall, which was adjacent to the Coliseum...
on January 23 and in a rematch the following night. He and Irwin would later participate in the UWF Tag Team Title Tournament being eliminated by Steve Williams & Ted DiBiase
Ted DiBiase
Theodore Marvin "Ted" DiBiase, Sr. is a retired professional wrestler, manager, ordained minister and color commentator. DiBiase achieved championship success in a number of wrestling promotions, holding thirty titles during his professional wrestling career...
in the opening rounds on February 7, 1987.
Along with Irwin, Richmond soon aligned himself with manager Skandar Akbar's Devastation Inc. and eventually followed Akbar to Fritz von Erich
Fritz Von Erich
Jack Barton Adkisson was an American professional wrestler under the ring name Fritz Von Erich, better known today as a wrestling promoter and the patriarch of the Von Erich family...
's World Class Championship Wrestling later that year. Feuding with Spike Huber, he and Abdullah the Butcher
Abdullah the Butcher
Lawrence Robert "Larry" Shreve best known as Abdullah the Butcher, and also at times The Madman from the Sudan, is a semi-retired Canadian professional wrestler known as one of the most brutal or "hardcore" professional wrestlers of all-time...
lost to Spike Huber & Red River Jack
Frank Goodish
Frank Donald Goodish was an American professional wrestler who earned his greatest fame under the name Bruiser Brody. Goodish was an All-State football and basketball player at Warren High School, Michigan, and played football at West Texas A&M University...
at the 4th annual Parade of Champions on May 3, 1987. During his time in the promotion, he would regularly appear on WCCW's weekly television program later facing Jeff Gaylord
Jeff Gaylord
Jeff Gaylord is a retired American professional wrestler who competed in North American regional and independent promotions including Bill Watts' Universal Wrestling Federation, World Class Championship Wrestling and the United States Wrestling Association during the late 1980s and 1990s, most...
and 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...
. In late 1987, he would return to Japan losing to Super Strong Machine at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan
Ryogoku Kokugikan
, also known as Sumo Hall, is an indoor sporting arena located in the Ryōgoku neighborhood of Sumida, one of the 23 wards of Tokyo in Japan, next to the Edo-Tokyo Museum. It is the third building built in Tokyo associated with the name kokugikan. The current building was opened in 1985 and has a...
in Tokyo, Japan on October 25, 1987. From there he appeared in Ken Mantel's Wild West Wrestling out of Fort Worth and was managed by Sunshine. He feuded with Fabulous Lance (Von Erich) and Missing Link and Savannah Jack.
Later career
After a brief stint in the Global Wrestling FederationGlobal Wrestling Federation
Global Wrestling Federation was a professional wrestling promotion based in Dallas, Texas. It started in June 1991 and folded in September 1994. At one time its shows were presented on the ESPN television network. On many weeks, the promotion provided programming five days a week airing at 4 p.m...
feuding with former tag team partner Bill Irwin during 1990, he later teamed with Mike Samples
Mike Samples
Mike Samples is a former professional Canadian football player who played eleven seasons in the Canadian Football League for three different teams. He was named CFL All-Star in 1981. In August 1983 he retired as a player and became an assistant coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.-References:...
although the two remained in the Memphis-area only a short time and later teamed with John Tatum
John Tatum (wrestler)
John Frankel III , known by his ringname "Hollywood" John Tatum, is a retired American professional wrestler who competed in North American regional promotions including World Class Championship Wrestling, Universal Wrestling Federation and the National Wrestling Alliance as well as independent...
and Jack Victory
Jack Victory
Kenneth "Ken" Rinehurst is an American professional wrestler and manager, better known by his ring name, Jack Victory. He is perhaps best known for his appearances with Extreme Championship Wrestling between 1998 and 2001.-Career:Rinehurst debuted in 1985 in the Universal Wrestling Federation...
against Savannah Jack, Sullivan Gundy and The Missing Link
Dewey Robertson
Byron James John "Dewey" Robertson was a professional wrestler, known best for his ring name The Missing Link....
.
Teaming with Keith Eric, he lost to Brian Christopher
Brian Lawler
Brian Christopher Lawler is a professional wrestler. He is the son of color commentator and professional wrestler Jerry "The King" Lawler and brother of wrestling referee Kevin Christian...
& Tony Williams and later with Brian Lee
Brian Lee
Brian Lee Harris is a retired American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name "Prime Time" Brian Lee...
losing to Curtis Thompson
Curtis Thompson
Curtis Thompson is an American professional wrestler best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling as Firebreaker Chip.-Professional wrestling career:Curtis Thompson started wrestling in 1987...
& Chris Walker in February 1991 before leaving the promotion.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
-
- Backbreaker Rack
- 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- Downtown Bruno
Championships and accomplishments
- World Wrestling Association
- WWA World Tag Team ChampionshipWWA World Tag Team ChampionshipThe WWA World Tag Team Championship was the primary tag team title in the Indianapolis-based World Wrestling Association from the promotion's formation in 1964 until the late 1980s when the promotion closed.-Title history:...
(1 time) with Super Maxx
- Other titles
- Polynesian Tag Team Championship (1 time) with Super Maxx