Rusty Brooks
Encyclopedia
Kurt Koski is an American
professional wrestler
, better known by his ring name
Rusty Brooks. He has competed in several North American independent
promotions, including International World Class Championship Wrestling
, Florida Championship Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance
. He also appeared in the World Wrestling Federation
during the mid-1980s as a preliminary wrestler.
, he later operated the "School of Hard Knocks" wrestling school with Malenko in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Students trained in the school include Chasyn Rance, Luna Vachon, Maximum Capacity
, Billy Fives
, Gangrel
and Norman Smiley
. Although Koski is still the owner, former students Flex Magnum, Big Daddy Gonzo and J.J. Kodiak run the day-to-day operations in Hollywood, Florida
. Koski is also the father of Jeff "J-Dawg" Brooks, who wrestles on the independent circuit in Florida.
A former foolball player for North Texas State, Brooks made his wrestling debut in Buddy Gilbert
's World Wrestling Association
against Steve Brody on October 31, 1982. Within two years, he signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), facing many of the top stars in the company including Tony Parisi
, Junkyard Dog
, Ricky Steamboat
and then World Champion
Hulk Hogan
, as well as then-World Tag Team Champions Barry Windham
& Mike Rotundo and the British Bulldogs
.
as Super Duper Mario. He spent the next decade in various independent promotions, where he won several tag team titles with Dr. Red Roberts, Matt Otto, Jumbo Baretta, "Pretty Boy" Aldo Lane (Ricky Santana), Soulman Alex G
. and Gangrel. From 1986 to 1987, he competed in Florida for Global Championship Wrestling, capturing the Global tag team titles with Jumbo Barretta from Dean
and Joe Malenko
. Brooks and Barretta were managed by wrestling veteran Ox Baker
and later Boris Malenko. They feuded
with The Soul Patrol and Malenko brothers.
He later met with success while wrestling for Future of Wrestling
, where he won the heavyweight and hardcore titles during the late 1990s and was named "Wrestler of the Year" by FOW. In 2001, he began teaming with Bobby Brooks as The Brooks' and later The Masked Assassins in FOW and the Independent Professional Wrestling Association. During his time in southern Florida, he also faced Hack Meyers
and former WWF wrestlers Barry Horowitz
and Greg "The Hammer" Valentine
before his retirement in 2002.
On July 31, 2004, Brooks refereed
a match during the HCW Incredible 8 Tournament in Davie, Florida. He called a bout between his son, Jeff "J-Dawg" Brooks and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
/Ring of Honor
competitor Jimmy Rave
. On February 4, 2006, he was honored by Nick Mayberry with an HCW Award, along with three other Florida wrestling legends.
, Luna Vachon, Kassidy, Angel Rose and others.
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 by his ring name
Ring name
A ring name is a stage name used by a professional wrestler, martial artist, or boxer. While some ring names may have a fictitious first name and surname, others may simply be a nickname, such as The Undertaker.-Wrestling:...
Rusty Brooks. He has competed in several North American independent
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...
promotions, including International World Class Championship Wrestling
International World Class Championship Wrestling
International World Class Championship Wrestling was an independent professional wrestling promotion based in Boston, Massachusetts. It was promoted by Angelo Savoldi and his sons Mario, Tom, and Joseph Savoldi....
, Florida Championship Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance
National 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...
. He also appeared in 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...
during the mid-1980s as a preliminary wrestler.
Early years
Trained by "Gentleman" Jim Isler and Boris MalenkoBoris Malenko
Lawrence J. Simon better known by his ring name Boris Malenko, was an American professional wrestler who wrestled for the American Wrestling Association and National Wrestling Alliance in the 1960s and 1970s...
, he later operated the "School of Hard Knocks" wrestling school with Malenko in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Students trained in the school include Chasyn Rance, Luna Vachon, Maximum Capacity
Maximum Capacity
Michael Stanco is an American professional wrestler, better known as Maximum Capacity, and is billed in many independent promotions as the "World's Largest Athlete".-Wrestling career:...
, Billy Fives
Billy Fives
Billy Fives is an American professional wrestler and former shoot fighter who has competed in North American independent promotions including Combat Zone Wrestling, East Coast Wrestling Alliance, Major League Wrestling and the X Wrestling Federation as well as toured South America, the Caribbean,...
, Gangrel
David Heath (wrestler)
David William Heath is an American professional wrestler and pornographic film director. He is best known for his time in the World Wrestling Entertainment under the ring name Gangrel.-Beginning:...
and Norman Smiley
Norman Smiley
Norman Anthony Smiley is a British professional wrestler best known for his appearances in World Championship Wrestling...
. Although Koski is still the owner, former students Flex Magnum, Big Daddy Gonzo and J.J. Kodiak run the day-to-day operations in Hollywood, Florida
Hollywood, Florida
-Demographics:As of 2000, there were 59,673 households out of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.2% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of...
. Koski is also the father of Jeff "J-Dawg" Brooks, who wrestles on the independent circuit in Florida.
A former foolball player for North Texas State, Brooks made his wrestling debut in Buddy Gilbert
Buddy Gilbert
Drew Edward "Buddy" Gilbert is a retired American professional baseball player. An outfielder, he had a brief, seven-game trial with the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball, collecting three hits in 20 at bats...
's World Wrestling Association
World 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....
against Steve Brody on October 31, 1982. Within two years, he signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), facing many of the top stars in the company including Tony Parisi
Antonio Pugliese
Antonio Pugliese , born in Cosenza, Italy, was a professional wrestler. He is better known by his ring name Tony Parisi. Pugliese was primarily a tag team wrestler, and he won tag team titles in several organizations, including the National Wrestling Alliance , World Wide Wrestling Federation , and...
, Junkyard Dog
Junkyard Dog
Sylvester Ritter was an American professional wrestler and professional football player, best known for his work in Mid-South Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation as The Junkyard Dog...
, Ricky Steamboat
Ricky Steamboat
Richard Henry Blood , better known by his ring name Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, is a retired American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE working as a road agent. He was one of the few wrestlers who stayed a babyface throughout his career...
and then World Champion
WWE Championship
The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the Raw brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the World Heavyweight Championship of the SmackDown brand. It was established under the then WWWF in 1963...
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 ....
, as well as then-World Tag Team Champions Barry Windham
Barry Windham
Barry Clinton Windham is an American semi-retired professional wrestler and the son of wrestler Blackjack Mulligan. He is best known for his appearances with the National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling ....
& Mike Rotundo and the British Bulldogs
British Bulldogs
The British Bulldogs were the team of cousins Davey Boy Smith and Tom Billington , professional wrestlers who competed through most of the 1980s in both North America, England, and Japan and is by many considered one of the top tag-teams in history.-Early years :In the 1970s, Dynamite Kid and Davey...
.
Independents
After leaving the WWF in late-1985, he competed on the independent circuit, including a stint in International Championship WrestlingInternational World Class Championship Wrestling
International World Class Championship Wrestling was an independent professional wrestling promotion based in Boston, Massachusetts. It was promoted by Angelo Savoldi and his sons Mario, Tom, and Joseph Savoldi....
as Super Duper Mario. He spent the next decade in various independent promotions, where he won several tag team titles with Dr. Red Roberts, Matt Otto, Jumbo Baretta, "Pretty Boy" Aldo Lane (Ricky Santana), Soulman Alex G
Soulman Alex G
Alex Gibson is a professional wrestler better known as "Soulman" Alex G. He is one of the 2 trainers who trained former WWE United States champion Montel Vontavious Porter and Ryan O'Riley.-Amateur career:...
. and Gangrel. From 1986 to 1987, he competed in Florida for Global Championship Wrestling, capturing the Global tag team titles with Jumbo Barretta from Dean
Dean Malenko
Dean Simon is a retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Dean Malenko. He is currently signed to WWE working as a road agent. He is best known for his time with Extreme Championship Wrestling , New Japan Pro Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling...
and Joe Malenko
Joe Malenko
Joe Simon is an American former professional wrestler best known under the ring name Joe Malenko. Malenko was born into a wrestling family, and his father Boris Malenko was a prominent wrestling figure in his own right. Dean Malenko is his brother.-Japan:Malenko is most known for his stints...
. Brooks and Barretta were managed by wrestling veteran Ox Baker
Ox Baker
Douglas A. Baker better known professionally as Ox Baker, is an American former professional wrestler and actor, and was feared for his dreaded finishing move, the Heart Punch, sometimes called the "Hurt Punch", after Baker's famous catchphrase "I love to hurt people!" He has appeared in several...
and later Boris Malenko. They 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 The Soul Patrol and Malenko brothers.
He later met with success while wrestling for Future of Wrestling
Future of Wrestling
Future of Wrestling is an American independent wrestling promotion based in southern Florida starting during the late 1990s. Founded by Bobby Rogers, the promotion was a predecessor of Full Impact Pro, Independent Pro Wrestling and NWA Florida and featured several top independent wrestlers...
, where he won the heavyweight and hardcore titles during the late 1990s and was named "Wrestler of the Year" by FOW. In 2001, he began teaming with Bobby Brooks as The Brooks' and later The Masked Assassins in FOW and the Independent Professional Wrestling Association. During his time in southern Florida, he also faced Hack Meyers
Hack Meyers
Donald Haviland is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Hack Meyers. A mainstay in Florida independent promotions during the 1990s, he is best known for his time in Extreme Championship Wrestling from 1993 to 1996.-Career:Haviland made his wrestling debut as Bronco...
and former WWF wrestlers Barry Horowitz
Barry Horowitz
Barry Horowitz is an American professional wrestler, best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation.-Career:Horowitz, who is Jewish, attended Florida State University, where he studied sports nutrition and wrestled...
and Greg "The Hammer" Valentine
Greg Valentine
John Wisniski, Jr. is an American professional wrestler, better known as Greg "The Hammer" Valentine. He is the son of wrestler Johnny Valentine.-Training:...
before his retirement in 2002.
On July 31, 2004, Brooks refereed
Referee (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling referee is the official figure that makes sure that wrestling matches move smoothly in an attempt to maintain kayfabe. The referee also has the ultimate power in the ring...
a match during the HCW Incredible 8 Tournament in Davie, Florida. He called a bout between his son, Jeff "J-Dawg" Brooks and 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...
/Ring of Honor
Ring of Honor
Ring of Honor ' is an American professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2002 by Rob Feinstein and Gabe Sapolsky. From 2004 to 2011, the promotion was under the ownership of Cary Silkin before being sold to the Sinclair Broadcast Group in May 2011...
competitor Jimmy Rave
Jimmy Rave
James Guffey is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Jimmy Rave. He is best known for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
. On February 4, 2006, he was honored by Nick Mayberry with an HCW Award, along with three other Florida wrestling legends.
Life after retirement
Currently, Rusty Brooks is the Commissioner of L.I.V.E. Pro Wrestling. He is also the former Director of Authority for Independent Championship Wrestling and has also managed a few of his students in the now defunct Division 1 Pro Wrestling (D1PW). He has since passed his academy to son, J-Dawg Brooks. Other stars that have trained at Brooks' wrestling academy include: MVP, Bruno Sassi, Soulman Alex G., Barry Houston, Jeff "J-Dawg" Brooks, Big Daddy Gonzo, GangrelGangrel
Gangrel may refer to:*Gangrel , a fictional clan of vampires in the role-playing game Vampire: the Masquerade*David Heath , an American professional wrestler better known as "Gangrel" in World Wrestling Entertainment...
, Luna Vachon, Kassidy, Angel Rose and others.
Personal life
Rusty Brooks is currently undergoing kidney dialysis treatments at Davita Kidney Center in South Florida but has opened up The School of Hard Knocks once again and has independent wrestlers such as Soul Man Alex G, Jeff "J-Dawg" Brooks, and Chasyn Rance come by and help with the students.In wrestling
- Finishing moves
-
- Rusty Bomb (Corner slingshot splash)
- Signature moves
-
- Double arm suplex
- Spinning toe hold
Championships and accomplishments
- Future of WrestlingFuture of WrestlingFuture of Wrestling is an American independent wrestling promotion based in southern Florida starting during the late 1990s. Founded by Bobby Rogers, the promotion was a predecessor of Full Impact Pro, Independent Pro Wrestling and NWA Florida and featured several top independent wrestlers...
- FOW Hardcore ChampionshipFOW Hardcore ChampionshipThe FOW Hardcore Championship was a professional wrestling title in American independent promotion Future of Wrestling. The title was created when "Mr. Extreme" Pat McGuire won the title in Oakland Park, Florida on October 8, 1998. It was defended throughout southern Florida, most often in Oakland...
(1 time) - FOW Heavyweight ChampionshipFOW Heavyweight ChampionshipThe FOW Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling title in American independent promotion Future of Wrestling. The title was created when "Ram Man" Johnny Evans won the title in Miami, Florida on May 1, 1998. It was defended throughout southern Florida, most often in Davie, Oakland Park,...
(1 time)
- Other titles
- WWA Atlantic Coast Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- DSWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- IPWA Southern Heavyweight Champion (1 time)
- IPWA Brass Knuckles 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 # 391 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1993