Steve Lawler (wrestler)
Encyclopedia
Steve Gowen better known by his ring name
Steve "The Brawler" Lawler, is a semi-retired American
professional wrestler
and trainer
. He has been a mainstay of regional and independent promotions in the Southern United States
since the early-1980s, especially in Georgia
and the Carolinas
, having wrestled for Deep South Wrestling, Southern Championship Wrestling, Georgia All-Star Wrestling, North Georgia Wrestling Association, Peach State Wrestling and Dusty Rhodes
' Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling
. In recent years, he has appeared with other NWA veterans for the recently revived Georgia Championship Wrestling
.
A noted tag team specialist, he was a member of the original Bad Company with John Michaels and The Nightmare, a popular "heel" group
in the mid-to late 1980s, as well as successful runs with Dennis Gale, Dino Minelli, Bulldog Raines and younger brother Terry Lawler. One of the first students ever trained by "Bad Boy" Ricky Lawless
, Gowen became a trainer himself and served as an instructor for Masked Superstar's wrestling school and the Global Wrestling Federation
's training facility. Among his former students include Buff Bagwell
, Disco Inferno, Murder One, and Terry Lawler.
, Steve Gowen was a lifelong fan of professional wrestling and had wanted to become a wrestler as early as 13 years old. As a teenager, he entered and won several toughman contests in Dothan, Alabama
. In 1984, a local wrestler out of Macon offered to train him as a professional wrestler, however, Gowen later claimed that the veteran wrestler "took my money" and "taught me everything to do wrong". It was after his initial match in Griffin, Georgia
, which he later referred to as "a complete disaster", that he was approached by Ricky Lawless
and Glenn Holbrook in the dressing room after the show. Seeing potential in the 19-year-old, they invited Gowen to train with them. He spent everyday for the next 15 weeks working out with the two men before he went on the road.
Gowen briefly toured Florida, where he wrestled on television as "Adrian Steele", and where he was first given the name Steve "The Brawler" Lawler. Gowen would also fill in for masked wrestlers, most notably The Flame
. He soon formed a tag team with "Cowboy" Dennis Gale and traveled to various NWA territories and "outlaw" promotions in the South and West Coast. He later claimed that many opponents would refuse to wrestle them, or not show up at all, because of their stiff wrestling style. Charlie Smith, a popular Georgia wrestler in the 1960s and 70s, once told him he was "the only man he'd ever known who would go to jail for the business". Meeting with Buddy Landell in Atlanta during the mid-1980s, Landell offered to bring him in to WCW but Gower declined not willing to be under contract to the organization. It was around this time that Steve Kyle, the original "Steve "The Brawler" Lawler", was wrestling in the Gulf Coast and Memphis territories
though the two should not be confused.
's Deep South Wrestling where he feuded with Crazy Luke Graham over the promotion's "brass knucks" championship. Though a fan favorite while wrestling against Graham, he turned "heel"
shortly after defeating him for the title. It was also around this time that he joined the original Bad Company, a three-man tag team similar to The Freebirds, with John Michaels and The Nightmare and were successful in the region during the mid-to late 1980s. On April 28, 1987, he and The Nightmare wrestled the Rock n' Roll Rebels (Jim Evans & Richard Sartain) at a benefit show for Ware County High School
in Waycross, Georgia
. The trio also battled "Wildfire" Tommy Rich
, Johnny Rich, and Ricky Morton
in the spring of 1988, their matches later being aired on the nationally syndicated program "Pro Wrestling This Week". One of his matches against Tommy Rich was later featured on "Blood Battles of the South" highlighting the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion
's "bloodiest grudge matches".
on October 23, 1988, and held the titles for two months before being defeated by Ross and Mr. Wrestling II
in Atlanta
on December 30, 1988. In their second and final championship reign, with manager Sir Samuel F. Kent, a feud with Georgia Power (Nightmare Ted Allen & Jimmy Powell) would end with their losing the titles to them in 1989. The two were compared to the Rock 'n' Roll Express
and similar teams at one time for their "chemistry and ability in the ring", however, their partnership ended in a bitter break up.
, Randy Rose
, Ted Allen, Ron Starr, Mr. Wrestling II
, Dick Slater
, Ken Timbs
, Dusty Rhodes, Mike Golden
, Abdullah the Butcher
, The Bullet
, Scott Studd, Billy Black, Lee Thomas, Grizzly Boone, and others. One of the top stars for Joe Pedicino
's Georgia All-Star Wrestling, he won the GASW Heavyweight Championship from Nick Busick
in Carrollton
on December 2, 1990, and held the title for over four month before dropping the title to Joel Deaton
in Canton, Georgia
on April 21, 1991. He also ran a wrestling school during this period for the Masked Superstar, and later the Global Wrestling Federation
's training facility, where he trained a number of wrestlers including Marcus Alexander Bagwell
, Disco Inferno, Murder One and his younger brother Terry Lawler. Bagwell, wrestling under the name "The Fabulous Fabian", defeated Gowen for the GASW (North Georgia) Television Championship in his first professional match. On September 15, 1991, Gowen faced his former student a second time at an interpromotional show in Marietta, Georgia
between the Global Wrestling Federation, where Bagwell was now wrestling as "The Handsome Stranger", and Georgia All-Star Wrestling which he lost to Bagwell via disqualification.
Gower continued his long-running feud against Tommy Rich in GASW, helped by manager Dave Prazak, where the two had several wild brawls. Prazak later claimed that during one of their encounters, in which Tommy Rich put Prazak in a piledriver
, "both he and Steve Lawler were roaring drunk for that match". They would eventually meet in a “lights out” match at Douglasville, Georgia
with the loser being forced to retire. Gowen himself later said the greatest matches he ever had were against Rich calling them "some of the bloodiest, they were some of the hardest, and I have a lot of respect Rich to this day".
With the end of the NWA territory system, Gowen remained in Georgia working for independent promotions such as Peach State Wrestling (1991-1995), shortly after it began bringing in SCW stars for its televised matches, and the North Georgia Wrestling Association (1992-1997). Shortly before the latter promotion's close, he and Bubba Humpries won the NGWA Tag Team Championship from Kenny and John Arden and held them for less than a month before dropping the belts back to the Ardens in Rome
on April 19, 1996. He also wrestled and lost to Kenny Arden in a singles match on May 18, 1996. A year later, Gowen won the NGWA Heavyweight Championship and remained champion until the promotion's close at the end of the year. He also spent some time in the North American Wrestling Alliance and appeared at its supercard "The Crime in College Park" where he faced his old ally "The Nightmare" Ted Allen on February 12, 1999.
. He was one of its few major stars not affiliated with either Extreme Championship Wrestling
or World Championship Wrestling
. He appeared as "Desperado" Liberty McCall on "Halloween Horror Slam 1", its first television taping, against Jason Holton though negative fan reaction caused the promotion to change it back to his old "Brawler" ring name. On February 18, 2001, at its "TCW vs. ECW
" supercard, Gowen teamed with Erik Watts
in the main event to wrestle Rhodes and a mystery partner. The match was one of several on "Best of Dusty Rhodes - Living The American Dream" released by RF Video on VHS. He met Rhodes again three months later, this time with partner Scott Hall
, in a tag team match in Dothan, Alabama
with Larry Zbyszko
which they lost. He was also on the losing end of a 6-man tag team match with Ron Studd and Barry Windham
at TCW's "Woodstock Show", on December 7, 2001, when they were disqualified in their match to Dusty Rhodes, Bob Armstrong
and Larry Zbyzsko.
, where they wrestled "Wildfire" Tommy Rich and Mr. Hughes in the main event. "Bullet" Bob Armstrong was originally scheduled to serve as the special guest referee however he was forced to drop out after being injured in an attack by Erik Watts earlier in the show. Other wrestlers on the card included Vordell Walker
, The Nightmare, Scott Armstrong, Marty Jannetty
, Bambi
, Leilani Kai
, Jorge Estrada
, Sonny Siaki
, Ray Lloyd
, Scotty Riggs, and Thunderbolt Patterson. He also made a brief appearance for NAWA Ring Champions. On April 17, 2004, he was scheduled to wrestle Tommy Rich but instead tricked the younger Seth Cruise into taking his place. He returned for two more appearances defeating Johnny Grunge
on May 15 and, at its "Spring Stampede" supercard, his brother Terry Lawler in a Rome Street Fight on May 29, 2004. All three shows were held at Dillard's Music Park in Rome, Georgia
.
The two split up after their most recent loss and were on opposing sides the following week when he and his new partner, The Super Destroyer, beat Bull Buchanan and Bulldog Raines via disqualification. In SECW, Gower later challenged Raines for the SECW Heavyweight Championship.
The two were back together again in NAWA Ring Champions days later to wrestle Tommy Rich and Kenny Arden in Rome, but fought each other at NAWA's next show on March 13, another tag team match, pitting Steve & Terry Lawler against Bulldog Raines & the Nightmare. Both Lawler and Raines were still being managed by Jackie Rosedale. At another NAWA house show, headlined by Bambi
versus Peggy Lee Leather
, in Cedarsburg on April 4 he appeared with Ricky Morton, Bobby Eaton
, and Chick Donovan. Two weeks later he wrestled Tommy Rich in a "bounty" match in Carrollton.
On May 3, 2008, Gowen was yet again among the Southern legends, such as Tommy Rich, Dennis Condrey and The Nightmare, invited to participate in AWA World-1 South's "Southern Clash" supercard in Cordele, Georgia
. Though the majority took part on the "AWA Legends vs. Georgia Legends" main event, he wrestled The Nightmare, in a "special attraction match". The event also included the AWA's Larry Zbyszko and Jake Milliman
& Frankie DeFalco, as well as younger independent wrestlers Ricky Landell
, Kirby Mack
, Chasyn Rance, Brian Logan, Ron Niemi, and The Heartbreak Express
(Sean and Phil Davis).
for Georgia Wrestling Promotions. The card advertised Gowen and Terry Lawler to face Hot Like Lava (Cru Jones & Shawn Banks) in the main event and was to include a 20-man Battle Royal, with the final two men facing each other to determine the new GWP Champion on June 1, and appearances from Tommy Rich, Masked Superstar, and former students Buff Bagwell and Murder One.
The event experienced a number of problems both prior to and during the show. The promotion's owner, Roger Cantrell, had been hospitalized due to cellulitis
related to his diabetes around this time and contracted pneumonia
during his stay. He was later diagnosed with kidney failure and put on dialysis
. Despite his poor health, and disregarding advice that he cancel the event, Cantrell provided the card for the upcoming show in Woodstock direct from his bed at Northside Cherokee Hospital.
Advertising for the show was not distributed until the three days before the show, contributing to its low attendance, and Cantrell had to personally call wrestlers who had been prematurely told the event was going to be cancelled. On the night of the show, at the Hot Wheels Skate Center, the building's manager informed the arriving wrestlers that she would not allow the show to take place because the promotion already owed her $500 for a bounced check received for a previous show in January, another $100 she loaned Cantrell to pay talent, in addition to $500 for that night's show. Cantrell was not at the building that night, instead at his home recovering from his hospital stay, and so Gowen talked with the manager instead. She agreed to allow the show to continue provided Hot Wheels would receive the gate receipts, presumably the first $1100, to recoup the money Cantrell owed her. As GWP typically paid its talent with the gate receipts it was expected that the wrestlers would be paid with what was left. Less than 20 people were in attendance at bell time (7:30 pm), far less than expected, and none of the wrestlers were to receive payment for their appearance. Masked Superstar, Tommy Rich, Cru Jones, Terry Lawler and Gowen all left before their matches and Murder One was forced to rebook the show at the last minute with the remaining wrestlers.
Gowen, upset by the experience, posted a message criticizing the promotion on his website shortly after what would be its final show;
program "The Dave & Danger Show" with Dave Wills and Mark Danger during which he discussed his training and early career, friendships with many Southern wrestlers (including road stories with Tommy Rich), and promoted an upcoming benefit show, "Legends of Wrestling", to raise money for Breast Cancer Network of Strength. He particularly critical of the modern wrestling industry, such as the use of the six-sided "octagon"-like ring used by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
, the breaking of "kayfabe
", and the shift away from "traditional" wrestling to sports entertainment
. He also spoke out against efforts by the Georgia Wrestling Commission to regulate pro wrestling in his home state and expressed interest in holding a special wresting show to recognize Georgia's legendary wrestling personalities.
The "Legends of Wrestling" show took place three days later at an outdoor concert held at the Granite Mountain Harley-Davidson dealership, celebrating its 6th anniversary, in Conyers, Georgia
. A portion of the proceeds went to raising funds for breast cancer patients and family support. Among the performers at the event included Abdullah the Butcher, Randy Rose, Steve and Terry Lawler, and the masked Original Assassin. Gowen was also present at an event for Purks International Championship Wrestling a week later, where Terry Lawler was wrestling in a 6-man tag team match, though Gowen did not take part in the show.
During the summer of 2011, Gower appeared with other Georgia legends for Georgia Championship Wrestling
which had been recently revived by promoter Grady Odom. On its June 30th show in Phenix City, he appeared alongside Abdullah the Butcher, Joel Deaton, Ricky Morton, and Bob & Brad Armstrong, where he wrestled Vordell Walker
. He was scheduled to meet Walker two months later at GCW's "Invasion" supercard in Macon, Georgia
but this was later changed to a tag team match between he and Billy Black against Tony Atlas and Tommy Rich. The four wrestled for 12 minutes until referee Keith Steinborn saw Black hit Atlas with his cowbell causing their disqualification.
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:...
Steve "The Brawler" Lawler, is a semi-retired American
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...
and trainer
Personal trainer
A personal trainer is a fitness professional involved in exercise prescription and instruction. They motivate clients by setting goals and providing feedback and accountability to clients. Trainers also measure their client's strengths and weaknesses with fitness assessments...
. He has been a mainstay of regional and independent promotions in the Southern United States
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
since the early-1980s, especially in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
and the Carolinas
The Carolinas
The Carolinas is a term used in the United States to refer collectively to the states of North and South Carolina. Together, the two states + have a population of 13,942,126. "Carolina" would be the fifth most populous state behind California, Texas, New York, and Florida...
, having wrestled for Deep South Wrestling, Southern Championship Wrestling, Georgia All-Star Wrestling, North Georgia Wrestling Association, Peach State Wrestling and Dusty Rhodes
Dusty Rhodes (wrestler)
Virgil Riley Runnels, Jr. , better known as "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, is a semi-retired American professional wrestler currently working for WWE...
' Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling
Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling
Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling was a Southeastern independent professional wrestling promotion based in Marietta, Georgia. It was founded by retired wrestler and former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dusty Rhodes in 2000 and, during its three years in operation, held events throughout the...
. In recent years, he has appeared with other NWA veterans for the recently revived Georgia Championship Wrestling
Georgia Championship Wrestling
Georgia Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion whose self-titled TV program aired in the 1970s and 1980s on Atlanta, U.S., superstation WTBS. Though based in Atlanta, the company also ran live wrestling shows throughout its geographic "territory" of Georgia Georgia...
.
A noted tag team specialist, he was a member of the original Bad Company with John Michaels and The Nightmare, a popular "heel" group
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
in the mid-to late 1980s, as well as successful runs with Dennis Gale, Dino Minelli, Bulldog Raines and younger brother Terry Lawler. One of the first students ever trained by "Bad Boy" Ricky Lawless
Ricky Lawless
Medardo Jim "Jimmy" Leon, Jr. was an American professional wrestler, trainer and promoter, best known by his ringname "Bad Boy" Ricky Lawless, who competed in Eastern, Mid-Atlantic and Southern regional territories during the early-to mid 1980s, being a veteran of International Championship...
, Gowen became a trainer himself and served as an instructor for Masked Superstar's wrestling school and the Global Wrestling Federation
Global 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...
's training facility. Among his former students include Buff Bagwell
Buff Bagwell
Marcus Alexander Bagwell is an American professional wrestler and actor, better known by his ring name, Buff Bagwell. He is best known for his tenure with World Championship Wrestling between 1991 and 2001, where he was a five time World Tag Team Champion.-Professional wrestling career: Bagwell...
, Disco Inferno, Murder One, and Terry Lawler.
Early career (1984-1986)
A native of Buford, GeorgiaBuford, Georgia
As of 2010 Buford had a population of 12,225. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 65.8% white, 13.8% black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 2.9% Asian, 14.7% reporting some other race and 2.5% reproting two or more races...
, Steve Gowen was a lifelong fan of professional wrestling and had wanted to become a wrestler as early as 13 years old. As a teenager, he entered and won several toughman contests in Dothan, Alabama
Dothan, Alabama
Dothan is a city located in the southeastern corner of the US state of Alabama, situated approximately west of the Georgia state line and north of Florida. It is the seat of Houston County, with portions extending into nearby Dale County and Henry County...
. In 1984, a local wrestler out of Macon offered to train him as a professional wrestler, however, Gowen later claimed that the veteran wrestler "took my money" and "taught me everything to do wrong". It was after his initial match in Griffin, Georgia
Griffin, Georgia
Griffin is a city in and the county seat of Spalding County in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 23,643.-Geography:Griffin is located at ....
, which he later referred to as "a complete disaster", that he was approached by Ricky Lawless
Ricky Lawless
Medardo Jim "Jimmy" Leon, Jr. was an American professional wrestler, trainer and promoter, best known by his ringname "Bad Boy" Ricky Lawless, who competed in Eastern, Mid-Atlantic and Southern regional territories during the early-to mid 1980s, being a veteran of International Championship...
and Glenn Holbrook in the dressing room after the show. Seeing potential in the 19-year-old, they invited Gowen to train with them. He spent everyday for the next 15 weeks working out with the two men before he went on the road.
Gowen briefly toured Florida, where he wrestled on television as "Adrian Steele", and where he was first given the name Steve "The Brawler" Lawler. Gowen would also fill in for masked wrestlers, most notably The Flame
Jody Hamilton
Joseph "Jody" Hamilton is an American retired professional wrestler and current wrestling promoter and trainer. In his active days Hamiltion was best known as known as one half of the tag team The Assassins where he was called "Assassin #1"...
. He soon formed a tag team with "Cowboy" Dennis Gale and traveled to various NWA territories and "outlaw" promotions in the South and West Coast. He later claimed that many opponents would refuse to wrestle them, or not show up at all, because of their stiff wrestling style. Charlie Smith, a popular Georgia wrestler in the 1960s and 70s, once told him he was "the only man he'd ever known who would go to jail for the business". Meeting with Buddy Landell in Atlanta during the mid-1980s, Landell offered to bring him in to WCW but Gower declined not willing to be under contract to the organization. It was around this time that Steve Kyle, the original "Steve "The Brawler" Lawler", was wrestling in the Gulf Coast and Memphis territories
Continental Wrestling Association
The Continental Wrestling Association was a wrestling promotion managed by Jerry Jarrett. The CWA was the name of the "governing body" for the Championship Wrestling, Inc. promotion which was usually referred to as Mid-Southern Wrestling...
though the two should not be confused.
Deep South Wrestling (1986-1988)
In 1986, Gowen began wrestling for Jody HamiltonJody Hamilton
Joseph "Jody" Hamilton is an American retired professional wrestler and current wrestling promoter and trainer. In his active days Hamiltion was best known as known as one half of the tag team The Assassins where he was called "Assassin #1"...
's Deep South Wrestling where he feuded with Crazy Luke Graham over the promotion's "brass knucks" championship. Though a fan favorite while wrestling against Graham, he turned "heel"
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
shortly after defeating him for the title. It was also around this time that he joined the original Bad Company, a three-man tag team similar to The Freebirds, with John Michaels and The Nightmare and were successful in the region during the mid-to late 1980s. On April 28, 1987, he and The Nightmare wrestled the Rock n' Roll Rebels (Jim Evans & Richard Sartain) at a benefit show for Ware County High School
Ware County High School
Ware County High School is the only public high school in Ware County, Georgia, USA. It is located in Waycross, Georgia.- History :Ware County High School was formed in 1958 by the merging of Waresboro and Wacona High Schools. Expansion occurred in 1993 when the Waycross City Schools dropped their...
in Waycross, Georgia
Waycross, Georgia
Waycross is the county seat of, and only incorporated city in, Ware County in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population was 14,725 at the 2010 Census. A small portion of the city extends into Pierce County. According the U.S...
. The trio also battled "Wildfire" Tommy Rich
Tommy Rich
Thomas Richardson , better known by his ring name, "Wildfire" Tommy Rich, is a professional wrestler. He is best known for his wrestling career in Georgia and Memphis throughout the 1980s.-Professional wrestling career:...
, Johnny Rich, and Ricky Morton
Ricky Morton
Richard Wendell "Ricky" Morton is an American professional wrestler who has worked for such wrestling organizations as Jim Crockett Promotions, the American Wrestling Association, Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, the World Wrestling Federation and Total Nonstop Action...
in the spring of 1988, their matches later being aired on the nationally syndicated program "Pro Wrestling This Week". One of his matches against Tommy Rich was later featured on "Blood Battles of the South" highlighting the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion
NWA World Heavyweight Championship
The National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in the National Wrestling Alliance. Its lineage has been traced from the first World Heavyweight Championship, which traces its lineage to Georg Hackenschmidt's 1905 title and...
's "bloodiest grudge matches".
Southern Championship Wrestling (1988-1990)
While working for Hamilton, Gowen also started competing in Southern Championship Wrestling and began competing there full-time following the close of DSW. During his time in the promotion, he formed a popular tag team with Dino Minelli known as "Thunder and Lightning" and twice won the promotion's tag team championship. Their first reign began after defeating Ranger Ross and Joey Maggs for the belts in Alpharetta, GeorgiaAlpharetta, Georgia
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 34,854 people, 13,911 households, and 8,916 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,631.6 people per square mile . There were 14,670 housing units at an average density of 686.7 per square mile...
on October 23, 1988, and held the titles for two months before being defeated by Ross and Mr. Wrestling II
Mr. Wrestling II
John "Johnny" Walker , better known as Mr. Wrestling II, is a retired American professional wrestler. As Mr...
in Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
on December 30, 1988. In their second and final championship reign, with manager Sir Samuel F. Kent, a feud with Georgia Power (Nightmare Ted Allen & Jimmy Powell) would end with their losing the titles to them in 1989. The two were compared to the Rock 'n' Roll Express
Rock 'n' Roll Express
The Rock 'n' Roll Express are a professional wrestling tag team consisting of Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson. The duo began teaming together in Memphis in the early 1980s, followed by the National Wrestling Alliance's Jim Crockett Promotions . In JCP, they held the NWA World Tag Team Championship...
and similar teams at one time for their "chemistry and ability in the ring", however, their partnership ended in a bitter break up.
Independent circuit (1991-1999)
Gowen continued wrestling in various Southern independent promotions having memorable matches, and gaining invaluable experience, against veterans such as Ray CandyRay Candy
Ray Canty , known by the ring name Ray Candy, was an American professional wrestler for the Jim Crockett Promotions and various other regional wrestling territories...
, Randy Rose
Randy Rose
"Ravishing" Randy Rose is a professional wrestler.-Career:Randy Rose competed in 1981 in Alabama's Southeast Championship Wrestling and formed The Midnight Express with Dennis Condrey and Norvell Austin. They dominated the tag team scene there until Condrey signed with Mid-South Wrestling in 1984...
, Ted Allen, Ron Starr, Mr. Wrestling II
Mr. Wrestling II
John "Johnny" Walker , better known as Mr. Wrestling II, is a retired American professional wrestler. As Mr...
, Dick Slater
Dick Slater
Richard Van Slater , better known by his ring name "Dirty" Dick Slater, is a retired American professional wrestler who wrestled in the 1970s, 1980s, and mid 1990s for various promotions including Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling .Slater began wrestling with Mike...
, Ken Timbs
Ken Timbs
Ken Timbs was an American professional wrestler who, with longtime tag team partner Eric Embry, competed as one half of the Fabulous Blondes in several regional territories including Southwest Championship Wrestling and International World Class Championship Wrestling during the early...
, Dusty Rhodes, Mike Golden
Mike Golden
Michael Henry Golden was an American Major League Baseball player who pitched and played in the outfield for three teams during his two season career.-Career:...
, 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...
, The Bullet
Bob Armstrong
Joseph Melton James is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, "Bullet" Bob Armstrong. In the course of his career, which spanned five decades, Armstrong held numerous championships throughout the Southeastern United States...
, Scott Studd, Billy Black, Lee Thomas, Grizzly Boone, and others. One of the top stars for Joe Pedicino
Joe Pedicino
Joe Pedicino is a retired American professional wrestling announcer, commentator, promoter, television and radio producer...
's Georgia All-Star Wrestling, he won the GASW Heavyweight Championship from Nick Busick
Nick Busick
Nick Busick is a former police officer turned professional wrestler who competed in Georgia All-Star Wrestling and the Global Wrestling Federation, but is best known for his brief stint in the World Wrestling Federation under the ring name "Big Bully" Busick.-Professional wrestling career:Busick...
in Carrollton
Carrollton, Georgia
Carrollton is a city in West Georgia, United States, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,388...
on December 2, 1990, and held the title for over four month before dropping the title to Joel Deaton
Joseph Jones (wrestler)
Joel Lofton Jones better known as Joel Deaton is a professional wrestler. He is most noticed for being one of the members of a tag team in Jim Crockett Promotions known as the Thunderfoots. He was the original Thunderfoot. He was briefly engaged to Delta Burke in early 1987.-Career:Joel Jones was...
in Canton, Georgia
Canton, Georgia
Canton is a city in and the county seat of Cherokee County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 22,958.-Geography:Canton is located at ....
on April 21, 1991. He also ran a wrestling school during this period for the Masked Superstar, and later the Global Wrestling Federation
Global 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...
's training facility, where he trained a number of wrestlers including Marcus Alexander Bagwell
Buff Bagwell
Marcus Alexander Bagwell is an American professional wrestler and actor, better known by his ring name, Buff Bagwell. He is best known for his tenure with World Championship Wrestling between 1991 and 2001, where he was a five time World Tag Team Champion.-Professional wrestling career: Bagwell...
, Disco Inferno, Murder One and his younger brother Terry Lawler. Bagwell, wrestling under the name "The Fabulous Fabian", defeated Gowen for the GASW (North Georgia) Television Championship in his first professional match. On September 15, 1991, Gowen faced his former student a second time at an interpromotional show in Marietta, Georgia
Marietta, Georgia
Marietta is a city located in central Cobb County, Georgia, United States, and is its county seat.As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 56,579, making it one of metro Atlanta's largest suburbs...
between the Global Wrestling Federation, where Bagwell was now wrestling as "The Handsome Stranger", and Georgia All-Star Wrestling which he lost to Bagwell via disqualification.
Gower continued his long-running feud against Tommy Rich in GASW, helped by manager Dave Prazak, where the two had several wild brawls. Prazak later claimed that during one of their encounters, in which Tommy Rich put Prazak in a piledriver
Piledriver (professional wrestling)
A piledriver is a professional wrestling driver move in which the wrestler grabs his opponent, turns him upside-down, and drops into a sitting or kneeling position, driving the opponent head-first into the mat. The most common piledrivers are the basic belly-to-back, or Texas piledriver, and the...
, "both he and Steve Lawler were roaring drunk for that match". They would eventually meet in a “lights out” match at Douglasville, Georgia
Douglasville, Georgia
The city of Douglasville is the county seat of Douglas County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 30,961...
with the loser being forced to retire. Gowen himself later said the greatest matches he ever had were against Rich calling them "some of the bloodiest, they were some of the hardest, and I have a lot of respect Rich to this day".
With the end of the NWA territory system, Gowen remained in Georgia working for independent promotions such as Peach State Wrestling (1991-1995), shortly after it began bringing in SCW stars for its televised matches, and the North Georgia Wrestling Association (1992-1997). Shortly before the latter promotion's close, he and Bubba Humpries won the NGWA Tag Team Championship from Kenny and John Arden and held them for less than a month before dropping the belts back to the Ardens in Rome
Rome, Georgia
Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Rome is the largest city and the county seat of Floyd County, Georgia, United States. It is the principal city of the Rome, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Floyd County...
on April 19, 1996. He also wrestled and lost to Kenny Arden in a singles match on May 18, 1996. A year later, Gowen won the NGWA Heavyweight Championship and remained champion until the promotion's close at the end of the year. He also spent some time in the North American Wrestling Alliance and appeared at its supercard "The Crime in College Park" where he faced his old ally "The Nightmare" Ted Allen on February 12, 1999.
Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling (2000-2001)
In 2000, joined Dusty Rhodes' short-lived Turnbuckle Championship WrestlingTurnbuckle Championship Wrestling
Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling was a Southeastern independent professional wrestling promotion based in Marietta, Georgia. It was founded by retired wrestler and former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dusty Rhodes in 2000 and, during its three years in operation, held events throughout the...
. He was one of its few major stars not affiliated with either 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...
or 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...
. He appeared as "Desperado" Liberty McCall on "Halloween Horror Slam 1", its first television taping, against Jason Holton though negative fan reaction caused the promotion to change it back to his old "Brawler" ring name. On February 18, 2001, at its "TCW vs. ECW
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...
" supercard, Gowen teamed with Erik Watts
Erik Watts
Erik Watts is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling in the early 1990s. He is the son of legendary wrestler "Cowboy" Bill Watts.-Debut:...
in the main event to wrestle Rhodes and a mystery partner. The match was one of several on "Best of Dusty Rhodes - Living The American Dream" released by RF Video on VHS. He met Rhodes again three months later, this time with partner Scott Hall
Scott Hall
Scott Hall is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure with the World Wrestling Federation in the early and mid 1990s under the ring name Razor Ramon, as well as for his period in the mid 1990s and early 2000s with World Championship Wrestling under his real name...
, in a tag team match in Dothan, Alabama
Dothan, Alabama
Dothan is a city located in the southeastern corner of the US state of Alabama, situated approximately west of the Georgia state line and north of Florida. It is the seat of Houston County, with portions extending into nearby Dale County and Henry County...
with Larry Zbyszko
Larry Zbyszko
Lawrence "Larry" Whistler is a professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Larry Zbyszko. Zbyszko is perhaps best known for his feud with his mentor, wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino during the early 1980s....
which they lost. He was also on the losing end of a 6-man tag team match with Ron Studd and 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 ....
at TCW's "Woodstock Show", on December 7, 2001, when they were disqualified in their match to Dusty Rhodes, Bob Armstrong
Bob Armstrong
Joseph Melton James is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, "Bullet" Bob Armstrong. In the course of his career, which spanned five decades, Armstrong held numerous championships throughout the Southeastern United States...
and Larry Zbyzsko.
Semi-retirement (2001-2004)
Gowen eventually left pro wrestling to work for a building supply company, and later with a major motorcycle distributor, Greg and Lori Becker's Stone Mountain Harley-Davidson, though he continued to make occasional appearances on the Georgia "indy circuit" for a number of years. On November 29, 2002, he and his old tag team partner Dennis Gale reunited for a Peach State Wrestling reunion show, held at the Lions Club Fairgrounds in Cordele, GeorgiaCordele, Georgia
Cordele, also known as The Watermelon Capital of the World, is a city in Crisp County, Georgia, United States. The population was 11,608 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Crisp County...
, where they wrestled "Wildfire" Tommy Rich and Mr. Hughes in the main event. "Bullet" Bob Armstrong was originally scheduled to serve as the special guest referee however he was forced to drop out after being injured in an attack by Erik Watts earlier in the show. Other wrestlers on the card included Vordell Walker
Vordell Walker
"Eddie" Walker is an American professional wrestler, currently wrestling under the ring name Vordell Walker. He is perhaps best known for his work in Ring of Honor and Total Nonstop Action.-Professional wrestling career:...
, The Nightmare, Scott Armstrong, Marty Jannetty
Marty Jannetty
Frederick Marty Jannetty is an American professional wrestler, best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation as part of tag team The Rockers with partner Shawn Michaels, and later as a singles competitor. While in the WWF, he became a one time Intercontinental Champion and a one time...
, Bambi
Selina Majors
Selina Majors , better known by her stage name Bambi, is an American professional wrestler.-Early career:Majors debuted as a professional wrestler in 1986 working for David McLane. She competed in his nationally televised professional women's wrestling league, Powerful Women of Wrestling as Bambi...
, Leilani Kai
Leilani Kai
Patricia Schroeder , better known by her stage name Leilani Kai, is a semi-retired professional wrestler. She began training with The Fabulous Moolah right after finishing high school...
, Jorge Estrada
Jorge Estrada
Jorge Moraza is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Jorge Estrada. He is a former National Wrestling Alliance North American Heavyweight champion and participated in the first televised match of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Moraza was...
, Sonny Siaki
Sonny Siaki
Sonny Siaki is a retired American professional wrestler. Unlike many Samoans in professional wrestling, he is not part of the large Anoa'i or Fatu family.-Early life:...
, Ray Lloyd
Ray Lloyd
Raymond M. Lloyd is an American martial artist, professional wrestler, and actor. He is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling in the late 1990s under the ring name Glacier.-Early life:...
, Scotty Riggs, and Thunderbolt Patterson. He also made a brief appearance for NAWA Ring Champions. On April 17, 2004, he was scheduled to wrestle Tommy Rich but instead tricked the younger Seth Cruise into taking his place. He returned for two more appearances defeating Johnny Grunge
Johnny Grunge
Michael "Mike" Durham was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Johnny Grunge...
on May 15 and, at its "Spring Stampede" supercard, his brother Terry Lawler in a Rome Street Fight on May 29, 2004. All three shows were held at Dillard's Music Park in Rome, Georgia
Rome, Georgia
Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Rome is the largest city and the county seat of Floyd County, Georgia, United States. It is the principal city of the Rome, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Floyd County...
.
Return to the Georgia "indy circuit" (2008-2009)
After an absence of several years, Gowen came out of retirement losing over thirty pounds to get in shape for his return. By 2008, he was wrestling for both NAWA Ring Champions, for which he served as booker at times, and Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling. On January 6, 2008, at SECW's "Bill Dromo Appreciation Night" in Carrollton, he wrestled in a 6-man tag team match with Chick Donovan and Bulldog Raines against Bob Armstrong, Tommy Rich, and Buff Bagwell, losing when his team was disqualified. On February 7, a tag team match with Bulldog Raines against Tommy Rich and Jimmy Powell in Rome for NAWA Ring Champions ended in a double-disqualification. He and Raines lost a match in SECW against Bull Buchanan and Buff Bagwell three days later.The two split up after their most recent loss and were on opposing sides the following week when he and his new partner, The Super Destroyer, beat Bull Buchanan and Bulldog Raines via disqualification. In SECW, Gower later challenged Raines for the SECW Heavyweight Championship.
The two were back together again in NAWA Ring Champions days later to wrestle Tommy Rich and Kenny Arden in Rome, but fought each other at NAWA's next show on March 13, another tag team match, pitting Steve & Terry Lawler against Bulldog Raines & the Nightmare. Both Lawler and Raines were still being managed by Jackie Rosedale. At another NAWA house show, headlined by Bambi
Selina Majors
Selina Majors , better known by her stage name Bambi, is an American professional wrestler.-Early career:Majors debuted as a professional wrestler in 1986 working for David McLane. She competed in his nationally televised professional women's wrestling league, Powerful Women of Wrestling as Bambi...
versus Peggy Lee Leather
Peggy Lee Leather
Peggy Lee , also known by her stage names Peggy Lee Leather, Lady X, and Thug, is an American professional wrestler.-World Wrestling Federation:Peggy Lee competed in the World Wrestling Federation in the mid-1980s...
, in Cedarsburg on April 4 he appeared with Ricky Morton, Bobby Eaton
Bobby Eaton
Robert Lee "Bobby" Eaton is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, who made his debut in 1976. Eaton is most famous for his work in tag teams, especially his days as one-half of the team the Midnight Express. Under the management of Jim Cornette, Eaton originally teamed with Dennis...
, and Chick Donovan. Two weeks later he wrestled Tommy Rich in a "bounty" match in Carrollton.
On May 3, 2008, Gowen was yet again among the Southern legends, such as Tommy Rich, Dennis Condrey and The Nightmare, invited to participate in AWA World-1 South's "Southern Clash" supercard in Cordele, Georgia
Cordele, Georgia
Cordele, also known as The Watermelon Capital of the World, is a city in Crisp County, Georgia, United States. The population was 11,608 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Crisp County...
. Though the majority took part on the "AWA Legends vs. Georgia Legends" main event, he wrestled The Nightmare, in a "special attraction match". The event also included the AWA's Larry Zbyszko and Jake Milliman
Jake Milliman
Jake Milliman is a semi-retired American professional wrestler who competed in North American regional promotions during the 1980s including stints in the National Wrestling Alliance, the World Wrestling Federation and, most notably, as a longtime mainstay of the American Wrestling...
& Frankie DeFalco, as well as younger independent wrestlers Ricky Landell
Ricky Landell
Ricky Landell is an American former professional wrestler. He is best known for competing in various independent promotions, the most notable being Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling ZERO1-MAX / Pro Wrestling Zero1 and AWA Superstars of Wrestling / Wrestling Superstars Live.-Debut :After training under...
, Kirby Mack
Kirby Mack
Kirby Mack is an American professional wrestler. He currently wrestles on the independent circuit. He has also wrestled for mainstream promotions such as World Wrestling Entertainment, Ring of Honor and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling....
, Chasyn Rance, Brian Logan, Ron Niemi, and The Heartbreak Express
The Heartbreak Express
The Heartbreak Express is a Florida-based tag team that have been together since 2000 and competes regularly all over the Southeastern independent circuit and abroad. The team consists of "Superstar" Sean Davis and "Fabulous" Phil Davis...
(Sean and Phil Davis).
Georgia Wrestling Promotions incident (2008)
In early-2008, Gowen was among a number of wrestlers booked to wrestle an event in Woodstock, GeorgiaWoodstock, Georgia
Woodstock is a city in Cherokee County, Georgia, United States. The population was 23,896 at the 2010 census.Originally a stop on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, Woodstock is now considered part of the Atlanta metropolitan area...
for Georgia Wrestling Promotions. The card advertised Gowen and Terry Lawler to face Hot Like Lava (Cru Jones & Shawn Banks) in the main event and was to include a 20-man Battle Royal, with the final two men facing each other to determine the new GWP Champion on June 1, and appearances from Tommy Rich, Masked Superstar, and former students Buff Bagwell and Murder One.
The event experienced a number of problems both prior to and during the show. The promotion's owner, Roger Cantrell, had been hospitalized due to cellulitis
Cellulitis
Cellulitis is a diffuse inflammation of connective tissue with severe inflammation of dermal and subcutaneous layers of the skin. Cellulitis can be caused by normal skin flora or by exogenous bacteria, and often occurs where the skin has previously been broken: cracks in the skin, cuts, blisters,...
related to his diabetes around this time and contracted pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
during his stay. He was later diagnosed with kidney failure and put on dialysis
Dialysis
In medicine, dialysis is a process for removing waste and excess water from the blood, and is primarily used to provide an artificial replacement for lost kidney function in people with renal failure...
. Despite his poor health, and disregarding advice that he cancel the event, Cantrell provided the card for the upcoming show in Woodstock direct from his bed at Northside Cherokee Hospital.
Advertising for the show was not distributed until the three days before the show, contributing to its low attendance, and Cantrell had to personally call wrestlers who had been prematurely told the event was going to be cancelled. On the night of the show, at the Hot Wheels Skate Center, the building's manager informed the arriving wrestlers that she would not allow the show to take place because the promotion already owed her $500 for a bounced check received for a previous show in January, another $100 she loaned Cantrell to pay talent, in addition to $500 for that night's show. Cantrell was not at the building that night, instead at his home recovering from his hospital stay, and so Gowen talked with the manager instead. She agreed to allow the show to continue provided Hot Wheels would receive the gate receipts, presumably the first $1100, to recoup the money Cantrell owed her. As GWP typically paid its talent with the gate receipts it was expected that the wrestlers would be paid with what was left. Less than 20 people were in attendance at bell time (7:30 pm), far less than expected, and none of the wrestlers were to receive payment for their appearance. Masked Superstar, Tommy Rich, Cru Jones, Terry Lawler and Gowen all left before their matches and Murder One was forced to rebook the show at the last minute with the remaining wrestlers.
Gowen, upset by the experience, posted a message criticizing the promotion on his website shortly after what would be its final show;
Recent years (2010-)
On June 1, 2010, Gowen was a guest on the internet radioInternet radio
Internet radio is an audio service transmitted via the Internet...
program "The Dave & Danger Show" with Dave Wills and Mark Danger during which he discussed his training and early career, friendships with many Southern wrestlers (including road stories with Tommy Rich), and promoted an upcoming benefit show, "Legends of Wrestling", to raise money for Breast Cancer Network of Strength. He particularly critical of the modern wrestling industry, such as the use of the six-sided "octagon"-like ring used by 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...
, the breaking of "kayfabe
Kayfabe
In professional wrestling, kayfabe is the portrayal of events within the industry as "real" or "true". Specifically, the portrayal of professional wrestling, in particular the competition and rivalries between participants, as being genuine or not of a worked nature...
", and the shift away from "traditional" wrestling to sports entertainment
Sports entertainment
Sports entertainment is a type of spectacle which presents an ostensibly competitive event using a high level of theatrical flourish and extravagant presentation, with the purpose of entertaining an audience...
. He also spoke out against efforts by the Georgia Wrestling Commission to regulate pro wrestling in his home state and expressed interest in holding a special wresting show to recognize Georgia's legendary wrestling personalities.
The "Legends of Wrestling" show took place three days later at an outdoor concert held at the Granite Mountain Harley-Davidson dealership, celebrating its 6th anniversary, in Conyers, Georgia
Conyers, Georgia
Conyers is the only city in Rockdale County, Georgia, USA. It is twenty-four miles east of Atlanta. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 10,689. Census estimates of 2005 indicate a population of 12,205. The city is the county seat of Rockdale County. By 2009, the reported population was...
. A portion of the proceeds went to raising funds for breast cancer patients and family support. Among the performers at the event included Abdullah the Butcher, Randy Rose, Steve and Terry Lawler, and the masked Original Assassin. Gowen was also present at an event for Purks International Championship Wrestling a week later, where Terry Lawler was wrestling in a 6-man tag team match, though Gowen did not take part in the show.
During the summer of 2011, Gower appeared with other Georgia legends for Georgia Championship Wrestling
Georgia Championship Wrestling
Georgia Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion whose self-titled TV program aired in the 1970s and 1980s on Atlanta, U.S., superstation WTBS. Though based in Atlanta, the company also ran live wrestling shows throughout its geographic "territory" of Georgia Georgia...
which had been recently revived by promoter Grady Odom. On its June 30th show in Phenix City, he appeared alongside Abdullah the Butcher, Joel Deaton, Ricky Morton, and Bob & Brad Armstrong, where he wrestled Vordell Walker
Vordell Walker
"Eddie" Walker is an American professional wrestler, currently wrestling under the ring name Vordell Walker. He is perhaps best known for his work in Ring of Honor and Total Nonstop Action.-Professional wrestling career:...
. He was scheduled to meet Walker two months later at GCW's "Invasion" supercard in Macon, Georgia
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
but this was later changed to a tag team match between he and Billy Black against Tony Atlas and Tommy Rich. The four wrestled for 12 minutes until referee Keith Steinborn saw Black hit Atlas with his cowbell causing their disqualification.
In wrestling
- 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...
- Sammy Kent
- Ronnie Gosset
- Danny Dees
- Mad Jack
- Mr. Donnie
- Jackie Rosedale
- 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- Steve "The Brawler" Lawler
- "Baddest man on the planet"
- "Desperado" Liberty McCall
- Wrestlers trained
- Buff BagwellBuff BagwellMarcus Alexander Bagwell is an American professional wrestler and actor, better known by his ring name, Buff Bagwell. He is best known for his tenure with World Championship Wrestling between 1991 and 2001, where he was a five time World Tag Team Champion.-Professional wrestling career: Bagwell...
- Disco Inferno
- Terry Lawler
- Murder One
- Buff Bagwell
Championships and accomplishments
- Deep South Wrestling
- DSW Brass Knucks Championship (1 time)
- Georgia All-Star Wrestling
- GASW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- GASW Television Championship (1 time, first)
- North American Wrestling Association
- NAWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time, first)
- North Georgia Wrestling Association
- NGWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time, last)
- NGWA Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Bubba Humphries
- 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 #341 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1992
- PWI ranked him #333 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1991
- Southern Championship Wrestling
- SCW Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Dino Minelli