The Most Embarrassing Admission Of All...Pro Wrestling!

[Iceman67]

There ain't a real man alive that hasn't swilled brew and scarfed popcorn while watching 300 pound behemoths beat the ever lovin' shit out of each other-and loved it! Fess up boys (and girls, you love it ) and let's hear who your favorite 'rassler is or was and why.
Mine- Old school, Stan "The Man" Hanson. I watched him beat 5 men into bloody slop live one night. He was BAD!
New Age-"Stone Cold" without doubt!
Don't be a pussy and say you ain't watchin' it...we know better!

 

[timewilltell]

about 15 years ago I was a regular. I had a friend that went all the time and he talked me into going. I was amazed at how packed the Greensboro Coliseum was every time ( 15,000 - 18,000) people.

It was so damn funny I about cried. Nothing like watching some 80 year old granny yelling and cussing out the bad guys. Very cheap and very entertaining.

This was in the days of the Four Horsemen - Ric Flair was the man to boo and Dusty Rhodes was one of the heros. I actually met him in an airport one day. He was a super nice guy but damn his forehead looking like ground beef it was so scarred up.

but alas... I have grown out of my wrasslin' days.

all I want to do now is wrassle with a pretty lady between the sheets

 

[Iceman67]

Gotta beat the man to be the man...

Ain't no such thing as out growin' 'rasslin, son. Your body gets old and you out grow fuckin'. But that testosterone just keeps on comin'. The urge to whoop ass won't stop...

 

[JennyOmanHill]

Two years ago, I discovered my 'Man enjoys watching RAW and SMACKDOWN!

Being the loving partner I am, I endured many hours, and now admit that I can recognize many of them, and watch a few shows with him (but they DO give me a headache!).

I think I enjoy Chris Jericho, the Undertaker and Kane the best!

 

[alwaysawake]

When I was a kid, I watched Rowdy Roddy Piper, Curt Hennig, Jesse The Body Ventura, and others put in their time here in Portland, OR in the now defunct Portland Wrestling...Piper still lives here.

Of the new wrestlers, I still like the Undertaker, Stone Cold, and the Dudley Boyz.

 

[DreamWeaver]

Old school would be Hawk and Animal "The Road Warriors" Rowdy Roddy Piper, Curt Hennig, Jesse The Body Ventura and Greg "the hammer" Valetine

New school would be Stone Cold Steve Austin

 

[1sexylady]

When I was a kid, I watched Rowdy Roddy Piper, Curt Hennig, Jesse The Body Ventura, and others put in their time here in Portland, OR in the now defunct Portland Wrestling...Piper still lives here.

Of the new wrestlers, I still like the Undertaker, Stone Cold, and the Dudley Boyz.

pssssssssssssst AA...they are to young to know them...lmao

I like The Undertaker...

 

[alwaysawake]

pssssssssssssst AA...they are to young to know them...lmao

I like The Undertaker...

I can't help it if I'm an old goat!

 

[Marathonman]

The only channel i could get with rasslin' as a kid was outta calgary. I saw Bret Hart, dynamite kid, davey boy smith, bad news allan, and the cuban assassin all hone there skills.

good times!!

 

[JennyOmanHill]

True story...

Years ago, I was "stationed" for two and a half months in L.A., and on a 3-day holiday weekend, took an early flight from L.A. to Phoenix to see my Mom.

Well, it was a miserable rainy day, and I hate flying on a good day, so I was a wreck (and I had a long island iced tea hangover!).

Well, I took my window seat, and as the rain came pouring down, our flight seemed to be delayed.

I noticed that the row in front of me had the emergency door, so in my warped and worried mind, I was already planning my escape (just in case!).

Who should wind up sitting in that row in front of me (the seats were individually separated), was the Hulk himself! Spandex and all!!

Well, I was instantly relieved that HE should be in the row with the emergency door, and we took off and I just stared at his massive right arm the entire time!

When I was boarding, a noticed a young boy crying at the gate; it turned out he had been visiting his father, and was flying, alone, to get back home to his mother.

During the rather bumpy flight (I kept staring at that ARM!) one of the flight attendants approached "Mr. Hulk" and asked if it would be ok if a young boy came back and talked with him a bit.

He said sure, and that same little boy was escorted back, and had the widest smile I had ever seen!

When we landed, I had to wait for the Hulk to take his luggage off mine in the top compartment, but he was most gentlemanly, and I still have a warm spot in my heart for him.

 

[alwaysawake]

Re: True story...

Years ago, I was "stationed" for two and a half months in L.A., and on a 3-day holiday weekend, took an early flight from L.A. to Phoenix to see my Mom.

Well, it was a miserable rainy day, and I hate flying on a good day, so I was a wreck (and I had a long island iced tea hangover!).

Well, I took my window seat, and as the rain came pouring down, our flight seemed to be delayed.

I noticed that the row in front of me had the emergency door, so in my warped and worried mind, I was already planning my escape (just in case!).

Who should wind up sitting in that row in front of me (the seats were individually separated), was the Hulk himself! Spandex and all!!

Well, I was instantly relieved that HE should be in the row with the emergency door, and we took off and I just stared at his massive right arm the entire time!

When I was boarding, a noticed a young boy crying at the gate; it turned out he had been visiting his father, and was flying, alone, to get back home to his mother.

During the rather bumpy flight (I kept staring at that ARM!) one of the flight attendants approached "Mr. Hulk" and asked if it would be ok if a young boy came back and talked with him a bit.

He said sure, and that same little boy was escorted back, and had the widest smile I had ever seen!

When we landed, I had to wait for the Hulk to take his luggage off mine in the top compartment, but he was most gentlemanly, and I still have a warm spot in my heart for him.

How cool! It was Hulk that got wrestling to it's current 'lofty state' and it's nice to hear some good things about him.

 

[JennyOmanHill]

Re: Re: True story...

How cool! It was Hulk that got wrestling to it's current 'lofty state' and it's nice to hear some good things about him.

I was not into wrestling at all, but his time with that young boy really touched my heart. He even told the boy to wait with his mother after everyone got off the plane, and he would speak with both of them.

I don't quite "get" wrestling, but it's nice to see them "off stage' and realize they are real people! There's even a Ranger connection for me: Chris Jericho is the son of former Ranger Ted Irvine (who I rooted for many years ago! In fact, I remember seeing a picture of Ted with his newborn son in the NY papers!)

 

[alwaysawake]

Re: Re: Re: True story...

I was not into wrestling at all, but his time with that young boy really touched my heart. He even told the boy to wait with his mother after everyone got off the plane, and he would speak with both of them.

I don't quite "get" wrestling, but it's nice to see them "off stage' and realize they are real people! There's even a Ranger connection for me: Chris Jericho is the son of former Ranger Ted Irvine (who I rooted for many years ago! In fact, I remember seeing a picture of Ted with his newborn son in the NY papers!)

Yes, he is Ted Irvine's son...forgot about that...but he is charismatic! LOL WWE wrestling IS scripted, but it is amusing and these guys/gals have to be athletic to pull off some of the acrobatic moves that they try to do!

 

[JennyOmanHill]

Re: Re: Re: Re: True story...

Yes, he is Ted Irvine's son...forgot about that...but he is charismatic! LOL WWE wrestling IS scripted, but it is amusing and these guys/gals have to be athletic to pull off some of the acrobatic moves that they try to do!

I realize that now! In fact, we knew when RAW was in Omaha recently, Jericho had a "knee injury" and missed the match, but was performing with his band in one of the Omaha bars!

It is amazing at what they do to each other, and I wind up with a headache after watching a few matches!

Oman actually watched a bit of hockey with me today, so that makes up for the wrestling I've endured!

 

[alwaysawake]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: True story...

I realize that now! In fact, we knew when RAW was in Omaha recently, Jericho had a "knee injury" and missed the match, but was performing with his band in one of the Omaha bars!

It is amazing at what they do to each other, and I wind up with a headache after watching a few matches!

Oman actually watched a bit of hockey with me today, so that makes up for the wrestling I've endured!

Give and take when you are side by side...in a LDR, I do what I want and when I want! LOL

 

[JennyOmanHill]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: True story...

Give and take when you are side by side...in a LDR, I do what I want and when I want! LOL

We each do what we want as well, but it's amazing that, at times, we truly want to share what each of us likes.

You truly are a brat!

Toni's ears must have been ringing while we were watching the Stars!

 

[alwaysawake]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: True story...

We each do what we want as well, but it's amazing that, at times, we truly want to share what each of us likes.

You truly are a brat!

Toni's ears must have been ringing while we were watching the Stars!

Yeah, admittedly--I am a brat! LOL And MY ears will be ringing after Toni swats me alongside the head! LOL (Guess it's the doghouse for me...again!) LOL

 

[omahaman2]

Two years ago, I discovered my 'Man enjoys watching RAW and SMACKDOWN!

Being the loving partner I am, I endured many hours, and now admit that I can recognize many of them, and watch a few shows with him (but they DO give me a headache!).

I think I enjoy Chris Jericho, the Undertaker and Kane the best!

I really dont enjoy the flow of the WWE shows,like my darling jenny says,but when it is the only game in town now what can you do. I get tired of the charecter type wrestlers they come up with. I much more enjoyed WCW before the last few years and some of the smaller federations like WCCW based out of oklahoma and texas when I lived down there. Now,that was wrestling back then. I enjoyed watching many matches with the likes of the freebirds,the VonErichs,bruiser brody, chris adams and many many more.It must have been good,many of today's wrestlers started there. I stumbled across an old video i had taped and was watching it, and jenny was shocked to see
steve austin WITH HAIR!!!

 

[tonitits]

I got into Wrestling back in the '80's and being from Dallas and visiting the Sportatorium,now closed down and Will Rogers Coliseum in Ft Worth. I went every Friday night and some Monday nights over in Ft. Worth and also traveled to some of the small towns on the weekend. Of course the all time favorites here were the Von Erichs. I actually met them, not David, he he was already dead. Mike was a sweetie, Kerry was when he wasn't high as kite after his leg got amputated. I was one of a very few that actually knew that before he died. Kevin always was and from reports I have seen since still is. He is just a down home country boy! My dad actually went to school with Fritz Von Erich. I was in love with Lance Von Erich, until I found out he was married and he became my adopted brother. I remember seeing Bruiser Brody, he was not a very friendly guy. Alot of the guys that I met and got to know have since died. I remember the Freebirds. Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy were very nice, Terry is now dead from cancer. Steve and Shaun Simpson, from South Africa are very good friends of mine. Have not talked to them in years but we had alot of great times together. I also met Ric Flair, the Youngblood brothers were good friends of mine. There are so many that came/went and I loved them all. In fact I have a sweat shirt that a friend of mine from Boston made me one year for Christmas that has World Class Championship Wrestling and in the center of it Sportatorium Dallas, Tx. I got alot of the wrestlers to sign it. Some of the really "nice" guys were the "bad guys" Some were smart alecks and rude and crude, keeping up their acts. But for the most part if you acted nice, they did too. There were 12-13 years old dressing older to try to be with some of these guys. On my sweatshirt I have Steve and Shaun Simpson, Lance Von Erich, Iceman King Parsons, Terry Taylor, he was hot in his day!, Chris and Mark Youngblood, Chris Adams, Percy Pringle, he was soooo funny but a great guy. I loved his wife and kids. Tony Atlas, Chico Cabello, Steve Casey, Dingo Warrior, who later became the Ultimate Warrior, he had one hot body!!!!! And he was very sweet. I tried and tried to get a pic of him without his makeup and finally did, but he told me I had to keep it to myself because his contract required that he always have the makeup on., Steve Cox, Michael PS Hayes, Bam Bam Terry Gordy, The SST they were Fatu and Samu, they were from Samoa, The Missing Link, Sheena, Michael, Kevin and Kerry Von Erich, David Manning, he was referee, Jeff Raitz, local kid that wrestled for awhile, Ralph Pulley, he was announcer and ref for short time and he also sang the Nat'l anthem at times. He was a great guy that died many years ago., Al Perez, Playboy Vince Apollo, he was a cutie too! Jack Victory. A couple of local boys that didn't last too long. It was alot of fun and help make a bad week go away. But like everything else when you get to know the guys and the fans are jealous, they tend to make up all kinds of tales. It got to where it was like a soap opera and they made it where it was as much fun anymore. And now that they do not have the matches here anymore I have not seen it in years. My son still likes to watch from time to time. There were lots of others but I can't think of them right now. One I really liked, he acted crazy was Nick Foley, he wasn't called that then. And when he hit it bit of WWE I was so surprised. He was not one that I thought would last that long! OF course my son loves the Rock, and we both like Stone Cold Steve Austin, the modern ones I don't know much about them, but he probably does. I also remember Jake the Snake, he actually pulled the snake outside and let ppl touch it!

Edited to add Gary Hart, was a great guy, very nice. And so was that Rag head manager that acted so nasty! Skandar Akbar, he was actually a bank loan officer!!! Roddy Rod Piper came here once. There for awhile when WCCW and NWA combined there were ppl coming and going. I remember Jeff Jarrett, his dad was the one that bought out the Von Erich's.
Man those were some fun times. In fact, one time I was getting a second job to pay off some bills, and when I went to the interview I told her I could work 5-9 Mon-Thu after I got off my other job and I would work weekends some, but I had to have Fri nights off. She asked me why??? And I told her I had to have it off to go to the wrestling matches!!!

Also one time it was really cool. There were a bunch of us "regulars" who sat in the same seats every week, along the aisle of the good guys aisle and we decided to fix our faces up like Dingo Warrior, his wife knew about it but did not tell him and when he came down the aisle he saw all the faces made up and told his wife, My god they are all made up like me. And we had my nephew, who was just about a yr old made up also and he took him to the ring with him to introduce him, but Steve took one look at this big guy and he could not see us and started to cry!!!!!! So he gave him back to us! Steve missed his chance! Btw, Steve just turned 18! Tells you how long ago that was!

 

[tonitits]

One of the things that is most important, is it is not "wrestling"
it is wrastling!!!

AA - I'll put the iron claw on you if you are not nice!

 

[omahaman2]

I got into Wrestling back in the '80's and being from Dallas and visiting the Sportatorium,now closed down and Will Rogers Coliseum in Ft Worth. I went every Friday night and some Monday nights over in Ft. Worth and also traveled to some of the small towns on the weekend. Of course the all time favorites here were the Von Erichs. I actually met them, not David, he he was already dead. Mike was a sweetie, Kerry was when he wasn't high as kite after his leg got amputated. I was one of a very few that actually knew that before he died. Kevin always was and from reports I have seen since still is. He is just a down home country boy! My dad actually went to school with Fritz Von Erich. I was in love with Lance Von Erich, until I found out he was married and he became my adopted brother. I remember seeing Bruiser Brody, he was not a very friendly guy. Alot of the guys that I met and got to know have since died. I remember the Freebirds. Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy were very nice, Terry is now dead from cancer. Steve and Shaun Simpson, from South Africa are very good friends of mine. Have not talked to them in years but we had alot of great times together. I also met Ric Flair, the Youngblood brothers were good friends of mine. There are so many that came/went and I loved them all. In fact I have a sweat shirt that a friend of mine from Boston made me one year for Christmas that has World Class Championship Wrestling and in the center of it Sportatorium Dallas, Tx. I got alot of the wrestlers to sign it. Some of the really "nice" guys were the "bad guys" Some were smart alecks and rude and crude, keeping up their acts. But for the most part if you acted nice, they did too. There were 12-13 years old dressing older to try to be with some of these guys. On my sweatshirt I have Steve and Shaun Simpson, Lance Von Erich, Iceman King Parsons, Terry Taylor, he was hot in his day!, Chris and Mark Youngblood, Chris Adams, Percy Pringle, he was soooo funny but a great guy. I loved his wife and kids. Tony Atlas, Chico Cabello, Steve Casey, Dingo Warrior, who later became the Ultimate Warrior, he had one hot body!!!!! And he was very sweet. I tried and tried to get a pic of him without his makeup and finally did, but he told me I had to keep it to myself because his contract required that he always have the makeup on., Steve Cox, Michael PS Hayes, Bam Bam Terry Gordy, The SST they were Fatu and Samu, they were from Samoa, The Missing Link, Sheena, Michael, Kevin and Kerry Von Erich, David Manning, he was referee, Jeff Raitz, local kid that wrestled for awhile, Ralph Pulley, he was announcer and ref for short time and he also sang the Nat'l anthem at times. He was a great guy that died many years ago., Al Perez, Playboy Vince Apollo, he was a cutie too! Jack Victory. A couple of local boys that didn't last too long. It was alot of fun and help make a bad week go away. But like everything else when you get to know the guys and the fans are jealous, they tend to make up all kinds of tales. It got to where it was like a soap opera and they made it where it was as much fun anymore. And now that they do not have the matches here anymore I have not seen it in years. My son still likes to watch from time to time. There were lots of others but I can't think of them right now. One I really liked, he acted crazy was Nick Foley, he wasn't called that then. And when he hit it bit of WWE I was so surprised. He was not one that I thought would last that long! OF course my son loves the Rock, and we both like Stone Cold Steve Austin, the modern ones I don't know much about them, but he probably does. I also remember Jake the Snake, he actually pulled the snake outside and let ppl touch it!

Edited to add Gary Hart, was a great guy, very nice. And so was that Rag head manager that acted so nasty! Skandar Akbar, he was actually a bank loan officer!!! Roddy Rod Piper came here once. There for awhile when WCCW and NWA combined there were ppl coming and going. I remember Jeff Jarrett, his dad was the one that bought out the Von Erich's.
Man those were some fun times. In fact, one time I was getting a second job to pay off some bills, and when I went to the interview I told her I could work 5-9 Mon-Thu after I got off my other job and I would work weekends some, but I had to have Fri nights off. She asked me why??? And I told her I had to have it off to go to the wrestling matches!!!

Also one time it was really cool. There were a bunch of us "regulars" who sat in the same seats every week, along the aisle of the good guys aisle and we decided to fix our faces up like Dingo Warrior, his wife knew about it but did not tell him and when he came down the aisle he saw all the faces made up and told his wife, My god they are all made up like me. And we had my nephew, who was just about a yr old made up also and he took him to the ring with him to introduce him, but Steve took one look at this big guy and he could not see us and started to cry!!!!!! So he gave him back to us! Steve missed his chance! Btw, Steve just turned 18! Tells you how long ago that was!

Toni, i was there on a night when the warrior brought a baby made up to the ring!!! I drove down from Tulsa. Thanks for all the memories. Some of the those names brought back memories. BTW, percy pringle is also in the WWE now, he is Paul bearer, undertaker's sidekick. Now, Im starting to remeber the Uwf who got alot of people from WCCW. In fact, i think steve cox's dad
owned it. They had dr death steve williams and terry taylor and jake roberts before wccw.

Also, what was the name of the WCCW announcer. I think on the side he worked as a car dealer.

 

[tonitits]

Toni, i was there on a night when the warrior brought a baby made up to the ring!!! I drove down from Tulsa. Thanks for all the memories. Some of the those names brought back memories. BTW, percy pringle is also in the WWE now, he is Paul bearer, undertaker's sidekick. Now, Im starting to remeber the Uwf who got alot of people from WCCW. In fact, i think steve cox's dad
owned it. They had dr death steve williams and terry taylor and jake roberts before wccw.

Also, what was the name of the WCCW announcer. I think on the side he worked as a car dealer.

Marc Lowrance - he owner a car dealership and he got his ministry license. Him and his wife took a yearly train trip somewhere. So you were there when my nephew was there, cool!!! I was a young 20 something back then! Cool!!!! Yeah it does bring back alot of memories. I was trying to think of some of the other wrestlers. There was one guy. Ugly dude, he always wore the leather vest and a pony tail. He was really nice too! He bought the Texas Longhorn Bar when it closed and had it for a little while and they had some wrestling matches there. I also like going to the David Von Erich Memorial matches at Tx Stadium or the Cotton Bowl. Those were always great and 1000's of ppl would come from all over!

 

[alwaysawake]

Here's a list of some of the oldies that have passed away that I used to watch...

Crash Holly, 32, vomit choke
Junkyard Dog, 45, auto accident
Adrian Adonis, 34, auto accident
Andre the Giant, 46, heart failure
Freddy Blassie, 85, natural causes
Bruiser Brody, 42, murdered
Bad Bad Leroy Brown, 37
Miss Elizabeth, 42, drug overdose
Uncle Elmer, 54
Eddie Gilbert, 33, heart attack
Terry Gordy, 40, heart attack
Owen Hart, 34, ring accident
Road Warrior Hawk, heart failure?
Gorilla Monsoon, heart failure
Giant Ochiai, 30
Ravishing Rick Rude, 40, heart attack
Davy Boy Smith, 39, heart attack
Big John Studd, 46, liver cancer
Prof Toru Tanaka, 70, heart attack
Chris Von Erich, 21, suicide
David Von Erich, 25, acute enteritis
Kerry Von Erich, 33, suicide
Mike Von Erich, 23, suicide
Curt Henning, 44, cocaine overdose
Dino Bravo, 44
Mad Dog Buzz Sawyer, 32
Yokozuna, 34, heart attack
Moondog Spot, 61, heart attack during a show
Hercules Hernandez, heart attack
Rick McGraw
Art Barr
Wahoo McDaniel
Stu Hart
Brian Pillman
Haystack Calhoun...all 700 plu pounds of him

 

[tonitits]

Here's a list of some of the oldies that have passed away that I used to watch...

Crash Holly, 32, vomit choke
Junkyard Dog, 45, auto accident
Adrian Adonis, 34, auto accident
Andre the Giant, 46, heart failure
Freddy Blassie, 85, natural causes
Bruiser Brody, 42, murdered
Bad Bad Leroy Brown, 37
Miss Elizabeth, 42, drug overdose
Uncle Elmer, 54
Eddie Gilbert, 33, heart attack
Terry Gordy, 40, heart attack
Owen Hart, 34, ring accident
Road Warrior Hawk, heart failure?
Gorilla Monsoon, heart failure
Giant Ochiai, 30
Ravishing Rick Rude, 40, heart attack
Davy Boy Smith, 39, heart attack
Big John Studd, 46, liver cancer
Prof Toru Tanaka, 70, heart attack
Chris Von Erich, 21, suicide
David Von Erich, 25, acute enteritis
Kerry Von Erich, 33, suicide
Mike Von Erich, 23, suicide
Curt Henning, 44, cocaine overdose
Dino Bravo, 44
Mad Dog Buzz Sawyer, 32
Yokozuna, 34, heart attack
Moondog Spot, 61, heart attack during a show
Hercules Hernandez, heart attack
Rick McGraw
Art Barr
Wahoo McDaniel
Stu Hart
Brian Pillman
Haystack Calhoun...all 700 plu pounds of him

Rick Rude was one that I was trying to think of. Chris Von Erich never really wrestled much, he was too little from problems with asthma and that is why he committed suicide. Gino Hernandez drug overdose, Chris Adams murdered. There were a few more that wrestled here. Some of them I didn't realized had died. But when Chris Adams got killed they listed some of them. I will see if I can find it and post them later. That is the "official" death that they told for David Von Erich, but actually he was in Japan and swallowed packets of drugs to smuggle back to US. and some erupted in his gut!

 

[tonitits]

Chris Adams

Pro wrestler slain long after glory days

Chris Adams grappled with problems since '80s career heyday

Chris Adams always lived bigger than life, his days bright with promise, his nights black with promise unfilled.

His troubled days ended early Sunday, when police say a man described as Mr. Adams' best friend and former roommate shot the professional wrestler to death during a drunken brawl in Waxahachie.

At the time of his death, Mr. Adams, 46, was awaiting trial on manslaughter charges in the drug death of a girlfriend in 2000 and faced up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

He'd already served a term in federal prison for assaulting an airline pilot during a drunken rage. And he had seen his career plummet from the days when "Gentleman Chris Adams" was an honest-to-goodness wrestling star.

Waxahachie police said Mr. Adams was shot once with a .38-caliber handgun. Mr. Adams and wrestling promoter William B. Parnell had been drinking late Saturday at the home of Mr. Parnell's mother in the 200 block of Sendero Drive.

The two started "roughhousing" and wrestling, and the play got out of hand. Mr. Parnell told police he began to fear for his life, Sgt. Nathan Bickerstaff said.

"He reached over on the nightstand and got a gun and shot Mr. Adams," Sgt. Bickerstaff said.

Mr. Parnell then called police and told them about the shooting. He was waiting inside the house when they arrived.

He was charged with murder and is being held in lieu of $300,000 bail at the Waxahachie jail, police said. Mr. Parnell could not be reached for comment Monday.

Mr. Adams arrived in Dallas in 1983. Raised in Stratford, England, he was a national judo champion as a teenager. And he fast became a star in professional wrestling.

He joined the regional World Class Championship Wrestling circuit, using his British accent to create his ring persona, "Gentleman Chris Adams."

"He became a local superstar," said friend Jim Wehba, who wrestled under the name "Skandor Akbar." "When things got real hot around here, Chris was one of the main cogs. He had a lot of charisma."

"Between 1983 and 1986, he was one of the biggest stars in wrestling," said Dave Meltzer, editor of the Wrestling Observer publication.

"There were a lot of guys you watched then, and he was the one I always thought was going to be as big as anyone could be in wrestling," said Bill Mercer, the WCCW's television voice. "But I guess he was always in trouble."

Though untrained as a wrestler, Mr. Adams was gifted with dramatic flair and exceptional athletic skills. He quickly joined the Von Erichs, Dallas wrestling's royal family, in the flashy new WCCW television broadcasts.

"A lot of guys flooded in here to be part of the WCCW," said wrestling promoter Gary Hart, once Mr. Adams' manager. "He came and he became a sensation."

Actually, the whole WCCW production was something of a sensation, and its young stars pushed life to the edge. A staggering number wouldn't survive.

"It was an unbelievable period in wrestling," Mr. Meltzer said. "It was something wrestling had never seen before. They all had so much fame so early. They weren't equipped to handle it."

Four Von Erich brothers, whose family name is Adkisson, died young – three committed suicide, and one died of an intestinal illness. Mr. Adams' former wrestling partner, Gino Hernandez, died of a drug overdose in 1986.

Frank "Bruiser Brody" Goodish was killed by another wrestler in Puerto Rico in 1988. "Ravishing" Rick Ruud died from a drug overdose in 1999. So did Buzz Sawyer. Scott "Super Destroyer" Irwin and Jeep Swenson died of cancer. Terry Gordy suffered a fatal heart attack in July 2001.

Mr. Adams survived, though alcohol haunted him.

"This was a problem he battled for the last 10 or 12 years," Mr. Hart said. "Sometimes he won; sometimes he lost."

Kevin Adkisson, the only surviving member of the Von Erich wrestling family, saw some of those problems first-hand.

Mr. Adkisson was on a flight with Mr. Adams in 1990, returning from a series of shows in the Caribbean, when their plane was grounded with mechanical problems. The airline provided an open bar. When the flight finally took off, the crew decided they wouldn't serve drinks. Mr. Adams objected.

"I was asleep in the back and a stewardess came up and said, 'Mr. Von Erich, can you help us?' " Mr. Adkisson recalled.

Mr. Adams had argued with a flight attendant. When one of the pilots intervened, Mr. Adams knocked him to the floor.

"I ran up and got him in a half nelson. I said, 'Chris, you know they're going to arrest you for this.' I told him we could switch shirts and try to walk out with the crowd. And he said, 'No, I'll go off as Chris Adams.' "

Mr. Adams was one of the toughest wrestlers Mr. Adkisson ever fought, he said.

"He could fight, he really could. And I'm talking Texas style," he said.

Mr. Adams opened a wrestling school – The Gentleman Chris Adams School of Personalized Professional Wrestling Coaching – and it flourished for a while. His most successful graduate: "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, now one of wrestling's biggest stars.

But Mr. Adams eventually lost the school. He started various wrestling ventures, which usually failed. Still wrestling himself, he received a contract with World Championship Wrestling in the late '90s. Eventually, though, he returned to Dallas, his career barely a flicker.

He battled alcohol and developed a drug problem. In April 2000, Mr. Parnell found Mr. Adams and girlfriend Linda Kaphengst of Dallas unconscious in an apartment after they overdosed on gamma hydroxybutyrate, or GHB. Ms. Kaphengst died 12 hours later.

He started drinking again, as heavily as ever.

Mr. Wehba said he worried for years about Mr. Adams' substance-abuse problems.

"I often wondered why Chris didn't get it treated," he said. "God rest his soul, it got worse and worse.

"I think Chris felt his life was in a hole and he couldn't climb out."Chris Adams always lived bigger than life, his days bright with promise, his nights black with promise unfilled.

His troubled days ended early Sunday, when police say a man described as Mr. Adams' best friend and former roommate shot the professional wrestler to death during a drunken brawl in Waxahachie.

At the time of his death, Mr. Adams, 46, was awaiting trial on manslaughter charges in the drug death of a girlfriend in 2000 and faced up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

He'd already served a term in federal prison for assaulting an airline pilot during a drunken rage. And he had seen his career plummet from the days when "Gentleman Chris Adams" was an honest-to-goodness wrestling star.

Waxahachie police said Mr. Adams was shot once with a .38-caliber handgun. Mr. Adams and wrestling promoter William B. Parnell had been drinking late Saturday at the home of Mr. Parnell's mother in the 200 block of Sendero Drive.

The two started "roughhousing" and wrestling, and the play got out of hand. Mr. Parnell told police he began to fear for his life, Sgt. Nathan Bickerstaff said.

"He reached over on the nightstand and got a gun and shot Mr. Adams," Sgt. Bickerstaff said.

Mr. Parnell then called police and told them about the shooting. He was waiting inside the house when they arrived.

He was charged with murder and is being held in lieu of $300,000 bail at the Waxahachie jail, police said. Mr. Parnell could not be reached for comment Monday.

Mr. Adams arrived in Dallas in 1983. Raised in Stratford, England, he was a national judo champion as a teenager. And he fast became a star in professional wrestling.

He joined the regional World Class Championship Wrestling circuit, using his British accent to create his ring persona, "Gentleman Chris Adams."

"He became a local superstar," said friend Jim Wehba, who wrestled under the name "Skandor Akbar." "When things got real hot around here, Chris was one of the main cogs. He had a lot of charisma."

"Between 1983 and 1986, he was one of the biggest stars in wrestling," said Dave Meltzer, editor of the Wrestling Observer publication.

"There were a lot of guys you watched then, and he was the one I always thought was going to be as big as anyone could be in wrestling," said Bill Mercer, the WCCW's television voice. "But I guess he was always in trouble."

Though untrained as a wrestler, Mr. Adams was gifted with dramatic flair and exceptional athletic skills. He quickly joined the Von Erichs, Dallas wrestling's royal family, in the flashy new WCCW television broadcasts.

"A lot of guys flooded in here to be part of the WCCW," said wrestling promoter Gary Hart, once Mr. Adams' manager. "He came and he became a sensation."

Actually, the whole WCCW production was something of a sensation, and its young stars pushed life to the edge. A staggering number wouldn't survive.

"It was an unbelievable period in wrestling," Mr. Meltzer said. "It was something wrestling had never seen before. They all had so much fame so early. They weren't equipped to handle it."

Four Von Erich brothers, whose family name is Adkisson, died young – three committed suicide, and one died of an intestinal illness. Mr. Adams' former wrestling partner, Gino Hernandez, died of a drug overdose in 1986.

Frank "Bruiser Brody" Goodish was killed by another wrestler in Puerto Rico in 1988. "Ravishing" Rick Ruud died from a drug overdose in 1999. So did Buzz Sawyer. Scott "Super Destroyer" Irwin and Jeep Swenson died of cancer. Terry Gordy suffered a fatal heart attack in July 2001.

Mr. Adams survived, though alcohol haunted him.

"This was a problem he battled for the last 10 or 12 years," Mr. Hart said. "Sometimes he won; sometimes he lost."

Kevin Adkisson, the only surviving member of the Von Erich wrestling family, saw some of those problems first-hand.

Mr. Adkisson was on a flight with Mr. Adams in 1990, returning from a series of shows in the Caribbean, when their plane was grounded with mechanical problems. The airline provided an open bar. When the flight finally took off, the crew decided they wouldn't serve drinks. Mr. Adams objected.

"I was asleep in the back and a stewardess came up and said, 'Mr. Von Erich, can you help us?' " Mr. Adkisson recalled.

Mr. Adams had argued with a flight attendant. When one of the pilots intervened, Mr. Adams knocked him to the floor.

"I ran up and got him in a half nelson. I said, 'Chris, you know they're going to arrest you for this.' I told him we could switch shirts and try to walk out with the crowd. And he said, 'No, I'll go off as Chris Adams.' "

Mr. Adams was one of the toughest wrestlers Mr. Adkisson ever fought, he said.

"He could fight, he really could. And I'm talking Texas style," he said.

Mr. Adams opened a wrestling school – The Gentleman Chris Adams School of Personalized Professional Wrestling Coaching – and it flourished for a while. His most successful graduate: "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, now one of wrestling's biggest stars.

But Mr. Adams eventually lost the school. He started various wrestling ventures, which usually failed. Still wrestling himself, he received a contract with World Championship Wrestling in the late '90s. Eventually, though, he returned to Dallas, his career barely a flicker.

He battled alcohol and developed a drug problem. In April 2000, Mr. Parnell found Mr. Adams and girlfriend Linda Kaphengst of Dallas unconscious in an apartment after they overdosed on gamma hydroxybutyrate, or GHB. Ms. Kaphengst died 12 hours later.

He started drinking again, as heavily as ever.

Mr. Wehba said he worried for years about Mr. Adams' substance-abuse problems.

"I often wondered why Chris didn't get it treated," he said. "God rest his soul, it got worse and worse.

"I think Chris felt his life was in a hole and he couldn't climb out."


Source: MICHAEL E. YOUNG and ROBERT THARP / The Dallas Morning News - 10/9/01

At the time he was wrestling at the Sportatorium he was married to a girl named, Toni, and she was one of the ring girls that they had for a short time!