#heavyweights 1995

[jayshiftsrealites]

how to get people online to care about your obscure hyperfixation from 1995 that's also your desired reality: no glue, no borax

[hadn’t been on this blog since forever so i decided to make a haha funny joke]

[dfilms]

Heavyweights, 1995

[lizziefanconfessions]

Roy: So, Josh, what really happened? Josh: Well, uh, Perkis sent me home without a refund. However, my dad’s a lawyer. He calls up Perkis, threatens to sue, and Perkis caved like the Buffalo Bills in the Super Bowl.

Roy and Josh (Heavyweights)

[theanticool]

Igor Vovchanchyn Highlights

By: Lewis

It's always kind of funny when people bring up Fedor being an undersized heavyweight. He was, but he wasn't a small man. He was like 6'0, 220-ish lbs. Not big by heavyweight standards, but not tiny.

You know who was tiny? Igor Vovchanchyn. A former kickboxer turned no holds barred/MMA fighter in 1995, Igor stood at only 5'8. By modern standards, I'm pretty sure Vovchanchyn is a welterweight. Maybe even a 155lber. But back in the mid to late 90s up to the early 2000s, he was the scariest puncher in the sport. This tiny Ukrainian man was knocking out guys who were coming into fights at over 300lbs. Sometimes, as many as 3 in a single night (IFC 1: Kombat in Kyiv - John Dixson, Paul Varelans, and Fred Floyd). Absolutely terrifying human being.

If you'd like to learn a bit more about the guy, check out this article from The Fight Site.

[machobusta]

Randy Savage makes his way to the ring to defend the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Ric Flair. Starrcade December 27, 1995

[wrestlinghistorywithkay]

Their Ring , Their Rules: How The Kliq’s Influence Impacted Pro Wrestling

Professional Wrestlers are like fans in a few ways. They also have lifelong friendships with other wrestlers as well do with people from our childhood whether it be neighbors, teammates , classmates, or colleagues at work. These relationships can be either positive or negative. In the world of professional wrestling, a group of five wrestlers with different personalities came together to create one of the most influential groups. This group is known as The Kliq.

The Kliq was a group consisting of Kevin Nash ( Diesel ) , Razor Ramon ( Scott Hall ) , Shawn Michaels , Hunter Hearst Helmsley ( Paul ‘Triple H ’ Levesque), and X-PAC/Syxx/123 Kid ( Sean Waltman). The group was mainly known backstage and forming in the WWF in the 90s. The Kliq would hold a little power by helping each other advance their careers and use it to influence their rivals’ careers in a negative light. The group caused some controversy in May of 1996 after a match at a house show at Madison Square Garden. This would be known as the ‘ Curtain Call ’. They would break kayfabe by embracing after the match and embracing each other before Scott Hall and Kevin Nash would leave for WCW. They would also be known for starting the most popular factions in wrestling , D-Generation X (DX), and the New World Order ( nWo). Sean Waltman would be among member of both factions. The group was formed in 1994 by Michaels , Waltman, Nash, and Hall. Levesque would join in 1995 after leaving WCW for WWF. Shawn Michaels would state that the name for their group came from Lex Luger due to them always hanging out backstage. They all had individual success during their careers as well.

Scott Oliver Hall ( Razor Ramon ) was born on October 20,1958. He would become a four time WWF Intercontinental Champion, one time WCW World TV Champion, two time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion, seven time WCW World Tag Team Champion ( 6 with Kevin Nash and 1 with Giant/Big Show/Paul Wight). Hall would also be the winner of the 1997 WCW World War 3 Battle Royal. Hall would also have a run in TNA and win the World Tag Team Championship with Eric Young and Kevin Nash. He would be a two time WWE Hall of Fame inductee in 2014 as a solo inductee and 2020 as a part of the nWo. Hall passed away at the age of 63 on March 22, 2022. His nickname was The Bad Guy.

Kevin Scott Nash ( Diesel ) was born on July 9,1959. He is a one time WWF World Heavyweight Champion, One time Intercontinental Champion, a two time WWF Tag Team Champion with Shawn Michaels ( Two Dudes with Attitudes), a five time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, World War 3 1998 Battle Royal Winner , Spring Break Cannonball Champion 1998, nine time WCW World Tag Team Champion (6 with Scott Hall , 2 with Diamond Dallas Page , and 1 with Sting). He would also have a run in TNA and become a two time TNA Legends Champion, 2009 Feast or Fired Winner ( Tag Team Championship opportunity) and a one time TNA World Tag Team Champion with Eric Young and Scott Hall. He has also appeared in a few movies such as ‘ Magic Mike ’ and ‘ Magic Mike : XXL ’. He would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a solo inductee in 2015 and in 2020 as a member of the nWo. Nash is also the host of the podcast, ‘ Kliq This ’, which launched in 2022. He is known as Big Daddy Cool and Big Sexy. Nash also served in the US Army as a Specialist from 1981-1983.

Michael Shawn Hickenbottom ( Shawn Michaels) was born on July 22,1965. He is a three time WWF Champion, one time WWF European Champion, One time WWE Tag Team Champion ( with Triple H ) , the winner of the 1995 and 1996 Royal Rumbles , three time Intercontinental Champion, one time World Heavyweight Champion, five time World Tag Team Champion ( 1 with Triple H , 1 with Stone Cold Steve Austin , 1 with John Cena , and 2 with Diesel), fourth Triple Crown Champion and the first WWE Grand Slam Champion. He is a two time WWE Hall of Fame Inductee, the first one as a solo inductee in 2011 and in 2019 as a member of DX. Michaels is now the Senior Vice President of Talent Relations and head of Creative for WWE NXT. He is known as The Heartbreak Kid , Mr.Wrestlemania, The Showstopper, and Chef Michaels ( shout out to the IWC). He is signed to a WWE Legends Contract.

Sean Michael Waltman ( The Kid/123 Kid/Syxx/X-PAC) The was born on July 13,1972. He is a two time WWF European Champion, four time WWF Tag Team Champion ( 2 with Kane , 1 with Bob Holly/Hardcore Holly , and 1 with Marty Janetty ) , the winner of the 1995 WWF World Tag Team Championship Tournament ( with Bob Holly/Hardcore Holly as his partner), a one time WCW Cruiserweight Champion, a two time and final WWF Light Heavyweight Champion. Waltman would join Hall and Nash in TNA and become a one time X-Division Champion, the winner of the 2005 Chris Candido with Alex Shelley as his tag team partner. Waltman would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019 as a member of DX and in 2020 as a member of the nWo. In 2016, he would start a podcast called ‘X-PAC 1,2,360’. He is also a martial artist and is currently signed to a WWE Legends contract.

Paul Michael Levesque ( Triple H ) was born July 27,1969. He is a nine time WWE Champion, a five time World Heavyweight Champion, two time WWF European Champion, one time WWE Tag Team Champion ( with Shawn Michaels) , five time Intercontinental Champion , 1997 King of The Ring , seventh Triple Crown Champion, winner of the 2002 and 2016 Royal Rumbles , winner of the 2006 Road To WrestleMania Tournament Winner , second Grand Slam Champion , two time WWF World Tag Team Champion ( 1 with Shawn Michaels and 1 with Stone Cold Steve Austin ) . Triple H would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019 as a member of DX. He is now the head of Creative and Chief Content Officer of WWE.

My Final Thoughts:

The Kliq is the , if not , one of the most influential factions in pro wrestling history. They changed the game. All of these wrestlers are legends in their own way. I also adore their friendship as well. I’ll be meeting Kevin Nash at WRESTLECADE this year and I’m hoping to meet X-PAC there too!

Love You All,

- Kay

@rrigamortis @84reedsy @kliqrulez @outsiderswolfpac

[c64screengrabs]

Released in 1980 for arcade, Wizard of Wor quickly became a hit and got ported to Apple II/+, Arcade, Atari 800/XL/XE/2600, the C64, and the Commodore MAX Machine. The gameplay was an addictive mashup between a dungeon crawler and Pac-Man, featuring monster enemies that came in multiple different types and with different abilities, such as one that can turn invisible, to keep gameplay challenging. This was included in among only a few other games that supported the speech output of Commodore's Magic Voice cartridge. With the cartridge in use, the following sentences can be heard during gameplay:

Garwor and Thorwor become invisible! Hahahaha!

Now you get the heavyweights! Hahahaha!

I'm the Wizard, not you!

Reception from critics was warm, with many compliments given to the fidelity of the ports. The 4th Annual Arkie Awards gave it the award for "Best Multi-Player Video Game". A few years later in 1995, Flux Magazine named it 84th on their list of Top 100 Video Games.

And in excruciatingly specific trivia, each dungeon begins with the five-note opening from "Danger Ahead", the theme to the radio and tv series Dragnet. The fifth note only plays upon the "double score dungeon" screen. Also, German Minimal/Electro group Welle: Erdball dedicated a song of the same name on their album "Ich bin aus Plastik" (I am made of plastic) to the game.

[blowflyfag]

Pro Wrestling Illustrated: 1995 THE YEAR IN WRESTLING. March 1996

WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: DIESEL 24,209 votes

Had Diesel decided to be content with the WWF World tag team or Intercontinental titles, no one would have held it against him. After all, he already had come much further than nearly anyone had expected.

It isn’t what Diesel expected. He thirsted for more, and he got what he wanted. He also received Wrestler of the Year honors for 1995.

Three days after the 1994 Survivor Series, Diesel obliterated Bob Backlund in eight seconds to capture the WWF World title. All he’s done since then is prove his surprising victory was no accident. Simply put, he was the most dominant wrestler of 1995.

Along the way to earning the top spot in the “PWI 500”, he beat Owen Hart, Bam Bam Bigelow, and Jeff Jarrett. He has beaten Mabel, Sid Vicious, Waylon Mercy, King Kong Bundy, and Tatanka. And he has beaten Shawn Michaels.

“That did it for me,” wrote Sally Rutherford of Albany, New York. “When Diesel beat Shawn at WrestleMania, that showed he had arrived. He was a true champion.”

A champion who until late-1993 was nothing more than a bodyguard for Michaels. Diesel had done fairly well as Vinnie Vegas in WCW, but he hadn’t shown any indication that he could be a dominant titleholder.

“I would have figured a dozen guys would’ve won the World title before Diesel,” said Johnny Gunn, who wrestled him in WCW. “I always knew he was good but I didn’t think he was that good. He either made a dramatic improvement in a short time, or he held back for a long time.”

Diesel’s dominance was threatened when he hurt his elbow in his bout with Vicious at In Your House I, but successful surgery enabled him to bounce back after only a few weeks. He was determined not to let an injury spoil his amazing run.

The World champion enhanced his reputation further when he again formed a successful tag team with Michaels and nearly won the WWF tag title from Yokozuna and Davey Boy Smith and In Your House III, Had Owen Hart not got involved, Diesel and Michaels might have been tag team champions to this day.

It’s too early to consider Diesel among the all-time great WWF World champions but he’s off to a good start on his path toward greatness. It’s going to be fun watching this powerhouse try to maintain that level of excellence in 1996.

RUNNERS-UP

SHAWN MICHAELS: 16,091 votes

First runner-up:   Had Michaels defeated Diesel at WrestleMania, he might have been voted Wrestler of the Year. “The Heartbreak Kid” Had an outstanding year, defending the Intercontinental title against foes like Dean Douglas, Jeff Jarrett, Davey Boy Smith, and even SMW’s Buddy Landell before injuries forced him to give it up in October. He also won the Royal Rumble.

STING: 12,801 votes

Second runner-up: The “Stinger” held the WCW U.S. heavyweight belt for most of the year, and he was a lot more active than former World champion Hulk Hogan. He continued to demonstrate that he’s more than a charismatic personality. He is a flat-out terrific all-around wrestler, and plenty of fans don’t want the rest of us to forget that. Trust us, we won't.

HULK HOGAN: 11,349 votes

Third runner-up: One would expect the man who was WCW World champion for most of the year to finish higher in the voting, but many fans apparently remembered that the “Hulkster” once went five months without defending the belt. Still, on some nights, there isn’t a greater wrestler in the world. Those nights just don't come as frequently as they once did. 

VOTES FOR OTHERS (8,652)

Some of the top vote-getters who did not capture a runner-up spot include: Bret Hart, Antonio Inoki, Mitsuhara Misawa, Razor Ramon, Sabu, The Sandman, and The Undertaker.

[jayshiftsrealites]

so, that angels of passion template that i was making, it's done now!

here's the link :

and here's a little edit that i made about the template :

NEXT UP ON THE MENU OF TEMPLATES : heavyweights (1995)

[baddawg94]

Triple H

“The Game” (2009 Titantron)

WWE Raw debut: 1995 (under the banner Hunter Hearst Helmsley)

9x WWE champion

5x world heavyweight champion

5x intercontinental champion

2x WWF European champion

Won the royal rumble in 2002 & 2016

Hall of fame induction as a member of D Generation X

1997 KOTR

2 WWF tag team championships (1 with Steve Austin and 1 with Shawn Michaels)

1 WWE tag team championship with Shawn Michaels

Currently the CCO (Chief content officer) & head of creative for the WWE

[z2z-gaming-and-random-art-ai]

Console Fighting Games of 1993 - 1995 - Compilation

Compilation of Fighting games released on consoles between 1993 and 1995 this compilation features.

Console Fighting Games of 1993 - 00:00 3 Count Bout, Aa Harimanada, American Gladiators, Art of Fighting, Battle Master - Kyuukyoku no Senshi-tachi, Best of the Best Championship Karate, Blackhole Assault, Boxing Legends of the Ring, Chavez, Chavez II, Clay Fighter, Dragon The Bruce Lee Story, Dragon Ball Z - Super Butouden, Dragon Ball Z - Super Butouden 2, Eternal Champions, Fatal Fury, Fatal Fury 2, Greatest Heavyweights, Masters of Combat, Mortal Kombat, Ranma 1/2 Hard Battle, Riddick Bowe Boxing, Samurai Showdown, Street Fighter II Champion Edition, Street Fighter II Turbo, Strip Fighter, Super Fire Pro Wrestling III Final Bout, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Tournament Fighters, Tsuppari Ōzumō Heisei Ban, Tuff E Nuff, Ultra Seven, Ultraman, World Heroes and World Heroes 2, WWF King of the Ring, WWF Royal Rumble, WWF WrestleMania Steel Cage Challenge, Zen Nihon Pro Wrestling and Zen Nihon Pro Wrestling Dash Sekai Saikyō Tag.

Console Fighting Games of 1994 - 02:57:24 Advanced V.G., Aggressors of Dark Kombat, Art of Fighting 2, Ballz 3D Fighting at its Ballziest, Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon S Jogai Ranto!? Shuyaku Sodatsusen, Brutal Paws of Fury, Clay Fighter 2 Judgement Clay, Clay Fighter Tournament Edition,  Cosmic Carnage, Double Dragon V The Shadow Falls, Dragon Ball Z Buyu Retsuden, Dragon Ball Z Idainaru Son Goku Densetsu, Dragon Ball Z Super Butoden 3, Fighters History Dynamite, Hammerlock Wrestling, Hana no Keiji Kumo no Kanata ni, Kakuto Hao, Densetsu Algunos, Kart Fighter, Kasumi Ninja, Kido Butoden G Gundam, King of the Monsters 2, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Osu!! Karate Bu, Power Instinct, Rose of the Robots, Samurai Showdown II, Seifuku Densetsu Pretty Fighter, Shaq Fu, Street Fighter II Turbo, Super Punch Out!, Super Wrestle Angels, Taekwon-Do, Ranma 1/2 Chogi Ranbu-hen, The King of Fighters 94, Totsugeki Kikan (Karakuri) Megadasu!!,  Twin Goddesses, Ultraman Powered, Way of the Warrior, WCW SuperBrawl Wrestling, World Heroes 2 Jet, WWF Rage in the Cage, WWF Raw, Yu Yu Hakusho, Yu Yu Hakusho - Makyou Tōitsusen and Yu Yu Hakusho 2 Kakuto no Sho.

Console Fighting Games of 1995 - 05:46:19 Asuka 120% Maxima BURNING Fest, Ballz The Director's Cut, Battle Arena Toshinden, Battle Arena Toshinden 2, Battle Arena Toshinden Remix, Battle Monsters, Battle Tycoon, Brutal Unleashed Above the Claw, Chō Aniki Bakuretsu Rantōden, Criticom, Dark Legend, Double Dragon, Dragon Ball Z Shin Butōden, Dragon Ball Z Ultimate Battle 22, Eternal Champions Challenge from the Dark Side, Fatal Fury 3 Road to the Final Victory, Galaxy Fight Universal Warriors, Gokū Densetsu Magic Beast Warriors, Golden Axe The Duel, Justice League Task Force, Kabuki Ittōryōdan, Kabuki Klash, Killer Instinct, Makeruna! Makendō 2, Mighty Morphin Power Ranger The Fighting Edition, Mortal Kombat II, Mortal Kombat 3, Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon S, Primal Rage, Saban's VR Troopers, Samurai Showdown III Blades of Blood, Savage Reign, Seifuku Densetsu Pretty Fighter X, Street Fighter Alpha Warriors' Dreams, Street Fighter the Movie, Super Fire Pro Wrestling Queen's Special, Tekken, The King of Fighters '95, Ultra Vortek, Virtua Fighter Remix, Virtua Fighter, Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer, WeaponLord, World Heroes Perfect, Yū Yū Hakusho Final Makai Saikyō Retsuden and Zero Divide

For the Individual videos for each fighting game releases across 1993 to 1995 check out the following playlists.

Console Fighting Games of 1993 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFJOZYl1h1CFcKSo9Eglrv2NFDHAqNDRi

Console Fighting Games of 1994 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFJOZYl1h1CF-R5w4NujQcYo8cCcOMHYv

Console Fighting Games of 1995 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFJOZYl1h1CEUiZn8FlwHoMcwoOzUqchX

For Other Compilation videos check out this playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFJOZYl1h1CEjFei9KXJ8xDIChQB8WLJd

[lizziefanconfessions]

Kenny: (casually walks up to Pat, Nurse Julie and Tim as they’re wondering what to do about Tony) Hey, you guys seen Tony? (Nurse Julie shakes her head) That moron owes me 600 bucks. (turns and begins to walk away) I’ll kill that guy.

Kenny the cameraman (Heavyweights)

[vintagexlife]

Vintage Stussy in Heavyweights (1995)

[lboogie1906]

Leon Spinks (July 11, 1953 - February 5, 2021) was a former boxer who competed from 1977 to 1995. In only his eighth professional fight, he won the undisputed heavyweight championship in 1978 after defeating Muhammad Ali in a split decision, in what was considered one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. He was stripped of the WBC title for facing Ali in an unapproved rematch seven months later, which he lost by unanimous decision.

He gained notoriety for the disaster which befell his career following the loss to Ali. He did challenge once more for the WBC heavyweight title in 1981, and the WBA cruiserweight title in 1986.

As an amateur, he won numerous medals in the light heavyweight division. The first was bronze at the inaugural 1974 World Championships, followed by silver at the 1975 Pan American Games, and gold at the 1976 Summer Olympics; the latter was alongside his brother Michael Spinks, who won middleweight gold. He served in the USMC.

He had a brief career as a professional wrestler, working for Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling and holding the FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship.

He was born and raised in St. Louis. He was married to Brenda. His son, Cory Spinks, held the undisputed welterweight title and was the IBF junior middleweight champion twice. His other son, Leon Calvin, was shot to death in East St. Louis as he was driving home from his girlfriend’s house. He was an aspiring light heavyweight pro boxer with a record of 2–0, with the two pro bouts occurring only a month before he died. His grandson and Calvin’s son, Leon Spinks III, is an aspiring light heavyweight southpaw boxer with a pro record of 11–3–1 with seven knockouts. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[wrestlinghistorywithkay]

Remembering A Hardcore Legend: Celebrating The Life And Career of Terry Funk

Today is the one year anniversary of the passing of the legendary Terry Funk. I hope this article helps you all understand who he was and why he is important to wrestling.

Terrance ‘ Terry’ Dee Funk was born to Dorothy and Dory Funk Sr. on June 30, 1944 in Hammond, Indiana . He had an older brother , Dory Funk Jr. the Funk family soon moved to Texas during the end of World War II. Terry and Dory spent their childhood in the wrestling business as their father was a wrestling promoter. After high school, Terry attended college at West Texas A & M University, where he was also an athlete. He was on the football team and on the amateur wrestling team.

Terry Funk had a career which took place for half of a century ( 50 years ) . He was also known for the hardcore style of wrestling , which he is considered one of the pioneers for . His career began in 1965 at his father ‘s wrestling promotion , Western States Sports out of Amarillo , Texas. He became the NWA World Heavyweight Champion in 1975 after replacing his brother , Dory, who was set to face Jack Brisco for the championship. Dory never showed up to the promotion for the match. He also had a rivalry with ‘ The American Dream ’ Dusty Rhodes , with Funk coining the catchphrase, ‘ Dusty Sucks Eggs ’ . He also spent part of his career in Japan in the promotion, All Japan Pro Wrestling ( AJPW ). This was from 1972 to 1991.

Funk soon found his way to World Wrestling Federation from 1985 to 1986. He also had a stint in World Championship Wrestling ( WCW ) from 1989 to 1990 and again in 1994 . He returned to Japan in 1994 as a part of the International Wrestling Association of Japan ( IWA). He participated in the King of The Death Match Tournament in 1995. He would also have a stint in Extreme Championship Wrestling ( ECW ) from 1993 to 1997. He would have rivalries with stars such as Cactus Jack ( Mick Foley ) , Raven, Stevie Richards, Sabu, and his protege , Tommy Dreamer. He was even ECW World Heavyweight Champion before losing the championship to Sabu during a Barbed Wire Match at Born To Be Wired in 1997. Funk would soon find his way back to the WWF in 1997.

Terry Funk would be a surprise entrant in the 1997 WWF Royal Rumble at number 24. He was in the match for 15 minutes and 18 seconds until being eliminated by Mankind ( Mick Foley ). He had a short retirement before returning to the company in December of the same year to become tag team partners with Mick Foley. He adopted the gimmick , ‘ Chainsaw Charlie ’. He would also form a tag time with 2 Cold Scorpio during his time in WWF as well. He would return to ECW in 1998 and had a rivalry with Tommy Dreamer before a second retirement in 1999. Funk would return to WCW in 2000. He make appearances in Ring Of Honor , Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and Major League Wrestling. He would also spend time on the Independent Wrestling circuit before making a few more appearances in the WWE. Terry alongside his brother , Dory , would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009 by Dusty Rhodes. However , Terry would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a solo wrestler by Mick Foley . In 2016, Funk was seen at Wrestlemania 32 giving advice to Dean Ambrose ( Jon Moxley ) , before his match against Brock Lesnar, which was a No Holds Barred Street Fight. Funk gifted Ambrose a chainsaw as a nod to his Chainsaw Charlie gimmick . He would return to the Indie scene the same year .

Terry Funk passed away at the age of 79 in Phoenix , Arizona. On the August 25 edition of Friday Night Smackdown , the WWE paid tribute Funk and Bray Wyatt , who passed away the next day. Thus , in honor of Funk , ‘ The American Nightmare ’ Cody Rhodes , came down to the ring and announced a Terry Funk Memorial Hardcore Tag Team match with the participants being The Street Profits and The Brawling Brutes.

Wrestlers such as Mick Foley , Tommy Dreamer, Eddie Kingston , and Jon Moxley have all credited Funk for influencing their careers. Bret Hart has also praised him for being one of the greatest in ring performers.

My Final Thoughts:

There will never be another Terry Funk. If it was wasn’t for him being so influential in hardcore wrestling , I think that we wouldn’t have promotions such as Game Changer Wrestling ( GCW ) , which is known for deathmatch wrestling and I don’t think hardcore wrestling would be popular . Terry Funk was one of those wrestlers who influenced almost everyone . Watching his matches on the internet and on Peacock, makes me wish I could go back in time and watch live . He is a reason why I love Deathmatch and Hardcore Wrestling. Long Live The Funker! Go watch a Terry Funk match if you haven’t ! You’ll be amazed!

1944-2023

Love You All,

- Kay

[hall-of-fame-guy]

WWE Hall of Fame class of 95

"Big Cat" Ernie Ladd started his wrestling career in 1961 after his stint as a football athlete is over. Ladd officially started wrestling full time in 1969. He turns heel in the 1970s and was credited as one of the first African American wrestler to ever turn heel.

Ladd wrestles for the WWWF various time from 1968 to 1981. Apart from the WWWF, he also wrestle in NWA, Mid South territories, NWF and WWC.

Ladd challenges Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Championship in 1st Mar, 1976 and wrestle Bob Backlund in 1978.

Ladd went to wrestle for Mid-South after leaving the WWF and later helped sharping and booking the late Junkyard Dog to be a mega star.

Ladd retired in 1986 due to his kneel problem and return to WWF as color commentator for the Battle Royal match at WrestleMania 2 and did various commentary for TV as trail run. He left the WWF again after being replaced by the late Bobby Heenan. Ladd wrestles one more match for the WWF on Jan 3rd, 1988 in a 20 man battle royal.

Ladd was inducted into the WCW Hall of Fame in 1994 and WWE Hall of Fame in 1995.

Ernie Ladd passed away on Mar 10th, 2007 at the age of 68.

Accolade:

1x WWA World Heavyweight Champion

1x WWA World Tag Team Champions

1x NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion

WCW Hall of Fame class of 1994

WWE Hall of Fame class of 1995