Gary Hart (wrestler): Difference between revisions
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*[http://www.midsouthwrestling.com/Gary_Hart.html Tribute page for Playboy Gary Hart] |
*[http://www.midsouthwrestling.com/Gary_Hart.html Tribute page for Playboy Gary Hart] |
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*[http://emersoncalls.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/gary-hart/ Podcast interview with Gary Hart] |
*[http://emersoncalls.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/gary-hart/ Podcast interview with Gary Hart] |
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*[http://gentleman.eyesoda.com "Gentleman's Choice" a 2008 Documentary on The Life of Gentleman Chris Adams-Features Interviews with Gary Hart] |
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081215155933/http://gentleman.eyesoda.com/ "Gentleman's Choice" a 2008 Documentary on The Life of Gentleman Chris Adams-Features Interviews with Gary Hart] |
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*[http://www.myvirtualbc.com/audiointerviews/mickeygrant.mp3 December 12, 2008 Audio Interview with WCCW's Mickey Grant regarding World Class, Gary Hart, and "Gentleman's Choice" a 2008 Documentary on The Life of Gentleman Chris Adams] |
*[http://www.myvirtualbc.com/audiointerviews/mickeygrant.mp3 December 12, 2008 Audio Interview with WCCW's Mickey Grant regarding World Class, Gary Hart, and "Gentleman's Choice" a 2008 Documentary on The Life of Gentleman Chris Adams] |
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Revision as of 11:01, 11 October 2017
This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2008) |
Gary Hart | |
---|---|
File:Gary Hart (wrestler).jpg | |
Birth name | Gary Richard Williams |
Born | [1] Chicago, Illinois | January 24, 1942
Died | March 16, 2008 Euless, Texas | (aged 66)
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Gary Hart[1] |
Billed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
Billed weight | 239 lb (108 kg) |
Debut | 1963[1] |
Retired | 2004 |
Gary Richard Williams[2] (January 24, 1942 – March 16, 2008) was an American professional wrestling manager, as well as a professional wrestler in his early career, best known by his ring name Gary Hart.[1] Hart was one of the pivotal driving forces behind what is considered to be World Class Championship Wrestling's "golden years" in the early 1980s.
Professional wrestling career
Early career
Gary Hart started out as a wrestler in 1960 in Chicago at the Marigold Arena.[3] In the late 1960s, he became a manager called "Playboy" Gary Hart. During the late 1960s, he managed The Spoiler, as well as the tag team duo The Spoilers, which consisted of Spoilers #1 (Don Jardine) and #2 (Smasher Sloan). They won several tag team titles in 1968 and 1969 under Hart's guidance.
On February 20, 1975, Hart and wrestlers Austin Idol and Bobby Shane were passengers on a Cessna 182 flown by wrestler Buddy Colt, which crashed into Tampa Bay in Florida, killing Shane.[4]
World Class Championship Wrestling (1979–1987)
Hart became the booker for World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW; then known as Big Time Wrestling) in 1976, a position he held until January 1983, then again from 1986-1988. The years between 1982 and 1985 are considered to be the "Golden Years" of the promotion. Hart created the classic feud between the Von Erichs and the Fabulous Freebirds, as well as forming The Stable of H. & H. Ltd in 1982 with Arman Hussian that introduced characters (Bugsy McGraw King Kong Bundy Bill Irwin Checkmate Killer Brooks & Ten Gu) thought he also managed the Great Muta, the One Man Gang and the Samoan Swat Team. Hart additionally managed talent such as "Gorgeous" Gino Hernandez and Gentleman Chris Adams. Along with booking, he also managed Nord the Barbarian, Abdullah The Butcher, Al Perez and Jeep Swenson under the stable "New Age Management".
Hart in the Georgia and Mid-Atlantic regions of the NWA
During World Class' golden era, Hart was also a manager in the Georgia and Mid-Atlantic regions of the NWA; joining these two areas exclusively in 1983 shortly after the start of the Freebirds-Von Erichs feud, when he left World Class due to a pay dispute. Hart returned to Texas in the summer of 1984 and following a short hiatus in 1986; stayed with the federation until 1988. Hart was also a promoter and manager in San Antonio for Texas All-Star Wrestling, the successor of Joe Blanchard's Southwest Championship Wrestling (SCW) group. He also worked for the ICW, first as the heel manager of Bruiser Brody, Kevin Sullivan and Mark Lewin. During one storyline, Hart had a falling out with Sullivan, after which Lewin attacked Hart with a sleeper hold.
Jim Crockett Promotions
Shortly after the folding of WCCW, Hart continued to manage Al Perez in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)'s Jim Crockett Promotions in 1988, along with Larry Zbyszko. In 1989, he managed the stable J-Tex Corporation, which included Terry Funk, Dick Slater, Buzz Sawyer, The Dragonmaster, and The Great Muta. They feuded primarily with Ric Flair and Sting, but Ole and Arn Anderson later teamed up with Flair and Sting to even the sides up (and thus bringing back The Four Horseman briefly). J-Tex disbanded in early 1990.
Later career
After leaving WCW, Hart returned to Texas and began a new wrestling promotion in North Dallas, the Texas Wrestling Federation, which showcased many former stars of World Class and those who are competing in the USWA/World Class promotion.
During the 1990s, following the demise of the Global Wrestling Federation, Hart and Chris Adams were involved in many Texas-based wrestling promotions, including an ill-fated attempt to revive World Class (billed as World Class II: The Next Generation) at the Dallas Sportatorium. Hart retired in 1999, but made a surprise return in Major League Wrestling (MLW), during the promotion's Reloaded Tour on January 9–10, 2004. Hart appeared following the main event (on January 9) pitting Low Ki against Homicide, where the three laid out several wrestlers from the locker room, as well MLW president Court Bauer.
Death
Hart died on March 16, 2008, following a heart attack at his home in Euless, Texas, after returning from an autograph session in Pennsylvania.[1] On April 5, 2008, Peach State Pandemonium, an internet wrestling program, aired a two-hour tribute program in the memory of Hart. "Cowboy" Bill Watts, Jack Brisco, James Beard, Abdullah The Butcher, Michael "P.S." Hayes, Kevin Sullivan, George Steele, Skandor Akbar, and Jim Ross were among those who attended. Following his death, his autobiography, My Life In Wrestling...With A Little Help From My Friends, was released in 2009 but is now out of print.[5]
In wrestling
Wrestlers managed
- Rip Hawk
- Swede Hanson
- Roddy Piper[3]
- Great Kabuki[1][3]
- Bruiser Brody[3]
- Brian Adias
- Chris Adams[3]
- Toru Tanaka
- Don Kernodle
- Buzz Sawyer
- Mark Lewin[1]
- Big John Studd[3]
- One Man Gang
- Al Perez
- Nord the Barbarian
- Jeep Swenson
- Kendo Nagasaki
- Killer Khan[1]
- Abdullah the Butcher[1][3]
- Ivan Koloff
- Black Angus[1]
- Bob Orton, Jr.[1]
- Bobby Duncum, Sr.[1]
- "Killer" Tim Brooks
- Dingo Warrior
- Dick Slater[1]
- Terry Funk[3]
- The Great Muta[1][3]
- Rod Price
- John Tatum
- Ron Garvin
- Kevin Sullivan
- Larry Zbyszko
- The Spoiler[1]
- Pak Song[1]
- Dusty Rhodes[3]
- The Samoans (Tio Tio and Reno Tufuuli)[1]
- Magic Dragon
- Ron Bass
- Black Bart
- Dory Funk Jr.
- Jerry Lawler[1]
- Gorgeous George Jr.[1]
- Bobby Shane[1]
- Gino Hernandez
- Mario Milano[6]
- "Playboy"[1]
Championships and accomplishments
- Big Time Wrestling
- National Wrestling Alliance
- NWA Hall of Fame (Class of 2016)[7]
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "Gary Hart profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
- ^ "Various News: WWE Divas Brand Manager, AP Release On Gary Hart Death, More". 411mania.com. 2008-03-17. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Legendary manager Gary Hart passes away". WWE. 2008-03-17. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
- ^ planecrashinfo.com Famous People Who Died in Aviation Accidents: 1970s
- ^ "Autobiography of Professional Wrestling Manager "Playboy" Gary Hart Released". PR.com. 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (2016-12-09). "Mario Milano passes away at 81 years old". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
- ^ "NWA announces 2016 Hall of Fame class". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved 2016-04-08.
- ^ Caldwell, James (2013-11-26). "News: Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame announces 2014 HOF class". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
External links
- Notice of Hart's death
- Tribute page for Playboy Gary Hart
- Podcast interview with Gary Hart
- "Gentleman's Choice" a 2008 Documentary on The Life of Gentleman Chris Adams-Features Interviews with Gary Hart
- December 12, 2008 Audio Interview with WCCW's Mickey Grant regarding World Class, Gary Hart, and "Gentleman's Choice" a 2008 Documentary on The Life of Gentleman Chris Adams
- 1942 births
- 2008 deaths
- American male professional wrestlers
- Deceased American professional wrestlers
- Sportspeople from Chicago
- Professional wrestling managers and valets
- People from Euless, Texas
- Professional wrestlers from Illinois
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
- Professional wrestling promoters