Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
New Wrestling Venue Dedicated in Memory of Johnny Weaver
Wendi Weaver and Commissioner Cross dedicate the new Mid-Atlantic Sportatorium in Burlington NC to the memory of Johnny Weaver. The dedication took place before a CWF Mid-Atlantic wrestling event there, Saturday June 20. (Mid-Atlantic Gateway Photo)
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Johnny Weaver TV Results
Carroll Hall of WrestlingMemories.com has compiled a terrific list of Johnny's TV appearancers in the late 1960s and early 1970s:
1968 1969 1970 1971
1972 1973 1974
(The links above are to message board threads on the Fanfest Forum.)
1968 1969 1970 1971
1972 1973 1974
(The links above are to message board threads on the Fanfest Forum.)
Memories at Strawberry Hill
_
I received some interesting e-mails from Rob Kell who is an exploration geologist working in Chile, South America. Rob grew up watching Mid-Atlantic Wrestling in Richmond and sent me some great memories from his days in the 1960s and early 1970s going to matches at Strawberry Hill. Here are some excepts from a couple of those e-mails. - Dick Bourne
Well, it would be tough to top what I have read in your column of memories. I was raised in Richmond, Virginia, and during the 1960's was able to go to wrestling events at Strawberry Hill (the State Fairgrounds) on numerous occasions.
Several times my buddies and I went to see Johnny Weaver. Clearly, I remember Johnny taking on Dory Funk, Jr. for the NWA championship belt. The match went the distance (i.e. best of 3 falls) with Funk retaining his title. But I am talking about being enthralled for an hour with back and forth incredible wrestling and Johnny on the verge of taking the title.
Of course, I remember Johnny and George Becker's tag team battles, but especially against the Bolos (never written about) and of course Rip Hawk and Rock Hunter or later with Swede Hansen.
The last time I saw Johnny in person was at Parker Field in Richmond, Virginia where he paired with Sailor Art Thomas to beat Skull Murphy and Brute Bernard. It was unusual because it was outdoors and on a Sunday, plus thunderstorms threatened the entire evening. This did not stop an exciting main event match.
However, as kids, we all tried to apply that sleeper hold and would always be sure on Saturdays to watch All-Star Wrestling with Bob Caudle and often were rewarded with a match of Becker and Weaver against a lesser opponent (i.e. Prince Omar and Pedro Zapata or Jack Vansky) to wet our intrigue with an upcoming match against the Great Bolos, Bronco Lubich and Aldo Bogni, Doc and Mike Gallagher, etc.
When I was kid - I was raised in a middle class neighborhood (all GI homes) and with lots of buddies my age - so, we'd get a parent to take us out to Strawberry Hill to watch the wrestling and another parent would pick us up at the end of the matches. We could not get out every Friday night - but usually maybe once or twice a month. So, I got to see some great professional wrestling - which has long ago disappeared.
Most people today look at the wrestling entertainment today - and although apparently immensely popular - lacks so much of what once was (i.e. actual wrestling).
I can still remember some matches - once - Bronco Lubich and Johnny "Rubberman" Walker wrestled to a 45-minute draw - it was Bronco Lubich's first introduction to Richmond and there was some promotion about this for the week ahead of the match. How the two wrestlers pulled that off - I don't know but incredible holds and escapes or reversals with neither being able to gain an advantage. Of course, a week or two later Bronco Lubich shows up again but with big/mean Aldo Bogni - and boy - saw them plenty of times in excellent matches - against Scott Brothers and once against the Infernos with Bronco Lubich getting his face burned up by that incendiary device Infernos used (not the loaded boot this time).
I saw the Gallagher Brothers many times and you don't read about them - but they were as formidable and won often with that "blinder hold" and the elbow smash off the corner top ropes - saw them put away George Becker and Billy Two-Rivers once - also they took apart the Scott Brothers as well. There were the numerous battles between the The Bolos and Kentuckians - and once match where Johnny Weaver had twisted the mask around so that one of the Bolos could not see - and still somehow the Bolos pulled off a win (in confusion Bolos pulled a switch and loaded head butt to George Becker ended that match as I remember).
The list goes on and on - Texas Death Match (remember those) - one was Rip Hawk and Swede Hanson versus Brute Benard and Skull Murphy - pretty bloody and horrific.
But many matches were quite cleverly thought out - Bronco Lubich and Aldo Bogni with Homer O'dell manager against Scott Brothers - toward heated end of the 2 of 3 fall match - Homer O'Dell hung his cane in one of the corners and Bronco Lubich irish-whipped George Scott into that corner - down he went and was pinned for controversial end to the match. There was a grudge re-match scheduled the very next week - so, we had to go see that - and this time again even at a fall apiece - I think they trade sleeper holds to win those falls (i.e. Lubich had his cobra wrap George Scott with sleeper on Bogni) - anyway the third fall - was again heated and you could not tell who was going to pull it off - again O'Dell snuck over hung the cane in the corner and together Lubich and Bogni together irish-whipped George Scott to that corner but Sandy Scott ran over - and jumped up to lay as a bridge across the corner to block and protect his brother from slamming into the cane - and the Scotts now had the cane and they used it - bloodying Lubich terribly and again lost the match - this time by disqualification - of course, the fans were going crazy.
Just tremendous times - who today would sit through an hour long 2 out 3 falls tag team or singles match today?
Anyway, I was very sad to hear that Johnny had passed away several years ago now. Difficult to believe.
- Rob Kell
I received some interesting e-mails from Rob Kell who is an exploration geologist working in Chile, South America. Rob grew up watching Mid-Atlantic Wrestling in Richmond and sent me some great memories from his days in the 1960s and early 1970s going to matches at Strawberry Hill. Here are some excepts from a couple of those e-mails. - Dick Bourne
Well, it would be tough to top what I have read in your column of memories. I was raised in Richmond, Virginia, and during the 1960's was able to go to wrestling events at Strawberry Hill (the State Fairgrounds) on numerous occasions.
Several times my buddies and I went to see Johnny Weaver. Clearly, I remember Johnny taking on Dory Funk, Jr. for the NWA championship belt. The match went the distance (i.e. best of 3 falls) with Funk retaining his title. But I am talking about being enthralled for an hour with back and forth incredible wrestling and Johnny on the verge of taking the title.
Of course, I remember Johnny and George Becker's tag team battles, but especially against the Bolos (never written about) and of course Rip Hawk and Rock Hunter or later with Swede Hansen.
The last time I saw Johnny in person was at Parker Field in Richmond, Virginia where he paired with Sailor Art Thomas to beat Skull Murphy and Brute Bernard. It was unusual because it was outdoors and on a Sunday, plus thunderstorms threatened the entire evening. This did not stop an exciting main event match.
However, as kids, we all tried to apply that sleeper hold and would always be sure on Saturdays to watch All-Star Wrestling with Bob Caudle and often were rewarded with a match of Becker and Weaver against a lesser opponent (i.e. Prince Omar and Pedro Zapata or Jack Vansky) to wet our intrigue with an upcoming match against the Great Bolos, Bronco Lubich and Aldo Bogni, Doc and Mike Gallagher, etc.
When I was kid - I was raised in a middle class neighborhood (all GI homes) and with lots of buddies my age - so, we'd get a parent to take us out to Strawberry Hill to watch the wrestling and another parent would pick us up at the end of the matches. We could not get out every Friday night - but usually maybe once or twice a month. So, I got to see some great professional wrestling - which has long ago disappeared.
Most people today look at the wrestling entertainment today - and although apparently immensely popular - lacks so much of what once was (i.e. actual wrestling).
I can still remember some matches - once - Bronco Lubich and Johnny "Rubberman" Walker wrestled to a 45-minute draw - it was Bronco Lubich's first introduction to Richmond and there was some promotion about this for the week ahead of the match. How the two wrestlers pulled that off - I don't know but incredible holds and escapes or reversals with neither being able to gain an advantage. Of course, a week or two later Bronco Lubich shows up again but with big/mean Aldo Bogni - and boy - saw them plenty of times in excellent matches - against Scott Brothers and once against the Infernos with Bronco Lubich getting his face burned up by that incendiary device Infernos used (not the loaded boot this time).
I saw the Gallagher Brothers many times and you don't read about them - but they were as formidable and won often with that "blinder hold" and the elbow smash off the corner top ropes - saw them put away George Becker and Billy Two-Rivers once - also they took apart the Scott Brothers as well. There were the numerous battles between the The Bolos and Kentuckians - and once match where Johnny Weaver had twisted the mask around so that one of the Bolos could not see - and still somehow the Bolos pulled off a win (in confusion Bolos pulled a switch and loaded head butt to George Becker ended that match as I remember).
The list goes on and on - Texas Death Match (remember those) - one was Rip Hawk and Swede Hanson versus Brute Benard and Skull Murphy - pretty bloody and horrific.
But many matches were quite cleverly thought out - Bronco Lubich and Aldo Bogni with Homer O'dell manager against Scott Brothers - toward heated end of the 2 of 3 fall match - Homer O'Dell hung his cane in one of the corners and Bronco Lubich irish-whipped George Scott into that corner - down he went and was pinned for controversial end to the match. There was a grudge re-match scheduled the very next week - so, we had to go see that - and this time again even at a fall apiece - I think they trade sleeper holds to win those falls (i.e. Lubich had his cobra wrap George Scott with sleeper on Bogni) - anyway the third fall - was again heated and you could not tell who was going to pull it off - again O'Dell snuck over hung the cane in the corner and together Lubich and Bogni together irish-whipped George Scott to that corner but Sandy Scott ran over - and jumped up to lay as a bridge across the corner to block and protect his brother from slamming into the cane - and the Scotts now had the cane and they used it - bloodying Lubich terribly and again lost the match - this time by disqualification - of course, the fans were going crazy.
Just tremendous times - who today would sit through an hour long 2 out 3 falls tag team or singles match today?
Anyway, I was very sad to hear that Johnny had passed away several years ago now. Difficult to believe.
- Rob Kell
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
"Royal Couple" on Grapplin' Greats Blog
Mid-Atlantic Grapplin' Greats has some great photos up of Johnny, Penny, and Wendi at home from a 1960s magazine. Check it out at the links below.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Johnny Weaver in TV Production
Here is a great photo of Johnny working behind the scenes in TV production. Even though Johnny was by 1983 a regular member as a TV commentator and working behind the scenes as well, he still was fairly active in the ring, and would continue to be so well into 1984.
This photo was in the "Starrcade 83" photo album. I didn't think they were still using 2" video tape at that point, so this photo could have been taken a little earlier.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Pro Wrestling Illustrated Annual - Year In Review
From the "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Annual" for 2008, where the review the significant events over the previous year:
Mid-Atlantic Legend Johnny Weaver Dead at 72
PRO-WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL 2008
Among the many wrestling heroes that came through the Carolina wrestling scene throughout the territory's rich history, perhaps none was more beloved than Johnny Weaver.
Weaver, whose wrestling career spanned more than 40 years, was found dead from natural causes in his Charlotte home on February 15. The accomplished wrestling announcer and booker was 72 years old.
"The business has lost one of the greats," Weaver's former friend and colleague, Blackjack Mulligan, told the Charlotte Observer. "He was a master at this business. He's going to be missed greatly."
Born in East St. Louis, Illinois, Weaver began his pro career in the mid-50s and came to work for Jim Crockett, Sr. in his Mid-Atlantic territory in 1962. Weaver made his first big splash as part of a main event tag team act with partner George Becker. The two captured multiple championships and took part in memorable rivalries against teams including Swede Hansen and Rip Hawk and Gene and Ole Anderson.
Using his "Weaverlock" sleeper hold, Weaver also saw singles success, and was a perennial top contender for the NWA heavyweight championship.
Weaver wore many other hats, including those of a creative team member and a likeable and knowledgeable color commentator – a role he played for nearly 20 years until leaving the wrestling business in the late 1980s. As an elder statesman, Weaver also helped groom some of wrestling's future stars working in the territory, including Greg Valentine, Roddy Piper and Ric Flair.
Weaver later took on a second career as deputy sheriff with Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, where he was set to retire months after his passing. In the job, Weaver transported prisoners around Carolina, through the various back roads he became familiar with during his years as a wrestler.
Pro-Wrestling Illustrated is the premier wrestling magazine on the market. Check it out at your local newsstand, supermarket, Walmart, or order online at http://www.pwi-online.com/
Thanks to Blake Arledge and Peggy Lathan for their help with this feature.
Mid-Atlantic Legend Johnny Weaver Dead at 72
PRO-WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL 2008
Among the many wrestling heroes that came through the Carolina wrestling scene throughout the territory's rich history, perhaps none was more beloved than Johnny Weaver.
Weaver, whose wrestling career spanned more than 40 years, was found dead from natural causes in his Charlotte home on February 15. The accomplished wrestling announcer and booker was 72 years old.
"The business has lost one of the greats," Weaver's former friend and colleague, Blackjack Mulligan, told the Charlotte Observer. "He was a master at this business. He's going to be missed greatly."
Born in East St. Louis, Illinois, Weaver began his pro career in the mid-50s and came to work for Jim Crockett, Sr. in his Mid-Atlantic territory in 1962. Weaver made his first big splash as part of a main event tag team act with partner George Becker. The two captured multiple championships and took part in memorable rivalries against teams including Swede Hansen and Rip Hawk and Gene and Ole Anderson.
Using his "Weaverlock" sleeper hold, Weaver also saw singles success, and was a perennial top contender for the NWA heavyweight championship.
Weaver wore many other hats, including those of a creative team member and a likeable and knowledgeable color commentator – a role he played for nearly 20 years until leaving the wrestling business in the late 1980s. As an elder statesman, Weaver also helped groom some of wrestling's future stars working in the territory, including Greg Valentine, Roddy Piper and Ric Flair.
Weaver later took on a second career as deputy sheriff with Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, where he was set to retire months after his passing. In the job, Weaver transported prisoners around Carolina, through the various back roads he became familiar with during his years as a wrestler.
Pro-Wrestling Illustrated is the premier wrestling magazine on the market. Check it out at your local newsstand, supermarket, Walmart, or order online at http://www.pwi-online.com/
Thanks to Blake Arledge and Peggy Lathan for their help with this feature.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Moving Forward Without Johnny
_
To: Dick Bourne, Mid-Atlantic Gateway
From: Captain Michael Smith, Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office
Date: February 27, 2009
I just wanted to again thank you for the continuous support for Johnny Weaver. I still miss that man everyday I come to work. We have many magnificent employees and dedicated individuals who put their life on the line and families on stand by on a daily basis. One thing we don’t have, or have not found yet, is another Johnny Weaver and I am sure we never will. He was the greatest.
Well things around here have moved forward. Many new faces have taken on the task but nobody has the trait of Johnny and nobody almost certainly ever will. I even miss Johnny more now than I ever thought I would.
I have about 8 more years until I retire and move on to another career and as much as I regret having to move on without my friend, co-worker, and a phenomenon and idol to many people, life goes on. And I miss Johnny.
Thanks for what you all continue to do to remember Johnny. You know he would not have wanted it, but he deserves it.
Captain Michael Smith
Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office
(See also: Thanks Kid - Remarks Made by Capt. Michael Smith At Johnny Weaver's Funeral)
To: Dick Bourne, Mid-Atlantic Gateway
From: Captain Michael Smith, Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office
Date: February 27, 2009
I just wanted to again thank you for the continuous support for Johnny Weaver. I still miss that man everyday I come to work. We have many magnificent employees and dedicated individuals who put their life on the line and families on stand by on a daily basis. One thing we don’t have, or have not found yet, is another Johnny Weaver and I am sure we never will. He was the greatest.
Well things around here have moved forward. Many new faces have taken on the task but nobody has the trait of Johnny and nobody almost certainly ever will. I even miss Johnny more now than I ever thought I would.
I have about 8 more years until I retire and move on to another career and as much as I regret having to move on without my friend, co-worker, and a phenomenon and idol to many people, life goes on. And I miss Johnny.
Thanks for what you all continue to do to remember Johnny. You know he would not have wanted it, but he deserves it.
Captain Michael Smith
Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office
(See also: Thanks Kid - Remarks Made by Capt. Michael Smith At Johnny Weaver's Funeral)
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