Bruce Prichard

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Bruce Prichard
Born (1963-03-07) March 7, 1963 (age 61)
Impact Wrestling (2010–2013, 2017)
Major League Wrestling
(2018)
TitleExecutive Director - CWT
Spouse
Stephanie Prichard
​
(m. 1996)​
Children2
RelativesTom Prichard (brother)
FamilyPrichard
Ring name(s)Brother Love[1]
Bruce Prichard[1]
Juicie Brucie[1]
Bruce Prickhard[1]
Reo Rodgers[1]
The Wizard[1]
Billed height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)[1]
Billed weight249 lb (113 kg)[1]
Billed fromEl Paso, Texas
Trained byTom Prichard

Bruce Prichard (born March 7, 1963) is an American

producer and a former manager, commentator, and occasional professional wrestler who works for WWE as Executive Director - CWT. In addition to his corporate roles with WWE, Prichard has also appeared as an on-screen character under the ring name Brother Love. As Brother Love, Prichard was the original manager of The Undertaker, and hosted a talk show segment, The Brother Love Show.[2]

Prichard has also previously worked for Houston Wrestling, the Global Wrestling Federation, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, and Major League Wrestling. Since 2016, Prichard has co-hosted the Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard podcast with Conrad Thompson.

Professional wrestling career

Houston Wrestling (1973–1987)

Prichard began his career in 1973 working for

World Wrestling Federation.[3]

World Wrestling Federation (1987–1991)

Early years (1987–1988)

After entering the

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan
, before creating the Brother Love character.

The Brother Love Show (1988–1991)

In June 1988, Prichard debuted as "Brother Love", a red-faced, smarmy, dishonest, effusive and boisterous "preacher" character, dressed in a conspicuous white suit, tight red shirt and white tie, who claimed to preach not the word of

syndicated and cable television programs called "The Brother Love Show", in which he would interview wrestlers. The segment debuted on the June 19, 1988 airing of Wrestling Challenge, and would be "promoted" to the WWF's "A-show", Superstars of Wrestling
, first appearing on the October 8, 1988 edition.

The segment was patterned largely after

Rowdy Roddy Piper in his first appearance in the WWF since his 'retirement" after WrestleMania III, "de-skirted" Brother Love of his "kilt" after taking over Piper's Pit. A year later, Sgt. Slaughter bestowed a medal upon Brother Love during SummerSlam
for being the "greatest American".

Occasionally, Brother Love provided color commentary for the WWF's televised events; unlike during his early WWF run under his real name and using his natural voice (as Prichard), where he was pro-face, Brother Love was pro heel. His most famous assignment was alongside

WWF World Heavyweight Championship to Sgt. Slaughter at the Royal Rumble. In a 2016 podcast with Stone Cold Steve Austin, Prichard recalled that he had long been a fan of evangelist preachers, more for their theatrics than their religion. When Prichard first pitched the idea of Brother Love to WWF owner Vince McMahon
, Vince generally liked the idea but did not believe that Prichard "had the face" for the role. Determined to get himself into the role that he had created, Prichard, dressed as Brother Love (minus the red face paint he would appear on television with), invaded a meeting at the WWF's headquarters between McMahon, the head of WWF International and the WWF's chief financial officer.

While there, he gave an impromptu two minute sermon before quickly departing. When he arrived back at his office at the WWF's television studios five minutes later, he discovered that he had two missed calls from McMahon who he was relieved to find had liked what he had seen. However, Vince wanted to see how it worked on camera. Thus, the Brother Love character became a reality. Prichard also told that the bright red face make up was unknown to him the first time he appeared on television as Brother Love. As it was a television taping, Prichard thought it was just normal make up being applied and he did not look in the mirror, not knowing that Vince McMahon had ordered that he be given the red face.[10]

Manager of The Undertaker (1990–1991)

On November 19, 1990, Brother Love began managing The Undertaker (who at the time was known as "Kane the Undertaker", the add-on of "Kane" inspired by Prichard). The November 19 appearance was The Undertaker's debut into the company and later used as an episode of WWF Superstars of Wrestling, which did not air on television until after his on-screen debut at the 1990 Survivor Series. On November 20, The Undertaker had another off-air match that would later air as part of an episode of WWF Wrestling Challenge, also aired on television after his appearance live at the Survivor Series. At the Survivor Series, The Undertaker performed in a Survivor Series-style elimination tag match on a team led by Ted DiBiase against a team led by Dusty Rhodes. It was at this event that DiBiase would reveal his mystery partner as The Undertaker. This was the first time Brother Love appeared on television as The Undertaker's manager. Brother Love continued to manage The Undertaker until January 28, 1991 (shown on TV in February) when he sold his contract to Paul Bearer.[4]

Controversy and release (1991)

The character of Brother Love was considered controversial by some given its apparent roots in religion and televangelism. It was introduced around the time of notable scandals involving such televangelists as Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart. Occasionally, segments involving the Brother Love character would lean further into these religious roots and would engender negative reactions from some audience members. One such segment involved Brother Love playing the part of a charlatan "faith healer," during which he was portrayed as having healed an actor pretending to be blind and crippled to again be able to see and walk. The Brother Love character was retired from the WWF in March 1991 after being attacked and beaten by The Ultimate Warrior, who also destroyed The Brother Love Show set. The actual reason for this change was Prichard being offered the choice of continuing to work on-screen as Brother Love, or working solely in a production role. While the company did receive some complaints regarding the Brother Love character, Prichard's release from the WWF was due to personal and private issues he had at the time. He would be re-hired by the WWF the following year in a resumption of his production role.

Global Wrestling Federation (1991–1992)

After his release from the WWF, Prichard moved home to Texas where he joined the Dallas-based Global Wrestling Federation, where he worked as a manager and ringside interviewer between 1991 and 1992, using his real name. He began as a babyface color commentator, but eventually turned heel right in the middle of calling an ESPN televised match with GWF play-by-play announcer Craig Johnson. He managed Barry Horowitz in the GWF, and gave him the nickname "The Winner". Horowitz and Prichard feuded with GWF Light Heavyweight champion Chaz Taylor. Prichard said mockingly of Taylor, "He may be a lightweight but he's no champion!" After failing to win the title from Taylor, both Horowitz and Prichard left the GWF.

Return to the World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment (1992–2008)

Prichard returned to the WWF in August 1992 and portrayed two short-lived characters. He first appeared as "The Wizard", a heel

The Godwinns. Love then named the team The Sisters of Love. The gimmick was quickly scrapped, with the team later finding success as The Headbangers
.

Prichard (as himself) once again managed The Undertaker for a match in

Tombstone Piledriver in the middle of the ring. Love later appeared in the Bar Room Brawl at Vengeance 2003, lasting all the way to the end before being knocked out by Bradshaw
.

The Brother Love Show made a short-term return on a couple of

Piper's Pit segments (Roddy Piper had been released from his contract). These segments saw Love and Mr. McMahon attempt to humiliate Zach Gowen, only to get their comeuppance in the end.[11]

On December 1, 2008, Bruce Prichard was released from WWE by Stephanie McMahon.[12]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2010–2013, 2017)

It was reported on October 7, 2010, that Prichard had been hired by TNA to presumably reprise the role he had in WWE working as a backstage agent and producer.

TNA Impact.[17] TNA released Prichard on July 17, 2013.[18]

In March 2017, it was announced that Prichard would be making his return to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.[19] Shortly after re-signing with the company, Prichard began appearing in an onscreen role for the recently renamed Impact Wrestling.[20] Prichard left the company in August 2017. To explain Prichard's departure on screen, the story saw Jim Cornette brought in by Anthem, the parent company of Impact Wrestling, to fire him.[21]

Major League Wrestling (2018)

On March 8, 2018, it was announced that Prichard had been hired as a senior producer by Major League Wrestling, a wrestling promotion founded by former WWE writer, Court Bauer, in 2002.[22]

Second return to WWE (2018–present)

On January 22, 2018, Prichard returned to the WWE for a one-off appearance as Brother Love on the WWE Raw 25 Years anniversary special. In April 2018, Prichard and podcast co-host Conrad Thompson began doing a video version of their podcast titled Something Else to Wrestle, airing exclusively on the WWE Network.[23]

On February 23, 2019, it was reported that WWE had officially signed Prichard on to join their creative team.[24] In March, it was reported that Prichard would be working as WWE's Senior Vice President.[25] On October 15, 2019, it was announced that he would take over as Executive Director of SmackDown, assuming the role from Eric Bischoff.[26] On June 11, 2020, it was reported that after Paul Heyman had been removed from the executive director position of Raw, Prichard would lead both the Raw and Smackdown writing teams into one group as executive director of both shows.[27] Prichard made a cameo appearance as Brother Love at the 2020 Money in the Bank pay-per-view, during the title ladder match.[28]

Legacy

According to PWInsider.com, Prichard has been described as the most powerful person in WWE other than a McMahon family member. Creatively, everything flowed through Prichard and his word had been described as "very much the Gospel" for Vince McMahon.[29][30]

Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard

Main article: Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard

In August 2016, Prichard and co-host Conrad Thompson began the internet podcast Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard. Prichard and Thompson discuss a wide variety of subjects from Prichard's time with the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment and his time in TNA and the GWF have been topics as well. The show has spun-off into a companion video show, titled Something Else to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard, which debuted on the WWE Network on April 18, 2018.

Personal life

Bruce Prichard is the brother of professional wrestler Tom Prichard and guitarist Chris Prichard. Bruce also has two other brothers, Jerry and Ken. Ken died in February 2022. He has a son, Kane, whom he named after the professional wrestler, and a daughter Amber.[31]

Prichard suffered two heart attacks in 2012.[32]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Bruce Prichard". Cagematch.net. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  2. ^ Hoffman, Ken (November 23, 2009). "Brother Love leaps from ring to stage". Houston Chronicle.
  3. ^ a b Polisher, Evan (October 25, 2017). "Written podcast recap: Prime Time with Sean Mooney w/ Bruce Prichard on how his WWF career started, the creation of Brother Love, the wrestlers who thought the gimmick went too far (ep. 19)". PWPodcasts.com. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  4. ^
    ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0
    .
  5. ISBN 978-1-4165-4112-7
    .
  6. ^ "Wrestlers having grudge match". Lakeland Ledger. October 28, 1988. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  7. ^ Dansby, Andrew (November 16, 2017). "Bruce Prichard shares stories from the wrestling ring in popular podcast". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  8. ^ Something to Wrestling With Bruce Prichard (May 22, 2018). "Bruce Prichard shoots on the creation of the Brother Love character". YouTube. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  9. ^ Harris, Art (February 25, 1988). "Jimmy And The Snare Of Sin". Washington Post. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  10. ^ Bruce Prichard on the Brother Love Gimmick
  11. ^ "WWE SmackDown live event results - 8/2/03". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2017-01-01.
  12. ^ "Update: Bruce Prichard's WWE Firing, & More". WrestlingInc.com. Retrieved 2016-12-29.
  13. ^ Martin, Adam (2010-10-07). "Former WWE staff member joins TNA Wrestling". WrestleView. Archived from the original on 2010-10-11. Retrieved 2010-10-07.
  14. ^ Caldwell, James (October 6, 2011). "TNA News: Creative team shake-up – Russo out as head writer, when will the change take effect?". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
  15. ^ "IMPACT WRESTLING Signs Austin Aries - More Stars Coming To The X Division". ImpactWrestling.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011.
  16. ^ Caldwell, James (October 18, 2011). "TNA News: Press Release – Bruce Prichard appointed to Senior VP role, TNA looking to expand roster, Prichard & Dixie Carter quoted". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  17. PWTorch.com
    . Retrieved 2012-09-29.
  18. ^ Johnson, Mike (July 16, 2013). "Two more execs, including head of creative, gone from tna". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  19. ^ http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/810979-bruce-prichard-reportedly-returning-to-tna-impact-wrestling-backstage-news-on-his-new-role-in-the-company Bruce Prichard Reportedly Returning to TNA Impact Wrestling, Backstage News on His New Role in the Company - WrestleZone
  20. Pro Wrestling Sheet
    . March 2, 2017. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
  21. ^ "Jim Cornette returns to Impact, fires Bruce Prichard". 17 August 2017.
  22. ^ "Bruce Prichard Joins Major League Wrestling". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  23. ^ ""Something Else to Wrestle With Bruce Prichard" Coming to WWE Network". Pro Wrestling Sheet | Insider Wrestling News and Reports. 2018-04-06. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
  24. ^ "Bruce Prichard Returning to WWE Creative Team". f4wonline.com. February 23, 2019.
  25. ^ "BRUCE PRICHARD, JIM ROSS LEAVING WWE, JUSHIN LIGER AND MORE". PWInsider.com. March 7, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  26. ^ "Bruce Prichard named Executive Director of SmackDown". WWE.com. October 15, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  27. ^ Staszewski, Joseph. "Paul Heyman out as Raw boss, WWE names new head of creative". Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  28. ^ "Vince McMahon, Brother Love and Others Make Cameos During WWE Money in the Bank Match". 10 May 2020.
  29. ^ "BACKSTAGE NOTES FROM LAST NIGHT'S RAW TAPING". December 1, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  30. ^ "WWE Creative Woes Resulting In 'A Lot Of Frustration' Among Superstars". Forbes. December 2, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  31. ^ "411Mania".
  32. ^ Meltzer, Dave (2012-03-23). "Prichard suffers heart attack". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2012-03-23.

External links

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