Brutus Beefcake

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"Edward Leslie" redirects here. For other uses, see Edward Leslie (disambiguation).
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Brutus Beefcake
Beefcake in 2023
Birth nameEdward Harrison Leslie
Born (1957-04-21) April 21, 1957 (age 67)
Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Spouse(s)
  • Kirsten Georgi
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1987; div. 1991)​
  • Barbara McGondel
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1993; div. 2009)​
  • Melissa Caruso
    ​
    (m. 2013)​
Children1
World Wrestling Federation (WWF) under the ring name Brutus "the Barber" Beefcake. He later worked for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) under a wide variety of names.[3][1]

Leslie held nine titles throughout his career, and is a

Starrcade 1994, in a match against then-WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan.[7] Leslie was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2019
by Hogan.

The career of Leslie is highlighted on the 44th episode (fifth season and fourth episode) of the Dark Side of the Ring.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1977–1984)

Leslie began his career at the side of

World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1980. In a 2000 shoot interview, he recalled his first match was a tag match with Ron Slinker, against Ox Baker and Eric the Red
.

World Wrestling Federation (1984–1993)

The Dream Team (1984–1987)

Main article:
The Dream Team (professional wrestling)

Leslie rejoined the WWF as a

Championship Wrestling, by appearing at ringside during a match between Ivan Putski and Ron Shaw. Two weeks later, on the August 25 episode of Championship Wrestling, Beefcake wrestled his first match in the WWF by defeating Jose Luis Rivera. After beating enhancement talents during the first weeks of his career, Leslie was joined by "Luscious" Johnny Valiant as his manager on the October 13 episode of Championship Wrestling. As a singles wrestler, Beefcake's first major rivalry began against the WWF Champion Hulk Hogan, whom Beefcake wrestled for the title on a number of occasions. Hogan sought revenge on Beefcake after he and Valiant injured Hogan's protégé, Hillbilly Jim at a show in San Diego
on February 25, 1985, where Jim had appeared in Hogan's corner for a match between Hogan and Beefcake.

During this time, Beefcake also feuded with

Saturday Night's Main Event VII. Dream Team soon dropped to mid-card
status.

The Barber (1987–1990)

The Dream Team broke up at

barber poles) to the ring, and using a sleeper hold
(hitherto a specialty of both Piper and Adonis, used heavily by both in their WrestleMania III match) as his finishing move. After a match, he would strut around the ring, "snipping" his fingers like scissors to indicate he was about to cut his defeated opponent's hair. As he did (using either his shears or an electric razor) he would throw handfuls of hair into the air for the amusement of his fans.

Beefcake in 1986

After coming out on top of a feud with former partner Valentine and ex-manager Valiant, Beefcake feuded with

drag). Beefcake countered with a "woman" of his own: "Georgina" (George "The Animal" Steele in drag). The feud concluded at WrestleMania IV
, where Honky was again disqualified, after interference from Hart. Though Honky escaped with the title and his hair, Beefcake caught Hart towards the end of the match and humiliated him with a partial haircut.

Leslie with Beefcake's trademark haircutting shears in 1989

Beefcake also feuded with

steel cage match
.

At WrestleMania VI, Beefcake became the first person to pin Mr. Perfect on national television.[14] During the spring and summer of 1990, Beefcake was involved in the Intercontinental Championship tournament and, along with opponent Dino Bravo, were counted-out in the first round. Beefcake was scheduled for a WrestleMania VI re-match against Perfect, for the latter's Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam.

Parasailing accident and return (1990–1993)

In July 1990, a serious parasailing accident put Leslie out of action.[9] He was helping his parasailer friend prepare for takeoff, when the driver of the boat mistook a cue to take off and pulled the friend's knees hard into Leslie's face, crushing his facial skeleton. Over 100 feet of wire and 32 screws were required to construct a new face.[citation needed] Leslie lost his nasal cavity, jaw, and had no ability to breathe on his own.[citation needed] Leslie's wrestling career was put on hold for almost two years. As a result, Leslie was forced to miss his match at SummerSlam, and was replaced by Texas Tornado as Perfect's challenger.

For a short time in early 1991, a masked character played by Leslie appeared on television. The character would run in during matches and attack various heels (notably

superkicked partner Marty Jannetty and threw him through a plate glass window; this turned Michaels heel and began his singles run to stardom. The final Barber Shop segment took place in February 1992. Newly turned heel Sid Justice attacked Beefcake and destroyed the set, building heat
for his feud with Hulk Hogan. After this, Beefcake disappeared once again.

Beefcake once again returned to the WWF on the February 1, 1993 episode of

The Mega-Maniacs, with Hart as their manager. The Mega-Maniacs (with Beefcake wearing a protective facemask) challenged Money Inc. for the Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania IX.[17] and, though gaining some revenge, lost via disqualification.[18] WrestleMania IX was Leslie's final wrestling appearance on WWF television, although he remained active on the house show circuit. He teamed with Hogan in multiple matches against Money Inc. in June 1993, winning by disqualification. He also defeated Masa Saito on May 3 in Fukuoka, Japan.[19] Following a final tour of Europe from July 9 to August 6, (defeating Terry Taylor
in eight straight matches), Leslie left the WWF.

Independent circuit (1993–1997)

After leaving WWF, Beefcake wrestled for a few appearances in

Nailz for the WWWA Heavyweight Title. Then on April 13, 1996, he defeated Jim Neidhart for IPWA. He lost to his former tag partner Greg Valentine
on May 31, 1997, for Wrestling International Pro.

World Championship Wrestling (1994–1996)

Three Faces of Fear and various gimmicks

In 1994, Leslie debuted in

Starrcade
, which The Butcher lost.

The Butcher continued wrestling for some time after The Three Faces of Fear broke up in May 1995, then became

Scott Hall, Kevin Nash
and Hogan. Leslie then left WCW in December 1996. He continued to work in the independents.

Return to WCW (1998–1999)

The Disciple

In the final segment of the February 23, 1998, edition of Monday Nitro, Leslie returned as The Disciple, the bodyguard of Hollywood Hogan.[17] He was almost unrecognizable at first, with a full beard, sunglasses, and nWo-styled biker attire. His true identity was later revealed onscreen by Roddy Piper, during his feud with Hogan. The Disciple accompanied Hogan to the ring for his matches, and would often be called on to assist in beating down an opponent, often using his new finishing move, "The Apocalypse". After Hogan became the WCW World Heavyweight Champion in April, these beatdowns often included the title belt itself, which The Disciple would drape over his shoulder before performing The Apocalypse, driving its centerplate into the victim's face on the way down.

The Disciple was abducted by

The Warrior during Warrior's feud with Hogan, and was later seen hanging from his feet backstage. After being brainwashed by The Warrior, he turned on Hogan and became the second member of Warrior's One Warrior Nation. After Warrior left WCW, The Disciple's push largely diminished and he spent the remainder of his time in WCW as a jobber. His last WCW PPV match was the World War 3 battle royal on November 22, 1998. In his final televised match, aired on the November 6, 1999 WCW Worldwide, he wore attire much like he did in his early WWF days as Brutus Beefcake (though still under the Disciple ring name) as he lost to Hacksaw Jim Duggan.[21][22]

Later career (2000–2016)

A shirtless Leslie smiles, holding huge pruning shears
Leslie in 2009 with his shears
Beefcake signing autographs at Comic Con 2013

In May 2000, Beefcake wrestled for the Extreme Wrestling Federation, in a match against Rex Diamond.[17] On June 30, 2000, he lost to The Barbarian in a hardcore match for i-Generation Superstars of Wrestling in Australia. After retiring, Leslie became part of the Christian wrestling group, World Impact Wrestling. He also started a wrestling school.[23] He made an appearance at Pro Wrestling Syndicate's debut show in Garfield, New Jersey, on June 24, 2007.[24] He has appeared at several Memphis wrestling shows, including the 2007 Ultimate Clash of the Legends. Leslie was a coach on Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling.

On January 26, 2008, Leslie was inducted into the XWF Hall of Fame by Jack Blaze. After it became the LPW Hall of Fame, Blaze honored Beefcake again, on March 26, 2010, in Wheeling, West Virginia. On July 24, 2009, Leslie competed in "Celebrity Boxing 10" in Philadelphia, losing in the first round to local competitive eater Bill "El Wingador" Simmons. He took part in the Hulkamania: Let The Battle Begin tour in late 2009, wrestling across Australia, including Perth and Sydney.

On August 28, 2010, Beefcake wrestled for Dynamic Wrestling Alliance, based in Middletown, Ohio.[25] On November 28, 2015, he participates in a real battle to be the contender for the AML Title losing. Being his last match to date, he quietly announced his retirement from professional wrestling.

In June 2016, Beefcake made appearances in Montana for the Big Time Wrestling event.[26] In November 2018 Leslie was paid in advance to work 32 shows in 32 days for CWE Wrestling in Canada. On the tour he became disruptive and his attitude was apparent when he was interviewed for CTV Regina. When the anchor asked him for advice for future wrestlers looking to get into the business he replied “don’t, the business is dying”. Many more issues arose on tour with his wife Misty stoking flames and allegedly calling promoter Danny Duggan at all hours of the night and day. With one week left Leslie took the weeks advance pay and left the tour without notice, causing a $5000.00 loss for the promotion.

April 6, 2019, Leslie was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2019 by Hulk Hogan.[27] He made his first appearance on Boca Raton Championship Wrestling in 2022 and later in 2023, Leslie became a commissioner for BRCW.[28][29]

Personal life

Beefcake on the Hulkamania Tour

Leslie married Kirsten Georgi on July 1, 1987. They divorced in 1991.[30] He has a daughter, Alana, with Barbara McGondel, whom he dated for some time.[31]

Leslie married Melissa DeGloria Caruso in 2013.

Legal issues

In February 2004, Leslie caused an

Downtown Crossing, where he was working at the time. He had left a bag of cocaine in his booth, which a subway rider spotted and assumed to be anthrax. The building was evacuated as a precaution. Leslie checked into a drug rehabilitation facility after admitting that the cocaine was his.[17]

On November 7, 2013, Leslie appeared at Toronto City Hall with a pair of shears and a submarine sandwich, claiming mayor Rob Ford "needed an intervention" in the wake of a high-profile crack cocaine scandal. Leslie offered to be Ford's "angel of mercy", saying "Maybe if he gets his body right, he will be able to get his mind right". Security escorted him from the property when it became apparent that Leslie was attempting to promote a brand of submarine sandwiches.[32] The day before, fellow wrestler The Iron Sheik also tried to visit Ford, and challenge him to an arm-wrestling match.[33]

Championships and accomplishments

Lucha de Apuestas record

See also: Luchas de Apuestas
Winner (wager) Loser (wager) Location Event Date Notes
Brutus Beefcake (hair) Ron Bass (hair) Tampa, Florida
Saturday Night's Main Event XIX
 December 7, 1988 [40]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Top 18 Ed Leslie aka Brutus Beefcake Gimmicks! (in order), OSW Review, retrieved December 16, 2019
  2. ^ "10 Blink And You'll Miss 'Em WWE Superstars". Cultaholic. Retrieved December 16, 2019. Jimmy Scissors
  3. ^ a b c d "Brutus 'The Barber' Beefcake". WWE.com. WWE. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c "Brutus Beefcake". Cagematch. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  5. ^ "Brutus Beefcake". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  6. ^ Vorel, Jim (September 22, 2015). "The Bizarre, Convoluted Career of Ed Leslie, Wrestling's Brutus 'The Barber' Beefcake". Paste. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  7. ^ "Ed Leslie: Profile & Match Listing". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  8. ISBN 9780312588892
    .
  9. ^
    ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0
    .
  10. ^ The Supermen (July 30, 2011). "Brutus Beefcake: Male Stripper" – via YouTube.
  11. ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling's Historical Cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. pp. 85–86.
  12. ^ "Brutus Beefcake WWE profile".
  13. ^ "World Wrestling Entertainment Substitutions". Softwolves. Retrieved January 28, 2008.
  14. ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling's Historical Cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 88.
  15. ^ "WWE's 25 most absurd Superstars".
  16. ^ Observer Staff (January 21, 1991). "January 21, 1991 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Ric Flair defeats Sting for his 7th World title win, more". F4WOnline.com. Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved September 4, 2019. (subscription required)
  17. ^ a b c d e f g Roopansingh, Jaya (February 13, 2004). "Beefcake busted in Boston". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  18. ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling's Historical Cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 91.
  19. ^ "1993". thehistoryofwwe.com. January 16, 2023.
  20. ISBN 978-1-55022-584-6
    .
  21. ^ "WCW Worldwide - Saturday, 11/6/99". www.ddtdigest.com.
  22. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "WCW Worldwide " Events Database " CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
  23. ^ Beefcake Wrestling School Website. Archived June 18, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ "Pro Wrestling Syndicate - PWS returns live Sept 30". www.prowrestlingsyndicate.com.
  25. ^ "Welcome to 北京赛车pk10开奖直播!". thedwa.com.
  26. ^ "Big Time Wrestling returns to Missoula on Friday". Ravalli Republic. June 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  27. ^ "Hulk Hogan to induct Brutus Beefcake into WWE Hall of Fame". WWE. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  28. ^ "Brutus Beefcake Believes Female Wrestlers Look Tougher Than Males". itrwrestling.com. May 15, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  29. ^ Johnson, Scott (March 20, 2024). "Going Ringside Ep. 54: From mid-card to megastar, the story of Brutus Beefcake". WJXT. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  30. ^ "Ed Leslie". magweb.com. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  31. World Wrestling Entertainment
    . Retrieved October 20, 2009. There, he spends the bulk of his time with his wife Barbie, and 10-year-old daughter Alana, who happens to be an equestrian in training.
  32. ^ "Brutus The Barber Beefcake Calls Out Rob Ford!". YouTube. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  33. ^ Deschamps, Tara (November 7, 2013). "Ex-wrestler told to leave City Hall after offer of 'intervention' for Rob Ford". The Globe and Mail.
  34. ^ "Solie's Title Histories: BCW - Brew City Wrestling". www.solie.org.
  35. ^ "CWI Wrestling". Archived from the original on January 30, 2011. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
  36. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Matches " Brutus Beefcake " Wrestlers Database " CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
  37. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "SAW Tag Team Championship " Titles Database " CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.de.
  38. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4
    .
  39. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 7, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  40. ^ "World Wrestling Federation Results 1988". www.softwolves.pp.se.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Edward Leslie.
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