Gary Hart (wrestler)
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Gary Hart | |
---|---|
Birth name | Gary Richard Williams |
Born | [1] Evansville, Indiana, U.S. | January 24, 1942
Died | March 16, 2008 Euless, Texas, U.S. | (aged 66)
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Gary Hart[1] Jackal |
Billed height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
Billed weight | 239 lb (108 kg) |
Debut | 1960 |
Retired | 2004 |
Gary Richard Williams
Professional wrestling career
Early career (1960–1979)
Gary Hart started wrestling in Chicago at the Marigold Arena in 1960.[3] His uncle, Billy Gates, worked as a booking agent for Chicago promoter Fred Kohler. After working in Chicago, he worked in Detroit until 1964. He then worked on and off in Australia under Jim Barnett until 1974 when he relocated with Barnett to Atlanta becoming involved in Georgia Championship Wrestling. After Georgia, he worked in Florida in 1975 managing Pak Song Nam.
In the late 1960s, he retired from in-ring competition and transitioned into a managerial role, going under the name "Playboy" Gary Hart. During the late 1960s, he managed
On February 20, 1975, Hart, along with
World Class Championship Wrestling (1979–1988)
Hart became the booker for
Georgia and Mid-Atlantic (1983–1988)
During World Class's 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 promotion 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 / World Championship Wrestling (1988–1990)
Shortly after Al Perez lost the
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 (1990–2004)
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 were 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. MLW closed its doors before any resolution could be provided, only to resume operations in 2017.
Death
Hart died on March 16, 2008, following a heart attack at his home in
Championships and accomplishments
- Big Time Wrestling
- National Wrestling Alliance
- NWA Hall of Fame (Class of 2016)[8]
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 2018)[10]
- WWE
References
- ^ a b c d "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.
- ^ "Legendary manager Gary Hart passes away". World Wrestling Entertainment. March 17, 2008. Retrieved March 17, 2008.
- ^ a b Guzzo, Paul (February 8, 2015). "Wrestlers recall plane crash off Tampa that changed their careers". The Washington Times. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ^ "Autobiography of Professional Wrestling Manager "Playboy" Gary Hart Released". PR.com. 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ISBN 978-0-9698161-5-7.
- ^ "N.W.A. American Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Ul Aabideen, Zain (December 21, 2018). "Wrestling Observer announces the nominees for the Hall of Fame 2018". Wrestling Culture. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
External links
- Notice of Hart's death[usurped]
- 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
- Gary Hart's profile at Cagematch.net