Larry Winters

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Larry Winters
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Debut1982
Retired2010

Larry Winters (April 14, 1956 – January 27, 2015) was an American

Mid-Atlantic and East Coast independent circuit during the 1980s and 90s. He has wrestled in the American Wrestling Association, the National Wrestling Alliance, National Wrestling Federation, Pro Wrestling USA and the World Wrestling Council
. It was reported on several wrestling websites that Winters died due to a heart attack January 27, 2015.

Winters was also one of the top stars of Joel Goodhart's Tri-State Wrestling Alliance. He and his tag team partner Johnny Hotbody, as the Dog Pound, were the first TWA Tag Team Champions. However, it was his feud with D. C. Drake that brought him national attention in the wrestling world. One of the earliest displays of modern "hardcore wrestling", Bill Apter wrote "professional wrestling would be forever changed due to this escalated level of violence" after watching their first match in 1990.

He was one of many former TWA wrestlers later brought into

ECW Tag Team Championship before turning on each other. Winters is also credited for training several future ECW stars including Don E. Allen, Glen Osbourne and The Sandman
.

Professional wrestling career

Early life and career (1982–1990)

A native of

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Larry Winters made his professional debut in 1982. That year, he traveled to the Midwestern United States to appear for Ohio Championship Wrestling's debut show in Maple Heights on November 6, 1982. A three-day weekend supercard, others who appeared on the card included Luis Martinez, J.W. Hawk, J.R. Hogg, Zoltan the Great, Bobby Colt, The Beast, and Bobo Brazil, who was crowned its first champion.[1] While there, he faced one of his first major opponents, Malcolm Monroe and his manager "Mad Dog" Marcial Bovee, in Akron.[2]

On October 28, 1984 Winters made an appearance for the

World Wrestling Federation where he lost to Ron Shaw at a house show in Reading, Pennsylvania.[3]

Around 1985, Winters began wrestling for the

The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts).[5]

He also made several appearances for short-lived

Baltimore, Maryland.[9]

During the next two years, Winters wrestled for the NWA[10] as well as the World Wrestling Council,[11] World Grand Prix Wrestling.[12] and the National Wrestling Federation. On October 2, 1987, Winters wrestled NWF Heavyweight Champion D. C. "Mad Dog" Drake at the Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida.[13] A year later, he and D. C. Drake were featured in a special documentary on violence in professional wrestling, Scar Wars, which also included Jules Strongbow and Abdullah the Butcher.[14][15]

During 1988[16] and 1989, Winters regularly did shows for promoter Jim Crockett in Baltimore. It was during this period that Winters met Joel Goodhart, who was then involved with the Squared Circle Fan Club, which organized bus trips to NWA and independent shows in the Baltimore area. When Goodhart opened the Ringmasters Wrestling School in Northeast Philadelphia, Larry Winters was hired as head trainer.[17]

In the summer of 1990, Winters toured Canada with IWA Championship Wrestling facing David Isley and Jim Folger.[18] He also faced his old rival Larry Zbyszko in the Montreal-based Lutte Internationale.[19]

Tri-State Wrestling Alliance (1990–1992)

Joel Goodhart began promoting wrestling shows and Winters became one of the earliest stars of the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance following its formation in 1990. Hoping to rekindle their NWF rivalry, Winters was paired against D. C. Drake in a series of wild matches. In their first match together, the brawl reached the

The Sheik, and Tony Stetson and Johnny Hotbody were equally violent and, in part, inspired the modern style of "hardcore wrestling" later seen in Extreme Championship Wrestling.[17]

On January 27, 1990, Larry Winters beat D. C. Drake in a

Mondo Kleen. Although Stetson had been eliminated by Johnny Hotbody early in the match, Winters went on to pin Kleen, Hotbody and Drake to win the match.[24]

At Autumn Armageddon, Winters took part in a 20-man "reverse cage battle royal" held at Philadelphia's Penn Hall on September 15. The battle royal included

JT Smith.[28]

Teaming with

David Health & Tom Nash) at Autumn Armageddon II on September 21, 1991. D. C. Drake was substituting for Winters and was the man pinned when the titles changed hands. The promotion closed four months later.[32]

Eastern Championship Wrestling (1992–1993)

Days after Goodhart announced the close of the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance, Winters met with Steve Truitt, Bob Artese and

booker.[33] While head instructor of Goodhart's wrestling school, Winters had trained several future ECW stars such as Don E. Allen, Glen Osbourne[34] and The Sandman.[35]

Though he proved competent in the role, creative differences between Winters' traditional booking style and Gordon's more radical approach led to his eventual replacement by

shoot interview, Gordon claimed he was upset with a racial-based angle which occurred during the main event of ECW's first show at Philadelphia's Original Sports Bar.[36] Winters and Johnny Hotbody fought D. C. Drake & J. T. Smith to a double disqualification.[37] Originally, they were supposed to spraypaint JT Smith white and D. C. Drake black. Instead, the two left the black paint in the locker room and only painted Smith white. Upset that he was "worked by the boys", Gordon took over as booker until bringing in Eddie Gilbert later that year.[38]

At ECW's second-ever event, once again at the Original Sports Bar, D. C. Drake and J. T. Smith defeated Winters and Hotbody a month after their last match on March 24, 1992.

ECW Television Champion.[37][44] Hotbody broke his ankle during the match and the title was vacated afterwards.[45][46][47] A month later, Winters was featured in Wrestling Superstars.[48]

Briefly teaming with Jimmy Jannetty, the two feuded with King Kaluha &

Cabrini College in Radnor on March 12, 1993; that same night, Winters entered a championship tournament for the ECW TV title but lost in the quarterfinals to "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka.[37] Prior to the match, Sunka introduced Eddie Gilbert as his manager. This match was later broadcast on the debut episode of Hardcore TV the following month.[49][50]

Deciding to team full-time with his old TWA rival, he and Stetson feuded with

ECW Tag Team Championship including putting up their hair in exchange for a title shot, and finally beat them for the titles[51] in Radnor on April 2. Their reign lasted only one day as they lost the titles to The Suicide Blondes (Chris Candido & Johnny Hotbody) the following night in Philadelphia.[37][50][52][53] On May 14, Winters lost a 6-man tag team match with Glen Osbourne and Tommy Cairo against Hot Stuff International (Eddie Gilbert, Dark Patriot and Don Muraco).[54]

Shortly after losing the tag team titles, Stetson unexpectedly turned on Winters while participating in a 16-man battle royal for the

ECW Arena in South Philadelphia.[55][56] Winters continued feuding with Stetson for the next two months. Allied with The Sandman, they beat Stetson and Rockin' Rebel in a tag team match and also fought Stetson to a no-contest. In his last appearance, Winters defeated Rockin' Rebel with Stetson in his corner. Winters was one of the many original ex-TWA wrestlers let go from the promotion by Paul Heyman in order to bring in his own wrestlers. Tod Gordon claimed that Winters was released due to his age and his reluctance to engage in more "hardcore"-style wrestling.[38]

He came back later that year and wrestled for a short time as the masked wrestler Mr. X. On October 16, he fought Tommy Cairo in North East, Maryland[57] and teamed with Don E. Allen to beat The Hell Riders in Morrisville a week later. His final match was against The Lumberjack at the ECW Arena on December 4, 1993.[58]

Semi-retirement and the independent circuit (2002–2008)

After nearly ten years in retirement, Winters began wrestling for local independent promotions in the Philadelphia area. On March 3, 2002, Winters defeated Jeff Rocker for the Cutting Edge Wrestling Federation but lost to Tony Stetson in a lumberjack match for Liberty All-Star Wrestling on April 20.

Joey Matthews) and The Well Hung Warriors (Mark Smart & Greg Spitz) in a 3 Way Dance on July 28.[60]
A month later, he took part in a two-day card for the Universal Wrestling Federation. On August 16, 2002, Winters defeated Scotty Ice and, the following night, lost to The Sandman.

In 2007, Winters made several appearances for Tod Gordon's Pro Wrestling Unplugged. On October 27, he and one-time rival Larry Zbyszko appeared as a guest on Johnny Kashmere's Batcave segment. That same night, he managed The Best Around (TJ Cannon & Bruce Maxwell) in their victory over The Bosom Buddies (Teddy Fine & Drew Blood) to win the vacant PWU Tag Team Championship. He also managed the team in separate single matches on November 17, 2007. Winters finally joined The Best Around in a 6-man tag team match to defeat Team P.I.T. (Gary Wolfe, Aramis & Annie Social) on January 19, 2008. In one of his last appearance with the promotion, he wrestled The Blue Meanie in Philadelphia on March 15, 2008.[61]

TWA Reunion Shows (2009–2010)

On October 24, 2009, Winters was one of several former TWA stars who took part in the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance Reunion Show

Voorhees, New Jersey. With former tag team partner Johnny Hotbody in his corner, he defeated Jimmy Jannetty.[63] Former TWA manager Hunter Q. Robbins III was also at ringside scouting Winters.[64]

At the end of the year, a second reunion show was held at St. Matthew's Baptist Church in

mixed martial artist "Sensei" Paul Lopresti.[69]

After their bout, Winters "invaded" Lopresti's dojo and criticized both his opponent and martial arts in general. As the dojo regularly films its training and sparring sessions, his disruption was caught on tape and made widely available on YouTube and similar video sharing websites. A rematch was signed for the two to meet in a tag team match at the next TWA show in Vorhees on April 11.[70][71] In a tag team grudge match, Winters and his partner Cujo the Hellhound lost to Lopresti and Michael Bruno when Lopresti forced Cujo to submit. The event was to help raise money for the Adopt a Pet organization.[72][73]

Death

Winters died from a heart attack on January 27, 2015.[74]

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ^ Mosorjak, Gregory (2006-04-30). "Ohio Championship Wrestling". Promotions. SteelBeltWrestling.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  2. ^ Hicks, Tim (2007-06-23). "Legend Profile: Marcial Bovee". Arizona Wrestling Legends. AZWrestlingLegends.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-22. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  3. ^ Cawthon, Graham (16 January 2023). "Yearly Results: 1984". TheHistoryOfWWE.com.
  4. ^ American Wrestling Association (Producer) (1985). AWA Presents: Larry Zbyszko (VHS). United States: Mr. MacTiger's Tape List.
  5. ^ a b The Clawmaster (2009-10-10). "My AWA results". Ask The Clawmaster. SportsandWrestling.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  6. ^ American Wrestling Association (Producer) (1986). Wrestling's Greatest Matches, Vol. 5 (VHS). United States: Coliseum of Wrestling & Boxing.
  7. ^ American Wrestling Association (Producer) (1986). AWA Wrestling, Vol 7 (VHS). United States: Coliseum of Wrestling & Boxing.
  8. ^ "Pro Wrestling USA". Territories (Pre-1990). PWChronicles.com. 2010. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  9. ^ Cawthon, Graham. "Pro Wrestling USA". Jim Crockett Promotions / WCW. TheHistoryofWWE.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  10. ^ "1986 Results". NWA Wrestling House Show Results. Titlebelt.net. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  11. ^ World Wrestling Council (Producer) (1986). World Wrestling Council Classics, Vol. 45 (DVD). Puerto Rico: Wild B. Brown's Videos.
  12. ^ World Grand Prix Wrestling (Producer) (1987). 1987 ICW & World Grand Prix Wrestling (VHS). Canada: A1WrestlingVideos.com.
  13. St. Petersburg Times
    . 1987-10-01.
  14. ^ National Wrestling Federation (Producer) (1988). Various Tapes (VHS). United States: Big Bubba's Tape List.
  15. ^ National Wrestling Federation (Producer) (1988). American DVD-Rs 301-400 (DVD). United States: Tim's Video Collection. Archived from the original on 2012-06-30.
  16. ^ Vance Nevada; Mark Eastridge; Matt Farmer; Mike Rodgers (2008-04-27). "Ivan Koloff". SLAM! Wrestling Results Archive. SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved 2010-05-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  17. ^ a b TWA Wrestling (2009). "Classic TWA Memories". TWAprowrestling.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  18. ^ International Wrestling Alliance (Producer) (1990). 06/1990-08/1990 IWA Championship Wrestling (VHS). Canada: TCTapes.net.
  19. ^ Lutte Internationnale (Producer) (1990). Lutte Internationnale The Ultimate Collection, Vol. 2 (DVD). Canada: Wrestleholic2001.com. Archived from the original on 2009-07-25. Retrieved 2020-02-23.
  20. ^ Schwan, Brett (2006). "Ten Questions With ... DC Drake". WrestlingClothesline.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  21. ^ "Winter Challenge". Joel Goodhart's Tri-State Wrestling Alliance Cards. ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  22. ^ "Spring Spectacular". Joel Goodhart's Tri-State Wrestling Alliance Cards. ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  23. ^ "US Indy Top Matches of the 1990s". The Death Valley Driver Presents: The Best Matches of the 90's. DeathValleyDriver.com. 2003. Archived from the original on June 7, 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  24. ^ "Summer Sizzler". Joel Goodhart's Tri-State Wrestling Alliance Cards. ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  25. ^ "Autumn Armageddon". Joel Goodhart's Tri-State Wrestling Alliance Cards. ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  26. ^ "December 4, 1990 in Philadelphia, PA". Joel Goodhart's Tri-State Wrestling Alliance Cards. ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  27. ^ "February 24, 1991 in Philadelphia, PA". Joel Goodhart's Tri-State Wrestling Alliance Cards. ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  28. ^ "Winter Challenge II". Joel Goodhart's Tri-State Wrestling Alliance Cards. ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  29. ^ "Spring Spectacular II". Joel Goodhart's Tri-State Wrestling Alliance Cards. ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  30. ^ "T.W.A. Heavyweight Title". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003.
  31. ^ "Summer Sizzler II". Joel Goodhart's Tri-State Wrestling Alliance Cards. ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  32. ^ "Autumn Armageddon II". Joel Goodhart's Tri-State Wrestling Alliance Cards. ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  33. ^
    ISBN 1-59670-021-1
  34. ^ Martin, John (2008). "Superstar Spotlight featuring Glen Osbourne". ECWAprowrestling.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  35. ^ "Sandman Profile". Online World Of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
  36. ^ Magee, Bob (2007-02-26). "As I See It 2/26: A forgotten anniversary 15 years ago yesterday..." Pro Wrestling: Between the Sheets. PWBTS.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  37. ^ a b c d "Eastern Championship Wrestling". Professional Wrestling Results Archive. Wrestling Follower Network. 2001. Archived from the original on 2009-09-03. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  38. ^ a b Truitt, Brandon (2003-03-04). "Tod Gordon Shoot Interview". Tape Reviews. TheSmartMarks.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  39. ^ PWInsider (2009-03-24). "Today in Wrestling History, 3/24: WWE Signs Goldberg, More". ImpactWrestling.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2009. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  40. ^ "April 26, 1992 in Philadelphia, PA". Extreme Championship Wrestling April–June 1992. ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  41. ^ "May 19, 1992 in Philadelphia, PA". Extreme Championship Wrestling April–June 1992. ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  42. ^ "May 25, 1992 in Philadelphia, PA". Extreme Championship Wrestling April–June 1992. ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  43. ^ "June 23, 1992 in Philadelphia, PA". Extreme Championship Wrestling April–June 1992. ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  44. WWE.com
    . Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  45. ^ Royal Duncan; Gary Will; Matt Benaka; Earl Oliver; Joe Dean (2001). "ECW Television Title / World Television Title History". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org.
  46. ^ "E.C.W. Television Title". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003.
  47. ^ Woodward, Buck (2006-09-30). "This Day In History: Pedro VS. Bruno, Two Japanese Legends Debut, Sabu Breaks A Bottle Over Cactus Jack's Head And More". PWInsider.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  48. ^ Apter, Bill, ed. Wrestling Superstars. September 1992.
  49. ^ Martin, Adam; Graham Cawthon (2009-04-05). "This Day in Wrestling History for 4/5". Wrestleview.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  50. ^ a b "ECW TV: 1993". Corey's Wrestling Video Archives. CoreysTapes.com. Archived from the original on 2010-01-09. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  51. ^ Simpson, Greg. "Mindbender's Wrestling Greats: "S"". Mindbenders Wrestling Greats. Mindbenders.ca. Archived from the original on 2016-01-29. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  52. WWE.com
    . Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  53. ^ Riley, Patrick (2002). "ECW Tag Team Title". Pro Wrestling Title Histories: ECW - Extreme Championship Wrestling. PatrickRiley.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  54. ^ Kriss Knights; Vance Nevada; Scott Teal; Jim Zordani (2008-05-15). "Don Muaco". SLAM! Wrestling Results Archive. SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved 2010-05-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  55. ^ Nelson, Phil (2008-07-11). "Summer Sizzler 1993". Extreme Championship Wrestling 1993. American Wrestling Trivia. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  56. ^ "ECW House Shows". Corey's Wrestling Video Archives. CoreysTapes.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  57. ^ "October 16, 1993 in North East, MD". Extreme Championship Wrestling December 1993. ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  58. ^ "December 4, 1993 in Philadelphia, PA". Extreme Championship Wrestling December 1993. ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  59. ^ "Independent & Foreign Wrestling - April 2002". Miscellaneous Independent Results. OnlineWorldofWrestling.com. April 2002. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  60. ^ Spitz, Greg (2004). "1999 Matches". Match History. Alerelf.com. Archived from the original on 2003-06-24. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  61. ^ Pro Wrestling Unplugged (Producer) (2008). Pro Wrestling Unplugged- Haunted 3/15/08 (DVD). United States: RF Video.
  62. ^ Noel, Nick (2009-08-27). "Tri-State Wrestling Alliance to Hold Reunion Show". WrestlingEpicenter.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  63. ^ "TWA Reunion Show". Joel Goodhart's Tri-State Wrestling Alliance Cards. ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  64. ^ Douglas, Frank (2009-10-25). "Tri-State Wrestling Alliance Reunion Results From Vorhees, New Jersey: Buddy Landell, Al Snow, Steve Corino, TWA Originals And Even Joel Goodheart". PWInsider.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  65. ^ "TWA Toys for Tots". Joel Goodhart's Tri-State Wrestling Alliance Cards. ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  66. ^ Meltzer, Dave (2009). "FRI. UPDATE: More on Umaga; One of year's biggest weekends; Lesnar; White rips Maz; Diaz; WWE comic". Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online. F4Wonline.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  67. ^ "Tri-State Wrestling Alliance (TWA) & "Wiseguy" Jimmy Cicero Bodyslam Show." DOIwrestling.com. Ed. Sean McCaffrey. N.p., Jan. 2010. Web. 14 May 2010. <www.declarationofindependents.net/doi/pages/twa14100.html>
  68. ^ Tartaglia, Michael (2009-12-29). "Tri-State Wrestling Alliance's "Bodyslam Autism" on 1/31 in Voorhees, NJ". IndyWrestlingNews.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  69. ^ TWA Wrestling (Producer) (2010). TWA Wrestling 1/31/10 Voorhees, NJ (DVD). United States: RF Video.
  70. ^ Gerwick, Steve (2010-03-02). "02.28.10 W-1 Results From Jackson, NJ". ForceofWrestling.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  71. ^ Martin, Adam (February 27, 2010). "TWA: April 11 in Voorhees, New Jersey". Wrestleview.com. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  72. ^ Farrell, E.L. (2010-04-13). "TWA Results - April 11th Show From The Flyers Skate Zone In Voorhees, New Jersey". LordsofPain.net. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  73. ^ "Adopt a Pet". Joel Goodhart's Tri-State Wrestling Alliance Cards. ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  74. ^ "Original Ecw Booker, Twa Star Larry Winters Passes Away". PWInsider.com. 2015-01-27. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  75. ^
    ISBN 0-9698161-5-4
    .
  76. ^ Royal Duncan; Gary Will; Matt Benaka; Brian Westcott; Eric Roelfsema; Joe Dean (2001). "ECW Tag Team / World Tag Team Title History". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org.
  77. ^ "E.C.W. World Title History". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003.
  78. ^ "T.W.A. Tag Team Title". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Larry_Winters&oldid=1201921828"