Paul Jones Death

Paul Jones Death – Undisclosed Causes

Legendary wrestler and manager Paul Jones has died at age 75. photo: pro wrestling illustrated

1942-2018 (Age 75)

Paul Jones, real name Paul Frederik, has died at age 75.

Fans who grew up on 80s wrestling likely remember Paul Jones for his role as a heel manager.

With Jim Crockett Promotions, Jones led Paul Jones’ Army. The stable featured a who’s who of clientele including Rick Rude, Ivan Koloff, The Masked Superstar (Ax from Demolition), Superstar Billy Graham, The Powers of Pain, and many more.

But prior to the explosion of professional wrestling in the 80s, Jones saw huge success inside the ring, both in singles and tag team competition, working as “Number One” Paul Jones.

Before the feud: Paul Jones and Ricky Steamboat were NWA Tag Champs on four separate occasions

A Star in the Territories

Paul Jones began his wrestling career in ’61 under the tutelage of Paul Boesch. By the late 60s, Jones found himself working in the south and Mid-Atlantic regions, wrestling for Jim Crockett Promotions.

In tag team competition, Jones was paired with an impressive list of 70s talent including Nelson Paul, Wahoo McDaniel, Ricky Steamboat, Baron Von Raschke, and The Masked Superstar (who would go on to work as “Ax” from Demolition for the WWF). Jones later partook in a heated feuded with Steamboat – attacking him at the end of a two-ring battle royal in front of a stunned crowd.

Jones continued his heel momentum into the 80s, beginning a legendary program with “The Boogie Woogie Man” Jimmy Valiant.