Jim Crockett Promotions Archives

Randy Anderson Death

By Mike Rickard on May 27, 2018 / 2000s, 2002, Cancer, Dead Before 50 / Leave a comment

Randy Anderson Death – Cancer 1959-2002 (Age 42) A good referee can play an important part in any wrestling match, but it’s a challenge to do so without bringing attention to oneself. WCW official Randy “Pee Wee” Anderson was one such referee, adding a subtle level of excitement to his matches, yet keeping himself in the background. Later in life, Anderson showed tremendous personal courage during his battle with cancer. Growing Up with a Future Wrestling Legend Randy Anderson grew up in the small town of Rome, Georgia with a friend named Marty Lunde. Both were diehard fans of professional wrestling and joined their high school wrestling teams. At 119 pounds, Anderson went on to win the state wrestling title. Anderson and Lunde attended wrestling school together, but Randy pursued a career as a referee as he was too small to wrestle professionally. Both men got their first break working in

Paul Jones Death

By Ryan on May 24, 2018 / 2010s, 2018, Undisclosed Causes / Leave a comment

Paul Jones Death – Undisclosed Causes 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. 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

Buddy Landel Death

By Mike Rickard on March 11, 2018 / 2010s, 2015, Accident / Leave a comment

Buddy Landel Death – Car Accident 1961-2015 (Age 53) William Ansor was born on August 14, 1961, but would later change his name to that of his wrestling persona, Buddy Landel. A talented and charismatic wrestler, the Knoxville, Tennessee native hit the big time in 1985, working in Jim Crockett Promotions. With a “Battle of the Nature Boys” feud on the horizon, big things lie ahead, but Landel’s personal demons led to an abrupt dismissal, and unfortunately his career never bounced back. A Friendship Leads to a Wrestling Career William Ansor’s sister was dating Barry Orton (brother of “Cowboy” Bob Orton Jr.) and knew of Ansor’s interest in wrestling. This led to an introduction to wrestler Boris Malenko, who began training Ansor. With the help of “Cowboy” Bill Watts and Bob Roop, Ansor entered the wrestling business. Ansor debuted in 1979, and worked his first match with “Cowboy” Bob Orton,

Dick Murdoch Death

By Mike Rickard on January 1, 2018 / 1990s, 1996, Dead Before 50, Heart Attack / Leave a comment

Dick Murdoch Death – Heart Attack 1947-1996 (Age 49) Texas native Dick Murdoch was a top star during the territory era along with the national expansion era. Successful in both timeframes, Murdoch combined a mix of brawling and charisma, as a larger than life character that earned him the nicknames “Captain Redneck” and “Dirty” Dick Murdoch. Effective as a heel or a babyface, Murdoch was able to draw crowds wherever he worked. Texas Tough Dick Murdoch was born on August 16, 1946. The son of wrestler Frankie Hill Murdoch, he grew up watching his father battle some of wrestling’s biggest names at the time including Dory Funk Sr. Murdoch grew up in Waxahachie, Texas, and like many wrestlers of his era, Murdoch was an exceptional high school athlete. Murdoch’s athletics skills found him courted by the University of Texas. However, Murdoch’s grades kept him from getting in so he played at

Eddie Gilbert Death

By Mike Rickard on January 1, 2018 / 1990s, 1995, Dead Before 50, Heart Attack / Leave a comment

Eddie Gilbert Death – Heart Attack 1961-1995 (Age 33) “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert lived up to his nickname, seemingly doing what he wanted, when he wanted, and where he wanted. Although he was considered too small to be a top star, he found consistent work in the wrestling industry whether it was as a manager, booker, or wrestler. This second-generation star burnt bridges as quickly as he could build them, yet he never lacked for work, up until his death. Sadly, Gilbert’s personal excesses would end his life at the young age of 33. Destination: Wrestling Eddie Gilbert was born on August 14, 1961. The son of wrestler Tommy Gilbert; Eddie had a younger brother Doug, who would also become a wrestler. Surrounded by wrestling, Eddie aspired to become “The King of Wrestling,” just as Jerry Lawler had become and Jackie Fargo before him. Eddie trained to be a wrestler

Louie Spicolli Death

By Mike Rickard on December 31, 2017 / 1990s, 1998, Dead Before 50, Drug Overdose / Leave a comment

Louie Spicolli Death – Drug Overdose 1971-1998 (Age 27) Louie Spicolli was a talented worker with a great sense of humor stymied by a lack of the big man look in vogue during the 1990’s. Nevertheless, Spicolli advanced himself through sheer determination, finding work in ECW, the WWF, and WCW. But success was short lived for Spicolli, in large part to years of abusing the muscle relaxer Soma. Many say Spicolli was on the verge of a break-out in WCW, but unfortunately, his life was cut short. Spicolli suffered a drug overdose at the young age of 27. The Crème de la crème of Enhancement Talent Louis Mucciolo Jr. was a talented athlete in high school, with but one goal—to become a professional wrestler. Mucciolo dropped out of school to begin training as a professional wrestler with ring announcer Bill Laster (aka Billy Anderson). Mucciolo debuted in the WWF just days

Blackjack Mulligan Death

By Ryan on October 25, 2016 / 2010s, 2016, Undisclosed Causes / 4 Comments

Blackjack Mulligan Death – Undisclosed Causes 1942-2016 (age 73) Blackjack Mulligan, real name Robert “Bob” Windham, enjoyed a storied life and career, and not just in the wrestling ring. Mulligan played football in college, and had tryouts for several NFL teams in the mid 60s. After football, Mulligan moved to wrestling, debuting in the AWA, and eventually moving over to the WWWF (now WWE) where he was managed by the late Grand Wizard. Mulligan is most remembered for his run with tag partner Blackjack Lanza, where they formed The Blackjacks. The Blackjacks take on Tony Parisi and Louis Cerdan. Madison Square Garden, Nov. 17, 1975 The Blackjacks had an impressive run throughout the 70s with the WWWF, winning tag team gold in 1975. Mulligan’s profile would continue to shine in the upper card, feuding with Andre the Giant. In the mid 80s, Mulligan moved over to Jim Crockett Promotions, notably teaming up with

Sir Oliver Humperdink Death

By Ryan on October 25, 2016 / 2010s, 2011, Cancer, Pneumonia / 1 Comment

Sir Oliver Humperdink – Complications from Pneumonia and Bladder Cancer 1949-2011 (age 62) John Sutton, known to wrestling fans as Sir Oliver Humperdink, was a manager with a career spanning three decades. Perhaps best known as the manager for the original Hollywood Blonds, Sir Oliver also managed several other notable talent including Greg Valentine, and One Man Gang early in their careers. 1980: Sir Oliver with the late Lord Alfred Hayes Sir Oliver and Bam Bam After spending considerable time with FCW (Florida), Sir Oliver transitioned to the WWF (now WWE) in 1987. He managed Bam Bam Bigelow, notably making an appearance at WrestleMania IV. The duo would move to NWA in 1988. By the early 90s, Humperdink was with WCW under the unfortunate moniker of “Big Daddy Dink”. Notably during his WCW Run, Humperdink managed one of the last incarnations of the Freebirds. Sir Oliver Humperdink Death Slam reports that Humperdink

Roddy Piper Death

By Ryan on January 1, 2016 / 2010s, 2015, Heart Attack, Most Popular / 5 Comments

Roddy Piper Death – Blood Clot / Heart Attack 1954-2015 (age 61) Wrestling fans everywhere mourned when the Roddy Piper death story made news headlines around the world in the summer of 2015. The wrestling superstar was one of a kind in many ways. He is right up there with Randy Savage, Warrior, Andre the Giant, and Hulk Hogan for the most iconic wrestlers of all time. About “Rowdy” Roddy Roderick George Toombs was his real name, but he was much better known as “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. He was born April 17, 1954, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Piper first got his first taste of wrestling at the young age of 15 at a weight of 167 pounds. A legendary personality in professional wrestling, Rowdy Roddy may be best remembered for his work on the mic, but he also had success in the ring. He won his first championship title, the NWA Americas, in 1976

Dusty Rhodes Death

By Ryan on December 30, 2015 / 2010s, 2015, Cancer, Most Popular / 6 Comments

Dusty Rhodes Death – Stomach Cancer 1945-2015 (age 69) One of wrestling’s greats passed away in June of 2015. He was “The American Dream.” Below is the Dusty Rhodes death story. The Son of a Plumber Virgil Runnels or “Dusty Rhodes,” as he was better known, was born in Austin, TX. The son of a plumber, his story was an amazing one as he rose to the wrestling limelight with jiggles and jabs. Rhodes had charisma for miles in the squared circle. Outside of the ring, he was a powerful mind that encouraged and created as a trainer, booker, and commentator. He was also a producer for WWE’s NXT. He died on the morning of June 11, 2015 at the age of 69. Rhodes was captivating. In the 1980s, he was a top draw for the NWA. He was popular for his charm and stood out from other wrestlers because of his “common man” physique

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