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Duggan in Oshawa

Duggan in Oshawa

Posted: May 18th 2009 By: mikeiles

With his patented 2x4 board over one shoulder and a meaningful thumbs up with his left hand, Hacksaw Jim Duggan has given many opposing grapplers fits inside the squared circle these past 30 years. And while most of his events have been before huge throngs of supporters encompassing the domination of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), the 45-year-old native of Glen Falls, New York, can still mix it up with the best of them, be it on the big stage or smaller venues as demonstrated during Thursday night?s Great Canadian Wrestling (GCW) card at the Legion Hall in Oshawa. He?s still got the board, the thumbs up and the much appreciated ?Hooo!? battle cry. Clearly, this entertaining wrestler who has been successfully around the block on more than a few occasions, still has what it takes to entertain a crowd. And he loves every moment of it.

?This is great, isn?t it?? he remarks behind a curtain with a huge grin while fans react to an
ongoing bout inside the ring. Duggan has taken on the elite over his illustrious career, including Andre the Giant, the Iron Sheik and perhaps the epitome of his success, outlasting 19 other wrestlers to become the very first winner at Royal Rumble. His ability to toss One Man Gang over the ropes as his final opponent put Duggan in the record books. From his early days when wrestling was a sport to today?s keen entertainment orchestrated by WWE guru Vince McMahon, Duggan has seen a lot of changes in wrestlers.?The wrestlers are more professional now than back in the earlier days,? he notes. ?It?s a much different business
from the hey-day of the 1980s. Not necessarily their ring work, but their approach to how they treat the business.

Back then, we partied all night. I don?t think there is as much of that today.? The focus on wrestlers for the sake of entertainment has changed as well, says Duggan.?The trend is now for smaller guys that fly and are fast compared to bigger guys that brawl. And that?s okay. It is all about entertaining the crowds.? Duggan doesn?t fly. And he?s not necessarily quick on his feet. But Hacksaw does demand the respect of opponents while still working up the energy to give fans every reason to give him a hearty thumbs up and a ?Hoooo!? as he enters the ring.

Groomed for wrestling by Fritz Von Erich, Duggan?s initial goal was to play in the National Football League (NFL) and although signed by the Atlanta Falcons, constant knee injuries kept him from pursuing his dream. Following a coffee stop with the Canadian Football League?s (CFL) Toronto Argonauts, Duggan put away the pads for wrestling trunks. Ironically, Duggan began his pro career as a heel, including a stint in Mid-South Wrestling during the early ?80s where he became Louisiana State Champion.?The most fun I had was in the Mid-South Wrestling,? he he recalls. ?The guys were much closer and we all travelled together. It was the early ?80s, a wild time. I mean, if we got into a bit of trouble, there were people around to help sweep it under the rug. Nowadays with cell phones and the Internet, you could see your name pop up on the screen. I?m always telling kids to be very careful for that very reason.?

Perhaps Duggan?s biggest challenge was away from the ring in 1998 when he was diagnosed
with kidney cancer. He beat it and two years later, he was back in the limelight with World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Duggan?s high profile matches are plentiful throughout his stops in the WWE and previously with WCW. His most memorable was a bout against highly touted Andre The Giant before a sellout crowd at Madison Square Garden in New York.?That was a highlight,? he beams. ?I mean, to sell out Madison Square Garden, have 20,000 screaming fans watching you perform, I still think of that (bout) every so often.?

Currently signed to a WWE contract, the demand for Duggan and the 2x4 board has taken him to 30 countries, noting with a grin,?I?ve been to every state in the US and every province in Canada. The WWE is worldwide.? And yet, Duggan remains a full supporter of smaller venues.?I think folks come to shows like the GCW with an open mind and 90 percent of the time they say, ?Hey, a little local show with a big WWE production. It?s a great
night out.??This is the roots of wrestling. The WWE is a phenomenon of which I am glad to be a small part of it. Still, I see the young guys coming up looking for gimmicks and I?ve seen some crazy ones.

They?re doing it for the love of the business and you?ve got to appreciate that.?

 

Tags: Jim Duggan, WWE, Andre the Giant, One Man Gang, Fritz Von Erich, MSW, WCW

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Spotlight in History

  • 1959 Pretty Boy Collins & Duke Scarbo became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 1969 Ramon Torres & Alberto Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treacherous Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 1974 Rip Tyler def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 1984 The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) def. The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer 1 & Super Destroyer 2) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 1984 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes, & Buddy Roberts) for the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 1984 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) became the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 1985 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) became the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 2005 Shane Morbid def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 2005 The 918 Boyz (Timmy J & Cade Sydal) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 2011 Jeff Starchild became the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 2017 Lone Star, Inc. (Cody Burns & Trey Cole & The Longhorn Outlaw) def. Simply the Future (J. D. & Alex) for the WFC Tag Team Champions
  • 2017 Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) def. El Greengo Loco & Karnage for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 2023 Thrash def. Jason Jones for the WFC Prime Champion
  • 2023 MLP def. Red James for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 2023 Red James def. MLP for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion

Week of Sun 05-05 to Sat: 05-11

  • 05-05 1941 Maurice Shapiro became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock became the TSW United States Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock def. Sandor Kovacs for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1978 Jerry Brown & Bobby Jaggers def. Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 1982 King Kong Bundy def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1982 Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia def. The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 1986 Rick Rude def. Lance Von Erich for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-05 2002 Red Eagle def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2002 Terry Montana def. Red Eagle for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2007 The Compound Varsity (Romero Contreras & Justin Lee) became the FCW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-05 2012 Kareem Sadat def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2017 El Greengo Loco & Karnage def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 2024 Tzuki def. Guerrerito for the EDW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-06 1959 Pretty Boy Collins & Duke Scarbo became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1969 Ramon Torres & Alberto Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treacherous Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1974 Rip Tyler def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) def. The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer 1 & Super Destroyer 2) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes, & Buddy Roberts) for the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) became the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1985 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) became the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 2005 Shane Morbid def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 05-06 2005 The 918 Boyz (Timmy J & Cade Sydal) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-06 2011 Jeff Starchild became the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-06 2017 Lone Star, Inc. (Cody Burns & Trey Cole & The Longhorn Outlaw) def. Simply the Future (J. D. & Alex) for the WFC Tag Team Champions
  • 05-06 2017 Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) def. El Greengo Loco & Karnage for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 2023 Thrash def. Jason Jones for the WFC Prime Champion
  • 05-06 2023 MLP def. Red James for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-06 2023 Red James def. MLP for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-07 1984 Killer Khan became the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Cody Jones became the NWA-OK Texoma Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Jack Legacy def. Jeff Starchild for the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Dustin Heritage def. Shane Morbid for the MWA MAX-Division Champion
  • 05-07 2010 A. T. F. (Al Farat & Gurkha Singh) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-07 2010 La Reina de Corazones became the NWA-OK Women's Champion
  • 05-07 2011 Rudy Edwards def. Ryan Styles for the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 05-07 2011 Bernie D & Max McGuirk def. Nemesis (Rage Logan & Damien Morte) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-07 2016 Tyson Jaymes def. Brandon Groom for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2018 Jack Swagger became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2018 The Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) became the WCR Tag Team Champions
  • 05-07 2018 Damon Windsor became the WCR Revolutionary Champion
  • 05-07 2021 Jerome Daniel Griffey def. Tino Valentino for the ASP Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Drake Gallows def. Oxley for the RDW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Derek James became the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Luna Nightshade became the RDW Women's Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Brandon Groom def. Derek James for the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Becky def. Luna Nightshade for the RDW Women's Champion
  • 05-08 1970 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Buddy Roberts) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-08 1985 The Snowman became the MSW Television Champion
  • 05-08 1988 Kerry Von Erich def. King Parsons for the WCCW World Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Brandon Groom def. Michael Barry for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2004 John O'Malley became the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Kenny Campbell became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Luc Lapointe & Se7en became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-08 2010 Excellence Personified (Dustin Heritage & Se7en & Michael Barry & Jack Legacy) became the TAP Tag Team Champions
  • 05-08 2010 Wage def. Eric Rose for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-08 2010 John O'Malley def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2010 Michael H def. Tex for the 412PE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2010 J. R. Orullian & The Unknown def. The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Dennis Williams) for the 412PE Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 1967 Gorgeous George, Jr. & Jack Brisco def. The Assassins (Assassin #1 & Assassin #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-09 2004 John O'Malley def. Chris Matthews for the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-09 2004 Se7en became the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-09 2004 Bernie Donderwitz def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-09 2009 Crazy Beautiful (Brett Taylor & Michael York) def. Team SuperBad (El Super Colibri & Justin Lee) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2009 Dane Griffin def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-09 2009 BLK-OUT (Jermaine Johnson & Montego Seeka) def. Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2015 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Hurricane Ross & J. R. Orullian for the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2021 Erica def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Champion
  • 05-10 1966 The Assassins (Assassin 1 & Assassin 2) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-10 2008 Jerry Bostic became the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 05-10 2014 Billy Ray [1st] def. Running Wolf for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-10 2014 American Made def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE United States Champion
  • 05-10 2019 Kody Lane def. Latrell Upton for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 05-10 2023 Leo Fox def. The Wolf of War for the RDW Iron Man Champion
  • 05-11 1976 Karl Kox & Bob Sweetan def. Ted DiBiase & Dick Murdoch for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-11 1981 Ernie Ladd def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-11 2008 The Midnite Rider def. Outlaw for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-11 2008 Limited Edition (Les Mayne & Dane Griffin) def. The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-11 2013 Billy Ray [1st] became the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-11 2013 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Pretty In Pink (Mike Rose & Michael Duplanti) for the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-11 2019 Drake Gallows became the KCW National Champion
05-06
  • Claire Watson May 6th Today!
  • Hercules May 7th
  • Richie Adams May 8th
  • Jake Danielsson May 9th
  • Rook Tyler May 10th
  • Sunny War Cloud May 10th
  • Tito Santana May 10th
  • Billy Brown May 10th
  • Jerry Brown May 10th
  • Big J May 11th
  • Charming Charles May 11th
  • Psycho May 11th
  • Sol Yang May 12th
  • Bill Howard May 12th
  • Sensei Jamo May 12th
  • Brock Baker May 12th
  • Pete Maguire May 13th
  • Prince Mahalli May 13th
  • Maggie Rae May 13th
  • Stan Kowalski May 13th
  • Dave Ryda May 13th
  • Lars Manderson May 13th
  • Danny Hodge May 13th
  • Little Boy Blue May 13th
  • Payton Scott May 13th
  • Karl Krupp May 13th
  • Big Van Vader May 14th
  • Shawn Bragan May 14th
  • Scott Irwin May 14th
  • Tommy Rogers May 14th
  • C. M. Burnham May 14th
  • Steve Williams May 14th
  • Robert Fuller May 14th
  • Joe Cuedo May 15th
  • Kevin Von Erich May 15th
  • Koko May 15th
  • Oscar Amazing May 15th
  • Andrew Bridge May 15th
  • Erwin IV May 15th
  • Buddy Roberts May 16th
  • Buddy Knox May 16th
  • Alan Jefferson May 16th
  • Ryan Martin May 16th
  • Ryker James May 16th
  • Billy Red Lyons May 17th
  • Wage May 17th
  • Mike Pappas May 17th
  • Kyle Hawk May 17th
  • Dan Maestro May 17th
  • J. B. Pain May 17th
  • Akuma Jones May 18th
  • J. R. Wind May 18th
  • Jimmy Snuka May 18th
  • Matt Riviera May 18th
  • Luna Nightshade May 18th
  • Kristopher Haiden May 18th
  • Gajo May 18th
  • Andre the Giant May 19th
  • Mongol May 19th
  • Bateman May 19th
  • Buzz Markley May 19th
  • Will Chambers May 19th
  • Dick Slater May 19th

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