Native American broke barriers in wrestling
Posted: Feb 2nd 2010 By: mikeiles
WWE Hall of Famer, Florida legend Jack Brisco dies
Friends and fans of WWE Hall of Famer Jack Brisco were saddened to learn that the legendary grappler died in Tampa earlier Monday from heart complications. He was 68.
He underwent heart surgery two weeks ago.
Freddie Joe Brisco, known to fans as Jack Brisco, was a man who rose from meager beginnings to become successful in amateur and professional wrestling.
As the first Native American to capture an NCAA wrestling championship, Brisco won the national title at 171 pounds for Oklahoma State University.
After college, Brisco joined the pro ranks where he dazzled competitors and fans with his tremendous wrestling skills. He competed in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Besides winning the National Wrestling Alliance world heavyweight title, he also captured the NWA world tag team belts with his partner and brother, Jerry.
``Jack was the best big brother in the world,'' Jerry (Gerald) Brisco said in a release. ``When I faced tough times as a youth, he was always there for me. He paved the way for me in both amateur and professional wrestling. We even went into business together as owners of Brisco Brothers Body Shop in Tampa.
``I feel blessed that we always remained close.''
During the 1970s, Jack Brisco's popularity soared when he participated in the famous Brisco/Funk feud. Dory Funk, Jr. and Brisco packed every show for Championship Wrestling from Florida throughout the state, the Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis and arenas in Japan.
``He was a super athlete and gave credibility to professional wrestling,'' said Dory Funk Jr. who wrestled Brisco approximately 300 times.
Brisco was a top star, a fan favorite in Florida, competing under the direction of the late, great Eddie Graham.
Eddie's son, Mike, who wrestled extensively with Brisco in Florida, said: ``There have been some great amateurs who turned pro -- guys like Lou Thesz, Verne Gagne and Kurt Angle, but in my opinion, Jack Brisco was the greatest amateur turned professional in wrestling history.''
The late Gordon Solie, the voice of Championship Wrestling from Florida, often described Brisco as a ``class act, in and out of the ring.''
Former pro wrestler B. Brian Blair, a politician who lives in the Tampa area, added: ``Sadly we lost a hero today -- Jack Brisco.
``Jack was not only my childhood hero, he was one of my very best friends. If Jack could just come to one more lunch to say goodbye to everyone, if he could have one more road trip with us or pull one more `rib' on someone, I pray that the good Lord will comfort his soul and his family.
``I know we will all miss Jack Brisco, the legend, the best pure wrestler to ever wear the tights. Jack was a husband, father and one of my closest confidants. Jack, you will always be the champ. May you rest in peace dear brother. God Bless.''
For those fortunate to meet Brisco, they were greeted with a great smile, a firm handshake and a pleasant but confident demeanor.
Brisco was a very accomplished singles wrestler but also had much success teaming with brother, Jerry. They even had a stellar run as champion bad guys in the Southeast, proving they could work both sides of the fence.
Brisco along with Jerry worked with kids, teaching amateur wrestling, discipline and sportsmanship. Brisco will not only be remembered as a tremendous athlete but also a wonderful human being.
Supplemental Information
Latest News
Jim Ross: I Was Proud Of Tony Khan For Wearing The Neckbrace During The NFL Draft
The Elite takeover of AEW storyline continued this week after they attacked Tony Khan on ... Read More
The Scoop
NEWS Footage revealing Carlito as Dragon Lee’s mystery attacker was shown on the April 26th episode of “WWE Friday Night SmackDown”. There had been... Read More
“Make yourself undeniable” – Bodyslam.net speaks with Walker Stewart of NJPW
In the realm of professional wrestling, I wear two hats – one as a wordsmith for Bodys... Read More
- AEW’s Ricky Starks recalls sneak-eating king cakes, washing cars for money ahead of champions’ homecoming show
- Mickie James on Her Next Chapter In Impact Wrestling & ‘Bound for Glory’
- Ric Flair Interview Recap
- AEW ‘Grand Slam’: Sammy Guevara on His Journey from Working at Taco Bell to Facing Chris Jericho
Upcoming Events
- EDW · May 5 6:00pm · Tulsa
- NAW · May 10 6:30pm · Salina
- WAH · May 11 6:00pm · Tulsa
- UWO · May 11 6:00pm · Tuttle
- NAW · May 11 6:30pm · Watts (Chewey)
- MHCW · May 17 7:00pm · Seminole
- UWE · May 18 6:00pm · Tahlequah
- EPW · May 18 6:00pm · Midwest City
- WAH · May 25 6:00pm · Tulsa
- CPW · May 31 7:30pm · Sand Springs
- WFC · Jun 1 7:00pm · Tulsa
- WFC · Jun 2 6:00pm · Tulsa
- CPW · May 31 7:30pm · Sand Springs
- EPW · May 18 6:00pm · Midwest City
- MHCW · May 17 7:00pm · Seminole
- NAW · May 10 6:30pm · Salina
- NAW · May 11 6:30pm · Watts (Chewey)
- UWE · May 18 6:00pm · Tahlequah
- UWO · May 11 6:00pm · Tuttle
- WAH · May 11 6:00pm · Tulsa
- WAH · May 25 6:00pm · Tulsa
- WFC · Jun 1 7:00pm · Tulsa
- WFC · Jun 2 6:00pm · Tulsa
- Mick Foley, Scott Steiner, Leva Bates, Lex Luger, Matt Hardy, Milo Beasley, and Ron Simmons · May 24 2:00pm · Oklahoma City Convention Center · Oklahoma City
- Mick Foley, Scott Steiner, Leva Bates, Lex Luger, Matt Hardy, Milo Beasley, and Ron Simmons · May 25 10:00pm · Oklahoma City Convention Center · Oklahoma City
- Mick Foley, Scott Steiner, Leva Bates, Lex Luger, Matt Hardy, Milo Beasley, and Ron Simmons · May 26 10:00pm · Oklahoma City Convention Center · Oklahoma City
- Jimmy Hart and Matt Riddle · Aug 10 10:00am · Cox Business Convention Center · Tulsa
- Jimmy Hart and Matt Riddle · Aug 11 11:00am · Cox Business Convention Center · Tulsa
- Jake Hager and Jimmy Hart · Oct 5 10:00am · A. J. Horton Event Center · McAlester
- Jake Hager and Jimmy Hart · Oct 6 10:00am · A. J, Horton Event Center · McAlester
Spotlight in History
- 1941 Maurice Shapiro became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
- 1958 Jim LaRock became the TSW United States Junior Heavyweight Champion
- 1958 Jim LaRock def. Sandor Kovacs for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
- 1978 Jerry Brown & Bobby Jaggers def. Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
- 1982 King Kong Bundy def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 1982 Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia def. The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
- 1986 Rick Rude def. Lance Von Erich for the WCCW Television Champion
- 2002 Red Eagle def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
- 2002 Terry Montana def. Red Eagle for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
- 2007 The Compound Varsity (Romero Contreras & Justin Lee) became the FCW Tag Team Champions
- 2012 Kareem Sadat def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
- 2017 El Greengo Loco & Karnage def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team 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
- 05-06 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
- Bill Watts May 5th Today!
- Miss Diss Lexia May 5th Today!
- El Matador Dos May 5th Today!
- Princess Victoria May 5th Today!
- Shane Rawls May 5th Today!
- Maria Brigitte May 5th Today!
- Pat O'Dowdy May 5th Today!
- El Gallardo May 5th Today!
- Zane Morris May 5th Today!
- Olivier Vegos May 5th Today!
- Claire Watson May 6th
- Hercules May 7th
- Richie Adams May 8th
- Jake Danielsson May 9th
- Sunny War Cloud May 10th
- Rook Tyler May 10th
- Tito Santana May 10th
- Billy Brown May 10th
- Jerry Brown May 10th
- Psycho May 11th
- Big J May 11th
- Charming Charles May 11th
- Sol Yang May 12th
- Brock Baker May 12th
- Sensei Jamo May 12th
- Bill Howard May 12th
- Prince Mahalli May 13th
- Dave Ryda May 13th
- Maggie Rae May 13th
- Lars Manderson May 13th
- Pete Maguire May 13th
- Stan Kowalski May 13th
- Danny Hodge May 13th
- Payton Scott May 13th
- Karl Krupp May 13th
- Little Boy Blue May 13th
- Steve Williams May 14th
- Big Van Vader May 14th
- C. M. Burnham May 14th
- Scott Irwin May 14th
- Tommy Rogers May 14th
- Robert Fuller May 14th
- Shawn Bragan May 14th
- Oscar Amazing May 15th
- Erwin IV May 15th
- Koko May 15th
- Andrew Bridge May 15th
- Joe Cuedo May 15th
- Kevin Von Erich May 15th
- Ryker James May 16th
- Ryan Martin May 16th
- Alan Jefferson May 16th
- Buddy Knox May 16th
- Buddy Roberts May 16th
- J. B. Pain May 17th
- Mike Pappas May 17th
- Wage May 17th
- Dan Maestro May 17th
- Billy Red Lyons May 17th
- Kyle Hawk May 17th
- Luna Nightshade May 18th
- Matt Riviera May 18th
- Kristopher Haiden May 18th
- Akuma Jones May 18th
- Jimmy Snuka May 18th
- J. R. Wind May 18th
- Gajo May 18th
Current Champions
Native American Wrestling
Heavyweight Champion
Marlboro Slim
- Indigenous Land Champion: Rez Dawg
- Openweight Champion: J. R. Orullian
- Tag Team Champions: Texas Outlaws