May 6th 2024 03:24pm

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

Wrestler let his moves do the talking

Wrestler let his moves do the talking

Posted: Feb 2nd 2010 By: mikeiles

TAMPA - In a world full of trash talkers and giant egos, Jack Brisco was different.

He was modest, soft-spoken and reserved. He was an excellent athlete who combined his skills and amateur wrestling training to rise in professional wrestling to become world heavyweight champion from 1973 to 1975.

Before there were flamboyant characters such as The Rock and Hulk Hogan, his personable, low-key style made him a fan favorite in and out of the ring.

"Jack really identified with the people," said his younger brother, Jerry Brisco of Odessa. "He never lost his temper, never lost his cool. People could identify with that. He was a real modest guy.

"He identified with the fans because they knew he was one of theirs," Jerry Brisco said.

Jack Brisco, of Odessa, died Monday morning of complications from heart bypass surgery he had Jan. 2. He was 68.

Jack Brisco was born in Oklahoma to a modest family. He was a football standout, earning all-state honors at Blackwell High as a fullback and linebacker. His sophomore year he also joined the school's amateur wrestling team.

He won the state wrestling title three times at 191 pounds. He then went to Oklahoma State University, where he won the national title once in his weight class.

He turned professional in 1965 to help support his young family, Jerry Brisco said.

Back then, wrestling wasn't the glamorous profession it is today. Wrestlers had to grind it out.

Jack Brisco wrestled in Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana, earning $25 to $50 a night on the mat. In three years, he built a following.

By 1968 he had moved to Florida, where he joined the National Wrestling Alliance's Florida Championship Wrestling. He fought many matches at the Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory in Tampa when the sport's famed announcer and broadcaster, Gordon Solie, was at the helm.

He became Florida heavyweight champion in 1969, Southern heavyweight champion in 1970 and World heavyweight champion from 1973 to 75.

He competed throughout the United States, in Tokyo and Australia, creating a rivalry with Dory Funk, Jr.

Although he was 6-foot-1 and weighed about 215 pounds, he wasn't considered large in the wrestling circuit, Jerry Brisco said. He had athleticism and amateur wrestling experience. He combined those abilities with professional moves he learned and pioneered a style, Jerry Brisco said.

His match-defining moves included the figure-four leg lock and the suplex.

"He learned so many amateur moves and he was able to adapt those moves into pro wrestling that no one had seen before," Jerry Brisco said. "He was the most athletic wrestler of all time."

Jack and Jerry Brisco formed a tag team duo, the Brisco Brothers, in 1976.

Jack Brisco retired from wrestling in 1984. Two years ago, he was inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame.

Besides Jerry Brisco, Jack Brisco is survived by his wife, Jan; a son and two daughters, all of Oklahoma; brothers Gene Brisco of Lutz and Bill Brisco of Tampa; and sisters Sharon Spencer of Orlando and Shirley Murch of Huntington Beach, Calif.

Funeral services had not been finalized.

 

Tags: Jack Brisco, Jerry Brisco, NWA, Dory Funk, Jr., Brisco Brothers, WWE

Printable version Email to a friend

Supplemental Information

Latest News

1
The Scoop

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

All Columns

1

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

More Look Back In History

Oklafan Quiz

Eddie Gilbert stepped down as booker of ECW after he sold his part of the company to Paul Heyman.

  

  

110

Take the OklaQuiz!