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Legend Brisco passes away

Legend Brisco passes away

Posted: Feb 2nd 2010 By: mikeiles

WWE Hall of Famer Jack Brisco has died at the age of 68 following complications from open heart surgery.

He had been in poor health for a number of months and collapsed a week ago while recovering from the operation.

Brisco was renowned as one of the best pure wrestlers in the business at the time. He held the NWA world heavyweight championship in the mid 1970s for two and a half years, only interrupted by the one week reign of Japan's Giant Baba.

He also held the NWA World Tag Team Championship three times with his brother Gerald as The Brisco Brothers tag team.

Brisco was an accomplished amateur wrestler before turning pro, winning the NCAA National Wrestling Championship in 1965.

He grew up a huge fan of the grappling industry and dreamed of a career in professional wrestling. When he broke into the pro ranks, he was regarded as a natural and a man who learned his craft with phenomenal speed, much like Kurt Angle in the modern era.

Brisco rose to fame in the mid 1970s and his feud with Dory Funk Jr for the NWA world heavyweight championship was regarded as a classic of its time, winning Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Match of the Year Award in 1974.

Twelve months earlier, Brisco was voted Wrestler of the Year twelve and he and his brother's rising stock saw them pitted against The Funk Brothers of Dory Jr & Terry.

However, Brisco played just an important part in wrestling history outside the ring. He and Gerald sold their shares in Georgia Championship Wrestling to Vince McMahon in 1984, and convinced others to do the same. That gave McMahon a controlling stake in the company and proved a major turning point in his expansion of the World Wrestling Federation from a regional to a national promotion.

Brisco is also credited with discovering Terry Bollea in the late 1970s, who he sent to Hiro Matsuda to be trained. Bollea went on to be known universally as Hulk Hogan.

He was also a major influence on the career of Ric Flair, who learned his trade in the Brisco era. The Nature Boy has often mentioned Brisco's name in interviews both in the ring and out of it.

Despite quitting wrestling in 1984, he and his brother were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008.

WWE commentator Jim Ross paid tribute to Brisco, describing him as "one of the greatest in ring technicians to ever lace up a pair of boots. Through hard work and dedication he became one of the most famous men to ever wrestle for a living."

 

Tags: Jack Brisco, WWE, NWA, Gerald Brisco, Brisco Brothers, Dory Funk, Jr., Terry Funk, Hiro Matsuda, Ric Flair, Jim Ross

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Spotlight in History

  • 1954 Tor Yamato def. Rocco Perez for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 1968 Grizzly Smith def. Spoiler #1 for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 1971 Tom Jones & Billy Red Lyons def. The Spoilers (Spoiler #1 & Spoiler #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 1981 The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) def. Junkyard Dog & Dick Murdoch for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 2003 Anthony Jackson def. Rocco Valentino for the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2008 Slam Shady became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 2008 Brent Albright became the NWA-OK Universal Heavyweight Champion
  • 2008 Xavior def. Sage for the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 2008 3rd Rail def. Damon Windsor for the SWCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2008 Lady Venom def. Dominique LaReaux for the SWCW Womens Champion
  • 2014 Cody Burns def. Sam Stackouse for the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2014 Matt Majestic def. MHM, Inc. (Ray Martinez, Alabastair Hunt & K. P. Moore) for the SRPW United States Champion
  • 2014 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. The Sexy Camachos (Vinnie Camacho & Roberto Camacho) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 2014 Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) def. The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) for the IZW Tag Team Champions

Week of Sun 05-26 to Sat: 06-01

  • 05-26 1989 Eric Embry def. Super Zodiac for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-26 2007 Matt Garza def. Mitch W. Carter for the IZW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 05-26 2018 MVP def. Jack Swagger for the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-26 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Skyler Fayden for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-26 2018 Alex Royal def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-27 1970 Luke Brown & Danny Hodge def. The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Valentine) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-27 1977 Jimmy Snuka def. El Gran Goliath for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-27 2003 Chris Matthews became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-27 2017 Dane Griffin def. Jerry Bostic for the IWR Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 1964 Louie Tillet def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-28 1968 Danny Little Bear & Kit Fox became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 05-28 1973 Dennis Stamp & Dewey Robertson def. Rip Tyler & Eddie Sullivan for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-28 1974 Red Bastien def. The Great Mephisto for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 1978 Bruiser Brody def. Dale Valentine for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 2005 Tommy D def. Angel Williams for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 2005 Angel Williams became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 2005 The Forsaken (Faith & Halo) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-28 2016 Kareem Sadat def. Buster Cherry for the EmpCW Independent Hardcore Champion
  • 05-28 2019 Elias def. R-Truth for the WWE 24/7 Champion
  • 05-28 2019 R-Truth def. Elias for the WWE 24/7 Champion
  • 05-28 2022 Tego def. Adrian Vega for the EPW Internet Television Champion
  • 05-28 2022 Tyler Watts def. Sweet Cakes for the EPW International Champion
  • 05-28 2022 The Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) def. The Entitled (Justin Grey & Father Padge) for the EPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-28 2022 Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) def. The Change (Drake Gallows & Muerte Silencio) for the AIWF Tag Team Champions
  • 05-28 2022 Maddox Jones became the EPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 2022 Logan Knight def. Striker for the EPW All-American Champion
  • 05-29 1959 Mike DiBiase def. Angelo Savoldi for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-29 1970 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & & Dale Valentine) def. Luke Brown & Danny Hodge for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-29 1972 Blackjack Mulligan def. Blackjack Lanza for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-29 1978 Paul Orndorff def. Ernie Ladd for the TSW North American Champion
  • 05-29 2010 Josh Evans & Buddha def. Born Again Sunday (Kam & Koz) for the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-29 2010 Bobby Starr def. David Kyzer for the BYEW Entertainment Champion
  • 05-29 2010 Shane Sanchez became the BYEW Caution Champion
  • 05-29 2010 Rick Russo def. Shane Sanchez for the BYEW Caution Champion
  • 05-29 2021 The Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) def. DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) for the EPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-29 2022 Striker def. Maddox Jones for the EPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-30 1955 Ali Bey def. Mike Clancy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-30 1970 Killer Kowalski def. The Spoiler for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-30 1979 Bill Watts & Buck Robley def. The Assassin & Angel [1st] for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 05-30 1983 The Mongol def. King Parsons for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-30 1986 Terry Gordy became the UWF Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-30 2008 Dane Griffin def. Jerry Bostic for the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 05-30 2015 Aaron Neil def. Jordan Jacobs for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) def. The Jet-Jitsu Dojo (J. J. Hefley & Jimmy Lorenzo) for the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Maddox Jones became the NCWO Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Warren Powers & Karnage def. Giganto for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Karnage def. Warren Powers for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 El Greengo Loco def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Elijah Sparks def. El Greengo Loco for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Bobby Joe Bristow def. Elijah Sparks for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Karnage def. Bobby Joe Bristow for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Giganto def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-31 1954 Tor Yamato def. Rocco Perez for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 1968 Grizzly Smith def. Spoiler #1 for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 1971 Tom Jones & Billy Red Lyons def. The Spoilers (Spoiler #1 & Spoiler #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-31 1981 The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) def. Junkyard Dog & Dick Murdoch for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-31 2003 Anthony Jackson def. Rocco Valentino for the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2008 Slam Shady became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2008 Brent Albright became the NWA-OK Universal Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2008 Xavior def. Sage for the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 05-31 2008 3rd Rail def. Damon Windsor for the SWCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2008 Lady Venom def. Dominique LaReaux for the SWCW Womens Champion
  • 05-31 2014 Cody Burns def. Sam Stackouse for the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2014 Matt Majestic def. MHM, Inc. (Ray Martinez, Alabastair Hunt & K. P. Moore) for the SRPW United States Champion
  • 05-31 2014 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. The Sexy Camachos (Vinnie Camacho & Roberto Camacho) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-31 2014 Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) def. The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-01 1953 Billy Raborn def. Mike Clancy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-01 1968 The Spoiler & Gary Hart became the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 06-01 1979 Jose Lothario & El Halcon def. The Spoiler & Mark Lewin for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 06-01 1981 Mike George def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Tri-State Champion
  • 06-01 2003 Jef Tiger became the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-01 2003 Tyler Bateman def. Jef Tiger for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-01 2003 John O'Malley def. Tyler Bateman for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-01 2008 Bad Boy became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 06-01 2012 Tim Rockwell def. Brandon Walker for the ComPro Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-01 2013 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. The Birds of Prey (Phoenix & Falcon) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
05-31
  • Fuel May 31st Today!
  • Mascara Purpura May 31st Today!
  • Bobby Burns Jun 1st
  • James Storm Jun 1st
  • Ross Von Erich Jun 1st
  • Anna Jackson Jun 1st
  • Violet Payne Jun 1st
  • Brandon Groom Jun 2nd
  • Tornado Gomez Jun 2nd
  • A. J. Styles Jun 2nd
  • Killista Jun 2nd
  • Leo Voss Jun 2nd
  • Thomas Knight Jun 3rd
  • Jeff Exotic Jun 3rd
  • Duke Clemons Jun 4th
  • Tarzan Baxter Jun 4th
  • Shawn Shields Jun 5th
  • Danny Miller Jun 5th
  • Igor Putski Jun 5th
  • Rick Sweetan Jun 6th
  • Tony Rocco Jun 6th
  • That Handsome Devil Jun 6th
  • Rip Hawk Jun 6th
  • Travis 12 Gage Jun 6th
  • Larry Booker Jun 6th
  • Mitch Onyx Jun 6th
  • O. D. B. Jun 6th
  • Eddie Sullivan Jun 7th
  • Morgan Levay Jun 7th
  • Gideon Vane Jun 7th
  • Steve Hartley Jun 7th
  • Mick Foley Jun 7th
  • Stevie Caballero Jun 7th
  • Mustafa Bin Akbar Jun 8th
  • Michele Leone Jun 8th
  • Rick Vyper Jun 8th
  • Jim Barnett Jun 9th
  • Jamie Jun 9th
  • Dick Listener Jun 9th
  • Mark Wilson Jun 9th
  • Jeff Wolfenbarger Jun 9th
  • Dutch Savage Jun 9th
  • Largus RagnaBrok Jun 10th
  • Dick Dunn Jun 10th
  • Magnum T. A. Jun 11th
  • Mathmagician Jun 11th
  • King Parsons Jun 11th
  • J. D. Richards Jun 11th
  • Stan Pulaski Jun 12th
  • D'Licious Jun 12th
  • Baby Blimp Jun 12th
  • Zac Royal Jun 12th
  • Deuce Rodriguez Jun 12th
  • Lady Sensacion Jun 12th
  • Rolling Thunder Jun 12th
  • Steven Dane Jun 12th
  • Mikey D Jun 13th
  • Bill Ash Jun 13th
  • Chandler Hopkins Jun 13th
  • Geronimo Jun 13th
  • Dustin Heritage Jun 13th
  • Neo Genesis Jun 13th
  • John Pfanz Jun 13th

More Look Back In History

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Wrestlers of Mass Destruction

 
  • Heavyweight Champion: Tino Valentino
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  • Mid-American Champion: Johnny Kove
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  • 5-Star Champion: Gatekeeper