May 17th 2024 07:28am

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

Remembering Jack Brisco

Remembering Jack Brisco

Posted: Feb 4th 2010 By: CMBurnham

Just after losing wrestling's greatest friend (Georgie Makropoulos), today we've lost its modern-day greatest athlete with those amazing amateur credentials of his that Kurt Angle told me in 2001, blow me away. This guy was and will always be an incredible talent.

I had the pleasure of knowing Jack, from his times coming into my home base territory (L.A./Lebell) and kept in touch with him ever since. I worked as one of the ringside photogs for our program sold to fans and Jack had perhaps the greatest 10 minute broadway ever in Feb '73 against Terry Funk underneath Sheik and Victor Rivera. They were the opening match if you can
believe it, for a #1 contender's tournament for Rivera's America's Title, which Terry actually went on to win. I forget how and why since both drew each other - think it was some goofy stip where Terry just came down at tourney's end and quickly pinned whoever appeared to be winning it in the fan's perspective. Others in it were Ripper Collins, Cowboy Frankie Laine doing his new heel shtick, Dr Death (Don Arnold), Gordon Nelson, John Tolos still as a face, and more. Jack returned to defend his NWA title in Feb of '75 against Greg Valentine (and at a great spot show match vs Carpenter where they took that match on a few months later to Kiel Aud).

Jack Brisco was a tremendously devoted husband to wife Jan "from the day we met" he said. It helped that she shared his passion for traveling around the country, taking in major Nascar events as well as some of the top amateur wrestling championships, which of course took him to Iowa almost annually. Jan told me in 2004 that "it's our way of getting some quality time
together. I don't get to see him all the time he's at his (car) shop, but we try to make the most of all the rest of our time together, and we have the same things we like doing together. We love planning out our trips and were surprised at how much we enjoyed Las Vegas. Jack didn't care for it too much during all those NWA meetings each year in the seventies. We especially love traveling around and seeing the U.S."

Jack added, "most of the time I was defending the belt or just being sent here and there, I never really got to see this country (America) or Canada the right way during my career. Always on a plane and exhausted. Kiniski and Junior can tell you, and Harley. We were given insane schedules, and I dropped to Terry because like Bruno, I wanted out. That was enough and I
asked Sam to take it off me many times. Now if I go somewhere to help support amateur wrestling and the NCAA, Dan Gable, whatever; I make sure we get to see the sites. Traveling is no longer stressful, but something I usually look forward to now."

"About the only place I did make sure I took in everything I could was in Japan, which Jerry and I just loved going to. You couldn't ask for nicer people over there and what a great promoter Baba was. A great man concerned about us, and who made sure we got the culture and could see how proud he was of his beautiful country. So I'm trying to make up for my regrets by finally seeing the sites and smelling the roses in the U.S."

Jack loved fishing and just taking in nature. "I've always been an outdoorsy guy," he'd said on my radio show on a conference call with Bruno Sammartino. They discussed their similar spinal injuries that almost paralyzed them, bonding them together further beyond their mutual respect for one another. "Bruno, we really never got a chance to meet properly, but I hope you know I always idolized you. You stood for a lot of great things, and have always shown the business respect and done it the right way."

Jack, at one of our few Cauliflower Alley Club events on the East Coast, told me in Tampa in 1995 that besides Bruno, Lou Thesz and Danny Hodge were his all-time favorites in wrestling. "They each had a lot of class and even more ability. They're the very best and I'm not taking anything away from (Dory) Junior or Harley."

"When I walked away from wrestling, or me wrestling, I just walked away. Just like that. I still loved the business, but after I finished what became my last match and saw that I was on WWF's list for some other towns, enough. I just phoned in that I'd had enough and that I was physically and emotionally done. I was just so tired and ready to walk away and get on with
the rest of my life. It was more than just my body aching. We all made so many sacrifices for all our time in it, being away from our families the main problem. Jerry still loved working, he wasn't ready yet. I didn't want o let him down because we've always been close, but that was it for me. I
was lucky for all the time I did get to spend with Jerry on the road though. I can't complain, I've had a great life so far."

 

Tags: Jack Brisco, Terry Funk, Ripper Collins, Frankie Laine, Gordon Nelson, John Tolos, NWA, Greg Valentine, Lou Thesz, Danny Hodge, Harley Race, WWF

Printable version Email to a friend

Supplemental Information

Latest News

1
Whatever Happened To: Edcar Thomas?

Whatever Happened To: Edcar Thomas?

Today on the blog, Rob Faint looks at the underwhelming pro career of Edcar ‘Boo’ Thomas from the 1980’s. A wrestler who seemingl... Read More

All Columns

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1965 Bull Curry def. Karl Kox for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 1986 Bruiser Brody def. Rick Rude for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 1987 The Lightning Express (Brad Armstrong & Tim Horner) def. Rick Steiner & Sting for the UWF Tag Team Champions
  • 1996 The Bad Boyz (Krull Danzig & Brett Knight) def. The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Dan Wilder) for the WWEmp Tag Team Champions
  • 2008 El Super Colibri def. Tim Rockwell for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 2008 Michael York def. Brett Taylor for the SECW Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 2008 Michael York became the SECW Eastern Oklahoma Champion
  • 2009 Kevin Morgan became the AWFUL Heavyweight Champion
  • 2014 The Sexy Camachos (Angel Camacho & Roberto Camacho & Vinnie Camacho) def. Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) for the IZW Tag Team Champions

Week of Sun 05-12 to Sat: 05-18

  • 05-12 2002 Rocco Valentino became the OCW Oklahoma Television Champion
  • 05-12 2012 The New Era [2nd] (Richie Adams & Goldeneye) def. The Dramatic Athletes (Jake McCoy & X-Cal) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 05-12 2012 Venus became the IZW Queens Champion
  • 05-12 2013 The Canadian Red Devil def. Bobby Starr for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-12 2013 Impact, Inc. (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Shawn Sanders & Tyson Jaymes for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-12 2018 Garrett Murphy became the NAW Lightweight Champion
  • 05-12 2018 Big Smooth def. Dusty Gold for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-12 2018 Brayden def. Kareem Sadat for the BCW Independent Hardcore Champion
  • 05-12 2018 Gavin Dixon def. Mikey [2nd] for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-12 2023 Ronnie Morton def. Red James for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-13 1979 Wahoo McDaniel def. The Spoiler for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-13 1984 Magnum T. A. def. Mr. Wrestling II for the MSW North American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-13 2006 Justin Lee def. Gary Gram for the NWA-U X Division Champion
  • 05-13 2012 Les Mayne became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-13 2016 Terry Montana & Mighty Mouse def. Dynamic Shields (Justin Dynamic & Shawn Shields) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 05-13 2017 Sam Stackhouse def. Drake Gallows for the BCW Buzzsaw Champion
  • 05-13 2017 Garrett Murphy def. Anarchy [2nd] for the NAW Lightweight Champion
  • 05-13 2023 Lunchador def. Dr. Corvus for the WAH Hunger Dojo Champion
  • 05-13 2023 Rush Freeman became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-13 2023 The Psychotic Messengers (Tank Bryson & Malachi) def. Dark Forces (San La Muerte & Reese) for the WAH Tag Team Champions
  • 05-14 1975 John Tolos def. Al Madril for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-14 1975 Danny Miller def. Skandor Akbar for the TSW North American Champion
  • 05-14 2004 Butch Dalton def. Jon Davis for the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-14 2004 Devon Monroe def. Mitch Carter for the TPW Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-14 2005 John O'Malley became the IZW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-14 2005 Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-15 1959 Mike DiBiase def. Dory Funk for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-15 1962 Bull Curry def. Jack Dalton [1st] for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-15 2010 X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & Bobby Star) def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-15 2010 Jonathan Cross def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-15 2015 Charlie Haas def. Jerome Daniels for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-15 2021 Killbane def. The Canadian Red Devil for the NCWO Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-16 1981 Eddie Gilbert & Ricky Morton def. Akbar Army (Jerry Brown & Ron McFarlane) for the TSW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-16 1983 Chris Adams def. Terry Gordy for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-16 2009 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-16 2015 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. Team Bull (Aaron Neil & Bobby Starr) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-16 2015 Clint Cassidy def. Mr. Nasty for the UWE United States Champion
  • 05-16 2015 Brett Stopp def. Fuel for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-16 2015 Anarchy [2nd] def. Brett Stopp for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-17 1965 Bull Curry def. Karl Kox for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-17 1986 Bruiser Brody def. Rick Rude for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-17 1987 The Lightning Express (Brad Armstrong & Tim Horner) def. Rick Steiner & Sting for the UWF Tag Team Champions
  • 05-17 1996 The Bad Boyz (Krull Danzig & Brett Knight) def. The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Dan Wilder) for the WWEmp Tag Team Champions
  • 05-17 2008 El Super Colibri def. Tim Rockwell for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 05-17 2008 Michael York def. Brett Taylor for the SECW Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-17 2008 Michael York became the SECW Eastern Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-17 2009 Kevin Morgan became the AWFUL Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-17 2014 The Sexy Camachos (Angel Camacho & Roberto Camacho & Vinnie Camacho) def. Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-18 1970 Boris Malenko def. Mil Mascaras for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-18 1973 Jose Lothario def. Blackjack Mulligan for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-18 1979 Mark Lewin became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-18 1984 Gino Hernandez def. Jimmy Garvin for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-18 2007 Lonnie Valdez & Epic became the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-18 2013 The P.I.N.K. Nation (Ray Martinez & Tommy Toops) def. Bobby Burns & Sam Stackhouse (substituting for Psycho Sawyer) for the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-18 2013 B-Arthur became the SRPW Womens Champion
  • 05-18 2013 Anarchy [2nd] def. The Mercenary for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-18 2014 Striker def. Robert Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 05-18 2019 Skylar Slice def. Erica for the MSWA Ladies Champion
05-17
  • Kyle Hawk May 17th Today!
  • Billy Red Lyons May 17th Today!
  • Dan Maestro May 17th Today!
  • J. B. Pain May 17th Today!
  • Mike Pappas May 17th Today!
  • Wage May 17th Today!
  • J. R. Wind May 18th
  • Luna Nightshade May 18th
  • Gajo May 18th
  • Kristopher Haiden May 18th
  • Akuma Jones May 18th
  • Jimmy Snuka May 18th
  • Matt Riviera May 18th
  • Bateman May 19th
  • Buzz Markley May 19th
  • Dick Slater May 19th
  • Andre the Giant May 19th
  • Will Chambers May 19th
  • Mongol May 19th
  • Dale Veasey May 20th
  • Ivan Kalmikoff May 21st
  • Chuey Martinez May 21st
  • Slash May 23rd
  • Santana Jackson May 23rd
  • Babyface D'Amanti May 23rd
  • Donna Christanello May 23rd
  • Lucas May 24th
  • Ricky Romero May 24th
  • Gemini [2nd] May 24th
  • Shane Rawls May 24th
  • Guy Atticus May 25th
  • Michael York May 25th
  • Dark Journey May 25th
  • Dominique Lereaux May 25th
  • Quarky Storm May 25th
  • Michael Duplanti May 26th
  • Justin Adams May 26th
  • Tank Bryson May 26th
  • Reggie Lincoln May 26th
  • Crucifer May 27th
  • Kelly Kiniski May 27th
  • Jim Thorpe May 28th
  • Dean Lambert May 28th
  • Kamala May 28th
  • Edge Stone May 28th
  • Maria Star May 28th
  • Psycho Mike May 29th
  • Max McGuirk May 29th
  • Samu May 29th
  • Jimmy Kane May 29th
  • Boss Hardzog May 30th
  • Jake Roberts May 30th
  • Jesse Storm May 30th

More Look Back In History

Card Results

1