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A Humongous Weekend Looms For The Van Camps

A Humongous Weekend Looms For The Van Camps

Posted: Apr 28th 2011 By: CMBurnham

A humongous opportunity now awaits a second member of the Van Camp family.

And the man who once donned the tights as the dreaded Lord Humongous couldn't be more proud of his son.

Jeff Van Camp's namesake is projected to get chosen in the mid- to late rounds of this weekend's NFL draft as a quarterback from Florida Atlantic University. Van Camp Sr. has hoped for this moment since coaching his son in youth football at age 6.

"It's a very exciting time, but I'm also nervous," Van Camp Sr. said in a recent telephone interview. "I'm hoping a team will look at him and take advantage of what he has to offer. Jeff has a good heart and good spirit."

Van Camp Sr. had NFL dreams of his own once while playing defensive tackle at the University of Louisville in the early 1980s until suffering a serious knee injury. But while his pro prospects were dashed, being a member of the Cardinals' football team led to his break in pro wrestling.

He and other players would serve as security guards when the Memphis, Tenn.-based Continental Wrestling Association would run weekly Tuesday-night shows at the Louisville Gardens. Some of the grappling veterans were impressed by the size of the 6-foot-5, 300-pound Van Camp and suggested he give wrestling a try.

"I talked to Jerry Lawler and he suggested I go to the Mid-South Coliseum (in Memphis) one Saturday afternoon to train and become a wrestler," Van Camp said. "I was supposed to go with one of my teammates named Pete Bowen, but at the last minute he got cold feet, so my brother and I drove to Memphis alone.

"I got into the ring with Mr. Lawler, and three hours later he told me, 'You are now a pro wrestler. Here are your booking dates.' "

Not only was he green inside the ring, Van Camp also had no previous pro-wrestling knowledge to draw upon while learning the craft. But working regularly in a regional territory that promoted shows throughout the week helped accelerate the process.

Van Camp originally performed under his real name to tout his football background, but his biggest success came after he left the CWA. That's when he was repackaged as Lord Humongous, a spin-off of a menacing character (The Humungus) from the hit 1981 movie "Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior." Van Camp donned a white hockey mask and black shroud that covered his entire face except for his eyes.

While primitive by today's standards, the Lord Humongous gimmick was such a hit that others would later play the role after Van Camp left wrestling. Among them was Sid Eudy, who would later become a national headliner in the 1990s under the names Sid Vicious and Sid Justice.

Van Camp worked for a slew of regional promotions through the mid-1980s. The biggest match came in 1985 when Lord Humongous and Jake "The Snake" Roberts headlined a show at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans that also featured a closed-circuit airing of the Starrcade mega-card presented annually by Charlotte, N.C.-based Jim Crockett Promotions. Humongous lost via disqualification and was then covered in the ring by the 12-foot snake that served as Roberts' trademark mascot.

Although he wasn't born for another two years, Jeff Van Camp said he has watched footage of that Lord Humongous match and others. Van Camp Sr. also took his two sons to reunion shows in Alabama about a decade ago so they could see their father in action.

"I have some great memories growing up just being able to watch him wrestle some of the greats," Van Camp said. "I still remember when he wrestled Jake the Snake. He's got that scary mask on, but he's actually a great guy and a great dad. I love him to death."

The desire to start a family with his future wife was the reason why Van Camp Sr. left pro wrestling just when he would have been entering the prime of his career.

"I don't have any regrets," said Van Camp, who now heads the Crime Stoppers division of the Escambia (Fla.) County sheriff's office. "If I wouldn't have gotten out, I wouldn't have had my two sons. In the wrestling life, I was on the road seven days a week and never off except for maybe 10 days for Christmas. That's tough on your family life."

The one-time wrestler's taking such a strong interest in his son's life is one of the reasons why the two have such a special bond.

"I thank him a lot for getting me started into football early," said the NFL hopeful, who is represented by the same firm (California-based Rep1 Sports) that counts quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger, Mark Brunell and Trent Edwards among its clients. "I don't know what I'd do without him."

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1968 Fritz Von Erich & Grizzly Smith def. The Spoiler & Gary Hart for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 1968 Jack Dalton [1st] & Jim Dalton became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
  • 1971 Thunderbolt Patterson & Toru Tanaka def. Johnny Valentine & Wahoo McDaniel for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 1982 Bill Irwin def. Brian Adias for the WCCW Television Title
  • 2008 Dane Griffin def. Les Mayne for the 3DW Texoma Title
  • 2013 Big Daddy Moore became the BPPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2019 Shawn Sanders became the ASP Inter-County Champion
  • 2019 Xavior def. Paul Puertorico for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 2019 Team Boner (Drake Gallows & Mascara La Parka) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 2024 Father Padge became the MajCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2024 Brandon Warhawk became the MajCW Flawless Champion
  • 2024 Hell's Kitchen (The Canadian Red Devil & The Lunchador) became the MajCW Tag Team Champions
  • 2024 Lunchador became the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 2024 Nightwolf became the MajCW Native American Champion
  • 2024 Cardinal Sin def. Lunchdor for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 2024 Jason Simon/Bishop Simon def. Nightwolf for the MajCW Native American Title
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  • 2024 Tyler Shade def. Deacon Hendrix for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title

Week of Sun 07-19 to Sat: 07-25

  • 07-19 1968 Fritz Von Erich & Grizzly Smith def. The Spoiler & Gary Hart for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 07-19 1968 Jack Dalton [1st] & Jim Dalton became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
  • 07-19 1971 Thunderbolt Patterson & Toru Tanaka def. Johnny Valentine & Wahoo McDaniel for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 07-19 1982 Bill Irwin def. Brian Adias for the WCCW Television Title
  • 07-19 2008 Dane Griffin def. Les Mayne for the 3DW Texoma Title
  • 07-19 2013 Big Daddy Moore became the BPPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 07-19 2019 Shawn Sanders became the ASP Inter-County Champion
  • 07-19 2019 Xavior def. Paul Puertorico for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 07-19 2019 Team Boner (Drake Gallows & Mascara La Parka) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 07-19 2024 Father Padge became the MajCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 07-19 2024 Brandon Warhawk became the MajCW Flawless Champion
  • 07-19 2024 Hell's Kitchen (The Canadian Red Devil & The Lunchador) became the MajCW Tag Team Champions
  • 07-19 2024 Lunchador became the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 07-19 2024 Nightwolf became the MajCW Native American Champion
  • 07-19 2024 Cardinal Sin def. Lunchdor for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 07-19 2024 Jason Simon/Bishop Simon def. Nightwolf for the MajCW Native American Title
  • 07-19 2024 Deacon Hendrix def. Cardinal Sin for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 07-19 2024 Tyler Shade def. Deacon Hendrix for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 07-20 1961 Waldo Von Erich def. Tony Martin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-20 1979 Gino Hernandez & El Gran Markus def. Jose Lothario & El Halcon for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 07-20 1986 Eddie Gilbert & Sting def. The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) for the UWF Tag Team Titles
  • 07-20 2008 The Forsaken (Michael Faith & Halo) def. Limited Edition (Les Mayne & Dane Griffin) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 07-20 2013 Drake Gallows became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 07-20 2013 Kareem Sadat became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 07-20 2014 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) became the WFC Tag Team Champions
  • 07-20 2018 Double D def. Colby Black for the MSWA eXpress Title
  • 07-21 1947 Buddy Rogers def. Dale Levin for the NWA Midwest World Title
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  • 07-21 2012 The Mercenary became the UWE United States Champion
  • 07-21 2012 L. J. McDaniels became the SWCW Womens Champion
  • 07-21 2012 Sam Stackhouse def. Jake O'Brien for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
  • 07-21 2012 Angel Blue def. Venus for the IZW Queens Title
  • 07-21 2018 Drake Gallows def. Alex Royal for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 07-21 2018 Alex Royal def. Drake Gallows for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 07-22 1959 Danny McShain def. The Zebra Kid for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-22 1960 Danny Hodge def. Angelo Savoldi for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 07-22 1979 Mark Lewin def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-22 1981 Bob Roop def. Super Destroyer for the MSW Louisiana Title
  • 07-22 1985 Butch Reed def. Dutch Mantell for the MSW Television Title
  • 07-22 2012 Cody Jones def. Les Mayne for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 07-22 2016 Nathan Estrada def. Adrian Dell for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 07-22 2016 Steven Cruze def. Seth Angel for the ComPro Showtime Title
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  • 07-22 2017 Ryan Davidson def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 07-22 2017 Aaron Anders def. Brian Breaker for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 07-22 2017 Wesley Crane def. Skyler Fayden for the UWE United States Title
  • 07-22 2023 Tyler Midas def. The Lunchador for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 07-23 1967 Karl Kox def. Waldo Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-23 1979 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody became the WCCW Texas Tag Team Champions
  • 07-23 2004 Rocco Valentino def. Justin Lee for the TPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 07-23 2005 Tyler Bateman def. John O'Malley for the MSWA Tri-State Title
  • 07-23 2011 John E. Stone def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
  • 07-23 2011 Double D def. Michael Barry for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 07-23 2011 Teila & El Hoto Loco def. Chris Von Luhr & Jason Noal for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-23 2011 Chris Von Luhr & Jason Noal def. Teila & El Hoto Loco for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-23 2021 Ky-Ote def. Dane Griffin for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
  • 07-24 1983 Magnum T. A. & Jim Duggan def. Ted DiBiase & Mr. Olympia for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 07-24 2005 Brandon Groom & American Anarchy became the NWA-U Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 07-24 2010 The Hardcore Connection (Maniac Mike & Shane Sanchez) def. X-Rated (Bobby Star & Kevin James Sanchez) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-24 2010 Kareem Sadat became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 07-24 2010 Brandon Walker def. Jonathan Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 07-24 2010 Jonathan Cross def. Brandon Walker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 07-24 2019 Antonio Vega def. Shawn Sanders for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 07-24 2020 Derek James def. Alex Royal for the BPW Oklahoma Title
  • 07-24 2020 Size Matters (Sam Stackhouse & Mike Starr) def. Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) for the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 07-24 2020 Ethan Cole def. Tommy Dean for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 07-24 2022 Sam Stackhouse became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 07-25 1957 Duke Keomuka def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-25 1962 Hiro Matsuda & Don Kent def. Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 1966 Tony Borne def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-25 1977 Captain USA def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 07-25 1980 Ken Mantell became the MSW Louisiana Champion
  • 07-25 1981 Eddie Gilbert & Ricky Morton def. Ed Wiskowski & Mike George for the TSW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 07-25 1988 The Simpson Brothers (Steve Simpson & Shaun Simpson) def. John Tatum & Jack Victory for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 2009 Team SuperBad (El Super Colibri & Justin Lee) def. Crazy Beautiful (Brett Taylor & Michael York) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 2015 La Famiglia (Luke Grayson & Thomas Knight) def. Seth Angel & Adrian Dell for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 2020 Real Dirty Brawlers (Brawler Morrison & Thrash) def. Tommy Dean for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 2020 Jon Cross def. Luke Langley for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 07-25 2020 Tim Rockwell def. Jon Cross for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 07-25 2021 Thrash def. Luke Savage for the ASP Mid-American Title
07-19
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  • Mr. X Jul 19th Today!
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  • Harlow Jul 21st
  • Bob Orton Jul 21st
  • Nelson Royal Jul 21st
  • Beer City Bruiser Jul 21st
  • David Von Erich Jul 22nd
  • Frenchy Semard Jul 22nd
  • Shawn Michaels Jul 22nd
  • Nashoba Jul 22nd
  • Fabulous Moolah Jul 22nd
  • Great Matsuda Jul 22nd
  • Mark Sterling Jul 22nd
  • Mike Musso Jul 22nd
  • Bob Roop Jul 22nd
  • Shaun Simpson Jul 22nd
  • Al Perez Jul 23rd
  • Outlaw [1st] Jul 23rd
  • Louie Tillet Jul 23rd
  • Maniac Mike Jul 23rd
  • Jay Clayton Jul 23rd
  • Mikey O'Shea Jul 23rd
  • Seann Stopp Jul 23rd
  • Original Oklahoma Outlaw Jul 24th
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  • Skip Young Jul 24th
  • Anthony Wild Jul 24th
  • Red River Jack [2nd] Jul 25th
  • Yali Sapphire Jul 25th
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