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Grappling with Tragedy: Frankie the Macaw

Posted: Aug 7th 2025 By: Brian Damage - RingTheDamnBell.com

Grappling with Tragedy is a series of articles that deal with unfortunate, tragic incidents that have occurred throughout the history of professional wrestling. It is unlike the ‘Wrestling with Sin’ series that deals more with the seedier side of wrestling like arrests, murders and suicides. Grappling looks more at particular tragic incidents that have in some instances altered pro wrestling in some way.

Frankie the Macaw

The partnership between Koko B Ware and the macaw named Frankie began in 1986. Koko had been secretly flown up to New York City to meet with Vince McMahon and the WWF. Vince offered Koko a very lucrative deal that Koko simply couldn’t pass up. When McMahon asked if there was anything Koko wanted for his ‘Birdman’ gimmick, Koko took out a picture of a colorful macaw he took when he visited a pet store in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Koko suggested that he have a bird just like the one in the picture to add to his persona. Unfortunately, Koko couldn’t afford buying the macaw himself. Vince made sure that Koko was okay with being responsible for the bird and traveling with it from town to town. Koko agreed and Vince offered to buy the bird for his gimmick, with the understanding he would have to pay back the money he shelled out.

The macaw was named Frankie and initially, Koko said the bird was wild and continually bit and scratched him. It took a while for a trust to build between Frankie and Koko. Eventually, Koko said the bird was trained to know when it was “showtime” and go out and accompany Koko to the ring. Koko gave full credit to Frankie for the popularity and success he had as a wrestler in the WWF. Koko said, ‘Without Frankie, I was just a wrestler who stood 5 ft 7 and could sing and dance. Frankie added so much more.’

After Koko left the company in 1994, Koko kept Frankie and the duo would compete across the country for various independent shows and events. Frankie became like another child to Koko who kept the bird as a family pet for years after his wrestling career was pretty much done. In March of 2002, Koko and his family attended a church service. Frankie was left locked up in his cage. Koko said he did this, because Frankie would tear stuff up when he was left alone and out of his cage. While at church, Koko said the Deacon informed him to go home right away because it was on fire.

Koko said he immediately worried more about Frankie being locked in his cage during the fire, more than his other belongings. Koko ran to the back of the house where Frankie was located, only to find his neighbor on his knees in tears. Koko never met the neighbor before this day and he asked why was he crying. The neighbor said he tried to break in the back door, because he heard a child screaming “let me out! Let me out!,” but couldn’t because the fire was too intense. The neighbor thought Koko lost a child, but Koko knew he it was Frankie that perished in the fire. Koko said Frankie always squawked and said “Let Me Out” whenever he wanted to get out of his cage.

A fireman placed the deceased macaw in a brown paper bag and handed it to Koko, who said he refused to open the bag and look at his deceased friend of over 15 years. Koko said he buried Frankie in his backyard and was devastated for years after the tragic incident occurred. Eventually, Koko purchased another macaw very similar to his buddy and named him Frankie in tribute to his fallen friend.

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Spotlight in History

1966 Ramon Torres def. Lorenzo Parente for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
1973 Rip Tyler & Eddie Sullivan def. The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Valentine) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
1974 Thunder Cloud & White Cloud def. Bob Sweetan & Seigfried Stanke for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
1978 Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear def. Ernie Ladd & The Assassin for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
2004 Michael Barry became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
2006 Tyler Bateman def. Seth Allen for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
2006 Michael Faith became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
2016 Athena def. Erica for the IZW Queens Title
2022 The Blue Bolt def. Richie Adams for the WFC Prime Title
2022 Koko def. Reed for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
2022 Rhett def. Hornsby for the WFC Drillsville Title

Week of Sun 04-19 to Sat: 04-25

04-19 1987 Bubba Rogers def. One Man Gang for the UWF Heavyweight Title
04-19 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Luchadore & The Canadian Red Devil) def. La M (El Choppo & Jesus Rodriguez) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
04-19 2008 The New Age Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) def. Nathan Sensation for the IZW Tag Team Titles
04-19 2013 Bree Ann def. Barbi Hayden for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
04-19 2014 Aaron Anders def. Michael Wolf for the OWA Junior Heavyweight Title
04-19 2014 Jake O'Brien def. Brian Breaker for the OWA Heavyweight Title
04-19 2014 Tim Rockwell def. Jon Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
04-19 2014 Randy Price def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
04-19 2014 Miss Diss Lexia def. Paige Turner for the IZW Queens Title
04-19 2014 Erica def. Miss Diss Lexia for the IZW Queens Title
04-19 2014 Brandon Groom def. Warhammer for the BPPW Heavyweight Title
04-19 2024 Killa Kate became the TexPro Rose Champion
04-19 2024 Kari Wright def. Tommy Prince for the TexPro Dynasty Title
04-19 2024 K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) def. Rock-N-Rugged (Rook Tyler & Gabe Welder for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
04-19 2025 Rook Tyler def. Auzzy for the TexPro Dynasty Title
04-19 2025 Brandon Warhawk def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
04-19 2026 Gideon Vane became the WTW Open Promotions Champion
04-20 1980 Toru Tanaka def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
04-20 2013 The Canadian Red Devil became the OWA Heavyweight Champion
04-20 2013 Daemon Storm def. Justin Dynamic for the UWE United States Title
04-20 2018 Jack Swagger def. MVP for the IWR Heavyweight Title
04-20 2019 B. M. F. (Kareem Sadat & Maniac Mike) became the EmpCW Tag Team Champions
04-20 2019 Double D became the EmpCW Heavyweight Champion
04-20 2024 Malachi & Ozzy Hendrix def. The Voiceless Society (Tyler Watts & E-Bone) for the CAPW Tag Team Titles
04-20 2024 Kevin James Sanchez def. Montego Seeka for the EPW Heavyweight Title
04-21 1967 The Assassins (Assassin #1 & Assassin #2) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
04-21 1979 Mike George def. Jerry Stubbs for the TSW Louisiana Title
04-21 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
04-21 2007 Kareem Sadat def. K-Rob for the AACW Hardcore Title
04-21 2007 Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) def. The Re-Gex (Seth Shai & Mace) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
04-21 2017 Sam Stackhouse def. Spyder for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
04-21 2017 The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) def. The Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
04-21 2018 The Untamed (Rex Andrews & Ryan Davidson) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
04-21 2023 Leo Fox def. Mr. Nasty for the UWE Apex Title
04-21 2023 Mr. Wobble def. Tego for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
04-21 2023 Mr. Wobble def. Tego for the TexPro Texas Title
04-21 2023 Franco D'Angelo def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Texas Title
04-21 2023 Franco D'Angelo def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
04-22 1940 Jesse James def. Danny McShain for the NWA World Light Heavyweight Title
04-22 1955 Ricki Starr def. Mike Clancy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Title
04-22 1968 The Spoilers (Spoiler #1 & Spoiler #2/Smasher Sloan) def. Fritz Von Erich & Billy Red Lyons for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
04-22 1980 Terry Gordy def. Junkyard Dog for the MSW Louisiana Title
04-22 1985 The Great Kabuki became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
04-22 2006 Michael York def. Jon Davis for the TPW Heavyweight Title
04-22 2016 Brock Landers def. Mascara La Parka for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
04-22 2016 Mascara La Parka def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
04-22 2017 Double D def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
04-22 2017 Nikki Knight def. Skylar Slice for the ComPro Ladies Title
04-22 2018 Chaz Sharpe became the ASP Inter-County Champion
04-22 2018 Johnny Kove & Tristan Thorne became the ASP Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
04-22 2018 Damon Windsor def. Chandler Hopkins for the IWR Revolutionary Title
04-22 2022 Drake Gallows & Fester Cluck def. Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
04-22 2022 Duncan Kincaid became the RDW Iron Man Champion
04-22 2023 The Psychotic Messengers (Tank Bryson & Malachi) def. X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & Ozzy Hendrix) for the EPW Tag Team Titles
04-22 2023 Devion Black def. Adrian Vega for the EPW All-American Title
04-22 2023 Logan Knight def. Gemini [2nd] for the EPW Heavyweight Title
04-23 1966 Ramon Torres def. Lorenzo Parente for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
04-23 1973 Rip Tyler & Eddie Sullivan def. The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Valentine) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
04-23 1974 Thunder Cloud & White Cloud def. Bob Sweetan & Seigfried Stanke for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
04-23 1978 Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear def. Ernie Ladd & The Assassin for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
04-23 2004 Michael Barry became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
04-23 2006 Tyler Bateman def. Seth Allen for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
04-23 2006 Michael Faith became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
04-23 2016 Athena def. Erica for the IZW Queens Title
04-23 2022 The Blue Bolt def. Richie Adams for the WFC Prime Title
04-23 2022 Koko def. Reed for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
04-23 2022 Rhett def. Hornsby for the WFC Drillsville Title
04-24 1999 The Casualties of War (Grunt & Shrapnel) def. The East-West Express (J. J. Mustang & Joey Steiner) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
04-24 1999 Original Renegade def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
04-24 2004 Dexter Hardaway became the NWA-OK X Division Champion
04-24 2004 Tejas def. Al Jackson for the NWA Texas Title
04-24 2015 Rick Russo & Largus RagnaBrok became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
04-24 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Brandon Warhawk for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
04-25 1969 Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treach Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
04-25 1971 Dusty Rhodes def. Sputnik Monroe for the TSW Brass Knucks Title
04-25 2003 Ichiban [1st] became the TPW Heavyweight Champion
04-25 2003 The Heatseekers (Karl Davis & Rick Styles) became the TPW Tag Team Champions
04-25 2003 Outcast def. Tyler Bateman for the TPW Light Heavyweight Title
04-25 2008 Ky-Ote became the 3DW Heavyweight Champion
04-25 2008 Les Mayne became the 3DW Texoma Champion
04-25 2008 2AM (Javi Hernandez & Kunna Keyoh) became the 3DW Dual Kombat Champion
04-25 2008 Al Farat became the 3DW Violent Division Champion
04-25 2008 Frankie Dee became the 3DW Femme Fatale Champion
04-25 2008 Joshua Smith def. Al Farat for the 3DW Violent Division Title
04-25 2010 David Kyzer def. Outlaw for the SWCW Luchadore Title
04-25 2010 David Kyzer became the SWCW All-American Champion
04-25 2021 Brandon Barricade def. Red for the ASP All Time Title
04-25 2021 Maui Mike & Malik Mayfield became the ASP Tag Team Champions

04-23

Moose Apr 23rd Today!
Tony Atlas Apr 23rd Today!
Blade [2nd] Apr 23rd Today!
Terry Gordy Apr 23rd Today!
Ethan Price Apr 24th
Lou Thesz Apr 24th
Lance Von Erich Apr 24th
Bobby Joe Bristow Apr 25th
Walker Stewart Apr 25th
Zack Zilla Apr 25th
Max Mercer Apr 25th
Brett Stopp Apr 25th
Crash Davis Apr 25th
Eric Roberts Apr 25th
Carl Fergie Apr 25th
Justin Dynamic Apr 26th
Havoc Apr 26th
Karl Kox Apr 26th
Yasu Fuji Apr 27th
Chance Snodgrass Apr 28th
Siva Afi Apr 28th
Ichiban [2nd] Apr 28th
Sunshine Apr 29th
Anarchy [2nd] Apr 30th
Joe McCarthy Apr 30th
Billie the Kiid Apr 30th
Dustin Tibbs Apr 30th
Prince Maivia May 1st
Big Bossman May 2nd
Kari Wright May 2nd
Don Fields May 2nd
Americos May 2nd
Nightmare [1st] May 2nd
Barrett Brown May 2nd
Johnny Humble May 3rd
Lily McKenzie May 3rd
Lester Welch May 3rd
Bull Schmitt May 4th
Jay Hazzard May 4th
Dory Funk May 4th
El Hijo del Mascara Sagrada May 4th
Malik Mayfield May 4th
Bill Watts May 5th
El Matador Dos May 5th
El Gallardo May 5th
Olivier Vegos May 5th
Miss Diss Lexia May 5th
Zane Morris May 5th
Pat O'Dowdy May 5th
Princess Victoria May 5th
Maria Brigitte May 5th
Claire Watson May 6th

1966 Ramon Torres def. Lorenzo Parente for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
1973 Rip Tyler & Eddie Sullivan def. The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Valentine) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
1974 Thunder Cloud & White Cloud def. Bob Sweetan & Seigfried Stanke for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
1978 Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear def. Ernie Ladd & The Assassin for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
2004 Michael Barry became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
2006 Tyler Bateman def. Seth Allen for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
2006 Michael Faith became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
2016 Athena def. Erica for the IZW Queens Title
2022 The Blue Bolt def. Richie Adams for the WFC Prime Title
2022 Koko def. Reed for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
2022 Rhett def. Hornsby for the WFC Drillsville Title

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