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The Spotlight: ‘The Birdman’ Koko B. Ware

Posted: Aug 1st 2026 By: Joe King - RingTheDamnBell.com

Known as “The Birdman”, Koko B. Ware became one of the most recognizable personalities of the 1980s and early 1990s thanks to his flashy outfits, high-energy style, and his famous pet macaw, Frankie.

Born James Ware on June 20, 1957, in Union City, Tennessee, Koko began his wrestling career in the late 1970s. He made a name for himself in the Memphis territory, wrestling for the Continental Wrestling Association under promoter Jerry Jarrett. He was the first ever Mid America Television Champion. During his time in Memphis, Ware was known as Koko Ware before aligning himself with Jimmy Hart’s First Family and changing his name to Sweet Brown Sugar. He then worked as the masked “Stagger Lee” before adopting the Koko B. Ware persona. He became a popular babyface and enjoyed success in one of wrestling’s hottest regional territories.

Memphis Success

Koko’s greatest territorial success came in Memphis, where he captured several championships and feuded with some of the era’s top stars. He became a 7-time AWA Southern Tag Team Champion, winning the titles with different partners such as “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton, “Sweet” Stan Lane, and “Dirty” Dutch Mantell.

Pretty Young Things

In 1983, Ware would find his biggest success when he started teaming with Norvell Austin and together they became “The P.Y.T.’s”(Pretty Young Things) named after the Michael Jackson hit single. Each would wear red leather jackets and a single white glove to the ring like Jackson would become infamous for. They were one of the first prominent African-American tag teams in professional wrestling, wrestling for the CWA, WCCW, and Championship Wrestling From Florida. Ware’s athleticism and charisma made him a fan favorite, and he was known for exciting matches featuring dropkicks, aerial attacks, and his signature Ghostbuster finisher, a brainbuster that became one of the most recognizable moves in Memphis wrestling. They would team together until the summer of 1985, winning the AWA Southern Tag Team Championship & the NWA United States Tag Team Championship. Ware would return to Continental Wrestling Association where he would become a 6-time NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Champion.

Arrival in the WWF

In 1986, Koko joined the World Wrestling Federation. It was here that he became nationally famous as “The Birdman.” Accompanied by his colorful macaw Frankie and entering arenas to Morris Day and The Time’s hit song “The Bird,” Koko immediately stood out. His energetic dancing and crowd interaction made him a favorite among younger fans. While he never won a championship in the WWF, Koko became one of the company’s most popular mid-card performers and was a regular fixture on television and pay-per-view events.

Memorable Feuds and Rivalries

Throughout his WWF run, Koko wrestled many of the biggest names in the industry, including Butch Reed at WrestleMania III. He would also have matches against superstars such as “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Hercules, Greg Valentine, and The Big Boss Man.

High Energy

In 1992, Koko teamed with Owen Hart to form the tag team High Energy. The duo’s colorful attire, athletic style, and exciting entrances made them a popular team during the early 1990s. Although they never captured the WWF Tag Team Championship, they challenged many top teams such as The Nasty Boys, Money Inc., and The Headshrinkers. Although quickly becoming fam favorites, repeated injuries eventually led to the team’s breakup.

Tombstone Piledriver

Ware will forever be in the history books as being the first ever superstar to take The Undertaker’s Tombstone Piledriver in The Undertaker’s debut at the Survivor Series in 1990.

Monday Night Raw

Koko B. Ware made history again in January of 1993 by wrestling in the first ever match to take place on Monday Night Raw in a loss against Yokozuna.

USWA

Koko made his return to Memphis for Jerry Lawler’s United States Wrestling Association when the WWF would begin using it as it’s developmental territory to mold it’s next batch of superstars. He would find major success there once again, winning the promotion’s top prize, the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship on two occasions, defeating Kamala and Jerry “The King” Lawler.

From there, Ware would return to the independent circuit, even appearing on the groundbreaking documentary “Beyond The Mat”.

Hall of Fame Induction

In 2009, Koko B. Ware was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. While some fans debated the induction due to his lack of major championships in WWE, many wrestlers and historians pointed to his popularity, longevity, and contributions to the industry as reasons he deserved the honor. His induction recognized not only his WWF career but also his significant accomplishments in Memphis wrestling, where he had been a major star for years before gaining national exposure.

Koko B. Ware may never have been a world champion, but he remains one of the most memorable personalities of wrestling’s Golden Era. His charisma, crowd appeal, and unique presentation helped make him a beloved figure among wrestling fans. Whether dancing to “The Bird,” carrying Frankie to the ring, or delivering his devastating Ghostbuster finisher, Koko B. Ware brought energy and excitement wherever he wrestled. Decades later, “The Birdman” remains one of the most recognizable and beloved entertainers in professional wrestling history.