JR's Blog: Wrestling Legend & Great Friend Jack Brisco Passes Away Monday Morning
Posted: Feb 2nd 2010 By: mikeiles
It with a heavy heart that I have to share the news of this morning's untimely death in Tampa of my dear friend, fellow Oklahoman, and true wrestling great Jack Brisco.
Jack and Jerry Brisco were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at WM24 in Orlando. Jack was a former NWA Champion who was universally considered as one of the greatest in ring technicians to ever lace up a pair of boots.
Jack passed away Monday morning at the at of 68 as a result of complications after under going heart surgery a week or so ago.
Brisco was a national champion at 191 pounds at Oklahoma State for HOF coach Myron Roderick. Oklahoma football coach Bud Wilkinson did his best to recruit the Choctaw/Chickasaw Native American to come to OU to play fullback and linebacker in addition to wrestling for the Sooners. Roderick closed the deal when he promised to get life long pro wrestling fan Jack into pro wrestling via OSU alum and former NCAA Champion Leroy McGuirk who was the promoter in the Oklahoma area territory. Jack had been a fan of pro wrestling his entire life of which Roderick parlayed.
After winning three state championships in high school at Blackwell, Oklahoma, Jack capped his Oklahoma State career with an undefeated Junior season and his National Championship.
After his Junior year at OSU Roderick kept his recruiting promise and with Jack needing to provide for his young family, Roderick arranged for Jack to break into pro wrestling in 1965 with promoter McGuirk. I was 13 years of age at that time and Jack Brisco became one of my true heroes in sports like other Oklahomans Jim Thorpe, Dan Hodge and Mickey Mantle.
Jack eventually went to Florida to work for HOF Promoter Eddie Graham. Eddie wanted to see just how tough Jack really was and a gut check workout was arranged with Graham "hit men/tough guys" Hiro Matsuda and Don Curtis. Brisco passed the test quickly and with flying colors. The rest of Jack's distinguished and respected career is history.
I recall in the 70's refereeing several Jack Brisco vs Danny Hodge bouts for Jack's NWA Title around the Oklahoma territory. These bouts usually went an hour with no falls or occasionally the two would split falls and then go to the 60 minute time limit. Some of my fondest and most vivid moments in the wrestling business are donning the stripped shirt to ref matches involving two of my all time favorite athletes. Their matches were jaw droppers and were as athletic and compelling as any I ever witnessed.
I got to know Jack on a more personal level when I went to work in WWE in 1993 as I worked closely with Jack's brother Jerry in the talent relations department. Jerry recruited our best ever signees from the amateur ranks. Plus, Jerry and I joined forces to sign both Chris Jericho and the Big Show w/ "in home" recruiting visits in Tampa. Jerry became my closest confidant and with that came another blessing for me...getting to know, on a personal level, Jerry's big brother, the great Jack Brisco.
Hopefully many of you who are not familiar w/ Jack's work will go on WWE 24/7 or You Tube and watch this silky smooth, highly skilled, legitimately tough, easy going man have some of the greatest matches that ANY, NWA Champion ever had.
Jack's rivalry with the Funks was priceless as the two families put on a clinic whenever they were in the ring together. There's a good reason that I've used "Brisco-Funk" classic during commentary over the years and that's because it's true. The Briscos and the Funks had a natural Oklahoma vs Texas rivalry that fueled their spirited bouts even if that matter wasn't a part of the TV story. They created mat magic.
Jack and Jerry's tag bouts against Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood in the Mid Atlantic territory are still talked about today.
When Jack decided to abruptly leave the WWWF, he went to the Newark Airport in the midst of a bitterly cold , snow storm and much to brother Jerry's surprise and asked to buy a plane ticket for the first flight out going South no matter the location. That was the unceremonious end to the in ring wrestling carer of one of wrestling's all time greats.
Coming off the heels of losing Steve Williams recently and now this it certainly gives one pause to stop and evaluate what's important in one' life and to certainly count one' blessings.
I feel so blessed that I got to know Jack Brisco on a personal level and I loved him like family. Jack Brisco was revered within our business but he was always just a poor kid from Oklahoma, raised without a father who always wanted to be a pro wrestler, and through hard work and dedication became one of the most famous men to ever wrestle for a living.
Jack lived his dream and helped make another poor kid from Oklahoma see that dreams can true for all of us.
God Bless you Jack and say hi to Doc when you see him.
Supplemental Information
Spotlight in History
- 1977 Dr. X & Porkchop Cash def. The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 1982 The Rat Pack (Ted DiBiase & Matt Borne) def. Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 1985 Brian Adias def. Gino Hernandez for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 1986 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) def. Eddie Gilbert & Sting for the UWF Tag Team Titles
- 2003 Brandon Groom became the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
- 2003 Tarantula & X-Cal became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
- 2003 Big Daddy Moore def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
- 2008 Outlaw def. 3rd Rail for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
- 2008 Rage Logan def. Sage for the SWCW Cruiserweight Title
- 2008 Shank became the SWCW Luchadore Champion
- 2008 Seth Allen def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 2015 Lil Outlaw def. Little Nasty Boy for the EMWF Heavweight Title
- 2015 King Midget def. Lil Outlaw for the EMWF Heavweight Title
- 2019 Stephan Bonnar def. MVP for the WCR Imperial Title
- 2025 Mitch Onyx def. Bishop Simon for the RWE Light Heavyweight Title
- 2025 Triple Crown Tribe (Fuel & Koko) def. The Super Crash Brothers (Trench Blythe & Badger James) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
- 2025 Birdman def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Apex Title
- 2025 Brandon Warhawk def. Faded Ghoul for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 2025 Sgt. Todd def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 2025 L. C. Green def. Deacon Hendrix for the RWE Heavyweight Title
- 2025 Will Chambers def. L. C. Green for the RWE Heavyweight Title
Week of Sun 09-27 to Sat: 10-03
- 09-27 1977 Dr. X & Porkchop Cash def. The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 09-27 1982 The Rat Pack (Ted DiBiase & Matt Borne) def. Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 09-27 1985 Brian Adias def. Gino Hernandez for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 09-27 1986 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) def. Eddie Gilbert & Sting for the UWF Tag Team Titles
- 09-27 2003 Brandon Groom became the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
- 09-27 2003 Tarantula & X-Cal became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
- 09-27 2003 Big Daddy Moore def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
- 09-27 2008 Outlaw def. 3rd Rail for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
- 09-27 2008 Rage Logan def. Sage for the SWCW Cruiserweight Title
- 09-27 2008 Shank became the SWCW Luchadore Champion
- 09-27 2008 Seth Allen def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 09-27 2015 Lil Outlaw def. Little Nasty Boy for the EMWF Heavweight Title
- 09-27 2015 King Midget def. Lil Outlaw for the EMWF Heavweight Title
- 09-27 2019 Stephan Bonnar def. MVP for the WCR Imperial Title
- 09-27 2025 Mitch Onyx def. Bishop Simon for the RWE Light Heavyweight Title
- 09-27 2025 Triple Crown Tribe (Fuel & Koko) def. The Super Crash Brothers (Trench Blythe & Badger James) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
- 09-27 2025 Birdman def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Apex Title
- 09-27 2025 Brandon Warhawk def. Faded Ghoul for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 09-27 2025 Sgt. Todd def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 09-27 2025 L. C. Green def. Deacon Hendrix for the RWE Heavyweight Title
- 09-27 2025 Will Chambers def. L. C. Green for the RWE Heavyweight Title
- 09-28 1979 Mike George & Bob Sweetan became the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champions
- 09-28 1982 Mr. Olympia def. Killer Khan for the MSW Mississippi Title
- 09-28 1984 The Long Riders (Scott Irwin & Bill Irwin) def. The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 09-28 1986 Buddy Roberts def. Terry Taylor for the UWF Television Title
- 09-28 2008 Striker def. Al Farat for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
- 09-28 2013 The C. I. A. (Trevor Mapleleaf & J. B.) def. The Oakhurst Fire Mafia (Keebler & Diamond) for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
- 09-28 2019 Brixton Barricade def. Chaz Sharpe for the ASP Inter-County Title
- 09-28 2024 Daniel Aaron Michalles def. Pastor Brent for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 09-28 2024 Shotgun Webber def. Zac Royal for the TIW No Pressure Title
- 09-29 2007 Luc Lapointe & Beau Dalton became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
- 09-29 2007 Kareem Sadat def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Hardcore Title
- 09-29 2007 Beau Dalton def. Luc Lapointe for the SWCW Sooner Xtreme Title
- 09-29 2007 Kunna Keyoh def. Joe Herell for the UWF06 Violent Division Title
- 09-30 1963 Bill Miller def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 09-30 1965 The Daltons/The Fargos (Jim Dalton/Jim Fargo & Jack Dalton [1st]/Don Fargo) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
- 09-30 1974 Blackjack Lanza def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 09-30 1977 Ox Baker def. Captain USA for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
- 09-30 1981 Great Kabuki def. Bob Roop for the MSW Louisiana Title
- 09-30 1983 The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer I & Super Destroyer II) def. Roddy Piper & Bulldog Brower for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 09-30 2006 The House of Strange (AWOL & Overdose) def. The Family (Beau Dalton & Luc Lapointe) for the AACW Tag Team Titles
- 09-30 2007 Outlaw became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
- 09-30 2017 Los Loco Moscas (Elijah Sparks & El Greengo Loco) def. Legion (Rob Cabella & Shawn Shields) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
- 09-30 2023 The Psychotic Messengers (Tank Bryson & Malachi) became the MajCW Tag Team Champions
- 09-30 2023 Romeo Reese def. Punk Synister for the MajCW Flawless Title
- 09-30 2023 Nibira def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 09-30 2023 Brandon Groom def. Nibira for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 09-30 2023 Oscar Amazing def. Brandon Groom for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 09-30 2023 Lunchador def. Oscar Amazing for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 09-30 2023 John J. Bishop def. Lunchador for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 09-30 2023 Lunchador def. John J. Bishop for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 10-01 2002 Pimpology (Jeffrey Parker & Kool Ade) def. The Professionals (John Zorthos & Julian Wolfenbarger) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
- 10-01 2002 Bitch the Clown def. HIMM for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 10-01 2002 The Cookie Man def. Bitch the Clown for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 10-01 2002 HIMM def. The Cookie Man for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 10-01 2004 Beau Dalton def. Bobby Dalton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
- 10-01 2011 Michael Barry def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 10-01 2011 Maniac Mike def. John E. Stone for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
- 10-01 2011 Se7en def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
- 10-01 2011 Kevin James Sanchez & Kareem Sadat became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
- 10-01 2011 Drake Gallows & Bobby Star became the SWCW All-American Champion
- 10-01 2012 Brian Lakewood def. Brandon Walker for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
- 10-01 2016 Dean Lambert def. Kareem Sadat for the EmpCW Independent Hardcore Title
- 10-01 2016 Running Wolf became the NAW Heavyweight Champion
- 10-01 2016 Thunder, Inc. (Rolling Thunder & Tim Bean) def. The Midnight Riders (The Unknown & The Midnight Rider) for the NAW Tag Team Titles
- 10-02 2004 Missa Sparkle def. Beau Dalton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
- 10-02 2004 Beau Dalton def. Missa Sparkle for the SRPW Hardcore Title
- 10-02 2004 Codie Mullins def. Beau Dalton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
- 10-02 2004 Beau Dalton def. Codie Mullins for the SRPW Hardcore Title
- 10-02 2009 Aerial Assault (Montego Seeka & Ky-ote Joe) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
- 10-02 2010 Outlaw def. Tyson Jaymes for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
- 10-02 2010 Bleach, Ink (Draven Cross & Korvin Sage) def. The Hardcore Connection (Shane Sanchez & Maniac Mike) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
- 10-02 2010 Rage Logan def. Damien Morte for the SWCW Cruiserweight Title
- 10-02 2010 David Kyzer def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW All-American Title
- 10-02 2010 Kevin James Sanchez def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
- 10-02 2010 Jasper Davis def. Kevin Douglas for the NWA Texas Junior Heavyweight Title
- 10-02 2010 La Reina de Corazones def. Tasha Simone for the NWA World Womens Title
- 10-02 2011 Nemesis (Damien Morte & Damon Windsor) def. The New Age Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 10-02 2016 The Urban Misfits (Drake Gallows & Dean Lambert) def. The Mid-South Express (Tyson Jaymes & Will Chambers) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 10-02 2020 Jerome Daniel Griffey def. Niles Plonk for the TexPro Red River Title
- 10-02 2021 Step Brothas (Jermaine Johnson & Tego) def. Niles Plonk & Flex Zerba (substituting for Dexter Hardaway) for the BCW Tag Team Titles
- 10-03 1967 Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis def. The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Waldo Von Erich) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 10-03 2008 Spoiler 2000 became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
- 10-03 2009 Arrogant Money (Austin Tacious & Randy Price) def. BLK-OUT (Jermaine Johnson & Montego Seeka) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 10-03 2020 Classy & Sassy (Niles Plonk & Dexter Hardaway) def. The Brotherhood of Holy Hell (Terry Pantera & Dean Lambert) for the BCW Tag Team Titles
- 10-03 2020 Super Beast def. Cody Burns for the BCW Heavyweight Title
- 10-03 2025 Lola the Adventurer def. Skylar Slice for the CPW Women’s Title
- 10-03 2025 The Super Crash Brothers (Trench Blythe & Badger James) def. The Sweet Life (Colt Killbane & Jake Swayze) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
- Angel Camacho Sep 27th Today!
- Alec Bisogno Sep 27th Today!
- Tyler Cordingley Sep 27th Today!
- Trey Count Sep 28th
- Kamille Sep 28th
- Scott Lee Sep 28th
- Billy Ray [2nd] Sep 28th
- Tommy Prince Sep 28th
- Rip Tyler Sep 28th
- Skandar Akbar Sep 29th
- Bang Bang Bennett Sep 29th
- Ann Casey Sep 29th
- David Sammartino Sep 29th
- Raymon Downey Sep 30th
- Marlboro Slim Sep 30th
- Fred Urban Sep 30th
- Seth Coburn Sep 30th
- Kidd Riggs Sep 30th
- Lady Starwind Sep 30th
- Hector Guerrero Oct 1st
- Mike Foxx Oct 2nd
- Cold Blooded Chris Oct 2nd
- Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
- James Southard Oct 2nd
- Funnybone Oct 2nd
- Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
- Waldo Von Erich Oct 2nd
- Crystal White Oct 3rd
- Don Fargo Oct 3rd
- Johnny TV Oct 3rd
- Tim Geohagen Oct 4th
- Dick Hutton Oct 4th
- Jay Strongbow, Sr. Oct 4th
- T-Arsenal Oct 4th
- Bobby Fulton Oct 4th
- Abyss Oct 4th
- Studd Lee Oct 4th
- P. Y. Chu-Hi Oct 4th
- Violent V Oct 4th
- Dennis Heflin Oct 5th
- Joaquin Wilde Oct 5th
- Spike Oct 6th
- Mr. Nasty Oct 6th
- Paloma Starr Oct 6th
- Rip Oliver Oct 6th
- Smash Oct 6th
- Frankie V Oct 7th
- Tennessee Rebel Oct 7th
- Rhino Oct 7th
- Nelly Rivers Oct 7th
- Terry Orndorff Oct 7th
- Ripper Collins Oct 8th
- Moonshine Oct 8th
- Brett Irons Oct 8th
- Judy Martin Oct 8th
- Travis Harkrider Oct 8th
- Betty Niccoli Oct 9th
- Andre West Oct 9th
- Richard Fitzwell Oct 9th
- Brian Breaker Oct 9th
- K. J. Everly Oct 10th
- Shane Morbid Oct 10th
Current Champions
Unified Wrestling of Oklahoma
Dojo Division Champion
Cole Lung
- Heavyweight Champion: Malik Mayfield
- Women's Champion: Shylynn
Tag Cloud
WWERic FlairTNABeth PhoenixA. J. StylesJim CornetteComProTexasInc.Stevie CaballeroBernard Funk
