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Marvez: Remembering Jack Brisco

Marvez: Remembering Jack Brisco

Posted: Feb 4th 2010 By: CMBurnham

Few pro wrestlers were as successful as Jack Brisco.

Even fewer have announced their retirement and actually followed through with it.

Brisco -- the industry's top world champion of the 1970s -- died Monday from complications following open-heart surgery. He was 68.

Although he left the business in 1984, Brisco remains such a revered figure that he was honored with a posthumous graphic by World Wrestling Entertainment on this week's "Monday Night Raw" telecast. He grappled worldwide as the National Wrestling Alliance champion from July 1973 to December 1975. Brisco was known for long matches that incorporated elements of his acclaimed amateur-wrestling career.

Dory Funk, Jr., who was considered Brisco's top opponent, offered praise on his Web site (www.dory-funk.com).

"Jack brought credibility to professional wrestling," said Funk, who estimates wrestling 200 NWA title matches against Brisco as both challenger and champion during the 1970s. "I never had a match with Jack less than spectacular for the fans. Jack was a great worker, an exceptional athlete and a beautiful person to work with in the ring."

Brisco spent his final decade in wrestling working primarily in the Southeastern U.S. He often teamed with younger brother -- and current WWE talent scout -- Gerry before ending his career with a brief WWE run in 1984.

After years on the road, Brisco finally had enough. He abruptly quit WWE at age 43 and didn't wrestle again.

"I was never tempted to come back," Brisco told me during a 2004 interview. "People called for two years begging me to and offering me good money to do so. I would refuse. I was happy. I was so physically and mentally exhausted for six months after quitting that it took that long before I finally felt like a human being again. I refused to go to an airport or out of town for two years."

Brisco made a significant impact behind the scenes as well. In one of the industry's most notable transactions, the Briscos quietly sold their stake in Georgia Championship Wrestling to WWE owner Vince McMahon in 1984. The transaction helped give McMahon a valued cable time slot on TBS as WWE expanded nationally and drove smaller competitors out of business.
Brisco also is responsible for helping launch the career of Terry "Hulk Hogan" Bollea in the late 1970s. Brisco spotted Bollea playing bass in a Tampa, Fla., rock band and asked if he wanted to become a wrestler. Hogan, who idolized "Superstar" Billy Graham, agreed and began training under the late Hiro Matsuda.

For more information on Brisco's career, visit www.jackbrisco.com.

WWE NOTES: Extreme Championship Wrestling (10 p.m. EST Tuesdays, Syfy Network) is folding for a second time. McMahon has announced he will shutter the promotion in three weeks. Taking its place is WWE NXT, which will focus on younger developmental talent. WWE's relaunch of ECW in 2006 failed to capture the same interest as the wilder Paul Heyman version of the company during the 1990s ... "The Royal Rumble" is known for having more performers make surprise appearances than any other WWE pay-per-view show. WWE didn't disappoint last Sunday when Adam "Edge" Copeland returned and won the main-event battle royale. Copeland suffered a torn Achilles tendon in July but made a quicker-than-expected recovery.

 

Tags: Jack Brisco, WWE, Dory Funk, Jr., NWA, Jerry Brisco, Hiro Matsuda, ECW

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Spotlight in History

  • 1969 Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treach Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 1971 Dusty Rhodes def. Sputnik Monroe for the TSW Brass Knucks Title
  • 2003 Ichiban [1st] became the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2003 The Heatseekers (Karl Davis & Rick Styles) became the TPW Tag Team Champions
  • 2003 Outcast def. Tyler Bateman for the TPW Light Heavyweight Title
  • 2008 Ky-Ote became the 3DW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2008 Les Mayne became the 3DW Texoma Champion
  • 2008 2AM (Javi Hernandez & Kunna Keyoh) became the 3DW Dual Kombat Champion
  • 2008 Al Farat became the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 2008 Frankie Dee became the 3DW Femme Fatale Champion
  • 2008 Joshua Smith def. Al Farat for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 2010 David Kyzer def. Outlaw for the SWCW Luchadore Title
  • 2010 David Kyzer became the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 2021 Brandon Barricade def. Red for the ASP All Time Title
  • 2021 Maui Mike & Malik Mayfield became the ASP Tag Team Champions

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
  • 04-24 2026 Nate Bourne def. Skidz for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 04-24 2026 Morgan Levay def. Shylynn for the UWO Women's 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
04-25
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  • Brett Stopp Apr 25th Today!
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  • Carl Fergie Apr 25th Today!
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  • Karl Kox Apr 26th
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  • Ichiban [2nd] Apr 28th
  • Chance Snodgrass Apr 28th
  • Siva Afi Apr 28th
  • Sunshine Apr 29th
  • Anarchy [2nd] Apr 30th
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  • Big Bossman May 2nd
  • Kari Wright May 2nd
  • Barrett Brown May 2nd
  • Americos May 2nd
  • Don Fields May 2nd
  • Nightmare [1st] May 2nd
  • Johnny Humble May 3rd
  • Lily McKenzie May 3rd
  • Lester Welch May 3rd
  • Jay Hazzard May 4th
  • Dory Funk May 4th
  • Bull Schmitt May 4th
  • El Hijo del Mascara Sagrada May 4th
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  • Bill Watts May 5th
  • Zane Morris May 5th
  • El Gallardo May 5th
  • Olivier Vegos May 5th
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  • Pat O'Dowdy May 5th
  • Maria Brigitte May 5th
  • Miss Diss Lexia May 5th
  • Princess Victoria May 5th
  • Claire Watson May 6th
  • Hercules May 7th
  • Richie Adams May 8th

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