Sep 27th 2026 01:23pm

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

Mike Iles reflects on General Skandar Akbar

Mike Iles reflects on General Skandar Akbar

Posted: Aug 23rd 2010 By: mikeiles

I normally don't do a lot of the original writing here at Oklafan. I usually leave that for Burnham. Aside from an occasional show recap, I usually just find the tidbits you see in The Scoop. But after the recent passing of Skandar Akbar, I felt the need to express my fondness for The General.

I grew up watching Mid-South Wrestling (later the Universal Wrestling Federation) because they were on local TV. When my family got cable, I started watching World Class Championship Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance. I didn't like the World Wrestling Federation because they only showed "squash matches" and their wrestlers were a little too cartoony. Of course then WWF wrestlers were actually a Saturday morning cartoon, but I am veering off subject. Mid-South and World Class were my early favorites.

I remember guys in Mid-South like Bob Sweetan, Ted DiBiase, Hercules Hernandez, Steve Williams, The Rock-N-Roll Express, Buddy Landel, Jim Duggan, Butch Reed, and so many more. In WCCW, it was the Von Erichs, Chris Adams, Gino Hernandez, Jake Roberts, The Fabulous Freebirds, Iceman King Parsons, and the list could go on and on. But one manager stuck out the most to me in both of these feds, General Skandar Akbar.

Akbar called his stable Devastation, Inc. A motley group of bad guys. Guys like King Kong Bundy, The Super Destroyers, Kamala the Ugandan Giant, The Missing Link, and a lot more. He waged war on the Von Erichs. He waged war on Hacksaw Jim Duggan. He was one of the most hated individuals in wrestling. Watching wrestling back in those days, you cheered the good guys. Back then, it was rare you came across a wrestling fan that liked the bad guys. But Skandar Akbar intrigued me. Sure there were other managers like Gary Hart or Jim Cornette. But Akbar was the main guy in my book.

I attended a local wrestling show at a hotel in Tulsa and Akbar was on the card. The other guys I remember being on the card were Tom Jones and J. J. Mustang. I was excited to see one of the guys I grew up watching up close. I remember as he left the ringside area I said "Hey Akbar, your camel is double parked" and without hesitation he replied "Yeah, and George Bush is milking him". Simply awesome.

I got to meet Akbar on November 10, 2007 at the very last All American Championship Wrestling event, which was held at Farmer's Market in Oklahoma City. At the time, I was the commissioner of Impact Zone Wrestling, but I had promised AACW promoter Damien Strange that I would be at the show. When I walked into the locker room there was Akbar sitting on a chair. I blew right past all the other wrestlers in the locker room and made a beeline to Akbar. I introduced myself to him saying "Mr. Akbar it's a pleasure to meet you sir. You scared the crap out of me when I was a kid". He chuckled and asked why. I told him it was because he was able to throw fire. I sat down on the couch next to him and listened to his stories about his career. At one point he mentioned that he and Danny Hodge had sold out the local auditorium in a town in Arkansas just weeks earlier. I said "Well dang Ak, you and Danny have been feuding for 50 years. I think you have it down pat". He laughed and said "You're right Big Mike". That just made my whole day. He called me Big Mike.

On February 2, 2008 I had finished a show with IZW and headed over to Sooner World Class Wrestling's Underground Arena to pick up the results of their show for Oklafan and to say hello to some people. I walked in and saw Koko B. Ware and Kamala sitting backstage waiting to leave. I said hello and started looking around for someone that could get me the results. Kevin James Sanchez was helping me out when in walked Akbar. He said "Well there he is. Where ya been Big Mike?" Again, that made my day. He remembered our conversation we had a few months back. We talked again and I told him it was good seeing him again before I left.

I was very saddened to hear that Akbar had passed away. He died at the age of 75. He lived a full life. Although he never worked for Vince McMahon and the WWF or Ted Turner and WCW or ECW and he wasn't a part of the Monday Night Wars, he was one of the most revered managers pro wrestling has ever seen. He also touched so many lives in and around Oklahoma and Texas. He helped train former NWA Oklahoma Heavyweight Champions Spoiler 2000 and Slam Shady, former NWA Universal Tag Team Champions The Bounty Hunter and Bash, and NWA Oklahoma Tag Team Champion American Anarchy.

I have a picture of me and Akbar from the night I met him. He is growling and has the riding crop cocked back while I am grinning ear to ear. My wife jokes with me that he "should have had his head thing on" but I don't care. To me Skandar Akbar is always going to be the despised villain that could throw fire and scare me to death.

Rest in peace General.

 

Tags: Mike Iles, Skandar Akbar, C. M. Burnham. MSW, UWF, WCCW, NWA, WWF, Bob Sweetan, Ted DiBiase, Hercules Hernandez, Steve Williams, Rock-N-Roll Express, Buddy Landel, Jim Duggan, Butch Reed, Von Erichs, Chris Adams, Gino Hernandez, Jake Roberts, Fabulous Fre

Printable version Email to a friend

Supplemental Information

Latest News

1
The Scoop

The Scoop

NEWS Pro Wrestling Illustrated recently released their 36th annual PWI 500, and coming in at #1 is M. J. F. This is the first time he has been ran... Read More

All Columns

1

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
09-27
  • 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

More Look Back In History

Card Results

1