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We Are (Not) Family

We Are (Not) Family

Posted: Oct 13th 2011 By: mikeiles

Wrestling is a family business. The Von Erichs, the Harts, the McMahons. They're just a few of the famous families of the squared circle. And from time to time, some families have welcomed new members, but they weren't blood related. This post looks at some of my favorites.

Regular readers know that the Von Erichs were always one of my favorites growing up. In 1985, Lance Von Erich arrived in World Class to help his "cousins" do battle with the likes of the Fabulous Freebirds. Lance always reminded me of a hybrid of Kerry and Kevin. While his physique wasn't as big as Kerry's, he had the build. And he wrestled barefoot just like Kevin did.

Lance, Kevin and Kerry enjoyed some success as 6 man tag team champions. He also had a stint as the TV champ in WCCW. Eventually, he and the Dingo Warrior (now Ultimate Warrior) held the tag team titles. I remember him challenging Rick Rude for the heavyweight title, but coming up short after some devious actions by Percy Pringle. Lance eventually left the company because of a falling out with Uncle Fritz. And while he kept the Von Erich moniker for a while, Fritz blasted Lance saying he wasn't related to his famous clan.

I liked Lance, and even at the time when I thought he was a Von Erich I still thought he was lacking something. I don't think he even fully got over with the fans and we never saw much of him after he left WCCW and became the Fabulous Lance. He probably should have and could have been more successful. He was there at a time the Von Erichs were ailing. Kerry nearly died in that motorcycle accident in 1986. He rushed back too soon which of course only put added pressure on him and took a great toll on his health. I think Lance found out it's hard being a Von Erich, especially when you're not really one.

Jesse Barr headed to the WWF in 1986 with a bullrope, Lone Ranger mask, and a cowboy hat. He became Jimmy Jack Funk. He was billed as Terry and Dory's long lost little brother from the Double Cross Ranch in Texas. JJF was brought in as Terry was headed out. Of course he was not a suitable replacement for the former NWA world heavyweight champion. JJ and Dory teamed briefly until the elder Funk left the company. The little brother was left on his own and floundered in the lower midcard. Jimmy Jack was pretty much a WWF jobber before leaving New York and heading to World Class. He was able to keep the Funk gimmick and had some success with the company. Not really sure whatever became of him after that though.

Another family unit of the 1980's was the Hillbillies. Hillbilly Jim, Uncle Elmer, and cousins Luke and Junior. There was no relation with any of them, but they always had a good time in the ring. The closet any of them came to gold in the ring was when Jim and Elmer challenged Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine for the WWF tag team titles. The Hillbillies came up short. And once Jim went on the shelf with injuries, the rest of the clan seemed to become nothing more than jobbers to the stars. Elmer got hitched on Saturday Night's Main Event in what may have been his most memorable performance. I'm pretty sure that was wrestling's first televised wedding too. Nevertheless, these guys weren't really hillbillies and they weren't really kin folk either.

Some modern day versions of faux families include the WWE claiming Edge and Christian are/were brothers. I can't remember if they ever came out and just said they were best friends or not. Paul Bearer isn't really Kane's dad, nor is Kane really the Undertaker's half brother. Finlay's son isn't Hornswoggle, and Andre the Giant was not the Giant's (Big Show) father. And do I really need to get into the Dudley's family tree?

I'm not sure why wrestling companies like to make up family and add family members yet ignore others who are actually related. Randy Savage and Lanny Poffo come to mind. At least they were kept apart in the WWF. Ray Gordy who wrestled at Jessie never mentioned his famous father Terry Gordy during his stint with WWE. And I don't think the WWE ever acknowledged the fact that Honky Tonk Man and Jerry Lawler are cousins.

 

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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
  • 2026 Remy Devereaux def. Bishop Simon for the RWE United States 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
  • 09-27 2026 Remy Devereaux def. Bishop Simon for the RWE United States 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

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