Johnny Walker awaiting major aneurysm surgery
Posted: May 15th 2016 By: Dave Meltzer
Johnny Walker, one of pro wrestling's biggest stars of the 70s as Mr. Wrestling II, is currently awaiting surgery for an aneurysm.
Walker, 81, had a long career without a mask, and while respected as both a strong legitimate wrestler and a great worker in the ring, he never really took off until he was past 40 and put on the mask. He had worked previously with a mask and been pushed, but never broke out like he did in Georgia.
Originally Walker was thinking of retirement when a wrestling war broke out in Georgia. With most of the talent leaving the NWA Georgia Championship Wrestling group for Ann Gunkel's All South Wrestling, the promotion wanted to bring back Tim Woods, as Mr. Wrestling, who had been a big draw a few years earlier but was working full-time in Florida.
Because of Woods' schedule as one of the key stars in Florida, he couldn't be in Georgia full-time, only work mostly Atlanta, so the decision was made for him to bring in a protege, Mr. Wrestling II.
Wrestling II ended up being more popular than Mr. Wrestling. The two were a regular tag team on-and-off, and also at one point had a feud which was major box office. Wrestling II was considered one of the key people in the NWA side winning the war and in the regular Georgia markets where Dusty Rhodes didn't work regularly, Wrestling II was the big draw for years. He was a favorite of the Carter family, and a photo of President Jimmy Carter with a headlock on Wrestling II was used for publicity purposes for years. He had retired years ago to Hawaii, and Steve Corino's Mr. Wrestling III gimmick is a tribute to Walker.
He remained a headliner in Georgia, and his fame in Georgia from the SuperStation led to him also being used as a major star throughout the Southeast and Mid South areas until the mid-80s. He was one of the key contenders for both Harley Race and Ric Flair as world champion.
Supplemental Information
Latest News
Adam Copeland opens up on his infamous promo segment with Ricky Starks
A few years ago, during an episode of AEW Collision, Adam Copeland and Ricky Saints (known as Ricky ... Read More
Help Wanted! Job Opportunities: Shane Douglas
Back in the 80’s and 90’s, it was very common to see some no name wrestler go up against a proven star of a promotion.... Read More
Carlito talks departing WWE, time in Judgment Day, Bron Breakker spear, and more
Former WWE Superstar Carlito sat down with Chris Van Vliet in Indianapolis, IN to discuss ... Read More
Spotlight in History
- 1969 Wahoo McDaniel & Thunderbolt Patterson became the WCCW American Tag Team Champions
- 1971 Johnny Valentine def. Toru Tanaka for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 1976 Jose Lothario def. The Mongolian Stomper for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 2009 Randy Price def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 2009 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion
Week of Sun 06-21 to Sat: 06-27
- 06-21 1982 Junkyard Dog def. Bob Roop for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
- 06-21 1987 Al Perez def. The Dingo Warrior for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 06-21 2003 Kitty def. Manservant for the TPW Womens Title
- 06-21 2008 Tim Rockwell def. El Super Colibri for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
- 06-21 2008 Li'l Joe def. Xavior for the GPCW Cruiserweight Title
- 06-21 2014 Buster Cherry def. Havoc for the SWCW All-American Title
- 06-21 2024 Big Sed def. Sam Adonis for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
- 06-21 2025 Dan Webber became the LCW Lionheart Champion
- 06-22 2005 Phillip def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 06-22 2018 Joe Cuedo def. Brock Baker for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
- 06-22 2024 Pastor Brent def. Daniel Aaron Michalles for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 06-22 2024 Daniel Aaron Michalles def. Pastor Brent for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 06-22 2025 Billie the Kiid def. Dan Webber for the ASP Heavyweight Title
- 06-23 1972 Billy Red Lyons def. The Spoiler for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
- 06-23 1980 Mr. Hito & Mr. Sakurada def. Jose Lothario & Tiger Conway Jr. for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 06-23 1982 Ted DiBiase def. Junkyard Dog for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
- 06-23 1984 Gino Hernandez became the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
- 06-23 1989 The Stud Stable (Robert Fuller & Brian Lee) def. Jeff Jarrett & Mil Mascaras for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
- 06-23 2001 Big Daddy Moore def. Adam Lacroix for the OPW Oklahoma Television Title
- 06-23 2001 Grenade became the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
- 06-23 2009 Joshua Michael & Epic became the ACW Tag Team Champions
- 06-23 2023 Dustin Tibbs def. Thrash for the WFC Prime Title
- 06-24 1972 Stan Stasiak def. Red Bastien for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 06-24 1974 Bull Ramos def. Rip Tyler for the TSW North American Title
- 06-24 1977 John Studd became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 06-24 1985 The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) def. The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 06-24 2000 Great Bolo [2nd] def. Ichiban [2nd] for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
- 06-24 2000 Ichiban [2nd] became the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
- 06-24 2005 Spoiler 2000 became the NWA-U Television Champion
- 06-24 2006 Prophet SteVens became the AACW Television Champion
- 06-24 2007 Matt Garza became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
- 06-24 2016 Dynamic Shields (Justin Dynamic & Shawn Shields) def. Terry Montana & Mighty Mouse for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
- 06-24 2016 Seth Angel def. Steven Cruze for the ComPro Showtime Title
- 06-24 2016 Adrian Dell def. Nathan Estrada for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
- 06-24 2017 Drake Gallows became the ASP Heavyweight Champion
- 06-24 2017 Excellence Personified (Duke Swellington & Dustin Heritage) def. Shawn Hendrix & Aaron Anders (substituting for Anthony Andrews) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
- 06-24 2017 Dynamic Shields (Justin Dynamic & Shawn Shields) def. Big Smooth & Zakk Sinizter for the UWE Tag Team Titles
- 06-24 2018 Shawn Sanders def. Chaz Sharpe for the ASP Inter-County Title
- 06-24 2018 Canadian Red Devil def. Adam Patrick for the ASP Mid-American Title
- 06-24 2020 Warren Powers def. Giganto for the BPW 365 Title
- 06-24 2023 Stage Dive Mafia (Rook Tyler & Axel Savage) became the BCW Tag Team Champions
- 06-24 2023 C. M. Burnham def. Lunchador for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 06-24 2023 Lunchador def. C. M. Burnham for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 06-25 2011 Sam Stackhouse def. Shane Morbid for the BYEW Heavyweight Title
- 06-25 2011 The Sons of Ireland (Devan Scott & Shane Scott) def. The New Age Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the BYEW Tag Team Titles
- 06-25 2011 Chris Chaos became the BYEW Caution Champion
- 06-25 2011 The Future Hall of Famers (John O'Malley & Brad Michaels) def. Bernie D & Aaron Neil (subbing for Max McGuirk) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 06-25 2016 Brian Breaker def. Zakk Sinizter for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 06-25 2017 The Cub Scouts (Grizzly Gates & Brock Landers) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
- 06-25 2026 Bang Bang Bennett def. Jacob Edwards for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title
- 06-26 1961 The Bolos (The Great Bolo [1st] & The Mighty Bolo) became the TSW Champion
- 06-26 1987 Frankie Lancaster & Eric Embry def. The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
- 06-26 1999 Tarantula def. Original Renegade for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
- 06-26 2005 Li'l Joe def. Phillip for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 06-26 2009 Brandon Groom def. The Handsome Spoiler for the TOPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
- 06-26 2009 Kevin James Sanchez def. Bobby Starr for the BYEW Entertainment Title
- 06-26 2009 The Handsome Spoiler became the TOPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
- 06-26 2021 Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese) def. Los Loco Moscas (Elijah Sparks & El Greengo Loco) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
- 06-26 2025 Microman def. Mini Abismo Negro for the EDW Heavyweight Title
- 06-27 1969 Wahoo McDaniel & Thunderbolt Patterson became the WCCW American Tag Team Champions
- 06-27 1971 Johnny Valentine def. Toru Tanaka for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 06-27 1976 Jose Lothario def. The Mongolian Stomper for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 06-27 2009 Randy Price def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 06-27 2009 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion
- Ignition Jun 27th Today!
- Reckless Jun 27th Today!
- Jason Kirby Jun 27th Today!
- Kuda Jun 27th Today!
- Dan Barnhart Jun 27th Today!
- Bill Dromo Jun 28th
- Claire Jun 28th
- Doc Hearon Jun 28th
- John Tidwell Jun 28th
- Boris Malenko Jun 28th
- J. J. Blake Jun 28th
- Damian Kincaid Jun 28th
- Malico Jun 28th
- Kenny Mack Jun 28th
- Barbara Galento Jun 29th
- Voltio Santiago Jun 29th
- Killaman Jaro Jun 29th
- Kenneth Caine Jun 30th
- Ed Lewis Jun 30th
- Terry Funk Jun 30th
- Li'l Joe Jul 1st
- Sung Yung Kang Jul 1st
- Jake Hollister Jul 1st
- Tim WarCloud Jul 1st
- Crowson D. Calhoun Jul 2nd
- Dalton Smith Jul 2nd
- Wrangler Rhett Jul 2nd
- Rex Andrews Jul 2nd
- Arman Hussein Jul 3rd
- Ray the Bae Jul 3rd
- Joe Sloan Jul 3rd
- Rachael Starz Jul 3rd
- Blake Wilson Jul 4th
- Bree Ann Jul 4th
- Barry Windham Jul 4th
- Bob Sweetan Jul 4th
- Greatest American Bolo Jul 4th
- Little Tokyo Jul 5th
- Roland Kirchmeyer Jul 5th
- Terry Kage Jul 5th
- Richard Pierce Jul 5th
- Dalton Bragg Jul 6th
- Sandor Kovacs Jul 7th
- Steven Sterling Jul 7th
- Thunderbolt Patterson Jul 8th
- Toby Keith Jul 8th
- Tuck Davion Jul 8th
- Ralph Hammonds Jul 9th
- Alexander Gold Jul 9th
- Jerry Grey Jul 9th
- Skidz Jul 9th
- AXL Jul 9th
- Billy Jack Haynes Jul 10th
- Daemon Storm Jul 10th
- Gary Poppins Jul 10th