Alfred Hayes
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Alfred Hayes  |
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| Statistics | |
| Ring name(s) | "Judo" Al Hayes Lord Alfred Hayes |
| Billed height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Billed weight | 239 lbs |
| Born | August 8, 1928 Windermere, England |
| Died | July 21, 2005 Dallas, Texas |
| Debut | 1950 |
| Retired | 1983 |
Alfred Hayes (August 8, 1928 – July 21, 2005) was a professional wrestler, manager, and later World Wrestling Federation commentator.
Born in Windermere, England, he was a sidekick to Vince McMahon on Tuesday Night Titans, a WWF-style talk show from 1984 to 1986. Hayes became familiar to WWF viewers as a light-spoken Englishman with an uproarious laugh. On TNT, Hayes usually was the victim of several slapsticks; including getting a face-full of powder, slopped with pumpkin-innards by Captain Lou Albano, nearly bitten by one of Hillbilly Jim's goats, and slapped in the face by "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. He would later become the introductory announcer on Prime Time Wrestling, on which he would give rousing and complimentary introductions to the face hosts and slightly less flattering but coolly worded intros to Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. He was once "taken hostage" from the show by Sgt Slaughter and his "Iraqi" allies.
Hayes appeared at WrestleMania in 1985 where he was kissed by The Fabulous Moolah. At WrestleMania 2, he served as commentator alongside Jesse "The Body" Ventura and Elvira for the Los Angeles portion of the event. For the Coliseum Video release of WrestleMania III, Hayes briefly appeared alongside Gorilla Monsoon in hype for the event. As the WWF's video library began to expand, Hayes became a mainstay in many of the releases; such as "Etiquette With Lord Alfred Hayes", a short segment on the WWF World Tour 1991 tape, where he attempted to teach table manners to Sensational Sherri and The Brooklyn Brawler. He later appeared on the video releases of WrestleMania VII, WrestleMania VIII and Royal Rumble 1993. He also appeared on some early episodes of Monday Night RAW. As a commentator, Hayes maintained his reserved mannerisms; though not specifically a heel, he would be quicker to give praise to heelish characters, though disapproving of underhanded methods (in one match, after being told by Gorilla Monsoon that the Hart Foundation had "broken every rule in the book," he replied with a conceding "yes, they've done that.") He would quietly absorb criticism and insults from heel commentators such as Heenan and the Honky Tonk man.
He ultimately retired from the WWF in 1995, after suffering a car accident. As a result of the accident, he suffered gangrene, and part of his leg had to be amputated. As a result, Hayes was confined to a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. He eventually suffered a series of strokes and died on July 21, 2005 at his home in Texas. Hayes was 76 years old. On the following episode of Monday Night RAW, the WWE paid tribute to Hayes with a ten bell salute and a video memorial.
His nickname was "His Lordship" and was often referred to as "Lord Alfred Hayes," and during his time as a wrestler he used a finishing move he called the Tower of London.
[edit] Championships and accomplishments
- British Championships
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- World Mid-Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
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- ESA International Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Mike Dubois
- National Wrestling Alliance
- Regional
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- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Central States version) (2 times) - with Bob Brown (1) and Roger Kirby (1)
- NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Big O
- NWA Western States Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Ricki Starr and Nick Kozak
- Quotes
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- "Promotional consideration paid for by the following."
