Jeff Gaylord

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Jeff Gaylord
An image of Jeff Gaylord.
Statistics
Ring name(s) "Missouri Tiger" Jeff Gaylord
Akeem Hassain
The Black Knight
The Hood
The New Spoiler
Billed height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Billed weight 280 lb (130 kg)
Born October 15, 1958 (1958-10-15) (age 49)
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Resides Kansas City, Missouri
Debut 1985
Retired 1997

Jeff Gaylord is a retired American professional wrestler who competed in North American regional and independent promotions including Bill Watts' Universal Wrestling Federation, World Class Championship Wrestling and the United States Wrestling Association during the late 1980s and 1990s, most notably as a frequent tag team partner of Jeff Jarrett. During the late 1990s, he was a member of "Psycho" Sid Vicious' The Psychos and, as Akeem Hassain, the USWA-faction of the Nation of Domination.

He also had a stint in the World Wrestling Federation making a one time appearance as The Black Knight at the 1993 Survivor Series [1] (although other sources have also claimed Glen Jacobs to have been the Black Knight). [2] [3] [4]

Contents

[edit] Career

[edit] Early life and career

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Gaylord played as a defensive lineman for the Missouri Tigers while attending the University of Missouri [5] and eventually became an All-American in 1981. [6]

Making his professional debut in 1985, he began wrestling in the Mid-South area for the Universal Wrestling Federation facing Timothy Flowers, Tarzan Goto and Kevin the Magnificent in February 1986. [7] During the summer, he also feuded with the Russian Team facing Ivan & Nikita Koloff and Korstia Korchenko in a 6-man tag team match with Ken Massey and Perry Jackson as well as with Perry Jackson and Brett Wayne Sawyer against Korchenko & The Blade Runners on June 8. He also teamed with Ken Massey against Rick Steiner & Jack Victory at the Tulsa Convention Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma on August 17, 1987. [8]

Facing Buddy Landell and The Angel of Death during the next few months, he later appeared on the UWF's Superdome Extravaganza supercard defeating Art Crews at The Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on November 27, 1986. [9] He would later lose to One Man Gang in the opening rounds of the UWF/PWI Tournament the following month. During the next year, he would face Eli the Eliminator and, with Jeff Raitz, against Sting & Rick Steiner. He would later lose to Rick Steiner in a singles match at the Sam Houston Coliseum on January 23, 1987. [10]

During 1989, Gaylord would also appear on WWF Wrestling Challenge teaming with Tim Horner against the Rougeau Brothers on April 16, before returning to World Class Championship Wrestling facing veterans such as Jimmy Jack Funk and Kerry Von Erich. [11]

[edit] From Dallas to Memphis

Wrestling for World Class Championship Wrestling as the masked wrestler The Hood during the late 1980s, [12] he would become a mainstay in the area and briefly feuded with Jeff Jarrett and Bill Dundee later teaming with "Stunning" Steve Austin, Gary Young and Skandor Akbar in an 8-man Texas Tornado match losing to Jeff Jarrett, Bill Dundee, Eric Embry and Percy Pringle in early 1990. [13]

However, he would soon begin teaming his former rival and defeated Brian Lee and Chuck Casey for the USWA Tag Team Championship on September 3, 1990. Feuding with Brian Lee and Don Harris over the titles, they would trade the tag team titles twice with Lee & Harris before finally losing the titles to Tony Anthony and Doug Gilbert on October 6. Participating in the USWA Heavyweight Championship Tournament two days later, he defeated Doug Gilbert in the opening rounds before losing to "Dirty" Dick Slater in the semi-finals on October 8. [14]

Defeating Matt Borne and King Cobra in January 1991, Gaylord briefly appearing in the Global Wrestling Federation. He participated in the GWF World Television Championship Tournament losing to Rasta the Voodoo Man in June 1991. [15] During the next two months, he would team with the Blue Avenger in the GWF World Tag Team Championship Tournament being eliminated by Bill Irwin & Johnny Ace [16] and, during the GWF North American Championship Tournament, lost to John Tatum in the opening rounds. [17]

During this time, he was involved in an altercation with Eddie Gilbert at a Dallas wrestling event in which Gaylord allegedly "sucker-punched" Gilbert during an argument in Gilbert's dressing room at the Dallas Sportatorium. The two began fighting, until it was broken up by Doug Gilbert who assaulted Gaylord with a Coke bottle. Although Gaylord had been speaking to Gilbert regarding the possibility of being booked in Gilbert's promotion, Gilbert claimed in a later shoot interview that Gaylord was paid $1,000 by a Northeastern promoter to assault him after Gilbert had failed to show up for an event. [18]

[edit] United States Wrestling Association

Returning to the Memphis area later that year, he lost to USWA Heavyweight Champion Jerry "The King" Lawler by disqualification on November 4 and, the following week, teamed with The Big O fighting to a double disqualification against Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee on November 11. After losing to Bill Dundee and The Spirit of America on November 18, Gaylord was absent from the promotion for several weeks before returning to face Jerry Lawler, fighting him several times during an event on December 28, 1991. [19]

Defeating The Candyman on January 6, he spent several months in the Puerto Rico-based Americas Wrestling Federation winning the AWF International Tag Team titles with Sunny Beach before returning later that year teaming with Mr. Hughes to defeat Jerry Lawler & Jeff Jarrett on September 21 and against Tony Williams & Robert Gibson on October 5. Returning to singles competition, he also defeated Tony Falk and Randy Rhodes before losing to Bill Dundee on October 26, 1992.

After he defeated Tony Williams in a rematch on November 2, he wrestled two matches in one night defeating Bart Sawyer and later teamed with USWA Southern Heavyweight Champion Brian Christopher losing to The American Eagles (Bill Dundee & Danny Davis) on November 9, 1992.

Suffering several losses to The American Eagles during the next few weeks, Gaylord teamed with Brian Christopher and The Masters of Terror (Ken Wayne and Ken Raper) in an 8-man tag-team match defeating The American Eagles, Danny Davis and Bill Dundee and later the USWA Tag Team Champions The Moondogs (Moondog Spot & Moondog Spike) by disqualification on November 30. Losing to The Moondogs in a tag team match with The Star Rider, he also lost to Tony DeNucci by disqualification on December 14. [20]

In January 1993, he lost singles matches to Tony DeNucci, Danny Davis and Scott Campione. Although defeating Danny Davis in a rematch on February 1, he later teamed with Doink the Clown in a losing effort against USWA Heavyweight Champion Jerry Lawler and USWA Southern Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett on February 8. He would appear on several house shows for the World Wrestling Federation wrestling Jerry Lawler at several house shows in early 1993.

Losing to Tom Prichard later that month, he later feuded with The Rock-N-Roll Phantom defeating him and The Nightstalker several times in April. Defeating Johnny Polo on May 10, he and Jarrett reunited to defeat Well Dunn (Timothy Well & Steven Dunn) by disqualification during the same event.

Feuding with C.W. Bergstrom during the next three months, Gaylord defeated Bergstrom in a "Strap On A Pole Match" on May 24 and again in a rematch on June 7 before losing to him on June 14. Losing to Bo Alexander and Tony Falk during the next several weeks, he was again defeated by C.W. Bergstrom on July 5, 1993.

Defeating Johnny Polo, The Hawk and Colin Scott during the summer, he later defeated Tony Falk in a rematch and, later during the event, teamed with Miss Texas & Ken Wayne in a mixed 6-man tag team match defeating to PG-13 & The Black Pussycat on September 6, 1993.

Defeating Wolfie D on September 13, although suffering a loss to Colin Scott on September 20, he also defeated Leon Downs and Jim Dodson before teaming with Mike Anthony to lose to The Moondogs (Moondog Spike & Moondog Cujo) on October 18. Entering the USWA Tag Team Championship Tournament several days later, he and Anthony again lost to The Moondogs on October 25. [21]

Defeating Paul Neighbors by disqualification, he later teamed with Mike Anthony & Del Rios in a 6-man tag team match defeating Paul Neighbors, Reggie B. Fine and Doomsday on November 8, 1993. He and Anthony would also defeat Phi Delta Slam and PG-13 several times later that month.

On November 24, he would also make a PPV appearance at the WWF's 1993 Survivor Series as The Black Knight along with The Red Knight & The Blue Knight [22] against the Hart family [23] and was later pinned by Owen Hart, becoming the first man eliminated. [24] Although originally scheduled to be captained by Jerry Lawler, Shawn Michaels was named as a last minute replacement due to Lawler's legal problems preventing him from appearing with the WWF. [1]

Returning to the USWA, he and Mike Anthony defeated PG-13 for the USWA Tag Team Championship on November 29 although they would lose the titles a week later to The War Machines on December 6, 1993. [25]

Losing to Doug Gilbert on January 3, he managed to defeat Del Rios however he later lost to Skull Von Crush on January 24 and fought to a time limit draw with Reggie B. Fine on January 31.

After a loss to Koko B. Ware on February 7, he teamed with Spellbinder and King Cobra defeating Skull Von Crush & The Nightmares at the supercard Memphis Memories on March 7 and later defeated Skull Von Crush on March 14. Teaming with Robert Gibson, Gaylord lost to Well Dunn on March 21 and, defeating Ken Wayne by disqualification on March 28, he teamed with Ricky Morton and Spellbinder to defeat Ken Wayne, Skull Von Crush and Leon Downs in a 6-man tag team match later that night.

Defeating The Moondogs by disqualification in a tag team match with Don Bass on April 4, he and Spellbinder later lost to Bad Breed (Ian Rotten & Axl Rotten) on April 11 and to The Eliminators during the USWA Tag Team Championship Tournament on April 23. Losing to Moondog Rex on May 2, he and the Spellbinder began feuding after losing to The Eliminators on June 6 and faced each other in several singles matches during the month. Defeating Bull Pain, Leon Downs and Tony Falk in early July, he won a battle royal on July 25 before losing to Sid Vicious later that night. He would later team with King Kong Bundy losing to Sid Vicious amd Spike Huber on August 1, 1994.

Continuing his feud with Spellbinder as well as Spike Huber during the next several weeks, he eventually lost to Spellbinder on September 19. After being eliminated by Perry Saturn in the USWA Heavyweight Championship Tournament on October 3, he would also defeat Tony Williams before losing to Spellbinder on October 17, 1994.

Feuding with The Phantoms during late 1994, he defeated Phantom Sorrow on November 14 and, with King Cobra & Miss Texas, defeated Fantasia & The Phantoms in a mixed 6-man tag team match on November 21. [26]

Remaining with the promotion during its last years, he lost to The Gambler by disqualification in his last appearance on May 15, 1995. [27]

[edit] Later career

After leaving the USWA, Gaylord began wrestling for the American Wrestling Federation and later teamed with The Warlord fighting to a double disqualification with Hercules Hernandez & Mr. Hughes. This would later allow several other teams to advance to the second round including "Wildfire" Tommy Rich & Greg "The Hammer" Valentine eventually going on to defeat Koko B. Ware & "Mr. USA" Tony Atlas in the tournament finals. [28]

[edit] Championships and accomplishments

  • Americas Wrestling Federation
    • AWF International Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Sunny Beach
  • Pro Wrestling Illustrated
    • PWI ranked him # 83 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1991.
    • PWI ranked him # 193 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1992.
    • PWI ranked him # 211 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1993.
    • PWI ranked him # 282 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1994.
    • PWI ranked him # 214 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1995.
    • PWI ranked him # 267 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1996.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Keith, Scott; Paul Nemur and Luke Michael (2002). Pro Wrestling FAQ: Shawn Michaels. WrestleView.com.
  2. ^ Keith, Scott (1998-09-11). Pro Wrestling FAQ & Resource Guide: 7.11) Who were the masked Knights at Survivor Series 1993?. Montevallo.edu.
  3. ^ Scia, Rick (2003-09-08). Online Onslaught: RAW, More on Kane, TNA, and Other Monday Material. OnlineOnslaught.com.
  4. ^ Dunn, J.D. (2006-11-15). Dunn's Countdown to Survivor Series: Survivor Series 1993. 411mania.com.
  5. ^ DeArmond, Mike. "Grandma, aunt, mom passed on lots of fire to MU coach". Kansas City Star. 01 Oct 1999
  6. ^ Goforth, Alan. Tales from the Missouri Tigers. Champagnie, Illinois: Sports Publishing LLC, 2003. (pg. 189) ISBN 1-58261-619-1
  7. ^ Geigel, Bob; Harley Race (2005-05-06). February 1986. HarleyRace.com.
  8. ^ Card Results: Universal Wrestling Federation. The Oklahoma Wrestling Fan's Resource Center.
  9. ^ Superdome Extravaganza 11/86. ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  10. ^ Card Results: Universal Wrestling Federation.
  11. ^ WCCW Results 1989. Oldschool-Wrestling.com (2006-10-14). Archived from the original on 2007-08-28.
  12. ^ Dananay, John; John Nord. WCCW Frequently Asked Questions: Who was (insert masked wrestler's name here)?. World Class Memories. Retrieved on 2007-04-03.
  13. ^ Brown, Sydney (2004-08-22). Down With The Brown: Steve Austin & Mick Foley - The Early Years. 411wrestling.com.
  14. ^ Mid-South Coliseum 1990 (Jarrett). ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  15. ^ GWF TV Title Tournament 1991. ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  16. ^ GWF Tag Team Title Tournament 1991. ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  17. ^ GWF North American Title Tournament 1991. ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  18. ^ Beard, James. "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert. EddieGilbert.com.
  19. ^ Mid-South Coliseum 1991 (Jarrett). ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  20. ^ Mid-South Coliseum 1992 (Jarrett). ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  21. ^ USWA Tag Title Tournament 1993. ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  22. ^ Gaworecki, David (2005-04-14). World Wrestling Entertainment Substitutions. American Wrestling Trivia.
  23. ^ Meltzer, Dave. Tributes II: Remembering More of the World's Greatest Wrestlers. Champaigne, Illinois: Sports Publishing LLC, 2004. (pg. 10) ISBN 1-58261-817-8
  24. ^ Karlsson, Peter (2005-04-10). Survivor Series 1993. American Wrestling Trivia.
  25. ^ Mid-South Coliseum 1993 (Jarrett). ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  26. ^ Mid-South Coliseum 1994 (Jarrett). ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  27. ^ Mid-South Coliseum 1995 (Jarrett). ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  28. ^ AWF Tag Team Title Tournament 1995. ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  29. ^ U.S.W.A. World Tag Team Title. Puroresu Dojo (2003).

[edit] External links

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