| Lanny Kean | |
|---|---|
Kean as "Big Daddy Cyrus" in Memphis in 1995. |
|
| Ring name(s) | Moondog Cujo[1] Moondog Splat[2] Hillbilly Cousin Junior[1] Lanny Kean[1] Ox Brody[1] Big Daddy Cyrus[1] |
| Born | April 19, 1960 Jamestown, Kentucky, United States |
| Died | January 13, 2009 (aged 48) Franklin, Indiana |
| Debut | 1983[1] |
Lanny Neal Kean, Jr. (March 19, 1960 – January 13, 2009) was an American professional wrestler. He competed under several ring names, including Moondog Cujo and Cousin Junior. He died of a heart attack on January 13, 2009.[1]
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In 1983, Kean made his professional wrestling debut in Kentucky, where he competed as "Luscious" Lanny Kean. Two years later, he was brought into the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as Cousin Junior, a member of the Hillbilly family.[3] The kayfabe (storyline) family used the gimmick of unintelligent rural Southerners and performed square dances in the ring.[4][5] They feuded with some of the WWF's top wrestlers, including Jesse Ventura, Bob Orton, Jr., and Roddy Piper.[5] Kean's character was based upon Jethro Bodine from The Beverly Hillbillies, who Jimmy Hart, a manager in the company, suggested he emulate.[3]
Kean was later replaced by Gene Petit, who competed as Cousin Luke. The reason for Kean's departure from the WWF is unclear. Hillbilly Jim, the leader of the Hillbilly family, has stated that Kean "went crazy". The true reason behind his dismissal is often thought to be drug abuse.[3] Kean later competed in the Continental Wrestling Association, an affiliate of the American Wrestling Association (AWA), under the name Hillbilly Junior. He formed a tag team with Stan Frazier, who had been a member of the WWF's Hillbilly family as Uncle Elmer but used the name Giant Hillbilly in the AWA. They won the AWA Southern Tag Team Championship on August 30, 1986 by defeating the MOD Squad.[6]
He next joined the United States Wrestling Association (USWA), where he was a member of the Moondogs under the name Moondog Cujo.[3] Later, he was renamed Big Daddy Cyrus and feuded with Jerry Lawler, who held the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship.[1][7] He formed a tag team with Crusher Bones in 1995.[1] In 1997, Dutch Mantel gave Kean the ring name "Bloody" Ox Brody, which was a tribute to Ox Baker and Bruiser Brody.[1][3]
Kean took several years off of wrestling but decided to return to competition as Moondog Cujo. In one match on April 27, 2007 after his comeback, Moondog Cujo Managed by Sal Corrente defeated The Barbarian in a Hardcore match in Memphis Wrestling.[1] He also resumed his feud with Lawler.[3]
Kean lived in Jamestown, Kentucky with his fiancee Sandra Deel. He had a daughter named Crystal. On January 13, 2009, Kean died of a heart attack in Franklin, Indiana at age 48.[1][3]