Rusty Brooks

Kurt Koski (born February 7, 1958) is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Rusty Brooks. He has competed in several North American independent promotions, including International World Class Championship Wrestling, Florida Championship Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance. He also appeared in the World Wrestling Federation during the mid-1980s as a preliminary wrestler.

Early years

Trained by "Gentleman" Jim Isler and Boris Malenko, he later operated the "School of Hard Knocks" wrestling school with Malenko in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Students trained in the school include Chasyn Rance, Luna Vachon, Maximum Capacity, Billy Fives, Gangrel and Norman Smiley. Although Koski is still the owner, former students Flex Magnum, Big Daddy Gonzo and J.J. Kodiak run the day-to-day operations in Hollywood, Florida. Koski is also the father of Jeff "J-Dawg" Brooks, who wrestles on the independent circuit in Florida.

A former foolball player for North Texas State, Brooks made his wrestling debut in Buddy Gilbert's World Wrestling Association against Steve Brody on October 31, 1982. Within two years, he signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), facing many of the top stars in the company including Tony Parisi, Junkyard Dog, Ricky Steamboat and then World Champion Hulk Hogan, as well as then-World Tag Team Champions Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo and the British Bulldogs. Brooks however, became a pure jobber, Brooks teamed with fellow preliminary wrestlers Steve Lombardi, Barry O, and Mr. X, and Brooks scored upset wins over Lombardi, Orton, and Mr. X shortly thereafter.

Independents

After leaving the WWF in late-1985, he competed on the independent circuit, including a stint in International Championship Wrestling as Super Duper Mario. He spent the next decade in various independent promotions, where he won several tag team titles with Dr. Red Roberts, Matt Otto, Jumbo Baretta, "Pretty Boy" Aldo Lane (Ricky Santana), Soulman Alex G. and Gangrel. From 1986 to 1987, he competed in Florida for Global Championship Wrestling, capturing the Global tag team titles with Jumbo Barretta from Dean and Joe Malenko. Brooks and Barretta were managed by wrestling veteran Ox Baker and later Boris Malenko. They feuded with The Soul Patrol and Malenko brothers.

He later met with success while wrestling for Future of Wrestling, where he won the heavyweight and hardcore titles during the late 1990s and was named "Wrestler of the Year" by FOW. In 2001, he began teaming with Bobby Brooks as The Brooks' and later The Masked Assassins in FOW and the Independent Professional Wrestling Association. During his time in southern Florida, he also faced Hack Meyers and former WWF wrestlers Barry Horowitz and Greg "The Hammer" Valentine before his retirement in 2002.

On July 31, 2004, Brooks refereed a match during the HCW Incredible 8 Tournament in Davie, Florida. He called a bout between his son, Jeff "J-Dawg" Brooks and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling/Ring of Honor competitor Jimmy Rave. On February 4, 2006, he was honored by Nick Mayberry with an HCW Award, along with three other Florida wrestling legends.

Life after retirement

Currently, Rusty Brooks is the Commissioner of L.I.V.E. Pro Wrestling. He is also the former Director of Authority for Independent Championship Wrestling and has also managed a few of his students in the now defunct Division 1 Pro Wrestling (D1PW). He has since passed his academy to son, J-Dawg Brooks. Other stars that have trained at Brooks' wrestling academy include: MVP, Bruno Sassi, Soulman Alex G., Barry Houston, Jeff "J-Dawg" Brooks, Big Daddy Gonzo, Gangrel, Luna Vachon, Kassidy, Angel Rose and others.

Personal life

Rusty Brooks is currently undergoing kidney dialysis treatments at Davita Kidney Center in South Florida but has opened up The School of Hard Knocks once again and has independent wrestlers such as Soul Man Alex G, Jeff "J-Dawg" Brooks, and Chasyn Rance come by and help with the students.

In wrestling

• Finishing moves
  • Rusty Bomb (Corner slingshot splash)

• Signature moves
  • Double underhook suplex
  • Spinning toe hold

Championships and accomplishments

• Future of Wrestling

• FOW Hardcore Championship (1 time)
• FOW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

• Other titles

• WWA Atlantic Coast Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• DSWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• IPWA Southern Heavyweight Champion (1 time)
• IPWA Brass Knuckles Championship (1 time)

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated

• PWI ranked him # 391 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1993

External links

• Rusty Brooks, official website
• Online World of Wrestling: Rusty Brooks
• L.I.V.E. Pro Wrestling
• Independent Championship Wrestling