Joe Blanchard
| Joe Blanchard | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | Joesph Edgar Blanchard |
| Born |
December 7, 1928 Haskell, Oklahoma |
| Died |
March 22, 2012 (aged 83) San Antonio, Texas |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Joe Blanchard, Joltin' Joe |
| Billed height | 6' |
| Billed weight | 225 lb (102 kg). |
Joseph Edgar Blanchard (December 7, 1928 – March 22, 2012) was an American football player, professional wrestler and promoter. His son is former Four Horseman wrestler Tully Blanchard.[1]
Biography
Football
He played his first three seasons for the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League, eventually playing the Grey Cup in 1952.[2] His last football season was with the Calgary Stampeders in 1954.
Pro Wrestling
In 1953, Blanchard made his debut in pro wrestling in Calgary for Stampede Wrestling. Within all the territories he wrestled, he had the most success in Hawaii (twice winning the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship with Lord James Blears) and in Texas (twice winning the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship). In 1978, Blanchard founded Southwest Championship Wrestling in San Antonio, where he retired from active competition later that year after 25 years. Blanchard ran the promotion until selling it Fred Behrend in April 1985, changing its name to Texas All-Star Wrestling. In 1989, he joined the American Wrestling Association, replacing Stanley Blackburn as President of the company. He would remain with the promotion until its closure in 1991.
Championship and Accomplishments
- George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Class of 2016[3]
- NWA Mid-Pacific Promotions
- NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Lord James Blears
Death
Joe Blanchard died of squamous-cell carcinoma on March 22, 2012. He was 83.[1]
References
- 1 2 "Former wrestler Joe Blanchard dead at 83". My San Antonio. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
- ↑ "Eskimos mourn passing of Joe Blanchard at 84". MetroNews Canada. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
- ↑ "Bob Backlund announced for 2016 Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2016-02-10.