Brick Bronsky
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey "Jeff" Beltzner (born 1964), also known by his ring name Brick Bronsky, is an American actor, film producer, professional wrestler and sports promoter. He gained particular notoriety for starring in a string of films for Troma Studios
during the early-1990s, most notably, in Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.
(1990), Class of Nuke 'Em High 2: Subhumanoid Meltdown
(1991), and Class of Nuke 'Em High 3: The Good, the Bad and the Subhumanoid
(1994); he also had a small role in Jean-Claude Van Damme
's The Quest
(1996).
Beltzner was a bodybuilder prior to entering pro wrestling. He won a number of power lifting competitions in Pennsylvania
and the Tri-State area as a teenager and qualified for the Mr. America
bodybuilding competition after becoming Mr. Teen-age Pennsylvania in 1984. He eventually turned to professional wrestling after graduating from Pennsylvania State University
and spent the late-1980s in Canada where he achieved some success wrestling for Stu Hart
in Calgary Stampede Wrestling
. He was among the small group of wrestlers trained by Mr. Hito and widely considered the strongest wrestler in the territory at the time.
Following the close of Stampede Wrestling, and the subsequent collapse of the NWA territory system, at the end of the decade, Beltzner returned to his home state where he became a mainstay for local independent promotions
throughout the 1990s. He often teamed with Doug Flex during his wrestling career and, along with manager G.Q. Bronsky, were collectively known as The Brat Pack; he and Flex later ran the Harrisburg
-based International Pro Wrestling together from 1996 until 2004. He and Flex expanded into other areas of sports promotion and, in 1992, they organized the first boxing matches held in the Lehigh Valley region
in nearly ten years.
and attended Parkland High School
where he became interested in bodybuilding
and later won state and tri-state power lifting competitions. In 1984, Beltzner won the Mr. Teen-age Pennsylvania bodybuilding contest. This qualified him for the Mr. America
contest, however, Beltzner declined to participate in the event. "I just wasn't interested," he recalled in an interview years later "To me it's not a sport; it's a male beauty contest."
He went on to graduate from Pennsylvania State University
with a degree in health and physical education. It was at Penn State that he met his future tag team partner Doug Flex. Both men shared a mutual interest in bodybuilding
and professional wrestling
and would eventually enter the business together. Following his graduation, he worked as a child-care worker for the Lehigh County Detention Home before enrolling in a wrestling camp run by Brad Rheingans
, a champion amateur wrestler and competitor at the 1976 Summer Olympics
. Beltzner subsequently traveled to Canada
where he wrestled as "Mr. Canada" for the next 2 and-a-half years; Doug Flex later claimed that "Jeff was as popular as Hulk Hogan is in the United States". He was most visible in Stu Hart
's Stampede Wrestling
in Calgary
, often appearing on its weekly television program, and was "probably the strongest guy in the territory at the time". He received additional training from Mr. Hito, joining him in several six-man matches, and faced many of the toughest Stampede veterans such as Bad News Allen
, Gerry Morrow, "Great" Gama Singh
and Steve DiSalvo
in late-1987 and 1988. According to Dave Meltzer
, Beltzner was once ordered to "shoot
" on another young wrestler, Brian Pillman
, during a live match. After sucker punching Pillman, and "knock[ing] Pillman to the deck", his opponent "got up and tore him to shreds, but suffered a torn triceps in the melee". Pillman left the promotion shortly after this incident.
Beltzner too soon returned to the United States and, at age 22, began working for the World Wrestling Federation. He was mainly used as a preliminary wrestler at various house shows, however, he did make an appearance on the May 4th 1989 edition of WWF Challenge where he and Terry Daniels lost to The Brain Busters
(Arn Anderson
& Tully Blanchard
) at the War Memorial in Syracuse, New York
. He was eventually offered a contract after six months. Unhappy with his experience in the WWF, he declined the offer. Critical of the sports entertainment aspect of the organization he later commented the "WWF was a big letdown. Competition is completely eliminated. There's a lot more to professional wrestling than the phoney stuff you see on TV."
Both men were also involved in volunteer work with local youths in the Lehighton area during this time and counseled high school students across the United States about the dangers of drug and steroid abuse. The two would often give lectures at the local high schools of wherever they were wrestling and would donate to a local charity if the promoters received a fee for their appearance. They had both used steroids for several years before serious health risks and side effects forced them to stop. After five years of steroid use, Beltzner developed degenerative connective tissue disease and eventually tore the short head of his biceps off the bone.
experienced a surge in popularity due in part to creating its own stars by such as Mitch Cohen (The Toxic Avenger
) and Rick Gianasi (Sgt. Kabukiman). As its financial troubles worsened in the early-1990s, however, Lloyd Kaufman
attempted to recreate his earlier success in the form of Jeff Beltzner and later Jane Jensen (Tromeo and Juliet
). Beltzner would become the lead star in the Class of Nuke 'Em High
series.
His first film role was in Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.
(1990) in which he had a standout role as the thug-for-hire "Jughead". The following year he starred in Class of Nuke 'Em High 2: Subhumanoid Meltdown
(1991), alongside co-star Leesa Rowland, as student journalist Roger Smith. Though the film received mixed reviews, Beltzner's performance gained favorable receptions from critics.
, Shenandoah
, Scranton
, Bethlehem
, Allentown
and Reading, Pennsylvania
for 9-12 bouts. These were the first boxing matches held in the area since October 1984. They also held a wrestling show at the gym on March 22 to raise money for the Carbon County Association of Retarded Citizens. Flex faced Satanic Warrior
while Beltzner wrestled Morgus the Maniac
. The card also featured wrestlers from the Wrestling Independent Network and independent wrestlers including The Cheetah Kid
, J.T. Smith and Cream Team (Dino Casanova & Rip Sawyer
).
That summer, he and Flex became involved in a local zoning controversy involving their gym. On August 17, local building inspector Peter Kropf sent a certified letter to Keith Boyer and the four people leasing the building that the building had numerous violations and that Boyers had 45 days to bring it into compliance with state and local codes or face daily fines of up to $1,000. Kropf also claimed that Boyer never secured a necessary permit when he opened a gym in the former silk mill in 1983. The three-story brick building housed a furniture-stripping business as well as the gym. Town officials raised concerns that the building may be unsafe, such as the absence of proper fire exits, to accommodate the hundreds of people that the gym was bringing in on the weekends. Flex was the first to sign and acknowledge the town's letter.
series, Class of Nuke 'Em High 3: The Good, the Bad and the Subhumanoid
(1994). In what would be his last feature film for Troma Studios, he played not only the character of Roger Smith but those of his twin sons, Adlai and Dick Smith. That same year, with fellow professional wrestler Tony Halme
, he also had a minor role in Joe Coppoletta's independent action film Death Match (1994) starring Ian Jacklin, Martin Kove
and Matthias Hues
. Two years later, he appeared in Jean-Claude Van Damme
's The Quest
(1996).
. It was there that they formed the heel stable "The Brat Pack" with Beltzner's "younger brother" and manager G.Q. Bronsky. The trio eventually made appearances in other promotions throughout the Northeastern United States
. Beltzner himself would feud with "Handsome" Frank Stalletto
in both IPW and American Commonweath Wrestling before becoming the promotion's first heavyweight champion on November 30, 1996, in New Britain, Connecticut
by defeating Dave Powers in a one-night tournament.
Beltzner was one of the top stars of the promotion during its run and his fans called themselves the "Brick Clique". He remained champion for over a year and defended the title against a number of independent stars including Frank Staletto and 911; while champion, he was the first man to draw blood
from 911. On December 5, 1997, Beltzner lost the title to King Kong Bundy
in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
after G.Q. Bronsky turned on Beltzner by hitting him with a steel chair and causing the break up of "The Brat Pack".
on Troma's Edge TV. He also began producing his own film projects with independent film studio Evolving Pictures Entertainment. As vice president of the studio, he was the executive producer
on Love Conquers Paul (2002) and Where's Angelo? (2003), and starred in Spin Cycle (2004). As of 2011, he has been attached as a co-producer to its latest film Mad Monster Party.
Troma Entertainment
Troma Entertainment is an American independent film production and distribution company founded by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz in 1974.The company produces low-budget independent movies that play on 1950s horror with elements of farce...
during the early-1990s, most notably, in Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.
Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.
Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. is a 1990 comedic superhero film directed by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz and distributed by Troma Entertainment.-Synopsis:...
(1990), Class of Nuke 'Em High 2: Subhumanoid Meltdown
Class of Nuke 'Em High 2: Subhumanoid Meltdown
Class of Nuke 'Em High Part II: Subhumanoid Meltdown is a 1991 sequel to the 1986 minor-hit Class of Nuke 'Em High. Notably there are no characters carried over from the first film .-Plot:Tromaville's nuclear reactor has been rebuilt and the Nukamama Corporation...
(1991), and Class of Nuke 'Em High 3: The Good, the Bad and the Subhumanoid
Class of Nuke 'Em High 3: The Good, the Bad and the Subhumanoid
The Class of Nuke 'Em High 3: The Good, the Bad and the Subhumanoid is a 1994 comedy, horror, science-fiction film directed by Eric Louzil and distributed by Troma Entertainment.-Plot:...
(1994); he also had a small role in Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg , professionally known as Jean-Claude Van Damme, is a Belgian martial artist and actor, best known for his martial arts action films, the most successful of which include Bloodsport , Kickboxer , Double Impact , Universal Soldier , Hard Target , Timecop ,...
's The Quest
The Quest (film)
The Quest is a 1996 American martial arts action film written and directed by Jean-Claude Van Damme. The film starred Van Damme, Roger Moore, Janet Gunn, and James Remar. The film is Van Damme's directorial debut. The plot revolves around an international martial arts tournament, with a storyline...
(1996).
Beltzner was a bodybuilder prior to entering pro wrestling. He won a number of power lifting competitions in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and the Tri-State area as a teenager and qualified for the Mr. America
Mr. America
Mr. America may refer to:* AAU Mr. America, bodybuilding contest held by the Amateur Athletic Union from 1939 onwards* IFBB Mr. America, bodybuilding contest held by the International Federation of BodyBuilders in 1949 and 1959-1988...
bodybuilding competition after becoming Mr. Teen-age Pennsylvania in 1984. He eventually turned to professional wrestling after graduating from Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
and spent the late-1980s in Canada where he achieved some success wrestling for Stu Hart
Stu Hart
Stewart Edward "Stu" Hart, CM was a Canadian amateur wrestler, professional wrestler, promoter and trainer. Hart founded Stampede Wrestling, a promotion based in Calgary, Alberta, and was the father of famous wrestlers Bret and Owen Hart...
in Calgary Stampede Wrestling
Stampede Wrestling
Stampede Wrestling is a Canadian professional wrestling promotion based in Calgary, Alberta and was for nearly 50 years one of the main promotions in western Canada and the Canadian Prairies...
. He was among the small group of wrestlers trained by Mr. Hito and widely considered the strongest wrestler in the territory at the time.
Following the close of Stampede Wrestling, and the subsequent collapse of the NWA territory system, at the end of the decade, Beltzner returned to his home state where he became a mainstay for local independent promotions
Independent circuit
In professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indy circuit refers to the many independent promotions which are much smaller than major televised promotions. They are roughly analagous to a minor league for pro wrestling, or community or regional theatre.Specific promotions on the...
throughout the 1990s. He often teamed with Doug Flex during his wrestling career and, along with manager G.Q. Bronsky, were collectively known as The Brat Pack; he and Flex later ran the Harrisburg
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
-based International Pro Wrestling together from 1996 until 2004. He and Flex expanded into other areas of sports promotion and, in 1992, they organized the first boxing matches held in the Lehigh Valley region
Lehigh Valley
The Lehigh Valley, known officially by the United States Census Bureau as the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan area and referred to locally as The Valley and A-B-E, is a metropolitan region consisting of Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, and Carbon counties in eastern Pennsylvania and...
in nearly ten years.
Early life and wrestling career
Jeff Beltzner was born in Bethlehem, PennsylvaniaBethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem is a city in Lehigh and Northampton Counties in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 74,982, making it the seventh largest city in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie,...
and attended Parkland High School
Parkland High School (Allentown, Pennsylvania)
Parkland High School, located near Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States, is a public high school serving students in grades 9 to 12. It is the only high school for the Parkland School District....
where he became interested in bodybuilding
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
and later won state and tri-state power lifting competitions. In 1984, Beltzner won the Mr. Teen-age Pennsylvania bodybuilding contest. This qualified him for the Mr. America
Mr. America
Mr. America may refer to:* AAU Mr. America, bodybuilding contest held by the Amateur Athletic Union from 1939 onwards* IFBB Mr. America, bodybuilding contest held by the International Federation of BodyBuilders in 1949 and 1959-1988...
contest, however, Beltzner declined to participate in the event. "I just wasn't interested," he recalled in an interview years later "To me it's not a sport; it's a male beauty contest."
He went on to graduate from Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
with a degree in health and physical education. It was at Penn State that he met his future tag team partner Doug Flex. Both men shared a mutual interest in bodybuilding
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
and professional wrestling
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
and would eventually enter the business together. Following his graduation, he worked as a child-care worker for the Lehigh County Detention Home before enrolling in a wrestling camp run by Brad Rheingans
Brad Rheingans
Brad Rheingans is a former Greco-Roman and professional wrestler.-Career:Rheingans was an NCAA champion in 1975 for North Dakota State University and wrestled in the 1976 Olympics, placing fourth...
, a champion amateur wrestler and competitor at the 1976 Summer Olympics
1976 Summer Olympics
The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
. Beltzner subsequently traveled to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
where he wrestled as "Mr. Canada" for the next 2 and-a-half years; Doug Flex later claimed that "Jeff was as popular as Hulk Hogan is in the United States". He was most visible in Stu Hart
Stu Hart
Stewart Edward "Stu" Hart, CM was a Canadian amateur wrestler, professional wrestler, promoter and trainer. Hart founded Stampede Wrestling, a promotion based in Calgary, Alberta, and was the father of famous wrestlers Bret and Owen Hart...
's Stampede Wrestling
Stampede Wrestling
Stampede Wrestling is a Canadian professional wrestling promotion based in Calgary, Alberta and was for nearly 50 years one of the main promotions in western Canada and the Canadian Prairies...
in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, often appearing on its weekly television program, and was "probably the strongest guy in the territory at the time". He received additional training from Mr. Hito, joining him in several six-man matches, and faced many of the toughest Stampede veterans such as Bad News Allen
Allen Coage
Allen James Coage was an American professional wrestler with the WWF and Stampede Wrestling among many other companies, better known by his ring names Bad News Brown and Bad News Allen. He was also the 1976 Olympic bronze medal winner in judo, in the heavyweight division...
, Gerry Morrow, "Great" Gama Singh
Gadowar Singh Sahota
Gadowar Singh Sahota is a professional wrestler known as Gama Singh. Sahota eventually wound up in Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling in Calgary. Sahota worked Kuwait, Dubai, Oman, Australia, and Hawaii for Vince McMahon and the WWF from 1980-86...
and Steve DiSalvo
Steve DiSalvo
Steve DiSalvo is a retired professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with the WCW as The Minotaur and his short run in WWF as Sadistic Steve.-Career:...
in late-1987 and 1988. According to Dave Meltzer
Dave Meltzer
David A. Meltzer is the editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Sports Illustrated senior writer Frank Deford has praised Meltzer's work, saying that "Meltzer, I believe, is the most accomplished reporter in sports journalism." Meltzer has written for the Oakland Tribune, the Los Angeles...
, Beltzner was once ordered to "shoot
Shoot (professional wrestling)
A shoot in professional wrestling is a term that refers to any unplanned, unscripted or real-life occurrence within a wrestling event. Contrary to popular belief, the name does not originate from "shooting in" for a takedown, as in amateur wrestling - rather it is a carny term shortened from...
" on another young wrestler, Brian Pillman
Brian Pillman
Brian William Pillman was an American football player and professional wrestler best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation, Extreme Championship Wrestling, and World Championship Wrestling....
, during a live match. After sucker punching Pillman, and "knock[ing] Pillman to the deck", his opponent "got up and tore him to shreds, but suffered a torn triceps in the melee". Pillman left the promotion shortly after this incident.
Beltzner too soon returned to the United States and, at age 22, began working for the World Wrestling Federation. He was mainly used as a preliminary wrestler at various house shows, however, he did make an appearance on the May 4th 1989 edition of WWF Challenge where he and Terry Daniels lost to The Brain Busters
Brain Busters
The Brain Busters was the World Wrestling Federation name for the professional wrestling tag team of Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard. Anderson and Blanchard adopted this name after joining the WWF in 1988 from Jim Crockett Promotions, where the two men had wrestled as part of the Four Horsemen...
(Arn Anderson
Arn Anderson
Martin Anthony Lunde better known by his ring name Arn Anderson, is a former American professional wrestler and author. His career has been highlighted by his alliances with Ric Flair and various members of the wrestling stable, The Four Horsemen, in the NWA/WCW...
& Tully Blanchard
Tully Blanchard
Tully Arthur Blanchard is a semi-retired second generation American professional wrestler. He is best known as an original member of the Four Horsemen....
) at the War Memorial in Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
. He was eventually offered a contract after six months. Unhappy with his experience in the WWF, he declined the offer. Critical of the sports entertainment aspect of the organization he later commented the "WWF was a big letdown. Competition is completely eliminated. There's a lot more to professional wrestling than the phoney stuff you see on TV."
Partnership with Doug Flex
Beltzner reunited with his college friend Doug Flex, who had made his wrestling debut the previous year, and won a number of tag team titles in the NWA's Mid-Atlantic territory and elsewhere including the Canadian International Tag Team Championship in 1988 and 1989, the Galaxy Wrestling Federation Tag Team Championship in 1990 and the North American Wrestling Federation Tag Team Championship in 1991.Both men were also involved in volunteer work with local youths in the Lehighton area during this time and counseled high school students across the United States about the dangers of drug and steroid abuse. The two would often give lectures at the local high schools of wherever they were wrestling and would donate to a local charity if the promoters received a fee for their appearance. They had both used steroids for several years before serious health risks and side effects forced them to stop. After five years of steroid use, Beltzner developed degenerative connective tissue disease and eventually tore the short head of his biceps off the bone.
Troma Studios
In the 1980s, Troma StudiosTroma Entertainment
Troma Entertainment is an American independent film production and distribution company founded by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz in 1974.The company produces low-budget independent movies that play on 1950s horror with elements of farce...
experienced a surge in popularity due in part to creating its own stars by such as Mitch Cohen (The Toxic Avenger
The Toxic Avenger
The Toxic Avenger is a 1984 comedy horror film released by Troma Entertainment, known for producing low budget B-movies with campy concepts. Virtually ignored upon its first release, The Toxic Avenger caught on with filmgoers after a long and successful midnight movie engagement at the famed...
) and Rick Gianasi (Sgt. Kabukiman). As its financial troubles worsened in the early-1990s, however, Lloyd Kaufman
Lloyd Kaufman
Lloyd Kaufman is an American film director, producer, screenwriter and occasional actor. With producer Michael Herz, he is the co-founder of Troma Entertainment film studio, and the director of many of their feature films, including The Toxic Avenger and Tromeo and Juliet. Kaufman also serves as...
attempted to recreate his earlier success in the form of Jeff Beltzner and later Jane Jensen (Tromeo and Juliet
Tromeo and Juliet
Tromeo and Juliet is a 1996 independent transgressive comedy film adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet from Troma Entertainment...
). Beltzner would become the lead star in the Class of Nuke 'Em High
Class of Nuke 'Em High
Class of Nuke 'Em High, also known as Atomic High School, is a 1986 film made by cult classic B-movie production group Troma Entertainment. It was directed by Richard W. Haines and Lloyd Kaufman under the pseudonym Samuel Weil...
series.
His first film role was in Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.
Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.
Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. is a 1990 comedic superhero film directed by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz and distributed by Troma Entertainment.-Synopsis:...
(1990) in which he had a standout role as the thug-for-hire "Jughead". The following year he starred in Class of Nuke 'Em High 2: Subhumanoid Meltdown
Class of Nuke 'Em High 2: Subhumanoid Meltdown
Class of Nuke 'Em High Part II: Subhumanoid Meltdown is a 1991 sequel to the 1986 minor-hit Class of Nuke 'Em High. Notably there are no characters carried over from the first film .-Plot:Tromaville's nuclear reactor has been rebuilt and the Nukamama Corporation...
(1991), alongside co-star Leesa Rowland, as student journalist Roger Smith. Though the film received mixed reviews, Beltzner's performance gained favorable receptions from critics.
Sports promotion
Beltzner and Flex began promoting sporting events from their Lehighton gym The Racquet and Fitness Factory in early-1992. On February 9, 1992, they also held their first boxing card featuring the Twin Mountain Boxing Club of Bowmanstown as well as clubs from LebanonLebanon, Pennsylvania
Lebanon, formerly known as Steitztown, is a city in and the county seat of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 25,477 at the 2010 census, a 4.2% increase from the 2000 count of 24,461...
, Shenandoah
Shenandoah, Pennsylvania
Shenandoah is a small town located in the lower part of the anthracite Coal Region, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. It is northwest of Philadelphia. The Greater Shenandoah area includes Shenandoah Heights, which is part of West Mahanoy Township and is located just north of Shenandoah.-History:The...
, Scranton
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Scranton is a city in the northeastern part of Pennsylvania, United States. It is the county seat of Lackawanna County and the largest principal city in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area. Scranton had a population of 76,089 in 2010, according to the U.S...
, Bethlehem
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem is a city in Lehigh and Northampton Counties in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 74,982, making it the seventh largest city in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie,...
, Allentown
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the 215th largest city in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 118,032 and is currently...
and Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, and seat of Berks County. Reading is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area and had a population of 88,082 as of the 2010 census, making it the fifth most populated city in the state after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie,...
for 9-12 bouts. These were the first boxing matches held in the area since October 1984. They also held a wrestling show at the gym on March 22 to raise money for the Carbon County Association of Retarded Citizens. Flex faced Satanic Warrior
Doug Stahl
Douglas E. Stahl is an American professional wrestler who currently works in the Independent circuit as one half of the masked Tag team known as The Super Destroyers...
while Beltzner wrestled Morgus the Maniac
Morgus the Maniac
Morgus the Maniac is an American professional wrestler who has competed on the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern independent promotions including the Eastern Wrestling Alliance, Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation, National Wrestling League/House of Pain Wrestling Federation and Extreme Championship...
. The card also featured wrestlers from the Wrestling Independent Network and independent wrestlers including The Cheetah Kid
Rocco Rock
Theodore James Petty was an American professional wrestler better known as "Flyboy" Rocco Rock, one half of The Public Enemy.-Career:...
, J.T. Smith and Cream Team (Dino Casanova & Rip Sawyer
Rip Sawyer
Rip Sawyer is a retired American professional wrestler who competed in the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast independent circuit during the late 1980s and early 1990s. As one-half of The Cream Team with longtime tag team partner Dino Casanova, they won the MEWF Tag Team Championship in the Mid-Eastern...
).
That summer, he and Flex became involved in a local zoning controversy involving their gym. On August 17, local building inspector Peter Kropf sent a certified letter to Keith Boyer and the four people leasing the building that the building had numerous violations and that Boyers had 45 days to bring it into compliance with state and local codes or face daily fines of up to $1,000. Kropf also claimed that Boyer never secured a necessary permit when he opened a gym in the former silk mill in 1983. The three-story brick building housed a furniture-stripping business as well as the gym. Town officials raised concerns that the building may be unsafe, such as the absence of proper fire exits, to accommodate the hundreds of people that the gym was bringing in on the weekends. Flex was the first to sign and acknowledge the town's letter.
Return to acting
Beltzner also continued acting and returned to star in the third and final film in the Class of Nuke 'Em HighClass of Nuke 'Em High
Class of Nuke 'Em High, also known as Atomic High School, is a 1986 film made by cult classic B-movie production group Troma Entertainment. It was directed by Richard W. Haines and Lloyd Kaufman under the pseudonym Samuel Weil...
series, Class of Nuke 'Em High 3: The Good, the Bad and the Subhumanoid
Class of Nuke 'Em High 3: The Good, the Bad and the Subhumanoid
The Class of Nuke 'Em High 3: The Good, the Bad and the Subhumanoid is a 1994 comedy, horror, science-fiction film directed by Eric Louzil and distributed by Troma Entertainment.-Plot:...
(1994). In what would be his last feature film for Troma Studios, he played not only the character of Roger Smith but those of his twin sons, Adlai and Dick Smith. That same year, with fellow professional wrestler Tony Halme
Tony Halme
Tony Christian Halme was a member of the Finnish Parliament, representing the True Finns party. He was also known by the pseudonym Viikinki he used while appearing in the Finnish version of the TV game show Gladiators in the 1990s...
, he also had a minor role in Joe Coppoletta's independent action film Death Match (1994) starring Ian Jacklin, Martin Kove
Martin Kove
Martin Kove is an American actor who has appeared in feature films and television series.-Film appearances:His best-known roles may have been on the 1980s hit CBS television series Cagney & Lacey as Detective Victor Isbecki and in the 1984 hit film The Karate Kid as Cobra Kai Sensei John Kreese...
and Matthias Hues
Matthias Hues
-Biography:Hues was born in Waltrop, Germany, and was raised on a ranch by his doctor-father Josef...who, according to the younger Hues, did not even own a television set. Matthias 's first Hollywood acting role was as Yuri in the film No Retreat, No Surrender 2...
. Two years later, he appeared in Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg , professionally known as Jean-Claude Van Damme, is a Belgian martial artist and actor, best known for his martial arts action films, the most successful of which include Bloodsport , Kickboxer , Double Impact , Universal Soldier , Hard Target , Timecop ,...
's The Quest
The Quest (film)
The Quest is a 1996 American martial arts action film written and directed by Jean-Claude Van Damme. The film starred Van Damme, Roger Moore, Janet Gunn, and James Remar. The film is Van Damme's directorial debut. The plot revolves around an international martial arts tournament, with a storyline...
(1996).
International Pro Wrestling
In 1996, Beltzner and Doug Flex formed their own promotion, International Pro Wrestling, in Harrisburg, PennsylvaniaHarrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
. It was there that they formed the heel stable "The Brat Pack" with Beltzner's "younger brother" and manager G.Q. Bronsky. The trio eventually made appearances in other promotions throughout the Northeastern United States
Northeastern United States
The Northeastern United States is a region of the United States as defined by the United States Census Bureau.-Composition:The region comprises nine states: the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont; and the Mid-Atlantic states of New...
. Beltzner himself would feud with "Handsome" Frank Stalletto
Frank Stalletto
Frank Stalletto is an American professional wrestler. He was a mainstay of the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic independent circuit for much of the 1990s and early 2000s....
in both IPW and American Commonweath Wrestling before becoming the promotion's first heavyweight champion on November 30, 1996, in New Britain, Connecticut
New Britain, Connecticut
New Britain is a city in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is located approximately 9 miles southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 71,254....
by defeating Dave Powers in a one-night tournament.
Beltzner was one of the top stars of the promotion during its run and his fans called themselves the "Brick Clique". He remained champion for over a year and defended the title against a number of independent stars including Frank Staletto and 911; while champion, he was the first man to draw blood
Blading (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, blading is the practice of intentionally cutting oneself to provoke bleeding. It is also known as juicing, gigging, or drawing color. Similarly, a blade is an object used for blading, and a bladejob is a specific act of blading...
from 911. On December 5, 1997, Beltzner lost the title to King Kong Bundy
King Kong Bundy
Christopher Alan "Chris" Pallies is an American professional wrestler, stand-up comedian and actor, better known by his ring name, King Kong Bundy.-Personal:...
in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Jim Thorpe is a borough in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 4,804 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Carbon County. The town has been called the "Switzerland of America" due to the picturesque scenery, mountainous location, and architecture; as well as the "Gateway to...
after G.Q. Bronsky turned on Beltzner by hitting him with a steel chair and causing the break up of "The Brat Pack".
Evolving Pictures Entertainment
Suffering back and neck injuries resulting from G.Q. Bronsky's attack, Beltzner moved to California to resume his acting career. In 2000, he reprised his role as "Jughead" from Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.
Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. is a 1990 comedic superhero film directed by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz and distributed by Troma Entertainment.-Synopsis:...
on Troma's Edge TV. He also began producing his own film projects with independent film studio Evolving Pictures Entertainment. As vice president of the studio, he was the executive producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
on Love Conquers Paul (2002) and Where's Angelo? (2003), and starred in Spin Cycle (2004). As of 2011, he has been attached as a co-producer to its latest film Mad Monster Party.
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1990 | Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. is a 1990 comedic superhero film directed by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz and distributed by Troma Entertainment.-Synopsis:... |
Jughead | |
| 1991 | Class of Nuke 'Em High 2: Subhumanoid Meltdown Class of Nuke 'Em High 2: Subhumanoid Meltdown Class of Nuke 'Em High Part II: Subhumanoid Meltdown is a 1991 sequel to the 1986 minor-hit Class of Nuke 'Em High. Notably there are no characters carried over from the first film .-Plot:Tromaville's nuclear reactor has been rebuilt and the Nukamama Corporation... |
Roger Smith | |
| 1994 | Class of Nuke 'Em High 3: The Good, the Bad and the Subhumanoid Class of Nuke 'Em High 3: The Good, the Bad and the Subhumanoid The Class of Nuke 'Em High 3: The Good, the Bad and the Subhumanoid is a 1994 comedy, horror, science-fiction film directed by Eric Louzil and distributed by Troma Entertainment.-Plot:... |
Roger Smith/Adlai Smith/Dick Smith | |
| 1994 | Death Match | Vinnie's Bodyguard | |
| 1996 | The Quest The Quest (film) The Quest is a 1996 American martial arts action film written and directed by Jean-Claude Van Damme. The film starred Van Damme, Roger Moore, Janet Gunn, and James Remar. The film is Van Damme's directorial debut. The plot revolves around an international martial arts tournament, with a storyline... |
Russian Fighter | |
| 2004 | Spin Cycle | Officer Shasta | |
| Television guest appearances | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2000 | Troma's Edge TV | Jughead | Episode: "The Race Episode" |
In wrestling
- Signature moves
-
- Clothesline
- ManagersManager (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
- G.Q. Bronsky
Championships and accomplishments
- Galaxy Wrestling Federation
- GWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Doug Flex
- International Pro Wrestling
- IPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time, first)
- North American Wrestling Federation
- NAWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Doug Flex
- Other
- Canadian International Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Doug Flex
- Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI ranked him # 442 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1998
- PWI ranked him # 354 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1997
- PWI ranked him # 377 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1996
- PWI ranked him # 394 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1992