DC Drake
Encyclopedia
Don Clyde "DC" Drake is a former American
professional wrestler. He became the Heavyweight Champion for the National Wrestling Federation
and Tri-State Wrestling Alliance which later became Extreme Championship Wrestling
.
. Drake credits Torres for teaching him not only the physical piece of professional wrestling but helped prepare him for the mental toughness needed to endure the wrestling profession. Torres's training helped Drake secure many preliminary wrestling events with organizations throughout the New York and New Jersey area. Drake's first big break came with Mario and Joe Savoldi, two well known wrestling promoters who headed up major independent promotions. Wrestling as Don Stallion, Drake faced off with stars such as Carlos Colon
, Jerry Lawler
and Ric Flair
(at Roosevelt Park on Long Island
, NY).
, The Boss, Ray Apollo, Larry Winters
, Eddie Mirenda, The Nighthawk, The Great Kahlua and Tom Brandi
.
The organization was a mainstay on Twin County Cable's Wednesday night TV lineup for many years. The CWA used many local independent wrestlers and employed other local and regional television and radio personalities. "Uncle Bob", a morning-drive radio personality in the Philadelphia market (WQQQ 99.9 FM) became Drake's manager after a feud erupted between the two on Bob's morning radio show. After a much publicized match where Bob was beaten quickly in front of a packed house in Easton, Pennsylvania, the two became friends and worked as a team for several years.
Drake had established a television deal with Twin County Cable which covered the Lehigh Valley and Blue Mountain area of Pennsylvania. Twin County Cable's president, the late Donald Berner, saw professional wrestling as a draw for those in the Lehigh Valley area which was the location of television tapings for International Championship Wrestling
(The Americus Hotel in Allentown) and the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) at the Agricultural Hall in Allentown and The Fieldhouse in Hamburg, Pennsylvania.
. A tournament was held for the newly created NWF Heavyweight Championship
featuring such wrestling stars as the Wild Samoans, the Tonga Kid, Sgt. Slaughter
, Jules Strongbow
, and Bruiser Brody. Drake managed to emerge victorious and became the first NWF Champion. The organization moved from the Allentown area to offices in the Philadelphia and New York City area.
Drake joined the who was the NWF Heavyweight Champion, battled the top talent that the organization's promoters threw at him. Along with his manager Damien Kane, Drake managed to hold onto his title for nearly two years. Along the way, he engaged in a long and bloody feud with Jules Strongbow. The war culminated in a dog collar match in a New Jersey venue where both wrestlers lost a tremendous amount of blood. Raski and his promotion team refused to sanction any additional matches between the two for one year, fearing a serious injury to one of the men.
Drake broke his back during a match in Shippensburg, PA when he was tossed off a set of bleachers crashing to the floor. After being out for several months, Drake was defeated by Sgt. Slaughter who became the champion briefly before the organization closed. Drake then retired from wrestling and returned to his human services career.
It was with the TWA that Drake began the hardcore style that overtook Goodhart's promotion. In a match with Larry Winters in McGonicle Hall in Philadelphia, Drake was tossed off the second floor balcony of the arena to the hard concrete floor below. In a rematch, both worked their way up into the third level of the arena and battled in the rafters where both men nearly lost their footing 40 feet above the arena floor. This set off a series of matches between the two and for nearly six months, the TWA ring was soaked in blood. The battles occurred in TWA rings as well as other independent organizations around the country. One national wrestling magazine called the feud brutal and editorialized that what they were seeing would change the wrestling world forever. After months of hardcore title defenses against Winters and other challengers, the beatings had taken a toll on Drake. He lost his title to J.T. Smith, a young wrestler from Philadelphia. In a rematch for the title at the Sports Bar in Philadelphia, Drake suffered a serious neck and shoulder injury which later resulted in numerous surgeries. This forced his retirement once again in 1991 from the sport he loved.
" (Mick Foley) out of ECW. Benoit planned to pit Drake in a match with him and double and triple team him until he could no longer compete. The goal was to make way for the return of Terry Funk
. Drake returned to the squared circle to face Foley on that night. As Foley turned the tables on Drake and pinned him, the Sandman and Terry Funk entered the ring and beat Foley. Drake regained his senses and joined in the massacre. Several other wrestlers assisted Foley and Drake and Tommy Dreamer
fought their way back to the dressing room. After the match, ECW President Paul Heyman offered Drake a contract to take on Dreamer in a series of matches. Drake, no longer in condition to face the rigors of the ring, thanked Heyman for the offer but returned to retirement.
, Drake was a 1974 graduate of Phillipsburg High School, andworked as a senior corrections officer for the State of New Jersey assigned to the Mountainview Correctional Facility in Annandale, New Jersey
.
In the mid-1980s, Drake teamed up with Irwin Fanus, an ex police officer from Carlisle, Pennsylvania
and Les Thatcher, a school teacher from Southeastern Pennsylvania to develop an anti-drug program for kids from elementary to high school called "Beyond No". This program focused on the dangers of drugs and ways to resist peer pressure. Drake, a former corrections officer of ten years brought his knowledge of substance abuse as well as the recognition factor associated with his wrestling career to this project. He enlisted the services of several wrestlers to be a part of this project, including Damien Kane
, Jules Strongbow
and Heidi Lee Morgan
. Through the special assistance of the Cumberland County DAs Office, all who presented received random drug screens to insure that they were indeed drug free. This program appeared in schools from Maine to Florida and from Pennsylvania to California. Drake entered into an agreement with several military bases to present the program after receiving positive reviews at the Mayport Naval Air Station in Mayport, Florida where Sgt. Slaughter also lent his voice to the project. Drake's interest in this subject came from many areas, including a grandmother who died as a result of alcoholism, the amount of drug and alcohol abuse he saw among professional wrestlers and his experience in the prison system where an overwhelming amount of inmates had histories of substance abuse.
After his wrestling career, Drake returned to college in Boston for his Master's Degree in psychological counseling with a specialty in addiction psychology. Drake currently is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor and the Director of Supportive Services at an addictions treatment facility in Massachusetts called Steppingstone, Inc. He also teaches classes on addictions issues at The Learning Connection, in Providence, Rhode Island
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional wrestler. He became the Heavyweight Champion for the National Wrestling Federation
National Wrestling Federation
The original National Wrestling Federation was a wrestling promotion based in Buffalo, New York and owned by promoter Pedro Martínez. It ran from 1970-1974. The promotion was then revived in 1986 by Robert Raskin...
and Tri-State Wrestling Alliance which later became Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
.
Training
DC Drake was trained for the sport of wrestling by Tito Torres of Jersey City, New JerseyJersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
. Drake credits Torres for teaching him not only the physical piece of professional wrestling but helped prepare him for the mental toughness needed to endure the wrestling profession. Torres's training helped Drake secure many preliminary wrestling events with organizations throughout the New York and New Jersey area. Drake's first big break came with Mario and Joe Savoldi, two well known wrestling promoters who headed up major independent promotions. Wrestling as Don Stallion, Drake faced off with stars such as Carlos Colon
Carlos Colón
Carlos Colón may refer to:*Carlos Colón, Sr., wrestler*Carly Colón, wrestler whose real name is Carlos Colón, son of the above*The Deadlines' lead guitarist, Carlos Colón...
, Jerry Lawler
Jerry Lawler
Jerry O'Neil Lawler is an American professional wrestler, wrestling commentator, musician, businessman, commercial artist and film actor, known throughout the wrestling world as Jerry "The King" Lawler. He is currently signed to WWE, working on its Raw brand as the color commentator and occasional...
and Ric Flair
Ric Flair
Richard Morgan Fliehr is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Ric Flair. Also known as "The Nature Boy", Flair is one of the most well-known professional wrestlers in the world....
(at Roosevelt Park on Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, NY).
Continental Wrestling Alliance
Drake began working on a regular basis in 1978, wrestling for the Continental Wrestling Alliance (CWA), a small independent organization based in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Drake, who co-founded the CWA with Paul "The Concrete Cowboy" Swanger and Ted Petty, met some success in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey market. Drake took over control of the CWA after Swanger and Petty moved on to other projects. The CWA used up-and-coming wrestlers from throughout the Northeast, including Jimmy PowersJim Powers
James Manley , better known by his ring name Jim Powers is a retired American professional wrestler. He most notably wrestled for the World Wrestling Federation in the mid-to-late 1980s and early 1990s...
, The Boss, Ray Apollo, Larry Winters
Larry Winters
"The Living Legend" Larry Winters is a semi-retired American professional wrestler and trainer who competed in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and East Coast independent circuit during the 1980s and 90s...
, Eddie Mirenda, The Nighthawk, The Great Kahlua and Tom Brandi
Tom Brandi
Tom Brandi is a professional wrestler known for his work in World Wrestling Federation as Salvatore Sincere. He is also known for his current work as The Patriot, working for such companies as Pro-Wrestling WORLD-1, National Wrestling Superstars, and other independent promotions on the East...
.
The organization was a mainstay on Twin County Cable's Wednesday night TV lineup for many years. The CWA used many local independent wrestlers and employed other local and regional television and radio personalities. "Uncle Bob", a morning-drive radio personality in the Philadelphia market (WQQQ 99.9 FM) became Drake's manager after a feud erupted between the two on Bob's morning radio show. After a much publicized match where Bob was beaten quickly in front of a packed house in Easton, Pennsylvania, the two became friends and worked as a team for several years.
Drake had established a television deal with Twin County Cable which covered the Lehigh Valley and Blue Mountain area of Pennsylvania. Twin County Cable's president, the late Donald Berner, saw professional wrestling as a draw for those in the Lehigh Valley area which was the location of television tapings for International Championship Wrestling
International Championship Wrestling
International Championship Wrestling was an independent professional wrestling promotion based in Lexington, Kentucky that operated from 1978 until 1984. It was run by WCW Hall of Famer Angelo Poffo, the father of Randy Savage and "The Genius" Lanny Poffo...
(The Americus Hotel in Allentown) and the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) at the Agricultural Hall in Allentown and The Fieldhouse in Hamburg, Pennsylvania.
National Wrestling Federation
The CWA struggled as a local organization until Robert Raskin (President of Raskin Sports Productions and a former professional basketball coach for the ABA) took over the business end of the promotion from Drake and injected much needed capital into the project. Raskin also changed the name from CWA to the National Wrestling FederationNational Wrestling Federation
The original National Wrestling Federation was a wrestling promotion based in Buffalo, New York and owned by promoter Pedro Martínez. It ran from 1970-1974. The promotion was then revived in 1986 by Robert Raskin...
. A tournament was held for the newly created NWF Heavyweight Championship
NWF Heavyweight Championship
The NWF Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling championship used as part of the National Wrestling Federation and later New Japan Pro Wrestling.- History :...
featuring such wrestling stars as the Wild Samoans, the Tonga Kid, Sgt. Slaughter
Sgt. Slaughter
Robert Remus , better known by his ring name Sgt. Slaughter, is an American former WWE personality and semi-retired professional wrestler. From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, Slaughter had success in the National Wrestling Alliance, American Wrestling Association, and World Wrestling...
, Jules Strongbow
Jules strongbow
Frank Hill is a former professional wrestler, who is best known for his tenure in World Wrestling Federation , where he used to wrestle as Chief Jules Strongbow or simply Jules Strongbow, the brother of Chief Jay Strongbow.-World Wrestling Federation :Jules made his wrestling debut in the 1970s...
, and Bruiser Brody. Drake managed to emerge victorious and became the first NWF Champion. The organization moved from the Allentown area to offices in the Philadelphia and New York City area.
Drake joined the who was the NWF Heavyweight Champion, battled the top talent that the organization's promoters threw at him. Along with his manager Damien Kane, Drake managed to hold onto his title for nearly two years. Along the way, he engaged in a long and bloody feud with Jules Strongbow. The war culminated in a dog collar match in a New Jersey venue where both wrestlers lost a tremendous amount of blood. Raski and his promotion team refused to sanction any additional matches between the two for one year, fearing a serious injury to one of the men.
Drake broke his back during a match in Shippensburg, PA when he was tossed off a set of bleachers crashing to the floor. After being out for several months, Drake was defeated by Sgt. Slaughter who became the champion briefly before the organization closed. Drake then retired from wrestling and returned to his human services career.
Tri State Wrestling Alliance
When Drake left the NWF, he returned to his human services career in the Philadelphia area. After several months off from the wrestling circuit, he was contacted by Joel Goodhart about picking up some matches for a new organization operating out of Philadelphia called the Tri State Wrestling Alliance (TWA). Drake was happy to return to the ring but wanted to do so sparingly. As the TWA grew, Goodhart and his partner Tod Gordon, decided to have a tournament for the vacant title. Nancy "Woman" Benoit entered to organization and contacted Drake, convincing him to enter the contest. At the Civic Center in Philadelphia, Drake captured the title from the Rockin' Rebel and went on to hold the gold for nearly a year.It was with the TWA that Drake began the hardcore style that overtook Goodhart's promotion. In a match with Larry Winters in McGonicle Hall in Philadelphia, Drake was tossed off the second floor balcony of the arena to the hard concrete floor below. In a rematch, both worked their way up into the third level of the arena and battled in the rafters where both men nearly lost their footing 40 feet above the arena floor. This set off a series of matches between the two and for nearly six months, the TWA ring was soaked in blood. The battles occurred in TWA rings as well as other independent organizations around the country. One national wrestling magazine called the feud brutal and editorialized that what they were seeing would change the wrestling world forever. After months of hardcore title defenses against Winters and other challengers, the beatings had taken a toll on Drake. He lost his title to J.T. Smith, a young wrestler from Philadelphia. In a rematch for the title at the Sports Bar in Philadelphia, Drake suffered a serious neck and shoulder injury which later resulted in numerous surgeries. This forced his retirement once again in 1991 from the sport he loved.
Extreme Championship Wrestling
After Drake left active competition in 1991, he hosted several cable television shows about professional wrestling but did not plan to compete anymore. In 1994, Nancy Benoit called him and asked if he were interested in being a part of an ECW event. Benoit wanted to gather all of her "former champions" to put "Cactus JackMick Foley
Michael Francis "Mick" Foley, Sr. is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, author, comedian, actor, voice actor and former color commentator. He has worked for many wrestling promotions, including WWE, WCW, ECW and TNA. He is often referred to as "The Hardcore Legend", a nickname he...
" (Mick Foley) out of ECW. Benoit planned to pit Drake in a match with him and double and triple team him until he could no longer compete. The goal was to make way for the return of Terry Funk
Terry Funk
Terrence "Terry" Funk is an American professional wrestler and actor known chiefly for the hardcore wrestling style he adopted in the latter part of his career that inspired many younger wrestlers, including Mick Foley...
. Drake returned to the squared circle to face Foley on that night. As Foley turned the tables on Drake and pinned him, the Sandman and Terry Funk entered the ring and beat Foley. Drake regained his senses and joined in the massacre. Several other wrestlers assisted Foley and Drake and Tommy Dreamer
Tommy Dreamer
Thomas James "Tom" Laughlin is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Tommy Dreamer. He is currently working for various promotions on the independent circuit. He is best known for his time spent with Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment...
fought their way back to the dressing room. After the match, ECW President Paul Heyman offered Drake a contract to take on Dreamer in a series of matches. Drake, no longer in condition to face the rigors of the ring, thanked Heyman for the offer but returned to retirement.
Wrestle Reunion
After eleven years out of the wrestling business, Drake returned to the ring in 2005 as part of a wrestling reunion show in Philadelphia. Promoter Rob Russen held the event at the Valley Forge Convention Center. Drake participated in a match that night as part of a six person tag match.Personal life
Born and raised in Phillipsburg, New JerseyPhillipsburg, New Jersey
Phillipsburg, known locally as P'burg, is a town in Warren County, New Jersey, in the United States. As of 2010 United States Census, the town's population was 14,950....
, Drake was a 1974 graduate of Phillipsburg High School, andworked as a senior corrections officer for the State of New Jersey assigned to the Mountainview Correctional Facility in Annandale, New Jersey
Annandale, New Jersey
Annandale is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Clinton Township, in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 1,276...
.
In the mid-1980s, Drake teamed up with Irwin Fanus, an ex police officer from Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Carlisle is a borough in and the county seat of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The name is traditionally pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable. Carlisle is located within the Cumberland Valley, a highly productive agricultural region. As of the 2010 census, the borough...
and Les Thatcher, a school teacher from Southeastern Pennsylvania to develop an anti-drug program for kids from elementary to high school called "Beyond No". This program focused on the dangers of drugs and ways to resist peer pressure. Drake, a former corrections officer of ten years brought his knowledge of substance abuse as well as the recognition factor associated with his wrestling career to this project. He enlisted the services of several wrestlers to be a part of this project, including Damien Kane
Damien Kane
Damien Kane is an American former professional wrestler and manager. He is perhaps best known for his stint in Extreme Championship Wrestling.-Early years:...
, Jules Strongbow
Jules strongbow
Frank Hill is a former professional wrestler, who is best known for his tenure in World Wrestling Federation , where he used to wrestle as Chief Jules Strongbow or simply Jules Strongbow, the brother of Chief Jay Strongbow.-World Wrestling Federation :Jules made his wrestling debut in the 1970s...
and Heidi Lee Morgan
Heidi Lee Morgan
Heidi Lee Morgan the daughter of Lester Morgan, is a retired American professional wrestler who competed in the World Wrestling Federation, International World Class Championship Wrestling, Ladies Pro Wrestling Association, and National Wrestling Federation...
. Through the special assistance of the Cumberland County DAs Office, all who presented received random drug screens to insure that they were indeed drug free. This program appeared in schools from Maine to Florida and from Pennsylvania to California. Drake entered into an agreement with several military bases to present the program after receiving positive reviews at the Mayport Naval Air Station in Mayport, Florida where Sgt. Slaughter also lent his voice to the project. Drake's interest in this subject came from many areas, including a grandmother who died as a result of alcoholism, the amount of drug and alcohol abuse he saw among professional wrestlers and his experience in the prison system where an overwhelming amount of inmates had histories of substance abuse.
After his wrestling career, Drake returned to college in Boston for his Master's Degree in psychological counseling with a specialty in addiction psychology. Drake currently is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor and the Director of Supportive Services at an addictions treatment facility in Massachusetts called Steppingstone, Inc. He also teaches classes on addictions issues at The Learning Connection, in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
.
In wrestling
- Managers
- Uncle Bob
- Damien KaneDamien KaneDamien Kane is an American former professional wrestler and manager. He is perhaps best known for his stint in Extreme Championship Wrestling.-Early years:...
- Gentleman Gunther Grimes
- Johnny AngelJohnny Lee ClaryJohnny Lee Clary is a former Ku Klux Klan leader who became a Pentecostal Christian and now travels around the globe preaching the gospel and teaching against racism and hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, Neo Nazis, and Aryan Nations...
- Woman
Championships and accomplishments
- East Coast Wrestling Federation
- ECWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Empire Wrestling Federation
- EWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time, first)
- Independent Wrestling Federation (Connecticut)
- IWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time, last)
- National Wrestling Federation
- NWF Heavyweight Championship (3 times, first)
- 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 #178 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1991
- Tri-State Wrestling Alliance
- TWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Top Rope Promotions
- Lifetime Achievement Award (2007)