Hack Meyers
Encyclopedia
Donald Haviland is an American
professional wrestler
, better known by his ring name
, Hack Meyers. A mainstay in Florida independent promotions during the 1990s, he is best known for his time in Extreme Championship Wrestling
from 1993 to 1996.
with Colt Starr known as The Texas Longhorns. He wrestled in independent promotions
for the next three years before signing with Extreme Championship Wrestling
.
Following his ECW debut in 1993 as Hack Meyers, he wrestled mainly on the undercard. He had several matches against ECW's biggest superstars at ECW supercards, but he was never able to defeat ECW's top talent. Haviland's gimmick in ECW was "The Shah
of ECW", a fan favorite. During any exchange of blows, fans would chant "Shah!" every time he landed a punch or kick, and "Shit!" when his opponent retaliated. A similar gimmick was later inherited by Balls Mahoney
.
Meyers' first major appearance was at Ultimate Jeopardy 1994, an ECW supercard. He teamed with Don E. Allen and Blue Max in a handicap match against 911
, which 911 won. He wrestled Tommy Dreamer
at Hostile City Showdown 1994, but was defeated. At Heat Wave 1994, he teamed with Rockin' Rebel
in a loss to Bad Breed
(Ian
and Axl Rotten
). This led to a series of matches between Meyers and Rebel, culminating in a showdown at Hardcore Heaven 1994, which Meyers won. He faced Chris Benoit
at Holiday Hell 1994, but was again unsuccessful in his attempt to defeat a high-profile star.
Meyers found some success in mid-1995, winning at back-to-back supercards. He defeated Big Malley at Hardcore Heaven 1995 and Val Puccio
at Heat Wave 1995. He lost to JT Smith
at Wrestlepalooza 1995 but followed this up with an evenly-split series of rematches. Meyers faced Sabu at November To Remember 1995 but lost to Sabu in one of the longest matches on the card. He followed this up with a victory over Stevie Richards
as well as supercard wins over Bruiser Mastino
(at December to Dismember 1995
) and JT Smith (at Holiday Hell 1995).
Holiday Hell 1995 saw Meyer's final supercard victory, as he lost to Taz
at House Party 1996 and Smith at Big Ass Extreme Bash 1996. Meyers' final appearance in ECW for some time was a loss to Too Cold Scorpio
in a Loser Leaves Town match at November To Remember 1996.
Meyers did return briefly to ECW, teaming with Balls Mahoney and Axl Rotten
in a six man tag team match versus the Dudley Boyz
. Meyers would take the pinfall, losing after receiving a Flapjack (Devon) / Cutter (Ray) combination 3D.
Since leaving ECW he has remained in the wrestling industry, training Scoot Andrews and Travis Tomko
. He now wrestles predominantly in the Florida independent circuit.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional wrestler
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...
, better known by his ring name
Ring name
A ring name is a stage name used by a professional wrestler, martial artist, or boxer. While some ring names may have a fictitious first name and surname, others may simply be a nickname, such as The Undertaker.-Wrestling:...
, Hack Meyers. A mainstay in Florida independent promotions during the 1990s, he is best known for his time in 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...
from 1993 to 1996.
Career
Haviland made his wrestling debut as Bronco Billy, forming a tag teamTag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
with Colt Starr known as The Texas Longhorns. He wrestled in 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...
for the next three years before signing with 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...
.
Following his ECW debut in 1993 as Hack Meyers, he wrestled mainly on the undercard. He had several matches against ECW's biggest superstars at ECW supercards, but he was never able to defeat ECW's top talent. Haviland's gimmick in ECW was "The Shah
Shah
Shāh is the title of the ruler of certain Southwest Asian and Central Asian countries, especially Persia , and derives from the Persian word shah, meaning "king".-History:...
of ECW", a fan favorite. During any exchange of blows, fans would chant "Shah!" every time he landed a punch or kick, and "Shit!" when his opponent retaliated. A similar gimmick was later inherited by Balls Mahoney
Balls Mahoney
Jonathan Rechner better known by his ring name Balls Mahoney , is an American professional wrestler...
.
Meyers' first major appearance was at Ultimate Jeopardy 1994, an ECW supercard. He teamed with Don E. Allen and Blue Max in a handicap match against 911
911 (wrestler)
Al Poling is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, 911.-Professional wrestling career:He achieved his greatest national exposure in Extreme Championship Wrestling in the mid-1990s. He debuted in ECW as a "handler" to Sabu...
, which 911 won. He wrestled 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...
at Hostile City Showdown 1994, but was defeated. At Heat Wave 1994, he teamed with Rockin' Rebel
Rockin' Rebel
Chuck Williams is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Rockin' Rebel. He is best known for his appearances on the U.S...
in a loss to Bad Breed
Bad Breed
The Bad Breed was the professional wrestling tag team of Axl Rotten with his storyline brother/real life protégé Ian Rotten. The team achieved their greatest fame in the Philadelphia wrestling promotion Extreme Championship Wrestling but has also competed in the Global Wrestling Federation and...
(Ian
Ian Rotten
John Benson Williams is an American professional Wrestler better known by his ring name Ian Rotten. He has wrestled in Global Wrestling Federation , Extreme Championship Wrestling , and his own wrestling promotion IWA: Mid-South.-Early career:After becoming a fan of Dusty Rhodes and "Superstar"...
and Axl Rotten
Axl Rotten
Brian Knighton is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name, Axl Rotten.-Early years:After watching a professional wrestling match on television, Knighton decided to become a wrestler...
). This led to a series of matches between Meyers and Rebel, culminating in a showdown at Hardcore Heaven 1994, which Meyers won. He faced Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit
Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide...
at Holiday Hell 1994, but was again unsuccessful in his attempt to defeat a high-profile star.
Meyers found some success in mid-1995, winning at back-to-back supercards. He defeated Big Malley at Hardcore Heaven 1995 and Val Puccio
Val Puccio
Valentino "Val" Puccio was a professional wrestler.-Wrestling career:Trained by Johnny Rodz, Puccio began his wrestling career in 1989 and worked for various northeast U.S. independent promotions for virtually his entire career. He frequently teamed with his brother, Tony...
at Heat Wave 1995. He lost to JT Smith
John T. Smith
John T. "J.T." Smith is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances in Extreme Championship Wrestling in the 1990s.-Tri-State Wrestling Alliance:...
at Wrestlepalooza 1995 but followed this up with an evenly-split series of rematches. Meyers faced Sabu at November To Remember 1995 but lost to Sabu in one of the longest matches on the card. He followed this up with a victory over Stevie Richards
Stevie Richards
Michael Manna is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Stevie Richards. Also known by his ring names, Steven Richards and Dr...
as well as supercard wins over Bruiser Mastino
Mike Hallick
Michael "Mike" Hallick is a retired American professional wrestler, best known for his stint in the World Wrestling Federation under the ring name Mantaur.-Catch Wrestling Association :...
(at December to Dismember 1995
December to Dismember (1995)
December to Dismember was a professional wrestling event that took place on December 9, 1995 at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...
) and JT Smith (at Holiday Hell 1995).
Holiday Hell 1995 saw Meyer's final supercard victory, as he lost to Taz
Tazz
Peter Senerchia is a retired American professional wrestler and current color commentator best known by his ring name Tazz, originally Tazmaniac and later shortened to simply Taz...
at House Party 1996 and Smith at Big Ass Extreme Bash 1996. Meyers' final appearance in ECW for some time was a loss to Too Cold Scorpio
2 Cold Scorpio
Charles Scaggs is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name 2 Cold Scorpio . Scaggs has competed in Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, World Wrestling Entertainment and Pro Wrestling Noah...
in a Loser Leaves Town match at November To Remember 1996.
Meyers did return briefly to ECW, teaming with Balls Mahoney and Axl Rotten
Axl Rotten
Brian Knighton is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name, Axl Rotten.-Early years:After watching a professional wrestling match on television, Knighton decided to become a wrestler...
in a six man tag team match versus the Dudley Boyz
Dudley family
The Dudley Family was a large professional wrestling stable of storyline half-brothers in Extreme Championship Wrestling.-Gimmick:The gimmick of the group was that, despite their obvious differences in physical appearance and race, the members were all said to be the sons of the fictional Willy...
. Meyers would take the pinfall, losing after receiving a Flapjack (Devon) / Cutter (Ray) combination 3D.
Since leaving ECW he has remained in the wrestling industry, training Scoot Andrews and Travis Tomko
Travis Tomko
Travis David Tomko is an American professional wrestler, known by his ring name Tomko, who most recently worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he previously was a member of Christian's Coalition and the Angle Alliance and often worked alongside A.J. Styles. He was also notable for his...
. He now wrestles predominantly in the Florida independent circuit.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Coup de GrâceCoup de grâceThe expression coup de grâce means a death blow intended to end the suffering of a wounded creature. The phrase can refer to the killing of civilians or soldiers, friends or enemies, with or without the consent of the sufferer...
(Top rope diving kneeling facebuster) - Piledriver
- PowerbombPowerbombA powerbomb is a professional wrestling throw in which an opponent is lifted up and then slammed back-first down to the mat. The standard powerbomb sees an opponent first placed in a standing headscissors position...
- Coup de Grâce
- 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...
- "The SnakeMaster" Abudadein
- NicknameNicknameA nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
s- "The Shah"
- "The Extreme Shah of ECWExtreme Championship WrestlingExtreme 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...
" - "Mad Dog"
Championships and accomplishments
- Florida State Professional Wrestling Association
- FSPWA Tag Team Championship (1 time)
- Freestyle Championship Wrestling
- FSCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Future of WrestlingFuture of WrestlingFuture of Wrestling is an American independent wrestling promotion based in southern Florida starting during the late 1990s. Founded by Bobby Rogers, the promotion was a predecessor of Full Impact Pro, Independent Pro Wrestling and NWA Florida and featured several top independent wrestlers...
- FOW Tag Team ChampionshipFOW Tag Team ChampionshipThe FOW Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling tag team title in American independent promotion Future of Wrestling. The title was created when The Masked Assassins won the titles in Miami, Florida on May 20, 1998. It was defended throughout southern Florida, most often in Davie,...
(1 time) – with Dave Johnson
- Hardkore Championship Wrestling
- HCW Hardcore Championship (1 time)
- Independent Professional Wrestling
- IPW Hardcore Championship (1 time)
- 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 #314 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1999
- Other titles
- FWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- FWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
Further reading
- Loverro, Thom. The Rise & Fall of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2006. ISBN 1-4165-1058-3