Jack Brisco
Encyclopedia
Freddie Joe Brisco was an American
professional wrestler
, better known as Jack Brisco or Uvalde Slim. He performed for various territories of the National Wrestling Alliance
(NWA), becoming a two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion
, and multi-time NWA Tag Team Champion
with his brother Gerald Brisco
. Brisco was considered one of the top wrestlers of his era; in 2005, Don Leo Jonathan
called him "probably the greatest champion of the 20th century."
In the late 1970s, the Brisco Brothers also discovered Terry Bollea
, the future wrestling legend best known as Hulk Hogan, who they introduced to Hiro Matsuda for training.
with five siblings. He grew up as a fan of professional wrestling, and particularly a fan of NWA World Champion Lou Thesz
He was followed by his younger brother, Gerald Brisco
, into sport wrestling and turned down a football scholarship at University of Oklahoma
to go to Oklahoma State. He was the first Native American
to win an NCAA Wrestling
National Championship
in 1965. His winning the NCAA title was even more profound in that Brisco won it during his junior year, and didn't get taken down once during the entire season.
to win the NWA Missouri Junior Heavyweight Championship. He held the belt for less than a month, but he regained it in November by defeating Kent once again. Around this time, Brisco also wrestled for NWA Tri-State. While there, he won a couple of state titles (the Oklahoma Heavyweight Championship and the Arkansas Heavyweight Championship). He also won his first tag team titles in this promotion, teaming with Haystacks Calhoun
for his first reign as co-holder of the Tri-State version of the NWA United States Tag Team Championship. He later held the title again, as he teamed with Gorgeous George, Jr. to win the belts on May 9, 1967.
, which he won on February 11, 1969 by defeating the Missouri Mauler
. He dropped the title back to the Mauler but regained it on July 8. Two weeks later, he won the first of what would eventually be ten NWA Florida Tag Team Championship
s by teaming with Ciclon Negro. Although he and Ciclon dropped the tag team belts the following month, Brisco held the Southern Heavyweight Title until November 1969, when he left the area to wrestle in Japan and Australia.
When Brisco returned to Florida, he began teaming with his brother, who he had trained as a professional wrestler. He also continued competing as a singles wrestler, winning the NWA Florida Television Championship
on November 27, 1970. On February 16, 1971, the Briscos teamed up to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship. They dropped the belts the following month to Dory Funk, Jr.
and Terry Funk
but regained them from the Funks in April. That month, Brisco also beat Terry Funk in a singles match to win the NWA Florida Television Championship again. Brisco's next major success was regaining the Southern Heavyweight Championship by defeating Dick Murdoch
on June 8, 1971. The title was later held up, though, after a controversial rematch with Murdoch.
Brisco then took a short break from Florida wrestling to compete in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
. While there, he won the NWA Eastern States Heavyweight Championship
twice by defeating the Missouri Mauler and Rip Hawk.
Upon his return to Florida, he quickly won the NWA Florida Brass Knuckles Championship
with a victory over Paul Jones
on June 13, 1972, but he vacated the title the same day. He then won his third and final Television Championship on November 7, 1972. Nine days later, he also won the Tag Team Championship again by teaming with his brother.
win was scheduled to be over Dory Funk Jr. capping off a multi-year feud. However, Dory claimed to be injured in a truck accident and missed the scheduled date. Brisco and Terry Funk
were sent out to make the bookings that were already scheduled for Brisco, and Dory later lost the title to Harley Race
. Brisco and several others within the NWA power structure always questioned the legitimacy of the accident, claiming that Dory Funk Sr. did not want his son to lose to a "pure" wrester and harm his credibility Jack then won the title from Race after a brief reign in Houston, Texas
on July 20, 1973. He defended his championship in NWA affiliated promotions across the world until losing to Giant Baba on December 4, 1974, though he regained the championship four days later. Brisco defended the championship until losing it to Terry Funk
on December 10, 1975. His loss continued the extensive feud
between the Briscos and Funks. For several years, Jack and Jerry Brisco would continue battling Terry and Dory Funk for wrestling supremacy.
version of the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship
on August 10, 1976 by defeating local favorite Jerry Lawler
. He also won the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship
on November 26 with a victory over Bob Backlund
. At this time, the Briscos were also awarded the ESA International Tag Team Championship
, although they did not wrestle as a team in the area.
and Bob Roop
to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship. Although they lost the title to Ox Baker
and "Superstar" Billy Graham, they soon regained the belts in a rematch. On January 25, 1978, they won the belts again by defeating Ivan Koloff and Mr. Saito
. While holding these belts, the Briscos also won the NWA Florida United States Tag Team Championship
on February 21 with a victory over Mike Graham and Steve Keirn
. They dropped the United States tag belts back to Graham and Keirn but soon regained them. They were defeated for the United States title by Killer Karl Kox
and Bobby Duncum but were again successful in regaining the belts in a rematch. The same thing happened when the Briscos faced Mr. Saito and Mr. Sato that year: they lost the belts and quickly won them back. Meanwhile, the Briscos also defeated Saito and Sato to regain NWA Florida Tag Team Championship. The following year, another victory over Saito and Sato earned the Briscos their final United States Tag Team Championship.
, where they won the NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship
twice. They competed in a tournament for the tag team belts but finished in second place after a loss to the Funks. They defeated the Funks two months later, however, to win the belts. On November 25, 1979, the Briscos defeated Austin Idol
and The Masked Superstar
to win the belts a second time. Jack gave up his share of the title, however, giving it to Ole Anderson
. Later that year, Jack Brisco became the first NWA National Heavyweight Champion
when he defeated Terry Funk in a tournament final.
this time. After losing the belts, Brisco followed this up by teaming with his brother to win them for a final time.
The following year, Brisco won his final Southern Heavyweight Championship by defeating Bobby Jaggers
. Brisco finished off his time in Florida with two reigns as co-holder of Florida version of the NWA North American Tag Team Championship
. They won a tournament to win their first title, defeating Assassin #1 and Bobby Jaggers in the finals. They lost the belts to the Funks on January 9, 1982 but regained them in a rematch seven days later.
in 1981, competing for the World Wrestling Council
. He won the WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship
on May 30, 1981 and held the belt for almost seven months. He also teamed with his brother to win the WWC North American Tag Team Championship
. They defeated Los Pastores
(better known as The Bushwhackers) for the title on August 8, 1981 and held it for a month and a half before dropping it to The Fabulous Kangaroos
. Brisco also returned to Missouri in 1981, defeating Ted DiBiase
to win a second NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship. He held the belt for only three weeks, however, before losing it to Ken Patera
.
In 1982, Brisco returned to Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling. He regained the NWA Eastern States Heavyweight Championship, which had since been renamed the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship, by defeating Roddy Piper
on May 10, 1982. Although he dropped the title back to Piper on July 7, Brisco regained the belt the following month. After his matches with Piper, Brisco traded the title back and forth with Paul Jones several times. He lost the belt to Jones on September 1, 1982 but won it back on October 18. Jones won the belt once again seven days later, but Brisco beat him for the championship in November.
Brisco also teamed up with his brother to win the Mid-Atlantic version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship
three times. As heels, they beat Ricky Steamboat
and Jay Youngblood for the belts on June 18, 1983. This set up a rivalry in which the belts switched hands several times. Steamboat and Youngblood regained the belts on October 3, but the Briscos won them back on October 21. The Briscos then held the title for a little over a month before dropping the belts back to Steamboat and Youngblood. The Briscos won the belts back the following year, however, by defeating Wahoo McDaniel
and Mark Youngblood
.
, and in 1984 they convinced a majority of the shareholders (52%) to sell their shares to Vince McMahon
, enabling him to increase his dominance of the professional wrestling world. Contrary to popular folklore, Jack and Jerry Brisco were never offered lifetime jobs with the WWF in exchange for selling their interests in Georgia Championship Wrestling. Jack Brisco debunked that myth in 1996 when he was interviewed by Wrestling Perspective. Jack left the business in 1985, while Gerald has worked with the WWF/WWE for decades until he was forced to retire in 2009 due to health problems.
in 2005. Brisco lived in Florida
where he ran the Brisco Brothers Body Shop with brothers Gerald and Bill for over 30 years. He has also made occasional wrestling appearances such as Florida's Wrestle Reunion in January 2005. Brisco is considered one of the great legendary wrestlers of the 1970s and has often been cited as such by Ric Flair
during his emotional promos. Brisco and his brother, Gerald were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame
Class of 2008.
s from open heart surgery
. He is survived by his wife of over 30 years.
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 as Jack Brisco or Uvalde Slim. He performed for various territories of the National Wrestling Alliance
National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
(NWA), becoming a two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion
NWA World Heavyweight Championship
The National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in the National Wrestling Alliance. Its lineage has been traced from the first World Heavyweight Championship, which traces its lineage to Georg Hackenschmidt's 1905 title and...
, and multi-time NWA Tag Team Champion
NWA World Tag Team Championship
The National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Championship is the professional wrestling world tag team championship within the NWA framework.-History:...
with his brother Gerald Brisco
Gerald Brisco
Floyd Gerald "Jerry" Brisco is a former American professional wrestler, and prior to June, 2009, worked as a road agent for WWE on its Raw brand....
. Brisco was considered one of the top wrestlers of his era; in 2005, Don Leo Jonathan
Don Leo Jonathan
Don Heaton , also known as Don Leo Jonathan, is an American former professional wrestler.-Professional wrestling career:...
called him "probably the greatest champion of the 20th century."
In the late 1970s, the Brisco Brothers also discovered Terry Bollea
Hulk Hogan
Terrance Gene "Terry" Bollea , better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American Semi-retired professional wrestler, actor, television personality, and musician currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
, the future wrestling legend best known as Hulk Hogan, who they introduced to Hiro Matsuda for training.
Amateur career
Brisco grew up in Blackwell, OklahomaBlackwell, Oklahoma
Blackwell is a city in Kay County, Oklahoma, United States, located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 177 and State Highway 11 along Interstate 35. The population was 7,668 at the 2000 census. Blackwell was established following the September 16, 1893 Cherokee Outlet land run by A. J. Blackwell...
with five siblings. He grew up as a fan of professional wrestling, and particularly a fan of NWA World Champion Lou Thesz
Lou Thesz
Aloysius Martin "Lou" Thesz was a United States professional wrestler and 18-time world heavyweight champion, most notably holding the NWA World Heavyweight Championship three times. Combined, he held the NWA Championship for 10 years, three months and nine days , longer than anyone else in history...
He was followed by his younger brother, Gerald Brisco
Gerald Brisco
Floyd Gerald "Jerry" Brisco is a former American professional wrestler, and prior to June, 2009, worked as a road agent for WWE on its Raw brand....
, into sport wrestling and turned down a football scholarship at University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
to go to Oklahoma State. He was the first Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
to win an NCAA Wrestling
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
National Championship
NCAA Wrestling Team Championship
The NCAA Wrestling Team Championship was first officially awarded in 1929 and began to be continuously awarded on an annual basis in 1934 except during World War II 1943-1945. In 1928 and from 1931 to 1933, there was only an unofficial title. Oklahoma A&M, now Oklahoma State, won the 1928, 1931...
in 1965. His winning the NCAA title was even more profound in that Brisco won it during his junior year, and didn't get taken down once during the entire season.
Early years
Brisco's first documented professional championship reign began on October 16, 1965, when he defeated Don KentDon Kent (wrestler)
Leo Joseph "Joe" Smith Jr. was an American professional wrestler who wrestled as Don Kent and also as The Black Dragon, Doug Kent, Joe Smith and Super Medico III during his 20 years in professional wrestling.Don Kent is one half of The Fabulous Kangaroos alongside partners Al Costello, Bruno...
to win the NWA Missouri Junior Heavyweight Championship. He held the belt for less than a month, but he regained it in November by defeating Kent once again. Around this time, Brisco also wrestled for NWA Tri-State. While there, he won a couple of state titles (the Oklahoma Heavyweight Championship and the Arkansas Heavyweight Championship). He also won his first tag team titles in this promotion, teaming with Haystacks Calhoun
William Calhoun
William Dee Calhoun was a professional wrestler, who used the professional name "Haystack" or "Haystacks" Calhoun. The gargantuan wrestler was one of the foremost drawing cards during the industry’s “Golden Age” of the 1950s and 1960s while sporting his trademark white T-shirt, blue overalls, and...
for his first reign as co-holder of the Tri-State version of the NWA United States Tag Team Championship. He later held the title again, as he teamed with Gorgeous George, Jr. to win the belts on May 9, 1967.
Championship Wrestling from Florida
Brisco then moved to the Florida area, where he wrestled for Championship Wrestling from Florida for several years. His first title there was the NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Championship
The Florida version of the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship was the major singles professional wrestling championship in the National Wrestling Alliance's Florida territory, Championship Wrestling Florida. It existed from 1962 until 1987, when the title was abandoned. It was revived by NWA...
, which he won on February 11, 1969 by defeating the Missouri Mauler
Larry Hamilton
Larry "Rocky" Hamilton , known by his ringname The Missouri Mauler, was an American professional wrestler who competed in the National Wrestling Alliance as well as Florida Championship Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions, becoming a mainstay of the latter promotion throughout the 1960s.One of...
. He dropped the title back to the Mauler but regained it on July 8. Two weeks later, he won the first of what would eventually be ten NWA Florida Tag Team Championship
NWA Florida Tag Team Championship
The NWA Florida Tag Team Championship is the primary tag team title in Pro Wrestling Fusion. It started out in 1968 as the main tag team title in Championship Wrestling from Florida and lasted until 1990 when it was abandoned. It was picked back up in 1997 by NWA Florida, where it was the primary...
s by teaming with Ciclon Negro. Although he and Ciclon dropped the tag team belts the following month, Brisco held the Southern Heavyweight Title until November 1969, when he left the area to wrestle in Japan and Australia.
When Brisco returned to Florida, he began teaming with his brother, who he had trained as a professional wrestler. He also continued competing as a singles wrestler, winning the NWA Florida Television Championship
NWA Florida Television Championship
The NWA Florida Television Championship was a secondary title in Championship Wrestling from Florida. It existed from 1970 until 1987.-Title history:The NWA Florida Television Championship was a secondary title in Championship Wrestling from Florida...
on November 27, 1970. On February 16, 1971, the Briscos teamed up to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship. They dropped the belts the following month to Dory Funk, Jr.
Dory Funk, Jr.
Dory Ernest Funk Jr. known professionally as Dory Funk, Jr. is a professional wrestler and wrestling trainer. He is the son of Dory Funk Sr. and brother of Terry Funk. He is credited with the invention of the Texas cloverleaf submission hold and runs the Funking Conservatory, a professional...
and 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...
but regained them from the Funks in April. That month, Brisco also beat Terry Funk in a singles match to win the NWA Florida Television Championship again. Brisco's next major success was regaining the Southern Heavyweight Championship by defeating Dick Murdoch
Dick Murdoch
Hoyt Richard "Dick" Murdoch was an American professional wrestler.-Professional wrestling career:A second-generation wrestler, the son of 1950s Texas wrestler Frankie Hill Murdoch, Dick Murdoch grew up with fellow second-generation wrestlers Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk, watching their fathers...
on June 8, 1971. The title was later held up, though, after a controversial rematch with Murdoch.
Brisco then took a short break from Florida wrestling to compete in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
Jim Crockett Promotions
Jim Crockett Promotions was a professional wrestling promotion owned by Jim Crockett, Jr. until the late 1980s. It was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance and was the forerunner to World Championship Wrestling .-Early history:...
. While there, he won the NWA Eastern States Heavyweight Championship
NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship
The NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling championship contested for in Jim Crockett Promotions , a territory-promotion governed by the National Wrestling Alliance . The title was only contestable by male individual wrestlers...
twice by defeating the Missouri Mauler and Rip Hawk.
Upon his return to Florida, he quickly won the NWA Florida Brass Knuckles Championship
NWA Florida Brass Knuckles Championship
The Florida version of the NWA Brass Knuckles Championship was a secondary professional wrestling championship defended sporadically in the National Wrestling Alliance's Florida territory, Championship Wrestling from Florida...
with a victory over Paul Jones
Paul Jones (wrestler)
Paul Jones is a retired professional wrestler and manager. He had success in the National Wrestling Alliance 's Mid-Atlantic region, including an NWA World Tag Team title reign with Ricky Steamboat.-Career:...
on June 13, 1972, but he vacated the title the same day. He then won his third and final Television Championship on November 7, 1972. Nine days later, he also won the Tag Team Championship again by teaming with his brother.
World champion
Brisco's first NWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA World Heavyweight Championship
The National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in the National Wrestling Alliance. Its lineage has been traced from the first World Heavyweight Championship, which traces its lineage to Georg Hackenschmidt's 1905 title and...
win was scheduled to be over Dory Funk Jr. capping off a multi-year feud. However, Dory claimed to be injured in a truck accident and missed the scheduled date. Brisco and 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...
were sent out to make the bookings that were already scheduled for Brisco, and Dory later lost the title to Harley Race
Harley Race
Harley Leland Race is a retired American professional wrestler and current promoter and trainer. During his career as a wrestler, he held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship 7 times...
. Brisco and several others within the NWA power structure always questioned the legitimacy of the accident, claiming that Dory Funk Sr. did not want his son to lose to a "pure" wrester and harm his credibility Jack then won the title from Race after a brief reign in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
on July 20, 1973. He defended his championship in NWA affiliated promotions across the world until losing to Giant Baba on December 4, 1974, though he regained the championship four days later. Brisco defended the championship until losing it to 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...
on December 10, 1975. His loss continued the extensive feud
Feud (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling feud is a staged rivalry between multiple wrestlers or alliances of wrestlers. They are integrated into ongoing storylines, particularly in events which are televised...
between the Briscos and Funks. For several years, Jack and Jerry Brisco would continue battling Terry and Dory Funk for wrestling supremacy.
Independent circuit
In 1976, Brisco wrestled in several promotions and continued to add to his list of titles. He won the MemphisMemphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
version of the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship
AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship
The Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship is a major professional wrestling title in the Memphis Wrestling promotion. The title is part of a long lineage that is best known while the title was named the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship for Continental Wrestling Association during...
on August 10, 1976 by defeating local favorite 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...
. He also won the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship
NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship
The NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship was the secondary singles championship in the National Wrestling Alliance's St. Louis Wrestling Club and Central States Wrestling promotions in the 1970's and 1980's...
on November 26 with a victory over Bob Backlund
Bob Backlund
Robert Lee "Bob" Backlund is an American professional wrestler with an in ring career that spanned over 30 years. Over that time, he went on to become a two-time WWWF/WWF Champion...
. At this time, the Briscos were also awarded the ESA International Tag Team Championship
ESA International Tag Team Championship
Eastern Sports Association's International Tag Team Title was represented by a Trophy, and was defended in the Maritimes from 1969-75.- International Tag Team Champions :...
, although they did not wrestle as a team in the area.
Return to Championship Wrestling from Florida
Wrestling in Florida again, Brisco teamed with his brother to win several more championships. In 1977, they defeated the team of Bob Orton, Jr.Bob Orton, Jr.
Robert Keith Orton is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, "Cowboy" Bob Orton. He is the father of wrestler Randy Orton, who is signed to World Wrestling Entertainment...
and Bob Roop
Bob Roop
Bob Roop is a retired amateur and professional wrestler whose career has spanned high school, college, Army, amateur and professional wrestling. He was an American Heavyweight Greco-Roman wrestler at the 1968 Summer Olympics.-Amateur career:...
to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship. Although they lost the title to Ox Baker
Ox Baker
Douglas A. Baker better known professionally as Ox Baker, is an American former professional wrestler and actor, and was feared for his dreaded finishing move, the Heart Punch, sometimes called the "Hurt Punch", after Baker's famous catchphrase "I love to hurt people!" He has appeared in several...
and "Superstar" Billy Graham, they soon regained the belts in a rematch. On January 25, 1978, they won the belts again by defeating Ivan Koloff and Mr. Saito
Masa Saito
is a former Japanese professional wrestler better known as Mr. Saito or . He wrestled for several years in various promotions operated by the National Wrestling Alliance . He later joined the World Wrestling Federation , where he teamed with Mr. Fuji to hold the World Tag Team Championship twice...
. While holding these belts, the Briscos also won the NWA Florida United States Tag Team Championship
NWA Florida United States Tag Team Championship
The Florida version of the United States Tag Team Championship was a major professional wrestling tag team championship. The title was defended sporadically in the National Wrestling Alliance affiliated Championship Wrestling from Florida from 1961 to 1962, 1978 to 1980, and then 1983 until 1986...
on February 21 with a victory over Mike Graham and Steve Keirn
Steve Keirn
Stephen "Steve" Paul Keirn is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for being part of the tag team The Fabulous Ones, with Stan Lane, and later for a run in the World Wrestling Federation as Skinner, a gimmick that portrayed him as a tobacco spitting alligator hunter from...
. They dropped the United States tag belts back to Graham and Keirn but soon regained them. They were defeated for the United States title by Killer Karl Kox
Herb Gerwig
Herb Gerwig was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name of Killer Karl Kox, who competed in the National Wrestling Alliance as well as international promotions such as All Japan Pro Wrestling, the International Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling during the...
and Bobby Duncum but were again successful in regaining the belts in a rematch. The same thing happened when the Briscos faced Mr. Saito and Mr. Sato that year: they lost the belts and quickly won them back. Meanwhile, the Briscos also defeated Saito and Sato to regain NWA Florida Tag Team Championship. The following year, another victory over Saito and Sato earned the Briscos their final United States Tag Team Championship.
Georgia Championship Wrestling
The Briscos also enjoyed success in Georgia Championship WrestlingGeorgia Championship Wrestling
Georgia Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion whose self-titled TV program aired in the 1970s and 1980s on Atlanta, U.S., superstation WTBS. Though based in Atlanta, the company also ran live wrestling shows throughout its geographic "territory" of Georgia Georgia...
, where they won the NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship
NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship
The NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship was the top tag team championship in Georgia Championship Wrestling from 1968 to 1980, when it was replaced with the NWA National Tag Team Championship....
twice. They competed in a tournament for the tag team belts but finished in second place after a loss to the Funks. They defeated the Funks two months later, however, to win the belts. On November 25, 1979, the Briscos defeated Austin Idol
Austin Idol
Mike McCord is an American retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name the "Universal Heartthrob" Austin Idol.-Professional wrestling career:McCord graduated from Robinson High School in Tampa, Florida...
and The Masked Superstar
Bill Eadie
Bill Eadie is a professional wrestler who has competed under the names of Ax as part of Demolition and The Masked Superstar...
to win the belts a second time. Jack gave up his share of the title, however, giving it to Ole Anderson
Ole Anderson
Alan Robert Rogowski , better known by his ring name of Ole Anderson, is a retired professional wrestler and a promoter. He held numerous NWA World Tag Team Championships with Gene Anderson, who was portrayed as his brother...
. Later that year, Jack Brisco became the first NWA National Heavyweight Champion
NWA National Heavyweight Championship
The original version NWA National Heavyweight Championship was the major singles title in the NWA-affiliated Georgia Championship Wrestling from 1980 until 1986...
when he defeated Terry Funk in a tournament final.
Third stint in Championship Wrestling from Florida
In 1980, Brisco resumed wrestling in Florida. He won the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship again, teaming with Jimmy GarvinJimmy Garvin
James Williams is a retired American professional wrestler. He is best known by his ring name "Gorgeous" Jimmy "Jam" Garvin and as a member of the legendary Fabulous Freebirds....
this time. After losing the belts, Brisco followed this up by teaming with his brother to win them for a final time.
The following year, Brisco won his final Southern Heavyweight Championship by defeating Bobby Jaggers
Bobby Jaggers
Bobby Jaggers is a retired professional wrestler.-In wrestling:*Finishing moves**Elbow drop**Reversed neckbreaker-Championships and accomplishments:...
. Brisco finished off his time in Florida with two reigns as co-holder of Florida version of the NWA North American Tag Team Championship
NWA North American Tag Team Championship
The NWA North American Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship that is currently used and defended in various territories throughout the National Wrestling Alliance. This is the fifth NWA sanctioned championship to bear this name...
. They won a tournament to win their first title, defeating Assassin #1 and Bobby Jaggers in the finals. They lost the belts to the Funks on January 9, 1982 but regained them in a rematch seven days later.
Puerto Rico and Mid-Atlantic
Brisco also wrestled in Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
in 1981, competing for the World Wrestling Council
World Wrestling Council
The World Wrestling Council is one of Puerto Rico's two main professional wrestling promotions, the other one being the International Wrestling Association....
. He won the WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship
WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship
The WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship is a secondary title contested for in the Puerto Rican professional wrestling promotion, the World Wrestling Council ....
on May 30, 1981 and held the belt for almost seven months. He also teamed with his brother to win the WWC North American Tag Team Championship
WWC North American Tag Team Championship
The NWA North American Tag Team Championship was a major tag team championship that was used and defended in Capitol Sports Promotions...
. They defeated Los Pastores
The Bushwhackers
The Bushwhackers were a professional wrestling tag team that also competed as The Sheepherders during their long career. They wrestled in the World Wrestling Federation and Jim Crockett Promotions as well as a nearly 40 year run on the independent wrestling circuit...
(better known as The Bushwhackers) for the title on August 8, 1981 and held it for a month and a half before dropping it to The Fabulous Kangaroos
The Fabulous Kangaroos
The Fabulous Kangaroos is a former professional wrestling tag team that existed in various forms from 1957 until 1983. The first incarnation of The Fabulous Kangaroos was formed when Italian Australian Al Costello teamed with Australia native Roy Heffernan and adopted an "Ultra Australian" gimmick...
. Brisco also returned to Missouri in 1981, defeating Ted DiBiase
Ted DiBiase
Theodore Marvin "Ted" DiBiase, Sr. is a retired professional wrestler, manager, ordained minister and color commentator. DiBiase achieved championship success in a number of wrestling promotions, holding thirty titles during his professional wrestling career...
to win a second NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship. He held the belt for only three weeks, however, before losing it to Ken Patera
Ken Patera
Ken Patera is a former professional wrestler, Olympic weightlifter, and Strongman competitor.-Weightlifting/Strongman career:Patera is a former Olympic weightlifter and American powerlifter...
.
In 1982, Brisco returned to Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling. He regained the NWA Eastern States Heavyweight Championship, which had since been renamed the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship, by defeating Roddy Piper
Roddy Piper
Roderick George Toombs , better known by his ring name "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, is a Canadian semi-retired professional wrestler and film actor who is currently signed to WWE. In professional wrestling, he is best known for his work with WWE...
on May 10, 1982. Although he dropped the title back to Piper on July 7, Brisco regained the belt the following month. After his matches with Piper, Brisco traded the title back and forth with Paul Jones several times. He lost the belt to Jones on September 1, 1982 but won it back on October 18. Jones won the belt once again seven days later, but Brisco beat him for the championship in November.
Brisco also teamed up with his brother to win the Mid-Atlantic version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship
WCW World Tag Team Championship
The World Championship Wrestling Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling world tag team championship in World Championship Wrestling...
three times. As heels, they beat Ricky Steamboat
Ricky Steamboat
Richard Henry Blood , better known by his ring name Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, is a retired American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE working as a road agent. He was one of the few wrestlers who stayed a babyface throughout his career...
and Jay Youngblood for the belts on June 18, 1983. This set up a rivalry in which the belts switched hands several times. Steamboat and Youngblood regained the belts on October 3, but the Briscos won them back on October 21. The Briscos then held the title for a little over a month before dropping the belts back to Steamboat and Youngblood. The Briscos won the belts back the following year, however, by defeating Wahoo McDaniel
Wahoo McDaniel
Edward "Wahoo" McDaniel was a Choctaw-Chickasaw Native American who achieved fame as a professional American football player and later as a professional wrestler.-Early life:...
and Mark Youngblood
Mark Youngblood
Mark Romero is a retired American second generation professional wrestler better known by his ring name Mark Youngblood.-Career:...
.
Relationship with the World Wrestling Federation
The Briscos acquired minority interests in Georgia Championship WrestlingGeorgia Championship Wrestling
Georgia Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion whose self-titled TV program aired in the 1970s and 1980s on Atlanta, U.S., superstation WTBS. Though based in Atlanta, the company also ran live wrestling shows throughout its geographic "territory" of Georgia Georgia...
, and in 1984 they convinced a majority of the shareholders (52%) to sell their shares to Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon
Vincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, announcer, commentator, film producer, actor and former occasional professional wrestler. McMahon is the current Chairman, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of professional wrestling promotion WWE...
, enabling him to increase his dominance of the professional wrestling world. Contrary to popular folklore, Jack and Jerry Brisco were never offered lifetime jobs with the WWF in exchange for selling their interests in Georgia Championship Wrestling. Jack Brisco debunked that myth in 1996 when he was interviewed by Wrestling Perspective. Jack left the business in 1985, while Gerald has worked with the WWF/WWE for decades until he was forced to retire in 2009 due to health problems.
Post retirement
Brisco was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of FameProfessional Wrestling Hall of Fame
The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum is an American professional wrestling hall of fame and museum located in Amsterdam, New York. It was previously located in Schenectady, New York...
in 2005. Brisco lived in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
where he ran the Brisco Brothers Body Shop with brothers Gerald and Bill for over 30 years. He has also made occasional wrestling appearances such as Florida's Wrestle Reunion in January 2005. Brisco is considered one of the great legendary wrestlers of the 1970s and has often been cited as such by 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....
during his emotional promos. Brisco and his brother, Gerald were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame
WWE Hall of Fame
The WWE Hall of Fame is a hall of fame for professional wrestlers maintained by WWE. It was officially created on the February 1, 1993 episode of the World Wrestling Federation's Monday Night Raw television program...
Class of 2008.
Death
On February 1, 2010, Brisco died at the age of 68 after complicationComplication (medicine)
Complication, in medicine, is an unfavorable evolution of a disease, a health condition or a medical treatment. The disease can become worse in its severity or show a higher number of signs, symptoms or new pathological changes, become widespread throughout the body or affect other organ systems. A...
s from open heart surgery
Open Heart Surgery
Open Heart Surgery was released on August 8, 2000 by rock band Virginwool. The band signed to Breaking/Atlantic Records after initially beginning signed to Universal Records. The album was produced and mixed by Brad Wood....
. He is survived by his wife of over 30 years.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Figure four leglock
- Signature moves
- Backslide pin
- Belly to back suplex
- Sleeper hold
- Sunset flip
- Superplex
Championships and accomplishments
- All Japan Pro WrestlingAll Japan Pro Wrestlingis a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
- NWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipThe National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in the National Wrestling Alliance. Its lineage has been traced from the first World Heavyweight Championship, which traces its lineage to Georg Hackenschmidt's 1905 title and...
(2 times)
- NWA World Heavyweight Championship
- Cauliflower Alley ClubCauliflower Alley ClubThe Cauliflower Alley Club is a non-profit fraternal organization, which includes a newsletter and website, comprising both retired and active professional wrestlers and boxers in North America....
- Lou Thesz Award (2005)
- Other honoree (1996)
- Championship Wrestling from Florida
- NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Florida version) (1 time)
- NWA Florida Tag Team ChampionshipNWA Florida Tag Team ChampionshipThe NWA Florida Tag Team Championship is the primary tag team title in Pro Wrestling Fusion. It started out in 1968 as the main tag team title in Championship Wrestling from Florida and lasted until 1990 when it was abandoned. It was picked back up in 1997 by NWA Florida, where it was the primary...
(10 times) – with Gerry BriscoGerald BriscoFloyd Gerald "Jerry" Brisco is a former American professional wrestler, and prior to June, 2009, worked as a road agent for WWE on its Raw brand....
(8), Ciclon Negro (1), and Jimmy GarvinJimmy GarvinJames Williams is a retired American professional wrestler. He is best known by his ring name "Gorgeous" Jimmy "Jam" Garvin and as a member of the legendary Fabulous Freebirds....
(1) - NWA Florida Television ChampionshipNWA Florida Television ChampionshipThe NWA Florida Television Championship was a secondary title in Championship Wrestling from Florida. It existed from 1970 until 1987.-Title history:The NWA Florida Television Championship was a secondary title in Championship Wrestling from Florida...
(3 timesNWA Florida Television ChampionshipThe NWA Florida Television Championship was a secondary title in Championship Wrestling from Florida. It existed from 1970 until 1987.-Title history:The NWA Florida Television Championship was a secondary title in Championship Wrestling from Florida...
) - NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Florida version)NWA North American Tag Team ChampionshipThe NWA North American Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship that is currently used and defended in various territories throughout the National Wrestling Alliance. This is the fifth NWA sanctioned championship to bear this name...
(2 times) – with Gerry Brisco - NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version) (4 times)
- NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (5 times) – with Gerry Brisco
- Eastern Sports AssociationEastern Sports AssociationThe Eastern Sports Association, often referred to in the business simply as "the Maritimes," was a Canadian professional wrestling promotion based in Halifax, Nova Scotia...
- ESA International Tag Team ChampionshipESA International Tag Team ChampionshipEastern Sports Association's International Tag Team Title was represented by a Trophy, and was defended in the Maritimes from 1969-75.- International Tag Team Champions :...
(1 time) - with Gerry Brisco
- ESA International Tag Team Championship
- Georgia Championship WrestlingGeorgia Championship WrestlingGeorgia Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion whose self-titled TV program aired in the 1970s and 1980s on Atlanta, U.S., superstation WTBS. Though based in Atlanta, the company also ran live wrestling shows throughout its geographic "territory" of Georgia Georgia...
- NWA Georgia Tag Team ChampionshipNWA Georgia Tag Team ChampionshipThe NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship was the top tag team championship in Georgia Championship Wrestling from 1968 to 1980, when it was replaced with the NWA National Tag Team Championship....
(2 times) – with Gerry Brisco - NWA National Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA National Heavyweight ChampionshipThe original version NWA National Heavyweight Championship was the major singles title in the NWA-affiliated Georgia Championship Wrestling from 1980 until 1986...
(1 time)
- NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship
- Mid-Atlantic Championship WrestlingJim Crockett PromotionsJim Crockett Promotions was a professional wrestling promotion owned by Jim Crockett, Jr. until the late 1980s. It was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance and was the forerunner to World Championship Wrestling .-Early history:...
- NWA Eastern States Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling championship contested for in Jim Crockett Promotions , a territory-promotion governed by the National Wrestling Alliance . The title was only contestable by male individual wrestlers...
(2 times) - NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling championship contested for in Jim Crockett Promotions , a territory-promotion governed by the National Wrestling Alliance . The title was only contestable by male individual wrestlers...
(4 times) - NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version)WCW World Tag Team ChampionshipThe World Championship Wrestling Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling world tag team championship in World Championship Wrestling...
(3 times) – with Gerry Brisco
- NWA Eastern States Heavyweight Championship
- NWA Big Time WrestlingWorld Class Championship WrestlingWorld Class Championship Wrestling ' was a regional professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Originally owned by promoter Ed McLemore, by 1966 it was run by Southwest Sports, Inc., whose president, Jack Adkisson, was better known as wrestler Fritz Von Erich...
- NWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipThe National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in the National Wrestling Alliance. Its lineage has been traced from the first World Heavyweight Championship, which traces its lineage to Georg Hackenschmidt's 1905 title and...
(1 time)
- NWA World Heavyweight Championship
- NWA Gulf CoastNational Wrestling AllianceThe National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
- NWA Gulf Coast Louisiana ChampionshipMid-South Louisiana ChampionshipThe Mid-South Louisiana Heavyweight Championship was a secondary professional wrestling championship that was used and defended from 1964 though 1983. Initially, the championship originated in the NWA affiliated Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling. During this time, it was referred to as the NWA Gulf...
(1 time)
- NWA Gulf Coast Louisiana Championship
- NWA Mid-AmericaContinental Wrestling AssociationThe Continental Wrestling Association was a wrestling promotion managed by Jerry Jarrett. The CWA was the name of the "governing body" for the Championship Wrestling, Inc. promotion which was usually referred to as Mid-Southern Wrestling...
- NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Memphis version) (1 time)
- NWA Tri-StateNational Wrestling AllianceThe National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
- NWA Arkansas Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA Arkansas Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA Arkansas Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling championship sanctioned by the National Wrestling Alliance and defended in its Arkansas territory.-Title history:Silver areas in the history indicate periods of unknown lineage....
(1 time) - NWA Oklahoma Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA Oklahoma Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA Oklahoma Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling championship sanctioned by the National Wrestling Alliance as the top title contested for in its member promotion NWA Oklahoma.-Title history:-External links:***...
(1 time) - NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Tri-State version)NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Tri-State version)The NWA Tri-State Tag Team Championship was a tag team title created in 1962, and contested in the National Wrestling Alliance's Tri-State territory, which was promoted by Leroy McGuirk and Jack Curtis and Aurelian "Grizzly" Smith...
(2 times) – with Haystacks CalhounWilliam CalhounWilliam Dee Calhoun was a professional wrestler, who used the professional name "Haystack" or "Haystacks" Calhoun. The gargantuan wrestler was one of the foremost drawing cards during the industry’s “Golden Age” of the 1950s and 1960s while sporting his trademark white T-shirt, blue overalls, and...
(1) and Gorgeous George, Jr. (1)
- NWA Arkansas Heavyweight Championship
- 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 Match of the Year (1974) vs. Dory Funk, Jr.Dory Funk, Jr.Dory Ernest Funk Jr. known professionally as Dory Funk, Jr. is a professional wrestler and wrestling trainer. He is the son of Dory Funk Sr. and brother of Terry Funk. He is credited with the invention of the Texas cloverleaf submission hold and runs the Funking Conservatory, a professional...
on January 27 - PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year (1972) tied with Fred CurryFred Curry (wrestler)Fred Thomas Koury, Jr. better known by his ring name ”Flyin'” Fred Curry, was an American professional wrestler of Lebanese descent. The son of "Wild Bull" Curry, Fred Koury was one of the most popular stars in the Midwest United States during the 1960s.-Career:In the 1960s, Koury, Jr. took up...
- PWI Wrestler of the Year (1973)
- PWI ranked him # 54 of the 100 best tag teams during the "PWI Years" with Gerry Brisco in 2003.
- PWI ranked him #67 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003
- PWI Match of the Year (1974) vs. Dory Funk, Jr.
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
- Class of 2005
- St. Louis Wrestling ClubSt. Louis Wrestling ClubThe St. Louis Wrestling Club was a professional wrestling promotion based in St. Louis, Missouri. It was owned and operated by Sam Muchnick. The promotion was a flagship member of the National Wrestling Alliance, and promoted primarily in the St. Louis area. It was colloquially referred to within...
- NWA Missouri Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA Missouri Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship was the secondary singles championship in the National Wrestling Alliance's St. Louis Wrestling Club and Central States Wrestling promotions in the 1970's and 1980's...
(2 times) - NWA Missouri Junior Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship
- World Wrestling CouncilWorld Wrestling CouncilThe World Wrestling Council is one of Puerto Rico's two main professional wrestling promotions, the other one being the International Wrestling Association....
- WWC Caribbean Heavyweight ChampionshipWWC Caribbean Heavyweight ChampionshipThe WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship is a secondary title contested for in the Puerto Rican professional wrestling promotion, the World Wrestling Council ....
(1 time) - WWC North American Tag Team ChampionshipWWC North American Tag Team ChampionshipThe NWA North American Tag Team Championship was a major tag team championship that was used and defended in Capitol Sports Promotions...
(1 time) – with Gerry Brisco
- WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship
- World Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
- WWE Hall of FameWWE Hall of FameThe WWE Hall of Fame is a hall of fame for professional wrestlers maintained by WWE. It was officially created on the February 1, 1993 episode of the World Wrestling Federation's Monday Night Raw television program...
(Class of 2008)
- WWE Hall of Fame
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of FameWrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of FameThe Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is a professional wrestling hall of fame that recognizes people who make significant contributions to the sport. It was founded in 1996 by Dave Meltzer, editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is not...
(Class of 1996)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
External links
- Official Site
- WWE Hall of Fame profile of Jack Brisco
- Jack Brisco at the National (Amateur) Wrestling Hall of Fame Site
- Bill Watts, My friend Jack Brisco has passed...a few comments... Jack Brisco