Kelly Kiniski
Encyclopedia
Kelly Kiniski is a Canadian
-born American
retired professional wrestler
. He is the elder son of the legendary wrestler Gene Kiniski
and is best known for his work with Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
and WCCW
.
. He made his professional debut with Stampede Wrestling
on August 1, 1980 in Calgary, defeating Texas Red Miller. On December 26, 1980, he teamed with his father to defeat Moose Morowski and The Destroyer
in an NWA All-Star Wrestling tag team match in Vancouver
. He spent his first year in the sport competing primarily in Canada, splitting his time between Stampede and NWA All-Star.
. In 1983, he formed a tag team with One Man Gang
. They defeated Mike Rotunda
and Rufus R. Jones in a tournament final on May 23, 1983 to win the vacant NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship
. On July 20, 1983, they lost the titles to Rufus R. Jones and Bugsy McGraw
. Kelly and OMG challenged Jones and McGraw in several rematches but were unsuccessful in regaining the belts.
based World Class Championship Wrestling
which was owned by Fritz Von Erich
, who was one of Gene Kiniski's best friends. When Fritz's son Jackie died of electrocution and drowned in a puddle of melted snow, it was Gene Kiniski who broke the news to Fritz, thus prompting Fritz to break a car window with his fist. He defeated Iceman King Parsons on February 20, 1984 to win the WCCW Television Championship
. On May 7, 1984, Kiniski, who had previously been injured, gave the title to Killer Khan
to defend in a match against Johnny Mantell. At WCCW's Christmas Star Wars event on December 25, 1984, he defeated Rock "N" Roll Buck Zumhofe
. He wrestled for WCCW, as well as later competing in the American Wrestling Association
, until 1987 and then retired from pro wrestling.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
-born American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
retired 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...
. He is the elder son of the legendary wrestler Gene Kiniski
Gene Kiniski
Eugene Nicholas "Gene" Kiniski was a Canadian professional wrestler and the father of wrestlers Nick Kiniski and Kelly Kiniski. "Canada's Greatest Athlete" as he billed himself for promotional purposes was born outside of Edmonton, Alberta...
and is best known for his work with Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
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...
and WCCW
World Class Championship Wrestling
World 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...
.
Early career
Kelly Kiniski was trained by his father, the legendary "Canada's Greatest Athlete" Gene KiniskiGene Kiniski
Eugene Nicholas "Gene" Kiniski was a Canadian professional wrestler and the father of wrestlers Nick Kiniski and Kelly Kiniski. "Canada's Greatest Athlete" as he billed himself for promotional purposes was born outside of Edmonton, Alberta...
. He made his professional debut with Stampede Wrestling
Stampede Wrestling
Stampede Wrestling is a Canadian professional wrestling promotion based in Calgary, Alberta and was for nearly 50 years one of the main promotions in western Canada and the Canadian Prairies...
on August 1, 1980 in Calgary, defeating Texas Red Miller. On December 26, 1980, he teamed with his father to defeat Moose Morowski and The Destroyer
Dick Beyer
Dick Beyer is a retired professional wrestler who is best known by his ring names, The Destroyer or Doctor X.-Early life:...
in an NWA All-Star Wrestling tag team match in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
. He spent his first year in the sport competing primarily in Canada, splitting his time between Stampede and NWA All-Star.
Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (1982-1984)
In 1982, Kelly debuted in Mid-Atlantic Championship WrestlingJim 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:...
. In 1983, he formed a tag team with One Man Gang
George Gray (wrestler)
George Gray is an American professional wrestler best known as One Man Gang and Akeem "the African Dream".-Early years:...
. They defeated Mike Rotunda
Mike Rotunda
Lawrence Michael "Mike" Rotunda is a former American professional wrestler, perhaps best known under the name Irwin R. Schyster or I.R.S. for short. He is currently signed with WWE working as a road agent and making occasional appearances on WWE shows as Irwin R...
and Rufus R. Jones in a tournament final on May 23, 1983 to win the vacant NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship
NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship
The NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship is the tag team title currently defended in the National Wrestling Alliance's NWA Mid-Atlantic territory. The championship was originally created in the summer of 1968 and was originally named the NWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team Championship...
. On July 20, 1983, they lost the titles to Rufus R. Jones and Bugsy McGraw
Bugsy McGraw
Bugsy McGraw is the ring name of former professional wrestler Michael Davis. He also wrestled under the name "The Skull." He is not to be confused with the other wrestler named Mike Davis.-Total Nonstop Action Wrestling :...
. Kelly and OMG challenged Jones and McGraw in several rematches but were unsuccessful in regaining the belts.
World Class Championship Wrestling (1984-1987)
In early 1984, Kelly Kiniski signed for Dallas, TexasDallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
based World Class Championship Wrestling
World Class Championship Wrestling
World 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...
which was owned by Fritz Von Erich
Fritz Von Erich
Jack Barton Adkisson was an American professional wrestler under the ring name Fritz Von Erich, better known today as a wrestling promoter and the patriarch of the Von Erich family...
, who was one of Gene Kiniski's best friends. When Fritz's son Jackie died of electrocution and drowned in a puddle of melted snow, it was Gene Kiniski who broke the news to Fritz, thus prompting Fritz to break a car window with his fist. He defeated Iceman King Parsons on February 20, 1984 to win the WCCW Television Championship
WCCW Television Championship
The WCWA Television Championship was a secondary championship that was used and defended in the World Class Wrestling Association. Originally created in 1979 as the WCCW Television Championship, it was primarily defended on their weekly television show...
. On May 7, 1984, Kiniski, who had previously been injured, gave the title to Killer Khan
Killer Khan
is a retired professional wrestler. Popularly known as Killer Khan, he was billed from Mongolia and had numerous high-profile matches with André the Giant in the World Wrestling Federation during the 1980s, including the first ever "stretcher match"...
to defend in a match against Johnny Mantell. At WCCW's Christmas Star Wars event on December 25, 1984, he defeated Rock "N" Roll Buck Zumhofe
Buck Zumhofe
Eugene Zumhofe is a professional wrestler better known as Buck "Rock n' Roll" Zumhofe, wrestling's self proclaimed original rock and roller.-Training:...
. He wrestled for WCCW, as well as later competing in the American Wrestling Association
American Wrestling Association
The American Wrestling Association was an American professional wrestling promotion based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that ran from 1960 to 1991. It was owned and founded by Verne Gagne and Wally Karbo...
, until 1987 and then retired from pro wrestling.
Championships and accomplishments
- 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 Mid-Atlantic Tag Team ChampionshipNWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team ChampionshipThe NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship is the tag team title currently defended in the National Wrestling Alliance's NWA Mid-Atlantic territory. The championship was originally created in the summer of 1968 and was originally named the NWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team Championship...
(1 time) - with One Man GangGeorge Gray (wrestler)George Gray is an American professional wrestler best known as One Man Gang and Akeem "the African Dream".-Early years:...
- NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship
- World Class Championship 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...
- WCCW Television ChampionshipWCCW Television ChampionshipThe WCWA Television Championship was a secondary championship that was used and defended in the World Class Wrestling Association. Originally created in 1979 as the WCCW Television Championship, it was primarily defended on their weekly television show...
(1 time)
- WCCW Television Championship