Post by flame3169118 on Jun 10, 2020 14:07:39 GMT -5
Bill Apter reported this morning (June 10) that retired Georgia wrestling legend Johnny Walker died recently. The man who was most famous for his work under a mask as Mr. Wrestling II was 85.
The North Carolina-native started wrestling in the 1950s using his real name. He picked up the nickname “Rubberman” because of his ability to, as Wrestling Revue wrote in 1960, “ooze and bounce out of intricate holds that had ruined many a top-notch wrestler.”
Walker first donned a mask as The Grappler on the Florida circuit in the 60s. But it was when Jerry Jarrett was booking Atlanta and needed a replacement for his departing star Tim “Mr. Wrestling” Woods that the journeyman veteran got his most famous gimmick.
Mr. Wrestling II, or just “Two” as Georgia Championship Wrestling fans called him, had success throughout the 70s and early 80s - both as a singles performer and in tagging with with Woods. Walker had ten runs as NWA Georgia Heavyweight champion and five NWA Georgia Tag titles on his lengthy list of career accolades.
It was during this time that a peanut farmer and politician Jimmy Carter, and his mother “Miss” Lillian, came to call Two their favorite wrestler. Carter famously invited Walker to attend his Presidential Inauguration in 1977, but declined when the Secret Service told them he would have to break kayfabe and appear without his mask.
Walker first donned a mask as The Grappler on the Florida circuit in the 60s. But it was when Jerry Jarrett was booking Atlanta and needed a replacement for his departing star Tim “Mr. Wrestling” Woods that the journeyman veteran got his most famous gimmick.
Mr. Wrestling II, or just “Two” as Georgia Championship Wrestling fans called him, had success throughout the 70s and early 80s - both as a singles performer and in tagging with with Woods. Walker had ten runs as NWA Georgia Heavyweight champion and five NWA Georgia Tag titles on his lengthy list of career accolades.
It was during this time that a peanut farmer and politician Jimmy Carter, and his mother “Miss” Lillian, came to call Two their favorite wrestler. Carter famously invited Walker to attend his Presidential Inauguration in 1977, but declined when the Secret Service told them he would have to break kayfabe and appear without his mask.
In 1983 he would join Mid South wrestling and become the on screen mentor of Magnum T.A in perhaps his most famous feud, he and Magnum would split when Mr Wrestling threw the towel in when it wasn't necessary to do so during one of Magnum's matches. Wrestling two during this time would also with the North American championship during this time by defeating JYD in 1984.
Towards the end of his career he would spend a couple of years as a jobber in the WWE before leaving on 1986. Walker retired to Hawaii, where he worked in management for Hawai’i Championship Wrestling. He briefly came out of retirement at age 73 to partner with his protege Mr. Wrestling III to win the promotion’s tag titles. “Three” was former ECW & Ring of Honor star and current NXT producer Steve Corino.
Probably the uncredited inventor of the "slap sound" wrestlers do on their thighs nowadays to give their moves more "oomph", although II just used the opponent's back to create the sound for his knee lift finisher.
Walker was inducted into the WCW Hall of Fame, the NWA Hall of Fame, and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. He was also Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Wrestler of the Year for 1975.
His wife Olivia designed his mask, and made robes for Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Lex Luger, and the Killer Bees. She died in 2000. The Walkers are survived by their three sons.
His wife Olivia designed his mask, and made robes for Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Lex Luger, and the Killer Bees. She died in 2000. The Walkers are survived by their three sons.