Sam Bass

• Year(s) in territory: 1972-1976
• Managed The Masked Medics, The Masked Pittsburgh Stealers, Jim White & Jerry Lawler, Al Greene & Phil Hickerson, The Mummy, Otto Von Heller & Karl Von Steiger, Count Drummer, Ron Bass & Don Bass
• Interesting characteristic(s): Worked for a time as a wrestler before becoming a manager. Received biggest fame as manager to Jim White & Jerry Lawler and after the team split as Lawler’s manager. Sporting a goatee, the lanky manager often interfered in matches as a manager and often used his pointy-toed cowboy boots as weapons. Also had a good amount of success as manager to Al Greene & Phil Hickerson. In 1974, Greene, Hickerson & Bass turned on Lawler leading a fan favorite Lawler to gun for Bass. Eventually, Bass and Lawler mended fences and Bass again became Lawler’s manager and guided him as the area’s leading heel. The Lawler-Bass association continued until July 1976 when Bass, Pepe Lopez and Frank Hester died in a car crash after a Memphis card.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: Jackie Fargo, Jerry Jarrett, Jerry Lawler

Big Bad John

• Year(s) in territory (as a manager): 1976
• Managed The Masked Superstars (Dick Dunn & Tarzan Baxter)
• Interesting characteristic(s): Became a manager after injuries slowed his in-ring career. BBJ was one of the great talkers of the 1970s as his charisma oozed through on interviews and despite often being a heel in the area his charisma made him difficult to dislike. Was used as a manager mostly on the eastern end of the territory. Had several major runs in the area including the one in which he ended up as a heel manager. Prior to his heel turn, John was a fan favorite who wore red, white and blue and called himself the Bicentennial Baby. Formed a Mutt and Jeff-type team then with Bill Dundee. Earlier runs often paired him with Pepe Lopez, a combination that held the area’s World tag titles on several occasions. Tall and bearded with long hair, John looked like a biker. Sometimes wore a helmet which was used as a weapon. Had major runs during his career in Florida, Knoxville, Georgia and California, as well as Australia where he often paired with Abdullah the Butcher.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: (as a manager): Bob Armstrong, Jackie Fargo

Jonathan Boyd

• Year(s) in territory: 1986-87
• Managed The Sheepherders: Luke Williams & Butch Miller
• Interesting characteristic(s): Longtime in-ring star who very briefly managed the Sheepherders. Boyd was excellent on the microphone with his interviews showcasing his ability to lose control of his temper. Boyd carried a New Zealand flag to ringside which was often used as a weapon.
• Notable rivalries/feuds (as a manager): The Fabulous Ones: Steve Keirn & Stan Lane

Tom Branch

• Year(s) in territory: 1985
• Managed Taras Bulba, Bota the Witch Doctor
• Interesting characteristic(s): Branch debuted in the area as a referee. He became a heel referee after calling matches involving Jerry Lawler too down the line for Lawler’s tastes. Ended up at the end of his run in 1985 as an active wrestler, even holding the Mid-America title before losing it to Koko Ware. Began managing Bota after Leslie Floyd Creechman left the area. Added Taras Bulba to the men he managed soon after connecting with Bota.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: Koko Ware, Jerry Lawler

Brickhouse Brown

• Year(s) in territory: 1987, 1988
• Managed Don Bass, Carl Fergie, Downtown Bruno, Big Bubba, Goliath, Max Pain, Pat Tanaka, Paul Diamond, Curt Hennig, The Cuban Assassins
• Interesting characteristic(s): In 1987, formed a stable of wrestlers he called the Commission. Brown referred to himself as The Black Prince. Spent a month suspended as a wrestler for running in the ring dressed as a woman and attacking Jerry Lawler during an AWA title match. This gave Brown the chance to slip into his manager’s role for a time. Returned in 1988 as a manager briefly to lead Max Pain although the two quickly ended up at odds with one another. For a time also managed some of Ernest Angel’s group when Angel was not active.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: Jerry Lawler, Max Pain

George Cannon

• Year(s) in territory: 1973
• Managed The Fabulous Kangaroos: Al Costello & Don Kent
• Interesting characteristic(s): Most well-known for managerial stints in Detroit and Montreal, as well as the upstart IWA promotion in the mid-1970s. Had a successful in-ring career before becoming a manager. Labeled “Crybaby” because of his whining when he felt he or his men were at a disadvantage the large Cannon drew great heat in the area. Usually wearing a jacket that featured the phrase “I Am Right” on the back, Cannon, an ex-wrestler, sometimes donned the tights in area matches. Was also quick to hand his men a boomerang to use as a weapon. About six months into the Kangaroos stay in the area Cannon left and the Kangaroos were then managed by Sir Clements. In 1977 the Gulas promotion introduced Mr. America Don Ross to the territory. His initial appearance was on a video tape from Detroit where Cannon introduced him as his latest find.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: Tommy Gilbert, Eddie Marlin, Ben Justice, Tojo Yamamoto, Don Duffy, Lorenzo Parente & Bobby Hart

Sir Steven Clements

• Year(s) in territory: 1971-1974
• Managed Don Greene & Al Greene, The Fabulous Kangaroos: Al Costello & Don Kent, The Bounty Hunters, Don Kent, Lorenzo Parente
• Interesting characteristic(s): This British light heavyweight first debuted in the area as a wrestler. His size hindered him though from having a serious in-ring career in the States. The promotion dressed him up, handed him an umbrella as a handy weapon and he became the first manager for one of the area’s legendary tag teams, Don & Al Greene. Worked a couple of other territories billed as Sir Dudley Clements. Died in a car crash in 1976 in Ohio. He was managing Brute Bernard at the time.
• Notable rivalries/feuds (as a manager): Jackie Fargo, Jerry Jarrett

Jim Cornette

• Year(s) in territory: 1982-1983
• Managed Sherri Martel & Lelani Kai, Dutch Mantel, Jesse Barr, Crusher Broomfield, Apocalypse, The Exotic Adrian Street & Miss Linda, The Masked Galaxians, Duke Myers, Norman Frederick Charles, III, the Angel, King Carl Fergie, The Bounty Hunter
• Interesting characteristic(s): A longtime fan of the business that ended up taking ringside photos at arena shows and also writing for some newsstand mat magazines. Cornette was introduced to fans as a potential manager in 1982. He was given the rich momma boys gimmick, one that he stuck with his entire managerial career. Initially had trouble landing his first charge as Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee both turned him down and ridiculed him. He worked a deal with Dutch Mantel but it fell through. Ended up first managing Sherri Martel & Lelani Kai before ending up with a steady crew of wrestlers. Left the Memphis end and became lead manager in the GCW Superstars promotion in the summer of 1983. Referred to his GCW Superstars stable as The Dynasty. Returned at the end of that summer and worked as lead manager Jimmy Hart’s assistant before leaving the promotion to go to Bill Watts’ Mid-South promotion where he first garnered national attention.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: Dutch Mantel, off and on against Jimmy Hart

Al Costello

• Year(s) in territory: 1977-1978
• Managed Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey
• Interesting characteristic(s): Well-known wrestler who worked most of his career as one half of the fabled Fabulous Kangaroos tag team with partners Roy Heffernan, Ray St. Clair and Don Kent. By the mid-1970s, Costello’s ring career had slowed and he became a ringside manager. Costello worked for Lou Thesz’s UWA promotion as a manager in 1976, which ran opposition against the Gulas-Welch promotion. In the UWA, Costello managed The Masked Spoiler (Frank Morrell) and Cowboy Parker. Worked the Knoxville territory for a time as manager to Bob Orton, Jr. & Mr. Knoxville (a masked Ronnie Garvin). By late 1977, Costello ventured to Memphis and briefly managed Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey.
• Notable rivalries/feuds (as a manager): The Masked Interns managed by Dr. Ken Ramey

J.D. Costello

• Year(s) in territory: 1986
• Managed The M.O.D. Squad, Tony Falk, Fire & Flame
• Interesting characteristic(s): Like Jim Cornette, Costello used the rich momma’s boy gimmick as he supposedly inherited a lot of money from a deceased relative. Costello referred to his men as the J.D. Costello Dynasty (Cornette referred to his 1983 GCW Superstars stable as the Dynasty also). Best known for managing a burly team known as The M.O.D. (Masters of Disaster) Squad billed as two ex-cops implying they were thrown off the force for being too rough. The lanky Costello, not related to Al Costello, usually wore garish sports jackets and carried a “rule book” which was often used as a weapon. Costello suffered humiliation when Jerry Lawler ripped his pants off revealing Costello’s penchant for wearing ladies undergarments. As Costello settled into his manager’s slot in the area, he began using his wealth to branch out some. He offered his gold Visa card to Jerry Lawler, Bill Dundee and Buddy Landell if they would let him become their manager. Each one promptly turned his offer down. Costello’s strongest point as a manager was likely his talking ability as he wasn’t shy when the camera light turned on.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: Jerry Lawler & Giant Hillbilly

Leslie Floyd Creechman, III

• Year(s) in territory: 1985
• Managed Bota the Witch Doctor
• Interesting characteristic(s): Implication was he was related to Detroit manager Eddie Creechman, who one time managed celebrated heel The Sheik. On his initial appearance he was introduced as a sports agent with a background in law. Threatened legal action against the promotion when they decided to hold the Southern tag titles up after a controversial match between The Sheepherders combo of Jonathan Boyd & Rip Morgan and The Fabulous Ones: Steve Keirn & Stan Lane. Sometimes carried a brief case to ringside. Managed Bota the Witch Doctor who carried a stick that shot fire.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: Jerry Lawler

Kenny D

• Year(s) in territory: 1986, 1988
• Managed: The Killer, The Snowman, Tom Brandi, Billy Travis, Jerry Lawler, Curt Hennig
• Interesting characteristic(s): Billed from south Louisiana and dressed in white Miami Vice style clothes, D talked faster than an auctioneer with a weak bladder. Showed great enthusiasm and was considered a babyface manager. Returned after an absence in 1988 and claimed he would watch the backs of his charges against area evil-doers. Double-crossed Jerry Lawler a week prior to Lawler’s shot at AWA champion Curt Hennig. Actually accompanied Hennig to ringside for the May 1988 match where Lawler won the title. During the match special referee Jackie Fargo pulled D into the ring and gave him an atomic drop, Fargo’s patented finisher. The move rendered D useless in the match.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: Jerry Lawler

Paul E. Dangerly

• Year(s) in territory: 1987
• Managed The Masked Mercenaries, Austin Idol & Tommy Rich, Lord Humongous
• Interesting characteristic(s): Few in the business at the time were as self-assured behind a microphone as this young upstart. Usually referred to by announcers as Paul E. Dangerly although he referred to himself as Paul E. Dangerously. Paul Heyman had also been a life long fan of wrestling. Introduced as manager to Lord Humoungous, it wasn’t long before Dangerly was the area’s top manager as he stepped into wrestling’s hottest feud at the time when he began managing Austin Idol & Tommy Rich in their war against Jerry Lawler. In Memphis, Dangerly’s brashness and loud attitude made him an instant villain. His work with Austin Idol & Tommy Rich opened a lot of eyes in the business as they feuded for months against area legend Jerry Lawler.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: Jerry Lawler

Danny Davis

• Year(s) in territory: 1979-1982
• Managed The Blonde Bombers: Larry Latham & Wayne Farris, Buddy Wayne & Ken Wayne, Pete Austin, The Fabulous Freebirds: Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes, Ron Bass, briefly managed Jerry Lawler in 1982
• Interesting characteristic(s): Davis first turned heads as a wrestler in 1978 in the area. A bit on the small size, Davis gained more notoriety in 1979 as he became lead manager in the area to the team of Larry Latham & Wayne Farris. Sonny King made rumblings about managing in the area in 1979 by forming an Army so he recruited Davis to manage. Davis quickly signed Latham & Farris, as well as Buddy & Ken Wayne and added King’s enlistee Pete Austin as well as several others. Davis often donned army clothing including a helmet and canteen and referred to himself as Sgt. Danny Davis. King and Davis would have a falling out and Davis would briefly take charge of the Army. Soon though Davis focused on Latham & Farris. In 1980, the promotion brought back Buddy Fuller who got involved against Davis and his men. Fuller helped train Davis for his ring career. The trio worked for both Jerry Jarrett and Nick Gulas during their time together. Davis continued to manage the pair until they split in 1980. Briefly feuded against Jimmy Hart in late 1980. Davis returned to the ring and formed one of the more fluid teams of the 1980s with Ken Wayne as the Nightmares.
• Notable rivalries/feuds (as a manager): Bill Dundee & Jerry Jarrett, Buddy Fuller, Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee

J.J. Dillon

• Year(s) in territory: 1982-1984
• Managed Kamala, King Konga, Kendo Nagasaki, The Zambui Express: Ellijah Akeem & Kareem Muhammad
• Interesting characteristic(s): Actually only made a handful of live appearances in the area as most of his influence was felt on videotaped interviews. Dillon had become one of the business’s top managers in Florida often feuding against that state’s top attraction, Dusty Rhodes. In 1982, Dillon engaged in a rare heel manager vs. heel manager feud against Jimmy Hart. The feud progressed enough to see Hart reunite with arch rival Jerry Lawler to battle Dillon. In 1984, Dillon returned and the roles were reversed as Lawler and Dillon banded together to thwart Hart.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: Jimmy Hart

The Dirty White Girl

• Year(s) in territory: 1989
• Managed The Dirty White Boy
• Interesting characteristic(s): The petite fiery female who accompanied The Dirty White Boy to the ring. Had worked with the Dirty White Boy in the Continental promotion prior to working for the Jarrett promotion. Was very active on the microphone and at ringside. In real life, she was married to the Dirty White Boy.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: Chris Champion

Downtown Bruno

• Year(s) in territory: 1987-1989
• Managed The Black Prince (Brickhouse Brown), Don Bass, Carl Fergie, Big Bubba, Goliath, Pat Tanaka, Paul Diamond
• Interesting characteristic(s): In the world of professional wrestling where giants are the norm, Bruno personified the word scrawny. Wearing eyeglasses and dressed in mix and match tee shirts and jackets and a baseball cap, Bruno quickly became memorable not only for his appearance but for his rapid-fire interview abilities. While managers from the 1960s and 1970s were usually well-dressed, Bruno looked grubby not only with his clothes but with an unshaven face. Billed from Fort Duquesne Boulevard in Pittsburgh, Bruno’s appearance and mannerisms drew instant heel heat in the area. Bruno’s catch phrase, “Momma sez it beez that way sometimes” punctuated almost every Bruno interview. In 1987 when Brickhouse Brown, as The Black Prince, became lead heel and formed a stable of wrestlers as The Prince’s Commission, Bruno joined up for a time but was dressed up as a court jester. Left and worked in Alabama’s Continental promotion for a time but returned in 1988 as part of Robert Fuller’s Stud Stable. Bruno later gained his greatest fame in the business by working for the WWF as Harvey Wippleman. Before becoming a fixture in the wrestling business, Bruno was a longtime fan who had contributed to years to wrestling’s underground newsletters.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: Jeff Jarrett, Jerry Lawler

Don Duffy

• Year(s) in territory: 1972
• Managed Lorenzo Parente & Bobby Hart
• Interesting characteristic(s): A ring veteran Duffy took the reigns of one the most underrated tag teams of the early 1970s, Lorenzo Parente & Bobby Hart. Parente & Hart had worked this territory and also for Leroy McGuirk headlining cards for several years. Previously, the duo was managed by Saul Weingeroff. The association with Duffy did not last long as Duffy was pinned in six man matches around the horn where the loser of the fall would have to leave the area. Undaunted, Duffy was gone briefly as he returned to area rings wearing a mask as The Scorpion, who teamed with Jerry Lawler after Lawler’s regular tag partner, Jim White was injured. Later returned to the area and teamed with Crazy Luke Graham to feud against Jackie & Roughhouse Fargo in 1975, one of the hottest feuds of the year in the territory
• Notable rivalries/feuds (as a manager): Eddie Marlin & Tommy Gilbert, George Cannon, The Fabulous Kangaroos: Al Costello & Don Kent

Jaime Dundee

• Year(s) in territory: 1988
• Managed Bill Dundee
• Interesting characteristic(s): Son of area legend Bill Dundee. Began working some at ringside during 1988 as Bill teamed with Todd Morton to feud against The Rock n Roll RPMs. Had worked earlier in 1988 with the USA promotion operated by Ron Fuller and based out of east Tennessee. Jaime later would turn pro and gain most of his ring fame working under the name JC Ice in a team with Wolfie D called PG-13.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: The Rock n Roll RPMs: Mike Davis & Tommy Lane

J.C. Dykes

• Year(s) in territory: 1974-1976
• Managed The Masked Infernos, The Masked Dominoes
• Interesting characteristic(s): Dykes was from east Tennessee and began working in the 1960s in the area as a referee for promoters Nick Gulas and Roy Welch. Perhaps his days as the third man in the ring can be credited with his amazing understanding of ring psychology as Dykes was one of the business’s top heat-drawing managers of the late 1960s and into the mid 1970s. Often was billed as “Esquire” J.C. Dykes. Dressed in a suit and tie, Dykes cut a dapper image at ringside. Was one of several with ties to the territory who wrote a column called “The Manager’s Corner” for Wrestling Revue magazine during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Had the ability to toss fire at opponents, a trick few in the business used for a long time. Although his Infernos and Dominoes headlined area cards in the 1970s as a manager, Dykes’ greatest fame was achieved in other territories such as West Texas and Florida. Dykes was the manager of the Masked Dominoes (Pepe Lopez & Frank Hester) in 1976 when they and Sam Bass were involved in a fiery fatal middle Tennessee car crash. Dykes retired from the business soon thereafter.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: Bobo Brazil & Bearcat Brown, Cowboy Frankie Laine & Joey Rossi

Jim Garvin

• Year(s) in territory: 1973
• Managed Terrence Garvin, Ron Garvin, Duke Myers
• Interesting characteristic(s): Billed as the youngest brother of the Garvin clan, a young Jim Garvin was a constant interferer in his team’s matches. Jim is actually the step-son of Ronnie and no relation to the late Terry Garvin. Sporting long, blonde hair, Garvin proved to be a meddlesome presence at ringside as he feuded against such area legends as Jackie Fargo and Bearcat Brown. Brown stepped into a feud with Garvin and his men after they attacked his longtime partner Len Rossi, who was recovering from a serious automobile accident. Managed Terrence & Ronnie but also managed Terrence’s team with Duke Myers. Jim later worked Florida as Beau James, the manager to Ray Stevens. Eventually began to wrestle and had a long successful ring career in the 1980s and early 1990s.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: Joey Rossi, Bearcat Brown, Jackie Fargo

Gorgeous George, Jr.

• Year(s) in territory: 1978, 1979
• Managed Blackjack Frankie Laine & Mike Bowyer, The Mongolian Stomper, The Masked Assassins, Professor Toru Tanaka
• Interesting characteristic(s): Billed as the son of the legendary star Gorgeous George, although they were not related. Appeared early in his career as Gorgeous George, II. Worked many territories as a wrestler through the years including for promoters such as Leroy McGuirk, Dory Funk, Sr., Eddie Graham and others. Had a long run in the area in 1976 and into 1977 as a singles wrestler. Settled into a manager’s role in Knoxville’s Southeastern territory as manager to The Mongolian Stomper. Also worked the Alabama end of the Southeastern promotion as a manager. Briefly worked as a manager in Georgia after Bobby Heenan left there to return to the AWA in late 1979. George’s first stint as a manager for Jerry Jarrett was in 1978 when he managed the combo of Blackjack Frankie Laine and Mike Bowyer. He returned in 1979 managing The Mongolian Stomper and the Masked Assassins, and for a time, Professor Toru Tanaka. George usually dressed in light colored outfits and wore a beret-type hat and sometimes carried a riding whip, which was used as a weapon.
• Notable rivalries/feuds (as a manager): Jerry Lawler, Professor Toru Tanaka

Ronald P. Gossett, IV

• Year(s) in territory: 1989
• Managed Master of Pain, Dutch Mantel, The Zombie, The Undertaker (not Mark Callaway), Buddy Landell, Black Bart, PY Chu-Hi, The Wolfman, Frankenstein
• Interesting characteristic(s): Originally from the Chattanooga area, Gossett worked for a number of years for Nick Gulas including as Chattanooga house show ring announcer. Gossett also wrote some promotional pieces for Gulas from time to time that made it to the local newspaper. The rotund Gossett debuted after Lance Russell’s departure for Ted Turner’s WCW. Gossett quickly got on nerves as he became a constant presence at Dave Brown’s side at the announce desk firing off one-liners right and left. Gossett would also run across promotion authority figure Eddie Marlin. For a week, Gossett downed Marlin for control of the promotion. During Gossett’s week as matchmaker he placed fan favorites in disadvantageous matches. When Marlin gained control back he placed Gossett and his men in disadvantageous matches. The promotion brought in the legendary Jackie Fargo to battle Gossett. Gossett faked a heart attack to keep from wrestling anybody. Eventually, Jeff Jarrett downed Gossett in a match where the loser would be forced to wear a diaper. Worked some on the Texas end of the USWA also.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: Jerry Lawler, Jackie Fargo, Eddie Marlin, Jeff Jarrett

Troy Graham

• Year(s) in territory: 1984-1985
• Managed The Masked Interns
• Interesting characteristic(s): One of the greatest behind the microphone anywhere ever. Graham’s career in Memphis was varied as he worked for a long time under a mask as The Dream Machine (after very briefly working as a masked coach to the Assassins in early 1980). From there he formed the New York Dolls tag team with Rick McGraw. Later, he teamed with Porkchop Cash to form the Bruise Brothers team. A bit later Jimmy Hart christened The Bruise Brothers as The New Fabulous Ones. In 1984, as Hart’s team feuded against the New Fabulous Ones of Tommy Rich & Eddie Gilbert, Graham suffered a serious leg injury. Later in the year, Graham returned in a wheelchair managing a 1980s version of the Masked Interns.
• Notable rivalries/feuds (as a manager): The Fabulous Ones: Steve Keirn  & Stan Lane

Al Greene

• Year(s) in territory: 1976-1979
• Managed The Mongolian Stomper, The Outlaws: Cowboy Parker & Ken Dillinger, The Russian Stomper, Don Fargo, Jos LeDuc, Bill Dromo
• Interesting characteristic(s): One of the territory’s most enduring figures. Formed a team that spanned parts of three decades in the area with “brother” Don Greene. As his in-ring career slowed he became a ringside manager. He replaced Bearcat Wright as manager of The Mongolian Stomper in 1975. He also managed The Outlaws: Cowboy Parker & Ken Dillinger. Near the end of 1976 and into 1977, Greene began managing The Russian Stomper. After the territorial split, Greene came to work for Jerry Jarrett in the fall of 1978 as manager of Don Fargo and briefly, Jos LeDuc and Bill Dromo. Greene usually wore a cowboy hat and boots. His presence as a manager added the great dimension of history to the promotion as many longtime fans recalled his many wrestling wars from the previous twenty plus years.
• Notable rivalries/feuds (as a manager): Tommy Rich

Mark Guleen

• Year(s) in territory: 1987-1988
• Managed Teijho Khan, The Midnight Rockers: Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty
• Interesting characteristic(s): Introduced in a taped clip where he claimed to be a “world traveler” who had discovered Teijho Khan. Briefly managed a heel Midnight Rockers combo. Ended up reappearing during the last end of 1988 and teaming with Terrence Garvin in a team called Beauty & the Beast.
• Notable rivalries/feuds (as a manager): Not enough appearances to list any

Tommy H

• Year(s) in territory: 1985
• Managed Eddie Gilbert
• Interesting characteristic(s): Made his debut in the Jerry Lawler vs. Eddie Gilbert feud when the two met with Jimmy Hart’s reinstatement from suspension or Lawler’s leaving town for a year were at stake. Bore more than a passing resemblance to Jimmy Hart in appearance, size and mannerisms. Tommy H was a fan who often dressed up at house shows like Hart and sat in the crowd and harangued Hart. The switch from Hart to someone who looked like Hart did not get over with fans.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: Jerry Lawler

George Harris

• Year(s) in territory: 1974
• Managed The Masked Mighty Yankees
• Interesting characteristic(s): Often wore a pink sports jacket which led some fans to chant “Pinky” at him. The rotund manager was loud and obnoxious at ringside and on interviews. Harris was originally from west Tennessee and had worked throughout the area often in the early part of his career as a wrestler and referee. Had a long career working as a wrestler and manager in many territories into the late 1970s. Worked behind the scenes in promotion into the 1990s.
• Notable rivalries/feuds (as a manager): Eddie Marlin & Tommy Gilbert

Harold T. Harris

• Year(s) in territory: 1989
• Managed The Blackbirds: Iceman Parsons & Brickhouse Brown
• Interesting characteristic(s): Worked as a referee for the Texas end of the USWA. Was injured but eventually returned to manage the team of Parsons & Brown. Claimed to be from Great Britain. Often used his cane as a weapon.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: Rock n Roll Express: Robert Gibson & Ricky Morton, Jamie Dundee

Jimmy Hart

• Year(s) in territory: 1979-1985
• Managed Jerry Lawler, The Iranian Assassin (also billed as Ali Hassan the Oil Sheik), Paul Ellering, Jimmy Valiant, Gypsy Joe, The Angel, Killer Karl Krupp, El Mongol, Tommy Rich, Bobby Eaton, Bill Irwin, Larry Latham, Roger Kirby & Guy Mitchell, The Masked Dream Machine, Tojo Yamamoto, Austin Idol, Dutch Mantel, Wayne Farris, The Turk & El Toro, Kevin Sullivan, The Masked Nightmares, Chick Donovan, Buggsy McGraw, The Heartbreakers (Joe Cagle & Rocky Sortar), Nightmare & Speed, Sweet Brown Sugar (Koko Ware), Stan Lane, Mr. Onita & Masa Fuchi, The Cuban Assassin, The Masked Super Destroyer, Jos LeDuc, Hulk Hogan, Jack Brisco, Dory Funk, Jr., Terry Funk, Crusher Blackwell, The Monk, J.R. Hart, The Iron Sheik, The Midnight Express: Norvell Austin & Dennis Condrey, Jim Mitchell, Carl Fergie, Kimala, Kimala II (Stan Frazier), The New York Dolls: Rick McGraw & Dream Machine Troy Graham, Sabu the Wildman, The Bruise Brothers: Porkchop Cash & Mad Dog Boyd (later Troy Graham replaces Boyd), Kenya Condorie, Andy Kaufman, The Moondogs, The Masked Ace of Spades (Tommy Gilbert), Plowboy Frazier, The Colussus of Death, The Masked Lone Ranger (Stan Frazier), Ken Patera, Man Mountain Link, The Giant Rebel (Stan Frazier), Sweet Daddy O, The Masked Assassins, Jim Cornette, Buddy Landell, Dennis Condrey, Jesse Ventura, Bill Dundee, The Masked Russian Invader, The A Team,Rick Rude, The Japanese Assassin, Ox Baker, The PYTs: Norvell Austin & Koko Ware, Randy Savage, Angelo Poffo, Jim Neidhart, Lanny Poffo, Lord Humongous (Mike Stark), King Kong Bundy, Masao Ito, The Animal, Danny Davis & Ken Wayne, The Dirty White Boys: Tony Anthony & Lynn Denton, Eddie Gilbert, Tommy Gilbert, Dr. Detroit (later known as Jimmy Hart, Jr.), Mike Sharpe, Playboy Frazier, The Terminators
• Interesting characteristic(s): Memphis native who first came to prominence as member of the Gentrys, a 1960s Memphis-based music group. Eventually befriended Memphis wrestling legend in the making Jerry Lawler. Can be seen in some area video tape highlights from the mid-1970s. In 1977 after the death of Memphis native Elvis Presley, Jerry Lawler “retired” to pursue a music career, Hart and the Gentrys worked some area cards fronting Lawler, who returned to perform concerts. This would lead to the start of the Lawler-Jimmy Valiant feud as Valiant attacked Lawler during one such appearance in Memphis. In 1979, Lawler turned heel again and added Hart as his ringside manager. After Lawler’s broken leg in 1980, Hart was given the spotlight as a manager and never relinquished it in the area until his departure for the WWF in 1985. While small and wiry, Hart was known for his manic energy, often appearing five or six times on each TV show and often made folks chuckle with his wit, mannerisms and shenanigans. Often chewed gum and carried a cane. Usually wore a white suit of some sort as well as sunglasses. Almost always started his TV interviews with his catch phrase, “This is the greatest day of my life…”.  In 1982, when First Family member Chick Donovan went down to an injury, Hart made Donovan a Vice-President and Donovan would often act as manager in Hart’s stead. After Jim Cornette’s GCW Superstars stint ended, Cornette returned to the area and became Hart’s assistant. In 1984 when the First Family hit a slump Jim Neidhart took over the reigns of Hart’s group at the time briefly renaming them Neidhart’s Raiders. Hart sometimes appeared in ring in feuds against Lawler, Jim Cornette, Andy Kaufman and James J. Dillon.
• Greatest rivalry/feud: Jerry Lawler

Ken Hawk

• Year(s) in territory: 1977
• Managed The Samoans
• Interesting characteristic(s): Worked a number of years prior to his managing stint as a wrestler, mostly as TV enhancement talent or low on house show cards. Never caught on as a manager since the Samoans were solid performers but rarely, if ever, headlined programs in the area. Hawk usually dressed in a leisure suit and brandishing a walking stick. Sometimes wore a sports jacket that had “I Know It All” written on the back. Popped back up a few time to work for the various groups Nick & George Gulas fronted in the 1980s.
• Notable rivalries/feuds (as a manager): Ray Candy & Pez Whatley

NEXT MONTH:  

Managers, Part Two featuring such luminaries as Dr. Ken Ramey, Gentleman Saul Weingeroff, Tojo Yamamoto and other.