Houston Harris was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Bobo Brazil. Harris was credited with breaking down barriers of racial segregation in professional wrestling. Harris is considered one of the first successful African-American professional wrestlers, and is often referred to as "the Jackie Robinson of professional wrestling." Originally, Houston was to be known as "Boo-Boo Brazil", but a promoter misprinted his first name as "Bobo" in a print advertisement and it stuck.
Early in his career, some wrestling promoters would match Brazil against fellow African-American wrestlers. Fans clamored to see Brazil face opponents of any type and Brazil would have many matches with competitors such as Killer Kowalski, Dick the Bruiser, Johnny Valentine, and The Sheik, who feuded with Bobo over the course of several decades. These and other rivals would all fall victim to Brazil's finishing maneuver, the Coco Butt (which was a headbutt). Brazil also once wrestled André the Giant to a draw, and challenged Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Championship in a battle of two top babyface competitors. On October 18th, 1962 Bobo Brazil made history by becoming the first Black American to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title by defeating "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers. (This distinction is often mistakenly given to Ron Simmons, the first recognized African-American world champion after winning the WCW Title). Although Bobo Brazil initially refused the title (because of an "injury" that Rogers had claimed to have), Brazil was awarded the title the next day after doctors had found nothing wrong with Rogers. However, this title change is not recognized by the NWA. Brazil served as a mentor to wrestler "Soulman Rocky Johnson".
Brazil's manager was James Dudley, the first African-American to be in charge of a major arena in the United States. Dudley would run to the ring waving a towel, as Brazil followed behind. Brazil was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1994.
source: wikipedia.org
Bobo Brazil vs Buddy Rogers
Houston "Bobo Brazil" Harris July 10, 1924 — January 20, 1998
January 20, 2010
This Day in Wrestling History - Bobo Brazil Passes Away
This Day in Wrestling History
Mr. Perfect returns to the WWE for the 2002 Royal Rumble and lasts until the final four.
January 20, 2002
January 19, 2010
ECW Results: Royal Domination
Captain Charisma earned his second win against The British Brawler in just six days. But this week on ECW on Syfy, Christian defeated Regal by disqualification when the gargantuan No. 1 contender Ezekiel Jackson became involved in the match. The ECW Champion never had a chance to have a victory celebration, as Regal and Jackson double-teamed him with a devastating, brutal attack, leaving him helpless in the ring...More?
source: wwe.com
Hint of a DX Blowup
The most compelling aspect of the show was the tension between Shawn Michaels and Triple H. After the usual DX hijinks with the guest hosts and Hornswoggle were over, Triple H tossed Michaels over the top rope during a scuffle that also involved John Cena and The Big Show. Triple H then put his “Game” face on and told Michaels that he was going to win the Royal Rumble, not Michaels...More?
source: baltimore sun
Another Reason to Love Awesome Kong
Prowrestling.net has confirmed that Awesome Kong attacked radio show host and TNA backstage personality Bubba The Love Sponge at Tuesday's TNA Impact taping.
Kong was upset because of the "F--- Hati" [sic] tweet that Bubba posted on Twitter over the weekend. Kong has been taking part in fundraising efforts for the relief fund for Haiti, which was rocked by an earthquake last week. Bubba was sent home from the taping yesterday. Kong was also sent home. A TNA source notes that Bubba has major locker room heat.
Vince Mcmahon Taking Full Control of WWE Studios
WWE Chairman/CEO Vince McMahon is taking full control over WWE Studios after ending distribution relationships with Lionsgate and 20th Century Fox. The move will allow WWE to "fully own and exploit" theatrical and straight to DVD releases according to a report in Variety...More?
source: pwtorch.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Hulk Hogan becomes the first ever 2 time winner of the WWF(E) Royal Rumble.
January 19, 1991
Ric Flair wins the Royal Rumble and the WWF(E) Heavyweight title
January 19, 1992
Shawn Michaels defeated Psycho Sid for the WWF(E) Heavyweight title
January 19, 1997
WWF(E) New York Restaurant opened in Times Square
January 19, 2000
January 18, 2010
Bobby Lashley: "This is TNA's First Opportunity to Show They're Really Going to Work With Me"
"The main deal is that TNA had always told me they were willing to work with anything that I had to do with fighting. This is their first opportunity to show they're really going to work with me. That's all I really can say about that."
"Originally when we signed the deal, they knew I was going to have a huge obligation in the fighting business. At the end of the day, that's my main source of income and what requires the most dedication."
"They told me they would be able to work with me and anything that I wanted to do, and they know that this fight's important and every other fight that I have with Strikeforce is important. I just want to see that they're willing to hold up their end of the bargain and support me as I fight and move forward."...More?
source: usa today
Another Raw Guest Host Revealed
What better way to celebrate the day after Valentine's Day than with Raw special guest host Jerry Springer? The host of the syndicated The Jerry Springer Show takes the reins as the WWE Superstars roll into Des Moines, Iowa. The Jerry Springer show debuted in 1991, and can be seen on more than 200 television stations across the United States. What does Springer have in store for the WWE Universe? Tune in on Feb. 15 to find out.
source: wwe.com
