 Idol, circa 1984 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Michael McCord (1949-10-26)October 26, 1949 (age 76)[3][5] Tampa, Florida, U.S.[1] |
| Website | www.austinidollive.com |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Austin Idol[1] Black Diamond[1] Dennis McCord[1] Mike McCord[1] Often Idle[2] Super A[3] The Super Texan[1] |
| Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[1] |
| Billed weight | 242 lb (110 kg)[1] |
| Billed from | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Trained by | Eddie Graham[1] Mike Graham[1] |
| Debut | 1972[3] |
| Retired | 1994[4] |
Michael McCord (born October 26, 1949) is an American retiredprofessional wrestler and CurrentManager in theNational Wrestling Alliance, better known by thering nameAustin Idol.[4] He is best known for his appearances in theMid-South with theContinental Wrestling Association, in particular his recurringfeud withJerry Lawler.[6]
McCord grew up inTampa,Florida, where he attendedRobinson High School. After graduating in 1966, he worked in construction. After developing an interest in becoming a professional wrestler, he eventually persuadedMike Graham, the son ofEddie Graham (promoter ofChampionship Wrestling from Florida), to train him.[7][8]
McCord spent a year training to wrestle under Eddie and Mike Graham; during his training, he wasstretched byBob Roop,Hiro Matsuda, andJack Brisco.[1][8] He initially worked for Graham'sChampionship Wrestling from Florida promotion as a referee before debuting as a wrestler in early 1972 under thering name Dennis McCord. McCord wrestled in Florida until mid-1972, then briefly forNick Gulas'NWA Mid-America promotion inAlabama before joining theCarolinas-basedJim Crockett Promotions. In late 1972 and early 1973, McCord appeared inSydney, Australia withWorld Championship Wrestling, where he andJimmy Golden won a tournament to become the inauguralNWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Champions (they forfeited the titles in January 1973).[9][10]
In March 1973, McCord joinedVincent J. McMahon'snortheastern United States-basedWorld Wide Wrestling Federation, where he adopted the new persona of "Iron" Mike McCord and was givenLou Albano as hismanager.[11] In July 1973, McCord facedChief Jay Strongbow in a memorable match inMadison Square Garden inNew York City. As Strongbow applied asleeper hold to McCord, Albano interfered by smashing acast on Strongbow's forehead; McCord was disqualified, but Strongbow was cut wide open by Albano's blows. During his stint in the WWWF, McCord wrestled primarily in themid-card,[5] although he (unsuccessfully) challengedPedro Morales for theWWWF Championship on several occasions.[10] McCord remained with the WWWF until January 1974, when he left for Florida due to disliking the colder weather in the northeast.[7][4][12]
Upon returning to Florida in January 1974, McCord resumed wrestling for Championship Wrestling from Florida, this time as "The Super Texan", amaskedheel allied withDusty Rhodes.[7][12] McCord was unmasked in March 1974 after losing a "mask versus beard match" toJos LeDuc.[12] In summer 1974, McCord began wrestling forGeorgia Championship Wrestling as Mike McCord. He competed in Georgia until losing aloser leaves town match toHarley Race in November 1974, returning to Florida later that month.[12]
On February 20, 1975, McCord and wrestlersGary Hart andBobby Shane were passengers on aCessna 182 Skylane piloted by wrestlerBuddy Colt between Miami and Tampa. While attempting to land atPeter O. Knight Airport in foggy conditions, Coltcrashed intoTampa Bay. Shane was killed in the crash and the other wrestlers injured, with McCord sustaining two broken ankles, several broken ribs, and severe lacerations to his feet.[7][11][2] McCord was inactive for several months while rehabilitating. Later that year, McCord wrestled a handful of matches forGeorgia Championship Wrestling, some of them as the masked "Super A"[3] - briefly holding theNWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship - before going on hiatus for the next two years.[13] Following the accident, McCord reportedly developed afear of flying, which led him to largely restrict his future wrestling career to theMid-South.[14][6] His return from injury ledPro Wrestling Illustrated to name him its "Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year" for 1975.
In July 1977, McCord wrestled a handful of matches for Championship Wrestling from Florida before once again going on hiatus.[15] By this point, McCord's weight had increased to 300 lbs.[8]
McCord re-emerged in March 1978 inFritz Von Erich'sTexas-basedNWA Big Time Wrestling promotion under the new persona of "the Universal Heartthrob" Austin Idol. As part of his new character, McCord lost considerable weight, developed a more muscular physique, and bleached his hair blonde.[5] Over the next two months, Idol competed in NWA Big Time Wrestling andPaul Boesch'sHouston Wrestling (where he was briefly billed as "Often Idle"[2]). In May 1978, he unsuccessfully challengedDale Valentine for theNWA Texas Heavyweight Championship.[16] He left Texas later that month after losing aloser leaves town match toKevin Von Erich.[2]
Idol made a handful of appearances forPacific Northwest Wrestling inPortland, Oregon and forBig Time Wrestling inDetroit, Michigan before joining theMemphis, Tennessee-basedContinental Wrestling Association in December 1978.[2] Idol was immediately booked as a main event star in the CWA.[2] Shortly after debuting, Idol defeatedJerry Lawler for theAWA Southern Heavyweight Championship.[16] He held the title until January 1979, when he lost toRon Fuller. Over the following months, Idol feuded with Lawler (and his alliesBill Dundee andJackie Fargo) until losing ahair versusloser leaves townsteel cage match to Lawler in April 1979.[17][2]
In May 1979, Idol began appearing withSoutheastern Championship Wrestling in Alabama, briefly holding theNWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (Southern Division). He left the promotion in summer 1979 to return to Georgia Championship Wrestling.[17]
Idol returned to Georgia Championship Wrestling in summer 1979. In November 1979, he andThe Masked Superstar won a one-night tournament in theOmni Coliseum inAtlanta, Georgia for theNWA Georgia Tag Team Championship. They lost the titles toJack Brisco andJerry Brisco later that month. In December 1979, Idol defeatedRay Candy for theNWA Georgia Television Championship.[17] In January 1980, Idol was named the inauguralNWA National Heavyweight Champion (the title was vacated later that year in unclear circumstances). Idol's reign as NWA Georgia Television Champion lasted until January 1980, when he lost toSteve Travis. Idol regained the title from Travis several days later, but lost it to Travis' allyKevin Sullivan later that month. Idol defeated Sullivan to win the title for a third time in February 1980, but lost it toTommy Rich two days later. In February 1980, Idol lost to Sullivan in a "Boston street fight". Later that month, he defeated Sullivan in astrap match.[18] In March 1980, Idol defeatedMr. Wrestling II to win theNWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship for a second time. He held the title until June 1980, when he lost toBaron von Raschke. During his reign, he unsuccessfully challenged visitingNWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race. Idol left Georgia Championship Wrestling in July 1980, briefly returning to the Continental Wrestling Association before embarking on a tour of Japan.[18]
In August and September 1980, Idol made his first appearances in Japan with theAll Japan Pro Wrestling promotion as part of its "Summer Action Series II" tour. He teamed withRay Candy to compete in the PWF Cup Tag Team Tournament, defeatingAtsushi Onita andPrince Tonga in the quarter-finals before losing toThe Cruiser andThe Destroyer in the semi-finals. Idol's other opponents during the tour includedGiant Baba,Jumbo Tsuruta,Mil Mascaras, andRocky Hata.[18]
Following his tour of Japan, Idol began appearing for both Georgia Championship Wrestling in Georgia and the Continental Wrestling Association in Tennessee. In August 1980, Idol andDutch Mantell won theCWA World Tag Team Championship. In October 1980, Idol defeatedBilly Robinson to win theCWA World Heavyweight Championship; he lost the title toBobby Eaton later that month. In Georgia, Idol formed a tag team with his former enemy Kevin Sullivan, with the duo feuding withthe Fabulous Freebirds.[18]
In January 1981, Idol reignited his feud with Jerry Lawler in the Continental Wrestling Association.[19] Idol was presented as one of a series of "bounty hunters" brought into the territory by Lawler's enemyJimmy Hart to try and defeat Lawler, who had recently returned after rehabilitating a broken leg.[20] During a bout between the two men, Lawler threw afireball at Idol while trapped in hisLas Vegas Leglock, supposedly burning Idol's neck.[2][21] Idol made his return in a memorableangle in whichring announcerLance Russell announced that he had received a telegram from Mexican promoterSalvador Lutteroth announcing that Lawler had been voted the most popular wrestler inMexico City, with themaskedluchador "Black Diamond" to present Lawler with a plaque; during the ceremony, Black Diamond broke the plaque over Lawler's head, then unmasked to reveal himself as Idol.[2][21] In March 1981, Idol and Mantell lost the CWA World Tag Team Championship toBill Dundee andTommy Rich. Idol left the CWA once more the following month.[19]
In May 1981, Idol began wrestling for theCarolinas-basedJim Crockett Promotions as a heel, facing opponents such asJohnny Weaver,The Masked Superstar,Ricky Steamboat, andWahoo McDaniel.[19] During his time in Jim Crockett Promotions, anangle saw Idol bring an8 mm film camera to ringside and record other wrestlers' matches, angering them.[22] Idol left Jim Crockett Promotions in March 1982.[23][24]
In mid-1982, Idol resumed wrestling for Southeastern Championship Wrestling inBirmingham, Alabama. He became theNWA Alabama Heavyweight Champion in unclear circumstances, losing the title toWayne Ferris in September 1982. In December 1982, he won theNWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (Northern Division), with his reign ending in unclear circumstances. In December 1982, Idol wrestled visitingNWA World Heavyweight ChampionRic Flair to a draw.[23] Idol faced Flair again in May 1983 but failed to win the title.[25]
Idol returned to Continental Wrestling Association in February 1983; upon arrival, he was named the inauguralAWA International Heavyweight Champion. He lost the title to Lawler the following month, with Lawler once again hitting him with a fireball. In summer 1983, Idolturnedface and formed an alliance with Lawler.[26] In August 1983, Lawler and Idol won theCWA World Tag Team Championship fromThe Assassins, only for The Assassins to regain the title one week later. In September 1983, Idol defeatedKen Patera to become AWA International Heavyweight Champion for a second time, only to lose the title toStan Hansen two days later. Idol regained the title from Hansen in October in abullrope match. In November 1983, Idol and Dutch Mantell defeatedThe Midnight Express for the CWA World Tag Team Championship; the title was later quietly abandoned.[25] Idol's third reign as AWA International Heavyweight Champion lasted until April 1984, when he lost toRandy Savage. Idol regained the title from Savage in May, only to lose it to Masao Ito in June 1984. Idol left the CWA once again in mid-1984.[27][26]
In July 1984, Idol returned to Southeastern Championship Wrestling in Alabama. In August 1984, he defeated Vic Rain to win the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (Northern Division) for a second time. He held the title until November 1984, when he lost toJimmy Golden.[27] In March 1985, Idol defeatedLord Humongous for theNWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship, losing the title back to Humongous the following month. In July 1985, Idol defeated Jimmy Golden to regain the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (Northern Division); his third reign ended the following month when he lost toAdrian Street. Idol left Southeastern Championship Wrestling once more later that month.[28]
Idol returned to the Continental Wrestling Association in August 1985, teaming with Jerry Lawler in a short feud withthe Fabulous Freebirds. In December 1985, he and Lawler defeated Bill Dundee and Dutch Mantel to win theAWA Southern Tag Team Championship. The title was vacated later that month when Lawler lost aloser leaves town match to Dundee, and Idol left the Continental Wrestling Association once again.[28] In early 1986, Idol appeared in Texas with World Class Championship Wrestling andTexas All-Star Wrestling.[29] In January 1986, Idol defeatedBig Bubba inPonce, Puerto Rico to win the Texas All-Star Wrestling USA Heavyweight Championship; he held the title until April 1986, when he was defeated byAl Madril inPasadena, Texas.[30]
Idol returned to the Continental Wrestling Association yet again in June 1986.[29] In January 1987, he turned on Jerry Lawler, beginning what was regarded as "the most memorable series of their feud".[14][26] In early 1987, Idol acquiredPaul E. Dangerously as hismanager. In February 1987, Idol won a tournament to become the newAWA Southern Heavyweight Champion, defeatingSoul Train Jones in the tournament final. His reign lasted until April 1987 when Lawler defeated him in achain match.[29][26] One week later, Idol challenged Lawler for the title in ahair versus haircage match. Idol defeated Lawler to regain the title after his allyTommy Rich (This was the first incarnation of the Dangerous Alliance: Paul E Dangerously, Austin Idol, and Tommy Rich)- who hid underneath the ring for the entirety of the event - emerged to assist him, Following the match, Idol and Rich beat down Lawler and shaved his head, enraging theMid-South Coliseum audience.[21][31] Idol's third reign as AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion ended in June 1987 when he was once again defeated by Lawler. One week later, Idol and Rich lost to Lawler and Dundee in ascaffold match. Following this, Idol left the Continental Wrestling Association for a tour of Japan.[32] The feud between Idol/Rich and Lawler was named "Feud of the Year" for 1987 by theWrestling Observer Newsletter.
Idol toured Japan withAll Japan Pro Wrestling for a second time in August and September 1987 as part of its "Summer Action Series II". Upon arriving in AJPW, Idol andStan Hansen were awarded the vacantPWF World Tag Team Championship. They successfully defended the titles in bouts against teams such asHiroshi Wajima andTakashi Ishikawa andJumbo Tsuruta andTiger Mask before losing toAshura Hara andGenichiro Tenryu on September 3. Throughout the remainder of the tour, Idol primarily competed insix-man tag team matches alongside Hansen andJoel Deaton.[32]
Idol had a third stint in Japan with AJPW in March and April 1988 as part of itsChampion Carnival tour. For the bulk of the tour, Idol teamed withTommy Rich, with the duo facing wrestlers such asThe Great Kabuki,John Tenta,Shunji Takano, andTakashi Ishikawa.[33]
Following his third stint in Japan, Idol began wrestling less frequently. In summer 1988, he appeared with the Continental Wrestling Association in Memphis, Tennessee - where he once again faced Jerry Lawler - and theContinental Wrestling Federation inJackson, Mississippi. In 1989, he made a handful of appearances with theUnited States Wrestling Association (USWA) (the successor to the Continental Wrestling Association), both wrestling against and teaming with Lawler. Throughout 1990, Idol appeared with the USWA and with thePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania-basedTri-State Wrestling Alliance. In October 1990, he competed in a one-night tournament for the vacantUSWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship, losing to Lawler in the final bout of the tournament. In 1991, Idol made a handful of appearances with the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance and theDallas, Texas-basedGlobal Wrestling Federation. Idol wrestled very few matches over the following years.[34] In 1993, he briefly ran his own promotion in Alabama. Idol formally retired in 1998 after appearing on the debut television episode of the Memphis, Tennessee-basedPower Pro Wrestling promotion.
After retiring, Idol went on to work as a real estate investor.[8][4][11]
In August 2011, Idol broke his retirement for one night to wrestle afive-way match on theJuggalo Championship Wrestlingpay-per-view "Legends & Icons" inCave-In-Rock, Illinois, defeatingBrickhouse Brown,Doug Gilbert,Dutch Mantel, andKoko B. Ware.[34]
In November 2012, Idol launched theAustin Idol Rock & Roll Wrestling Show on American Hearts Radio. In 2017, after appearing onJim Cornette'spodcast,The Jim Cornette Experience, Idol began hosting his own podcast,Austin Idol Live. Idol discontinued the podcast after 31 weekly broadcasts.
In 2017 and 2018, Idol appeared alongsideNick Aldis as hismanager.[35]
On January 8, 2020, Idol made a guest appearance onAll Elite Wrestling'sAEW Darkwebcast as part of a commemoration of Memphis wrestling.[36]
In 2020, Idol established the Universal Wrestling Collegeprofessional wrestling school inGreenville, South Carolina.[8]
In 2021, Idol's likeness was featured as aplayable character in theRetroMania Wrestlingvideo game onSteam,Nintendo Switch,PS4, andXbox One.
In 2021, Idol founded the stable "Idolmania Sports Management" - consisting of Jordan Clearwater, Marshe Rocket,BLK Jeez, andTyrus - in theNational Wrestling Alliance. The stable later expanded with the masked Cyon, who was portrayed as being Idol's son. Tyrus won theNWA World Television Championship on the August 6, 2021 episode ofNWA Powerrr. In November 2022 atNWA Hard Times 3, Tyrus relinquished the NWA World Television Championship to challenge for theNWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship, defeating championTrevor Murdoch in atriple threat match. Stablemate Jordon Clearwater also won the World Television Championship at NWA Hard Times 3 by pinning A.J. Cazana. Cyon with his "father" at his side won theNWA National Heavyweight Championship at theNWA 74th Anniversary Show in August 2022. From November 13, 2022, until February 14, 2023 (when Clearwater lost the World Television Championship toThom Latimer), Idolmania Sports Management held every singles championship except theNWA Junior Heavyweight Championship.
Fellow wrestlerJerry Lawler noted Idol'spromo skills and impressive looks and physique.[6] Professional wrestling manager and referee Scott Bowden described Idol as "a marginal worker... somewhat limited" but with "an excellent grasp of psychology" and being "great on thestick".[14] Writing in 1986, journalistDave Meltzer noted that Idol was "not considered a strongworker" but that he "got over on his looks and his arrogant interviews, both as a heel and a babyface" and had "a good physique".[5]
Idol did not enjoy the colder weather of thenorth[7][4] and, following his plane crash, also reportedly disliked flying;[6][14] as a result, Idol primarily restricted himself to theMid-South rather than becoming a national star.[26] In 2014,WWE named Idol as one of "the 10 best wrestlers you've never heard of".[6]
In an interview onThe Joe Rogan Experience podcast in 2023,Hulk Hogan credited getting the idea to cup his hand next to his ear to get a crowd reaction after seeing Idol do it, and the reaction he got. He also credited getting the idea for the term "Hulkamania" after hearing Idol use the term "Idolmania".[37]
At the beginning of his career, McCord portrayed apowerlifter.[5] In 1978, he adopted the new character of Austin Idol, a verbose bleach blonde braggart who called himself "the Universal Heartthrob" and fancied himself attractive to women and woretie-dyed ring attire.[2][7][11] At the beginning of his matches, Idol would often make a show of removing his robe by quickly outstretching his arms in acrucifix position to reveal his physique, and would swivel his hips from side to side while slowly continuing to disrobe. The character of Austin Idol was often compared to"Superstar" Billy Graham.[14]
Idol's finishing move was theLas Vegas Leglock (afigure-four leglock). His signature moves included thepiledriver,elbow smash,knee drop, andsleeper hold.[3][1][38]
Early in the match we see Austin Idol at ringside taking 8mm film of the action which, according to Bob Caudle, has been upsetting a number of the wrestlers, though Sandy Scott says Idol's actions are legal.
Austin Idol defeated Jerry Lawler to win the Southern Heavyweight Title in a hair vs. hair steel cage match
All of the Memphis legends AEW was honoring were standing in the ring as things got started. Justin Roberts did a nice introduction for each person and they stepped up front for an acknowledgment. Those acknowledged were Jimmy Valiant, Kevin Lawler (for his brother Brian Christopher), Dave Brown, Shane Russell (for his father Lance), Austin Idol...
It was a dream-match of sorts - - a battle of Austin Idol's "Las Vegas leg lock" against Ric Flair's "figure-four."
