 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | David Ronald Slinker (1945-10-30)October 30, 1945[1] Kent, Washington, U.S. |
| Died | March 28, 2008(2008-03-28) (aged 62)[1] Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
| Family | Dennis Knight (stepson) |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Ron Slinker The Spoiler[1] Captain[1] |
| Billed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Billed weight | 250 lb (110 kg) |
David Ronald Slinker[2] (October 30, 1945 – March 28, 2008),[1] better known by hisring name,Ron Slinker, was an Americanprofessional wrestler andmartial artist who competed in several North Americanpromotions.
Slinker began studying martial arts at a young age and attained the rank ofsecond dan black belt injudo and sixth dan inYōshūkai. He joined theUnited States Marine Corps at age 17 before attending theUniversity of Tampa. He worked as a police officer for theTampa Police Department for ten years. Slinker also taught Yoshukai Karate under Mike Foster, coaching his fighters in the Battle of Atlanta (1976) among others. He competed in 29karate tournaments, of which he won 27. In 1971, he was named to the United States judo team.[1] That year, he also won theAmateur Athletic Union Southeast heavyweight championship in judo.[3]
Slinker wrestled forInternational World Class Championship Wrestling, Mid-South Wrestling (laterUniversal Wrestling Federation),World Wrestling Council,Florida Championship Wrestling and theNational Wrestling Alliance. At various times, he was managed byWoman or competed as part ofKevin Sullivan's Army of Darkness.[2][4] While competing in Tennessee, he challengedJerry Lawler for theMemphis version of theNWA Southern Heavyweight Championship on April 10, 1978, but was unsuccessful.[5] On May 4, 1979, he won his first championship belt by defeatingDavid Schultz for theNWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship, a title Schultz soon regained in a rematch.
Slinker also competed as atag team wrestler, teaming withKendall Windham,Edward Leslie andRon Bass. On December 25, 1978, at the NWA Mid-South Superdome Extravaganza, Slinker and Bass competed in a tournament to determine the new holders of the NWA United States Tag Team Championship. They facedAndré the Giant andDusty Rhodes but were defeated.[6] Competing in a tag team with Sgt. Rock in 1990, Slinker also won theNWA Florida Tag Team Championship. They won the title on November 12, 1990, and held the belts until the title was abandoned.[2][6][7]
After retiring as a professional wrestler in the early 1990s, Slinker managed Ron Bass andRobert Fuller before becoming a promoter and booking agent in Florida. Meeting Rob Szatkowski, Slinker suggested he change his ring name toRob Van Dam, a name he has used ever since. He also introduced Szatkowski to Japanese promoterGiant Baba and helped him find work inWorld Championship Wrestling.[1][2] While working for theUnited States Wrestling Association, Slinker also helped train such wrestlers as Flex Kavana, who later gained fame asThe Rock.[2][8]
Slinker had two children, David, Jr. and Dina. He also had a twin brother named Don, another brother named Bill, and a sister named Mary Jo.[1] He also had a stepson,Dennis Knight, who has competed under the ring names Tex Slazenger, Phineas Godwinn, and Mideon. In 1979, Slinker appeared inMr. No Legs, akung fu movie.[2]
Throughout much of his life, Slinker struggled with addiction. He was arrested on multiple occasions, which led to charges of theft and conspiracy to deliver drugs. He died on March 28, 2008, ofliver failure, brought on by a lifetime of alcoholism.[2]