Mr. Wrestling II
| Mr. Wrestling II | |
|---|---|
| Ring name(s) | Johnny "Rubberman" Walker The Grappler Mr. Wrestling II |
| Billed height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Billed weight | 240 lb (110 kg) |
| Born | September 10, 1934 Charleston, South Carolina |
| Resides | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Trained by | Tony Morelli Pat O'Connor |
| Debut | 1956 |
| Retired | 1989[1] |
John "Johnny" Walker (born in Charleston, South Carolina), better known as Mr. Wrestling II, is a retired American professional wrestler. As Mr. Wrestling II, Walker was one of the most popular wrestlers in the Florida and Georgia areas in the 1970s and early 1980s.
Some of Walker's most notable feuds involved The Assassin, The Spoiler, The Masked Superstar, Jack Brisco, Buddy Colt, Magnum T.A., Jimmy Garvin, Tim Woods, Minnesota Wrecking Crew, Larry Zbyszko, and The Road Warriors. Mr. Wrestling II, later in his career, was known to use his "running knee lift" to great effect.
Walker's wife, Olivia, was a seamstress and costume maker. Many of her clients were country music performers including Porter Wagoner. During an interview, Ric Flair stated that many of his robes were made by her.
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Career as Mr Wrestling II [edit]
In 1972, Walker was semi-retired and running a gas station outside Atlanta when Georgia's promoter Paul Jones asked for him to headline his programs as the veteran masked wrestler Mr Wrestling's partner.
The original Mr Wrestling had been sent from the NWA Florida promotion where he was headlining Florida cards to help out the Georgia Promotion by part Atlanta promotion owner Eddie Graham in an NWA promotional dispute with former Atlanta NWA promoter Ann Gunkel's Outlaw All-South Wrestling Alliance.
Walker as Wrestling II became an immediate top draw and legend for the territory, leading to Wrestling II holding ten times the Georgia heavyweight title. During Walkers time as Wrestling II in Georgia he was considered one of the top five most popular wrestlers in the United States. [2]
Legacy and legends [edit]
President Jimmy Carter (a fellow Georgian) called Mr. Wrestling II his favorite wrestler (as well as his mother's favorite). Walker was invited to Carter's inauguration, but declined the invitation upon learning that he would have to unmask.[3]
HCW [edit]
Mr. Wrestling II was the Director of Talent Relations for Hawai'i Championship Wrestling. On October 13, 2007, he came out of retirement and won the HCW Kekaulike Heritage Tag Team Championship with Mr. Wrestling 3, II's protégé.
In wrestling [edit]
- Finishing moves
- Wrestlers trained or mentored
Championships and accomplishments [edit]
-
- DSW American Championship (1 time)
- Deep South Heavyweight Championship (1 times)
-
- NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship (10 times)
- NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship (5 times) – with Bob Orton, Jr. (1), Mr. Wrestling I (3), and Tony Atlas (1)
- NWA Macon Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Mr. Wrestling I (2), and Jerry Lawler (1)
- NWA Southeastern Tag Team Championship (Georgia version) (1 time) – with Bill Dromo
-
- NWA Hall of Fame (Class of 2012)[4]
-
- Mid-South Mississippi Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Mid-South North American Championship (1 time)
- Mid-South Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Tiger Conway, Jr. (1), and Magnum T.A. (1)
- NWA North American Heavyweight Championship (Tri-State version) (1 time)
-
- NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Amazing Zuma
-
- NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version) (9 times) – with Ken Lucas (2), Bob Ramstead (1), Sundown Kid (1), Dennis Hall (3), Tojo Yamamoto (1), and Bearcat Brown (1)
- NWA United States Junior Heavyweight Championship (4 times)
- NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version) (1 time) – with Oni Maiva
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version) (4 times) – with Len Rossi (2), and Bearcat Brown (2)
-
- SCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Ranger Ross[5]
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
-
- Most Overrated (1980)
He and Tony Atlas did win the NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) at one time. However, the reign and win aren't official nor are they recognized.[6]
References [edit]
- ^ Mooneyham, Mike (July 24, 2011). "Mr. Wrestling II Was No. 1 In The Hearts Of The Fans". News. OklaFan.com. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
- ^ "Masked in USA - Mr Wrestling II". WrestleHistory.com.
- ^ Martin, Adam (2007-01-22), 'Mr. Wrestling II' Johnny Walker Interview: Talks about his early career, WrestleView.com, retrieved 2008-09-16
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (2012-11-17). "Sat. update: Great TV show, WWE multiple releases, Austin talks WWE Hall of Fame, Best night for Bellator, PPV predictions, NWA Hall of Fame, James Storm headlines benefit show, Devitt takes another title". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2012-11-17.
- ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (4th Edition 2000). Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ Mid-Atlantic Title History
External links [edit]
- Online World of Wrestling - Mr. Wrestling II Wrestler Profile
- Georgia Wrestling History - Johnny Walker
- Wrestling Museum - Mr. Wrestling II Photos & Bio
- Hawaii Championship Wrestling
