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{{about|the American wrestler who competed in [[Championship Wrestling USA]] and the [[United States Wrestling Association]] during the 1990s|the wrestler who competed in [[Jim Crockett Promotions]] and [[Pacific Northwest Wrestling]] during the 1980s|Brett Sawyer}}
{{Proposed deletion/dated
|concern = Doesn't meet [[WP:GNG]]. No significant coverage in reliable independent sources.
|timestamp = 20170711002405
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{{BLP sources|date=May 2007}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name=Bart Sawyer
|name=Bart Sawyer
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|image=
|image=
|caption=
|caption=
|names='''Bart Sawyer'''
|names='''Bart Sawyer'''<ref name=OWOW/><br />Steve Sawyer
|height= {{height|ft=5|in=9}} <!-- Please consider the cited information on the talk page before editing-->
|height= {{height|ft=5|in=9}}<ref name=OWOW/> <!-- Please consider the cited information on the talk page before editing-->
|weight= {{convert|225|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
|weight= {{convert|225|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name=OWOW/>
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1965|11|30}}
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1965|11|30}}<ref name=OWOW/>
|birth_place = [[Portland, Oregon]]
|birth_place = [[Kansas City, Missouri]], U.S.
|resides=
|resides=[[Nashville, Tennessee]]
|billed=Portland, Oregon
|billed=[[Portland, Oregon]]<ref name=OWOW/><br />'''Kansas City, Missouri'''
|trainer=[[Bob Geigel]]<ref name=RR-INT/><ref name="PWI2001"/>
|trainer=
|debut=April 22, 1988<ref name=RR-INT/><ref name=BS1/>
|debut=1987
|retired=
|retired=2004
}}
}}
'''Steven Stewart''' (born November 30, 1965)<ref name=OWOW>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/b/bart-sawyer.html|title=Bart Sawyer Profile|accessdate=2007-04-10|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>, known by his ring name '''Bart Sawyer''', is an American retired [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]], [[color commentator]], and occasional actor. He is best known for his time in [[Championship Wrestling USA]] and the [[United States Wrestling Association]] during the 1990s.<ref name=BDPW>{{cite book |last=Lentz III |first=Harris M. |date=2003 |title=Biographical Dictionary of Professional Wrestling |edition=2 |location= |publisher=McFarland |page=331 |isbn=0786417544 |access-date= }}</ref><ref name=Pope>{{cite book |last=Pope |first=Kristian |last2=Whebbe |first2=Ray |date=2003 |title=The Encyclopedia of Professional Wrestling: 100 Years of History, Headlines & Hitmakers |url= |location= |publisher=Krause Publications |page=228 |isbn=0873496256 |access-date= }}</ref> In his career, Sawyer also wrestled for [[Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling]], [[House of Pain Wrestling Federation]], [[Memphis Wrestling]], [[NWA Wildside|NWA Georgia]], [[List of NWA territories|NWA Main Event]], [[Music City Wrestling|NWA Worldwide]], [[World Xtreme Wrestling]] and [[W*ING]]. Additionally, he competed as a [[preliminary wrestler]] in [[World Championship Wrestling]] and the [[World Wrestling Federation]].
'''Steven Stewart''' (born November 30, 1965), known by his ring name '''Bart Sawyer''', is an American [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] who has competed North American independent promotions including [[Pacific Northwest Wrestling]] and the [[United States Wrestling Association]]. Although known for his long-running feud with [[Jerry Lawler|Jerry "The King" Lawler]], he also won the USWA Tag Team titles with [[Doug Masters]] and [[Dwayne Johnson|Flex Kavana]].<ref name="Titles">{{cite book|author=Royal Duncan & Gary Will|title=Wrestling Title Histories|publisher=Archeus Communications|year=2006|edition=4th|isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref>


Trained by [[Bob Geigel]], Stewart began his professional wrestling career in the [[Central States Wrestling#World Wrestling Alliance|World Wrestling Alliance]]. He emerged as a popular "fan favorite" in [[Pacific Northwest Wrestling]] in the early-1990s, whose gimmick was modeled after [[Bart Simpson]],<ref name=Pope/> and engaged in feuds with [[Al Madril]],<ref name="KM-PNW30">{{cite web |url=http://www.kayfabememories.com/Regions/pnw/pnw30.htm |title=Regional Territories: PNW #30 |author=Petersen, Steve |date=2004 |website=KayfabeMemories.com |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> [[Colonel DeBeers]], [[Matt Borne]] and Buddy Wayne. Sawyer later became a "rulebreaker" himself when he relocated to the Southern United States to wrestle for the [[National Wrestling Alliance]]. Throughout his career, Sawyer won several championships including the [[Championship Wrestling USA Television Championship]] four times, the [[NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship]] once, the [[NWA North American Tag Team Championship]] (with [[Chris Michaels]]), and the [[USWA World Tag Team Championship]] (with Doug Masters and [[Dwayne Johnson|Flex Kavana]]) three times.<ref name=BDPW/> He was forced to retire in 2004, following a mild stroke,<ref name=OWOW/> after nearly 18 years in the ring.
Stevens suffered a mild stroke on November 22, 2004 remaining in a coma for several days as well as suffering paralysis in the left side of his body although he has since recovered.

==Professional wrestling career==
===Early career (1987–1989)===
Stewart trained under [[Bob Geigel]]<ref name=RR-INT>{{cite journal |author=Lizenby, Kathryn D. |date=July 27, 1996 |title=USWA Interviews (Part 3) |url= |journal=Ring Report |publisher= |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages= |doi= |pmc= |pmid= }}</ref><ref name="PWI2001">{{cite magazine |last= |first= |date=December 2001 |title=The PWI 500 |page=67 |magazine=[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]] |location=Fort Washington, Pennsylvania |publisher=London Publishing Company |access-date= }}</ref> at [[Memorial Hall (Kansas City, Kansas)|Memorial Hall]] in [[Kansas City, Missouri]]. The first wrestler he ever faced as a student was [[Curtis Hughes]]. Stewart made his pro debut as "Steve Sawyer" on April 22, 1988.<ref name=BS1>{{cite web |url=http://www.boards2go.com/boards/board.cgi?action=read&id=1110040658&user=bartsawyer |title=Re(1): CONSIDAR THE SOURCE |author=Sawyer, Bart |date=March 5, 2005 |website=SmartBartSawyer.com |publisher=Smart Bart's Message Board |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> He initially wrestled for Geigel's [[Central States Wrestling#World Wrestling Alliance|World Wrestling Alliance]] in [[Kansas City, Missouri]]. After the WWA's close, Stewart made brief appearances for the [[United States Wrestling Association]] and [[World Class Championship Wrestling]].

===Pacific Northwest Wrestling (1990–1991)===
Stewart joined [[Pacific Northwest Wrestling]] in the fall of 1990, as Bart Sawyer, a hyperactive and mischievous young wrestler. The character was modeled after [[Bart Simpson]] from the American animated series ''[[The Simpsons]]''. Sawyer's nickname (The Bartman) derive from the 1990 parody song: "[[Do the Bartman]]". He also cut his hair so as to more closely resemble the cartoon character.<ref name=Pope/> Stewart scored wins over [[Brad Anderson]] and [[Ricky Santana]] during his first year in the promotion and became a popular "fan favorite" feuding with [[Al Madril]].<ref name="KM-PNW30"/> On October 20, 1990, Stewart won a $5,000 Battle Royal at the Portland Sports Arena. A match with [[Steve Doll]] against Anderson and [[Ricky Santana|The Hood]] for the [[NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship]] ended in a no-contest and the title was declared held-up. Sawyer and Doll were defeated by Anderson and The Hood in Portland on February 16, 1991, however, The Hood was unmasked as Ricky Santana.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/pnwttnwa.html |title=NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title History |author= |year= |publisher=[[Solie's Title Histories]] |work=Solie.org|accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/pnw/nwa/pnw-t.html |title=NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>

===United States Wrestling Association (1991–1992)===
Later that year, Stewart traveled across the country to the [[United States Wrestling Association]] in [[Memphis, Tennessee]]. He formed a partnership with Doug Masters and the two quickly climbed the ranks of the tag team division.<ref name=BDPW/> On November 4, 1991, they defeated [[Robert Fuller]] and [[Jeff Jarrett]] for the [[USWA World Tag Team Championship]]. Stewart and Masters' championship reign was short-lived, however, as they lost the belts to Fuller and Mike Mitchell weeks later.<ref name="Solie-USWA"/><ref name="USWA-TT"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/memphis/jarrett/1991.html |title=Mid-South Coliseum 1991 (Jarrett) |author= |date= |website=ProWrestlingHistory.com |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> The two men soon had a falling out and were feuding by early-1992. On January 13, Sawyer and Masters battled to a double-disqualification in a lumberjack strap match. The following week, Sawyer unsuccessfully challenged [[Eric Embry]] for the [[USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship]]. On the same event, Sawyer took part in an 8-man "strap battle royal" which was also won by Embry and included Tony Falk, [[Tom Pritchard]], CJ, [[Miss Texas]], [[Tony Anthony]], and Doug Masters. On February 2, Sawyer and Tony Williams lost to Masters and [[Brian Christopher]] at the Mid-South Coliseum.<ref name=PWH1992>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/memphis/jarrett/1992.html |title=Mid-South Coliseum 1992 (Jarrett) |author= |date= |website=ProWrestlingHistory.com |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref>

===Championship Wrestling USA (1992)===
On August 22, 1992, Sawyer defeated [[Ron Harris]] in a tournament final to win the [[Championship Wrestling USA Television Championship]]. His first reign as champion lasted nearly two months before losing the title to Mike Winner on October 10, 1992.<ref name="CWUSA-TV"/>

===United States Wrestling Association (1992)===
That fall, Sawyer returned to the USWA and won victories against Randy Rhodes and Mike Miller at the [[Mid-South Coliseum]]. His winning streak was stopped by [[Jeff Gaylord]] on November 9, 1992. The next week, Sawyer and Miss Texas beat Mike Miller and Lauren Davenport in a mixed tag team match.<ref name=PWH1992/>

===Championship Wrestling USA (1993)===
On January 9, 1993, Sawyer defeated John Rambo to win the Championship Wrestling USA Television Championship. He feuded with [[Colonel DeBeers]] over the title before finally dropping the belt to DeBeers on February 27, 1993.<ref name="CWUSA-TV"/> Later that year, Sawyer made a one-time appearance in [[World Championship Wrestling]] facing off against [[Maxx Payne]] on ''[[WCW Main Event]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/wcw93.htm |title=WCW: 1993 |author=Cawthon, Graham |date= |website=TheHistoryOfWWE.com |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref>

===W*ING (1993–1994)===
Between 1993 and 1994, Stewart made several trips to Japan appearing for [[W*ING]]. On May 27, 1993, he and [[Killer Kyle]] wrestled Mitsuhiro Matsunaga and Shoji Nakamaki at W*ING Dog in the Box. On June 18, 1993, he faced [[Mr. Pogo]] in a Scramble Bunkhouse Death match at [[Korakuen Hall]].<ref>{{cite AV media | people=W*ING (Producer) | date=June 18, 1993 | title=W*ING Light Out | url =http://www.quebrada.net/videos/WING1.html | medium=VHS | location=Tokyo, Japan | publisher=Quebrada.net}}</ref> On February 11, 1994, Stewart wrestled Kazumi Masasaki in a [[Falls Count Anywhere match]]. Four days later, he battled [[Jason the Terrible]] in a Barbedwire Baseball match.<ref>{{cite AV media | people=W*ING (Producer) | date=February 1994 | title=We Are WING | url =http://www.quebrada.net/videos/WING1.html | medium=VHS | location=Tokyo, Japan | publisher=Quebrada.net}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media | people=W*ING (Producer) | date=2002 | title=W*ING Anthology, Volume 2 | url = | medium=DVD | location=Tokyo, Japan | publisher=Highspots.com}}</ref>

===Independent circuit (1994–1995)===
Sawyer also made a brief stop in the USWA, with wins over Tony Falk, Reggie B. Fine and Leon Downs,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/memphis/jarrett/1994.html |title=Mid-South Coliseum 1994 (Jarrett) |author= |date= |website=ProWrestlingHistory.com |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> before moving back to the Pacific Northwest. In the spring of 1995, Sawyer joined Richard Small's short-lived Pacific Coast Wrestling. On March 4, 1995, Sawyer and [[Brian Cox|Rage Man]] defeated Buddy Wayne and Lou Andrews in Portland to become the inaugural tag team champions.<ref name=WTH-PW/>

===World Championship Wrestling (1995–1996)===
In early-1995, Stewart started working for [[World Championship Wrestling]] as a [[preliminary wrestler]]. Stewart made his first WCW television appearance on the May 13th edition of ''[[WCW Worldwide]]'' where he wrestled [[Arn Anderson]] (with [[Ric Flair]]) for the [[WCW Television Championship]]. A semi-regular on ''WCW Worldwide'' and ''[[WCW Saturday Night]]'', subsequent opponents included [[Diamond Dallas Page]], [[Disco Inferno]], [[Lex Luger]], [[One Man Gang]], [[Shinjiro Otani]], and [[V.K. Wallstreet]]. He also faced [[The Blue Bloods]] (with T.A. McCoy and Leroy Howard), [[Harlem Heat]] (with Ron Thompson), and [[The Stud Stable]] (with [[Bobby Walker]]). On the January 13, 1996 episode of ''[[WCW Pro]]'', Sawyer and [[Buck Quartermaine]] were defeated by [[Chris Benoit]] and [[Brian Pillman]]. Sawyer's team lost when his partner was pinned by Benoit following a dropkick / dragon suplex combination. The following night on ''WCW Worldwide'', he wrestled [[Kensuke Sasaki]] for the [[WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]]. Despite a strong showing, Sawyer lost via submission with a standing armbar.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/wcw95.htm |title=WCW: 1995 |author=Cawthon, Graham |date= |website=TheHistoryOfWWE.com |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> Sawyer made his final WCW appearance on the May 12th episode of ''WCW Worldwide'' where he and [[Manny Fernandez (wrestler)|Manny Fernandez]] lost to Men At Work ([[Mark Starr]] and [[Chris Kanyon]]).

===Championship Wrestling USA (1996)===
After his run in WCW, Sawyer briefly returned to Championship Wrestling USA. On February 18, 1996, Sawyer and Sumito wrestled Buddy Wayne and [[Colonel DeBeers]] in [[Vancouver, Washington]]. During the match, Wayne accidentally pinned DeBeers, then [[Championship Wrestling USA Television Championship|Championship Wrestling USA Television Champion]], and was awarded his partner's title.<ref name="CWUSA-TV"/> He also began making regular appearances for [[Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling]] in neighboring [[British Columbia]]. A protege and longtime friend of [[Roddy Piper]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Torch_Today_2/article_1791.shtml |title=12/5 Afternoon Update: Piper, Russo, WWE talent cuts, Raw rating |author=Powell, Jason |date=December 5, 2002 |website=PWTorch.com |publisher=[[Pro Wrestling Torch]] |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> Sawyer adopted a similar "bad boy" persona during this period.<ref name=KFW>{{cite web |url=http://kentuckyfriedwrestling.com/theword2/flex-appeal-recalling-the-rocks-early-memphis-wrestling-days-as-the-great-one-finally-returns-live-to-wwe-monday-night-raw/ |title=Flex appeal: Recalling the Rock’s early Memphis wrestling days as the Great One finally returns live to WWE Monday Night RAW |author=Bowden, Scott |date=March 28, 2011 |website=KentuckyFriedWrestling.com |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> He appeared in two films starring Piper, ''Masked Man'' (1996) and ''Sea of Fire'' (1996), as well as a [[stage combat|fight choreographer]].<ref name=RR-INT/> Sawyer used the ''[[Professional wrestling holds#Sleeper hold|Highland Sleeper]]'' finisher as a tribute to Piper.<ref name="PWI2001"/>

===United States Wrestling Association (1996)===
After a two-year absence, Sawyer [returned] to the [[United States Wrestling Association]].<ref name="PWI1996">{{cite magazine |last= |first= |date=Winter 1996 |title=The PWI 500 |page=34 |magazine=[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]] |location=Fort Washington, Pennsylvania |publisher=London Publishing Company |access-date= }}</ref> The USWA had a talent sharing agreement with the [[World Wrestling Federation]] at this time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/96.htm |title=1996 |author=Cawthon, Graham |date= |website=TheHistoryOfWWE.com |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> On March 10, 1996, Sawyer defeated [[The Brooklyn Brawler]] in a [[dark match]] on ''[[WWF Superstars]]''. On June 15, Sawyer lost to [[Brickhouse Brown]] in a match for the [[USWA Television Championship]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/uswa/uswa-tv.html |title=USWA Television Title (Tennessee) |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref> Two days later, Sawyer won the then vacant [[USWA World Tag Team Championship]] with [[Flex Kavana]]<ref name=BDPW/> after defeating Brickhouse Brown and Reggie B. Fine in a tournament final.<ref name="PWI1996"/> The team also wrestled the opening match at the last-ever event held at the historic Mid-South Coliseum.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/memphis/jarrett/1996.html |title=Mid-South Coliseum 1996 (Jarrett) |author= |date= |website=ProWrestlingHistory.com |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Lawler |first=Jerry |author-link=Jerry Lawler |date=2002 |title=It's Good to Be the King...Sometimes |location=New York |publisher=Simon & Schuster |page=291 |isbn=0743475577 |access-date= }}</ref> The team Sawyer and Kavana were then involved in a feud with [[Jerry Lawler]] and [[Bill Dundee]]. They lost the title to Lawler and Dundee on July 1 but regained them the following week. Kavana put up his hair for the team to receive a rematch.<ref name=KFW/> The team's second and final title reign ended a week later when Sawyer and Kavana dropped the belts to Brickhouse Brown and Reggie B. Fine on July 15, 1996.<ref name="Solie-USWA"/><ref name="USWA-TT"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacyofwrestling.com/TheRock.html |title=The Rock Wrestling History |author=Hornbaker, Tim |date=2001 |website=LegacyOfWrestling.com |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref>

===Return to the Pacific Northwest (1996–1997)===
Sawyer went back to Championship Wrestling USA at the end of the year. On December 15, 1996, he defeated Buddy Wayne to win the [[Championship Wrestling USA Television Championship]] a record fourth time. Sawyer's reign was brief, however, as he quickly lost the belt back to Wayne the following week. On April 13, 1997, Sawyer took part in a 10-man steel cage match for the [[Championship Wrestling USA Heavyweight Championship]]. The title was thrown into the ring and the wrestler who managed to escape the cage with the belt would be declared the new champion. Sawyer was the only wrestler to climb to the top of the cage with the championship but threw it down to Matt Borne who was waiting outside. He remained in the area wrestling on the local independent circuit for another year.<ref name="PWI1996"/> In late-1997, Sawyer worked for Ivan and Jeff Kafoury's Portland Wrestling. On November 1, 1997, Sawyer defeated [[Matt Borne]] to win the promotion's then vacant heavyweight championship.<ref name=WTH-PW>{{Cite book|author=Gary Will and Royal Duncan|title=Wrestling Title Histories|chapter=(United States: Oregon & Washington)|page=322|publisher=Archeus Communications|year=2000|edition=4th|isbn= 0-9698161-5-4}}</ref>

===Independent circuit (1998)===
With few options in Portland, Sawyer traveled to the Mid-Atlantic United States. On July 12, 1998, Sawyer teamed with Blackhawk, John Rambo, and [[Doink the Clown]] to defeat The Grungers (Skagnetti and Skank) and [[The Bad Crew]] (Bad Crew #1 and Bad Crew #2) for [[World Xtreme Wrestling]]'s Sportsfest '98 supercard in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]]. On July 18, 1998, Sawyer defeated Gutterboy in [[Hagerstown, Maryland]] for the vacant [[HoPWF Heavyweight Championship]].<ref name=WTH-MD>{{Cite book|author=Gary Will and Royal Duncan|title=Wrestling Title Histories|chapter=(United States: Maryland)|page=61|publisher=Archeus Communications|year=2000|edition=4th|isbn= 0-9698161-5-4}}</ref><ref name=Solie-HoPWF>{{cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/hwthop.html |title=HoPWF Heavyweight Title History |author=Tsakiries, Phil |year=2004 |publisher=[[Solie's Title Histories]] |work=Solie.org|accessdate=}}</ref>

===National Wrestling Alliance (1999–2001)===
By 1999, Sawyer had found success with the [[National Wrestling Alliance]]-affiliated promotions in the Southern United States specifically [[NWA Wildside|NWA Georgia]], [[List of NWA territories|NWA Main Event]] and [[Music City Wrestling|NWA Worldwide]]. Soon after entering NWA Worldwide, Sawyer began feuding with fellow USWA alumni Brickhouse Brown.<ref name="PWI1999">{{cite magazine |last= |first= |date=Holiday 1999 |title=The PWI 500 |page=65 |magazine=[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]] |location=Fort Washington, Pennsylvania |publisher=London Publishing Company |access-date= }}</ref> In early-1999, Sawyer feuded with [[Mike Rapada|The Colorado Kid]] over the [[NWA North American Heavyweight Championship]]. At one point, Sawyer stole the title, after knocking out The Colorado Kid with a steel chair, and made title defences as the self-proclaimed champion. After one of their bouts, Sawyer assaulted referee Jimmy Rivers blaming the official for his recent loss. This incident led to a bout between Sawyer and The Colorado Kid at the [[Tennessee State Fairground Sports Arena|Nashville Fairgrounds]] on March 20, 1999, with [[Eddie Marlin]] as [[special guest referee]].

In May 1999, Sawyer entered a championship tournament for the [[NWA Georgia Junior Heavyweight Championship]] after the NWA decided to revive the long abandoned title.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/ga/ga-j.html |title=NWA Georgia Junior Heavyweight Title |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref> He defeated but lost to Air Paris in the finals. On June 27, 1999, Sawyer defeated Silky Boom Boom in [[Stockbridge, Georgia]] to win the [[NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship]].<ref name=Solie-GHW/><ref name="NWA-GHW"/> A week later, he teamed with Chris Michaels to win the [[NWA North American Tag Team Championship]] from Frenchy Riviera and Shane Eden in [[Nashville, Tennessee]].<ref name=Solie-NATT/><ref name="NWA-NATT"/> On August 19, Sawyer and Terry Lawler challenged Shane Young and David Young for the [[NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship]] in [[Loganville, Georgia]] but were unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/gttmcw.html |title=Georgia Tag Team Title/NWA Wildside Tag Team Title History |author=Westcott, Brian; Eric Roelfsema, Hisaharu Tanabe and Jim Dupree |year=2015 |publisher=[[Solie's Title Histories]] |work=Solie.org|accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/ga/ga-t.html |title=NWA Georgia Tag Team Title |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref> The NWA North American Tag Team Championship was declared vacant that same month<ref name="NWA-NATT"/>, when the team failed to defend the title within 30 days,<ref name=Solie-NATT/> and Sawyer was stripped of the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship in October 1999.<ref name=Solie-GHW/><ref name="NWA-GHW"/>

Although Sawyer was based in Nashville's NWA Main Event by 2000, he continued wrestling throughout the United States. Around this time he was publicly challenged by NWA ECCW's Michelle Starr.<ref name="PWI2001"/> In September 2000, the two men were scheduled to wrestle in a tag team match at the [[Roseland Theater]] against Bruiser Brian Cox and a mystery partner later revealed to be [[Tony Anthony]]. When neither of their opponents were able to appear, the two men began fighting each other. On February 9, 2001, Sawyer was in attendance at the 35th annual [[Cauliflower Alley Club]] reunion in Las Vegas with [[Roddy Piper]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kayfabememories.com/Regions/pnw/pnw8.htm |title=Regional Territories: PNW #8 |author=Rodgers, Mike |date=2004 |website=KayfabeMemories.com |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> as one of his bodyguards.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Lano, Mike |date=February 19, 2001 |title=Cauliflower Alley Club Annual Meeting Report |url=http://www.solie.org/newsletter/svwn620.html |journal=Solie's Tuesday Morning Report |publisher=Solie.org |volume=6 |issue=620 |pages= |doi= |pmc= |pmid= }}</ref> On November 3, 2001, Sawyer was the last man eliminated by Kevin White in a 10-man battle royal to crown the first NWA-USA Main Event United States Heavyweight Champion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ususaw.html |title=NWA/USACW United States/USACW Wrestling North American/USACW Heavyweight Title History |author=Westcott, Brian |year=2003 |publisher=[[Solie's Title Histories]] |work=Solie.org|accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/c/mew/nwa-usa-us-h.html |title=NWA-USA Main Event United States Heavyweight Title (Tennessee) |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>

===Later career and retirement (2002–2004)===
On October 12, 2002, Sawyer wrestled [[HoPWF Cruiserweight Championship|HoPWF Cruiserweight Champion]] Fumar in [[Martinsburg, West Virginia]] as part a four-way match also including Hyjinx and Aidean.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://solie.org/titlehistories/cwthop.html |title=HoPWF Cruiserweight Title History |author=Tsakiries, Phil |year=2004 |publisher=[[Solie's Title Histories]] |work=Solie.org|accessdate=}}</ref> On February 14, 2003, Sawyer defeated masked wrestler Parts Unknown (Larry Huntley) and [[Robbie Ellis]] at a Maine Event Wrestling show in [[Norway, Maine]], as part of a television taping for the promotion's weekly ''Midnight Madness'' tv series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metrocast.net/~jjakan/features-roadreport-02-14-03.html |title=Wrestling in the Middle of Nowhere...I mean Norway! |author= |date=February 2003 |website= |publisher=The New England Independent |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> He also worked for Coliseum Championship Wrestling in [[Evansville, Indiana]], twice winning the CCW Heavyweight Championship, and served on its booking comittee.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alanwojcik.tripod.com/archives/id22.html |title=Da' Commish/Eric Acker of CCW Evansville |author=Wojcik, Alan |date=2003 |website=AlanWojcik.com |publisher=Alan Wojcik Archives |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> That same year, Sawyer retired as an active competitor for Bert Prentice's USA Championship Wrestling in favor of becoming a [[color commentator]] for its weekly tv show.

On February 4, 2004, Sawyer teamed with Big Bully Douglas against [[Shane Douglas]] and [[Michael Shane]] at the Nashville Fairgrounds for a [[Impact Wrestling|NWA: Total Nonstop Action]] weekly pay-per-view event. A few weeks later, Sawyer was part of a [[Memphis Wrestling]] tournament to crown the first [[AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship|Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Champion]]. Sawyer defeated Bad Boy #2 in the opening round but was replaced by Bill Dundee who ended up facing [[Mabel (wrestler)|Mabel]] in the tournament final. Sawyer made a second NWA: TNA pay-per-view appearance on June 9, 2004, when he and [[Shane Matthews (wrestler)|Shane Matthews]] took on [[Monty Brown]] and [[Abyss (wrestler)|Abyss]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/tna04.htm |title=TNA: 2004 |author=Cawthon, Graham |date= |website=TheHistoryOfWWE.com |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref>

Stewart suffered a mild stroke on November 22, 2004. He remained in a coma for several days as well as suffering paralysis in the left side of his body.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boards2go.com/boards/board.cgi?action=read&id=1101246342&user=bartsawyer |title=Get Well Soon |author= |date=November 23, 2004 |website=SmartBartSawyer.com |publisher=Smart Bart's Message Board |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> Doctors in Nashville subsequently discovered a blood clot in Sawyer's right arm that required surgery. Although Sawyer recovered,<ref name=OWOW/> he was forced into retirement.

== Filmography ==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|+ List of appearances in film
|-
!Year
!Title
!Role
!class="unsortable"|Notes
!class="unsortable"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|1996
|''Marked Man''
|
|
|align=center|<ref name=RR-INT/><ref name="PWI2001"/>
|-
|1996
|''Sea of Fire''
|
|
|align=center|<ref name=RR-INT/><ref name="PWI2001"/>
|}

==In wrestling==
*'''Finishing moves'''
** [[DDT (professional wrestling)|DDT]]
** ''Highland Sleeper'' ([[Professional wrestling holds#Sleeper hold|Sleeper hold]])<ref name="PWI2001"/>


==In Wrestling==
*'''Signature moves'''
*'''Signature moves'''
**[[Dropkick]]<ref name=SN>{{cite episode|title=Bart Sawyer vs VK Wallstreet|series=WCW Saturday Night|credits=World Championship Wrestling, TNT|airdate=1995}}</ref><ref name=SN2>{{cite episode|title=Bart Sawyer vs Kensuke Sasaki|series=WCW Saturday Night|credits=World Championship Wrestling}}</ref>
**[[Dropkick]]<ref name=SN>{{cite episode|title=Bart Sawyer vs VK Wallstreet|series=WCW Saturday Night|credits=World Championship Wrestling, TNT|airdate=1995}}</ref><ref name=SN2>{{cite episode|title=Bart Sawyer vs Kensuke Sasaki|series=WCW Saturday Night|credits=World Championship Wrestling}}</ref>
**[[Pin (professional wrestling)#Roll-up|Roll-up]]<ref name=SN/>
**[[Pin (professional wrestling)#Roll-up|Roll-up]]<ref name=SN/>
**[[Suplex#Vertical suplex|Vertical suplex]]<ref name=SN2/>
**[[Suplex#Vertical suplex|Vertical suplex]]<ref name=SN2/>

* '''[[Nickname]]s'''
** "The Bartman"
** "Smart" Bart Sawyer<ref name="PWI2001"/><ref name="PWI1999"/>

* '''[[Music in professional wrestling|Entrance themes]]'''
** "[[Black Dog (song)|Black Dog]]" by [[Led Zeppelin]] (Portland Wrestling)


==Championships and accomplishments==
==Championships and accomplishments==
*'''[[Pacific Northwest Wrestling|Championship Wrestling USA]]'''
*'''[[Pacific Northwest Wrestling#Championship Wrestling USA|Championship Wrestling USA]]'''
**[[Championship Wrestling USA Television Championship]] ([[Championship Wrestling USA Television Championship#Title history|4 times]])
**[[Championship Wrestling USA Television Championship]] ([[Championship Wrestling USA Television Championship#Title history|4 times]])<ref name="CWUSA-TV">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/pnw/cwusa/cwusa-tv.html |title=CWUSA Television Title (Oregon / Washington) |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>

*'''[[List of NWA territories|NWA Georgia]]'''
*'''Coliseum Championship Wrestling'''
**[[NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])
**CCW Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
*'''[[List of NWA territories|NWA Main Event]]'''

**[[NWA North American Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA North American Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) - with [[Chris Michaels]]
*'''[[House of Pain Wrestling Federation]]'''
**[[HoPWF Heavyweight Championship]] (1 time)<ref name=WTH-MD/><ref name=Solie-HoPWF/>

*'''[[National Wrestling Alliance]]'''
**[[NWA North American Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA North American Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) - with [[Chris Michaels]]<ref name=Solie-NATT>{{cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/mcwnattnwa.html |title=NWA North American Tag Team Title History |author=Westcott, Brian and Jim Dupree |year=2014 |publisher=[[Solie's Title Histories]] |work=Solie.org|accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="NWA-NATT">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/nwa/others/na-t.html |title=NWA North American Tag Team Title |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>

*'''[[NWA Wildside|NWA Georgia]]'''
**[[NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name=Solie-GHW>{{cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ghtmcw.html |title=Georgia Heavyweight / NWA Wildside Heavyweight Title History |author=Westcott, Brian; Eric Roelfsema and Jim Dupree |year=2017 |publisher=[[Solie's Title Histories]] |work=Solie.org|accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="NWA-GHW">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/ga/ga-h.html |title=NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>

*'''Pacific Coast Wrestling'''
*'''Pacific Coast Wrestling'''
**PCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Rage Man<ref name="Titles"/>
**PCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Rage Man<ref name=WTH-PW/>

*'''Portland Wrestling'''
*'''Portland Wrestling'''
**Portland Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="Titles"/>
**Portland Pacific Northwest Championship (1 time)<ref name=WTH-PW/>

*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''
*'''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
**PWI ranked him # '''148''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the [[Pro Wrestling Illustrated#PWI 500|PWI 500]] in 1996
**PWI ranked him # '''148''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the [[Pro Wrestling Illustrated#PWI 500|PWI 500]] in 1996

*'''''Ring Around The Northwest Newsletter'''''
**Wrestler of the Year (1992, 1997)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kayfabememories.com/Regions/pnw/pnw16-2.htm |title=Regional Territories: PNW #16 Page #2 |author=Rodgers, Mike |date=2004 |website=KayfabeMemories.com |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref>

*'''[[United States Wrestling Association]]'''
*'''[[United States Wrestling Association]]'''
**[[USWA World Tag Team Championship]] ([[USWA World Tag Team Championship#Title history|3 times]]) - with Doug Masters (1) and [[Dwayne Johnson|Flex Kavana]] (2)
**[[USWA World Tag Team Championship]] ([[USWA World Tag Team Championship#Title history|3 times]]) - with Doug Masters (1) and [[Dwayne Johnson|Flex Kavana]] (2)<ref name="Solie-USWA">{{cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ttuswa.html |title=NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title History |author= |year= |publisher=[[Solie's Title Histories]] |work=Solie.org|accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="USWA-TT">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/uswa/uswa-t.html |title=USWA World Tag Team Title (Tennessee) |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 52: Line 151:
==External links==
==External links==
{{Portal|Professional wrestling}}
{{Portal|Professional wrestling}}
*{{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20041129125338/http://www.smartbartsawyer.com:80/}}
*[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/b/bart-sawyer.html Online World of Wrestling profile]
*[https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=949 Bart Sawyer at Cagematch.net]
*[http://wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=2107 Bart Sawyer at Wrestlingdata.com]
*[http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/bart-sawyer-1326.html Professional wrestling record for Bart Sawyer from The Internet Wrestling Database]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Sawyer, Bart}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sawyer, Bart}}
Line 59: Line 161:
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from Oregon]]
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from Oregon]]


{{US-prowrestling-bio-stub}}

Revision as of 00:26, 16 July 2017

This article is about the American wrestler who competed in Championship Wrestling USA and the United States Wrestling Association during the 1990s. For the wrestler who competed in Jim Crockett Promotions and Pacific Northwest Wrestling during the 1980s, see Brett Sawyer.
Bart Sawyer
Birth nameSteven Stewart
Born (1965-11-30) November 30, 1965 (age 58)[1]
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Bart Sawyer[1]
Steve Sawyer
Billed height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1]
Billed weight225 lb (102 kg)[1]
Billed fromPortland, Oregon[1]
Kansas City, Missouri
Trained byBob Geigel[2][3]
DebutApril 22, 1988[2][4]
Retired2004

Steven Stewart (born November 30, 1965)[1], known by his ring name Bart Sawyer, is an American retired professional wrestler, color commentator, and occasional actor. He is best known for his time in Championship Wrestling USA and the United States Wrestling Association during the 1990s.[5][6] In his career, Sawyer also wrestled for Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling, House of Pain Wrestling Federation, Memphis Wrestling, NWA Georgia, NWA Main Event, NWA Worldwide, World Xtreme Wrestling and W*ING. Additionally, he competed as a preliminary wrestler in World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation.

Trained by Bob Geigel, Stewart began his professional wrestling career in the World Wrestling Alliance. He emerged as a popular "fan favorite" in Pacific Northwest Wrestling in the early-1990s, whose gimmick was modeled after Bart Simpson,[6] and engaged in feuds with Al Madril,[7] Colonel DeBeers, Matt Borne and Buddy Wayne. Sawyer later became a "rulebreaker" himself when he relocated to the Southern United States to wrestle for the National Wrestling Alliance. Throughout his career, Sawyer won several championships including the Championship Wrestling USA Television Championship four times, the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship once, the NWA North American Tag Team Championship (with Chris Michaels), and the USWA World Tag Team Championship (with Doug Masters and Flex Kavana) three times.[5] He was forced to retire in 2004, following a mild stroke,[1] after nearly 18 years in the ring.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1987–1989)

Stewart trained under Bob Geigel[2][3] at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Missouri. The first wrestler he ever faced as a student was Curtis Hughes. Stewart made his pro debut as "Steve Sawyer" on April 22, 1988.[4] He initially wrestled for Geigel's World Wrestling Alliance in Kansas City, Missouri. After the WWA's close, Stewart made brief appearances for the United States Wrestling Association and World Class Championship Wrestling.

Pacific Northwest Wrestling (1990–1991)

Stewart joined Pacific Northwest Wrestling in the fall of 1990, as Bart Sawyer, a hyperactive and mischievous young wrestler. The character was modeled after Bart Simpson from the American animated series The Simpsons. Sawyer's nickname (The Bartman) derive from the 1990 parody song: "Do the Bartman". He also cut his hair so as to more closely resemble the cartoon character.[6] Stewart scored wins over Brad Anderson and Ricky Santana during his first year in the promotion and became a popular "fan favorite" feuding with Al Madril.[7] On October 20, 1990, Stewart won a $5,000 Battle Royal at the Portland Sports Arena. A match with Steve Doll against Anderson and The Hood for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship ended in a no-contest and the title was declared held-up. Sawyer and Doll were defeated by Anderson and The Hood in Portland on February 16, 1991, however, The Hood was unmasked as Ricky Santana.[8][9]

United States Wrestling Association (1991–1992)

Later that year, Stewart traveled across the country to the United States Wrestling Association in Memphis, Tennessee. He formed a partnership with Doug Masters and the two quickly climbed the ranks of the tag team division.[5] On November 4, 1991, they defeated Robert Fuller and Jeff Jarrett for the USWA World Tag Team Championship. Stewart and Masters' championship reign was short-lived, however, as they lost the belts to Fuller and Mike Mitchell weeks later.[10][11][12] The two men soon had a falling out and were feuding by early-1992. On January 13, Sawyer and Masters battled to a double-disqualification in a lumberjack strap match. The following week, Sawyer unsuccessfully challenged Eric Embry for the USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship. On the same event, Sawyer took part in an 8-man "strap battle royal" which was also won by Embry and included Tony Falk, Tom Pritchard, CJ, Miss Texas, Tony Anthony, and Doug Masters. On February 2, Sawyer and Tony Williams lost to Masters and Brian Christopher at the Mid-South Coliseum.[13]

Championship Wrestling USA (1992)

On August 22, 1992, Sawyer defeated Ron Harris in a tournament final to win the Championship Wrestling USA Television Championship. His first reign as champion lasted nearly two months before losing the title to Mike Winner on October 10, 1992.[14]

United States Wrestling Association (1992)

That fall, Sawyer returned to the USWA and won victories against Randy Rhodes and Mike Miller at the Mid-South Coliseum. His winning streak was stopped by Jeff Gaylord on November 9, 1992. The next week, Sawyer and Miss Texas beat Mike Miller and Lauren Davenport in a mixed tag team match.[13]

Championship Wrestling USA (1993)

On January 9, 1993, Sawyer defeated John Rambo to win the Championship Wrestling USA Television Championship. He feuded with Colonel DeBeers over the title before finally dropping the belt to DeBeers on February 27, 1993.[14] Later that year, Sawyer made a one-time appearance in World Championship Wrestling facing off against Maxx Payne on WCW Main Event.[15]

W*ING (1993–1994)

Between 1993 and 1994, Stewart made several trips to Japan appearing for W*ING. On May 27, 1993, he and Killer Kyle wrestled Mitsuhiro Matsunaga and Shoji Nakamaki at W*ING Dog in the Box. On June 18, 1993, he faced Mr. Pogo in a Scramble Bunkhouse Death match at Korakuen Hall.[16] On February 11, 1994, Stewart wrestled Kazumi Masasaki in a Falls Count Anywhere match. Four days later, he battled Jason the Terrible in a Barbedwire Baseball match.[17][18]

Independent circuit (1994–1995)

Sawyer also made a brief stop in the USWA, with wins over Tony Falk, Reggie B. Fine and Leon Downs,[19] before moving back to the Pacific Northwest. In the spring of 1995, Sawyer joined Richard Small's short-lived Pacific Coast Wrestling. On March 4, 1995, Sawyer and Rage Man defeated Buddy Wayne and Lou Andrews in Portland to become the inaugural tag team champions.[20]

World Championship Wrestling (1995–1996)

In early-1995, Stewart started working for World Championship Wrestling as a preliminary wrestler. Stewart made his first WCW television appearance on the May 13th edition of WCW Worldwide where he wrestled Arn Anderson (with Ric Flair) for the WCW Television Championship. A semi-regular on WCW Worldwide and WCW Saturday Night, subsequent opponents included Diamond Dallas Page, Disco Inferno, Lex Luger, One Man Gang, Shinjiro Otani, and V.K. Wallstreet. He also faced The Blue Bloods (with T.A. McCoy and Leroy Howard), Harlem Heat (with Ron Thompson), and The Stud Stable (with Bobby Walker). On the January 13, 1996 episode of WCW Pro, Sawyer and Buck Quartermaine were defeated by Chris Benoit and Brian Pillman. Sawyer's team lost when his partner was pinned by Benoit following a dropkick / dragon suplex combination. The following night on WCW Worldwide, he wrestled Kensuke Sasaki for the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship. Despite a strong showing, Sawyer lost via submission with a standing armbar.[21] Sawyer made his final WCW appearance on the May 12th episode of WCW Worldwide where he and Manny Fernandez lost to Men At Work (Mark Starr and Chris Kanyon).

Championship Wrestling USA (1996)

After his run in WCW, Sawyer briefly returned to Championship Wrestling USA. On February 18, 1996, Sawyer and Sumito wrestled Buddy Wayne and Colonel DeBeers in Vancouver, Washington. During the match, Wayne accidentally pinned DeBeers, then Championship Wrestling USA Television Champion, and was awarded his partner's title.[14] He also began making regular appearances for Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling in neighboring British Columbia. A protege and longtime friend of Roddy Piper,[22] Sawyer adopted a similar "bad boy" persona during this period.[23] He appeared in two films starring Piper, Masked Man (1996) and Sea of Fire (1996), as well as a fight choreographer.[2] Sawyer used the Highland Sleeper finisher as a tribute to Piper.[3]

United States Wrestling Association (1996)

After a two-year absence, Sawyer [returned] to the United States Wrestling Association.[24] The USWA had a talent sharing agreement with the World Wrestling Federation at this time.[25] On March 10, 1996, Sawyer defeated The Brooklyn Brawler in a dark match on WWF Superstars. On June 15, Sawyer lost to Brickhouse Brown in a match for the USWA Television Championship.[26] Two days later, Sawyer won the then vacant USWA World Tag Team Championship with Flex Kavana[5] after defeating Brickhouse Brown and Reggie B. Fine in a tournament final.[24] The team also wrestled the opening match at the last-ever event held at the historic Mid-South Coliseum.[27][28] The team Sawyer and Kavana were then involved in a feud with Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee. They lost the title to Lawler and Dundee on July 1 but regained them the following week. Kavana put up his hair for the team to receive a rematch.[23] The team's second and final title reign ended a week later when Sawyer and Kavana dropped the belts to Brickhouse Brown and Reggie B. Fine on July 15, 1996.[10][11][29]

Return to the Pacific Northwest (1996–1997)

Sawyer went back to Championship Wrestling USA at the end of the year. On December 15, 1996, he defeated Buddy Wayne to win the Championship Wrestling USA Television Championship a record fourth time. Sawyer's reign was brief, however, as he quickly lost the belt back to Wayne the following week. On April 13, 1997, Sawyer took part in a 10-man steel cage match for the Championship Wrestling USA Heavyweight Championship. The title was thrown into the ring and the wrestler who managed to escape the cage with the belt would be declared the new champion. Sawyer was the only wrestler to climb to the top of the cage with the championship but threw it down to Matt Borne who was waiting outside. He remained in the area wrestling on the local independent circuit for another year.[24] In late-1997, Sawyer worked for Ivan and Jeff Kafoury's Portland Wrestling. On November 1, 1997, Sawyer defeated Matt Borne to win the promotion's then vacant heavyweight championship.[20]

Independent circuit (1998)

With few options in Portland, Sawyer traveled to the Mid-Atlantic United States. On July 12, 1998, Sawyer teamed with Blackhawk, John Rambo, and Doink the Clown to defeat The Grungers (Skagnetti and Skank) and The Bad Crew (Bad Crew #1 and Bad Crew #2) for World Xtreme Wrestling's Sportsfest '98 supercard in Allentown, Pennsylvania. On July 18, 1998, Sawyer defeated Gutterboy in Hagerstown, Maryland for the vacant HoPWF Heavyweight Championship.[30][31]

National Wrestling Alliance (1999–2001)

By 1999, Sawyer had found success with the National Wrestling Alliance-affiliated promotions in the Southern United States specifically NWA Georgia, NWA Main Event and NWA Worldwide. Soon after entering NWA Worldwide, Sawyer began feuding with fellow USWA alumni Brickhouse Brown.[32] In early-1999, Sawyer feuded with The Colorado Kid over the NWA North American Heavyweight Championship. At one point, Sawyer stole the title, after knocking out The Colorado Kid with a steel chair, and made title defences as the self-proclaimed champion. After one of their bouts, Sawyer assaulted referee Jimmy Rivers blaming the official for his recent loss. This incident led to a bout between Sawyer and The Colorado Kid at the Nashville Fairgrounds on March 20, 1999, with Eddie Marlin as special guest referee.

In May 1999, Sawyer entered a championship tournament for the NWA Georgia Junior Heavyweight Championship after the NWA decided to revive the long abandoned title.[33] He defeated but lost to Air Paris in the finals. On June 27, 1999, Sawyer defeated Silky Boom Boom in Stockbridge, Georgia to win the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship.[34][35] A week later, he teamed with Chris Michaels to win the NWA North American Tag Team Championship from Frenchy Riviera and Shane Eden in Nashville, Tennessee.[36][37] On August 19, Sawyer and Terry Lawler challenged Shane Young and David Young for the NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship in Loganville, Georgia but were unsuccessful.[38][39] The NWA North American Tag Team Championship was declared vacant that same month[37], when the team failed to defend the title within 30 days,[36] and Sawyer was stripped of the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship in October 1999.[34][35]

Although Sawyer was based in Nashville's NWA Main Event by 2000, he continued wrestling throughout the United States. Around this time he was publicly challenged by NWA ECCW's Michelle Starr.[3] In September 2000, the two men were scheduled to wrestle in a tag team match at the Roseland Theater against Bruiser Brian Cox and a mystery partner later revealed to be Tony Anthony. When neither of their opponents were able to appear, the two men began fighting each other. On February 9, 2001, Sawyer was in attendance at the 35th annual Cauliflower Alley Club reunion in Las Vegas with Roddy Piper[40] as one of his bodyguards.[41] On November 3, 2001, Sawyer was the last man eliminated by Kevin White in a 10-man battle royal to crown the first NWA-USA Main Event United States Heavyweight Champion.[42][43]

Later career and retirement (2002–2004)

On October 12, 2002, Sawyer wrestled HoPWF Cruiserweight Champion Fumar in Martinsburg, West Virginia as part a four-way match also including Hyjinx and Aidean.[44] On February 14, 2003, Sawyer defeated masked wrestler Parts Unknown (Larry Huntley) and Robbie Ellis at a Maine Event Wrestling show in Norway, Maine, as part of a television taping for the promotion's weekly Midnight Madness tv series.[45] He also worked for Coliseum Championship Wrestling in Evansville, Indiana, twice winning the CCW Heavyweight Championship, and served on its booking comittee.[46] That same year, Sawyer retired as an active competitor for Bert Prentice's USA Championship Wrestling in favor of becoming a color commentator for its weekly tv show.

On February 4, 2004, Sawyer teamed with Big Bully Douglas against Shane Douglas and Michael Shane at the Nashville Fairgrounds for a NWA: Total Nonstop Action weekly pay-per-view event. A few weeks later, Sawyer was part of a Memphis Wrestling tournament to crown the first Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Champion. Sawyer defeated Bad Boy #2 in the opening round but was replaced by Bill Dundee who ended up facing Mabel in the tournament final. Sawyer made a second NWA: TNA pay-per-view appearance on June 9, 2004, when he and Shane Matthews took on Monty Brown and Abyss.[47]

Stewart suffered a mild stroke on November 22, 2004. He remained in a coma for several days as well as suffering paralysis in the left side of his body.[48] Doctors in Nashville subsequently discovered a blood clot in Sawyer's right arm that required surgery. Although Sawyer recovered,[1] he was forced into retirement.

Filmography

List of appearances in film
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1996 Marked Man [2][3]
1996 Sea of Fire [2][3]

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

  • Coliseum Championship Wrestling
    • CCW Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
  • Pacific Coast Wrestling
    • PCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Rage Man[20]
  • Portland Wrestling
    • Portland Pacific Northwest Championship (1 time)[20]
  • Ring Around The Northwest Newsletter
    • Wrestler of the Year (1992, 1997)[51]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Bart Sawyer Profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Lizenby, Kathryn D. (July 27, 1996). "USWA Interviews (Part 3)". Ring Report. 3 (1).
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "The PWI 500". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: London Publishing Company. December 2001. p. 67.
  4. ^ a b Sawyer, Bart (March 5, 2005). "Re(1): CONSIDAR THE SOURCE". SmartBartSawyer.com. Smart Bart's Message Board.
  5. ^ a b c d Lentz III, Harris M. (2003). Biographical Dictionary of Professional Wrestling (2 ed.). McFarland. p. 331. ISBN 0786417544.
  6. ^ a b c Pope, Kristian; Whebbe, Ray (2003). The Encyclopedia of Professional Wrestling: 100 Years of History, Headlines & Hitmakers. Krause Publications. p. 228. ISBN 0873496256.
  7. ^ a b Petersen, Steve (2004). "Regional Territories: PNW #30". KayfabeMemories.com.
  8. ^ "NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title History". Solie.org. Solie's Title Histories.
  9. ^ "NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  10. ^ a b c "NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title History". Solie.org. Solie's Title Histories.
  11. ^ a b c "USWA World Tag Team Title (Tennessee)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  12. ^ "Mid-South Coliseum 1991 (Jarrett)". ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  13. ^ a b "Mid-South Coliseum 1992 (Jarrett)". ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  14. ^ a b c d "CWUSA Television Title (Oregon / Washington)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  15. ^ Cawthon, Graham. "WCW: 1993". TheHistoryOfWWE.com.
  16. ^ W*ING (Producer) (June 18, 1993). W*ING Light Out (VHS). Tokyo, Japan: Quebrada.net.
  17. ^ W*ING (Producer) (February 1994). We Are WING (VHS). Tokyo, Japan: Quebrada.net.
  18. ^ W*ING (Producer) (2002). W*ING Anthology, Volume 2 (DVD). Tokyo, Japan: Highspots.com.
  19. ^ "Mid-South Coliseum 1994 (Jarrett)". ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  20. ^ a b c d Gary Will and Royal Duncan (2000). "(United States: Oregon & Washington)". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. p. 322. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  21. ^ Cawthon, Graham. "WCW: 1995". TheHistoryOfWWE.com.
  22. ^ Powell, Jason (December 5, 2002). "12/5 Afternoon Update: Piper, Russo, WWE talent cuts, Raw rating". PWTorch.com. Pro Wrestling Torch.
  23. ^ a b Bowden, Scott (March 28, 2011). "Flex appeal: Recalling the Rock's early Memphis wrestling days as the Great One finally returns live to WWE Monday Night RAW". KentuckyFriedWrestling.com.
  24. ^ a b c "The PWI 500". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: London Publishing Company. Winter 1996. p. 34.
  25. ^ Cawthon, Graham. "1996". TheHistoryOfWWE.com.
  26. ^ "USWA Television Title (Tennessee)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  27. ^ "Mid-South Coliseum 1996 (Jarrett)". ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  28. ^ Lawler, Jerry (2002). It's Good to Be the King...Sometimes. New York: Simon & Schuster. p. 291. ISBN 0743475577.
  29. ^ Hornbaker, Tim (2001). "The Rock Wrestling History". LegacyOfWrestling.com.
  30. ^ a b Gary Will and Royal Duncan (2000). "(United States: Maryland)". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. p. 61. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  31. ^ a b Tsakiries, Phil (2004). "HoPWF Heavyweight Title History". Solie.org. Solie's Title Histories.
  32. ^ a b "The PWI 500". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: London Publishing Company. Holiday 1999. p. 65. {{cite magazine}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ "NWA Georgia Junior Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  34. ^ a b c Westcott, Brian; Eric Roelfsema and Jim Dupree (2017). "Georgia Heavyweight / NWA Wildside Heavyweight Title History". Solie.org. Solie's Title Histories.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  35. ^ a b c "NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  36. ^ a b c Westcott, Brian and Jim Dupree (2014). "NWA North American Tag Team Title History". Solie.org. Solie's Title Histories.
  37. ^ a b c "NWA North American Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  38. ^ Westcott, Brian; Eric Roelfsema, Hisaharu Tanabe and Jim Dupree (2015). "Georgia Tag Team Title/NWA Wildside Tag Team Title History". Solie.org. Solie's Title Histories.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  39. ^ "NWA Georgia Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  40. ^ Rodgers, Mike (2004). "Regional Territories: PNW #8". KayfabeMemories.com.
  41. ^ Lano, Mike (February 19, 2001). "Cauliflower Alley Club Annual Meeting Report". Solie's Tuesday Morning Report. 6 (620). Solie.org.
  42. ^ Westcott, Brian (2003). "NWA/USACW United States/USACW Wrestling North American/USACW Heavyweight Title History". Solie.org. Solie's Title Histories.
  43. ^ "NWA-USA Main Event United States Heavyweight Title (Tennessee)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  44. ^ Tsakiries, Phil (2004). "HoPWF Cruiserweight Title History". Solie.org. Solie's Title Histories.
  45. ^ "Wrestling in the Middle of Nowhere...I mean Norway!". The New England Independent. February 2003.
  46. ^ Wojcik, Alan (2003). "Da' Commish/Eric Acker of CCW Evansville". AlanWojcik.com. Alan Wojcik Archives.
  47. ^ Cawthon, Graham. "TNA: 2004". TheHistoryOfWWE.com.
  48. ^ "Get Well Soon". SmartBartSawyer.com. Smart Bart's Message Board. November 23, 2004.
  49. ^ a b World Championship Wrestling, TNT (1995). "Bart Sawyer vs VK Wallstreet". WCW Saturday Night.
  50. ^ a b World Championship Wrestling. "Bart Sawyer vs Kensuke Sasaki". WCW Saturday Night.
  51. ^ Rodgers, Mike (2004). "Regional Territories: PNW #16 Page #2". KayfabeMemories.com.
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