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Skandor Akbar

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Skandor Akbar
Skandor Akbar, flanked by security guards, c. 1982
Birth nameJimmy Saied Wehba
Born(1934-09-29)September 29, 1934
Vernon, Texas, U.S.
DiedAugust 19, 2010(2010-08-19) (aged 75)[1]
Garland, Texas, U.S.[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Jimmy Wehba
Skandor Akbar
Wildman Wehba
Billed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Billed weight232 lb (105 kg)
Trained byJimmy Young
Debut1963
Retired1983

Jimmy Saied Wehba[2] (September 29, 1934 – August 19, 2010)[1] was an American professional wrestler and manager better known by his ring name Skandor Akbar, which translates as "Alexander the Great". Akbar led the villainous stable Devastation, Inc. in Bill Watts's Universal Wrestling Federation during the promotion's heyday in the 1980s, as well as other regional territories, including World Class Championship Wrestling and the Global Wrestling Federation.

Early life

Wehba was born on September 29, 1934, in Wichita Falls, Texas, and grew up in Vernon, Texas. His father was from Lebanon, and his mother, Mary, had Arab roots, though she too was born in Texas. With two older sisters, Jimmy was the baby of the family. As a preteen, he started weightlifting (at one point he reportedly bench pressed 500 pounds) as his cousin had a gym. He also worked as a bouncer.[3]

Professional wrestling career

Singles wrestler

Akbar started out as a professional wrestler in 1963 as Jimmy Wehba. He changed his name to Skandor Akbar at the suggestion of Fritz Von Erich in 1966 in order to sound more Arabic. Akbar teamed with Danny Hodge and eventually turned on him, starting a feud. Akbar joined the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) for a brief run in the late 1970s and was managed by Freddie Blassie. Akbar also worked as a face in the Australian World Championship Wrestling territory for a season in the mid 1970s feuding mainly with The Great Mephisto.

Manager

Akbar retired from active wrestling in 1977 and became a villainous manager in the Texas area territory. He called his stables "Akbars Army" in Mid-South Wrestling for Bill Watts before it became UWF and "Devastation, Inc." in World Class Championship Wrestling for Fritz Von Erich and in 1991 appeared in the World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico. Akbar smoked cigars at ringside, harassed the fans during his protégés' matches, and occasionally threw fireballs at unsuspecting opponents. In 1994, Akbar briefly managed Kevin Von Erich as a fan favorite in the Global Wrestling Federation. Eventually, though, he turned on Von Erich only weeks before Von Erich decided to retire for good. Akbar also managed Toni Adams for a short time in the GWF.

Retirement

After his semi-retirement, Akbar still made frequent appearances on the independent circuit, while also training wrestlers. He appeared on both the Heroes of World Class and Triumph and Tragedies of World Class retrospective documentaries, released in 2005 and 2007, respectively. From 2008 to 2010, he appeared as a manager in the Dallas-based Wrecking Ball Wrestling promotion. He also operated a countertop business.[4]

Personal life

Often billed from Egypt, Lebanon, Syria or Saudi Arabia, his father actually was from Lebanon, and his mother, Mary, had Arab roots as well, though she too was born in Texas. With two older sisters, he was the youngest of the family.[5]

Death

Wehba died August 19, 2010, in Texas, reportedly due to complications from a fall[1] or after a long battle with prostate cancer.[6]

Championships and accomplishments

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d Simnacher, Joe (November 26, 2010). "Jimmy Saied Wehba, wrestler who ruled the ring as 'Skandor Akbar,' dies at 75". Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  2. ^ Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter, August 30, 2010
  3. ^ "The celebrated career of the late Skandor Akbar". August 20, 2010.
  4. ^ Ojst, Javier (December 7, 2021). "50 Greatest Fans Meeting Wrestlers Stories". Pro Wrestling Stories. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  5. ^ "CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - Wrestling - The celebrated career of the late Skandor Akbar". slam.canoe.ca. August 20, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  6. ^ Pringle, Percy (August 20, 2010). "God only takes the best..."
  7. ^ "Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2021 Announced". Se Scoops | Wrestling News, Results & Interviews. January 15, 2021.
  8. ^ "Year End Awards". Wrecking Ball Wrestling. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2013.

References

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