Scariest of All-Time Part 23: One Man Gang

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I remember when One Man Gang arrived on World Class Championship Wrestling with his manager Gary Hart. The big man had a look that was more than intimidating. The mohawk with the skull tattoos on either side of his head showed fans just how tough this guy was. Remember, this was before we got a look at Bam Bam Bigelow's tattooed skull a few years later.

The Gang was double tough and went toe-to-toe with all the company's top good guys, including the Von Erichs and Bruiser Brody. OMG's look reminded me of a biker, complete with a chain that came into play in matches more than once. But eventually, he would travel to the UWF and win the promotion's heavyweight title. He lost the belt to his future tag team partner Big Bubba Rogers (the Big Bossman) and then headed to the WWF. 

In the WWF, One Man Gang would challenge Hulk Hogan. His size and strength made him the perfect foil for Hogan in that era. For some crazy reason, Vince McMahon decided to change the persona, and the street-tough from Chicago became a shucking and jiving guy from deepest, darkest Africa. 

I was disappointed overall with the Akeem character, though he was quite memorable. However, One Man Gang was the better gimmick as far as I'm concerned. I think even WWE would agree, having brought back the Gang for the Gimmick Battle Royal at WrestleMania 17. 

One Man Gang vs. Akeem

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I've found a new pro wrestling podcast and became an instant fan. It's called Our Vantage Point. The first episode I listened to is number 95. They recap that year (1995) as they also talk about successful and not so successful gimmicks. The One Man Gang was brought up as well as his alter-ego Akeem, the African Dream. There was a debate on which character enjoyed the most success. So I brought the conversation over to the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page and created a poll.

As you can see OMG easily beat Akeem. But there were some who were passionate in the reasoning for picking the African based character. Sam Banks had this to say: 

"One Man Gang was very popular in the regional territories in the 70’s and 80’s, but really rose to prominence when he took on the African Dream gimmick in the WWF. 

The WWF is where he did the most memorable things in his career in front of the most eyes, and with the WWE Network available to everyone, his Akeem stuff will be what most people see for as long as the Network exists.

Akeem is the clear answer here. The majority of young wrestling fans since the year 2000 have probably never even heard of One Man Gang, but I would bet they’d know who Akeem and the Twin Towers were."

Jerry Travelstead commented too:

"Personally, don't think this one is close. OMG gimmick wasn't just WWF. Believe he did Mid South, Texas, The Carolinas, and other regional organizations well before WWF. He has popped up as OMG several times when I've been watching some of the older stuff on the network."

I'm still on the fence on the issue. I remember Gang when I watched World Class Championship Wrestling and Midsouth (UWF). Even in his first year or so in WWE he competed as the big man from Halstead Street in Chicago. Then the transformation happened and Akeem was born.

Some fast facts about the WWE tenure of George Gray (the man behind the gimmicks):

One Man Gang debuted in the spring of 1987. He feuded with Hulk Hogan, Don Muraco and Bam Bam Bigelow in that first year. He was in the main event of the first Survivor Series (his team won) and he made it to the semi-finals of the WWE Championship tournament at WrestleMania IV before losing (by DQ) to the eventual winner Randy Savage. 

As Akeem, Gray was back in the main event picture. He and the Big Bossman feuded with Savage and Hogan as the MegaPowers. Again he was part of the Survivor Series main event as well as The Main Event on NBC when the Megapowers finally exploded in 1989. He and Bossman pursued the tag team titles that summer against Demolition. I really thought they were going to win but the Brain Busters did instead.

Akeem vs. Bossman

After that, it seems both men floundered a bit. The Twin Towers split in early 1990 and Bossman made quick work of his former partner at WrestleMania VI. He faded away and resurfaced in WCW as the OMG once again. During the second run in 1995, he picked up the company's U.S. Championship. 

Gimmick Battle Royal

When he returned to WWE in 2001 for the Gimmick Battle Royal at WrestleMania 17 he did so as the Gang. He also competed as that character at the King of Trios tournament with Chikara a decade ago. 

Both characters had an impact and were successful. But what are your thoughts? Who had more success in pro wrestling, the One Man Gang or Akeem? Weigh in here or on the Facebook page.

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Boo Blog: Skandor Akbar

Devestation Inc.

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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When I first started watching wrestling in the early 80s, World Class Championship Wrestling was my favorite. The Von Erichs, the Freebirds and Devastation Incorporated were among the cast of characters that stood out to me and made the promotion so great.

Akbar in action

Devastation Incorporated was headed by a ruthless figure named Skandor Akbar. Little did I know at the time "The General" had been an accomplished wrestler in a prior life and had transitioned into a managerial role. He wore Mideastern garb and chomped on cigars as he led a bevy of beasts into battle against some of WCCW's best and brightest baby faces.

Akbar's army included monsters like Kamala, The Missing Link and One Man Gang. Memories of those days include the Link and Kerry Von Erich going toe to toe with the Link headbutting Kerry so many times commentator Bill Mercer was convinced Kerry's nose was broken. Akbar stood by encouraging the brutality.

Akbar & Bubba

He managed One Man Gang in UWF after jumping ship from World Class. Gang won the championship there after Terry Gordy forfeited the belt. But it wasn't long before Akbar switched his allegiance and helped Big Bubba Rogers (later the Big Bossman) win the championship. 

Recognize the guy in the mask?

Akbar bounced between UWF and WCCW/USWA through the years. He was without a doubt one of the best managers in those promotions. Unfortunately, he never made his was to WWF like many of the men who were in his charge, including The Punisher who we know today as The Undertaker.

Boo: The Gang's All Here

The One Man Gang
Photo courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents

When I was young and watching World Class Championship Wrestling, I remember very vividly a mountain of a man hailing from Halsted Street in Chicago.  He had a mohawk with skull tattoos on either side of his head.  He wore black ring attire with skulls on the shoulders, a denim vest, and a long chain.  He was the One Man Gang.

Gang was a member of Skandar Akbar's Devastation Incorporated as well as Gary Hart's dynasty.  At more than 400 pounds, he squashed many of his competitors.  But it wasn't always a walk in the park for him.  I remember his struggles against my favorites, like Kerry Von Erich (who slammed the big man and pinned him in order to shave Gary Hart's head) and King Kong Bruiser Brody.  As you might imagine, a huge brawl ensued between the two beasts.

Gang eventually moved on to the UWF and picked up that company's heavyweight title.  He had classic matches with the likes of Terry Gordy and "Dr. Death" Steve Williams.  Once he prepared to jump ship and head north to the WWF, Gang dropped the title to Big Bubba Rogers (his future tag team partner in the Twin Towers).

The Gang in the WWF
Photo Courtesy: WWE

Gang fit in immediately in the WWF.  He was a mammoth among men.  It didn't take long for him to get a shot at Hulk Hogan's WWF title.  Although he came up short, I was impressed that someone from little ol' WCCW was hanging with the best the WWF had to offer.  He squashed "Superstar" Billy Graham, forcing him to retire.  Gang also feuded with Don Muraco and earned a spot in the WWF Title Tournament at Wrestlemania IV.  He was disqualified in his match against the eventual winner "Macho Man" Randy Savage.

With Slick by his side, One Man Gang seemed nearly unstoppable.  But in the fall of 1988, he underwent an awkward transformation and became known as Akeem the African Dream.  I'll share about my thoughts on that in a future post.

Gang & Sullivan 1991
Photo courtesy: WWE

Today, I wanted to focus on the beast known as the OMG, who eventually resurfaced again after his WWF tenure ended.  In WCW he and Kevin Sullivan ran rough shot over the competition.  This was a throwback to the Gang of old, the joke of Akeem was long in the past.  Even though that tenure didn't last long, OMG did return again in 1995 and won the U.S. Title.  He held it for a short time before dropping it to Konnan.

Gang has made sporadic appearances since then, including a mark out moment for me when he teamed with Demolition at Chikara's King of Trios tournament in 2008.  Even though they didn't make it out of the first round, it was great to see some blasts from the past join forces in the wacky world of Chikara.

Gone, But Not Forgotten: Bruiser Brody

Rest in Peace Frank Goodish
aka Bruiser Brody
1946-1988

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents

July 17, 1988 one of wrestling's greatest stars was taken away from us.  Bruiser Brody was one of the best big men in the sport, hands down.  He stood 6'8" and tipped the scales at more than 300 pounds.  He seemed invincible with his giant frame, long, black hair, furry boots, and that unmistakable "husk" chant.  But we learned that wasn't true after he was stabbed in the stomach in a locker room in Puerto Rico and died the next day.

I had only been a wrestling fan a few years at the time of Brody's murder.  I had the honor of seeing him once in person as he took on Ric Flair for the NWA world heavyweight title in St. Louis.  The year was 1985, and Flair intentionally got himself disqualified.  Even though Brody never won the world title, he was well respected by the fans, writers, and wrestlers around this country.  The magazine Wrestling Superstars named him the best in the world one year (I think it was 1986), where he just edged out Flair for the top spot.

He wrestled all over the world, spending a lot of time in Japan and Puerto Rico.  I first took notice of him in World Class Championship Wrestling and Wrestling at the Chase.  He played a face in both companies, but when he showed up in the AWA he was a brutal villain.  Brody waged war with the Gagnes, probably doing more than he should have to help Greg look like a credible threat.

He teamed with the Von Erichs, and feuded with the likes of the One Man Gang, Kamala, and Abdullah the Butcher.  In fact, Abby was his last opponent when they wrestled in a tag team match.  Danny Spivey and the Butcher defeated Brody and Carlos Colon.

Brody in action

Brody was in his early 40's at the time of his death.  There didn't seem to be any signs of him slowing down, so I can only imagine what might have happened with his career.  He never wrestled for the WWF, I often wonder what Vince McMahon might have done with him.  I imagine he'd have a different character and would have likely been fed to Hulk Hogan.  Some dream matches I would have loved to see with Brody include him taking on Andre the Giant (in a WWF ring), Cactus Jack, and the Undertaker.

Hopefully one day this legend will take his place in the WWE Hall of Fame.

WWE Cover Bands

Mariah Kerry Von Erich is one of my favorites

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

One of the cool things about Twitter (at least in my opinion) is the creativity some people show while on the social networking site.  Case in point, yesterday we say #WWECoverBands popping up all over the place.  I'm not 100% sure who started it, I saw it first in a CM Punk tweet, although I have reason to believe Marty DeRosa came up with it.

Wrestlers and fans posted several creative wrestling related music acts.  It's pretty simple if you think about it, yet very creative and fun as far as I'm concerned.  I've listed some of my favorites.

Scott Hall'n Oates

@AshleyFountain: Lady Ante-Bella Twins

@proudcaucasian: Torrie Wilson Phillps

@proudcaucasian: Mariah Kerry Von Erich

@bitterlunatic: Kerry Von Erich Clapton

@ChrisSchully: Manfred Mankind

@proudcaucasian: The Mamas & Papa Shango

@scottstanford1: Lauren Hill & the Mr. Fujis

@IHateMattDrufke: Jake "the Whitesnake" Roberts

@arikcannon: Olivia Newton John Laurinaitis

@proudcaucasian: Paula Abdullah the Butcher

@bitterlunatic: Scott Hall & Oates

@thelastjimperor: Rowdy Roddy Stryper

Kool & the One Man Gang

Here are my two contributions:

@kevinhunsperger: Kool and the One Man Gang

@kevinhunsperger: Grand Funkasaurus Railroad

You get the point.  This is just the tip of the iceberg, so if you're on Twitter and missed this over the last couple of days, type in #WWECoverBands and take a look.  Post your ideas here or over on our Facebook wall.

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Mania Memories: Something Different

Hogan helps Savage win

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger on Twitter

Wrestlemania IV featured something no other Wrestlemania had (or has): a tournament for a new world heavyweight champion.  Hulk Hogan lost the title to Andre the Giant a month earlier on "the Main Event" and the giant promptly sold the belt to Ted DiBiase.  WWF President Jack Tunney would have none of that and declared the title vacant, and crowning a new champion at Wrestlemania.

Fourteen WWF superstars, including Hogan and Andre, were pitted against each other in this single elimination tournament.  I watched intently on closed circuit television at the Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis that Sunday afternoon back in March.  I was in high school by this point, but still pulling for the baby faces (the only exception was that I was a HUGE Honky Tonk Man mark).  I figured Hogan would NOT be winning the title back (even though I was completely devastated that he lost it in the first place), so I was pulling for Bam Bam Bigelow.

Bam Bam gets screwed

There was something about the Beast from the East that really made me think he was going to go all the way and reach the top of the WWF Mountain.  Boy was I wrong.  Bam Bam lost via count out to the One Man Gang in round one of the tournament.  Again, I was crushed.  Then for a moment, I had high hopes that Ricky Steamboat would win, but after jobbing to HTM so quickly the summer before and losing the Intercontinental title, I didn't bank on him going far either.  And I was right, as Greg Valentine pinned the Dragon in round 1.  Steamboat would leave the WWF and win the NWA world title about 11 months later...

However, looking at the big picture, it makes a lot of sense that they put the title on Randy Savage.  Macho Man had evolved and come a long way over the three years he had been working with the WWF.  The fans were really starting to dig him and the WWF really needed someone to carry the torch as Hogan was leaving to make another movie.  Fans got that torchbearer in Savage.  And it didn't hurt that he had Elizabeth by his side.  I think she helped bring fans to the table for Macho Man as well.  They were truly the first couple of the WWF.

The winner!

There were rumors that DiBiase was supposed to win the tournament, but the company went with the face again.  In that day and age, Vince McMahon was reluctant to put the belt on a heel (or so I've read).  It was like the opposite of what was happening in the NWA at the time with Ric Flair.  Times were different though, and I think most fans are happy with the outcome.  Wrestlemania IV helped "Macho Madness" explode onto the scene and make Randy Savage one of the biggest players in the game.

Royal Rumble: Tough Guy Takes All

Hacksaw wins! (from WWE.com)

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger on Twitter

As I continue my look back on my favorite moments from the Royal Rumble, I can't forget the very first event.  It was only a 20 man battle royal, but the same premise was in place.  And in 1988, the Royal Rumble was shown on free TV (USA carried it, so it was free if your parents had cable like mine)  Guys like Harley Race, One Man Gang, Junkyard Dog, Ultimate Warrior, and the Hart Foundation all competed that year.  Warrior was not yet the major player that he would later become, and I had him as my pick to win the Rumble.

However, I was wrong.  Hacksaw Jim Duggan overcame the 19 others to win the inaugural event.  He overcame a two-on-one final three (Bravo and Gang were the other two) to pick up the victory.  And since the WWF title was up for grabs in a tournament at Wrestlemania IV that year, Duggan technically got a shot at the belt since he was a member of the 14 man tourney.

Now, as we prepare for the 25th anniversary, I'd like to see the WWE Hall of Famer get a spot in this year's event.  We know he won't win, but it would be cool to see it as far as I'm concerned.