FIVE OF THE GREATS

BORIS (THE GREAT) MALENKO

Had a great run in JCP during the 1960s, often teaming with THE MISSOURI MAULER (Larry Hamilton), big singles program with KLONDIKE BILL (Bill Soloweyko).

He died in 1994.

HOMER O'DELL

No question, throughout the 1960s, no performer in JCP generated more heat than this man, and he seldomed wrestled. MR. O'DELL, later COLONEL O'DELL, then GENERAL O'DELL managed ALDO BOGNI / BRONCO LUBICH for a number of years and was on top in programs with every major babyface team in the territory, but most notably GEORGE BECKER and JOHNNY WEAVER. HOMER later managed RIP HAWK and SWEDE HANSON. This man was so hated, I doubt he could walk down a city street in any Carolina / Virginia town without being accosted.

MR. O'DELL has passed away.

NELSON ROYAL

Top fan favorite who actually entered JCP as a heel (SIR NELSON ROYAL). Worked on top with all the JCP babyfaces during the mid and late 1960s, most notably with TEX McKENZIE, and later with PAUL JONES.

NELSON passed away in 2002.

And speaking of TEX McKENZIE (Hugh McKenzie)...

TEX and NELSON ROYAL were a top JCP team for several years, feuding with all the major heel teams. TEX also worked a number of six-mans with GEORGE BECKER and JOHNNY WEAVER.

TEX passed away in 2001.

GEORGE HARRIS

Mostly known as 'Two Ton', GEORGE also used the nicknames 'Bunk' and 'Baby Blimp'. A top heel fans genuinely 'loved to hate'. Always proud of his wavy hair, he lost a hair vs. hair match against JOHNNY WEAVER and received a free haircut in the wrestling ring. Later turned to managing such teams as THE MASKED RED DEMONS and ALDO BOGNI / BRONCO LUBICH.

'Bunk' died in 2002.

Any fan who followed JIM CROCKETT PROMOTIONS on their local TV or in their local arenas will certainly remember (and I hope fondly), the five gentlemen I spotlight today.

Sadly, all five are gone, but as long as any of us who booed them or cheered for them are still here, they will live on.