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51-403: Sharpe's first pupils included Tony Atlas , King Kong Bundy , and Bam Bam Bigelow , who Sharpe broke in at New York City nightclub Studio 54 . Some were attracted to train at the school by Bigelow's success, which made the school notable enough to attract future attendee Raven while Tatanka would end up at the school by a chance meeting with Rogers in a video rental store. In February 2008,

102-1075: A brief appearance to co-present the Slammy Award for "Trending Superstar of the Year." On April 10, 2012, Atlas made an appearance on SmackDown : Blast from the Past . In 2014, Atlas was a regular cast member on the WWE Network original reality show, Legends' House . ATLAS: Too Much...Too Soon was released in 2010. White was born in Roanoke, Virginia , where he attended Patrick Henry High School . He now lives with his wife Monika in Auburn, Maine . With his ex-wife Joyce, he has one daughter named Nikki. White has been open about what he calls his non-sexual shoe fetish , which involves paying women to step on him. He stated in an interview, "I, Tony 'Mr. USA' Atlas, WWE Hall of Famer, am free to be me. And there

153-487: A few seconds later a scuffle ensued, followed by two groans, loud enough for the entire locker room to hear. Atlas ran to the shower and saw Brody bent over and holding his stomach (Mantel came after him). Atlas and Mantel then looked up at González and saw him holding the knife. When the paramedics arrived, Atlas carried Brody downstairs to the waiting ambulance, as, due to Brody's enormous stature, paramedics were unable to lift him. González, who always maintained his innocence,

204-530: A legends contract in mid-2012. Atlas started wrestling in 1974 for the National Wrestling Alliance World Wide/Mid Atlantic area. His debut, on July 10, was a tag team match with Bob Bruggers against Art Neilson and The Blue Scorpion. The match finished with Atlas winning the fall for his team with a sleeper hold on The Blue Scorpion. Throughout his career he worked for World Championship Wrestling (WCW),

255-604: A match that aired on November 17. Upon his return, Atlas was shunted to the mid card in the WWF and was undefeated against competition that included Mr Fuji , The Spoiler , The Iron Sheik , and Moondog Rex . He scored a win against Bob Orton and a non-title victory over WWF Intercontinental Champion Greg Valentine at the Steel Cage Turmoil round robin tournament in Hartford, CT on November 23, 1984 (a predecessor to

306-690: A one match return on August 28, 1987, when he teamed with The Junkyard Dog to defeat Kamala and Sika at the WWF Paul Boesch Retirement Show. Two months later Tony joined the Texas-based World Class Championship Wrestling where he adopted the moniker of "The Black Superman". He made his initial appearance on November 11, 1986, and defeated Tim Brooks in Fort Worth, TX. On December 1, Atlas defeated Crusher Yorkoff to win

357-1090: A return to Puerto Rico's WWC defeating Dutch Mantel on July 16, 2000, at WWC 27th anniversary event. On November 19, 2005, Atlas defeated Tracy Smothers at CCW A Tribute to Starrcade in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Since 2006 he has made occasional appearances for Big Time Wrestling and Top Rope Promotions both in New England. He teamed with Bushwhacker Luke to defeat Eric Johnson and Thad Hairy Howett at UCW in Kentville, Nova Scotia, on April 28, 2018. On May 25, 2018, he defeated Nathan Banner by disqualification in Pembroke, Ontario, for Great North Wrestling. On May 17, 2019, he teamed with Frankie Flow to defeat Gene Snitsky and Salvatore Sincere Managed by Lance Profit at East Coast Pro wrestling in Manville, New Jersey. On March 25, 2023, Atlas and Bob Orton Jr. won

408-704: A shot at the titles and won by disqualification. Ten days later he teamed with Jim Brunzell for another shot at the Road Warriors, but this time was defeated. His final match with the promotion was a victory against Tom Scott on October 28, after which he returned to the World Wrestling Federation. One day after departing the AWA, Atlas returned to the WWF at a TV taping for All Star Wrestling in Hamilton, Ontario, and pinned Rene Goulet in

459-547: A tournament to crown a new United States Heavyweight Champion following the vacating of the title by an injured Rick Rude . Atlas pinned Van Hammer in the quarterfinals. In the semi-finals he fell to Dustin Rhodes. Atlas also became part of a storyline where a bounty had been placed on rookie Erik Watts head; Atlas entered a house show series in January 1993 with the young Watts but was winless. He made an appearance on Clash of

510-432: Is an American bodybuilder, powerlifter , and professional wrestler who has held multiple titles and championships in each sport. He is also known by his bodybuilding title, " Mr. USA " (a distinction he earned three times) , the nom de guerre the " Black Superman ", as well as an alter ego named Saba Simba . He returned as an on screen manager for WWE , appearing on its now-defunct ECW brand. He re-signed with WWE on

561-542: Is not to be confused with the NWA Tri–State promotion founded by Leroy McGuirk in the 1950s. This promotion would eventually be taken over by Bill Watts in 1979 and renamed Mid-South Wrestling Association . The promotion would eventually be renamed Universal Wrestling Federation . ECW (WWE brand) ECW was a brand of the American professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) that

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612-437: Is nothing greater on this Planet Earth than to get kicked and punched in the face by a big-footed girl." White was once a frequent co-host of the popular YouTube wrestling interview channel Boston Wrestling MWF. However, following his co-host bringing up the controversial wrestler New Jack , White responded negatively and later left the show. The next episodes were co-hosted by New Jack, who criticized White. This promotion

663-549: The 1991 Royal Rumble , where he was eliminated by Rick Martel . After the Royal Rumble, he was taken off TV and was inactive with the company. His last match was on September 13, 1991, at a house show in Allentown, Pennsylvania, filling in for Jim Neidhart , losing to Irwin R. Schyster as Saba Simba. After he left the WWF he returned to IWCCW shortly thereafter facing Tito Santana and Vic Steamboat . He would regain

714-564: The World Wrestling Federation on October 23, 1979, defeating Johnny Rodz at a Championship Wrestling taping. One of his first feuds was with Jesse "The Body" Ventura , over who had the better physique. In 1983, he teamed with Rocky Johnson as The Soul Patrol to defeat The Wild Samoans for the WWF World Tag Team Championship , becoming the company's first black champions. After losing

765-563: The August 19, 2008, episode of ECW against Hardy. At Unforgiven , Henry lost the title to Hardy. On the December 9 edition of ECW , Atlas wrestled in a WWE ring for the first time in 17 years (along with Mark Henry) in a tag team match, where they defeated Finlay and Hornswoggle . He also wrestled Evan Bourne on the June 9, 2009, episode of ECW in a losing effort. Henry was then traded to

816-474: The Battle Royal at Wrestlemania 2 being eliminated by William Perry . He was also used as a jobber to the stars, putting over newly arriving talent like King Kong Bundy and Harley Race , as well as a series of matches with other muscle bound strongmen such as Hercules and "The Worlds Strongest Man" Ted Arcidi , the latter of which in an infamous match at Boston Garden where both men were booed by

867-574: The Champions XXII in Milwaukee, WI on January 13, 1993, and lost an arm wrestling contest to Vinnie Vegas . Following a match with Steve Regal on February 5, Atlas left the promotion. Atlas returned to IWCCW in the fall of 1993 and faced Tommy Dreamer , Johnny Gunn , Tito Santana, and Primo Carnera III . He also wrestled for the CWA ( Century Wrestling Alliance ) in 1994, and in 1995 joined

918-631: The IWCCW title. He defeated Jimmy Snuka on an independent show on June 28, 1992, in Wallingford, CT. He later left IWCCW which left the IWCCW title vacant. Teaming with The Barbarian , Atlas made his debut as a heel for WCW on the October 10, 1992, with a victory over Jeff Daniels and TA McCoy. They were immediately programmed by WCW Vice President Bill Watts into a feud with Barry Windham and Dustin Rhodes . He suffered his first pinfall when he

969-786: The King of the Ring tournaments that were held later in the decade as annual house show events), but suffered his first defeat on his comeback when he lost to David Schultz . This would be his only loss for several months, as he would not be pinned again until losing to Paul Orndorff on Prime Time Wrestling on March 19, 1985. At this point Atlas began to transition to a mid-card performer and would lose several matches, including bouts with Bret Hart , Greg Valentine, Don Muraco , and Roddy Piper . The company also programmed him into several short-lived tag-teams with Ivan Putski, Lanny Poffo and George Wells. Atlas made his PPV debut in 1986 when he appeared in

1020-667: The NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions , the World Wrestling Council (WWC), World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), the American Wrestling Association (AWA), and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Among his regular partners were Tommy Rich (as "TNT"), Dick Murdoch , and Rocky Johnson . He was also the first man to press slam and pin Hulk Hogan though Hogan's foot was on the rope and

1071-611: The Raw brand on June 29, quietly ending their alliance. Atlas would continue to appear on ECW during The Abraham Washington Show as Abraham Washington 's sidekick, until ECW went off air in February 2010. Atlas was released from his WWE contract on April 30, 2010. However he still made sporadic appearances with the company; he made a brief appearance on the Old School Raw episode on November 15, 2010. On December 12, 2011, he made

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1122-792: The SICW Tag Team titles defeating the LA Hustlers - Bradley Driggs and Lamonte Potts in St. Louis, Missouri. As of 2024, at age 70 Atlas still wrestlers 50 years later. Atlas made a surprise return to the WWF on the March 10, 1997, edition of Monday Night RAW . Following a victory by Intercontinental Champion Rocky Maivia over Tony Roy, Atlas came out of the crowd to congratulate the son of his former tag-team partner Rocky Johnson . One week later he appeared on RAW again, this time holding Maivia back from attacking The Sultan . At Wrestlemania 13 he

1173-530: The Saba Simba character with saving his life as he was homeless and living on a park bench before getting a phone call from McMahon. He played a warrior of a Ugandan tribe and was intended to feud with Akeem , but the feud never took place after Akeem departed from the promotion. Atlas was kept at midcard status, losing to Dino Bravo & The Barbarian. The gimmick has been described by one writer as "unpopular at best, and racist at worst." He participated at

1224-621: The WWF where he wrestled as "Saba Simba" for the remainder of 1990 and into January 1991. He made his first appearance in his comeback on August 4, 1990, when he pinned Haku at a house show in Augusta, GA. On August 28 he participated in a taping for WWF Superstars and Prime Time Wrestling. In his first televised appearance as Simba, Atlas's history in the company was quickly acknowledged, but Vince McMahon claimed Atlas had "rediscovered his roots by legally changing his name". On December 13, 2010, Tony appeared on Right After Wrestling and credited

1275-623: The WWF; this represented a swing in the opposite direction and Atlas received a push upon joining the promotion. He was undefeated against "Mr Electricity" Steve Regal , Larry Zbyszko , and Jake Milliman in July before finally being defeated by King Kong Bundy on August 11 in Indianapolis, IN. This and a disqualification loss to Nick Bockwinkel were Atlas' only defeats in singles competition. On October 10, 1984, he teamed with The Crusher and faced AWA Tag-Team Champions The Road Warriors for

1326-704: The World Class World Television Championship. In January 1987, Atlas competed in a tournament to crown the Texas Heavyweight Champion, beating Tim Brooks in the opening round but falling to Matt Borne in the quarter-finals. In the summer of 1987 he had almost instant success when he teamed with Skip Young to win the World Class Texas Tag Team Title. Following a match that went to a time limit draw against Al Perez , Atlas left

1377-459: The air and would air its final episode on February 16. The final match on the show was an extreme rules match where Ezekiel Jackson defeated ECW Champion Christian . With the ECW brand permanently disbanded, the ECW roster were assigned to other brands. The ECW show was replaced by the reality series NXT , which was rebranded as WWE's developmental territory , NXT , in 2012. When ECW

1428-535: The assets of which WWE acquired in 2003. The brand operated during the second half of WWE's first brand extension period (2002–2011), and was one of WWE's three main brands, along with Raw and SmackDown . In addition to the brand's television program, ECW wrestlers competed on the branded and co-branded pay-per-view events . From 2007 to 2009, ECW wrestlers also occasionally appeared on the Raw and SmackDown television programs due to talent exchange agreements between

1479-509: The brands. The brand was dissolved in February 2010, and its show was replaced by the reality series NXT , which was rebranded as WWE's developmental territory , NXT , in 2012. In early-to-mid-2002, then World Wrestling Federation (WWF, later WWE) underwent a process they called the " brand extension ". The WWF divided itself into two de facto wrestling promotions with separate rosters, storylines and authority figures . Raw and SmackDown! would host each division, give its name to

1530-516: The company in 1988. On July 16, 1988, Atlas was appearing at a WWC event in Bayamón (a city near San Juan), Puerto Rico, where he was one of the 2 witnesses, the other being Dutch Mantel to the fatal assault on wrestler Bruiser Brody . José Huertas González a.k.a. the Invader, a fellow wrestler and booker, asked Brody to go into the shower to discuss business. Brody entered the shower stall and

1581-481: The crowd and mocked by commentators Gorilla Monsoon & Lord Alfred Hayes for their poor performances. Atlas began to be shunted further down the card, losing to Big John Studd , Iron Sheik, Dory Funk Jr. , and Harley Race . His final match was a loss to Adrian Adonis in a bout that took place in Madison Square Garden and which aired on September 8, 1986, on Prime Time Wrestling. Tony made

Monster Factory - Misplaced Pages Continue

1632-684: The division and essentially compete against each other. The split came about as a result of the WWF purchasing its biggest competitor, World Championship Wrestling (WCW); and the subsequent doubling of its roster and championships . The brand extension was publicly announced by Linda McMahon during a telecast of Raw on March 25 and became official the next day. WWE acquired the rights to Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)'s trademarks and video library in 2003. The enormous popularity of The Rise and Fall of ECW and other ECW merchandise prompted WWE to organize One Night Stand , an ECW reunion pay-per-view in 2005. The financial and critical success of

1683-547: The event motivated WWE to organize a second One Night Stand the following year. With rejuvenated interest in the ECW product, WWE began exploring the possibility of reviving the promotion full-time. On May 25, 2006, WWE announced the launch of ECW as a stand-alone brand, congruous to Raw and SmackDown! , with its own show on Sci Fi (now Syfy ). On May 29, the WWE held their 2006 brand extension draft . The draft featured ECW founder Paul Heyman receiving two total draft picks from

1734-419: The existing Raw and SmackDown! rosters for the newly created ECW brand. During the draft, Rob Van Dam was drafted from Raw and Kurt Angle from SmackDown! as the marquee signings. The ECW brand was initially produced differently from WWE's other brands. For televised events, the main ring-facing cameras were placed on a different location in the arena while the wrestling ring itself featured an ECW logo on

1785-923: The fire broke out, although all the students were safely evacuated to the outside parking lot. In 2011, Danny Cage purchased the name from Larry Sharpe. Monster Factory relocated to the Paulsboro Wrestling Club in Paulsboro, New Jersey . Following the move, Cage began to supplement training with seminars featuring WWE scout Gerald Brisco , Ring of Honor lead announcer Kevin Kelly , Ohio Valley Wrestling 's Rip Rogers , Les Thatcher , as well as wrestlers Montel Vontavious Porter , Colt Cabana , Stevie Richards , Bob Evans , Robbie E , The Powers of Pain , and Sean Waltman . The Monster Factory also conducts birthday parties and ring rentals. The Monster Factory puts on monthly shows that feature matches from

1836-554: The management of The Duke (not Pete Doherty) won the ICW Heavyweight title from Joe Savoldi . Atlas lost the belt to Vic Steamboat in Middletown, NY. But after a few months, he regained the belt from Steamboat. That match became infamous because of the number of times it was shown on the IWCCW syndicated show. Afterwards he was inactive from wrestling due to being homeless for a year and a half. In 1990 Atlas returned to

1887-410: The mat and blank turnbuckle covers. The male performers were referred to "Extremists" instead of " Superstars " while female performers were called "Vixens" rather than Divas . However, the brand steadily began being produced following the same format of the other brands and as opposed to the original promotion match rules, such as count outs and disqualifications , were now standard. Matches featuring

1938-593: The referee did not see it. During his time with the NWA, Atlas captured the NWA Georgia Tag Team Title with Tommy Rich. He later teamed with Mr. Wrestling II , Thunderbolt Patterson , Kevin Sullivan , and Rocky Johnson. In 1982, he wrestled for New Japan Pro-Wrestling . From 1982 to 1983 he wrestled for Bill Watts 's Universal Wrestling Federation . Then from 1983 to 1984 he returned to Georgia and wrestled in St. Louis. Atlas debuted in

1989-428: The rule set of the original promotion were then classified as being contested under " Extreme Rules " and were only fought when specified. Former ECW owner Paul Heyman served as the on-air ECW Representative until December to Dismember , when Heyman was relieved from both his on and off-air duties with WWE. After Heyman left in late 2006, there was no ECW authority figure until August 14, 2007, when Armando Estrada

2040-417: The school was threatened by a fire which had started at the building adjacent to the school, ANA Laboratories, and the building was evacuated by the school trainers. The fire was confined to the laboratory until its roof collapsed; however, according to Camden County Chief Fire Marshal Paul Hartstein, only a firewall prevented the fire from reaching the school. The school had been in the middle of drills when

2091-667: The school's students as well as established stars. In late 2013, Cage had his first pupil signed to a WWE development deal. Stephen Kupryk , known at the Monster Factory as Tommy Maclin and now as Steve Cutler, left the Monster Factory in January 2014 and made his NXT debut as Cutler in June 2014. In November 2014, Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Matt Riddle enlisted in the school. Additionally, Monster Factory students and graduates have appeared as extras and performers on WWE Raw , WWE SmackDown , WWE NXT , and Ring of Honor television since Cage assumed control of

Monster Factory - Misplaced Pages Continue

2142-627: The school. In March 2023, a six episode documentary series produced by Vox Media entitled Monster Factory was released by Apple TV+ . The series follows the lives of Danny Cage and six of his students: Notorious Mimi , Gabby Ortiz, Goldy, Bobby Buffet, and Lucas "Twitch" DiSangro. It also features appearances from Monster Factory alumni Kevin Kelly, Q. T. Marshall , D'Lo Brown and The Headbangers , as well as Mandy Leon , Anthony Bowens , and Crowbar . The Monster Factory's graduates include: Tony Atlas Anthony White (born April 23, 1954) better known by his ring name Tony Atlas

2193-583: The title to Adrian Adonis and Dick Murdoch and missing shows due to drug addiction, Atlas' final match was on May 16, 1984, in Lacey Township, New Jersey. Two months after departing the World Wrestling Federation, Atlas resurfaced in Verne Gagne 's AWA . He made his debut on July 13 at a house show in Denver, Colorado, and defeated Chris Markoff . At the time the AWA was being raided for talent by

2244-407: The upstart American Wrestling Federation (AWF). He teamed with Koko B Ware to face Greg Valentine and Tommy Rich for the vacant AWF Tag-Team Championship. Apart from his AWF appearances Atlas wrestled primarily with the CWA in 1995 through 1997. On July 11, 1999, he teamed with Tito Santana to defeat Salvatore Bellomo and Jay Love at WXW Sportsfest 1999 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He made

2295-504: The victory. Atlas then announced Henry the winner of the bout, although the official result was a double countout. This is also the first time since his brief stint in WCW in 1992 that Atlas has worked as a heel , as he would then become Henry's manager. Atlas helped Mark Henry retain his title at SummerSlam by disqualification, attacking Matt Hardy once a win by Hardy appeared to be imminent. Atlas also helped Henry retain his championship on

2346-600: Was announced as the General Manager. On June 3, 2008, Estrada was replaced by Theodore Long . On the April 7, 2009 edition of ECW , it was announced that Long was returning to SmackDown to fulfill the role of General Manager. From this point, the Interim General Manager was named as Tiffany , who took over as full-time General Manager on the June 30 episode. On October 16, 2007, a "talent exchange"

2397-614: Was defeated by Tom Zenk in Chicago, IL on October 31, 1992. Atlas entered the King of Cable tournament but was defeated by Big Van Vader in the quarterfinals. On the house show circuit he continued his partnership with the Barbarian and received title matches against Ricky Steamboat and Shane Douglas , but were unsuccessful in obtaining the NWA/WCW Tag-Team Championship. On January 2, 1993, Atlas entered

2448-453: Was established in May 2006 and discontinued in February 2010. Brands are divisions of WWE's roster where wrestlers are assigned to perform on a weekly basis when a brand extension is in effect. Wrestlers that were assigned to ECW primarily appeared on the brand's weekly television program, ECW . The brand was established as a relaunch of the former Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) promotion,

2499-523: Was initially charged with first-degree murder but was later reduced and tried for involuntary homicide. Both Atlas and Mantel appeared in 2019's Dark Side of the Ring episode on Bruiser Brody and explained what actually happened. Atlas said that he was asked to be in the trial but never got a call back because the case was already finalized. Atlas then moved on to Southern Ontario area in late 1988. He joined International Championship Wrestling (owned and operated by Mario Savoldi) where he turned heel and under

2550-704: Was spotted in the crowd and cheering for Maivia. Atlas was shown on RAW once more, again cheering for Maivia on the March 31 edition when Maivia wrestled Bret Hart . Atlas was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006 by S. D. Jones . Atlas appeared on the July 8, 2008, airing of ECW where Theodore Long appointed him the special guest ring announcer for the main event featuring Tommy Dreamer with then-babyface, Colin Delaney in his corner against then-heel, ECW Champion Mark Henry . Atlas attacked Delaney, which in turn distracted Dreamer, allowing Henry to gain

2601-612: Was started between the SmackDown! and ECW brands, allowing their respective talent to appear on either brand. On the September 8, 2008 episode of Raw , it was announced a "talent exchange" was started also for the Raw brand with ECW, allowing their respective talent to appear on either brand whenever they feel like. Following the 2009 WWE draft , both of these talent exchanges were quietly dropped. On February 2, 2010, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon announced that ECW would be going off

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