Posted on 01/19/2005 9:28:25 AM PST by EveningStar
Peter Whatley, professionally known as "Pistol" Pez Whatley, passed away yesterday at the age of 54 in his hometown Chatanooga, TN while hospitalized. Whatley had been in poor health in recent years, and was believed to have been waiting for a heart transplant. He had suffered a heart attack in January 2003 and also some kidney probles that led to a long hospitalization, but was said to have improved greatly over the last year.
A native of Chattanooga, Whatley competed as an amateur wrestler for Notre Dame High School in his hometown and later for UTC in Chattanooga, TN. He broke in working Tennessee independents in the early 1970s for Phil Golden (uncle of Jimmy "Bunkhouse Buck" Golden), Nick Gulas, and Angelo Poffo. He teamed with the late Ray Candy as Mid-American Tag Team champions for the IWA promotion. While working for Poffo, Whatley and Rip Rogers held the old ICW United States Tag Team championships in 1982.
(Excerpt) Read more at pwinsider.com ...
ping
Remember him well.
What are "kidney probles" ? Probably similar to a stuned beeber.
It's all real, you no! Series!
I have a kidney stune right now. I'm series. It's a hugh proble.
RIP, Pistol Pez.
I remember Whatley from his very early days and from seeing him through out his career, he never appeared to me to be on steroids. In fact, he always looked a little overweight and slightly out of shape.
You're exactly right -- but why let the truth get in the way of a good stereotype? If a pro wrestler dies, it must have been steroids.
The same sentiments were posted when Reggie White died.
As always, if you'd like ON or OFF my wrasslin' ping list, let me know
that sucks,but ive never heard of him
Wasn't Whatley the guy who cut off the braid of the Boogey Woogey Man, Jimmy Valiant?
Never mind, the answer was in the article. I remember that interview. Afterwards, a subdued Valiant looked at the camera and talked to Whatley in a calm voice, inviting him to come speak to him if he was having some kind of trouble. Good times, that 80's wrestling!
His time in the WWF and WCW was as primarily as "enhancement talent" to make the superstars look dominant in their squash matches.
I remember Pistol Pez from the good 'ol days, when Gordon Solie would announce the matches. He had a pretty good feud with the Road Warriors for a period of time. I can still remember the way he'd say "You Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrroad Wwwaaaaaaaaaaaaahrrrreeerrrrs!!!!!!!!!!!"
I still pronounce the word 'suplex' as 'sue-play' as old Gordon used to! He has been influential in my life! ;-)
I liked the good 'ol days when guys like Gordon would at least pretend that it was real.
"Enhancement Talent"? You must be channelling McMahon because these workers are known as "Jobbers". Traditionally guys who have more talent than box-office charisma, they carry the up-and-comers and make the stars on the downhill side look good again (like the aformentioned Jimmy Valiant).
On the upside they have an easier time staying near their home base than the stars do, allowing most of them to have some semblance of a real life between gigs. Ol' Pez was a consumate jobber.
In case anyone didn't know, Angelo Poffo is the father of "the Macho Man" Randy Savage and long-time world record holder for the most sit-ups.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.