Free Republic

Boebert has not discussed in detail exactly what circumstances landed the future right-wing firebrand and her mother in this disadvantaged situation. An investigation by Salon suggests that it had less to do with liberal ideology and more to do with her mother's failure to obtain the child support payments to which she was rightfully entitled. Boebert's mother, Shawn Roberts Bentz, tried valiantly for years to receive child support. — and it appears likely that she and her daughter fell victim to a corrupt phlebotomist, a professional wrestler turned deadbeat dad and a negligent North Carolina child support system that allowed...

Paul Orndorff, aka “Mr. Wonderful,” one of the greats from the World Wrestling Federation’s 1980s heyday, has died. He was 71. His son Travis made the announcement Monday on Instagram, where he has documented his father’s recent health struggles. “It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr,” wrote the younger Orndorff. “He is better known as “Mr. #1derful” Paul Orndorff.” Orndorff came up in the Southern wrestling circuit, and signed with the WWE predecessor World Wrestling Federation in late 1983, where “Rowdy” Roddy Piper became his manager. Piper nicknamed Orndorff “Mr....

(CNN)Former WWE wrestler James Harris has died at age 70, according to a news release from the wrestling company. Harris, who performed in the ring as Kamala, made his WWF debut in 1984, according to WWE's website. In a career that spanned more than two decades, Harris battled many of wrestling's superstars, including Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker and Andre the Giant, according to the release.

Rocky "Soul Man" Johnson, former professional wrestler and father of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, has died at the age of 75. The death of Rocky Johnson, whose real name was Wayde Bowles, was announced in a statement by World Wrestling Entertainment on Wednesday. His manager confirmed the death to NBC News, but did not share details on the cause of death. Rocky Johnson began his career in the 1960s with the National Wrestling Alliance before becoming an athlete with WWE in 1983, according to the wrestling league's statement. He teamed up with fellow WWE wrestler Tony Atlas to form the...

Hart was on stage with his niece, Natalya, Neidhart's daughter and also a WWE wrestler, who also fell to the ring floor as Madsen tackled Hart. [cut] "I'm so proud of my uncle @BretHart tonight during our HOF ceremony," Natalya tweeted after the event. "Bret is a cancer survivor, a stroke survivor and one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. He didn't deserve to be attacked or have his moment or my dad's diminished. We got it back on track. Thank you, guys." Security held Madsen down until police arrived and arrested him. A security guard suffered minor injuries,...

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar warned Israel that "if the Strip is dragged into war, Israel will suffer. It won't evacuate just the towns bordering Gaza, but also Ashdod, Ashkelon, and even Tel Aviv." "Our fingers are still on the trigger, and they'll stay there in order to protect the Palestinian nation. Hamas will be a sword and shield for the Palestinian people." On Wednesday, the Palestinian Authority's Al-Quds newspaper reported that the various local factions - headed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad - ordered their members to cease using explosives along Gaza's border with Israel. The report also claimed that...

"Nature Boy" Kirby, one of pro wrestling's greatest heels from the 1960s to the early 1980s, known for his great physique, blond hair, and handlebar mustache or beard, died on Monday, March 18. He was 79 years old. During his career, he took on every world champion from Pat O'Connor on up. He made his mark in territories like Georgia, Florida, Oregon, Minnesota, and Kansas City.

King Kong Bundy, one of the most prominent WWE wrestling stars of the 1980s and 90s, has died at the age of 61, the WWE confirmed Tuesday. The wrestling legend, whose real name was Christopher Alan Pallies, took on Hulk Hogan in the iconic steel cage match at WrestleMania 2 in 1986. World Wrestling Entertainment said in a statement that it was "saddened" by the news of his passing. Pallies' death was also confirmed by long-time friend and wrestling promoter, David Herro. "Today we lost a legend and a man I consider family," he wrote on Facebook. "Rest in peace...

The news was reported late Monday night that Chris Pallies, who was more recognizable under the moniker “King Kong Bundy” passed away on Monday at the age 61. He was a product of The Monster Factory in New Jersey and trained by Larry Sharpe, beginning his career in 1981 and working under several ring names, including Chris Canyon and Chris Cannon. He would adopt the “Bundy” surname when he traveled to Texas and worked for World Class Championship Wrestling. In June 1982, Bundy headlined at Texas Stadium in Fritz Von Erich’s retirement match with Von Erich defeating Bundy in a...

Dick Beyer, who left an incredible legacy as The Intelligent, Sensational Destroyer, as former AWA World champion Doctor X, and as a coach, died today, March 7, just after noon eastern time in his home just outside Buffalo, New York. He was 88. His son, Kurt Beyer, posted the news: "It is with a very heavy heart to let you know that Dad -- aka The Destroyer, aka Doctor X, aka Dick Beyer, aka Coach -- passed away shortly past Noon today. He was in bed at home, and was surrounded by all of his children and wife as he...

Ric “The Nature Boy” Flair rang in his birthday in style on Friday night in Atlanta. The wrestling legend’s wife, Wendy Barlow, put together a surprise party with 160 guests in celebration of Flair at The 1818 club. “I am so overwhelmed by this whole night. Every one of my peers and my friend are all here to celebrate me,” Flair told PEOPLE. “I mean come on, I am so lucky. I am just so lucky. I am looking around the room in just complete awe. I never thought I would live to see this day. I am overcome with...

The well-traveled Les Thornton, former NWA World junior heavyweight champion, has died. He was 84 years old. His wife, Terry, posted the news Facebook: "It is with great sadness we share that Les Thornton peacefully took his leave on February 1, 2019 at 11:15 am, with his devoted wife, Terry at his side." ... Born in Salford, England, Thornton put in 34 years into the pro wrestling business. "I broke in the business in 1957 and I didn't come to the States until 1970," he told this writer in 2004. Previous to that, he played professional rugby for 12 years....

WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Gene Okerlund, the most recognizable interviewer in sports-entertainment history, has passed away at age 76. In his early days, “Mean Gene”, as he was named by fellow Minnesotan, Jesse “The Body” Ventura first came to prominence by interviewing the greatest stars of the AWA, including Ventura, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and Hulk Hogan. In 1984, Okerlund made the move to WWE where he became a staple on national cable television by continuing to interview the biggest names in sports-entertainment like Hogan, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior and many...

Daniel Bryan: "I hope my daughter kicks as many men in the groin as possible..! I hope she kicks every man consuming water out of plastic bottles..! And I see your evil eating of unsustainable chicken..! You're a horrible human being and you should be ashamed of yourself..!" We've had The Undertaker, The Sheik, Rowdy Rody Piper, etc. Now, there's THIS new SJW wrestler guy, who seems to have a winning formula. See his 45-second ringside rant, you don't have to be a pro-wresting fan (I'm not). I'm relieved we can joke about this, I hope wrestling fans won't...

The death of "The Dynamite Kid" Tom Billington came on Tuesday, his 60th birthday, his health battles post-wrestling front and centre for years, proof that there was a huge price paid to be one of the most innovative, influential professional wrestlers in history. How influential was he? Even the curmudgeonly Bad News Allen Coage once gave Dynamite Kid props: "Pound for pound, Dynamite Kid was probably the best wrestler ever because you've still got these young guys today trying to emulate him in the ring. He was one of my favorites to work with. In our matches, the people just...

According to the NWA's Twitter account, "Dirty" Dick Slater has passed away at age 67. No cause of death was given. Born Richard Van Slater, Slater was best known for his runs in WCW and Georgia Championship Wrestling with plenty of stops in between.

Don Leo Delaun Heaton, better known to the pro wrestling world as "The Mormon Giant" Don Leo Jonathan, has died. He was 87 years old. At the end of August, Heaton was admitted to a hospital in British Columbia, and never left. Throughout his lengthy career, Don Leo Jonathan was one of the top wrestlers in the world, period. At 6-foot-6, at usually 280-320 pounds, he was both hulking, but also fast and agile, able to do a nip-up. Contrasting his size was his voice, which was squeaky and high-pitched, yet measured and thoughtful, menacing when it needed to be,...

Walt Harris, the voice of the most popular period of pro wrestling in Northern California and best known nationally as the host of the syndicated Roller Derby shows, passed away last night at the age of 97... Harris was the sole announcer for National All Star Wrestling and Big Time Wrestling in the 1960s that aired on KTVU, Ch. 2 in San Francisco, and KCRA, Ch. 3, in Sacramento, and were syndicated at times in cities like Honolulu, Phoenix, and other West Coast markets. He had already been the Roller Derby announcer on that station for a few years and...

Monday morning, news broke that former WWF tag team champion Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart has died. He was 63 years old. WWE.com confirmed the news. "It is with a sad heart, that I share with you the passing of a long time friend and colleague, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart. Your thoughts and prayers for the family are appreciated!" posted Cauliflower Alley Club president Brian Blair -- who often competed in the Killer Bees tag team against Neidhart and Bret "Hitman" Hart as the Hart Foundation.

Nikolai Volkoff, the burly wrestler whose brash Soviet persona and physical embodiment of Communism made him one of the most hated figures in professional wrestling, has died at the age of 70, World Wrestling Entertainment said. Volkoff was considered a heel, the wrestling term for a character who plays an enemy figure and riles up crowds. Amid the height of the Cold War in the 1980s, Volkoff antagonized American audiences by wearing all-red Soviet outfits, waving a Soviet flag and insisting that the crowds stand for the Russian national anthem and then loudly singing along.