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| ⚫ | {{Short description|American professional wrestler (1954–2021)}} | ||
| {{pp-pc1}} | {{pp-pc1}} | ||
| ⚫ | {{ |
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| {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}} | {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}} | ||
| {{Infobox professional wrestler | {{Infobox professional wrestler | ||
| |name = Butch Reed | |name = Butch Reed | ||
| |image = | |image = Butch Reed 1983.jpg | ||
| |caption = Reed, {{circa|1983}} | |||
| |birth_name = Bruce Franklin Reed<ref name="Burleigh-Crews2014">{{cite book|author=Art Crews with Judy Burleigh-Crews|title=We Made 'em Look Good|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I6a8AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA195|date=May 2014|publisher=Xlibris Corporation|isbn=978-1-4931-8238-1|pages=195}}</ref> | |||
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|birth_name = Bruce Franklin Reed<ref name="Burleigh-Crews2014">{{Cite book|author=Art Crews with Judy Burleigh-Crews|title=We Made 'em Look Good|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I6a8AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA195|date=May 2014|publisher=Xlibris Corporation|isbn=978-1-4931-8238-1|pages=195}}</ref> | ||
| |names = Bruce Reed<ref name="Lentz2003">{{Cite book|author=Harris M. Lentz III|title=Biographical Dictionary of Professional Wrestling, 2d ed.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JyiSCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA281|date=January 1, 2003|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0-7864-1754-4|pages=281–282}}</ref><br />Butch Reed<ref name="wwebio" /><br />Doom #2<ref name="KreikenbohmDoom"/> | |||
| |height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}<ref name="wwebio"/> | |||
| | |
|height = 6 ft 2 in<ref name="wwebio" /> | ||
| | |
|weight = 262 lb<ref name="wwebio" /> | ||
| | |
|birth_date = {{birth date|1954|7|11}}<ref name="Lentz2003" /> | ||
| |birth_place = ], U.S.<ref name="Lentz2003" /> | |||
| |death_date = {{death date and age|2021|2|5|1954|7|11}} | |death_date = {{death date and age|2021|2|5|1954|7|11}} | ||
| |alma_mater = ]<ref name="wwebio"/> | |alma_mater = ]<ref name="wwebio" /> | ||
| |death_place = ], U.S. | |||
| |resides = | |||
| |billed = ]<ref name="wwebio"/> | |billed = ]<ref name="wwebio" /> | ||
| |trainer = Ronnie Etchison | |trainer = Ronnie Etchison | ||
| |debut = 1978 |
|debut = 1978 | ||
| |retired = 2013}} | |retired = 2013 | ||
| }} | |||
| ⚫ | '''Bruce Franklin Reed''' (July 11, 1954 – February 5, 2021) was an American ] and ], better known by the ] '''Butch Reed'''.<ref name="wwebio">{{Cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/butchreed|title=Butch Reed|access-date=April 10, 2016|publisher=]|work=].com}}</ref> He played ] at the ], was a star in ] and had high-profile tag team matches in the ] (such as the first ] main event) and ] (where he held the championship with ], as ]). | ||
| ⚫ | == Early life == | ||
| ⚫ | '''Bruce Franklin Reed''' (July 11, 1954 – February 5, 2021) was an American ] and ], better known by the ] '''Butch Reed'''.<ref name="wwebio">{{ |
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| ⚫ | Reed attended the ], where he played ].<ref name=eley_02072021 /> | ||
| ⚫ | In 1976, he signed as a rookie free agent with the ] of the ], but the ] was cut before the season.<ref name="wwebio" /><ref>{{Cite news|title=Kaycee Chiefs Cut Rookies|date=July 20, 1976|newspaper=Garden City Telegram|page=11|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69668743/|via=]|access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Pope2005">{{Cite book|author=Kristian Pope|title=Tuff Stuff Professional Wrestling Field Guide: Legend and Lore|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jcRlZN7dIP0C&pg=PA359|date=August 14, 2005|publisher=Krause Publications|isbn=1-4402-2810-8|pages=359}}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | == Professional wrestling career == | ||
| ⚫ | ==Early life== | ||
| ⚫ | Reed attended the ]. |
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| == |
=== Early career (1978–1983) === | ||
| ⚫ | Butch Reed was trained to wrestle by Ronnie Etchison debuting in 1978. Early on he wrestled as Bruce Reed adopting the "Hacksaw" nickname over time. Reed and ] beat Mike George and Bob Sweetan for the NWA Central States Tag Team Championship in 1980<ref name="Titles">{{Cite book|author=Greg Oliver and Steve Johnson|title=The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Tag Teams| publisher=ECW Press|year=2005|isbn=978-1-55022-683-6}}</ref> and lost it to The Kelly Twins in January 1981. His next title also came as one half of a tag team when he and ] won the Florida version of the ] when they beat ] and ] in 1982.<ref name="Titles" /> Reed wrestled mainly for the ] in the early 1980s and made a name for himself in their St. Louis, ] and ] territories. On April 7, 1982, Reed had what is now recognized as the first 5-star rated match by Dave Meltzer in which he challenged ] for the NWA title in Miami, Florida. | ||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | === Mid-South Wrestling (1983–1986) === | ||
| ⚫ | ==Professional wrestling career== | ||
| ⚫ | {{more citations needed|section|date=February 2021}} | ||
| ===Early career (1978–1983)=== | |||
| ⚫ | Reed established himself as a force to be reckoned with while competing in ]' Mid-South Wrestling from 1983 through early 1986. In Mid-South, he was known as "Hacksaw" Butch Reed and came into the territory as a tag team partner for the main ] in the territory the ]. Reed immediately came face to face with ] over the "Hacksaw" nickname. Back in 1983, Duggan was part of the ] group, The Rat Pack, along with ] and ] and used every dirty move he could think of to beat Reed. He and Duggan feuded over the "Hacksaw" name until Duggan ] face. This resulted in Reed's heel turn when Duggan was picked to be the Junkyard Dog's tag team partner over Reed. | ||
| ⚫ | Butch Reed was trained to wrestle by Ronnie Etchison debuting in 1978. Early on he wrestled as Bruce Reed adopting the |
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| ⚫ | Reed appeared on TV stating that "Butch Reed is going to start looking out for Butch Reed", which prompted the Junkyard Dog (JYD) to join him in the ring. After arguing back and forth, Reed attacked JYD and was soon joined in the attack by DiBiase. On July 16, 1983, Reed won the ] and turned back JYD's challenges in subsequent months.<ref name="Titles" /> In October 1983, Reed's arrogance made him agree to let the Mid-South fans pick a challenger for the North American title; he let them pick from the JYD, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, newcomer ], and ] The fans picked JYD but Reed dismissed the choice; he also said Duggan and Khruschev did not deserve a shot and instead gave the title shot to T.A., who won the title, then lost it twelve days later to ].<ref name="Titles" /> | ||
| ⚫ | ===Mid-South Wrestling (1983–1986)=== | ||
| ⚫ | {{ |
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| ⚫ | Reed established himself as a force to be reckoned with while competing in ] |
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| ⚫ | On the same night that Reed lost the North American title, he and partner ] beat Magnum T. A. and "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan to win the ].<ref name="Titles" /> After a few weeks, the North American title was returned to Reed, claiming that the title match with T.A. was not legal since the fans chose JYD. Reed's run as a double champion did not last long as JYD got his title shot with ] as the special guest referee.<ref name="Titles" /> After losing the North American title, Reed and Neidhart focused on the tag team titles and defended them against all comers. When Magnum and ] challenged for the titles, they felt that the challengers had to put up something of their own: Mr. Wrestling II's mask. Mr. Wrestling did not unmask that night as they took the gold from Reed and Neidhart in a ] on ] of 1983.<ref name="Titles" /> Neidhart and Reed started to blame each other and had a short, brutal feud. | ||
| ⚫ | Reed appeared on TV stating that "Butch Reed is going to start looking out for Butch Reed", which prompted the Junkyard Dog (JYD) to join him in the ring. After arguing back and forth, Reed attacked JYD and was soon joined in the attack by |
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| ⚫ | The Neidhart feud was soon replaced with one with ] who came out to save Neidhart from being beaten down with a football helmet after a match. The Reed/Taylor feud raged all through the spring of 1984 and was instrumental in establishing Terry Taylor as a star in Mid-South. The feud soon expanded to include ] as Reed's tag team partner and saw Reed attack Taylor with a "Coalminer's Glove" on several occasions. After fighting with Terry Taylor for months on end, Reed's attention turned from Taylor back to his old enemy the Junkyard Dog. During a match, Reed and Landel attacked JYD as he performed under a mask as "Stagger Lee" and painted him yellow. The war between the two brought in ] and later ] to team with Junkyard Dog. After the tag matches, came brutal singles matches such as ]. | ||
| ⚫ | On the same night that Reed lost the North American title, he and partner ] beat Magnum T.A. and |
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| ⚫ | Just as the feud was about to reach its heated highlight, the Junkyard Dog left Mid-South and signed with the ] without informing ] Bill Watts of his decision. This meant that the federation was without their biggest face and the shows had to be hastily rebooked. Watts brought in "Master G" (journeyman wrestler ]) to take JYD's place but the feud between Reed and "Master G" never took off forcing Watts to rethink his options. When ] entered the Mid-South and started to build a ] of heels, he presented Buddy Landel with a golden Rolex watch with the understanding that it wasn't actually for Landel but for someone else Akbar was trying to recruit. When Landel tried to give the watch to Reed, he became incensed, in the ], stomped on the watch, and started to brawl with his former partner. Akbar and his cronies came to ringside, which prompted Reed to rant on them getting the crowd behind him as he told them he didn't need back-up. When "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan came to his rescue from a 3 on 1 attack, Reed's face status was cemented. The two Hacksaws feuded with Akbar's army of Landel, DiBiase, ], and ]. The two Hacksaws were successful at first, until Reed came up against ]. He proved to be too much for Reed, beating him all over the Mid-South territory before Reed quietly left. | ||
| ⚫ | The Neidhart feud was soon replaced with one with ] who came out to save Neidhart from being beaten down with a football helmet after a match. The Reed/Taylor feud raged all through the spring of 1984 and was instrumental in establishing Terry Taylor as a star in Mid-South. The feud soon expanded to include ] as Reed's tag team partner and saw Reed attack Taylor with a |
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| ⚫ | Reed went to the ] for a short stint as ]'s bodyguard, then returned to Mid-South in the middle of 1985. In October, he beat ] for the North American title.<ref name="Titles" /> Around this time, he had a famous one-hour time-limit draw with NWA Champion ] and feuded with ] when Slater helped Ric Flair keep the world title. In January 1986, Slater won the North American title from Butch Reed through underhanded means.<ref name="Titles" /> | ||
| ⚫ | Just as the feud was about to reach its heated highlight, the Junkyard Dog left Mid-South and signed with the ] without informing ] Bill Watts of his decision. This meant that the federation was without their biggest face and the shows had to be hastily rebooked. Watts brought in "Master G" (journeyman wrestler ]) to take JYD's place but the feud between Reed and |
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| === NWA Central States (1986) === | |||
| ⚫ | Reed |
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| ⚫ | After leaving Mid-South Wrestling once more, Reed returned to Kansas City and the NWA Central States territory run by ]. Here he initially teamed with ] . He later turned on Jones and joined the group of manager Slick in 1986. After a brief feud with Jones, Reed feuded with ]. That summer, he lost a ] to Brody and left the territory along with Slick. | ||
| === |
=== World Wrestling Federation (1986–1988) === | ||
| ] | |||
| ⚫ | After leaving Mid-South Wrestling once more, Reed returned to Kansas City and the NWA Central States territory run by ]. Here he initially teamed with ] |
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| ⚫ | Reed and Slick signed with the ] and were brought in as a package.<ref name="DixonFurious2013">{{Cite book|author1=James Dixon|author2=Arnold Furious|author3=Lee Maughan|title=Tagged Classics: Just The Reviews|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cdqNBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA103|year=2013|publisher=Lulu.com|isbn=978-1-291-42878-0|pages=103}}</ref>{{Self-published inline|certain=yes|date=December 2017}} Reed dyed his hair blond and became "The Natural" Butch Reed, an updated version of ].<ref name="WWF80s">{{Cite book|author=Brian Shields|title=Main event – WWE in the raging 80s|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2006|edition=4th|isbn=978-1-4165-3257-6|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/mainevent00bria}}</ref> He feuded initially with ], a target of Slick's verbal jabs, and made his ] debut at ], where he defeated ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/mania.html#III|title=WWE WrestleMania History (III)|access-date=April 9, 2007|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory}}</ref> | ||
| In the weeks after WrestleMania, Reed targeted new ] ] and faced him at house shows and on an episode of ] | |||
| ===World Wrestling Federation (1986–1988)=== | |||
| ⚫ | Reed and Slick signed with the ] and were brought in as a package.<ref name="DixonFurious2013">{{ |
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| In the fall, the WWF was heavily hyping a feud between Reed and ], a former ] who was staging a comeback after hip-replacement surgery. Graham's condition was such that he could no longer handle the physical demands of being a wrestler, so Reed and Slick's newest acquisition, the ], "injured" Graham in a sneak attack that was used to explain his permanent retirement. Graham began managing the man who came to his aid, ], with Muraco immediately entering into a rivalry with Reed. The enemies were on opposing teams in the main event of the ] (Muraco took Graham's place on ]'s team); Reed (a member of ]'s team), was the first elimination of the match, by Hogan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/survivor.html#87|title=WWE Survivor Series History (1987)|access-date=April 9, 2007|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory}}</ref> | |||
| In the weeks after WrestleMania, Reed targeted new ] ] and faced him at house shows and on an episode of ] According to a persistent myth, Reed ] a set of TV tapings where he was booked to win the title, resulting in the championship instead being put on ].<ref name="KleinbergNudelman2005">{{cite book|author1=Adam Kleinberg|author2=Adam Nudelman|title=Mysteries of Wrestling: Solved|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ozcg4p1OZh4C&pg=PT217|year=2005|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=978-1-55022-685-0|pages=217}}</ref> However, in a ], Reed has said this is untrue. In fact, when the Honky Tonk Man won the title from Steamboat in June 1987, Reed was shown celebrating with Honky and other ] wrestlers in the locker room although, in fairness, that was a taped segment. In a 2018 shoot interview with KayfabeCommentaries, Reed contradicted his earlier statements in past interviews and confirmed that he did lose the opportunity to become the champion because he had indeed no-showed a bunch of tapings out of burnout from never being home.<ref>Supercard: Mid-South Ghetto Street Fight with Hacksaw Butch Reed. http://kayfabecommentaries.com</ref> | |||
| Reed competed in (and was the first wrestler eliminated from) the ] match in January 1988. Two months later, he was eliminated in the first round of the ] championship tournament by eventual winner ]. Reed dominated most of the match against Savage, but spent too much time mouthing off to Savage's manager (and real-life wife) ] while climbing to the top turnbuckle. Savage caught Reed, threw him off for a slam and immediately hit his ] off the top turnbuckle for the win. This first round loss at WrestleMania IV was Reed's final match for the WWF.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/mania.html#IV|title=WWE WrestleMania History (IV)|access-date=April 9, 2007|author=prowrestlinghistory.com}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | On September 9, 2007, Reed made a ] backstage at the September 14 edition of WWE '']'', during a segment involving his former manager and SmackDown! ] ]. | ||
| Reed competed in (and was the first wrestler eliminated from) the ] match in January 1988. Two months later, he was eliminated in the first round of the ] championship tournament in the first round by eventual tournament winner ]. Reed dominated most of the match against Savage, but spent too much time mouthing off to Savage's manager (and real life wife) ] while climbing to the top turnbuckle. Savage caught Reed, threw him off for a slam and immediately hit his ] off the top turnbuckle for the win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/mania.html#IV|title=WWE WrestleMania History (IV)|access-date=April 9, 2007|author=prowrestlinghistory.com}}</ref> | |||
| === |
=== Jim Crockett Promotions / NWA World Championship Wrestling (1988–1992) === | ||
| ⚫ | {{See also|Doom (professional wrestling)|l1=Doom}} | ||
| ⚫ | On September 9, 2007, |
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| ⚫ | Shortly after WrestleMania IV, Reed and the WWF parted ways,<ref name="WWF80s" /> Reed's manager Slick stayed with the WWF while Reed struck out on his own once more. Butch Reed resurfaced in the NWA's ] as "Hacksaw" Butch Reed. He more or less immediately resumed his Mid-South feud with The Junkyard Dog.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash.html#VI|title=NWA Clash of the Champions Results (VI)|access-date=April 9, 2007|publisher=prowrestlinghistory.com}}</ref> He was briefly managed by ] before his contract was "sold" to ]'s "]". Reed did not see much success in the early parts of his run with JCP; his biggest match was a loss to ] at the ] on February 20, 1989.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/miscppv.html#chi|title=NWA Chi-Town Rumble Results|access-date=April 9, 2007|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory}}</ref> During the summer of 1989, he floundered in the mid-card as Jim Crockett Promotions grew to become a national wrestling organization. | ||
| ===Jim Crockett Promotions / NWA World Championship Wrestling (1988–1992)=== | |||
| ⚫ | {{ |
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| ⚫ | Shortly after WrestleMania IV, Reed and the WWF parted ways,<ref name="WWF80s"/> Reed's manager Slick stayed with the WWF while Reed struck out on his own once more. Butch Reed resurfaced in the NWA's ] as "Hacksaw" Butch Reed. He more or less immediately resumed his Mid-South feud with The Junkyard Dog.<ref>{{ |
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| The ] were involved in an ] with ] who promised "]" for the two brothers but never specified exactly what this meant. She unveiled her promise at ], a couple of brawny, hard hitting masked African-Americans.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#89|title=NWA Halloween Havoc Results (1989)|access-date=April 9, 2007|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory}}</ref> It was obvious to most wrestling fans that ] and Butch Reed were under the masks — they had both been on WCW television shortly before Doom debuted, and they were the only two African-American wrestlers in the company with the same massive physical appearance — but the announcers were made to keep up the storyline (although Jim Ross accidentally exposed Reed's identity on commentary during ]). Doom won their debut match against the Steiners when one of the members of Doom pinned Rick Steiner after a headbutt with an illegal object in his mask. Doom followed up on this success by defeating ] and ] at ], looking very strong in the process.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash.html#IX|title=NWA Clash of the Champions Results (IX)|access-date=April 9, 2007|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory}}</ref> | |||
| Doom's next PPV outing did not come with the same success. Along with the Steiner Brothers, ], and ] they were entered in a one night, tag team ]. They did not score a single point, ending dead last in the tournament.<ref>{{ |
Doom's next PPV outing did not come with the same success. Along with the Steiner Brothers, the ], and the ] they were entered in a one night, tag team ]. They did not score a single point, ending dead last in the tournament.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#89|title=NWA Starrcade Results (1989)|access-date=April 9, 2007|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory}}</ref> Doom's misfortune continued as Woman soon dropped the team and left the federation. Then on February 6, 1990, at ], Doom were defeated by the Steiner Brothers and as a result of the stipulation were forced to unmask.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash.html#X|title=NWA Clash of the Champions Results (X)|access-date=April 9, 2007|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory}}</ref> | ||
| Doom beat the Steiner Brothers<ref name="Titles"/> at ];<ref>{{ |
Doom beat the Steiner Brothers<ref name="Titles" /> at ];<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/miscppv.html#capitol|title=NWA Capitol Combat Results|access-date=April 9, 2007|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory}}</ref> at that point in time, the Steiners didn't lose very often. Doom won the tag team titles and quickly set about defending them against the former champions the Steiners as well the rest of WCW's very talented tag team division. In the fall of 1990, Doom soon ] with ] and defended against them in two inconclusive tag team title matches at ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#90|title=WCW Halloween Havoc Results (1990)|access-date=April 9, 2007|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#90|title=WCW Starrcade Results (1990)|access-date=April 9, 2007|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory}}</ref> At ], Doom lost a non-title match to ] and ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash.html#XIV|title=WCW Clash of the Champions Results (XIV)|access-date=April 9, 2007|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory}}</ref> in a match that foreshadowed the trouble that lay ahead. | ||
| On February 24, 1991 at WCW's ] PPV, Doom took on former tag team champions ]<ref>{{ |
On February 24, 1991, at WCW's ] PPV, Doom took on former tag team champions ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/w-war.html#91|title=WCW WrestleWar Results (1991)|access-date=April 9, 2007|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory}}</ref> and lost due to miscommunication between Reed and Simmons.<ref name="Titles" /> After the Freebirds left the ring, Reed turned on Simmons and beat him up; this turned Simmons face and ended the team of Doom forever. Teddy Long sided with Butch Reed as the former Doom partners engaged in a short but intense feud. The feud culminated at ] where Ron Simmons pinned Butch Reed in a ] (referred to as a "Thunder-Doom" cage match).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/s-brawl.html#I|title=WCW SuperBrawl Results (I)|access-date=April 9, 2007|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory}}</ref> After the PPV, Reed left the company for a short while only to return in 1992 siding with ] and ]. Reed and the Barbarian teamed up to defeat ] and ] at ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash.html#XX|title=WCW Clash of the Champions Results (XX)|access-date=April 9, 2007|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory}}</ref> but left WCW for good shortly afterwards. | ||
| === |
=== Late career (1992–2002, 2005–2013) === | ||
| After leaving WCW, Reed went to the ] where he |
After leaving WCW, Reed went to the ] where he resumed feuding with Junkyard Dog. Reed beat him for the ] on October 12, 1992.<ref name="Titles" /> He held the title for a week before he lost it to ].<ref name="Titles" /> He left the promotion before 1992 ended. | ||
| Reed next appeared for a notable promotion |
Reed next appeared for a notable promotion in 1994, the ] in its last days. He became the penultimate ] on June 4, 1994, when he beat Rod Price for the held-up title. It had been held up the previous day after a match he had with Price got out of hand and ended inconclusively.<ref name="Titles" /> He held it for almost a month before losing it to ], who was the last GWF North American champion.<ref name="Titles" /> | ||
| Reed continued to work on the independent scene on a part-time basis so that he could participate in the ] circuit in ]. In |
Reed continued to work on the independent scene on a part-time basis so that he could participate in the ] circuit in ]. In 2000, he started working for ]'s WLW promotion. He beat Luminous Warrior for the WLW Heavyweight Title on March 31, 2001<ref name="WLW Title">{{Cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/wlw/wlw-h.html|title=WLW Heavyweight Title history|access-date=April 9, 2007|publisher=wrestling-titles.com}}</ref> and held the title until Dennis McHawes beat him for it on January 25, 2002.<ref name="WLW Title" /> After losing the title, he retired from wrestling. | ||
| After being retired for three years, Reed returned in 2005, appearing several times for Mid States Wrestling and eventually defeating Heavyweight Champion "Mr. Saturday Night" Michael Barry on November 11, 2005 for the Mid States Wrestling Heavyweight title. He also participated in the |
After being retired for three years, Reed returned in 2005, appearing several times for Mid States Wrestling and eventually defeating Heavyweight Champion "Mr. Saturday Night" Michael Barry on November 11, 2005, for the Mid States Wrestling Heavyweight title. He also participated in the "Legends of Wrestling" tour in 2006. On August 18, 2007, he lost to ] at NWA Legends Fanfest. | ||
| Reed's last match was on May 18, 2013 teaming with ] losing to ] and Ron Powers at SICW in East Carondelet, Illinois.<ref>{{ |
Reed's last match was on May 18, 2013, teaming with ] and losing to ] and Ron Powers at SICW in East Carondelet, Illinois.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=785&page=4&year=2013&promotion=1646 |title=Butch Reed}}</ref> | ||
| ==Personal life and death== | == Personal life and death == | ||
| In July 2016, Reed was named part of a ] lawsuit filed against WWE which alleged that wrestlers incurred traumatic brain injuries during their tenure and that the company concealed the risks of injury. |
In July 2016, Reed was named part of a ] lawsuit filed against WWE which alleged that wrestlers incurred traumatic brain injuries during their tenure and that the company concealed the risks of injury. The suit was litigated by attorney Konstantine Kyros, who has been involved in a number of other lawsuits against WWE.<ref>{{Cite web|title=WWE sued in wrestler class action lawsuit featuring Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka, Paul 'Mr Wonderful' Orndorff|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/what-the-fox/wwe-sued-in-wrestler-class-action-lawsuit-featuring-jimmy-superfly-snuka-paul-mr-wonderful-orndorff/news-story/079fbd7db16f9cd71b7b569672baa4a5|work=]|date=July 18, 2015|access-date=July 20, 2016|publisher=] (])}}</ref> In September 2018, the lawsuit was dismissed by US District Judge ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Piledriver: WWE uses 'Hell in a Cell' as springboard to future shows|url=https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/sports/2018/09/22/wwe-uses-hell-cell-springboard-future-shows/1394073002/|work=]|last=Robinson|first=Byron|date=September 22, 2018|access-date=October 28, 2018}}</ref> | ||
| On February 5, 2021, an Instagram post from Reed's official account announced his death |
On February 5, 2021, an Instagram post from Reed's official account announced his death from complications of two heart attacks that occurred in January.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nature|first=Heel By|date=February 5, 2021|title=Butch Reed Passes Away At Age 66|url=https://heelbynature.com/wrestling-news/butch-reed-passes-away-at-age-66/|access-date=February 5, 2021|language=en-US}}</ref> His relatives attributed his death to ], and said he tested positive around January 12. He was 66 years old.<ref name=eley_02072021>{{Cite web|first=Jessica|last=Eley|date=2021-02-07|title=Family mourns former WWE, WCW wrestler, Warrensburg native, Butch Reed|url=https://fox4kc.com/sports/family-mourns-former-wwe-wcw-wrestler-warrensburg-native-butch-reed/|access-date=2021-02-07|website=FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV {{!}} News, Weather, Sports|language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
| ==Championships and accomplishments== | == Championships and accomplishments == | ||
| *''']''' | *''']''' | ||
| **] (]) – with ]<ref name="Lentz2003"/> | **] (]) – with ]<ref name="Lentz2003" /> | ||
| *''']''' | *''']''' | ||
| **] (]) <small>(reign not recognized in Japan)</small> | **] (]) <small>(reign not recognized in Japan)</small> | ||
| **] (]) – with ]<ref name="Lentz2003"/> | **] ''(Florida version)'' (]) – with ]<ref name="Lentz2003" /> | ||
| *''']''' | *''']''' | ||
| **Omni Thanksgiving Tag Team Tournament (1983) – with ]<ref> |
**Omni Thanksgiving Tag Team Tournament (1983) – with ]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://prowrestlinghistory.com/|access-date=2022-10-30|website=prowrestlinghistory.com}}</ref> | ||
| *''']''' | *''']''' | ||
| **] (]) | **] (]) | ||
| *'''Insane Championship Wrestling''' | *'''Insane Championship Wrestling''' | ||
| **MWCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref>{{ |
**MWCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=titles&kategorie=2&liga=1449&titel=1615|title=Wrestlingdata.com – The World's Largest Wrestling Database|first=Axel|last=Saalbach|website=www.wrestlingdata.com}}</ref> | ||
| *''']''' | *''']''' | ||
| **] (])<ref name="Lentz2003"/> | **] (])<ref name="Lentz2003" /> | ||
| **] (]) – with ]<ref name="Lentz2003"/> | **] (]) – with ]<ref name="Lentz2003" /> | ||
| **] (]) | **] (]) | ||
| *'''Mid-States Wrestling''' | *'''Mid-States Wrestling''' | ||
| **MSW Heavyweight Championship (1 time) | **MSW Heavyweight Championship (1 time) | ||
| *'''Missouri Wrestling Federation/Midwest Wrestling Federation''' | *'''Missouri Wrestling Federation / Midwest Wrestling Federation''' | ||
| **MWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="Titles"/> | **MWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="Titles" /> | ||
| *''''']''''' | *''''']''''' | ||
| **Ranked #'''174''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the ] in 2003. | **Ranked #'''174''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the ] in 2003. | ||
| Line 117: | Line 118: | ||
| *''']''' | *''']''' | ||
| **] (]) | **] (]) | ||
| *''''']''''' | *''''']''''' | ||
| **] (1984) | **] (1984) | ||
| **] (1987) | **] (1987) | ||
| ==References== | == References == | ||
| {{Reflist |
{{Reflist|refs= | ||
| <ref name="KreikenbohmDoom">{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=28&nr=25|title=Doom|access-date=April 8, 2024|website=Cagematch.net|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | ==External links== | ||
| }} | |||
| ⚫ | == External links == | ||
| {{commons}} | |||
| *{{WWE superstar|butchreed|Butch Reed}} | *{{WWE superstar|butchreed|Butch Reed}} | ||
| *{{Professional wrestling profiles}} | *{{Professional wrestling profiles}} | ||
| *{{IMDb name|0715340|Bruce Reed}} | *{{IMDb name|0715340|Bruce Reed}} | ||
| {{Navboxes| | |||
| |list1= | |||
| {{GWF North American Heavyweight Championship}} | {{GWF North American Heavyweight Championship}} | ||
| {{USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship}} | |||
| {{WCW World Tag Team Championship}} | {{WCW World Tag Team Championship}} | ||
| }} | |||
| {{Authority control}} | |||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Reed, Butch}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Reed, Butch}} | ||
| ] | ] | ||
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Latest revision as of 05:33, 13 November 2024
American professional wrestler (1954–2021)
| Butch Reed | |
|---|---|
 Reed, c. 1983 | |
| Birth name | Bruce Franklin Reed |
| Born | (1954-07-11)July 11, 1954 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | February 5, 2021(2021-02-05) (aged 66) Warrensburg, Missouri, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Central Missouri |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Bruce Reed Butch Reed Doom #2 |
| Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Billed weight | 262 lb (119 kg) |
| Billed from | Kansas City, Missouri |
| Trained by | Ronnie Etchison |
| Debut | 1978 |
| Retired | 2013 |
Bruce Franklin Reed (July 11, 1954 – February 5, 2021) was an American professional wrestler and football player, better known by the ring name Butch Reed. He played college football at the University of Central Missouri, was a star in Mid-South Wrestling and had high-profile tag team matches in the World Wrestling Federation (such as the first Survivor Series main event) and World Championship Wrestling (where he held the championship with Ron Simmons, as Doom).
Early life
Reed attended the University of Central Missouri, where he played college football. In 1976, he signed as a rookie free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League, but the linebacker was cut before the season.
Professional wrestling career
Early career (1978–1983)
Butch Reed was trained to wrestle by Ronnie Etchison debuting in 1978. Early on he wrestled as Bruce Reed adopting the "Hacksaw" nickname over time. Reed and Jerry Roberts beat Mike George and Bob Sweetan for the NWA Central States Tag Team Championship in 1980 and lost it to The Kelly Twins in January 1981. His next title also came as one half of a tag team when he and Sweet Brown Sugar won the Florida version of the NWA North American Tag Team Championship when they beat Dory Funk, Jr. and David Von Erich in 1982. Reed wrestled mainly for the NWA in the early 1980s and made a name for himself in their St. Louis, Florida Championship Wrestling and Georgia Championship Wrestling territories. On April 7, 1982, Reed had what is now recognized as the first 5-star rated match by Dave Meltzer in which he challenged Ric Flair for the NWA title in Miami, Florida.
Mid-South Wrestling (1983–1986)
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Reed established himself as a force to be reckoned with while competing in Bill Watts' Mid-South Wrestling from 1983 through early 1986. In Mid-South, he was known as "Hacksaw" Butch Reed and came into the territory as a tag team partner for the main face in the territory the Junkyard Dog. Reed immediately came face to face with "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan over the "Hacksaw" nickname. Back in 1983, Duggan was part of the heel group, The Rat Pack, along with Ted DiBiase and Matt Borne and used every dirty move he could think of to beat Reed. He and Duggan feuded over the "Hacksaw" name until Duggan turned face. This resulted in Reed's heel turn when Duggan was picked to be the Junkyard Dog's tag team partner over Reed.
Reed appeared on TV stating that "Butch Reed is going to start looking out for Butch Reed", which prompted the Junkyard Dog (JYD) to join him in the ring. After arguing back and forth, Reed attacked JYD and was soon joined in the attack by DiBiase. On July 16, 1983, Reed won the Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship and turned back JYD's challenges in subsequent months. In October 1983, Reed's arrogance made him agree to let the Mid-South fans pick a challenger for the North American title; he let them pick from the JYD, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, newcomer Krusher Khruschev, and Magnum T. A. The fans picked JYD but Reed dismissed the choice; he also said Duggan and Khruschev did not deserve a shot and instead gave the title shot to T.A., who won the title, then lost it twelve days later to Nikolai Volkoff.
On the same night that Reed lost the North American title, he and partner Jim Neidhart beat Magnum T. A. and "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan to win the Mid-South Tag Team Championship. After a few weeks, the North American title was returned to Reed, claiming that the title match with T.A. was not legal since the fans chose JYD. Reed's run as a double champion did not last long as JYD got his title shot with Dusty Rhodes as the special guest referee. After losing the North American title, Reed and Neidhart focused on the tag team titles and defended them against all comers. When Magnum and Mr. Wrestling II challenged for the titles, they felt that the challengers had to put up something of their own: Mr. Wrestling II's mask. Mr. Wrestling did not unmask that night as they took the gold from Reed and Neidhart in a Steel cage match on Christmas of 1983. Neidhart and Reed started to blame each other and had a short, brutal feud.
The Neidhart feud was soon replaced with one with Terry Taylor who came out to save Neidhart from being beaten down with a football helmet after a match. The Reed/Taylor feud raged all through the spring of 1984 and was instrumental in establishing Terry Taylor as a star in Mid-South. The feud soon expanded to include "Nature Boy" Buddy Landel as Reed's tag team partner and saw Reed attack Taylor with a "Coalminer's Glove" on several occasions. After fighting with Terry Taylor for months on end, Reed's attention turned from Taylor back to his old enemy the Junkyard Dog. During a match, Reed and Landel attacked JYD as he performed under a mask as "Stagger Lee" and painted him yellow. The war between the two brought in Sonny King and later Ernie Ladd to team with Junkyard Dog. After the tag matches, came brutal singles matches such as Dog Collar Matches.
Just as the feud was about to reach its heated highlight, the Junkyard Dog left Mid-South and signed with the World Wrestling Federation without informing booker Bill Watts of his decision. This meant that the federation was without their biggest face and the shows had to be hastily rebooked. Watts brought in "Master G" (journeyman wrestler George Wells) to take JYD's place but the feud between Reed and "Master G" never took off forcing Watts to rethink his options. When "General" Skandor Akbar entered the Mid-South and started to build a stable of heels, he presented Buddy Landel with a golden Rolex watch with the understanding that it wasn't actually for Landel but for someone else Akbar was trying to recruit. When Landel tried to give the watch to Reed, he became incensed, in the storyline, stomped on the watch, and started to brawl with his former partner. Akbar and his cronies came to ringside, which prompted Reed to rant on them getting the crowd behind him as he told them he didn't need back-up. When "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan came to his rescue from a 3 on 1 attack, Reed's face status was cemented. The two Hacksaws feuded with Akbar's army of Landel, DiBiase, Steve Williams, and Hercules. The two Hacksaws were successful at first, until Reed came up against Kamala. He proved to be too much for Reed, beating him all over the Mid-South territory before Reed quietly left.
Reed went to the American Wrestling Association for a short stint as Jimmy Garvin's bodyguard, then returned to Mid-South in the middle of 1985. In October, he beat Dick Murdoch for the North American title. Around this time, he had a famous one-hour time-limit draw with NWA Champion "Nature Boy" Ric Flair and feuded with Dick Slater when Slater helped Ric Flair keep the world title. In January 1986, Slater won the North American title from Butch Reed through underhanded means.
NWA Central States (1986)
After leaving Mid-South Wrestling once more, Reed returned to Kansas City and the NWA Central States territory run by Bob Geigel. Here he initially teamed with Rufus R. Jones . He later turned on Jones and joined the group of manager Slick in 1986. After a brief feud with Jones, Reed feuded with Bruiser Brody. That summer, he lost a Loser Leaves Town match to Brody and left the territory along with Slick.
World Wrestling Federation (1986–1988)
Reed and Slick signed with the WWF and were brought in as a package. Reed dyed his hair blond and became "The Natural" Butch Reed, an updated version of Sweet Daddy Siki. He feuded initially with Tito Santana, a target of Slick's verbal jabs, and made his pay-per-view debut at WrestleMania III, where he defeated Koko B. Ware.
In the weeks after WrestleMania, Reed targeted new Intercontinental champion Ricky Steamboat and faced him at house shows and on an episode of Wrestling Challenge.
In the fall, the WWF was heavily hyping a feud between Reed and Superstar Billy Graham, a former WWF champion who was staging a comeback after hip-replacement surgery. Graham's condition was such that he could no longer handle the physical demands of being a wrestler, so Reed and Slick's newest acquisition, the One Man Gang, "injured" Graham in a sneak attack that was used to explain his permanent retirement. Graham began managing the man who came to his aid, Don Muraco, with Muraco immediately entering into a rivalry with Reed. The enemies were on opposing teams in the main event of the first Survivor Series (Muraco took Graham's place on Hulk Hogan's team); Reed (a member of André the Giant's team), was the first elimination of the match, by Hogan.
Reed competed in (and was the first wrestler eliminated from) the first Royal Rumble match in January 1988. Two months later, he was eliminated in the first round of the WrestleMania IV championship tournament by eventual winner Randy Savage. Reed dominated most of the match against Savage, but spent too much time mouthing off to Savage's manager (and real-life wife) Miss Elizabeth while climbing to the top turnbuckle. Savage caught Reed, threw him off for a slam and immediately hit his diving elbow drop off the top turnbuckle for the win. This first round loss at WrestleMania IV was Reed's final match for the WWF.
On September 9, 2007, Reed made a cameo appearance backstage at the September 14 edition of WWE SmackDown!, during a segment involving his former manager and SmackDown! General manager Theodore Long.
Jim Crockett Promotions / NWA World Championship Wrestling (1988–1992)
See also: DoomShortly after WrestleMania IV, Reed and the WWF parted ways, Reed's manager Slick stayed with the WWF while Reed struck out on his own once more. Butch Reed resurfaced in the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions as "Hacksaw" Butch Reed. He more or less immediately resumed his Mid-South feud with The Junkyard Dog. He was briefly managed by J. J. Dillon before his contract was "sold" to Hiro Matsuda's "Yamasaki Corporation". Reed did not see much success in the early parts of his run with JCP; his biggest match was a loss to Sting at the Chi-Town Rumble on February 20, 1989. During the summer of 1989, he floundered in the mid-card as Jim Crockett Promotions grew to become a national wrestling organization.
The Steiner Brothers were involved in an angle with Woman who promised "Doom" for the two brothers but never specified exactly what this meant. She unveiled her promise at Halloween Havoc 1989, a couple of brawny, hard hitting masked African-Americans. It was obvious to most wrestling fans that Ron Simmons and Butch Reed were under the masks — they had both been on WCW television shortly before Doom debuted, and they were the only two African-American wrestlers in the company with the same massive physical appearance — but the announcers were made to keep up the storyline (although Jim Ross accidentally exposed Reed's identity on commentary during Starrcade 89: Future Shock). Doom won their debut match against the Steiners when one of the members of Doom pinned Rick Steiner after a headbutt with an illegal object in his mask. Doom followed up on this success by defeating Eddie Gilbert and Tommy Rich at Clash of the Champions IX, looking very strong in the process.
Doom's next PPV outing did not come with the same success. Along with the Steiner Brothers, the Road Warriors, and the Samoan Swat Team they were entered in a one night, tag team round robin tournament. They did not score a single point, ending dead last in the tournament. Doom's misfortune continued as Woman soon dropped the team and left the federation. Then on February 6, 1990, at Clash of the Champions X, Doom were defeated by the Steiner Brothers and as a result of the stipulation were forced to unmask.
Doom beat the Steiner Brothers at Capital Combat; at that point in time, the Steiners didn't lose very often. Doom won the tag team titles and quickly set about defending them against the former champions the Steiners as well the rest of WCW's very talented tag team division. In the fall of 1990, Doom soon feuded with The Four Horsemen and defended against them in two inconclusive tag team title matches at Halloween Havoc 1990 and Starrcade 1990. At Clash of the Champions XIV, Doom lost a non-title match to Sting and Lex Luger in a match that foreshadowed the trouble that lay ahead.
On February 24, 1991, at WCW's WrestleWar PPV, Doom took on former tag team champions The Fabulous Freebirds and lost due to miscommunication between Reed and Simmons. After the Freebirds left the ring, Reed turned on Simmons and beat him up; this turned Simmons face and ended the team of Doom forever. Teddy Long sided with Butch Reed as the former Doom partners engaged in a short but intense feud. The feud culminated at SuperBrawl I where Ron Simmons pinned Butch Reed in a Steel cage match (referred to as a "Thunder-Doom" cage match). After the PPV, Reed left the company for a short while only to return in 1992 siding with The Barbarian and Cactus Jack. Reed and the Barbarian teamed up to defeat Dustin Rhodes and Barry Windham at Clash of the Champions XX but left WCW for good shortly afterwards.
Late career (1992–2002, 2005–2013)
After leaving WCW, Reed went to the United States Wrestling Association where he resumed feuding with Junkyard Dog. Reed beat him for the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship on October 12, 1992. He held the title for a week before he lost it to Todd Champion. He left the promotion before 1992 ended.
Reed next appeared for a notable promotion in 1994, the Global Wrestling Federation in its last days. He became the penultimate GWF North American champion on June 4, 1994, when he beat Rod Price for the held-up title. It had been held up the previous day after a match he had with Price got out of hand and ended inconclusively. He held it for almost a month before losing it to "Gentleman" Chris Adams, who was the last GWF North American champion.
Reed continued to work on the independent scene on a part-time basis so that he could participate in the rodeo circuit in Kansas City. In 2000, he started working for Harley Race's WLW promotion. He beat Luminous Warrior for the WLW Heavyweight Title on March 31, 2001 and held the title until Dennis McHawes beat him for it on January 25, 2002. After losing the title, he retired from wrestling.
After being retired for three years, Reed returned in 2005, appearing several times for Mid States Wrestling and eventually defeating Heavyweight Champion "Mr. Saturday Night" Michael Barry on November 11, 2005, for the Mid States Wrestling Heavyweight title. He also participated in the "Legends of Wrestling" tour in 2006. On August 18, 2007, he lost to Steve Williams at NWA Legends Fanfest.
Reed's last match was on May 18, 2013, teaming with Bob Orton Jr and losing to Flash Flanagan and Ron Powers at SICW in East Carondelet, Illinois.
Personal life and death
In July 2016, Reed was named part of a class action lawsuit filed against WWE which alleged that wrestlers incurred traumatic brain injuries during their tenure and that the company concealed the risks of injury. The suit was litigated by attorney Konstantine Kyros, who has been involved in a number of other lawsuits against WWE. In September 2018, the lawsuit was dismissed by US District Judge Vanessa Lynne Bryant.
On February 5, 2021, an Instagram post from Reed's official account announced his death from complications of two heart attacks that occurred in January. His relatives attributed his death to COVID-19, and said he tested positive around January 12. He was 66 years old.
Championships and accomplishments
- Central States Wrestling
- Championship Wrestling from Florida
- NWA International Heavyweight Championship (1 time) (reign not recognized in Japan)
- NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (1 time) – with Sweet Brown Sugar
- Georgia Championship Wrestling
- Omni Thanksgiving Tag Team Tournament (1983) – with Pez Whatley
- Global Wrestling Federation
- Insane Championship Wrestling
- MWCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Mid-South Wrestling
- Mid-States Wrestling
- MSW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Missouri Wrestling Federation / Midwest Wrestling Federation
- MWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked #174 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the PWI Years in 2003.
- Ranked #91 of the 100 best tag teams during the PWI Years with Ron Simmons in 2003.
- United States Wrestling Association
- World Championship Wrestling
- WCW World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Ron Simmons
- World League Wrestling
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Strongest Wrestler (1984)
- Most Unimproved (1987)
References
- Art Crews with Judy Burleigh-Crews (May 2014). We Made 'em Look Good. Xlibris Corporation. p. 195. ISBN 978-1-4931-8238-1.
- ^ Harris M. Lentz III (January 1, 2003). Biographical Dictionary of Professional Wrestling, 2d ed. McFarland. pp. 281–282. ISBN 978-0-7864-1754-4.
- ^ "Butch Reed". WWE.com. WWE. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Doom". Cagematch.net. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
- ^ Eley, Jessica (February 7, 2021). "Family mourns former WWE, WCW wrestler, Warrensburg native, Butch Reed". FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- "Kaycee Chiefs Cut Rookies". Garden City Telegram. July 20, 1976. p. 11. Retrieved February 8, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- Kristian Pope (August 14, 2005). Tuff Stuff Professional Wrestling Field Guide: Legend and Lore. Krause Publications. p. 359. ISBN 1-4402-2810-8.
- ^ Greg Oliver and Steve Johnson (2005). The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Tag Teams. ECW Press. ISBN 978-1-55022-683-6.
- James Dixon; Arnold Furious; Lee Maughan (2013). Tagged Classics: Just The Reviews. Lulu.com. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-291-42878-0.
- ^ Brian Shields (2006). Main event – WWE in the raging 80s (4th ed.). Pocket Books. ISBN 978-1-4165-3257-6.
- "WWE WrestleMania History (III)". ProWrestlingHistory. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
- "WWE Survivor Series History (1987)". ProWrestlingHistory. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
- prowrestlinghistory.com. "WWE WrestleMania History (IV)". Retrieved April 9, 2007.
- "NWA Clash of the Champions Results (VI)". prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
- "NWA Chi-Town Rumble Results". ProWrestlingHistory. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
- "NWA Halloween Havoc Results (1989)". ProWrestlingHistory. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
- "NWA Clash of the Champions Results (IX)". ProWrestlingHistory. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
- "NWA Starrcade Results (1989)". ProWrestlingHistory. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
- "NWA Clash of the Champions Results (X)". ProWrestlingHistory. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
- "NWA Capitol Combat Results". ProWrestlingHistory. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
- "WCW Halloween Havoc Results (1990)". ProWrestlingHistory. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
- "WCW Starrcade Results (1990)". ProWrestlingHistory. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
- "WCW Clash of the Champions Results (XIV)". ProWrestlingHistory. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
- "WCW WrestleWar Results (1991)". ProWrestlingHistory. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
- "WCW SuperBrawl Results (I)". ProWrestlingHistory. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
- "WCW Clash of the Champions Results (XX)". ProWrestlingHistory. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
- ^ "WLW Heavyweight Title history". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
- "Butch Reed".
- "WWE sued in wrestler class action lawsuit featuring Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka, Paul 'Mr Wonderful' Orndorff". FoxSports.com. Fox Entertainment Group (21st Century Fox). July 18, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
- Robinson, Byron (September 22, 2018). "Piledriver: WWE uses 'Hell in a Cell' as springboard to future shows". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
- Nature, Heel By (February 5, 2021). "Butch Reed Passes Away At Age 66". Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- "Pro Wrestling History". prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
- Saalbach, Axel. "Wrestlingdata.com – The World's Largest Wrestling Database". www.wrestlingdata.com.
External links
- Butch Reed on WWE.com
- Butch Reed's profile at Cagematch.net
, Wrestlingdata.com , Internet Wrestling Database - Bruce Reed at IMDb
- 1954 births
- 2021 deaths
- 21st-century African-American people
- African-American professional wrestlers
- American male professional wrestlers
- Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri
- Kansas City Chiefs players
- Masked wrestlers
- Players of American football from Kansas City, Missouri
- People from Warrensburg, Missouri
- Professional wrestlers from Missouri
- Sportspeople from Kansas City, Missouri
- The Four Horsemen (professional wrestling) members
- University of Central Missouri alumni
- USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champions
- 20th-century male professional wrestlers
- 20th-century American professional wrestlers
- 21st-century male professional wrestlers
- 21st-century American professional wrestlers
- GWF North American Heavyweight Champions
- NWA North American Tag Team Champions (Florida version)
- NWA International Heavyweight Champions
- WCW World Tag Team Champions