Eddie Sharkey

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Eddie Sharkey (born February 4, 1936) is an American professional wrestler, promoter, and trainer. He is often called "The Trainer of Champions".^[2] Eddie Sharkey began his career in the wrestling industry as a wrestler in the 1950s. However, it was his work as a trainer and mentor that brought him widespread recognition. He has been instrumental in training many of the most notable talents in the sport including Jesse Ventura and the Road Warriors.^[3]

Professional wrestling career[edit]

American Wrestling Association & National Wrestling Association[edit]

Eddie Sharkey's career in professional wrestling commenced on the carnival circuit in the late 1950s where he was trained and promoted by Boris Malenko, Bob Geigel, and Joe Scarpello.

Sharkey made his American Wrestling Association (AWA) debut in Fargo, North Dakota in 1961 where he assumed the role of a babyface. During his tenure he had feuds with Danny Hodge, Bob Boyer, and Jack Donovan. Sharkey left the AWA over a disagreement with promoter Verne Gagne.

In September 1968, Sharkey clinched the National Wrestling Association (NWA) United States Heavyweight Championship from Jack Donovan. The title was later retired.^[4][5]

Pro Wrestling America[edit]

In 1982, after leaving the AWA as a result of a pay dispute with promoter Verne Gagne, Sharkey was approached by fifteen other wrestlers similarly upset with Gagne over withholding payment and convinced Sharkey to start his own promotion. Sharkey duly set up his own promotion Pro Wrestling America, starring his own trainees such as the two future members of the Road Warriors tag team (at this stage known as Crusher Von Haig and The Road Warrior respectively) as well as Rick Rude, and Barry Darsow ("Smash"). Sharkey was soon able to sign other wrestlers including Paul Ellering, Tom Zenk, Nikita Koloff, The Destruction Crew (Mike Enos & Wayne Bloom) and the Steiner Brothers (Rick & Scott Steiner) as well as Mad Dog Vachon, Bruiser Brody, Larry Cameron often making appearances. Although a chief rival of the American Wrestling Alliance during the late 1980s, Sharkey and Gagne eventually agreed to a talent exchange deal between the two promotions. A number of PWA veterans were brought into the AWA during its last years including Derrick Dukes and Ricky Rice.

In 1986, Eddie Sharkey and promoter Tony Condello worked out an agreement for PWA wrestlers to appear in televised wrestling events in central Canada. Chris Markoff, Buck Zumhofe, Ricky Rice & Derrick Dukes and The Terminators (Riggs & Wolff) were among those who appeared in the territory. Pro Wrestling America, among other regional promotions such as Georgia All-Star Wrestling and the United States Wrestling Association, also had a working relationship with the Global Wrestling Federation during its last years and allowed its own wrestlers compete in GWF tournaments and other events. Jerry Lynn and The Lightning Kid, two of the promotion's top light heavyweight wrestlers, faced each other in a match to crown the first GWF Light Heavyweight Championship. A number of PWA wrestlers often appeared on The Prima-Donns, a long-running Public-access television cable TV show in the Minneapolis-area, including Eddie Sharkey, Baron von Raschke, Nick Bockwinkel and Jerry Lynn.

The promotion would eventually cease running shows after 1993, however Sharkey once again began promoting in the area with Terry Fox under both Wrestle America 2000 or Pro Wrestling America, with students from their wrestling camp. The promotion has since occasionally toured Japan and the Middle East.While working at Gramma B's, Sharkey recognized the future that four of the bouncers (Hawk, Animal, Rick Rude, and Barry Darsow) could have in wrestling. Sharkey opened his own professional wrestling promotion, Pro Wrestling America, in 1982 and trained the men himself.

Personal life[edit]

Growing up in Minneapolis, Sharkey was a huge wrestling fan. His father, Tom Shyman, would frequently bring him to wrestling matches. Sharkey took up boxing in his teens before transitioning into pro wrestling. Sharkey's brother, James Shyman is an actor, director, and film producer.

Sharkey married professional wrestler Princess Little Cloud (Dixie Jordan). They have two children together.

Wrestlers trained[edit]

Championships and accomplishments[edit]

• Cauliflower Alley Club
  • Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award (2006)^[6]
• National Wrestling Alliance
  • NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Central States version) (1 time)^[4][5]
• FLWA
  • FLWA South Haven Title (1 time)

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Official Website at the Wayback Machine (archived October 28, 2009)
• Eddie Sharkey's profile at Cagematch.net