Derrick Dukes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Derrick Dukes |
|
|---|---|
| Born | January 4, 1965 Barberton, Ohio, United States |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Derek Dukes Derrick Dukes Luther D. Mr. O-Portunity |
| Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Billed weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
| Trained by | Eddie Sharkey |
| Debut | 1986 |
| Retired | 2001 |
Derrick Dukes (born January 4, 1965) is an American retired professional wrestler and boxer. He is best known for being part of "The Top Guns" tag team with Ricky Rice in the American Wrestling Association during the late 1980s.
Contents
Derrick Dukes' Wrestling Journey
Starting Out in Wrestling (1986–1988)
Derrick Dukes began his wrestling career in 1986. He teamed up with Ricky Rice. They had both trained with Eddie Sharkey in Minnesota. A promoter named Tony Condello brought them to wrestle in Canada.
Time in the American Wrestling Association (1988–1989)
In the AWA, Dukes and Rice, known as "The Top Guns," competed for the AWA tag team titles. They had a rivalry with a team called Badd Company.
Dukes also took part in a special match at SuperClash III in December 1988. He teamed with Ricky Rice and Wendi Richter. They faced Badd Company and Madusa Miceli.
After this, Dukes wrestled Colonel DeBeers in 1989. He lost a unique match called "Loser Gets Painted Yellow." This match was later removed from TV broadcasts.
Wrestling in Different Places (1989–1992)
After the AWA closed, Dukes returned to Pro Wrestling America. In April 1990, he wrestled against the Lightning Kid. This match was for the PWA Iron Horse Television Championship.
In 1992, Dukes traveled to Europe. He wrestled in Germany and Austria. He competed for the Catch Wrestling Association there.
Later Years in Wrestling (1992–2001)
Dukes returned to Pro Wrestling America in 1995. He formed a new tag team called "Thunderblood." His partner was Charlie Norris, a former World Championship Wrestling wrestler.
They won the PWA Tag Team titles. They defeated a team called the Storm Troopers. They held the titles until the promotion closed in early 1996.
In 1999, Dukes went to Japan. He wrestled for Worldwide Pro Wrestling. He also had a few matches in the WWF (now WWE) in August 1999. He retired from wrestling in 2001.
Derrick Dukes' Boxing Career
Dukes also tried boxing for a short time in the early 1990s. His most famous boxing match was against National Football League star Mark Gastineau. This fight happened in Salem, Virginia, on June 8, 1991.
Gastineau won the fight quickly. However, it was later discovered that Dukes intentionally lost the match. This means he did not try his best to win.
In 1999, Dukes tried to make a comeback in boxing. He had two more fights. He lost to Innocent Otukuwu in July and Chris Brown in September.
Wrestling Achievements
Derrick Dukes won several championships during his wrestling career:
- World Wrestling Council
- WWC Television Championship (1 time)
- International Wrestling Association
- IWA United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Pro Wrestling America
- PWA Iron Horse Television Championship (3 times)
- PWA Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Ricky Rice and Charlie Norris
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked #153 among the top 500 singles wrestlers in 1991 by PWI.
- St. Paul Championship Wrestling
- SCW Northern States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
