Gino Hernandez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gino Hernandez |
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Hernandez, c. 1984
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| Birth name | Charles Eugene Wolfe Jr. |
| Born | August 8, 1957 Highland Park, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | February 2, 1986 (aged 28) Highland Park, Texas, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) |
Janice Marie Bancroft
(m. 1976–1977)
(m. 1978–1979) |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Gino Hernandez |
| Billed height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Billed weight | 238 lb (108 kg) |
| Billed from | Highland Park, Texas, U.S. |
| Trained by | José Lothario |
| Debut | 1975 |
Charles Eugene Wolfe Jr. (born August 8, 1957 – died February 2, 1986) was an American professional wrestler. He was known by his ring name, Gino Hernandez. He was famous for wrestling in World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) in Dallas, Texas. He performed there from 1976 until his passing in 1986.
Contents
Professional Wrestling Career
Early Days in Wrestling
Gino Hernandez started his wrestling journey as a young, popular wrestler. Fans, especially girls, liked his long black hair and good looks. He won a major title, the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Detroit version). He beat a wrestler named "Bulldog" Don Kent for it. Later, he lost this title to his boss, The Sheik.
Wrestling in Texas
Gino Hernandez, also called "The Handsome Halfbreed," began wrestling in San Antonio, Texas, in 1975. He was trained by Jose Lothario. At first, they were a tag team. Then, they had a storyline where Gino challenged his mentor. This led to a "hair vs. hair match," which Gino lost. As a result, his head was shaved in the ring.
In the late 1970s, Gino joined World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) in Dallas. He had an exciting storyline with David Von Erich for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship. Gino won the title but later lost it back to David.
Gino then went back to Southwest Championship Wrestling (SCW). There, he formed a very popular tag team called "The Dynamic Duo" with Tully Blanchard. They became known as top "heels" (bad guys) in Texas wrestling.
Mid-South Adventures
In 1982, Gino started a storyline feud with Chavo Guerrero. This rivalry involved some strong words and played out in different wrestling areas in Texas.
Return to World Class Championship Wrestling
Gino came back to WCCW in 1984. He often had feuds with the famous Von Erichs: Mike, Kevin, and Kerry Von Erich. That summer, Gino teamed up with Nickla Roberts, known as Andrea the Lady Giant. They had mixed tag team matches against Sunshine and Mike Von Erich.
In August 1984, Gino also teamed with Jake "The Snake" Roberts. Later, he formed another "Dynamic Duo" with Chris Adams. This version of the Dynamic Duo became very famous in WCCW. They earned a lot of money and had high TV ratings.
Adams and Hernandez created a special trick: they would snip hair from their opponents' heads after winning. This made fans even more upset with them, which made their matches more exciting. This trick was later used by another wrestler, Brutus Beefcake.
The Dynamic Duo lost a "hair" match to Kevin and Kerry Von Erich in October 1985. Gino tried to run away, but Chris Von Erich stopped him. Gino's head was shaved bald.
After this, Gino and Chris Adams started a new storyline feud in December 1985. WCCW planned for this to be their main story for 1986. In January 1986, during a match, Gino used a special "hair cream" on Chris Adams' face. This made Adams seem unable to see, which was part of the storyline.
Personal Life
Gino's birth name was Charles Eugene Wolfe Jr. His mother was Patrice Aguirre. He took the name Gino Hernandez from his stepfather, Luis Hernandez. Luis had trained with Gino when he was a child.
Gino was married and had two daughters, Lisa Marie and Tasha.
Passing
On February 4, 1986, officials from WCCW and police officers went to Gino's home. They found that Gino had passed away.
Championships and Accomplishments
- Big Time Wrestling
- NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Detroit version) (1 time)
- NWA Big Time Wrestling / World Class Championship Wrestling
- NWA American Heavyweight Championship (4 times)
- NWA American Tag Team Championship (5 times) – with El Gran Markus (2 times), Gary Young (1 time), and Chris Adams (2 times)
- NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (1 time)
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- NWA International Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (6 times)
- NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Jimmy Snuka (1 time), Pak Song (1 time), and Bruiser Brody (1 time)
- NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (Texas version) (1 time) – with Chris Adams and Jake Roberts
- NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship Tournament (1984)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked #162 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003
- Ranked #65 of the top 100 tag teams of the "PWI Years" with Chris Adams in 2003
- Southwest Championship Wrestling
- SCW Southwest Tag Team Championship (5 times) – with Tully Blanchard
- SCW World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Tully Blanchard
See also
- List of premature professional wrestling deaths
