Johnny Grunge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Johnny Grunge |
|
|---|---|
Johnny Grunge in March 2002
|
|
| Birth name | Michael Lynn Durham |
| Born | July 10, 1966 Sulphur, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | February 16, 2006 (aged 39) Peachtree City, Georgia, U.S. |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Johnny Grunge Johnny Rotten |
| Billed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Billed weight | 263 lb (119 kg) |
| Billed from | Compton, California |
| Debut | 1987 |
Michael Lynn Durham (born July 10, 1966 – died February 16, 2006) was an American professional wrestler. He was best known by his ring name, Johnny Grunge. He became famous as half of the tag team called The Public Enemy. His tag team partner was Rocco Rock.
Johnny Grunge wrestled for major companies like Eastern/Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). During his career, he won important titles. These included the ECW World Tag Team Championship and the WCW World Tag Team Championship.
Contents
Johnny Grunge's Wrestling Journey
Starting Out in Wrestling (1987–1993)
Johnny Grunge began his professional wrestling career in 1987. In 1993, he formed a tag team with Rocco Rock. They called themselves The Public Enemy. This team was created in Woodbridge, New Jersey. Interestingly, Grunge and Rock had wrestled each other before. This was in Austria around 1991. Back then, Grunge used the name "Johnny Rotten."
Extreme Championship Wrestling Days (1993–1996)
In 1993, The Public Enemy joined Eastern Championship Wrestling. This company was based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It soon changed its name to Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). The Public Enemy became very popular in ECW.
They won the ECW World Tag Team Championship four times. Their first win was on March 6, 1994. Their last win was on October 28, 1995. The team was known for their "hardcore" wrestling style. They often used tables in their matches. This style later became famous with other teams like the Dudley Boyz.
The Public Enemy was involved in some wild moments. Once, fans threw so many chairs into the ring that the wrestlers were buried! Another time, fans rushed into the ring to celebrate with them. The ring actually collapsed because of all the extra weight!
Time in World Championship Wrestling (1996–1998)
In 1996, The Public Enemy moved to World Championship Wrestling (WCW). This wrestling company was based in Atlanta, Georgia. They made their first appearance on January 15, 1996. They won their debut match against The American Males.
On September 23, 1996, The Public Enemy won the WCW World Tag Team Championship. They defeated a team called Harlem Heat in Birmingham, Alabama. However, Harlem Heat quickly won the titles back. This happened on October 1, 1996.
Short Stays in WWF and WCW (1999)
The Public Enemy left WCW in 1999. They briefly returned to ECW. After that, they joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). They made their WWF debut on February 22, 1999. This was on the show Raw is War. However, they only stayed with the WWF for two months.
They had actually wrestled for the WWF before. This was at a big event called Survivor Series in 1995. There, they faced The Smoking Gunns. After leaving the WWF, The Public Enemy went back to WCW. They took part in a special match called the "Junkyard Invitational" in July 1999.
Independent Wrestling (1999–2006)
After their time in major companies, Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock wrestled on the independent circuit. This means they worked for smaller wrestling promotions. They appeared in the X Wrestling Federation. There, they were known as The South Philly Posse. They even had a manager named Jasmin St. Claire.
In the early 2000s, The Public Enemy wrestled for other independent groups. They won several tag team titles during this time. Sadly, Rocco Rock passed away in 2002. After this, Grunge teamed up with his "kayfabe" (storyline) brother, Joey Grunge. They called themselves The New Public Enemy. Johnny Grunge continued to wrestle until 2004. He also took part in a special event in 2005. This event honored wrestlers from ECW who had passed away.
Personal Life and Legacy
Johnny Grunge was a neighbor of fellow wrestler Chris Benoit. He helped Benoit after the death of their friend, Eddie Guerrero, in 2005.
Johnny Grunge passed away on February 16, 2006. He was 39 years old. His death was caused by complications from sleep apnea. This condition affects breathing during sleep.
Wrestling Achievements
Johnny Grunge achieved many honors and championships during his wrestling career:
- Cauliflower Alley Club
- Honoree (1995)
- Eastern Championship Wrestling / Extreme Championship Wrestling
- ECW World Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with Rocco Rock
- Hardcore Hall of Fame
- Class of 2007
- i-Generation Superstars of Wrestling
- i-Generation Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Rocco Rock
- International World Class Championship Wrestling
- IWCCW Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Equalizer Zip
- Main Event Championship Wrestling
- MECW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Rocco Rock
- National Wrestling Alliance
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Rocco Rock
- NWA New Jersey
- NWA United States Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Rocco Rock
- New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Class of 2010
- New-Wave Championship Wrestling
- NWCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Rocco Rock
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 465 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003
- Superstars of Wrestling
- SOW Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Rocco Rock
- Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling
- TCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Rocco Rock
- Ultra Championship Wrestling
- UCW Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Jason Ray
- Universal Wrestling Alliance
-
- UWA Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Rocco Rock
- World Championship Wrestling
- WCW World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Rocco Rock
- Other Accomplishments
- IPW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Rocco Rock
- MCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Rocco Rock
- Hardcore Hall of Fame (2007)
See also
- List of premature professional wrestling deaths
