Tiger Conway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tiger Conway |
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Tiger Conway posing for a photo
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| Birth name | Plasse Dennis Bradford Conway |
| Born | August 4, 1932 Shreveport, Louisiana, United States |
| Died | November 13, 2006 (aged 74) Houston, Texas, United States |
| Spouse(s) |
Inita Conway
(m. 1950) |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Tiger Conway Tiger Conway Sr. |
| Billed height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Billed weight | 264 lb (120 kg) |
| Trained by | Danny McShain |
| Debut | 1955 |
| Retired | 1979 |
Plasse Dennis Bradford Conway (born August 4, 1932 – died November 13, 2006) was an American professional wrestler. He was much better known by his ring name, Tiger Conway.
Contents
Tiger Conway's Wrestling Journey
Early Life and Start in Wrestling
Tiger Conway was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on August 4, 1932. He grew up on a large farm called a plantation. In 1947, he moved to Houston, Texas, with his family. There, he worked at a hotel. At the hotel, he met a wrestler named Danny McShain. Danny helped Tiger get started in the world of professional wrestling.
Breaking Barriers in Wrestling
When Tiger Conway began wrestling in the 1950s, professional wrestling was separated by race. This meant that Black wrestlers like Tiger could only compete against other African Americans. They often wrestled on what was sometimes called the "chitterling circuit." This name came from a time when enslaved people were given less desirable food.
Despite these challenges, Tiger Conway was very successful. He won his first and only title, the NWA Texas Negro Championship, in his very first professional match!
By the 1960s, things started to change. Tiger Conway was then allowed to wrestle against white wrestlers. In one tough match, a wrestler named Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon accidentally broke Tiger's kneecap. Later in his career, Tiger Conway teamed up with his son, who also became a wrestler. His son was known as Tiger Conway Jr..
Life Outside the Ring
After he stopped wrestling in 1979, Tiger Conway stayed busy. He was a member of the Cauliflower Alley Club. This is a special group for wrestlers and boxers who have retired. Tiger also ran a business that built fences. He was also part of a group called the Christian Alliance for Humanitarian Aid, Inc. This group helps people in need.
Tiger Conway was married to Inita Conway for 56 years. They stayed together until he passed away. In November 2006, Tiger had some serious health problems. He died on November 13, 2006, in Houston, Texas.
Championships and Accomplishments
- NWA Southwest Sports
- NWA Texas Negro Championship (1 time)
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
- Class of 2021
