Paul Jones (wrestler)

Paul Jones
Birth name Paul Frederik[1]
Born (1942-06-16) June 16, 1942[1]
Port Arthur, Texas, United States[1][2]
Residence Charlotte, North Carolina, United States[3]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Al Fredericks[4]
Mr. Florida[4]
Paul Jones[4]
Billed height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[4]
Billed weight 230 lb (100 kg)[1]
Trained by Paul Boesch[2]
Morris Siegel[5]
Debut 1961[4]
Retired 1991[4][2]

Paul Frederik (born June 16, 1942) is an American retired professional wrestler and professional wrestling manager, better known by his ring name, Paul Jones.[1][2][4][5][6] He is best known for his appearances with professional wrestling promotions in the Southeastern United States, in particular with Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling – where he had 23 championship reigns and led the stable Paul Jones' Army – and Championship Wrestling from Florida.

Early life

Frederik was born on June 16, 1942 in Port Arthur, Texas. As a teenager, he began boxing. He spent seven years as a Golden Gloves boxer, winning the Texas Light Heavyweight Championship and Texas Heavyweight Championship.[5]

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1961–1968)

Frederik was trained to wrestle by Paul Boesch and Morris Sigel, debuting in 1961 under the ring name "Paul Jones".[2][4][5] During his early career, he competed for promotions in the Southern United States including the Texas-based promotion Big Time Wrestling, the Tennessee-based promotion NWA Mid America and Championship Wrestling from Florida. He was nicknamed "Young" Paul Jones by promoter Paul Boesch during his stint in Texas to distinguish him from a veteran wrestler of the same name.

In early 1965, Jones toured Australia with World Championship Wrestling, wrestling as "Al Fredericks". After returning to the United States, he competed for the Oregon-based promotion Pacific Northwest Wrestling, holding the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship on two occasions and the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship once, and in British Columbia in Canada for Northwest Wrestling Promotions. He returned to the Southern United States in mid-1967.[1][7]

In 1969, Jones appeared with the California-based promotion NWA Hollywood Wrestling, briefly holding the NWA Americas Tag Team Championship with Nelson Royal in 1969. In the same year, he toured Japan with the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance, making repeat tours in 1970 and 1971. In 1973, he made a fourth tour of Japan, this time with All Japan Pro Wrestling.[1][7]

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (1968–1972)

Jones first appeared with the North Carolina-based promotion Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling in 1968, forming a tag team with Nelson Royal.[7][8] In September 1970, the duo defeated The Minnesota Wrecking Crew to win the NWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team Championship. They lost the championship to The Blond Bombers in December 1970.[1][7] Jones and Royal continued to team until 1972, when Jones left Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling to compete for Florida Championship Wrestling.[7]

Championship Wrestling from Florida (1972–1974)

In 1972, Jones returned to Championship Wrestling from Florida, where he adopted a brash heel persona and the nickname "Number One" Paul Jones.[5] He held the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship on four occasions, on one occasion throwing the championship belt off the Gandy Bridge into Tampa Bay in front of thousands of spectators in a display of arrogance.[5][9] Jones also held the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version) once, the NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Florida version) once, and the NWA Florida Television Championship twice – for several days in June 1972 holding the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship, NWA Florida Television Championship and NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Florida version) simultaneously – before leaving in 1974.[7] He briefly returned to the promotion once more in 1980, performing under a mask as "Mr. Florida" until being unmasked by The Super Destroyer.

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (1974–1989)

Championship reigns

Jones resumed appearing regularly with Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling in early 1974.[7] In April 1974, he and Bob Bruggers defeated The Andersons for the NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship, losing the championship to Ric Flair and Rip Hawk in July 1974. Jones won his first NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Championship several days later, defeating Ivan Koloff in a Texas Death Match. He held the championship until October, when Koloff defeated him in a rematch. Jones held the championship on a total of five occasions over the next four years. Jones and Tiger Conway Jr. won the NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship from Flair and Hawk in December 1974, losing to The Andersons in February 1975.[1][7]

In March 1975, Jones defeated Johnny Valentine to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship in controversial fashion; he was stripped of the championship 10 days later.[1][7] In May 1975, Jones and Wahoo McDaniel defeated The Andersons to win the NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version). The Andersons regained the championship the next month in a televised rematch known as the "Supreme Sacrifice" match, which saw Ole Anderson ram his brother Gene's head into McDaniel's head with enough force to knock both men unconscious, enabling Ole Anderson to pin McDaniel.[6][7]

After the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) was vacated when Johnny Valentine was injured in a plane crash, Jones competed in a one-night tournament on November 9, 1975 to crown a new champion, winning fourbouts before losing to Terry Funk in the final.[5][10] Jones defeated Funk for the championship in a rematch held later that month. He went on to trade the championship with Blackjack Mulligan, holding it on a total of three occasions before his final reign ended in December 1976.[1]

In 1975, Jones began teaming with Ricky Steamboat. They held the NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) on one occasion and the NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship on three occasions. Their alliance ended in 1979 when Jones attacked Steamboat at the end of a battle royal, turning heel.[11][7][12]

In 1977, Jones wrestled for Georgia Championship Wrestling for several months, feuding with Dick Slater and briefly holding the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship. From 1979 to 1984, he appeared sporadically with Maple Leaf Wrestling in Ontario, Canada[1][7]

After turning heel, Jones formed a new alliance with Baron von Raschke, with the duo winning the NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) twice in 1979.[13] Jones subsequently began teaming with The Masked Superstar, winning the NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) again in 1980 and 1981.[1][7][14]

In 1982, Sir Oliver Humperdink began managing Jones.[15][16] He held the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship twice more in 1982, trading the championship with Jack Brisco.[17]

Paul Jones' Army

Main article: Paul Jones' Army

In 1982, Jones became a manager, forming a large stable called Paul Jones' Army. Many of Mid-Atlantic Chamapionship Wrestling's top heels were members of Jones' stable, among them The Masked Superstar, Superstar Billy Graham, Ivan Koloff, Rick Rude, Manny Fernandez, Abdullah the Butcher, and The Powers of Pain. Jones' villainous behaviour led fans to mock him with chants of "weasel" at Jones.[6]

In the mid-1980s, Jones began a lengthy feud with Jimmy Valiant. The feud featured a hair versus hair match in November 1986 that was won by Valiant.[6][7][18]

In 1988, The Powers of Pain began feuding with The Road Warriors, with Jones claiming that The Powers of Pain were stronger than their opponents. In a memorable angle that aired on WCW Saturday Night, The Powers of Pain faced The Road Warriors in a weightlifting contest with $50,000 USD on the line. The contest ended abruptly when Ivan Koloff blinded Road Warrior Animal using chalk dust, enabling The Powers of Pain to beat down The Road Warriors.[19]

Jones left Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling in 1989.

Late career (1989–1991)

Jones spent the final years of his career competing on the independent circuit for promotions including the Pennsylvania-based Tri-State Wrestling Alliance and the North Carolina-based promotion South Atlantic Pro Wrestling. In 1990, he briefly held the SAPW Heavyweight Championship.

Retirement (1991–present)

Frederik retired from professional wrestling in 1991.[2] After retiring, he opened a body shop in Charlotte, North Carolina.[3]

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Harris M. Lentz III (1 January 2003). Biographical Dictionary of Professional Wrestling, 2d ed. McFarland. p. 177. ISBN 978-0-7864-1754-4.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Tim Hornbaker (3 January 2017). Legends of Pro Wrestling: 150 Years of Headlocks, Body Slams, and Piledrivers. Skyhorse Publishing Company, Incorporated. pp. 607–608. ISBN 978-1-61321-875-4.
  3. 1 2 3 Matt Labash (9 February 2010). Fly Fishing with Darth Vader: And Other Adventures with Evangelical Wrestlers, Political Hitmen, and Jewish Cowboys. Simon and Schuster. p. 197. ISBN 978-1-4391-7010-6.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Paul Jones". Cagematch.de. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Fritz, Brian (March 17, 2000). "What ever happened to...Paul Jones?". Orlando Sentinel. tronc. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Cawthon, Graham (2013). the History of Professional Wrestling Vol 3: Jim Crockett and the NWA World Title 1983-1989. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 149480347X.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Baker, David (2011). ""No. 1" Paul Jones". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  8. 1 2 Steven Johnson; Greg Oliver; Mike Mooneyham; J.J. Dillon (11 January 2013). The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: Heroes and Icons. ECW Press. p. 539. ISBN 978-1-77090-269-5.
  9. ↑ Gordon Solie; Robert Allyn; Pamela Allyn (1 January 2005). Gordon Solie...Something Left Behind. Florida Media, Inc. p. 156. ISBN 978-0-9763062-1-4.
  10. ↑ "Paul Jones reflects back on Thanksgiving 1975 in Greensboro". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. November 27, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  11. 1 2 Bourne, Dick (May 2003). "Full Circle: a visit with "Number One" Paul Jones & George South". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  12. ↑ Mike Mooneyham (July 24, 2014). "Ageless Ricky Steamboat good guy inside and outside the ring". The Post and Courier. Evening Post Industries. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  13. 1 2 3 Bourne, Dick (2003). "Part One - Great Angles, Great Opponents". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  14. 1 2 George Schire (2010). Minnesota's Golden Age of Wrestling: From Verne Gagne to the Road Warriors. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 190. ISBN 978-0-87351-620-4.
  15. 1 2 Harris M. Lentz III (1 January 2003). Biographical Dictionary of Professional Wrestling, 2d ed. McFarland. p. 164. ISBN 978-0-7864-1754-4.
  16. 1 2 Matt Mackinder (January 17, 2008). "Sir Oliver Humperdink recalls career of yesteryear". Canoe.com. Postmedia Network. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  17. ↑ Bourne, Dick (2003). "Part Two - Big Events, Big History, Big Champions". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  18. 1 2 3 Melok, Bobby (August 6, 2013). "Muscle-bound monsters, mysterious foreigners and brutal brawlers: Wrestling's overlooked stables". WWE.com. WWE. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  19. 1 2 3 Mike Rickard (15 December 2010). Wrestling's Greatest Moments. ECW Press. pp. 100–101. ISBN 978-1-55490-331-3.
  20. 1 2 3 Bourne, Dick (2003). "Part Four - Reflections". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  21. ↑ Nathan Johnson (2014). Legendary Locals of Pine City. Arcadia Publishing. p. 48. ISBN 978-1-4671-0119-6.
  22. ↑ Christine Simonotti (2012). The Complete WWF Video Guide Volume II. Lulu.com. p. 190. ISBN 978-1-291-25292-7.
  23. ↑ Jake Shannon (1 June 2011). Say Uncle!: Catch-As-Catch Can Wrestling and the Roots of Ultimate Fighting, Pro Wrestling & Modern Grappling. ECW Press. p. 142. ISBN 978-1-55490-946-9.
  24. ↑ Joe "Animal" Laurinaitis; Andrew William Wright (8 February 2011). The Road Warriors: Danger, Death and the Rush of Wrestling: Danger, Death, and the Rush of Wrestling. Medallion Press, Incorporated. p. 252. ISBN 978-1-60542-164-3.
  25. ↑ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  26. ↑ Brian Solomon (15 June 2010). WWE Legends. Simon and Schuster. p. 80. ISBN 978-1-4516-0450-4.
  27. ↑ Dave Meltzer (January 26, 2015). "Jan. 26, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2014 awards issue w/ results & Dave's commentary, Conor McGregor, and much more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California: 30. ISSN 1083-9593.

See also

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