Athletes - Frank Goodish

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	Athletes - Frank Goodish

Frank Goodish (June 18, 1946-July 17, 1988) was a professional wrestler who garnered his greatest fame under the name Bruiser Brody. He was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Career

Brody fought during the 1970s and 1980s. His nickname in Japan (and some American promotions) was King Kong Brody. He sometimes wrestled under a mask as Red River Jack, as an angle against Gary Hart's men and Skandor Akbar's Army.

Brody was a major star in the United States, having competed in the National Wrestling Alliance, World Wrestling Federation, American Wrestling Association and World Class Championship Wrestling, but achieved his legendary status in various outher countries. Among his many accolades was Puerto Rico's World Wrestling Council World Championship, defeating Carlos Colon.

He held titles wherever he went, and had a reputation for refusing to job to other wrestlers. Despite his unwillingness to follow instructions, he was well liked by promoters for his ability to sell tickets. At one point, in 1985, he was the highest paid wrestler in the world, pulling down $14,000 per week as a result of a bidding war between New Japan and All Japan Pro Wrestling.

On July 17, 1988, Brody had finished a match in Caguas (a city near San Juan, Puerto Rico), when another wrestler (Jose Gonzalez aka Invader I) came up to him at the locker room, asked him to go into the shower to discuss business. What exactly happened next has never been revealed but what is known is that Gonzalez stabbed Brody several times. Brody was taken by ambulance to Centro Medico, the main hospital facility of San Juan, but he died hours later, while undergoing his second surgery. Gonzalez was tried and acquitted of his murder. Afterwards, a number of wrestlers refused to work in Puerto Rico as a protest of the verdict which all but crippled the Puerto Rican wrestling scene.

He has been honored by two wrestling Halls of Fame in Japan, and was named to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1996. The modern hardcore style of wrestling has been heavilly influenced by the work of Bruiser Brody.

Finishing and signature moves

Running knee drop
Diving knee drop
Leg drop
Diving leg drop
Bodyslam with one arm
Piledriver
Atomic drop
Running big boot

Championships and accomplishments

World Class Championship Wrestling

:*4-Time WCCW American Heavyweight Champion :*1-Time WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion :*3-Time WCCW Texas Tag Team Champion (with Mike York, Gino Hernandez and Kerry Von Erich) :*4-Time WCCW Brass Knuckles Champion :*3-Time WCCW American Tag Team Champion (with Kerry Von Erich) :*1-Time WCCW Television Champion

Florida Championship Wrestling

:*2-Time NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion

All Japan Pro Wrestling

:*3-Time NWA International Heavyweight Champion :*1-Time PWF Tag Team Champion with Stan Hansen

Other championships

:*1-Time Tri-State Tag Team Champion with Stan Hansen :*1-Time Western States Champion :*1-Time Central States Tag Team Champion with Ernie Ladd :*1-Time Central States Heavyweight Champion :*1-Time Southwest Championship Wrestling Tag Team Champion with Dick Slater

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

:*1988 Editor's Award. :*He was ranked # 14 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

:*He is a member of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (inducted in 1996) :*Best Brawler award renamed the Bruiser Brody Memorial Award in his memory :*1980 Best Brawler :*1981 Best Brawler :*1982 Best Brawler :*1983 Best Brawler :*1984 Best Brawler :*1987 Best Brawler :*1988 Best Brawler

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Frank Goodish ]

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