Bruce Prichard

Bruce Prichard
Born (1963-03-07) March 7, 1963
El Paso, Texas, United States
Residence Friendswood, Texas, United States
Spouse(s)
Stephanie Prichard (m. 1981)
Children 2
Family Tom Prichard (brother)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Brother Love
Bruce Prichard
Reo Rodgers
The Wizard
Billed height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Billed weight 235 lb (107 kg)
Billed from El Paso, Texas
Trained by Tom Prichard
Debut 1986

Bruce Prichard (born March 7, 1963) is a professional wrestling personality perhaps best known as a manager and producer for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE, formerly the World Wrestling Federation). As a manager for the promotion, Prichard performed under the ring name Brother Love and served as the original manager of The Undertaker.[1] During Prichard's run as Brother Love, he hosted his own segment, The Brother Love Show where he would usually support the heel wrestlers. After leaving WWE, Prichard was the Senior Vice President of Programming and Talent Relations for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (now Impact Wrestling). Prichard and Conrad Thompson co-host the podcast Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard which began in 2016.

Career

Beginnings

Prichard began his career working for Paul Boesch out of Houston, Texas. At 10 years old, he sold posters with great success. At 12, he worked as a ring announcer and sometimes referee. Due to Boesch's working relationship with Bill Watts' Universal Wrestling Federation in the 1980s, Prichard would also act as ring announcer for some UWF shows.

After Boesch sold his Houston territory to the WWF, Prichard would move there, initially as a color commentator for televised WWF events from the Houston area.

World Wrestling Federation

After entering the World Wrestling Federation in 1987, he first occasionally worked as an announcer for the WWF's television programs alongside Mike McGuirk and "The Duke of Dorchester" Pete Doherty and occasionally Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, before creating the Brother Love character.

Brother Love Show (1988–1991)

In June 1988, Prichard debuted as Brother Love, a red-faced, smarmy, effusive and boisterous "preacher" character dressed in a conspicuous white suit, tight red shirt and white tie, who claimed to preach not the word of God, but "the word of love." He was best known for his disingenuous catchphrase "I love you!",[2] during which he would enunciate each word for several seconds in a thick Southern accent. The character was inspired by controversial televangelists of the time.[3]

Introduced to the WWF by Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Love hosted a segment on the World Wrestling Federation's syndicated and cable television programs called "The Brother Love Show", in which he would interview wrestlers. The segment debuted on the June 19, 1988 airing of Wrestling Challenge, and would be "promoted" to the WWF's "A-show," Superstars of Wrestling, first appearing on the October 8, 1988 edition.

The segment was patterned largely after Piper's Pit,[2] where Brother Love would berate face wrestlers (especially Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior) and openly support such heels as "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase and Bobby Heenan. It was explained that DiBiase was Brother Love's main "benefactor." More than once, a wrestling feud was set up because of what occurred on "The Brother Love Show" (including Hulk Hogan's feuds vs. Big Boss Man (1988–1989) and Earthquake (1990),[2] and the Jake Roberts-Rick Martel feud from late 1990 to early 1991). The Brother Love Show was also the setting for the unveiling of Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Championship belt and Rick Martel's "Arrogance" cologne.

Brother Love made his pay-per-view debut at the inaugural SummerSlam event in 1988 at Madison Square Garden when he interviewed face wrestler "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan. He later featured prominently in WrestleMania V in 1989 where Rowdy Roddy Piper in his first appearance in the WWF since his 'retirement" after WrestleMania III, "de-skirted" Brother Love of his "kilt" after taking over Piper's Pit. A year later, Sgt. Slaughter bestowed a medal upon Brother Love during SummerSlam for being the "greatest American."

Occasionally, Brother Love provided color commentary for the WWF's televised events; unlike during his early WWF run under his real name and using his natural voice (as Prichard), where he was pro-face, Brother Love was pro heel. His most famous assignment was alongside Sean Mooney for the WWF's televised event at Madison Square Garden on January 21, 1991, where he was roughed up by the Ultimate Warrior on his way to the ring to face "Macho Man" Randy Savage in a steel cage just two days after Savage had caused the Warrior to lose the WWF World Heavyweight Championship to Sgt. Slaughter at the Royal Rumble.

In a 2016 podcast with Stone Cold Steve Austin, Prichard told that he had long been a fan of evangelist preachers, more for their theatrics than their religion. When Prichard first pitched the idea of Brother Love to WWF owner Vince McMahon, Vince liked the idea but did not believe that Prichard "had the face" for the role. Determined to get himself into the role that he had created, Prichard, dressed as Brother Love (minus the red face paint he would appear on television with), invaded a meeting at the WWF's headquarters between McMahon, the head of WWF International and the WWF's chief financial officer. There he gave an impromptu 2 minute sermon and before quickly departing. When he arrived back at his office at the WWF's television studios 5 minutes later he discovered that he had 2 missed calls from McMahon who he was relieved to find had liked what he had seen, but wanted to see how it worked on camera. Thus the Brother Love character became a reality. Prichard also told that the bright red face make up was unknown to him the first time he appeared on television as Brother Love. As it was a television taping, Prichard thought it was just normal make up being applied and he did not look in the mirror, not knowing that Vince McMahon had ordered that he be given the red face.[4]

Manager of The Undertaker (1990–1991)

On November 19, 1990, Brother Love managed The Undertaker, who at the time was known as "Cain the Undertaker," for his in-ring debut during a taping of WWF Superstars of Wrestling. That match, and another one for a taping of WWF Wrestling Challenge the following night, aired on television after his appearance live at the 1990 Survivor Series in which he was part of a Survivor Series style match between a team led by Dusty Rhodes and a team led by Ted DiBiase. DiBiase would reveal the mystery partner as The Undertaker. This was the first time Brother Love appeared on television as The Undertaker's manager. Brother Love continued to manage The Undertaker until February 1991, when he sold his contract to Paul Bearer.[2]

Controversy and release (1991)

The character of Brother Love was controversial, since he was introduced around the time of the late 1980s scandals involving televangelists including Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart. Several of his segments also bordered on the lines of taste; one particular segment involved Love playing the part of a charlatan "faith healer" (where he induced an actor, pretending to be blind and crippled, to "see" and "walk" on command). The actor would proclaim, "I can see!" and "I can walk!" after obeying Love's commands.

Prichard was released from the WWF in May 1991 after the "I Can See!" segment aired (he was "offed" when the Ultimate Warrior attacked him and beat him nearly unconscious, breaking his ribs, and destroyed The Brother Love Show set, slamming the lectern, tearing the curtains and knocking down a light). However, Prichard's release was due to personal problems and not the "I Can See" segment.

Global Wrestling Federation (1991–1992)

After his release from the WWF, Prichard eventually joined the Dallas-based Global Wrestling Federation, where he worked as a manager and ringside interviewer between 1992 and 1993, using his real name.

He began as a babyface color commentator, but eventually turned heel right in the middle of calling an ESPN televised match with GWF play-by-play announcer Craig Johnson. He managed Barry Horowitz in the GWF, and gave him the nickname "The Winner". Horowitz and Prichard feuded with GWF Light Heavyweight champion Chaz Taylor. Prichard said mockingly of Taylor, "He may be a lightweight but he's no champion!" After failing to win the title from Taylor, both Horowitz and Prichard left the GWF.

Return to WWF/E (1992–2008)

Prichard returned to the WWF in September 1992 and portrayed two short-lived characters. He first appeared as The Wizard, a heel color commentator on All-American Wrestling (who never appeared on camera during the character's brief run), and then as Reo Rodgers, a satire on Dusty Rhodes. Rodgers did commentary from time to time in his short stint, and his interview segment, "Reo's Roundup," lasted only two segments before the character was dropped.

After this, he remained behind the scenes, working as Vince McMahon's "right-hand man" and also as a writer for some of WWE's shows. However, Prichard has reprised his Brother Love character on occasion.

Brother Love returned to the WWF in November 1995. He hosted the Brother Love Show once again, this time on Monday Night Raw. In what would prove to be a monumental moment in WWF history, Brother Love hosted Ted DiBiase introducing The Ringmaster into the World Wrestling Federation, who would eventually transform into Stone Cold Steve Austin. Brother Love then quietly disappeared from the WWF again soon after.

Brother Love resurfaced once again for one night in January 1997, making a surprise appearance on the debut episode of Shotgun Saturday Night, helping the Flying Nuns defeat The Godwinns. Love then named the team The Sisters of Love. The gimmick was quickly scrapped, with the team later finding success as The Headbangers.

Prichard (as himself) once again managed The Undertaker for a match in Michinoku Pro Wrestling MPW) on October 10, 1997, where he defeated Jinsei Shinzaki.

Through the remainder of the Attitude Era, Prichard was occasionally seen on-screen as himself, either cleaning up between matches at ringside, or as one of the people called in to break up a backstage fight. He was also the only backstage employee to have an interview segment on the Raw is Owen memorial broadcast.

In 2001, Brother Love participated in the gimmick battle royal at WrestleMania X-Seven. He was eliminated by Sgt. Slaughter.

On the February 6th, 2003 airing of SmackDown!, Brother Love confronted The Undertaker, then portraying a biker gimmick, in his feud against The Big Show. Brother Love pleaded with The Undertaker to forgive Big Show for his recent actions, but The Undertaker however wasn't pleased and gave Brother Love a chokeslam, followed up by a Tombstone Piledriver in the middle of the ring. Love later appeared in the Bar Room Brawl at Vengeance 2003, lasting all the way to the end before being knocked out by Bradshaw.

The Brother Love Show made a short-term return on a couple of SmackDown! brand house shows in the summer of 2003 as a replacement for planned Piper's Pit segments (Roddy Piper had been released from his contract). These segments saw Love and Mr. McMahon attempt to humiliate Zach Gowen, only to get their comeuppance in the end.[5]

On December 1, 2008, Bruce Prichard was released from the WWE by Stephanie McMahon.[6]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2010–2013)

It was reported on October 7, 2010, that Prichard had been hired by TNA to presumably reprise the role he had in WWE working as a backstage agent and producer.[7] In May 2012, Prichard was promoted to Vice President of Talent Relations to replace Terry Taylor.[8] On October 17, 2012, Prichard was promoted to Senior Vice President, Programming & Talent Relations. In this new role, Prichard oversaw talent relations, talent scouting and development as well as the creative direction of the company.[9]

In May 2013, Prichard began appearing as a judge alongside Al Snow and Taz in the monthly Gut Check segment on TNA Impact.[10]

TNA released Prichard on July 17, 2013.[11]

Return to TNA/Impact Wrestling (2017)

In March 2017, it was announced that Prichard would be making his return to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.[12] Shortly after re-signing with the company, Prichard began appearing in an onscreen role for the recently renamed Impact Wrestling.[13] Prichard left the company in August 2017. To explain Prichard's departure on screen, the story saw Jim Cornette brought in by Anthem, the parent company of Impact Wrestling, to fire him.[14]

Major League Wrestling and appearance with WWE (2018)

On January 22, 2018 Prichard returned to the WWE for a one-off appearance as Brother Love on the WWE Raw 25 Years anniversary special.

On March 8, 2018, it was announced that Prichard had been hired as a senior producer by Major League Wrestling, a Florida-based wrestling promotion founded by former WWE writer, Court Bauer, in 2002.[15]

Personal life

Bruce Prichard is the brother of professional wrestler Tom Prichard and guitarist Chris Prichard. Bruce also has two other brothers, Jerry and Ken.

Prichard suffered two heart attacks in 2012.[16]

Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard

In August 2016, Prichard and co-host Conrad Thompson began the internet podcast Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard. Prichard and Thompson discuss a wide variety of subjects from Prichard's time with the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment and his time in TNA and the GWF have been topics as well.

The show has become successful and popular within the professional wrestling community. The popularity of the show has led to significant t-shirt sales and multiple sold out live events. The show can be heard on MLW radio every Friday at 12 PM EST. The show has spun-off into a companion video show, titled Something Else to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard, which debuted on the WWE Network on April 18, 2018.

References

  1. ↑ "Brother Love leaps from ring to stage". Houston Chronicle. November 23, 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Shields, Brian; Sullivan, Kevin (2009). WWE Encyclopedia. DK. p. 47. ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0.
  3. ↑ Krugman, Michael (2009). André the Giant: A Legendary Life. Pocket Books. p. 225. ISBN 978-1-4165-4112-7.
  4. ↑ Bruce Prichard on the Brother Love Gimmick
  5. ↑ "WWE SmackDown live event results - 8/2/03". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2017-01-01.
  6. ↑ "Update: Bruce Prichard's WWE Firing, & More - WrestlingInc.com". WrestlingInc.com. Retrieved 2016-12-29.
  7. ↑ Martin, Adam (2010-10-07). "Former WWE staff member joins TNA Wrestling". WrestleView. Archived from the original on 2010-10-11. Retrieved 2010-10-07.
  8. ↑ "IMPACT WRESTLING Signs Austin Aries - More Stars Coming To The X Division". ImpactWrestling.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011.
  9. ↑ Caldwell, James (2011-10-18). "WWE News: Press Release – Bruce Prichard appointed to Senior VP role, TNA looking to expand roster, Prichard & Dixie Carter quoted". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-10-19.
  10. ↑ Turner, Scott (May 4, 2015). "Turner's WWE world wrestling entertainment Results 5/3: Roode and RVD pick opponents for each other, Gut Check fall-out, Flair calls out Hogan". PWTorch.com. Retrieved 2012-09-29.
  11. ↑ Johnson, Mike (July 16, 2013). "Two more execs, including head of creative, gone from tna". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  12. ↑ http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/810979-bruce-prichard-reportedly-returning-to-tna-impact-wrestling-backstage-news-on-his-new-role-in-the-company Bruce Prichard Reportedly Returning to TNA Impact Wrestling, Backstage News on His New Role in the Company - WrestleZone
  13. ↑ "Bruce Prichard Appears At Impact Wrestling Taping … Says The Name TNA Is Dead". Pro Wrestling Sheet. March 2, 2017. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
  14. ↑ https://www.cagesideseats.com/2017/8/17/16165020/jim-cornette-returns-impact-fires-bruce-prichard
  15. ↑ "Bruce Prichard Joins Major League Wrestling". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  16. ↑ Meltzer, Dave (2012-03-23). "Prichard suffers heart attack". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2012-03-23.
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