Hardbody Harrison
| Hardbody Harrison | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Harrison Norris Jr.[1] |
| Born |
1966 Kennesaw, Georgia |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) |
Hardbody Harrison Hardbody Harris The Colorado Crusader The Georgia Blond |
| Billed height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Billed weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Trained by | WCW Power Plant |
| Debut | 1995 |
| Retired | 2001 |
Harrison Norris Jr. (born 1966), is an American Gulf War U.S. Army veteran,[2] retired professional wrestler and former 2001 Toughman heavyweight champion, best known by his ring name Hardbody Harrison.[3] In 2007, he was sentenced to life in prison for his part in a sex trafficking and forced labor ring.[4]
Career
Harrison graduated from high school in Pensacola, Florida, after which he enlisted in the United States Army and saw action in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.[5] He served as a platoon and motor sergeant, and received an honorable discharge in 1995.[5] He then trained at the WCW Power Plant and later in 1995, debuted in World Championship Wrestling as a jobber. He appeared on WCW Monday Nitro as well as 1997's Starrcade. After WCW folded and was purchased by World Wrestling Entertainment in 2001, Harrison's contract was not picked up, and he subsequently retired from professional wrestling. In 2000, he was a party to a multi-plaintiff lawsuit filed by Sonny Onoo, Bobby Walker and several other former WCW talents against former parent company AOL Time Warner alleging racial discrimination; the suit was settled out of court for which Harrison received a sizeable payout.[6]
In 2000, Harrison also appeared in Toughman competitions which broadcast from 1999-2001 on FX show Toughman.[7] In 2000, he was the show's heavyweight champion.[3]
Later life
In 2007, Harrison was convicted on charges related to keeping eight women as sex slaves in two homes he owned in Cartersville, Georgia.[2] During proceedings, for which he served as his own attorney, Harrison contended the women lived in his homes with his wife and child because they wanted to train as professional wrestlers, and that he had helped them quit drugs.[2] Witnesses contended that Harrison played mind games, forced them to have sex with him, and required the women to participate in large sex orgies where they engaged in sexual activity with up to eight men at a single party.[1] The victims contended that Harrison's rigid training regimen, consisting of a wide variety of exercises and household chores, and having to memorize a series of "commandments" was designed to make them attractive prostitutes, and that he pimped them out to nightclubs, trailer parks and parties until a few of the women went to the police.[1] Failure to complete chores or breaking rules required the women to pay money to Harrison, creating a neverending debt cycle.[1]
Upon conviction, Harrison was sentenced to life in prison.[8]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Feagans, Brian (November 15, 2007). "Former wrestler fighting charges he kept sex slaves". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on November 22, 2007. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- 1 2 3 Associated Press (November 22, 2007). "Pro Wrestler 'Hardbody Harrison' Convicted of Holding 8 Women as Sex Slaves". Fox News. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- 1 2 Hall, Eric (March 4, 2002). "Ambridge policeman trains for Toughman Contest national finals". The Times. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ↑ "Former Wrestler Sentenced on Sex Trafficking and Forced Labor Charges". justice.gov. United States Department of Justice. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- 1 2 Golianopoulos, Thomas (2008). "Hard times". King Magazine.
- ↑ "WCW wrestler who sued the company sentenced to life in prison". prowrestling.net. April 1, 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ↑ Dempsey, John (July 27, 1999). "'Toughman' scores big for FX". Variety. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ↑ ""Hardbody" Harrison sentenced to life in prison". wwe.com. Retrieved 1 December 2016.