The Moondogs (professional wrestling)

The Moondogs
Stable
Members see below
Debut 1980s

The Moondogs were a professional wrestling stable in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and in two Memphis promotions: the Continental Wrestling Association (CWA) and the United States Wrestling Association (USWA). They were known for wrestling in frayed blue jeans, sporting shaggy blond hair and beards and carrying animal bones around with them (which they chewed on and used as weapons).

History

World Wrestling Federation

Moondog Rex and Moondog King joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1981, where they defeated Rick Martel and Tony Garea for the WWF Tag Team Championship.[1] After winning the title, Moondog King was replaced by Moondog Spot after King—a Canadian—was denied entry into the United States.[1][2] Rex and Spot's gimmick consisted of them carrying chewed up bones to the ring and wearing cut-off blue jeans.[1] While in the WWF, the Moondogs feuded with Tony Garea, Rick Martel, Bob Backlund, Ivan Putski, Pat Patterson, and the Wild Samoans.[1]

In 1984, on an episode of Maple Leaf Wrestling, Moondog Rex earned a WWF Championship title shot against Hulk Hogan.[1] In 1987, Rex was repackaged as Smash of Demolition, along with Ax. However, fans easily recognized him and gave him chants of "Moondog," leading to him being quickly replaced by Barry Darsow. Rex and Spot then teamed together until 1990 in various promotions.[1]

United States Wrestling Association

The Moondogs' success mostly came in the United States Wrestling Association (USWA), with numerous members winning the USWA tag team titles on several occasions during the late 1980s and early 1990s. In addition, Moondog Spot, Moondog Spike and Moondog Cujo had a long running feud with Jeff Jarrett, Jerry Lawler, and The Bruise Brothers during their stint in the USWA.

During 1992, Moondog Fifi won the USWA Women's Championship from Miss Texas.[3] As part of the feud between the Moondogs and Jarrett and Lawler, Fifi's head was shaved in the ring by the latter duo.[3] The feud between the two teams was later voted the 1992 PWI Feud of the Year by Pro Wrestling Illustrated.

Independent circuit

In the latter part of 2003, the Moondogs (Spot and Puppy Love) began working in Memphis Wrestling, with April Pennington acting as their manager.[2] On November 29, 2003, Moondog Spot died in the ring during a battle royal in Memphis.[1]

Moondog Cujo appeared at the Clash of the Legends show in Memphis on April 29, 2007, where he defeated The Barbarian.[4]

Members

Core

Others

Moondog Rover in 2013
  • Moondog Baron (DJ Baron)
  • Moondog Buddy (Sean Taylor)
  • Moondog Bernard (Casey Bernauer)
  • Moondog Duke (Frank Cody)
  • Moondog Fido (Buddy Donovan)
  • Moondog Fifi (Diane Von Hoffman)[3][5]
  • Moondog Grizzly (Ted Grizzly)
  • Moondog Mange (Jimmy Stone)
  • Moondog Max (John Walton)
  • Moondog Molson (Jake Daniels)
  • Moondog Moretti (Ed Moretti)
  • Moondog Mort (Joel Goltry)
  • Moondog Pongo (Charles Richards)
  • Moondog Puppy Love (Mike Flowers)
  • Moondog Ravage (Brad Worell)
  • Moondog Rex (Nathan Brian Randolph)[6]
  • Moondog Rover (Paul J. Mcknight)[6]
  • Moondog Runt (James McClain)
  • Moondog Spike (William Wantland)
  • Moondog Splash (Eddie Harrell)
  • Moondog Splat (Robert White)
  • Moondog Spot (Tony Nardo - 1987-1988)
  • Moondog Wenzel (Bryan Wenzel)

Championships and accomplishments

  • Dyersburg Championship Wrestling
    • DCW Tag Team Championship (1 time)[8]
  • Ozark Mountain Wrestling
    • OMW Tag Team Championship (1 time)[8]
  • UFO Wrestling
    • UFO Tag Team Champions 2008-2009 (1 time) Max and Bidondi "The Animals"
  • Ultimate Wrestling Dynasty
    • UWD Hardcore Champion 2007-2008 (2 times) Max
  • New World Wrestling
    • NWW Tag Team Champions 2005-2006 (1 time) Max and Kohuko
  • New Generation Wrestling
    • NGW Tag Team Champions 2004 (2 times) Max and Ryan Bean

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ward, Marshall (December 7, 2009). "Moondog Rex still howling at the moon". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-12-08.
  2. 1 2 Oliver, Greg (November 30, 2003). "Moondog Spot dies during match". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-12-08.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Oliver, Greg (July 6, 2017). "Diane Von Hoffman dead at 55". SLAM Wrestling. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Lanny Kean's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  5. ↑ Pro Wrestling Illustrated, March 1993 issue, p.45.
  6. 1 2 "Moondogs profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  7. ↑ "A.W.A. Southern Tag Team Title". Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  8. 1 2 Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  9. ↑ "I.C.W./I.W.C.C.W. Tag Team Title". Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  10. ↑ "U.S.W.A. World Tag Team Title". Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  11. ↑ "W.W.C. Caribbean Tag Team Title". Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  12. ↑ "W.W.C. North American Tag Team Title". Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  13. ↑ "W.W.C. World Tag Team Title". Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  14. ↑ "W.W.E. World Tag Team Title". Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 2007-05-25.

Further reading

  • Greg Oliver and Steve Johnson (2005). "Territorial Era (1960s – 1980s): The Moondogs". The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Tag Teams. ECW Press. ISBN 978-1-55022-683-6.
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