Frank Goodish
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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 other 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 with Abdullah the Butcher in Caguas (a city near San Juan, Puerto Rico), when another wrestler (Jose Huertas, AKA Invader I) came up to him in the locker room and asked him to go into the shower to discuss business. What exactly happened next has never been revealed but what is known is that Huertas 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 a second surgery. Huertas 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
- *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
- Other championships
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
External links
- [Unofficial Bruiser Brody website]
- [Official Unofficial Bruiser Brody website]
- [Bruiser Brody profile at Obsessed With Wrestling]
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