1. Austin Idol is best known for his appearances in the Mid-South with the Continental Wrestling Association, in particular his recurring feud with Jerry Lawler.
60 Facts About Austin Idol
1. 2.
Austin Idol initially worked for Graham's Championship Wrestling from Florida promotion as a referee before debuting as a wrestler in early 1972 under the ring name Dennis McCord.
3.
Austin Idol competed in Georgia until losing a loser leaves town match to Harley Race in November 1974, returning to Florida later that month.
4.
Austin Idol left Texas later that month after losing a loser leaves town match to Kevin Von Erich.
5.
Austin Idol made a handful of appearances for Pacific Northwest Wrestling in Portland, Oregon and for Big Time Wrestling in Detroit, Michigan before joining the Memphis, Tennessee-based Continental Wrestling Association in December 1978.
6.
Austin Idol was immediately booked as a main event star in the CWA.
7.
Shortly after debuting, Austin Idol defeated Jerry Lawler for the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship.
8.
Austin Idol held the title until January 1979, when he lost to Ron Fuller.
9.
In May 1979, Austin Idol began appearing with Southeastern Championship Wrestling in Alabama, briefly holding the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship.
10.
Austin Idol left the promotion in summer 1979 to return to Georgia Championship Wrestling.
11.
In December 1979, Austin Idol defeated Ray Candy for the NWA Georgia Television Championship.
12.
In January 1980, Austin Idol was named the inaugural NWA National Heavyweight Champion.
13.
Austin Idol regained the title from Travis several days later, but lost it to Travis' ally Kevin Sullivan later that month.
14.
Austin Idol defeated Sullivan to win the title for a third time in February 1980, but lost it to Tommy Rich two days later.
15.
In February 1980, Austin Idol lost to Sullivan in a "Boston street fight".
16.
In March 1980, Austin Idol defeated Mr Wrestling II to win the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship for a second time.
17.
Austin Idol held the title until June 1980, when he lost to Baron von Raschke.
18.
Austin Idol left Georgia Championship Wrestling in July 1980, briefly returning to the Continental Wrestling Association before embarking on a tour of Japan.
19.
Austin Idol teamed with Ray Candy to compete in the PWF Cup Tag Team Tournament, defeating Atsushi Onita and Prince Tonga in the quarter-finals before losing to The Cruiser and The Destroyer in the semi-finals.
20.
In October 1980, Austin Idol defeated Billy Robinson to win the CWA World Heavyweight Championship; he lost the title to Bobby Eaton later that month.
21.
In Georgia, Austin Idol formed a tag team with his former enemy Kevin Sullivan, with the duo feuding with the Fabulous Freebirds.
22.
In January 1981, Austin Idol reignited his feud with Jerry Lawler in the Continental Wrestling Association.
23.
Austin Idol was presented as one of a series of "bounty hunters" brought into the territory by Lawler's enemy Jimmy Hart to try and defeat Lawler, who had recently returned after rehabilitating a broken leg.
24.
Austin Idol made his return in a memorable angle in which ring announcer Lance Russell announced that he had received a telegram from Mexican promoter Salvador Lutteroth announcing that Lawler had been voted the most popular wrestler in Mexico City, with the masked luchador "Black Diamond" to present Lawler with a plaque; during the ceremony, Black Diamond broke the plaque over Lawler's head, then unmasked to reveal himself as Austin Idol.
25.
In May 1981, Austin Idol began wrestling for the Carolinas-based Jim Crockett Promotions as a heel, facing opponents such as Johnny Weaver, The Masked Superstar, Ricky Steamboat, and Wahoo McDaniel.
26.
In mid-1982, Austin Idol resumed wrestling for Southeastern Championship Wrestling in Birmingham, Alabama.
27.
Austin Idol became the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Champion in unclear circumstances, losing the title to Wayne Ferris in September 1982.
28.
In December 1982, Austin Idol wrestled visiting NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair to a draw.
29.
Austin Idol faced Flair again in May 1983 but failed to win the title.
30.
Austin Idol returned to Continental Wrestling Association in February 1983; upon arrival, he was named the inaugural AWA International Heavyweight Champion.
31.
Austin Idol lost the title to Lawler the following month, with Lawler hitting him with a fireball.
32.
In summer 1983, Austin Idol turned face and formed an alliance with Lawler.
33.
In September 1983, Austin Idol defeated Ken Patera to become AWA International Heavyweight Champion for a second time, only to lose the title to Stan Hansen two days later.
34.
Austin Idol regained the title from Savage in May, only to lose it to Masao Ito in June 1984.
35.
In July 1984, Austin Idol returned to Southeastern Championship Wrestling in Alabama.
36.
Austin Idol held the title until November 1984, when he lost to Jimmy Golden.
37.
In March 1985, Austin Idol defeated Lord Humongous for the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship, losing the title back to Humongous the following month.
38.
In July 1985, Austin Idol defeated Jimmy Golden to regain the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship ; his third reign ended the following month when he lost to Adrian Street.
39.
Austin Idol left Southeastern Championship Wrestling once more later that month.
40.
Austin Idol returned to the Continental Wrestling Association in August 1985, teaming with Jerry Lawler in a short feud with the Fabulous Freebirds.
41.
The title was vacated later that month when Lawler lost a loser leaves town match to Dundee, and Austin Idol left the Continental Wrestling Association .
42.
In early 1986, Austin Idol appeared in Texas with World Class Championship Wrestling and Texas All-Star Wrestling.
43.
In January 1986, Austin Idol defeated Big Bubba in Ponce, Puerto Rico to win the Texas All-Star Wrestling USA Heavyweight Championship; he held the title until April 1986, when he was defeated by Al Madril in Pasadena, Texas.
44.
Austin Idol returned to the Continental Wrestling Association yet again in June 1986.
45.
In early 1987, Idol acquired Paul E Dangerously as his manager.
46.
In February 1987, Austin Idol won a tournament to become the new AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion, defeating Soul Train Jones in the tournament final.
47.
Austin Idol's reign lasted until April 1987 when Lawler defeated him in a chain match.
48.
One week later, Austin Idol challenged Lawler for the title in a hair versus hair cage match.
49.
Austin Idol toured Japan with All Japan Pro Wrestling for a second time in August and September 1987 as part of its "Summer Action Series II".
50.
Austin Idol had a third stint in Japan with AJPW in March and April 1988 as part of its Champion Carnival tour.
51.
In 1991, Austin Idol made a handful of appearances with the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance and the Dallas, Texas-based Global Wrestling Federation.
52.
Austin Idol formally retired in 1998 after appearing on the debut television episode of the Memphis, Tennessee-based Power Pro Wrestling promotion.
53.
In 2017 and 2018, Austin Idol appeared alongside Nick Aldis as his manager.
54.
On January 8,2020, Austin Idol made a guest appearance on All Elite Wrestling's AEW Dark webcast as part of a commemoration of Memphis wrestling.
55.
In 2020, Austin Idol established the Universal Wrestling College professional wrestling school in Greenville, South Carolina.
56.
In 2021, Austin Idol's likeness was featured as a playable character in the RetroMania Wrestling video game on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox One.
57.
Austin Idol did not enjoy the colder weather of the north and, following his plane crash, reportedly disliked flying; as a result, Austin Idol primarily restricted himself to the Mid-South rather than becoming a national star.
58.
Austin Idol credited getting the idea for the term "Hulkmania" after hearing Idol use the term "Idolmania".
59.
The character of Austin Idol was often compared to "Superstar" Billy Graham.
60.
Austin Idol's finishing move was the Las Vegas Leglock.