18 Facts About Jerry Blackwell

Jerry Blackwell was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name "Crusher" Jerry Blackwell.

Jerry Blackwell was a main event star in the American Wrestling Association where he feuded with Mad Dog Vachon, Hulk Hogan, The Crusher, Bruiser Brody and Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissey.

Jerry Blackwell competed in the World Wide Wrestling Federation in 1978.

Jerry Blackwell was tagged as the "Rattlesnake", given for his quick speed and aggression, a nickname which later in the 1990s was bestowed upon Steve Austin.

Jerry Blackwell's career reached new heights after the departure of Hulk Hogan from the AWA in late 1983.

Verne Gagne tapped Jerry Blackwell to be Hogan's replacement as the top babyface in the AWA.

Jerry Blackwell became a face immediately after winning a battle-royal at the St Paul Civic Center on June 10,1984, when he was attacked and brutally triple-teamed by Al-Kaissey, Abdullah the Butcher and his tag team partner in Japan Bruiser Brody, which led to a post-match brawl involving Dusty Rhodes, Curt Hennig and the Fabulous Ones coming in on Jerry Blackwell's behalf.

Jerry Blackwell began a historic feud with Brody and Al-Kaissey, and established a new image as a solid fan favorite as well.

Jerry Blackwell went on to receive numerous title shots against AWA World Heavyweight champions Stan Hansen and Curt Hennig throughout 1986 and 1987; due to poor health caused by years of obesity and physical punishment Jerry Blackwell's in-ring performance slowed.

Jerry Blackwell made his last appearance in the AWA during a television taping in Rochester, Minnesota in October 1989, wrestling in a singles match against Tom Stone and in a 6-man tag team match with Bobby Fulton and Jackie Fulton against Johnny Valiant, Mike Enos, and Wayne Bloom.

Jerry Blackwell considered joining the World Wrestling Federation during the promotion's expansion in 1984.

Jerry Blackwell got so frustrated with standing in line that he left, claiming that he was a wrestler and did not want to feel like he was punching a time clock for a corporation.

Mad Dog Vachon sustained three broken ribs and two broken vertebrae in a match with Jerry Blackwell and was unable to compete again for almost three years.

The Crusher suffered nerve damage to his arm and was forced to take about a year off after Jerry Blackwell performed a move from the top rope and landed awkwardly on him.

In later years, Jerry Blackwell suffered from health problems including diabetes, gangrene, and gout.

Jerry Blackwell suffered from personal losses, such as the death of his son, a subsequent divorce, and the loss of his business.

Jerry Blackwell came close to death after kidney failure and pneumonia, and suffered several automobile accidents.

In December 1994, Jerry Blackwell was injured in another automobile accident, and died on January 22,1995, at the age of 45, due to complications from injuries sustained from the accident.