The Wrestling Observer is reporting that "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase underwent emergency neck surgery this past Monday to relieve a disc pressing against a nerve that was causing him pain in his right shoulder and arm. A past neck operation forced DiBiase into retirement back in 1993, when he had two discs removed. He is hopeful to make a scheduled fan appearance in Philadelphia this weekend.
The following press release has been issued:
Probably the most famous of all modern-day wrestling announcers, WWE Hall-of-Famer "Good Ol’ J.R." Jim Ross has confirmed his participation in this summer’s NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend in Charlotte!
In addition to signing autographs and taking pictures with fans, Ross — making his first-ever convention appearance — will be inducting fellow Oklahoman Danny Hodge into the Hall of Heroes on Friday night, August 6.
Former NWA Champ & UFC HOF’er Is Fanfest-Bound!
Former NWA World Heavyweight champion, UFC Hall-of-Famer, and four-time All-American at Arizona State University, Dan "The Beast" Severn has confirmed his first-ever appearance at this summer’s NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend in Charlotte!
In addition to signing autographs and taking pictures with fans at fanfest (an incredible photo op where you can use one or all of his three championship belts as props,) the two-time former NWA champ is scheduled to be a special guest instructor at a local MMA training seminar.
Original Hollywood Blonds Reunite in Charlotte!
Happy that this year’s NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend in Charlotte will see the first reunion in 34 years of the original Hollywood Blonds and Sir Oliver Humperdink!
Former tag team champions in several territories, including Mid-Atlantic, Florida, Los Angeles and Montreal, Jerry Brown and Buddy Roberts will be reunited with their manager for the first time since 1976
In addition to signing autographs and taking pictures with fans, the threesome will be attending our Hall of Heroes dinner banquet and awards ceremony on Friday evening, August 6.
Longtime NWA Great & The Rock’s Dad Coming To Fanfest!
A former champion in many different NWA territories in the 60s, 70s and 80s, "Soulman" Rocky Johnson returns to Charlotte for the first time in almost 30 years at our NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend August 5-8!
Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame two years ago by his son (former WWE superstar-turned-movie star "The Rock,") Johnson last wrestled in the Carolinas in the early-1980s, wearing a mask as Sweet Ebony Diamond. He won the Mid-Atlantic Television title in the summer of 1981, defeating Greg Valentine in the finals of a tournament in Raleigh, NC. The two would go on to have a memorable series of championship bouts.
Johnson was also champion in many NWA promotions during the territorial days including Detroit, Florida, Georgia, Los Angeles, Memphis, San Francisco, Texas and the Pacific Northwest. Later in 1983, he tagged with Tony "Mr. USA" Atlas to form "The Soul Patrol" and capture the WWF World Tag Team belts. He was a star wherever he went.
Legendary Funk Brothers To Reunite!
Both former NWA World champions from West Texas, Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk return for the first time in five year’s to this August’s NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend in Charlotte!
The Funk Brothers, one of the all-time great wrestling family traditions, will reunite to sign autographs and take photos with fans. They’ll also be featured in our first-ever "Breakfast with Champions!" presentation (more details on that soon!)
Terry Funk will also be inducting fellow wrestling legend and international superstar Billy Robinson into the Hall of Heroes on Friday night, August 6th!
Fanfest Weekend Celebrates Its 9th in 2010
The NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend, three huge days and four nights featuring dozens of wrestling’s legendary heroes and villains — and a bevy of today’s top superstars and future legends — returns Thursday through Sunday, August 5-8, 2010 to the Hilton University Place Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Stars from the glory days of the National Wrestling Alliance converge on the Carolinas not only to renew old friendships but to rekindle old rivalries.
20 featured legends have been confirmed thus far for this summer’s NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend. The Assassin, Joe Blanchard, Tully Blanchard, Jerry Brown, "Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase, Dory Funk Jr., Terry Funk, Danny Hodge, Sir Oliver Humperdink, Rocky Johnson, Kimala "The Ugandan Giant", Mr. Wrestling II, Nikita Koloff, Reggie Parks, Harley Race, Buddy Roberts, Billy Robinson, Jim Ross, Dan "The Beast" Severn, and Greg Valentine will be reuniting with fans, signing autographs and taking photos that you’ll cherish for a lifetime. More featured legends will be taking part in fanfest weekend. As we receive confirmations in the coming weeks, we’ll make the announcements here.
VIP "All Access" Pass holders will have early admission each day, first access to all autograph signings and photo opportunities, exclusive admission to revealing Question-and-Answer sessions, and ringside seats to the live wrestling matches! Throw in a free fanfest weekend t-shirt and a VIP "All Access" Pass with neck lanyard and you have the VIP hookup!
Got your VIP All Access Pass yet? Make your way to http://www.NWALegends.com/ and secure your VIP weekend with wrestling’s greatest heroes and villains!
Your ticket purchase helps support our efforts to celebrate the tradition of the once-mighty National Wrestling Alliance and to honor the heroes of wrestling’s past and present. Thanks for being part of a truly special weekend. Most folks will tell you it’s a remarkable reunion.
Should you have any questions or comments to share, please feel free to email us at NWALegends@aol.com
Hall of Heroes Honorees Announced!
The Hall of Heroes Class of 2010 will honor eight great "heroes" from wrestling’s past: Joe Blanchard, Danny Hodge, Mr. Wrestling II, Reggie Parks, Billy Robinson, Greg Valentine, and the late Johnny Valentine and "Mr. Wrestling" Tim Woods.
We’ll be announcing some very special "presenters" of this year’s Hall of Heroes awards as we get closer to Fanfest weekend!
The fourth-annual dinner banquet and awards ceremony, hosted by Jim Cornette, will take place Friday night, August 6, part of the huge NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend in Charlotte. The awards ceremony follows a wonderful dinner buffet that begins at 7:30 p.m. Many of the honorees and other featured guests from the weekend will be on hand to share in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Please don’t hesitate to get your Hall of Heroes tickets if you plan to attend. The response to our three previous awards ceremonies has been nothing short of tremendous. The banquet has sold out each of the past two years!
VIPs save $10 on Hall of Heroes tickets, when purchased together with our VIP "All Access" Pass. Hall of Heroes tickets for non-VIPs can be purchased separately at http://www.NWALegends.com
Please make plans now to be with us for 3 HUGE DAYS (and 4 NIGHTS!) celebrating wrestling tradition!
This will make a great summer vacation!
NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 5-8, 2010
Hilton University Place Hotel; Charlotte, North Carolina
Discuss pro wrestling tradition at our Fanfest Forum. Meet and get to know many other folks like yourself that share a similar passion for wrestling’s past. Go to http://www.NWALegends.com/fanfestforum
Fanfest Highlights — and more — on YouTube! Go to http://www.youtube.com/nwawrestlinglegends for some rare video footage. And much more to come.
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
