Gary Williams (wrestler)

Last updated
Gary Williams
Wildman Gary Williams.jpg
Wildman Gary Williams
Birth nameGary William Gallant
Born (1972-06-02) June 2, 1972 (age 51)
Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
Website WildmanWilliams.webs.com
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Gary Williams
Wildman Austin
Billed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Billed weight252 lb (114 kg)
Billed from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
Trained byTodd McPhee
Hubert Gallant
Leo Burke
Bret Hart
DebutMay 24, 1997
RetiredApril 20, 2014

Gary William Gallant (born June 2, 1972) better known by his ring name "Wildman" Gary Williams is a retired professional wrestler, actor, musician, and security specialist. He has been competing in Canadian independent wrestling circuits since the 1990s; and is best known for brief stints in World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation. He starred as one of the leading characters in the docu-drama series Wrestling With Reality.

Contents

Professional wrestling career

Early career

Born in Moncton, New Brunswick, Williams was a wrestling fan growing up and eventually contacted local referee Frank Parker and wrestler Todd "The Bodd" Douglas in 1996 to begin training for a career in professional wrestling.

Training with Douglas for a short time, Williams later trained with Atlantic Grand Prix and Stampede Wrestling veteran Hubert Gallant in March 1997 before making his professional debut three months later on May 24 in Truro, Nova Scotia for Emile Dupre's Grand Prix Wrestling. Remaining with the promotion throughout the summer, he was eventually noticed at an event in Cocagne, New Brunswick by Leo Burke who was scouting talent in the Maritimes and invited Williams to train with Bret Hart in his personal home in Calgary, Alberta where he had a WWE ring set up. Hart and Burke trained potential WWE Talent such as: Andrew Martin (Test), Adam Copeland (Edge), Jason Reso (Christian), Mark Henry, Ken Shamrock, among others. Williams also spent a bit of time at the Hart Dungeon in Calgary, Alberta. [1]

Arriving in Calgary in January 1998, Williams would spend much of the year training with Bret Hart, Leo Burke and Bad News Allen before returning to the Maritimes.

World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation

During the next few years, Williams would compete for numerous independent promotions including Stampede Wrestling, the Can-Am Wrestling Federation and promoter Tony Condello's IWA promotion feuding with Steve Rivers and Sean Dunster (Massive Damage) while continuing to compete for Grand Prix Wrestling during the summer months and eventually becoming one of the leading wrestlers on the Canadian independent circuit.

In March 1999, Burke negotiated with World Championship Wrestling for Williams to appear in several tryout matches which wrestling his former trainer Todd Douglas on Monday Night Nitro in Toronto and on WCW Saturday Night in Kitchener. After another tryout match in Winnipeg a year later, he contacted Kevin Kelly and received a tryout match on WWF Jakked as Wildman Austin against Billy Gunn at the Calgary Saddledome on May 28, 2001.

Return to the Maritimes

Continuing to compete in Canada, spending his winters in Calgary and his summers in the Maritimes, Williams worked with several younger wrestlers in Grand Prix Wrestling including "Kowboy" Mike Hughes and Peter Smith (Brody Steele aka Kingman) during the late 1990s. One of several wrestlers who joined Hughes in Real Action Wrestling, a rival promotion of Grand Prix Wrestling, he would feud with Hughes and Robert Roode defeating them in several singles and tag team matches with Chi Chi Cruz before losing to Hughes on July 22, 2001.

While in the promotion, he would also feud with rival Massive Damage, Hughes and members of his stable The Kardinal Sinners as well as wrestling against Barry Horowitz, Eddie Watts and Duke McIsaac during the summer.

Feuding with Chi Chi Cruz over the RAW Heavyweight title during 2002, Williams eventually lost to Cruz in a ladder cage match on July 29, 2002. During the next two years, he would tour Canada defeating Steve Wilde to win the Can-Am Heavyweight title on February 3, 2003 and won a three-way match over Aiden Pringle (Synn) and King Lau at an event for Monster Pro Wrestling in Edmonton, Alberta on February 4, 2004.

2004-2009

In September 2004, Williams permanently relocated to Halifax, Nova Scotia after the decline of wrestling events in the Calgary area and eventually opened his own wrestling school Wildman Academy on February 1, 2005. With his previous experience running many seminars and helping run training camps at Massive Damage's wrestling school in Edmonton, Alberta Wildman Academy soon became one of the leading wrestling schools in the Maritime Provinces. Williams shut down his training school in September 2009.

Williams also competed in the first and second annual Maritime Cup tournament held by Harold Kennedy (New Scott) which featured many of the top independent wrestlers in Canada including Brody Steele (Kingman), Duke MacIsaac, Trash Canyon, Scott Savage, Tony Armstrong, Cinder, Lincoln Steen, Marko Estrada and Vinny Glyde. Williams would defeat Paco Loco in the opening rounds and Scott Savage in the semifinals before losing to Duke McIsaac in the finals. He would also defeat Tony Armstrong and Scott Savage while in ECPW during early May.

Starting in September 2007, Williams was 1 of 4 main characters in the documentary-drama television series "Wrestling With Reality" which features many Canadian independent wrestlers including "Kowboy" Mike Hughes, Sidewinder, Marisa, Titus, and Krysta Lynn Scott. [2]

He would go on to win the first match on Wrestling Reality teaming with Robert Roode to defeat Rick Doyle (Trash Canyon) & Gary Jessom (Duke MacIsaac) on June 2, 2006; he would later defeat Roode in a singles match to become the first Wrestling Reality Heavyweight Champion. He would later face Titus, who recently won the third Maritime Cup Tournament, defeating him at the Halifax Forum on August 18, 2006. [3]

Defeating Titus and "Kowboy" Mike Hughes during early 2007, Williams and Trash Canyon lost a tag team match to "Kowboy" Mike Hughes and Ryan Mader (Lincoln Steen) on May 2. Williams then teamed with James Mason, and they defeated Jeff Young (Tommy Osbourne) & Scott Savage in Sussex, New Brunswick on May 4. Williams lost his title to Peter Smith (Brody Steele) in Bathurst, New Brunswick on May 5 due to outside interference by "Kowboy" Mike Hughes and Lincoln Steen. Trash Canyon and James Mason quickly came to Williams rescue and taunted Steele, Hughes and Steen to come back in the ring and have a 6 man tag team match but as the crowd cheered for the match, Steele, Hughes and Steen walked away and denied the challenge.

2009-2014

On October 22, 2009 Williams won the UCW Heavyweight Championship for the first time; defeating Kardinal Sinners partner Trash Canyon at the Halifax Forum. Williams lost the belt to Lumberjack Jackson on April 3, 2010. Through 2010, Williams competed with many former WWE talents; gaining wins against Marty Jennetty, "Bushwacker" Luke Williams, and Charlie Haas. [4]

In September, 2010 Williams signed with the upstart Legend City Wrestling based in Newfoundland, Canada; and was reunited with his former longtime wrestling mates. Including Mike Hughes, Kurrgan, and Brody Steele. [5]

On April 28, 2011 Williams would win the UCW Heavyweight Championship a second time; defeating J.P. Simms. He would drop the belt back to Simms on August 26, 2011. [6] In 2011, Williams signed with Championship Wrestling International (CWI) of Ontario, Canada; touring with them August 18 through August 28, 2011 for the Maritime Invasion tour. Along with CWI Champion Scott Steiner the CWI roster for this tour featured Hulk Hogan, Sean Waltman (X-Pac), Monty Sopp (Billy Gunn), Road Dog, Mick Foley, "The Highlander" Robbie McAllister and Kevin Nash. In Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Williams joined a group named "Mutiny" consisting of "Highlander" Robbie McAllister, Jon Bolen and The Flatliners.

Williams made his New Breed Wrestling debut on May 19, 2012. In the final match of the promotions last event, Williams defeated Chris Cooke to win the NBW Heavyweight Championship. The belt was immediately retired. [7]

On April 20, 2014; Williams announced his retirement from professional wrestling on a full-time basis. [8]

Personal life

Prior to becoming a wrestler, Williams was the lead vocalist for heavy metal band 'Tormented'; which later became known as Dead Reach. He remains active as a musician.

Williams is an experienced private bodyguard specializing in close protection of VIP's visiting Atlantic Canada.

Championships and accomplishments

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lance Storm</span> Canadian professional wrestler and trainer (born 1969)

Lance Timothy Evers, known professionally by his ring name Lance Storm, is a Canadian retired professional wrestler. He is currently signed to TNA Wrestling where he works as a producer. He is best known for his work in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and the World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment (WWF/WWE), where he held a combined 13 total championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Honky Tonk Man</span> American professional wrestler

Roy Wayne Farris is a retired American professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure with the World Wrestling Federation from 1986 to 1991, where he performed under the ring name The Honky Tonk Man. He also performed for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1994, and for Stampede Wrestling between 1982 and 1986. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the 2019 induction ceremony. A heel for the majority of his active professional wrestling career, he has been described by Bleacher Report as "one of the greatest villains to ever grace a professional wrestling ring". His 454-day reign as WWE Intercontinental Champion was the longest reign in the history of the title until it was broken by Gunther in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bushwhacker Luke</span> New Zealand professional wrestler

Brian Wickens is a New Zealand professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation under the ring name Bushwhacker Luke, where he teamed with Bushwhacker Butch as The Bushwhackers. He is also known for his appearances under the ring name Luke Williams for promotions such as NWA New Zealand, Stampede Wrestling, Pacific Northwest Wrestling, Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling, Southwest Championship Wrestling, and the Universal Wrestling Federation, where he teamed with Butch as "The Kiwis" and "The Sheepherders".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sinn Bodhi</span> Canadian professional wrestler

Nicholas Cvjetkovich is a Serbo-Canadian professional wrestler. He is best known for his 2009 stint in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) where he worked on its SmackDown brand as Kizarny. He currently works the on the independent circuit as Sinn Bodhi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Schultz (professional wrestler)</span> American professional and Olympic wrestler (born 1955)

David Schultz is an American retired professional wrestler. He competed in North American regional promotions Stampede Wrestling, the National Wrestling Alliance, and the American Wrestling Association in the late 1970s and early 1980s. During his short stint in the World Wrestling Federation in 1984, he gained notoriety by assaulting 20/20 reporter John Stossel during a report on the legitimacy of professional wrestling.

Léonce Cormier is a Canadian retired professional wrestler. He was born in Dorchester, New Brunswick. He competed across Canada, in several American promotions, and wrestled internationally for both Puerto Rico's World Wrestling Council (WWC) and the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in New Zealand. In Canada, where he spent the majority of his career, Cormier used the ring name Leo Burke. In the United States, however, he competed as Tommy Martin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Highlanders (professional wrestling)</span> Professional wrestling tag team

The Highlanders were a Scottish professional wrestling tag team consisting of storyline cousins Robbie McAllister and Rory McAllister who were best known for wrestling for World Wrestling Entertainment on the Raw brand.

Mike Hughes is a Canadian professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Hangman Hughes. Hughes has competed on the North American independent promotions throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s as a co-founder and mainstay of Real Action Wrestling as part of the heel stable the "Kardinal Sinners" which includes "The Natural" Bobby Rude, Kingman and the Acadian Giant. Hughes briefly appeared with World Wrestling Entertainment in 2003 and performed for the Puerto Rico-based International Wrestling Association in the mid-2000s.

Hubert Gallant is a Canadian retired professional wrestler and trainer who competed in North American regional promotions during the 1970s and early 1980s including Stampede Wrestling and Emile Dupree's Grand Prix Wrestling as well short stints in the National Wrestling Alliance, specifically the Mid-South and Carolinas regions. Among the wrestlers he trained are "Wildman" Gary Williams and Hangman Hughes.

John Cozman was a Canadian professional wrestler and trainer, known by his ring name "Principal" Richard Pound who competed in North American independent promotions, most notably as a mainstay of Stampede Wrestling during the 1980s and late 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earl Patrick Freeman</span> Canadian professional wrestler (1932 – 1989)

Earl Patrick Freeman was a Canadian professional wrestler, best known by his ring name Paddy Ryan, who competed in North American and international promotions during the 1950s and 60s.

Gilles Poisson is a Canadian retired professional wrestler, known by his ring name Pierre or Gilles "The Fish" Poisson, who competed in North American regional promotions including the American Wrestling Association, International Wrestling, Grand Prix Wrestling, Maple Leaf Wrestling, Pacific Northwest Wrestling and Stampede Wrestling during the 1970s and 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michel Martel</span> Canadian professional wrestler (1944–1978)

Michel Vigneault was a Canadian professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Michel "Mad Dog" Martel. Martel is best known for his appearances with professional wrestling promotion such as Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling, Stampede Wrestling, International Wrestling Enterprise and the World Wrestling Council in the late 1960s and 1970s. He was one-half of the tag team The Mercenaries with Frenchy Martin and the older brother of fellow wrestler Rick Martel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ib Solvang Hansen</span> Danish professional wrestler

Ib Solvang Hansen was a Danish professional wrestler, known by his ring name Eric the Red, who competed in North American and international regional promotions during the 1960s and 70s, including Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling, Maple Leaf Wrestling and National Wrestling Federation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jos LeDuc</span> Canadian professional wrestler

Michel Pigeon was a Canadian professional wrestler better known by his ring name, Jos LeDuc.

Gary Jessome is a Canadian professional wrestler and trainer, best known by his ringname "The Canadian Widowmaker" Duke MacIsaac, who has competed primarily in the Maritimes-based All Canadian Wrestling, East Coast Pro Wrestling, Grand Prix Wrestling and Real Action Wrestling, but has also toured Great Britain and the United States.

Krista Hanakowski is a Canadian professional wrestler, known by her ring name Krysta Lynn Scott, who has competed both in Canada and the United States having worked for All-Star Wrestling, Grand Prix Wrestling, Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling and Stampede Wrestling. Since her debut in 2006, Hanakowski is the first female wrestler since The Fabulous Moolah to regularly work for Grand Prix Wrestling in nearly 20 years.

Corey Peloquin is a Canadian professional wrestler who is known for working the independent promotions such as Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling, Real Action Wrestling, Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling, IWA-Mid South, All-Star Wrestling, and United States Wrestling Association as Chi Chi Cruz. Cruz worked in such countries as Germany and South Africa in addition to Canada and United States. He is also the cousin of wrestler Fred "Puppy Dog" Peloquin.

Ryan Mader, better known by his ring name Lincoln Steen, is a Canadian professional wrestler, who has competed in Canadian independent promotions since October 27, 2000. He has featured as a prominent character in The Fight Network's Wrestling Reality and appeared in Rush HD's The Kardinal Sinners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brody Steele</span> Canadian professional wrestler (born 1967)

Peter Smith is a Canadian professional wrestler, better known as his ring name, Brody Steele. Steele starred as one of the four leading characters in the Wrestling Reality documentary-reality television series that aired on the Fight Network in Canada.

References

  1. "Williams born to be a "Wildman"". SLAM! Wrestling. 2005-02-21. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. Starratt, Kirk. "National "Wrestling Reality" TV taping set to explode in Kentville Arena". NovaNewsNow.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-04. Retrieved 2007-04-05.
  3. "More Wrestling With Reality". HeroHill.com. 2006-08-16. Archived from the original on 2008-10-26.
  4. "UCW Results". Maddison Miles Fan Site. 2019-12-26.
  5. "Legend City Wrestling - Roster". Legends City Wrestling. 2010-09-01.
  6. "UCW Results". Maddison Miles Fan Site. 2019-12-26.
  7. "NBW Results". Maddison Miles Fan Site. 2019-12-29.
  8. "Wildman Gary Willams announces his retirement from pro wrestling". Newscott.com. 2014-04-20. Archived from the original on 2021-12-12.