J. C. Dykes and the Infernos

Last updated
J. C. Dykes and the Infernos
JC Dykes and The Infernos.jpg
Tag team
MembersInferno #1 (Frankie Cain)
Inferno #1 (Curtis Smith)
Inferno #1 (Karl Von Brauner)
Inferno #2 (Rocky Smith)
Inferno #3 (Mike McManus)
J. C. Dykes (Manager)
Years active1965-1974

J. C. Dykes and the Infernos (also known as the Masked Infernos) were a popular professional wrestling act in the 1960s and 1970s. [1]

Contents

Information

The team consisted of Inferno #1 (Frankie Cain) and Inferno #2 (Rocky Smith) with J. C. Dykes as their manager. The team wore identical blue and black masks with matching tights. [2] [3] The team first came together in Tennessee in 1965. [1] They later went to Florida in 1966-1967 [4] [5] and became famous in Georgia. [6] [1] The team captured the NWA Georgia Southern Tag Team Titles on April 1, 1966. It is said that they lost the titles the same month, but they may have continued to defend the titles regardless. [7] The team then struck gold again in Georgia, capturing the NWA Georgia World Tag Team Championship on June 10, 1966. The team lost the titles a week later on June 17, but regained the title later in the month. Their second reign lasted into August, though the exact date they lost it is unknown. The team then traveled to various territories around the United States. [8] [9] [10] The team captured the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship and held onto it until it was held up in August 1967. In Spring 1968, the Infernos were involved in an angle where imposter Infernos appeared. The two teams feuded in a masks vs titles match and later the imposter Infernos were revealed to be Bobby Fields and Lee Fields. [11] The team captured the NWA Amarillo World Tag Team Championship on September 26, 1968 (and also captured the NWA World Texas Tag Team Championship the same day) and lost the titles on October 17, 1968. [10] Frankie Cain, who portrayed Inferno #1 left the team around 1969, and Smith's brother, Curtis Smith, took over the Inferno #1 name. The Infernos captured the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship on January 4, 1971, and held them until February 16, 1971. 5 months later, The team won the NWA Western States Tag Team Championship on August 4, 1971, but lost them a week later on August 11, 1971. The team re-captured the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship on January 10, 1972, [10] then lost the titles on February 15, 1972. [10] The team final runs came in NWA Hollywood Wrestling in 1975 and New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1976, with Mike McManus as Inferno #3, teaming up with Curtis Smith (Inferno #2) and Karl Von Brauner (Inferno #1). [1]

Members

Inferno #1 (Frankie Cain)

Prior to the Infernos, Cain wrestled as a babyface wrestler in Tennessee and Alabama. As Inferno #1, with Rocky Smith as his tag team partner, Frankie wore a wrestling shoe with a large heel on it, which would eventually become known as "the loaded boot" and was used against various opponents. Due to the Infernos having identical appearances, he was often identified as the Clubfoot Inferno. [12] [1] While the boot was helpful in wrestling, wearing it caused strain on his hip, so Rocky Smith would wear the boot until his hip began to feel the strain. Cain had a successful career after leaving the Infernos as he became, the Great Mephisto, a Middle Eastern heel. He had successful stints in Florida, Texas, Georgia and San Francisco under the gimmick. [13] [14]

Inferno #1 (Curtis Smith)

Smith wrestled in a tag team called the "Blue Demons", prior to joining the Infernos. [15] After Smith's run with the Infernos ended, he created, "The Super Infernos". [16] The team found success in Georgia and then Smith moved over to Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling to wrestle as, "The Mighty Yankee". [15] He later found himself in another tag team with the Mighty Yankee #2, Jerry Miller. The team captured the NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Championship in 1975 and later, The Mighty Yankee #3 replaced The Mighty Yankee #2. Smith went to NWA Hollywood Wrestling to form the Infernos again with Inferno #3 then the pair toured New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1976. [15] The pair changed their name to "The Challengers" upon going to Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling in June and July 1976. Smith changed gimmicks again, interchangeably switching between "The Cuban Assassin #2" and "The Executioner" through the rest of 1976 and into 1977. [15] Smith captured the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship on April 15, 1977, and lost the title to Jackie Fargo in May 1977. Smith headed over to Central States Wrestling towards the end of 1977 as "The Blue Yankee" then revived "The Executioner" gimmick in Fall 1978 in Japan. Smith then had his last major run as "The Mighty Yankee" from 1978 to 1979 for Southeastern Championship Wrestling. [15]

Inferno #1 (Karl Von Brauner)

Karl Von Brauner wrestled as Inferno #1 in NWA Hollywood Wrestling from 1975-76. He was later unmasked as an Inferno and was revealed to be Karl Von Brauner. [17]

Inferno #2 (Rocky Smith)

Smith started wrestling towards the end of the 1950s and was mostly used as a lower card talent. [18] [19] Smith captured the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Championship in November 1964, which Frankie Cain had also held. He was part of the original Infernos team and stayed with it until its end in 1974. He then went back to wrestling as Rocky Smith for Southeastern Championship Wrestling, only seeing limited success. [18]

Inferno #3 (Mike McManus)

Little is known of McManus' career due to McManus often wrestling under masks. He wrestled as "Bruiser" McManus and was a journeyman wrestler. He made appearances as Inferno #3 as early as 1967 for NWA Mid-America and was part of the Infernos team from 1975-1976 in NWA Hollywood Wrestling and in New Japan Pro Wrestling. [20] He later became Cliff Von Brauner for NWA Hollywood Wrestling and teamed up with Curtis Smith as "The Challengers". [21] [22]

J. C. Dykes

James Clayton Dykes (better known as J. C. Dykes; 1926 - November 20, 1993) - Dykes was originally a referee for Roy Welch and Nick Gulas in the 1960s. He had red hair and wore a black tuxedo. Dykes notably carried a whistle and a canteen that were often used in matches and also sometimes carried a flashlight to give "signals" to his wrestlers. [23] [24] Dykes was also known for throwing fireballs at opponents. [23] Aside from the Infernos, Dykes managed other wrestlers including The Mighty Yankees, The Dominoes, The Zodiac and The Champion. Dykes also stepped in the ring several times in special matches as the Infernos' manager and wrestled under the name, "Senor X" in NWA Hollywood Wrestling. [25] Dykes quit wrestling in 1976 after nearly being involved in the car crash that killed Sam Bass, Pepe Lopez and Frank Hester. [24] [26] Dykes later became a born-again Christian in 1977 and passed away in 1993. [24]

Other uses of the Infernos

Due to the Infernos wearing masks and due to the popularity of the gimmick, the gimmick was easily recreated several times in various promotions. The Blue Infernos, who had similar names and wore similar colors, wrestled for NWA Mid-America in 1966-67. [27] Bobby Fields and Lee Fields portrayed the imposter Infernos in 1969. [28] The second Inferno #1, Curtis Smith, would later form, "The Super Infernos" with Doug Gilbert in Georgia in 1973. [29] [30] The Infernos gimmick was later revived in Smoky Mountain Wrestling and on the independent circuit in 1994. [31]

Championships and accomplishments

The Infernos (Frankie Cain and Curtis Smith)

The Infernos (Curtis and Rocky Smith)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dick Slater</span> American professional wrestler (1951–2018)

Richard Van Slater better known by his ring name "Dirty" Dick Slater, was an American professional wrestler who wrestled in the 1970s, 1980s, and mid-1990s for various promotions including Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ole Anderson</span> American professional wrestler, referee and promoter (1942–2024)

Alan Robert Rogowski, better known by the ring name Ole Anderson, was an American professional wrestler, booker, and promoter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lodi (wrestler)</span> American professional wrestler

Bradley Cain is an American author, personal trainer and professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Lodi. Cain is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling between 1997 and 2000, where he was a member of Raven's Flock stable and the tag team The West Hollywood Blondes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mosh (wrestler)</span> American professional wrestler

Chaz Warrington is an American professional wrestler best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation as the wrestler Mosh as one-half of the tag team The Headbangers along with Thrasher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ax (wrestler)</span> American professional wrestler

William Reid "Bill" Eadie is an American retired professional wrestler who has competed under the names of Ax as part of Demolition and The Masked Superstar. He was a high school teacher and coach at Cambridge High School in Cambridge, Ohio, and at East Liverpool, Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George South</span> American professional wrestler (born 1962)

George South is an American professional wrestler. In the course of his career, South has wrestled for professional wrestling promotions such as Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Lewin</span> American professional wrestler

Mark Lewin is an American retired professional wrestler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke Graham (wrestler)</span> American professional wrestler

James Grady Johnson was an American professional wrestler, best known by his ring name, "Crazy" Luke Graham. As Luke Graham, Johnson was part of the Graham family, a stable of wrestlers. All members were billed as kayfabe brothers. He worked extensively for various National Wrestling Alliance territories as well as the World Wide Wrestling Federation, where he was a three-time tag-team champion and the inaugural WWWF World Tag Team Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King Curtis Iaukea</span> American professional wrestler (1937–2010)

Curtis Piehau Iaukea III was an American professional wrestler better known as King Curtis Iaukea. Iaukea won championships in several of the major regional U.S. promotions, both as a single and in various tag team combinations, during the 1960s. He then competed in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) where he won the WWF Tag Team Championship with Baron Scicluna. He was also later The Master of the Dungeon of Doom in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Under the name "Iau Kea" he appeared in the film The Three Stooges Go Around the World in a Daze with Moe Howard declaring "That's not a man! That's a committee!".

The Shane Twins are a professional wrestling tag team who consist of twin brothers Mike and Todd Shane. They were best known for their appearances in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) as the Gymini.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grizzly Smith</span> American professional wrestler (1932–2010)

Aurelian "Grizzly" Smith was an American professional wrestler. He was the father of professional wrestlers Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Rockin' Robin, and Sam Houston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saul Weingeroff</span> American professional wrestling manager

Solomon "Saul" Weingeroff was an American professional wrestling manager, known by his ringname "Gentleman" Saul Weingeroff, who led several tag teams to the NWA World Tag Team Championship during the 1960s and 70s such as The Islanders and Kurt and Karl Von Brauner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Curtis</span> American professional wrestler (1927–2008)

Donald B. Curtis was an American professional wrestler, best known for being a member of a tag team with Mark Lewin in the 1950s and 1960s. During his partnership with Lewin, they won the NWA World Tag Team Championship. Curtis was a wrestling promoter in Jacksonville, Florida, until 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Von Brauners</span> Professional wrestling stable

The Von Brauners were a professional wrestling tag team/stable that operated from the 1950s through the 1970s. The teams consisted of Karl Von Brauner, Kurt Von Brauner #1, Eric Von Brauner, and Kurt Von Brauner #2. The chosen gimmick was that of a team of evil German twins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tarzan Tyler</span> Canadian professional wrestler and manager (1927–1985)

Camille Laurent "Tarzan" Tourville, better known by his ring name Tarzan "The Boot" Tyler, was a Canadian professional wrestler and manager. He was one-half of the first WWWF World Tag Team Champions, along with Luke Graham.

Bob Merrill was an American professional wrestler. He used a number of ring names over his career, including Bob Stanlee, Rip Miller, The Golden Terror, Giant Evans, and Mighty Joe Thunder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommy Seigler</span> American professional wrestler (1938–2023)

Thomas Edward Seigler Jr. was an American professional wrestler. Better known as Tommy Seigler, he held multiple wrestling titles including the NWA British Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship, the NWA Southeastern Television Championship, the NWA Florida Television Championship, the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship, and the NWA Macon Tag Team Championship.

Ramón S. Torres was an American professional wrestler. Primarily a babyface throughout his career, he was a part of 'The Famous Torres Brothers' with Alberto & Enrique Torres and was a major star in the 1950s and 60s as a both a tag team and singles competitor. He wrestled primarily within the National Wrestling Alliance, where he was a multi-time NWA World Tag Team Champion and NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion and also wrestled in the American Wrestling Association and Worldwide Wrestling Associates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Von Stroheims</span> Professional wrestling stable

The Von Stroheims were a professional wrestling tag team that wrestled from 1960 to 1967. The team consisted of Karl Von Stroheim and Kurt von Stroheim. The team portrayed German villains.

Robert Cook ) is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Bob Cook best known for working in the World Championship Wrestling, Championship Wrestling From Florida, and the World Wrestling Federation during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 The Pro Wrestling Hall Of Fame: The Tag Teams, publisher: ECW Press, published: 2005, url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Pro_Wrestling_Hall_of_Fame_The_Tag_T/CwxXAgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=J.C.+Dykes+and+the+infernos&pg=PA199&printsec=frontcover
  2. ↑ 'Infernos' Head Card At Township, The Columbia Record, 1967, retrieved 13 March 2023
  3. ↑ Stomping at the Greensboro Coliseum, publisher: Esquire Magazine, published: 1968, url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/nwa/stomping.html
  4. ↑ Prater, Jerry (1967), Six Man Tag Match Wednesday at Miami Beach Auditorium, The Miami Herald, retrieved 13 March 2023
  5. ↑ Handcuff Mat Battle Wednesday at Miami Beach Auditorium, The Miami Herald, retrieved 13 March 2023
  6. ↑ Infernos Fall To Armstrong, Robert Fuller, The Macon News, 1973, retrieved 13 March 2023
  7. ↑ NWA Southern Tag Team Title, wrestling-titles.com, 2023, retrieved 13 March 2023
  8. ↑ Happy Fans Join in E.P. Mat Frolics, El Paso Herald-Post, 1971, retrieved 13 March 2023
  9. ↑ Lady Luck Goes With Infernos, The State, 1970, retrieved 13 March 2023
  10. 1 2 3 4 The Infernos, Cagematch.net, 2023, retrieved 13 March 2023
  11. ↑ Sweeny, Sean (2014), The Infernos, OnlineWorldofWrestling, retrieved 13 March 2023
  12. ↑ Becker Remembers Dykes, The Columbia Record, 1970, retrieved 13 March 2023
  13. ↑ Great Mephisto, Cagematch.net, 2014, retrieved 13 March 2023
  14. ↑ Sweeny, Sean (2014), Frankie Cain, Online World of Wrestling, retrieved 13 March 2023
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 Curtis Smith, Cagematch.net, retrieved 13 March 2023
  16. ↑ Curtis Smith, Online World of Wrestling, retrieved 13 March 2023
  17. ↑ Karl von Brauner, Cagematch.net, retrieved 13 March 2023
  18. 1 2 Rocky Smith, Cagematch.net, retrieved 13 March 2023
  19. ↑ Rocky Smith, Online World of Wrestling, retrieved 13 March 2023
  20. ↑ Mike McManus, Wrestlingdata.com, 2023, retrieved 13 March 2023
  21. ↑ Guerrero wins main event at Strelich, The Bakersfield Californian, 1976, retrieved 13 March 2023
  22. ↑ Infernos, Cagematch.net, 2023, retrieved 13 March 2023
  23. 1 2 Prichard, Tom (2012), The first post is always the hardest..., drtomprichard.blogspot.com, retrieved 13 March 2023
  24. 1 2 3 Mooneyham, Mike (2019), Where is J.C. Dykes, manager of the Masked Infernos, now?, The Post and Courier, retrieved 13 March 2023
  25. ↑ JC Dykes, Online World of Wrestling, retrieved 13 March 2023
  26. ↑ Sweeny, Sean (2014), JC Dykes, Online World of Wrestling, retrieved 13 March 2023
  27. ↑ Blue Infernos, Cagematch.net, retrieved 13 March 2023
  28. ↑ Infernos, Cagematch.net, 2023, retrieved 13 March 2023
  29. ↑ Super Infernos, Cagematch.net, 2014, retrieved 13 March 2023
  30. ↑ Doug Gilbert, Online World of Wrestling, 2014, retrieved 13 March 2023
  31. ↑ Masked Infernos, Cagematch.net, 2023, retrieved 13 March 2023
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.