Jerry Flynn

Last updated
Jerry Flynn
Birth nameWilliam Brenneman
Born (1959-11-21) November 21, 1959 (age 64)
Tampa, Florida
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Jerry Flynn
Jerry Blayman
Billed height6 ft 4 in (193 cm) [1]
Billed weight251 lb (114 kg) [1]
Trained by Boris Malenko [2]
Debut1989
Retired2001

William Brenneman (born November 21, 1959) is an American retired professional wrestler and mixed martial artist, better known by his ring name Jerry Flynn. Flynn is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling between 1996 and 2000. He is also known for his appearances in Japan with puroresu promotions including Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He is currently signed to WWE in a Legends deal.

Contents

Professional wrestling career

Jerry Flynn's professional wrestling career began with training under Boris Malenko. He made his debut in FMW in 1989. During this time, he befriended fellow student Michael Bollea, later known as Horace Hogan.

Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi (1991–1993)

In 1991, Flynn debuted in the Japanese shoot style wrestling promotion Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi and remained there for a few years. This period also saw Flynn face Masakatsu Funaki on the co-promotional SWS/WWF SuperWrestle card on December 12, 1991. [3]

World Wrestling Federation (1995)

Flynn wrestled for the World Wrestling Federation in June and July 1995 during a tour of the Mid-Atlantic states and Midwestern United States. Flynn made appearances on WWF Monday Night RAW , WWF Wrestling Challenge and WWF Superstars of Wrestling , losing to WWF performers including Jean-Pierre LaFitte, Rad Radford, The Roadie and Waylon Mercy. [4]

World Championship Wrestling (1996-2000)

Early feuds (19961999)

By 1996, Flynn had worked as a jobber for the WWF, performing in a few house shows before making his way into WCW with help from Brian Blair, a friend of road agent Paul Orndorff, and Mark Starr, who helped gain Flynn a tryout at Universal Studios Florida for a WCW WorldWide taping. He began performing regularly on WCW's secondary TV program, WCW Saturday Night , in 1997 and by the following year was gaining numerous wins over low-card performers. [5]

In 1998, Flynn began to elevate his status, wrestling on Monday Nitro , the company's flagship program. He had a series of matches with Bill Goldberg, which saw Flynn come close to beating Goldberg, but ended up losing, adding several notches in Goldberg's streak, until his defeat by Kevin Nash at Starrcade. In 1999, he had a short-lived feud with Ernest "The Cat" Miller and his manager Sonny Onoo after Miller and Onoo attacked Flynn backstage during an interview with Gene Okerlund and cut off his hair. [5] The feud ended when Flynn gained revenge by defeating Miller and Onoo in a handicap match at the Uncensored pay-per-view. [5] Later that year, he unsuccessfully participated in the Junkyard Invitational at Bash at the Beach. [5]

First Family and departure (19992000)

He then became a member of The First Family, a heel stable managed by Jimmy Hart. [5] However, an injury Flynn sustained led to the eventual disestablishment of the group. [2] In November 1999, Flynn and Juventud Guerrera were arrested for DUI. He then began a feud with mixed martial arts fighter Tank Abbott which Flynn later expressed enthusiasm for. [5] During this time, Flynn's persona emphasized his shootfighting skills including a "shootfight rules" match against The Wall on Thunder . [6] His feud with Abbott culminated at the 2000 Souled Out where Abbott defeated him via knock-out in a mere 1:39. [5] He was released in April of that year.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1998)

In November and December 1998, Flynn returned to Japan, where he wrestled for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). Flynn formed a tag team with Dave Finlay, with whom he competed in the annual Super Grade Tag League, a round robin tag team tournament. The tournament was won by Keiji Mutoh and Satoshi Kojima. [7]

Later career (2000–2001)

On September 19, 2000 in Tampa, Florida, he also unsuccessfully faced Mike Rapada in a tournament final for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. [8] He wrestled a tour of Puerto Rico for World Wrestling Council, where he briefly held the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship in February 2001, before retiring.

Mixed martial arts career

Jerry Flynn has a black belt in taekwondo, and he briefly owned and operated his own school of martial arts. Flynn fought mixed martial arts in the WCC (World Combat Championship) losing to Fred Floyd in an alternate bout. Prior to entering professional wrestling, Flynn was employed as a Tae Kwon Do instructor in his hometown of Tampa, FL.

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
1 match0 wins1 loss
By knockout00
By submission01
By decision00
No contests0
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss0–1Fred FloydSubmission (choke)WCC 1 - First StrikeOctober 17, 199513:02 Charlotte, North Carolina, United StatesAlternate bout

Championships and accomplishments

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curt Hennig</span> American professional wrestler (1958–2003)

Curtis Michael Hennig, better known by the ring name Mr. Perfect, was an American professional wrestler. Considered one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time by many peers, critics, and fans, he performed under his real name for promotions including the American Wrestling Association (AWA), the World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and NWA Total Nonstop Action. Hennig was the son of wrestler Larry "The Axe" Hennig and the father of wrestler Curtis Axel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Steiner</span> American professional wrestler

Scott Rechsteiner, better known by the ring name Scott Steiner, is an American professional wrestler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Valentine</span> American professional wrestler (born 1951)

Jonathan Anthony Wisniski is a retired American professional wrestler, better known as Greg "the Hammer" Valentine. He is the son of wrestler Johnny Valentine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dean Malenko</span> American professional wrestler

Dean Simon, better known by the ring name Dean Malenko, is an American retired professional wrestler. He is currently signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as a senior producer. He is best known for his time with Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He is also known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation as a wrestler and a road agent and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haku (wrestler)</span> Tongan professional wrestler (born 1959)

Tonga ʻUliʻuli Fifita is a Tongan professional wrestler, best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) under the ring name Haku and his appearances with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as Meng. In the WWF, he also wrestled under the names King Tonga and King Haku. Fifita appeared on multiple pay-per-view events for the WWF and WCW and is a former WWF World Tag Team Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Adams (wrestler)</span> American professional wrestler (1964–2007)

Brian Keith Adams was an American professional wrestler. Adams is known for his time with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), under the name Crush, and for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) under his real name Brian Adams. Trained in Japan by Antonio Inoki, he was a two-time WCW World Tag Team Champion, a one-time WWF Tag Team Champion and a one-time AJPW World Tag Team Champion, among other accomplishments. He was a challenger for various singles titles in the WWF and WCW, including the WWF Championship. In 2002, he briefly tried a career in boxing until retiring due to back and shoulder injuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendall Windham</span> American professional wrestler (born 1967)

Kendall Wayne Windham is an American retired professional wrestler best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling. He is the son of Blackjack Mulligan and the brother of Barry Windham.

Michael Allan Bollea is an American retired professional wrestler. The nephew of fellow wrestler Hulk Hogan, he is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling in the late 1990s under the ring name Horace Hogan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terry Gordy</span> American professional wrestler

Terry Ray Gordy Sr. was an American professional wrestler. Gordy appeared in the United States with promotions such as Mid-South Wrestling, Georgia Championship Wrestling, World Class Championship Wrestling, Jim Crockett Promotions/World Championship Wrestling and the Universal Wrestling Federation as a member of The Fabulous Freebirds. He also appeared in Japan with All Japan Pro Wrestling as one-half of The Miracle Violence Connection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryan Clark</span> American professional wrestler

Bryan Emmett Clark is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling (WCW), the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), and All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) under the ring names The Nightstalker, Adam Bomb, Wrath and his real name. He is a former two-time WCW World Tag Team Champion and one-time AJPW World Tag Team Champion with his KroniK teammate, Brian Adams.

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

Samula Fred Anoaʻi is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Samu. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling, Extreme Championship Wrestling, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling in the 1980s and 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pat Tanaka</span> American professional wrestler

Patrick Tanaka is an American professional wrestler best known for his work in the American Wrestling Association (AWA) as one half of Badd Company and the World Wrestling Federation as one half of The Orient Express. He is the son of Duke Keomuka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moondog Spot</span> American professional wrestler (1952 – 2003)

Larry Wayne Booker, better known by his ring names Moondog Spot and Larry Latham, was an American professional wrestler.

José Estrada Jr. is a Puerto Rican retired professional wrestler best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF as a member of Los Boricuas.

David Canal is a Cuban professional wrestler better known by his ring name "The Cuban Assassin " Fidel Sierra. He is notable for being a longtime veteran of the Puerto Rico-based World Wrestling Council as well as for his appearances in World Championship Wrestling and Pacific Northwest Wrestling during the 1980s and 1990s. He wrestled under the name The Cuban Assassin towards the end of his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve DiSalvo</span> American professional wrestler

Stephen DiSalvo is an American retired professional wrestler.

Timothy Alan Smith was an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring names Rex King and Timothy Well. He wrestled in several promotions, including All Japan Pro Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Much of his career was spent wrestling as a tag team with Steve Doll throughout his career. While in WWF, they were known as Well Dunn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Fuller</span> American professional wrestler

Richard Fuller is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling from 1997 to 2000.

Frank Vizi is a German-born American professional wrestler, better known by the ring names Bull Pain, Rick Gantner and Psycho. He is best known for his appearances with promotion such as the American Wrestling Association, World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling, as well as for independent promotions such as the World Wrestling Council, Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South, Juggalo Championship Wrestling and Chikara.

Frankie Lancaster is an American retired professional wrestler, best known for his time with World Championship Wrestling (WCW), under the ring name Frankie Lancaster. He appeared with the company as a jobber to the stars between 1993 and 2000. He also appeared in the Southern territories, Puerto Rico, Japan and the World Wrestling Federation. He also is known for teaming with Wendell Cooley as the Heartbreakers.

References

  1. 1 2 "Jerry Flynn". Cagematch.net. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  2. 1 2 "Jerry Flynn's OWW Profile". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-20.
  3. Miscellaneous Japanese Events WrestleTapes.net. Retrieved on 7-25-09.
  4. Cawthon, Graham (2013). the History of Professional Wrestling Vol 2: WWF 1990 - 1999. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ASIN   B00RWUNSRS.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Cawthon, Graham (2015). the History of Professional Wrestling Vol 5: World Championship Wrestling 1995-2001. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN   978-1499656343.
  6. WCW Thunder - Thursday, January 6, 2000 DDTDigest.com (2000). Retrieved on 7-25-09.
  7. "Super Grade Tag Team LeagueVIII". ProWrestlingHistory.com. November 16 – December 6, 1998. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  8. "NWA World Heavyweight Championship". Wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved 2007-11-27.
  9. "Pro Wrestling Illustrated 500 – 1999: 242 Jerry Flynn". Pro Wrestling Illustrated . Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, United States: Sports and Entertainment publications LLC. September 27, 1999. p. 42. October 1999.
  10. "World Wrestling Council: Universal Heavyweight Title". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved 2008-01-24.