Nailz

Last updated

Nailz
Kevin Wacholz.jpeg
Wacholz, circa 1988
Birth nameKevin Patrick Wacholz
Born (1958-04-17) April 17, 1958 (age 66)
Bloomington, Minnesota, United States
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) The Convict
Doc Nelson
Kevin Kelly [1]
Kevin the Magnificent [1]
Nails
Nailz [1]
The Prisoner [1]
Thor [1]
Billed height6 ft 5 in (196 cm) [2]
Billed weight302 lb (137 kg) [2]
Trained by Brad Rheingans [1]
Debut1981 [1]
Retired2001

Kevin Patrick Wacholz (born April 17, 1958) is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1992 under the ring name Nailz. He is also known for his appearances with the American Wrestling Association (AWA) in the 1980s as "Mr. Magnificent" Kevin Kelly. [1]

Contents

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1982–1986)

Wacholz started wrestling in 1982 after winning a Toughman Contest. He wrestled in various territories in Tennessee, Montreal, Central States, and the Pacific Northwest.

In 1985 he wrestled as Thor for World Class Championship Wrestling in Texas. Had feuds with Bobby Fulton and Brian Adias. That same year he worked with the same gimmick for Bill Watts' Mid-South Wrestling.

In 1986 he worked for New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

American Wrestling Association (1984–1988)

Wacholz debut in the American Wrestling Association (AWA) as Kevin Kelly in 1984, as a babyface midcarder. By 1986, he was a top heel and challenged for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship. He used the moniker, "Mr. Magnificent" Kevin Kelly.

In 1987, he was managed by Sherri Martel and regularly issued arm wrestling challenges. This led to a feud with Tommy Rich, who answered one of his challenges on an edition of AWA Championship Wrestling on ESPN. Rich appeared to have the contest won, when Martel interfered on Kelly's behalf. In retaliation, Rich tore off her dress. Rich would then dominate a series of matches between the two. [3]

After Martel left the AWA, Kelly took Madusa Miceli as his manager. He often teamed with Nick Kiniski as "The Perfect Tag Team" to contend for the AWA World Tag Team Championship.

He left the AWA in 1988, before it folded in 1991.

Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (1990)

In June 1990, Kelly returned to Japan for Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling where he had a feud with Dick Murdoch.

World Wrestling Federation (1989, 1991, 1992)

Wacholz, still performing under the name Kevin Kelly, received a tryout match on June 6, 1989, at a WWF Superstars taping in Madison, WI, defeating Tim Horner. [4] A night later he defeated Jim Powers at a Wrestling Challenge taping, but was not signed to a contract that year. After the AWA folded, Wacholz received another tryout match, this time at a WWF Superstars taping on May 6, 1991, defeating Brian Costello. [5] The following night at a Wrestling Challenge taping he defeated Gary Jackson in a dark match. [5]

In early 1992, Wacholz returned to the WWF as Nailz, an ex-convict who, in a series of promos, alleged he was abused by former prison guard Big Boss Man during his incarceration. [6] He also claimed to be innocent of his (unspecified) crimes. Following Big Boss Man's squash of Dave Roulette on the May 30 episode of WWF Superstars of Wrestling , Nailz (dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit) attacked Boss Man, handcuffing him to the top rope before repeatedly hitting and choking him with his own nightstick. [7] Nailz easily defeated numerous jobbers en route to defeating Boss Man's ally Virgil at SummerSlam. [8] He attacked Sgt. Slaughter before a match that ended in a no contest in September 1992. He continued to feud with Boss Man, who had recovered from Nailz's beating. The feud came to its climax when Big Boss Man defeated Nailz in a nightstick match at Survivor Series. [8] Before Nailz finished the feud with Boss Man, he began another feud, this time with The Undertaker. The two had a stare down on the October 24 episode of Superstars, a photo of which was used as the cover of the January 1993 issue of WWF Magazine . [9] He had a few matches losing to WWF Champion Bret Hart. Also he had a short feud with The Ultimate Warrior.

Altercation with Vince McMahon

Wacholz was released from his WWF contract in December 1992, after he attacked Vince McMahon in his office over a financial dispute, [6] [10] while John Nord watched the door. The incident occurred on December 14 during a house show in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Bret Hart recalled in his autobiography that Wacholz "cornered Vince in his office and screamed at him for fifteen minutes". Hart claims he was just down the hall from the office when he heard a loud crash, which was Wacholz "knocking Vince over in his chair, choking him violently". [11] The incident led to a series of lawsuits between Wacholz and the WWF. Wacholz alleged McMahon had given him steroids on a number of occasions; McMahon denied the claim. Wacholz then filed a wrongful termination lawsuit claiming McMahon sexually assaulted him. [12] The WWF filed a counterclaim against Wacholz, but both suits were later dropped. In 1994, Wacholz testified against McMahon during his trial on charges of supplying steroids to WWF wrestlers. He claimed McMahon had told him to take steroids. [13]

World Championship Wrestling (1993, 1997–1998)

After getting fired from the WWF, Wacholz appeared at World Championship Wrestling's (WCW) Slamboree event in 1993 as "The Prisoner" (looking identical to his Nailz persona), losing to Sting. [14]

He returned to WCW for several appearances over a six-month period from 1997 to 1998. His return began on October 6, 1997, when he defeated Yuji Nagata in a dark match on Monday Nitro. His last appearance was on April 17, 1998, where he defeated Barry Darsow at a house show.

Late career (1993–2001)

After WCW, Wacholz began working in the independent circuit.

From 1993 to 1997 he worked for Pro Wrestling America in Minnesota where he feuded with Road Warrior Hawk.

He was World Wide Wrestling Alliance's heavyweight champion in 1994. He dropped the title to Brutus Beefcake on April 16.

He wrestled in Jim Crockett's short-lived promotion, WWN, in 1994, as "The Convict". He also wrestled for New Japan Pro-Wrestling that year, as D.O.C. Nelson and Nailz, teaming with Ron Simmons.

In 1994, Wacholz appeared in Paul Alperstein's American Wrestling Federation as Nails (pronounced like "Nailz") alongside many WWF wrestlers from the 1980s and 1990s who were also wrestling in that promotion. On November 1, 1997, he lost to Jimmy Snuka at World Wrestling Alliance in Fort Lewis, Washington.

His last match was a loss to Matt Burns by disqualification on August 25, 2001, at an independent show in Orrock, Minnesota. After that, Wacholz officially retired from wrestling.

Championships and accomplishments

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sgt. Slaughter</span> American professional wrestler

Robert Rudolph Remus, better known by his ring name Sgt. Slaughter, is an American voice actor and retired professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE in the ambassador program.

<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">Randy Savage</span> American professional wrestler (1952–2011)

Randy Mario Poffo, better known by his ring name "Macho Man" Randy Savage, was an American professional wrestler and professional baseball player, best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Boss Man</span> American professional wrestler (1963–2004)

Ray Washington Traylor Jr. was an American professional wrestler best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) under the ring name Big Boss Man, as well as for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as the Boss, the Man, the Guardian Angel, and Big Bubba Rogers. During his appearances with the WWF, Big Boss Man held the WWF World Tag Team Championship once and the WWF Hardcore Championship four times. Traylor was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2016.

<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">Road Warrior Animal</span> American professional wrestler (1960–2020)

Joseph Michael Laurinaitis, better known by his ring name Road Warrior Animal, was an American professional wrestler. Along with Road Warrior Hawk, he was one-half of the tag team the Road Warriors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Rude</span> American professional wrestler (1958–1999)

Richard Erwin Rood, better known by his ring name "Ravishing" Rick Rude, was an American professional wrestler who performed for many promotions, including World Championship Wrestling (WCW), World Wrestling Federation (WWF), and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sherri Martel</span> American professional wrestler and manager (1958–2007)

Sherry Schrull was an American professional wrestler and manager, better known by her ring names, Sherri Martel and Sensational Sherri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dusty Rhodes</span> American professional wrestler (1945–2015)

Virgil Riley Runnels Jr., better known as "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, was an American professional wrestler, booker, and trainer who worked for the National Wrestling Alliance and the World Wrestling Federation, later known as WWE. Rhodes was considered a star wrestler and presented the persona of an American everyman, the American Dream personified. Rhodes is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Rockers</span> Professional wrestling tag team

The Rockers were an American professional wrestling tag team consisting of Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty who teamed from 1985 to 1992. The team worked for NWA Central States Wrestling, the American Wrestling Association, Continental Wrestling Federation, Continental Wrestling Association and the World Wrestling Federation. In 1992, the team had a violent kayfabe breakup that helped propel Michaels into the singles ranks with "The Heartbreak Kid" gimmick that he used until his retirement in 2010. After the breakup Michaels and Jannetty had an on again, off again feud due to Jannetty leaving the WWF on more than one occasion. In 1996, Jannetty teamed up with Leif Cassidy to form The New Rockers, but the team never achieved much success in the WWF and ended later that same year.

Erik Watts is an American semi-retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation in the 1990s. He is the son of wrestler Bill Watts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Roma</span> American professional wrestler

Paul Centopani is an American retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Paul Roma. He is best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling between 1984 and 1995.

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

Paul Worden Taylor III is an American retired professional wrestler better known by his ring name Terry Taylor and for his time as an in-ring performer in National Wrestling Alliance, World Championship Wrestling, and World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment. From 2003 until 2011, he worked as a road agent, trainer, interviewer and the director of talent relations in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Since 2012, Taylor has worked as a trainer in WWE's developmental territory, NXT.

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

Michael Seitz is an American retired professional wrestler and former musician. Seitz is best known for leading The Fabulous Freebirds under the ring name Michael "P.S." Hayes and for his role as an announcer under the name "Handsome" Dok Hendrix in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). He is currently employed with WWE as Vice President, Creative Writing & Booking and is also a senior producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Zbyszko</span> American professional wrestler

Lawrence Whistler, better known by the ring name Larry Zbyszko, is an American retired professional wrestler. He is perhaps best known for his feud with his mentor, Bruno Sammartino, during the early 1980s as well as his work as a wrestler and color commentator for World Championship Wrestling. Among other accolades, he is a two-time world champion having twice held the AWA World Heavyweight Championship. Zbyszko was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on March 28, 2015, by Sammartino.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Patriot (wrestler)</span> All-American college football player, professional wrestler (1961–2021)

Delbert Alexander "Del" Wilkes, Jr. was an American professional wrestler and college football player, better known by his ring names, The Trooper and The Patriot. Over the course of his ten-year career, Wilkes wrestled for the American Wrestling Association, the Global Wrestling Federation, All Japan Pro Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, and the World Wrestling Federation.

<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">Virgil (wrestler)</span> American professional wrestler (1951-2024)

Michael Charles Jones, better known by his ring name Virgil, was an American professional wrestler and actor. He is best known for his tenures in the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Sammartino</span> American personal trainer and wrestler

David Lugogo Sammartino is an American personal trainer and retired professional wrestler. He is the son of former WWWF/WWF World Heavyweight Champion, Bruno Sammartino.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Survivor Series (1992)</span> World Wrestling Federation pay-per-view event

The 1992 Survivor Series was the sixth annual Survivor Series professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by the World Wrestling Federation. It took place on November 25, 1992, at the Richfield Coliseum in Richfield Township, Ohio, which was the third time a Survivor Series was held there after the 1987 and 1988 events. It was the first Survivor Series to have only one match with the namesake elimination tag team match while the remaining matches were one-on-one and standard tag team matches.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Kevin Wacholz profile". OWOW. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  2. 1 2 Shields, Brian; Sullivan, Kevin (2009). WWE Encyclopedia. DK. p.  218. ISBN   978-0-7566-4190-0.
  3. ↑ Tommy Rich - Kevin Kelly Arm Wrestling Challenge (AWA) on YouTube
  4. ↑ "1989". thehistoryofwwe.com. January 16, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Cawthon, Graham (2013). The History of Professional Wrestling: The Results WWF 1990–1999. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. p. 118. ISBN   978-1-4935-6689-1.
  6. 1 2 Reynolds, R.D. (2003). Wrestlecrap: The Very Worst of Pro Wrestling. ECW Press. pp.  74–76. ISBN   978-1-55022-584-6.
  7. ↑ Big Boss Man vs. Dave Roulette + Nailz Debut on YouTube, 8/29/08
  8. 1 2 Cawthon, Graham (2013). the History of Professional Wrestling Vol 2: WWF 1990 - 1999. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ASIN   B00RWUNSRS.
  9. ↑ "WWF Magazine January 1993". Complete WWE. Archived from the original on June 25, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
  10. ↑ Santana, Tito (2008). Tito Santana's Tales From the Ring. Sports Publishing LLC. p. 120. ISBN   978-1-59670-325-4.
  11. ↑ Hart, Bret (2008). Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling. Grand Central Publishing. p.  301. ISBN   978-0-446-53972-2.
  12. ↑ "Top 15 Shocking Accusations Made Against Vince McMahon". September 18, 2015.
  13. ↑ Nailz the Wrestler Testifies He Was Told to Use Steroids The New York Times (July 12, 1994).
  14. ↑ Cawthon, Graham (2014). The History of Professional Wrestling Vol 4: World Championship Wrestling 1989-1994. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN   978-1499656343.
  15. ↑ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN   0-9698161-5-4.
  16. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 1992". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on June 7, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  17. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Wrestlers of the PWI Years". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
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.