Jerry Blackwell

American Wrestling Association (1979–1989) Blackwell made his debut for the Minneapolis, Minnesota-based American Wrestling Association (AWA) on December 25, 1979, as Farmer Blackwell. He began calling himself the "Crusher" of the area, leading to a bloody feud with the "Crusher" Reginald Lisowski over the moniker. As part of their alignment, Blackwell changed his ring name to Sheik Ayatollah Blackwell and wore Arab garments, feuding with the High Flyers (Greg Gagne and "Jumpin" Jim Brunzell) over the AWA World Tag Team Championship. before losing the titles on May 6, 1984, to the Crusher and Baron von Raschke. As a result, Blackwell was positioned as one of the AWA's top babyfaces in light of Hulk Hogan's departure from the promotion.

On November 16, Blackwell won his second NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship by defeating Race, but lost it back to Race on August 2, 1985.

Due to poor health caused by years of obesity, Blackwell's in-ring performance slowed, and he stopped wrestling full-time by 1988.

All Japan Pro Wrestling (1977–1988) Through the AWA's working relationship with All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), Blackwell made several appearances for the Japanese promotion starting in 1977. In November 1988, he and Phil Hickerson took part in the Real World Tag League, but failed to win as they scored no points.

Later career (1987–1990) Blackwell won his final championship on January 12, 1987, defeating Goliath for the CWA Super Heavyweight Championship. Despite his considerable bulk, he was quite nimble and a gifted worker, able to throw a standing dropkick and take bumps in the ring. His finishing maneuver was a big splash. The Crusher suffered nerve damage to his arm and was forced to take about a year off after Blackwell performed a move from the top rope and landed awkwardly on him.

Other media Blackwell competed in the 1979 World's Strongest Man contest, but withdrew early in the competition due to an injury. Ken Patera had jokingly suggested that Blackwell should enter the contest. was born on April 26, 1949, in Hall County, Georgia. His parents died when he was six years old, forcing him to live with his grandfather, Clyde. Central States Wrestling NWA World Tag Team Championship (Central States version) (1 time) – with Buck Robley Continental Wrestling Association CWA Super Heavyweight Championship (1 time) Southeastern Championship Wrestling NWA Southeastern Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with The Invader (1), Dick Slater (1) St. Louis Wrestling Club NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship (2 times) St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Pro Wrestling Illustrated PWI ranked him #116 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003 PWI ranked him #75 of the 100 best tag teams during the "PWI Years" – with Ken Patera in 2003