Luke Williams

Professional wrestling career Early career (1962–1974)

Luke Williams started wrestling for NWA New Zealand (later known as All-Star Pro Wrestling) with his friend and long term tag team partner Butch Miller in 1962 where he achieved a great deal of regional success. After working Australasia and the Eastern Circuit (Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan), the duo was booked in North America in "Grand Prix" (Quebec, The Maritimes, Ontario, and Vermont), a very successful promotion owned by the famous Vachons and Edouard Carpentier, in 1972 by fellow New Zealander Steve Rickard, who was also the booker for "NWA Hawaii".

Luke and Butch worked in Canada for Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling billed as The Kiwis (Butch was known as "Nick Carter" and Luke was known as "Sweet William"). The first recorded title that the Kiwis won was in 1974, when the duo beat Bob Pringle and Bill Cody for the Stampede International Tag Team Championship on 6 January 1974. The Kiwis lost the titles to Tokyo Joe and the Great Saki, only to regain them a short time later.

Boyd and Williams resurfaced in Southwest Championship Wrestling only weeks later, continuing their brutal and destructive ways. Their first target was the reigning Southwest Tag Team Champions "The Grapplers" (Len Denton and Tony Anthony). In May, the Sheepherders won the gold from the duo through nefarious means; before the match Williams and Boyd had bribed the Grapplers' manager Don Carson and promised he would become a tag team champion, Carson turned on the Grapplers mid match to ensure the Sheepherders' victory. Back in the UWF for their big "Mid South Superdome Show", the Sheepherders clashed with the Fantastics once more. This time, Luke and Butch lost in a "New Zealand Boot camp" match to the UWF Tag champs.

After being unable to beat the Fantastics on several occasions, the Sheepherders traveled back to Puerto Rico during the summer for a six-week run with the WWC World Tag Team Championship on 3 August.

After leaving Memphis, the Sheepherders returned to Puerto Rico and the WWC. Here the Sheepherders started a bloody feud with Chris and Mark Youngblood that drew big crowds in Puerto Rico. At Clash of the Champions II, the Sheepherders faced off against the NWA United States Tag Team Champions the Fantastics, but did not win the gold. At Clash of the Champions III, the Sheepherders lost to Steve Williams and Nikita Koloff despite the interference of Rip Morgan. Just as it looked like the Sheepherders were going to face the Fantastics in the finals of a tournament to crown new United States tag team champions, Luke and Butch signed with Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Federation.

In February, the Bushwhackers began a feud with The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers, the first feud to really feature the Bushwhackers on WWF television. The two teams took their conflict to WrestleMania V, which saw the Bushwhackers victorious in their WWF Pay Per View debut as a team. The WrestleMania match was not the end of the Bushwhackers/Rougeau feud, as the teams clashed again on 14 October Saturday Night's Main Event XXIII (taped 21 September); again, the Bushwhackers were victorious. The Bushwhackers and the Rougeaus clashed twice more, first at the 1989 Survivor Series and again at the 1990 Royal Rumble; the Bushwhackers got the best of the Rougeau brothers both times.

During this time, the Bushwhackers were featured in a long series of comedic vignettes, usually subjecting "Mean" Gene to their wild and wacky ways (and sardine eating antics). These vignettes were often shown between matches on Coliseum Home Video releases.

By 1990, the Bushwhackers were established as a solid mid-card comedy act feuding with the newly established heel team known as Rhythm and Blues (The Honky Tonk Man and Greg Valentine). The Bushwhackers' WrestleMania VI appearance came at the expense of Rhythm and Blues as they showed up during a segment, attacked Honky Tonk Man and Valentine, and then broke their opponents' guitars to the delight of the crowd. At Survivor Series 1990, Luke and Butch teamed up with Nikolai Volkoff and Tito Santana to form "The Alliance" and take on Sgt. Slaughter, Boris Zhukov, and the Orient Express team dubbed "The Mercenaries". The Bushwhackers eliminated the Orient Express but were eliminated themselves as well.

At the 1991 Royal Rumble, Luke set a record, lasting only 4 seconds. Using the trademark arm-swing entrance, he climbed into the ring, walked across in a straight path, and was thrown over the top rope by Earthquake. In a televised 6-man tag-team match, the Bushwhackers teamed with Tugboat against Earthquake and the Nasty Boys; Tugboat turned on his partners after a few minutes of action and joined Earthquake in laying the two New Zealanders out cold. After the heel turn Tugboat changed his name to Typhoon and together they became known as The Natural Disasters. The Bushwhackers demanded a chance to get even with the big team but were easily defeated at the 1991 SummerSlam PPV. After destroying the Bushwhackers, the Disasters targeted André the Giant who was at ringside on crutches due to an injury. The assault was stopped by the Legion of Doom who ran off the Natural Disasters.

After the Natural Disasters began feuding with the Legion of Doom, the Bushwhackers came across a team that was the total opposite of what they were. Luke and Butch the fun loving, "working class" guys started a feud with the rich, snobby bratty Beverly Brothers (Blake Beverly and Beau Beverly). The two teams first clashed at the 1991 Survivor Series where they were on opposite sides in a 4 on 4 elimination match. On that night, the Beverly Brothers got the upper hand and eliminated both Luke and Butch. The Beverly Brothers' manager The Genius kept interfering in the matches so the Bushwhackers brought in a manager of their own, the nerdy Jamison. Even the addition of Jamison was not enough to prevent the Beverly Brothers from winning at Royal Rumble 1992. In 1993, the Bushwhackers were used to "put over" the newly signed team the Headshrinkers (Fatu and Samu) and made a few appearances in comedy matches alongside midget "Tiger" Jackson (later Dink "The Clown") against the Beverly Brothers and "Little" Louie.

In November, Luke and Butch helped Doink the Clown in the clown's feud with Bam Bam Bigelow. Luke and Butch, as well as Mo and Mabel, all appeared at Survivor Series 1993 wearing the trademark green wig and facepaint associated with Doink the Clown. The Bushwhackers and Men on a Mission defeated Bigelow, Bastion Booger, and the Headshrinkers in a match that played more for laughs than serious wrestling. The team also faced Well Dunn, a recently signed team made up of Steven Dunn and Timothy Well. By 1995, the Bushwhackers were used almost exclusively to put over teams such as The Blu Twins. They also worked for United States Wrestling Association in Memphis, Tennessee.

In March 1996, the Bushwhackers returned and were beaten in the first round of a tournament for the tag titles by eventual winners The Bodydonnas (Skip and Zip). When the Bushwhackers returned, it was a slightly revamped version that ignored the fact that both members were from New Zealand as they displayed traditional Australian Stereotypes, including being accompanied to the ring by a giant kangaroo mascot. On 14 September, the Bushwhackers made their last appearance while under contract with the WWF.

Late career (1996–2002) After leaving the WWF, the team made special appearances in the independent circuit. This included a return to WWC for its 24th-anniversary show, where they were billed as the Sheepherders and Los Pastores feuding with old rivals Invaders I & II. They also appeared at Terry Funk's WrestleFest in Amarillo to celebrate "50 years of Funk", where they lost to old rivals Mark and Chris Youngblood.

They made two appearances for Extreme Championship Wrestling in April 1998. They wrestled Tommy Dreamer and The Sandman to a no contest. Then wrestled Chris Chetti and Jerry Lynn.

In 1999, Luke and Butch participated in a "wrestling nostalgia" PPV called Heroes of Wrestling as the Men from Down Under. They took on and defeated former WWF Tag Team Champions The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff. They also wrestled in the UK in 2000, mainly for All Star Wrestling where they appeared in six man tags, teaming with Frank Casey who for some years had been performing as tribute act the "British Bushwhacker." Luke and Butch made one of their last appearances as active wrestlers on 1 April 2001, when they participated in the "Gimmick Battle Royal" at WrestleMania X-Seven. On 15 June, the team returned to Memphis one last time, fighting The Moondogs to a double Disqualification on a special "Mid-South Clash of the Legends" show. Butch retired in September 2001 after suffering a neck injury.

In 2002, Luke started working behind the scenes as a booker in IWA Puerto Rico, retiring from active competition.

Return to wrestling (2007–present)

Luke made appearances with Ring of Honor starting with the final two shows in 2007, Rising Above and Final Battle. Luke hosted the Luke Williams show for Ring of Honor podcasts where he interviews ROH wrestlers.

In December 2007, Wickens again appeared on a wrestling program as Bushwhacker Luke. Wrestler Eric Young hosted a party on the Christmas-themed episode of Impact, and his family turned out to be the Bushwhackers.

On 9 January 2008 in Adrian Michigan Luke made his in-ring return after 6 years out of the ring. He teamed with Big Chuck Wagon and lost to the BNU in the first round of a tag team titles tournament for Championship International Wrestling.

On 26 July 2008 in Detroit, Michigan Luke participated in the first ever Honor Rumble where the winner received a future ROH World Title shot. He was eliminated by Necro Butcher.

In September 2013 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada Luke teamed with Odjig Thundercloud and defeated the Royal Guards to capture the Victory Commonwealth Wrestling Tag Team Championships.

On 23 February 2015, it was announced by WWE that The Bushwhackers would be 2015 inductees into the WWE Hall of Fame. On 28 March 2015, they both attended the event to accept their induction.

In February 2018, the Bushwhackers reunited for one last tour of their native New Zealand. On 10 February, Bushwhacker Luke defeated Simon Seven at UCW's Invasion show, in Christchurch as well as defeating James Shaw at IPW's Kiwi as mate show, in Auckland.

On 11 September 2021, Luke defeated Gangrel at an event honoring the heroes of 9/11 in Ocala, Florida.

On 24 May 2025, he was shown alongside Jimmy Hart in the crowd during Saturday Night's Main Event XXXIX.

As of 2026, Luke still wrestles at 79.

Other media The Bushwhackers released their autobiography "The Bushwhackers: Blood, Sweat & Cheers", along with writer John E. Crowther, on 27 September 2022.

Championships and accomplishments

Allied Powers Wrestling Federation APWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Butch Miller Continental Wrestling Association CWA International Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Butch Miller Championship Wrestling from Florida NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Butch Miller NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (1 time) - with Butch Miller Continental Wrestling Association AWA Southern Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Jonathan Boyd Flemish Wrestling Force Flemish Wrestling Cup (2013) International Wrestling Association IWA Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Butch Miller Southeast Championship Wrestling NWA Southeastern Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Jonathan Boyd NWA Southeastern United States Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time) Sooner World Class Wrestling SWCW Championship (1 time) Southwest Championship Wrestling SCW Southwest Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Jonathan Boyd (1) and Bobby Jaggers (1) SCW World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Butch Miller Stampede Wrestling NWA International Tag Team Championship (Calgary version) (2 times) - with Butch Miller Steeltown Pro Wrestling SPW Provincial Championship (1 time) Ultimate Championship Wrestling UCW Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with The Honky Tonk Man and The Maritime Menace Ultimate Championship Wrestling (Virginia) UCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Butch Miller United States Wrestling League USWL Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Butch Miller Universal Wrestling Federation UWF World Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Butch Miller Victory Commonwealth Wrestling VCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Odjig Thundercloud World Wide Wrestling Alliance WWWA Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Butch Miller World Wrestling Council WWC North American Tag Team Championship (4 times) - with Butch Miller WWC World Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Butch Miller WWE WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2015) - as a member of The Bushwhackers Pro Wrestling Illustrated PWI ranked him #363 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the PWI Years in 2003. PWI ranked him #71 of the 100 best tag teams of the "PWI Years" with Butch Miller in 2003. Wrestling Observer Newsletter Worst Tag Team (1992, 1994) with Butch Miller Worst Worked Match of the Year (1993) with Butch Miller and Men on a Mission vs. The Headshrinkers, Bastion Booger, and Bam Bam Bigelow at Survivor Series