Otto Schwanz

Early life William Murray Happer was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, on October 4, 1972. He was a four-year letterman and co-captain of the Georgetown Hoyas football team, along with Steve Colello and Jim Klessel, while attending Georgetown University

He pursued an athletic career following his graduation the next year – specifically as a professional wrestler.

Professional wrestling career

Early career in the Southern independents Though initially using the name "Baron von Happer" as a student, Happer wrestled as Otto Schwanz upon making his debut. While resembling a throwback to the archetypical foreign villains of the 1960s and 70s,

Southern Championship Wrestling (1997–1999) That same year Happer began wrestling for Count Grog's Southern Championship Wrestling based in his hometown of Raleigh. On May 2, 1998, he beat Boris Dragoff for the SCW North Carolina Championship, his first singles title, in Durham, North Carolina. On June 27, while champion, he lost to Boris Dragoff in a three-way match with Chris Stephenson for the vacant heavyweight championship. He held the North Carolina title for seven months before dropping the belt to C. W. Anderson in Raleigh on December 3, 1998.

Throughout his time in SCW, Happer was associated with its top "heel" stable, The Brotherhood, led by Count Grog. Grog later listed Happer as his second favorite wrestler to manage, after Major DeBeers, commenting "this big German has the most potential of anyone I've ever managed. He's big, mean, and insane, all qualities I look for in a wrestler".

Happer feuded with Venom during this time Coincidentally Happer's former trainer, Cueball Carmichael, had been the previous SCW champion before being forced to vacate the title. at which time he was interviewed by the Washington City Paper. He won the heavyweight title two more times before leaving SCW near the end of 1999. It was in OMEGA that he formed an alliance with future tag team partner Cham Pain against Happer's archrival Venom. At OMEGA's "Livin' La Vida Lucha" on July 24, 1998, he and Cham Pain wrestled Venom in a handicap match.

By the end of OMEGA's three-year run, Happer was among the promotion's stars that went on to join the "mainstream" wrestling organizations including Venom, C. W. Anderson, Steve Corino, Shane Helms, Kid Dynamo, Amy, and The Bad Street Boys (Joey Matthews and Christian York). Happer was featured in the 2009 documentary "OMEGA: Uncommon Passion" and several former OMEGA alumni, including former co-owner Thomas Simpson, spoke highly of him. Corino, in particular, voiced his wish that "Vince McMahon would take another look at him because he's got that old school vibe and he's funny without even trying".

The Dupps (1999–2003)

In the summer of 1999, the then reigning SCW Tag Team Champions, The Serial Thrillaz, broke up when Shane Helms left SCW for World Championship Wrestling and saw Helms give his half of the title to Happer. He and Mike Maverick defended the titles together for a short time before changing their names to Bo and Jack Dupp respectively. On October 29, 1999, The Dupps wrestled David "Kid" Cash and Super Nova at the Packard Music Hall in Warren, Ohio. The trio eventually forfeited the SCW tag team belts, and Happer the heavyweight title, and left for ECW a month later. again wrestling Kid Cash and Super Nova. Bo and Jack Dupp were wrestling while Puck Dupp acted as manager. The following night, they appeared on the November 28 edition of Hardcore TV against Danny Doring and Roadkill. A month later, The Dupps wrestled both teams in a three-way dance which aired on ECW on TNN

World Wrestling Federation (2000–2001) Despite being promised contracts with ECW, Happer and Maverick instead decided to accept a contract offer with the World Wrestling Federation in March 2000.

Memphis Championship Wrestling (2000–2001) The Dupps were sent to Memphis Championship Wrestling in late 2000. On October 14, 2000, they teamed with Joey Abs in a 6-man tag team match against K-Krush and the Mean Street Posse. Two weeks later they won the MCW Southern Tag Team Championship from the Mean Street Posse in Jonesboro, Arkansas. They defended the titles for three weeks before losing the belts to The Triad (Seven and Thrash) in a no-disqualification match. Happer was unable to appear for the show, held in Newbern, Tennessee, and was substituted by Joey Abs. That same year, The Dupps became the first tag team champions for Carolinas Wrestling Federation, however, the titles were vacated when they left the promotion in 2001. He made a fourth and final appearance in a dark match prior to a television taping for the February 20 edition of SmackDown! as the opponent for fellow ECW star Rhyno in what would be his second "unofficial" WWF debut. They dropped the belts to The Haas Brothers (Charlie Haas and Russ Haas) on February 21, 2001, in Jonesboro.

World Wrestling Federation (2001) Shortly before The Dupp's departure from Memphis, Happer was brought in for several matches with the company. On March 4, he faced Albert at a WWF house show in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where he was pinned following a "Baldo Bomb". Two days later, he teamed with Scott Vick against The Haas Brothers at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. On March 19, Happer faced his former partner in a singles match at the sold-out Pepsi Arena in Albany, New York, pinning Vick with a charging headbutt and splash. He lost to Vick the next day at Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island. In front of 3,000 fans, on June 19, 2002, he and Stan Dupp defeated Christian York and Joey Matthews when Bo pinned York at the Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

Bo and Stan Dupp would team together only twice more after their TNA debut. The first was against The Flying Elvises (Jorge Estrada and Sonny Siaki) at the City Auditorium on July 10 and the second defeating Mike Rapada and Big Bully Douglas a week later at the Fairgrounds Coliseum in Nashville, Tennessee. While The Dupps were only together for an eight-week period, they had a notable impact during the first year of the promotion. On the July 24 edition of TNA Impact, Happer's "bumping" into Ian Harrison set up an impromptu match ending in a disqualification when Stan Dupp interfered on Bo Dupp's behalf. Another storyline involving The Dupp's was the so-called "Dupp Cup" which Happer defended in "hardcore" matches, most notably against Ed Ferrara, during his last two months with TNA. On August 14, 2002, in what would be his final appearance with the company, Happer was defeated by Teo in a "hardcore" match at Nashville's Fairgrounds Coliseum to win the NWA Dupp Cup. Blade Braxton of Wrestlecrap.com briefly touched on their career during the first year of the company.

Return to the "Indies" (2001–2002) In between his release from the WWE and being hired by TNA, Happer continued his appearances on the Mid-Atlantic and Southern independent circuit. On September 1, 2001, Happer appeared at NWA Wildside's "2nd Anniversary Show" held at the NWA Wildside Arena in Cornelia, Georgia, where he joined Lodi and Chris Hamrick in a 6-man tag team match against Adam Booker, Dr. Heresy, and Cru Jones. Hamrick later included this match on his personal "Best of Chris Hamrick" video series. In late 2001, he returned to the Carolinas Wrestling Federation, now known as FWA-Carolinas, one of two U.S. affiliate promotions under the UK's Frontier Wrestling Alliance. It was there, as "Otto Schwanz", that he began a feud with FWA Carolinas Heavyweight Champion Madd Maxx. Happer wrestled Maxx in a non-title lumberjack match at A Matter of Pride on November 11, which he won, due to outside interference by Jeff Justice, and caused Maxx to lose the title at BattleCade (2001) to Eddie Brown on December 29, 2001.

Happer also came back to Southern Championship Wrestling where, on January 31, 2002, he defeated Kross a tournament final to win the then vacant heavyweight title. At a benefit show for SCW wrestler Josh "Tears" Duke, who was left paralyzed following a car accident, he successfully defended his title against TNA's Lazz. He held the title for six months before surrendering the title in June 2002. Elsewhere on the "indy circuit" Happer also faced another former ECW star, Roadkill, at a show for Wrestle Force of America in Richmond, Virginia, on February 2, 2002. That summer, he was invited by Phoenix Championship Wrestling to participate in the 12-team Invitational Tag Team Tournament for the Russ Haas Memorial Cup being held in Toms River, New Jersey. He was originally scheduled to team with Pete Gas, however, he was paired with Matt Vandal when Gas was not able to make it to the event. The team was eliminated in the opening rounds by The United Nations (Prophet and Tiger Khan) in a three-way match also involving Lance Cade and Nick Dinsmore. Back in FWA-Carolinas, he defeated Brown for the promotion's heavyweight title at the June 29 supercard "Hostile Intentions" in Graham, North Carolina. He defended the title for over three months before his defeat by Corey Edsel at FWA's "The Next Level" on November 2, 2002.

He and Cusick continued teaming for another month wrestling dark matches against Spanky and Paul London on WWE Velocity (November 1, 2003). and World Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz on WWE Raw (November 2, 2003) in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Happer had one more appearance on the Fourth of July edition of WWE Heat against Val Venis.

Southern Championship Wrestling (2003–2004) Happer returned to Southern Championship Wrestling and remained with the promotion during its final two years in operation. On July 12, 2003, he lost to C. W. Anderson at Heatwave (2003) in a match for the SCW Heavyweight Championship. Happer regained the title from Anderson, a record fifth time, at SCW's final show "Blowout Bash" on November 20, 2004. His one-time manager, Count Grog, helped Happer win the title. While wrestling for SCW, Josh Daniels called his match with Happer one of his better matches and "a great learning experience for me".

AWA Mid-Atlantic (2004–2006) During SCW's last year, Happer started working for AWA Mid-Atlantic. From May 2004 to February 2005, he wrestled against Krazy K, Trent Wylde, Brad Attitude, Joey Silvia, and Matt Stryker. On February 19, 2005, Happer unsuccessfully challenged Ric Converse for the AWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship in Burlington, North Carolina. At April 2 "Fallout" supercard, his match against AWA Mid-Atlantic Television Champion Jesse "El Fuego" Ortega ended in a time limit draw. At the end of the month, Happer defeated AWA Mid-Atlantic Rising Generation League Champion Kid Justice in non-title match. However, he came up on the losing end in a rematch on June 4, 2005. and "Rock ’n' Roll" Matty Dee. He also teamed with Tank Lawson against The New Dynasty (Steve Greene & Joey Silvia) on May 6, and a 6-man tag team match with Lawson and Rob McBride against Steve Greene, Joey Silvia, and Trent Wylde on July 22. On August 5, Happer won the 14-man Torneo Cibernetico (his team consisting of Chris Collins, Brandon Day, Jesse Ortega, Kamakazi Kid, Tank Lawson, and Rob McBride) for a title shot against then AWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Converse. The two men met at Burlington's Carolina Sports Arena two weeks later, with Allison Danger in Happer's corner, but was unable to unseat the heavyweight champion.

On March 31, 2007, Happer and Tennessee Ernie Nord lost a tag team match to The Urban Legends (Cowboy Willie Watts & Leroy Zbyszko) at "March Mayhem" in Stem, North Carolina. A few days later at "The Final Count Down", he was involved in a four-way match with King F’n Chilly Willy, C.W. Anderson, and Trailer Park Heat for the GOUGE Heavyweight Championship. He continued teaming with Tennessee Ernie Nord and Seymour Snott during the summer as well as winning a number of singles matches against Damien Wayne, Cowboy Willie Watts, Leroy Zbyszko, and Ravishing Rico Rage.

CWF Mid-Atlantic (2007–2008) In early 2007, Happer formed a brief tag team with Marcellus King. The two defeated Mitch Connor and Donnie Dollars at CWF Mid Atlantic's "War Games" on February 24, 2007, and Corey Edsel and Gregory Vercetti at "D-Day: The Fallout from War Games" on March 10. A month later, he lost to Joey Silvia (with Commissioner Ty Dillinger) in a match for the AWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship. On May 6, he wrestled T.J. Mack in Manning, South Carolina, in a qualifying match to enter the 2007 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup.

He continued wrestling in tag teams over the summer. He and King lost to Donnie Dollars and Mitch Connor at "Absolute Justice" in Burlington on June 16 and, later that month, with Derek Ryze against Team Macktion (Kirby and T.J. Mack). On the August 11 edition of CWF Championship Wrestling, Happer battled Mid-Atlantic Television Champion "Simply" Steve Greene (with Ty Dillinger) to a time limit draw. He followed this up with a victory over Jerry Wayne at A Date With Destiny on October 20, 2007. Nicky Richards, The Taker, and Damien Wayne. He also wrestled in a three-way tag team match with Seymour Snott against Cowboy Willie Watts & Blackjack Billy Watts, The Trailer Park Model & Frankie Fontaine, and the Krazy Killer Klowns. The latter match was held at "Maul-O-Ween" in Youngsville, North Carolina, with Baby Doll in his opponent's corner, and ended in a disqualification. At the end of the match, when his manager Count Grog climbed into the ring to interfere on Happer's behalf, he was put in the sleeper hold by Valiant and dropkicked by Lawler over the top rope. He also wrestled The Mommas Boy at the "Redneck Rumble" (March 7), a three-way match against Trailer Park Heat and Cueball Carmichael at GOUGE's "3rd Anniversary Show" (April 25), beat William Alexander Huckabee at "Showdown" (May 30), and another three-way match with Rob McBride and the Goat at "Super Summer Sizzler" (June 27). On August 15, he teamed with Demolition Ax and Rob McBride (with Count Grog) in a 6-man tag team match to defeat Cueball Carmichael, Wrestling Superstar, and Jimmy Jack Funk, Jr. (with Smart Mark Greene) at "August Armageddon" in Wake Forest, North Carolina; after the match, Grog put a dress on Greene.

Later career (2010-2021) On January 23, 2010, Happer appeared at the Sports Factory in Wake Forest, North Carolina for the Melissa Jo Bullock Fundraiser. He and Buddy Langley defeated Andrea the Giant and Robert Royal (with Neil Sharkey). He returned to Wake Forest a month later for "The Redneck Rumble" on February 27 where he defeated Q Sic. At the March 27 "March Mayhem" show, he and Rob McBride beat Rev Jimmy Swagger and Paco Loco at the Stem Fire Hall. Returning to in Wake Forest, Happer also beat William Alexander Huckaby at GOUGE's 4th Year Anniversary Show on April 17. On September 11, at "Fall Out", he was disqualified during a title defence against Mickey Gambino when Happer hit the referee. He did, however, successfully defend the title against Frank Stelletto at "Too Hot to Handle" (September 25), Scapyard Dog at Maul-O-Ween, Night 1 (October 23), and wrestled GOUGE Tag Team Champions Frank Stelletto & Mickey Gambino with Rob McBride at Maul-O-Ween, Night 2 (October 30). During the event, Happer was interviewed by The Herald-Sun where he discussed his experience working on the "indy circuit".

Happer continued to appear for G.O.U.G.E. throughout 2011. He defeated Lou Marconi at Redneck Rumble (January 8), Sean Van Halen at Winter Wars (February 19), and Jimmy Jack Funk, Jr. at G.O.U.G.E's 5th Year Anniversary Show (April 9). On April 14, at the Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo, a rematch with Funk (with Admir Al Akbar, Greene in another gimmick) ended in a double-disqualification due to outside interference from Count Grog, Mickey Gambino, Seymour Snott and Rob McBride; he and Gambino lost to Seymour Snott and Jimmy Jack Funk, Jr. in a tag team match later that night. That summer, he travelled to Florida where he appeared on Florida Underground Wrestling's debut show in Ybor City.

Five months later, this time with Admir Al Akbar in his corner, Happer returned to the Food Truck Rodeo where he successfully defended the GOUGE Raleigh Championship against Seymour Snott. Later on, he wrestled against Snott, Rob McBride, Jimmy Jack Funk, Jr. in a 6-man tag team match with Mikey Gambino and Lou Marconi. Happer also beat Mike West at the September 24 "Fallout in Butner" show. On October 8, he defeated Lou Marconi (with Count Grog) at Bud Light Concert Series in Raleigh. During the show, Happer attacked Jimmy Jack Funk, Jr. following his match with Gluteus Maximus. At Maul-O-Ween 2011, he beat Leatherface to retain the Raleigh Championship.

On November 5, 2011, Happer made a surprise appearance at CWF Mid-Atlantic's home arena, the Mid-Atlantic Sportatorium in Burlington, during its "Settling the Score" supercard demanding a match on the card. His challenge was accepted by Chase Dakota, a two-time CWF Mid Atlantic Heavyweight Champion, with their match nearly ending in a time-limit draw. Happer was able to pin Dakota only two seconds before the 10 min. time limit was to expire.

Teaching career In 2003, shortly after his final stint with WWE, Happer began teaching part-time upon returning to the "indy circuit". He took a job as a civics and history teacher at South Johnston High School located in Four Oaks, North Carolina. That same year he accepted a position as head coach for the school's wrestling team, The Trojans followed up this victory by capturing seven individual conference championships at the Cape Fear Valley 3-A Conference on February 3, 2007. In December 2010, Murray and the Trojans were part of a trio of Johnston County wrestling teams which opened their season at South Johnston High. They were defeated by The Comets (60–21) while also competing against Knightdale and the Chargers. On January 26, 2012, Happer and the Trojans competed against, and lost to, county rivals Cleveland High School and the Rams for the Eastern Carolina 3A Conference's regular-season wrestling championship. The teams were preparing for Saturday night's Johnston County tournament held at Corinth-Holders. Earlier that month, in a meeting between South Johnston and Southern Wayne, Happer allowed Trojans team member Quincey Williams to wrestle Southern Wayne's 263-pound heavyweight Deonta Hayes in an exhibition match. Their bout, in which one of the participants outweighed the other by 110 pounds, was called "one of the strangest matchups of the year".

Wrestlers trained Krissy Vaine

Championships and accomplishments

College football Georgetown University George L. Murtagh Award (1994)

Professional wrestling CWF Mid-Atlantic CWF Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship (1 time) CWF Mid-Atlantic Television Championship (1 time) CWF Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Jack Dupp G.O.U.G.E. G.O.U.G.E. Raleigh Heavyweight Championship (1 time) New Dimension Wrestling NDW Heavyweight Championship (1 time) OMEGA OMEGA Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Mike Maverick Pro Wrestling Illustrated PWI ranked him No. 232 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2003 Southern Championship Wrestling SCW Heavyweight Championship (5 times) SCW North Carolina Championship (2 times) SCW Brass Knuckles Championship (1 time) SCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Jack Dupp SCW Hall of Fame (Class of 2000) Wrestler of the Year (1999) Total Nonstop Action Wrestling Dupp Cup (1 time) – with Stan Dupp Other titles Global Television Championship (1 time)