John's Icons of Wrestling: Barry Windham Quiz

Answer: NWA

Barry spent his career going back and forth between the WWF and NWA. It was in an NWA territory however that he made his debut. The match took place in Odessa Texas against J.J. Dillon. J.J. Dillon would later manage Barry as a member of "The Four Horseman".

In the early days of Barry's career, he wrestled for Championship Wrestling from Florida. This territory was owned by Eddie Graham and was later deemed an WWE developmental territory.

Answer: Mike Rotunda

Barry and Mike first teamed in Championship Wrestling from Florida. The tag team won the NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Florida version) three times. It wasn't until they entered the WWF that they went by the name "U.S. Express".

Answer: North South Connection

Barry and Mike defeated the team of Dick Murdoch and Adrian Adonis for their first World Tag Team Championship in the WWF. The duo successfully defended the titles for close to two months before they were defeated. The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff with the outside interference of their manager "Classy" Freddie Blassie defeated the "U.S. Express". Freddie hit Barry with his cane allowing him to be pinned.

I can recall seeing the "U.S. Express" on Piper's Pit a short time after they lost the title. Roddy was hounding them about their loss. This was the first time I had really watched a wrestling program and was hooked instantly.

Answer: NWA Western States Heritage Championship

Barry defeated one of his old nemesis's from Championship Wrestling from Florida to win this title. The title was short lived and only held by one other person. Larry Zbyszko won the title January 24, 1988 at the "Bunkhouse Stampede".

The title was created by the UWF, but was recognized by the NWA. The title was around for close to six months. It was vacated when Larry took it back with him to the AWA.

Answer: yes

Barry and Mike did wrestle in the first ever "Wrestlemania". They lost their titles to The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff. Barry and Mike pursued The Iron Sheik and Volkoff until they finally regained the titles in June of 1985. Their second title reign was ended by "The Dream Team".

The team consisted of Greg "The Hammer" Valentine and Brutus Beefcake. Barry left the WWF a short time after that. Mike stayed and tried to re-create the team with Dan Spivey. The team lasted a few short months.

Answer: The Stalker

Barry returned to the WWF in 1996. This gimmick as I recall did not go over well. Barry dressed in camouflage and was supposed to be deranged. Barry is an excellent wrestler and in my opinion one of the top 5. I think that the WWF really didn't utilize his talent they way they should have.

The gimmick was short lived. Barry and Bradshaw formed the "New Blackjacks" in 1997. The team did not live up to it's promise and barely got into mid-card status. Barry turned on Bradshaw when he was part of a plan by Jim Cornette to revitalize the old NWA.

The group included Windham, Cornette, and the "Rock 'n' Roll Express".

Answer: Mike Graham

Barry Windham and Mike Graham defeated the team of Bobby Jaggers & R.T. Tyler. The team of Bobby Jaggers & R.T. Tyler were known as "The Cowboy Conection". They held the titles for less then a month. The titles were won back by Bobby Jaggers and R.T. Tyler.

Answer: Blackjack Mulligan

Blackjack Mulligan is Barry and Kendall's dad. His real name is Robert Jack Windham. Blackjack Mulligan along with Blackjack Lanza held the WWF World Tag Team Title. He was also a NWA United States Heavyweight Champion. Both of these titles were also held by Barry.

When Barry first joined the business Blackjack was extremely upset. He wanted his son to go to college and play football. Finally Barry wore his dad down and was trained by his dad and Harley Race. Barry made his debut at the age of 19.

Answer: Lariat

Barry took this move along with "The Claw" from his dad. These moves were made popular by blackjack Mulligan. "The Lariat" was in it's simplest form a clothesline maneuver. One of my favorite maneuvers Barry used was the drop kick. He was usually flawless in the execution of this move. Barry is a tall man standing well over 6 ft tall, but he made that move look easy.

Answer: Captain Lou Albano

Captain Lou was known as the manager of tag team champions. He had recently had a change from heel to baby face. "The U.S. Express" was his first baby-face team. He led them to the WWF Tag Team Championship twice. Captain Lou also managed the "British Bulldogs" to tag team gold. Captain Lou passed away in 2009.