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B. Brian Blair
was one of the most athletic and technically sound wrestlers in the
ring and one of the most well liked and respected stars out of the
ring. He started his wrestling career with Eddie Graham's Florida
Championship Wrestling office and was trained by several stars, including
Hiro Matsuda. Brian's first professional match was an inauspicious
debut in a tag-team match against two all-time greats, Ivan
Koloff and Pat Patterson.
Still, Brian's work ethic and athleticism allowed him to progress
quickly and he made his first impact working for Bob Geigel's Central
States promotion in Kansas City. From there, Blair went to Leroy McGuirk's
Tri-State wrestling promotion in Oklahoma. Blair became a main eventer
quickly, unheard of for a wrestler with so little experience. In 1979,
Blair became one of the youngest junior heavyweight champions of all
time beating Ron Starr in Springfield, Mo.
From Oklahoma, Blair migrated south to World Class in Dallas where
he faced even stiffer competition. The young Blair was considered
an underdog upon his arrival, but quickly proved himself with big
wins over stars in the promotion. He more than held his own against
main event caliber talent. Blair earned shots at the NWA World Junior
Heavyweight Championship and came close to lifting the title. Blair
and Al Madril were able to win the grueling tournament and had a successful
reign as Tag Team Champions.
Brian was then booked by Vince McMahon, Sr. to wrestle for the WWF
and made his first trip to Japan for New Japan Wrestling. Blair earned
the Japanese fans' respect with a great series of matches.
It was a much more confident and seasoned B. Brian Blair that returned
home. Brian proved that you can come home again when he won the Florida
State Heavyweight Championship in 1982.
Brian was chosen by Vince McMahon, Jr. to join the WWF for its expansion
as a national promotion. Brian was part of the first "wrestling
boom" in the 80s. Brian stayed on national television when he
finished this tour duty for the WWF by competing for Georgia Championship
Wrestling with such luminaries as Paul Ornodrff and Tito
Santana.
Brian returned home once again for a short but successful run in Florida.
Among his accomplishments included a Southern championship victory
over "Ravishing"
Rick Rude in what turned into a great feud. Blair also regained
the Florida Heavyweight title.
Brian returned to the WWF once again. This time he formed a highly
successful and popular tag-team called the Killer Bees with Jim
Brunzell. They were always leading contenders for the WWF tag
team championship, including a classic series of matches against the
Hart Foundation - Bret
"The Hit Man" Hart and Jim
"The Anvil" Neidhart.
Title
Summary:
Tri-State Junior Heavyweight
Florida Tag-Team championship
Asian Pacific Heavyweight championship
Southern championship
Florida Heavyweight
Florida State Heavyweight championship
American Tag Team championship
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