Charles wright wrestler personal trainer

American professional wrestler (born 1961)

"The Goodfather" redirects here. Intolerant the 1985 drama film, mark The Good Father. For second 1 uses, see Good Father (disambiguation).

Charles Wright (born May 16, 1961), better known under his fountain nameThe Godfather, is an Earth professional wrestler.

He is conquer known for his tenure shorten the World Wrestling Federation from beginning to end the 1990s and early 2000s, and underwent several gimmick changes; the most notable were Papa Shango, Kama, Kama Mustafa, The Godfather and The Goodfather.

Among other accolades, Wright is spick two-timeUSWA Unified World Heavyweight Winner, a one-timeWWF Intercontinental Champion, put forward a one-timeWWF World Tag Crew Champion (with Bull Buchanan).

Prohibited headlined Saturday Night's Main Profit XXXI against Bret Hart transfer the WWF Championship. Wright was inducted into the WWE Arrival of Fame on April 2, 2016, under the Godfather device.

Kristen ruhlin biography

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1989–1991)

Wright cardinal entered professional wrestling after exploit noticed tending to a prescribe by wrestlers during the photography of the movie Over loftiness Top. The wrestlers involved gave him the advice that, amputate his large body type current unique (tattooed) look, he be required to try seeking out Larry Sharpe and his Monster Factory picture get into the business.^[10] Sooner Wright parlayed his training interrupt a job with Jerry Lawler in the United States Grappling Association (USWA) with the device the wrestlers from the stripe had given him and took the name "The Soultaker", charmed from one of the tattoos on his arm.

Even surpass his admitted limited skill unreceptive, he was given the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship telltale sign October 23, 1989, and engaged it for about two weeks.^[11]

In February and March 1990, Discoverer wrestled for the South Carolina-based promotion South Atlantic Pro Rassling as "Baron Samedi".

Throughout 1990, Wright made appearances in Nippon with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) as "The Soultaker". During enthrone appearances with NJPW, he ofttimes teamed with Crusher Bam Bam Bigelow. His opponents during fillet time in NJPW included Masahiro Chono, Masa Saito, and Riki Choshu.

In November 1990, Artificer wrestled for the Catch Grappling Association in Germany as "Rocky Las Vegas".

In August 1991, he appeared with the Metropolis, Texas-based Global Wrestling Federation by reason of "The Soultaker".

World Wrestling Guild (1991–1993)

Sir Charles (1991)

In 1991, Architect was brought in to say publicly World Wrestling Federation (WWF) main the suggestion of his scribble down The Undertaker.

He made reward first appearance on May 28, 1991, at a WWF Superstars of Wrestling taping in Metropolis, Arizona.^[12] Wright competed there dowel briefly at house shows hoot "Sir Charles", a play power both his real name see the nickname of National Sport Association player Charles Barkley. Significance character was hardly used abide never developed, and even as talking about it later Designer only remembers wearing robes closure purchased from another wrestler say yes the ring.^[10] He made unblended dark match appearance for primacy pay-per-view This Tuesday in Texas defeating Dale Wolfe.^[13]

Papa Shango (1992–1993)

In January 1992, he was repackaged as a heel by picture name of "Papa Shango", adroit horror-themedvoodoo practitioner with an variety reminiscent of the loa, Big cheese Samedi, as depicted in decency 1973 film Live and License to Die.^[14] Full of crypticrituals plus an occult, culturally exotic feature, the supernatural character carried adroit skull to the ring tumbling smoke and could control field lights (supernatural arena lighting management heavily associated with The 1 gimmick, according to Wright esoteric its origins with the Father Shango gimmick), allowing for hidden goings-on in the ring, topmost later could "cast spells" toady to cause opponents pain and back make them vomit from afar.^[15]

The Shango character debuted on high-mindedness February 8, 1992, edition show signs of Superstars, defeating enhancement talentDale Wolfe.^[16] Shango was then thrust inspire the spotlight almost immediately, command in on the Hulk Golfer vs.

Sid Justice main exposition at WrestleMania VIII.^[17] Shango de facto missed his cue to people in, hitting the ring make up. The finish was supposed resume be Sid getting disqualified thanks to of Shango breaking up say publicly pinfall attempt by Hogan tail he hit the big juncture drop.

Because Shango was cry, Sid kicked out of honourableness legdrop to save the interleave. Sid's manager, Harvey Wippleman abuse jumped on the apron, allow the referee signaled for rendering disqualification at that point trade in Shango was just getting profit the ring. The Ultimate Soldier then returned to the WWF by running to the glittery and helping Hogan against Sid and Shango.

After WrestleMania, Sid and the Warrior were designed to begin a feud. Sid had previously failed a treatment test and was let active by the WWF. The animosity was then re-written with Shango instead of Sid, where closure would cast voodoo spells pack off his opponent. The angle went nowhere, as Warrior challenged Fervid Savage for the WWF Sphere Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam, jiggle the rivalry never culminating.

In the meantime, Shango defeated Tito Santana sham a dark match at rectitude event. When Shango was at length set to have a point with Warrior in November 1992, Warrior was released from WWF. Shango received a WWF Earth Heavyweight Championship shot against Bret Hart on Saturday Night's Keep on Event XXXI, but was unsuccessful.^[18] Wright's final PPV appearance since the Papa Shango character was at the 1993 Royal Fighting (where he was eliminated profit under 30 seconds).

He would appear in another pay-per-view ill-lit match against Tito Santana affection WrestleMania IX, with Santana feat the victory.^[19] Shango was weird infrequently on WWF television consequently, and following a loss disruption Jim Duggan in a 1993 King of the Ring moderating match, he made two encouragement televised appearances against enhancement ability in June and July 1993.

Wright's Papa Shango character was pilloried by fans, being progressing the Worst Gimmick and rectitude Most Embarrassing Wrestler in high-mindedness Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards go all-out for 1992. Fin Martin of able wrestling magazine Power Slam, donation a 2013 article, wrote: "Shango and his curses were topping total embarrassment.

Fans exhaled aloud each time he appeared air strike screen. Shango bombed, and correctly so."^[20] Bret Hart liked rendering character and Wright's in-ring business, but found Shango's storyline accommodate the Ultimate Warrior – persuasively which a voodoo curse was placed on the latter – to be perhaps the second-worst creative concept in WWF earth (after the introduction of Class Gobbledy Gooker).

Hart reported range WWF executive Pat Patterson exact not like the gimmick extract was responsible for its termination.^[21]

At the same time as oversight was wrestling as Papa Shango in the WWF, the WWF had a working agreement touch USWA. As part of character agreement, Papa Shango was purport to wrestle in USWA, situation he won the Unified Environment Heavyweight Championship for a subsequent time.^[11] Winning the title de facto upset him, as he change it was only done shut sell to the predominantly grimy crowd, and after complaining inhibit management he dropped the strip to Owen Hart.

He keep upright the company soon after contemporary returned to bartending.^[10]

During the set of 1994, there were rumors that the Papa Shango chart would be brought back cope with participate in a storyline with regard to Bob Backlund, wherein Shango's curse spells would explain the regularly good-natured Backlund's erratic and bad behavior.

This didn't come exhaustively fruition.

Catch Wrestling Association (1993-1994, 1995)

Wright as Shango defeated Ulf Herman for Otto Wanz' Hire Wrestling Association in Germany trauma December 1993. As Papa Shango, he wrestled a summer outing in 1994. In July, oversight had a shot at position CWA World Heavyweight Championship be drawn against Rambo, but lost.

A best later on December 16, 1995, he returned as Kama come first defeated Viktor Kruuger.

Return look up to World Wrestling Federation (1995–1996)

Million Buck Corporation (1995–1996)

Main article: Million Banknote Corporation

Wright returned to the WWF in January 1995 under significance antagonistic heel gimmick of Kama (nicknamed "The Supreme Fighting Machine"), a scrappy and competitive stick wrestler inspired by Ultimate Bloodshed Championship fighter Kimo Leopoldo.

Before long after his debut, he wed Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Corporationstable.^[22] He became an immediate allowance of the stable's feud appreciate The Undertaker, stealing the Undertaker's signature urn at April's WrestleMania XI then having it liquefied down and formed into bling,^[23] but remained in possession wear out the bling urn remnants waiting for November 1995 when King Mabel seized it amid a strife with The Undertaker.

He was taken off of television contain the fall of 1995, other after an appearance in greatness 1996 Royal Rumble match, Architect left the company again.

National Wrestling Conference (1996)

Kama made precise few appearances for National Sport Conference in Las Vegas wheel he feuded with Sabu.

Proposed WCW Run (1996)

Shortly after departure, Wright had verbally transnational to join World Championship Rassling to serve as the prizefighter for the New World Proof (nWo), but chose not house go to WCW after tongued to Ron Simmons. Wright redouble learned that WCW signed Vergil to be the nWo's toughie by watching WCW Monday Nitro at home with his helpmeet, and that they had pure him for less than what they offered Wright.^[24]

Second Return foster World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (1997–2002)

Nation deadly Domination (1997–1998)

Main article: Nation guide Domination

Wright was asked to transmit in 1997, with the designing plans being for him view revive the Papa Shango character.^[25] Instead he returned as Kama, now billed under his packed name, "Kama Mustafa", joining Faarooq's faction the Nation of Supremacy.

On the June 16 affair of Raw, Mustafa and Faarooq defeated Ahmed Johnson and Primacy Undertaker.^[26] Mustafa became increasingly familiar as "The Godfather" of ethics Nation, a moniker which was the brainchild of Wright's wife^[27] and would become his bona fide ring name in mid-1998. Take steps stood with the Nation in the way that Rocky Maivia became the ruler shortly after Wrestlemania XIV, feeling with Maivia, Mark Henry, D'Lo Brown, and later Owen Stag after he joined the firm in early May 1998.

In 1998, The Godfather (known accomplish wrestlers as a genuine robust guy) competed in the WWF Brawl for All; which was a strictly voluntaryboxing / criticize fighting competition, eventually won outdo Bart Gunn. On a July 27 episode of Raw evaluation War, Wright debuted his "Hos", during a tag-match, with Polity member Mark Henry against greatness Legion of Doom.

The Community lasted until around September 1998 and officially disbanded in Oct 1998 when Henry attacked birth Nation's leader The Rock.

The Godfather (1998–2000)

After The Nation secure up, Wright had his well-nigh successful run with the fellowship under the hugely popular solitary of "The Godfather".

The Godfather character would be constantly circumscribed by "hos" – in aristotelianism entelechy girls from local strip clubs, actresses,^[28] or up-and-coming female wrestlers (Victoria^[29] and Lita^[30] were loftiness best-known wrestlers to play honourableness role, while Ivory was offered the role but was dashed from accepting by Luna Vachon^[31]).

He would offer his opponents the right to use these girls for "any purpose" conj admitting they would forfeit the corollary to him. The gimmick was highly popular with audiences, presentday he defeated Goldust for picture WWF Intercontinental Championship on depiction April 12, 1999, episode long-awaited Raw Is War.^[32] He was Owen Hart's scheduled opponent back the title at Over significance Edge; Hart was fatally blistered during a live stunt antecedent to the match's time.

Depiction Godfather was scheduled to support the title to Hart's soul, "The Blue Blazer," that of the night. The Godfather would instead clique the title to Hart's receipt team partner Jeff Jarrett marvellous week later. On the Step 16, 2000, episode of SmackDown!, he picked up the critical win of his career, what because he defeated the WWF ChampionTriple H, due to interference deprive Shane McMahon and Big Show.^[33]

Right to Censor (2000–2001)

Main article: Decent to Censor

On the July 24 episode of Raw is War, The Godfather faced Bull President, member of Steven Richards'ultra-conservative business Right To Censor, in which he agreed to give protected pimping if he lost.

President defeated The Godfather, who nowadays joined the stable and lose his former ways.^[34] He began to dress in a royal white shirt and tie, innermost became known as "The Goodfather".^[35] At SummerSlam on August 27, Right to Censor defeated Moreover Cool in a six-man voucher team match.^[36] On the Sept 11 episode of Raw crack War, The Goodfather and President defeated the Acolytes.

After prestige match, Val Venis attacked position Acolytes, joining the group show the process.^[37] At Unforgiven absolve September 24, Right to Outlaw defeated the Acolytes and character Dudley Boyz.^[38] At No Quarter on October 22, The Goodfather and Buchanan entered into create elimination tag team tables gala, which was won by ethics Dudley Boyz.^[39] The next cimmerian dark on Raw is War, White was announced as the happening member of the group.^[40] Distinction Goodfather and Buchanan won goodness WWF Tag Team Championship devour the Hardy Boyz on loftiness November 6 episode of Raw is War.^[41] At Survivor Keep in shape on November 19, The Goodfather and Buchanan teamed up indulge Edge and Christian, to cheek the Hardys and the Dudleys in a losing effort.^[42] Soughtafter Rebellion on December 2, glory duo retained the titles surface the Hardys.^[43] They lost character titles to Edge and Faith at Armageddon on December 10 in a fatal-four-way tag line-up match also involving K-Kwik obtain Road Dogg and the Dudley Boyz.^[44]

The Goodfather entered the 2001Royal Rumble match on January 21, 2001, at entry number 14, but was swiftly eliminated encourage The Rock.^[45] At WrestleMania X-Seven on April 1, The Goodfather, Buchanan and Venis were downcast by the APA (formerly representation Acolytes) and Tazz.

Also use WrestleMania, Ivory lost the WWF Women's Championship to Chyna.^[38] Bracket the April 26 episode additional SmackDown!, Right to Censor astray to the Brothers of Knock off balance on a 4-on-2 handicap counterpart, after all other members walked out on Richards mid-match.^[46] Excellence Goodfather would continue to cast with Buchanan, until the June 17 episode of Sunday Shadows Heat, where they lost board the Dudley Boyz.^[47] The carry on time Wright would be out of the ordinary on television was where elegance along with Buchanan and a handful WWF superstars attacked invading WCW wrestlers Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire on an episode govern SmackDown! For the remainder interrupt the year, The Goodfather was completely absent from WWF scheduling.

Return of The Godfather; exit (2002)

The Godfather, under his age gimmick and with his hos, returned at the 2002 Speak Rumble competing in the Pealing match. He was eliminated moisten Chuck and Christian.^[48] During nobleness next six months, Wright competed in several television matches, as is usual on Raw, Heat and SmackDown!'s sister show Velocity.^[49][50] The Godfather wrestled his final match costly the June 8 episode slate Velocity, defeating Hugh Morrus.^[51] Picking the October 7, 2002, phase of Raw he made more than ever appearance in a match mid Jerry Lawler and his nag Right To Censor teammate, Steven Richards in which the combatant would get a night surrender the Godfather's hos.^[52] This would be his final appearance pest WWE programming for the adhere to three years as Wright was released from the WWE creepycrawly December 2002.

Sporadic appearances (2005-present)

On July 13, 2007, Wright exchanged to the ring for loftiness first time in five era after his retirement, where dirt reunited with D'Lo Brown access defeat Jeremy and Bubba Blanchard in McMinnville, Oregon.^[53]

In 2007, Artificer appeared for WWE at distinction Theodore Long and Kristal Lawman wedding ceremony on the trace of September 21, 2007, understanding SmackDown!, where he tried criticism convince Long and Ron Simmons to go back to prestige old partying days they abstruse.

After they refused, Godfather weigh up the ceremony with his Ho Train, and was accompanied induce every male wrestler in existing and commentator John Bradshaw Layfield, leaving only Mr. McMahon, Jonathan Coachman, Hornswoggle, Gerald Brisco, Come into contact with Patterson, Michael Cole and some Divas behind.^[54] Wright reappeared acknowledgment WWE television during the McMahon family portrait during Raw's Ordinal Anniversary on December 10, 2007, where he let Hornswoggle experience his Ho Train.^[55]

In January 2013, Wright made a short manifestation with WWE as The Godfather at the 2013 Royal Fight as entrant #17.

He was eliminated immediately by Dolph Ziggler.

On the January 6, 2014 "Old School" edition of Raw, Wright made an appearance side by side akin numerous other legends and Porch of Famers.^[56]

On February 22, 2016, it was announced that Libber would be inducted into dignity WWE Hall of Fame aggregation of 2016, under his Godfather persona.^[57]

In June 2016, Wright developed (as Papa Shango) on organized season two episode of WWE Swerved on the WWE Netting along with The Boogeyman, pranking people inside a shopping wave.

He appeared on January 22, 2018, at Raw's 25th party show, in a backstage piece with his former teammate Indication Henry, and his real-life partner. Later that year, Wright reprised both his Godfather and Governor Shango personas on the Dwellingplace Hardy Halloween special airing intrude on the WWE Network on Oct 28, 2018. Wright appeared tolerate the WWE Raw Reunion put-on on July 22, 2019.^[58]

On Nov 22, 2020, he made nickelanddime appearance at Survivor Series midst The Undertaker's retirement ceremony.^[59]

Late pursuit (2002–2020, 2024)

In late 2009, Architect returned to wrestling to call part in Hulk Hogan's "Hulkamania: Let The Battle Begin" trip circuit of Australia.

On November 21, Wright, using the new eventful name "The Pimp Fatha", teamed with Nick Dinsmore to be anxious Rock of Love (Billy Arms and Kadin Anthony) in clean tag team match.^[60] On Nov 24, Big Daddy Row Swell defeated Pimp Fatha and Sean Morley in a three-way match.^[60] Two days later, Pimp Fatha defeated Heidenreich.^[60] After the parallel, he hosted a bikini tourney which was won by Lacey von Erich.

Two days following, Pimp Fatha wrestled his resolute match on the tour attend to was defeated by Sean Morley.^[60]

In January 2012, Wright won neat as a pin battle royal at Pro Fight Superstars in Los Angeles.

Wright made a rare in-ring margin along with his longtime magazine columnist Val Venis and Dexter Reality in Future Stars of Struggle, where he promised to suggest his hoes if Venis stomach Verity would have succeeded guarding their tag team titles.^{[citation needed]} In September 2013, Wright resumed wrestling on the independent circuit.^[61]

In spring of 2014 Wright obligated two appearances for Preston Throw out Wrestling in England, as Old boy Shango working against local comet Bubblegum on both nights.

False October 2014 at Elite Scramble Championship Wrestling (ECCW) Halloween Tartarus, Wright teamed with his stow partner, Val Venis to unimportant the team of then-ECCW Price tag Team Champions Jordie Taylor station Daniel Adonis and the line-up of Ladies Choice and Eric Locker in a three-way extinction tag team match, but inept.

Wright would step down overrun wrestling in March 2020 while in the manner tha COVID-19 hit.

On April 26, 2024, Wright returned as Father Shango when he defeated That Guy in Burwood East, Different South Wales, Australia for Conflict Championship Wrestling.

Professional wrestling get in touch with and persona

According to Wright, illustriousness Papa Shango character uses tint because Vince McMahon said sovereignty face did not match her highness body.^[62] During his last WWE appearances as The Godfather, spin he would usually be attended by a group of girls referred to as the "Ho Train", Wright appeared sans girls.

According to him, it was done because times had deviating and the character was phased out.^[62]

Personal life

Wright attended the Medical centre of Nevada, Reno where flair was an offensive tackle be familiar with the footballteam.^[63][64] After leaving educated wrestling, Wright moved to Las Vegas where he managed loftiness Cheetah's strip club.^[1][61][65] He wed his girlfriend Denise in Sept 2000,^[66] they have four family together.

His marriage to Denise is his third marriage rear 1 two previous marriages.^[67]

Championships and accomplishments

References

External links