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A WWE Hall of Famer is ready to make his return trip to the Tri-parish area.
That’s very good news for Morgan City Junior High School.
Wrestling legend “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan will return to St. Mary Parish next month to headline Gulf Coast Wrestling’s “Super Saturday” show on Jan. 26 at 8 p.m.
Concession sales and proceeds for the night of action will go to the junior high school’s athletic department.
“He was here last year and the crowd really responded really well to him, so it’s a pleasure to bring him back,” GCW co-owner “Mustang” Mike Beadle said. “He spent a lot of time talking to the kids and he’s always so happy to tell stories about his career and wrestling. Everybody got a real good kick out of him, so we’re really excited to bring him back.”
In Duggan, GCW will be receiving the services of one of the best performers in the history of the sports entertainment industry.
The long-time wrestler had a storied run in WWE and WCW from 1987-2001, where he established himself as one of the biggest fan-favorites in wrestling history.
With his trademark 2×4 and his signature phrase “Hooooo,” Duggan has feuded with a who’s who among wrestling greats, a list consisting of Ted DiBiase, Jake Roberts, Randy Savage, Yokozuna, the Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff.
During his prime, Duggan won the WWE’s first-ever Royal Rumble in 1988.
He also won the United States Heavyweight Championship and the Television Championship in WCW.
Duggan returned to WWE from 2005-09 for a farewell run. Following that stint, he went into a semi-retirement.
He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011.
Beadle said Duggan is a “total team player,” when asked to appear at independent shows.
He added that the wrestling legend is personable to fans and is helpful to the young GCW competitors who are attempting to enhance their skills.
“The morale is always so high when he’s around,” Beadle said. “The guys are always all excited about it – especially last year, because for a lot of them, it was their first opportunity to meet Hacksaw. He’s great. He’s more than helpful to everyone. He’ll give everyone a lot of insight into the history of the business and he’ll give everyone a few little tips on how to do this or how to do that. Some of these guys we have here want to push their careers onto bigger and better things, so having someone like that to bounce ideas off of – it’s invaluable.”
While Duggan may be the most prominent name on the card, he’s not the only competitor who will be ready for action at next month’s show.
Mustang Mike (Beadle), Psycho Mike, Stoneman, David Silver, Grizz, Big Jon Steele, Minotaur, Kid Krash and GCW heavyweight champion Rocket are all scheduled to appear on the card.
“There will be the whole batch of our local boys who will be in there mixing it up, too,” Beadle said. “Everyone really is at their best when a guy like Hacksaw is around because the building is fuller than it usually is.
“Us wrestlers on the independent scene are used to smaller crowds and everything – we bring it every show no matter who is in the stands. But having that extra few hundred people in the stands, it really just makes us lay it on the line even more than we would because you don’t want anyone to go home unhappy in this business.”
This is the third-straight year that GCW holds a benefit show for Morgan City Junior High.
Beadle said the inaugural show in Jan. 2011 raised about $1,000 for the school’s athletic department – a donation that assists the school with equipment purchases and/or travel costs.
“It’s really important because the junior highs don’t generate a lot of revenue like the high schools would, you know?” Beadle said. “Anything we can do to help them out, we’re more than happy to do it. They allow us to come in and use their facilities for the show, so it’s a good pat on the back for GCW to help out the school because they open their doors to us, too.
“It’s a great partnership.”
Last year’s event also featured Duggan, which led to a boost in interest. Beadle said that show pushed the donation closer to $1,500 because of a turnout of close to 500 fans.
He hopes next month’s event will do the same.
“This is going to be an action-filled show,” Beadle said. “Everyone knows GCW’s reputation in the past has been providing fun, family-oriented shows that are good for all ages. This is one that’s going to be the same way.
“We’re going to have hamburgers, hot dogs, cokes, drinks and chips – and all of the proceeds for that are going to the school, so come with an empty stomach and eat our food and watch our guys compete in what will be an awesome night.”
Those wanting information or tickets are asked to call (985) 518-0433 or (985) 397-1765. Those interested may also visit the organization’s website: www.gcw-gulfcoastwrestling.com.
“This isn’t the one you want to miss,” Beadle said. “It’s going to be great. It’s the last weekend before the Super Bowl. There won’t be any football on the TV, so come out and spend the weekend with us.”
WWE Hall of Famer “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan poses with his famous 2×4 during a WWE photoshoot in the 1990s. The wrestling legend is still active on the independent circuit. He will return to the Tri-parish area for the second-straight year next month when he joins GCW for their Jan. 26 show. That show will donate proceeds to Morgan City Jr. High School athletics.
