LogFAQs > #901747812

#63 - Bruiser Brody Nominated by: Voltch

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Best known for being the second name in JBL's examples of great wrestlers, Bruiser Brody (of "Stan Hansen and ____" fame) is one of those guys that perfected an archetype. The tale of Bruiser Brody is the stuff of legends and nightmares. Stories of his fighting prowess rivaled Meng for years, and his out-of-ring behavior only enhanced his reputation in the ring. The star of countless brutal, gory matches, Bruiser Brody was a monster the likes of which have inspired many for years afterwards. Goldberg even stated that his primary inspiration in-ring came from Bruiser Brody. Surely, current talent like Braun Strowman owe a lot to him. Even guys like Steve Austin and Dean Ambrose owe the popularity of their brawling-based style to Brody. He was a pioneer and an innovator both in the US and Japan, and that can't be ignored.

During his 15 years in the sport, Brody wrestled both as a hated villain and a loved hero. He feuded with the best in the sport during his time in the ring. Dick The Bruiser (for the right to the name "Bruiser", which he lost), Bruno Sammartino, the Funks, Ric Flair, Abdullah the Butcher, the Von Erich Family, Dusty Rhodes, Dick Murdoch, Harley Race, and many more. Probably his most remembered feud, though, was against Andre The Giant. Brody was also one of the biggest draws in the Puerto Rican-based World Wrestling Council. He had legendary feuds/matches there with Abdullah, Carlos Colon, and the Invader. But his feud with the Masked Invader (Jose Gonzalez) proved to be the last of his career.

Brody was murdered in a Puerto Rican locker room on July 17, 1988, the victim of several stab wounds to the stomach. Jose Gonzalez was charged with the murder. The news of Brody's murder sent shockwaves through the world of wrestling, and everyone wanted to know just why someone would murder the well-liked (among his fellow wrestlers) Brody. Tony Atlas witnessed the murder take place while in the same locker room. In a statement to police at the time, Atlas told the authorities that Gonzalez had approached Brody (after a series of real-life confrontations between Brody-Gonzalez) in the shower with a long, concealed hunting knife and stabbed Brody in the torso several times. Atlas would refuse to testify at the trial though, and Gonzalez was eventually acquitted. Brody's family attorney was quoted at the time saying that Atlas refused extradition (he was allowed to do so on a technicality) and that the case had depended entirely on his testimony. Without Atlas, they had no case.

Unlike in the United States, the jury in a Puerto Rican murder case does not have to come to a unanimous decision, and whichever way the majority of the jury votes is how the verdict is rendered. Although Puerto Rican law came to a different conclusion, most familiar with the case believe Brody's murderer walked away a free man. The World Wrestling Council, once a wrestling hot-bed, all but disappeared after the negative publicity and devastating loss of American talent who refused to work in Puerto Rico after Brody's murder.

So why does Bruiser rate so low? I lack much personal experience with his matches. Simple as that.
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