|
Topics: 1098 Replies: 14352
Member
Post: #947672 PT: #1/12
|
Just how over was Rufus R. Jones in the MACW territory?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topics: 195 Replies: 13997
Member
Post: #947772 PT: #3/12
|
This message was edited by chrisstlouis on April 29th, 2018 21:34 GMT
He was there often. id say he was over to be back often.
Wikipedia also says he held Mid Atlantic Tag. NWA world tag and Mid Atlantic TV champ
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topics: 184 Replies: 1308
Member
Post: #947809 PT: #4/12
|
Rufus was definitely over in the mid Atlantic from the mid 70's until he he left. By 83 he was washed up IMO and holding the mid atlantic belt at that point didn't really mean much as the prestige was leaving fast. Plus he was not an accurate representation of the what the sport was transforming too. Furthermore they would send tapes of rufus in the 70's to GA for his omni appearances so thats how i really came to know him. now with that being said I have never been a fan of this guy, primarily because of his interview and wrestling style. Every black wrestler in the 70's didn't need to headbutt and talk jive one thunderbolt Patterson was enough for me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topics: 583 Replies: 1079
Member
Post: #947816 PT: #5/12
|
He was definitely one of the top names in JCP in the 70's. Being from Dillon SC made him very popular in South Carolina by far. Many fans in the state, especially Columbia, Sumter, and Florence came out in droves to see him wrestle. He would often be in the main events against top notch wrestlers, including a couple of NWA World title matches with Jack Brisco (1975) and Terry Funk (1976).
|
| |
| "Sometimes it is better to refrain than have to explain"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topics: 1098 Replies: 14352
Member
Post: #947836 PT: #6/12
|
I know that Ric Flair made at least a couple NWA title defenses against Rufus too. In his book Flair said that Rufus was a great guy but that it was hard to go an hour with him because he was so limited in the ring.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topics: 75 Replies: 2349
Member
Post: #947838 PT: #7/12
|
Prior to his 1983 run in Mid Atlantic he was working in Bruiser's WWA and I believe for a bit Central States. His run with the Mid Atlantic singles title and tag team title (with Bugsy McGraw must have felt like he won the lottery.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topics: 1 Replies: 8
Member
Post: #1075562 PT: #9/12
|
Growing up watching Mid Atlantic, Rufus R. Freight Train Jones was really over. BTW, the R stood for guts. I remember his matches with Flair and Blackjack Milligan. I've read where he was really well liked by the rest of the guys. Especially for his cooking. I think every territory had one or two guys that were really popular at the time but looking back today, you have to wonder what made this guy a hit. I suppose you had to be there. I see old videos of Jay Strongbow and I just don't get it. But if I was a fan during that time in the Northeast, I'd probably go nuts just like everyone else.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topics: 474 Replies: 3319
Member
Post: #1075598 PT: #10/12
|
This message was edited by rhodesfan on March 30th, 2024 15:02 GMT
I liked Rufus in the 70's ok. As someone else said by 80's he was past prime and looking rough. Rufus act fit the 70's but he seemed out of place by 83 as the times were changing. I can see match with Funk or Brisco being over with the fans where he was popular 70's but 80's hour draw with Flair had to be painful. Seemed like 25 minute match ending in dq would have been better booking.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topics: 2521 Replies: 17960
Member
Post: #1075639 PT: #11/12
|
I read about Rufus R. Freight Jones in the Apter mags but I never saw him on TV until 1983. He was the Mid Atlantic Champion and pushed as a semi final babyface. Then, I saw him lost in the opening match at Starrcade 83 and asked myself just how popular is this guy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|