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Jerry “The King” Lawler mournfully took to Twitter and stated that wrestling legend Ox Baker (Douglas A. Baker) had passed away. TMZ picked up the news and ran with it shortly after.

During his legendary career, Baker captured numerous titles and feuded, squared off against guys like Harley Race, Bruiser Brody and Big John Studd. Terry Funk referred to Baker as “the toughest man I ever shared a four corner ring with.” Baker was in the movie Escape From New York and fought Kurt Russel’s character, Snake Plissken. In the scene Snake is forced to fight a heavy prisoner named Slag (Baker) after being captured by Duke’s men.

Infamously in 1971, Ox Baker’s opponent Alberto Torres died after taking Baker’s finishing maneuver the Heart Punch. One year later, opponent Ray Gunkel had a heart attack during a match with Ox Baker. These two incidents were never Baker’s fault, though he did use it to help sustain his career.

Baker was 80-years-old and the wrestling community has lost an example of what a pro wrestler should be. PMN would like to send our condolences to the Baker family.

Full list of Baker’s accomplishments inside the squared circle with all credit going to Wikipedia.

All Star Pro Wrestling (New Zealand)
NWA Australasian Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with King Kamaka

American Wrestling Association
AWA Midwest Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Rock Rogowski (1), the Claw (1), and the Great Kusatsu (1)

Cauliflower Alley Club
Other honoree (2002)

Championship Wrestling from Florida
NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Superstar Billy Graham
NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version) (1 time)

International Wrestling Association
IWA North American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Carl Fergie

Mid-South Sports
NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Skandor Akbar

Midwest Championship Wrestling
MCW International Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

NWA Big Time Wrestling
NWA American Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

NWA Detroit
NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Detroit Version) (1 time)

NWA Hollywood Wrestling
NWA Americas Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Enforcer Luciano
NWA World Tag Team Championship (Los Angeles version) (1 time) – with Enforcer Luciano

NWA New Zealand
NWA British Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

National Wrestling Federation
NWF North American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
Class of 2009

Pro Wrestling Academy (Connecticut)
Ox Baker “Old School” Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

Southeastern Championship Wrestling
NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (Southern Division) (1 time)

Stampede Wrestling
Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

World Championship Wrestling (Australia)
NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Butcher Brannigan

World Wrestling Association
WWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
WWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Chuck O’Connor

World Wrestling Council
WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
WWC World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

5 thoughts on “Wrestling legend turned actor passes away at 80”
  1. Remember Ox Baker when I was a kid. He was in that group with Dick the Bruiser, the Dillinger Bros., Sailor Art Thomas, Wilber Snyder, etc. They used to come to the Elkhart Gym. He even came on the Price Is Right one time. Bob Barker had to detract him from drooling over Dian Parkinson. It was hilarious and he looked completely out of his element. Time sure flies, RIP.

  2. […] Wrestling legend turned actor passes away at 80 | Pro MMA … – Oct 20, 2014 · Jerry “The King” Lawler mournfully took to Twitter and stated that wrestling legend Ox Baker (Douglas A. Baker) had passed away. TMZ picked up the …… […]

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