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Houston Harris[1]
(July 10, 1924 — January 20, 1998)[1]
was an American
professional wrestler, better
known by his ring name,
Bobo Brazil. Harris was credited with breaking
down barriers of racial segregation in professional
wrestling.[2]
Harris is considered one of the first successful African-American
professional wrestlers, and is often referred to as "the Jackie Robinson
of professional wrestling".[2][3]
Career
Originally, Houston was to be known as "Boo-Boo Brazil", but a
promoter misprinted his first name as "Bobo" in an advertisement
and it stuck.[2] The
"misprint" may have been motivated by the promoter's desire to
avoid the term "boo" in his client's name. "Boo" is sometimes used
as an abbreviation for jigaboo, which is considered by many to be
an ethnic slur against black people.
Early in his career, some wrestling promoters would match Brazil
against fellow African-American wrestlers, including Ernie Ladd and Abdullah
the Butcher.[2]
Fans clamored to see Brazil face opponents of any type and Brazil
would have many matches with competitors such as Killer
Kowalski, Dick
the Bruiser, Johnny Valentine, and The Sheik, who feuded with
Bobo over the course of several decades.[4][2]
These and other rivals would all fall victim to Brazil's finishing
maneuver, the Coco Butt (which was a
headbutt). Brazil also once wrestled Gene Simmons to a draw, and challenged Bruno
Sammartino for the WWWF Championship in a battle of two
top babyface competitors.[2] On
October 18, 1962 Bobo Brazil made history by becoming the first
Black American to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title by defeating
"Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers. (This
distinction is usually given to Ron Simmons, the first recognized
African-American world champion after winning the WCW World Heavyweight
Championship). Although Bobo Brazil initially refused the title
(because of an "injury" that Rogers had claimed to have), Brazil
was awarded the title the next day after doctors had found nothing
wrong with Rogers. However, this title change is not recognized by
the NWA.[5]
On October 9, 1970, El
Mongol and Bobo Brazil defeated Mr. Ito and The Great Ota in
the first racially mixed match in Atlanta history.[1][2]
Brazil served as a mentor to wrestler "Soulman Rocky Johnson".
Brazil's manager was James Dudley, the first African-American
to be in charge of a major arena in the United States. Dudley would
run to the ring waving a towel, as Brazil followed behind.[2]
Brazil retired in the 1990s after a four decade career, and was
inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame
in 1994 by Ernie Ladd.[4][2] The
following year, Brazil inducted Ladd into the WWE Hall of Fame.[2]
Personal
life
Harris had six children.[4]
Harris died on January 20, 1998 at the Lakeland Medical Center in
St.
Joseph, Michigan.[4] He
had been admitted to the hospital on January 14, after suffering a
series of strokes.[4]
In
wrestling
Championships and
accomplishments
- Midwest Wrestling Association (Ohio)
- MWA Ohio Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[1]
- MWA Ohio Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Frankie
Talaber[1]
- Superstars of Wrestling
- SoW United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- World Wrestling Association (Los Angeles)
1Not
officially recognised as champion because conflicting
interests
References
External
links
| WWE Hall of Famers |
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| Class of 1993 |
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| Class of 1994 |
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| Class of 1995 |
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| Class of 1996 |
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| Class of 2004 |
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| Class of 2005 |
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| Class of 2006 |
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| Class of 2007 |
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| Class of 2008 |
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| Class of 2009 |
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| Class of 2010 |
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