Legends of Wrestling: “Playboy” Gary Hart
Our resident philosopher and historian, Jay Shannon, profiles the World Class icon that guided not only the careers of numerous top stars, but also the entire World Class territory.
On March 16, 2008, the wrestling world lost one of its’ top managerial talents. Gary Hart began as a wrestler, but his greatest succes came as a leader of others. As a manager, Hart led many of the top stars of the 70s and 80s. He was also the booker and creative force behind the World Class territory. Gary Hart is the focus of this edition of Legends.
The Gay Playboy
Gary Hart’s character claimed to be from Halsted Street in Chicago. That was actually pretty accurate. Gary actually was born in Chicago, though the Halsted Street reference may have been exaggerated for effect. The real life Gary Richard WIlliams began his wrestling career in the Wisconsin-Illinois-Indiana circuit. His original character was as “Gay” Gart Hart. The character was a Gorgeous George-like character with blond hair and a flamboyant style.
“Gay” Gary moved to Amarillo to work for Dory Funk, Sr. While he started with the company as “Gay” Gary, Dory felt that at different identity would elevate Gary. Gary was changed to a “rich kid” gimmick, known as the “Playboy”. It was that nickname that would stick with him for the rest of his career and life.
Sunshine State Super-star
After his successful run in Amarillo, Gary accepted a job with the Grahams in Florida. Hart feuded with the top faces in the territory, especially the Brisco Brothers. During his time in Florida, Hart was approached about the concept of management. Hart had a natural ability on the microphone. Hart’s wrestling career was doing well, but the Grahams felt that Gary would be a better fit as the guiding force behind some of the newer talent.
During the 60’s and 70’s, managers were almost always seen as heels. They would interfere in matches, insult crowds and just be a general nuisance. Gary Hart was perfect in the role of heel manager. He assisted his men to championships all over the Sunshine State.
In the late 70’s, Gary Hart would get a call that would change his life, forever.
A World Class force in wrestling
Jack Adkisson, aka Fritz Von Erich, bought the Big Time Wrestling company in Dallas. The group was affilated with the NWA, at the time. Fritz had heard about Gary’s managerial talents. He offered Gary positions both on-air and behind-the-scenes with his new company.
Gary relocated to the Dallas area and quickly became the top manager in the company. What most fans didn’t know was that Gary also worked closely with Fritz, Bill Mercer and David Von Erich to make Big Time a powerhouse force. Hart contacted many of the stars that he knew in Florida to ask them to come to Texas. Gary established a talent exchange relationship with the Grahams in Florida. He also established working relationships with Jim Crockett, Verne Gagne and Sandy Barr. The company would never have expanded to the level it did without Gary’s help.
Gary was also one of the most recognized managers in the Southern Alley of wrestling (Texas/Oklahoma/Florida/Georgia/Carolinas). Gary managed many stars in World Class. Some of the top stars that worked in World Class for Hart included: Chris Adams, King Kong Bundy, Gino Hernandez, Bruiser Brody, Abdullah the Butcher, Kabuki and Mark Lewin. Hart also managed several future Hall of Famers including Dusty Rhodes and Roddy Piper
Tragedy and Triumph
In many of the World Class-oriented videos, Gary Hart talked about the tragedies that struck the World Class area. While the loss of the Von Erich brothers was the most devastating to the company, it was the death of another star that shook Hart to his core.
Gino Hernandez was one of the fastest rising stars in the industry in the early 80’s. His cockiness and swagger made him instantly hated. His good looks made him hated by men and loved by women. He won several championships and was well on his way to bigger and better things. Sadly, Gino was a “Victim of the 80’s”. As documented on the WWE World Class DVD, as well as the Heroes of World Class film, Gino had a severe drug problem. Despite intervention attempts by Hart and others, Gino died of acute cocaine poisoning. The mere mention of Gino’s name would bring the tough Chicagoan to the verge of tears.
Once World Class folded, Gary Hart moved on to the NWA territories in Georgia and the Carolinas. Hart created a stable of wrestlers known as J-Tex Corporation. It was a mix of American and Japanese stars. The main members were The Great Muta and Dragonmaster (which is where the “J” came from) and Terry Funk (the Tex in J-Tex). It also included Dick Slater. J-Tex has a brief but successful run. Hart finished his contract with the company and went into semi-retirement.
Back to Texas
Gary worked with numerous territories in the Texas area for the next few years. Gary also worked on various video projects based on the World Class territory. Gary, along with Kevin Von Erich, retained the rights to the World Class territory until an agreement was reached with Vince McMahon.
Gary shifted his focus on helping his son, Chad Hart, start a wrestling career. Chad has had moderate success and was the pride of his father.
Gary worked closely with Bill Mercer to promote the legacy of World Class. He attended numerous reunion shows and conventions over the years. The day before he passed, Gary was in Allentown, PA to attend an autograph “meet and greet” with fans.
In Conclusion:
“Playboy” Gary Hart was one of the top managers of the Southern Alley of territories. He was a marketing genius that took the World Class from a small Texas-based promotion to a world-wide promotion. He helped guide the careers of some of the most famous heels of all time. Hart was a Legends Legend. He was a great man who brought a lot of good to the industry. He deserves nothing but the absolute highest of praise for all he did for wrestling. I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Hart at the University of North Texas. 20 years later, it still ranks as one of my most memorable wrestling-related meetings. I have always had the highest of respect for Gary Hart. My heart is just a little heavier, today. I feel like I’ve a lost a friend. Gary Hart, in my humble opinion, was the greatest wrestling manager of all time. He should be honored in every way possible by the industry. World Class would never have existed without the efforts of “Playboy” Gary Hart.
Rest in Peace.
–Jay Shannon
JayofPWD@SBCGlobal.net
(3/18/08)
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