I was seven years old when I truly became a wrestling fan. I turned our old television antennae so that I could pick-up World-Class Championship Wrestling out Fort Worth. I would live vicariously through “Gentleman” Chris Adams or Kevin Von Erich or any number of the icons of wrestling from the legendary Sportatorium. Likewise, my hatred burned for those that would cheat, punch, and gouge eyes. It was not just the Freebirds that would stir my ire. It was also a rough and tumble former football player from West Texas State, one that I loathed, “The Raging Bull” Manny Fernandez.Real wrestling returns with King of Sports Championship Wrestling. Not the fake television stuff, but the real “Raging Bull” Manny Fernandez style wrestling!
with KOS Heavyweight Champion Mike Gunner
It was to my surprise when Manny Fernandez walked into my life again, in a real way. Fernandez had come to witness Mike Gunner and the entire King of Sports event in Paris, Texas. Over the course of the evening many athletes would pick the brain of a true West Texas Strong Style legend.
Manny Fernandez was first introduced to the world of professional wrestling while attending West Texas State University to play football. That West Texas State football program turned out legendary wrestlers such as: Terry Funk, Tully Blanchard, Dusty Rhodes, Stan Hansen, and Bruiser Brody. His ill temper, on frequent display, caught the attention of Funk and Dick Murdock. They quickly took him under their wing and started driving him from town to town with them. Fernandez would sit and watch and learn, without even knowing he was being taught. Slowly, that quick temper was being turned from a liability on the football field to an asset in the wrestling ring.
Fernandez was beginning to become hooked on the idea of West Texas Strong Style. He met that style first hand when he finally decided to commit himself to wrestling full time.
“They would beat you up! They would hook you! They would teach you, break you. You learned respect. Lou Thesz would drop by and tie you into
knots. You shut up and learned,” as Fernandez recalled.
“It was real wrestling. Had to be when you were in there with Black Jack Mulligan and Dick Murdock.”
This rough straight-ahead style served Fernandez well for his entire career. From 1979 when he defeated Terry Funk for the Florida Championship, all the way through World Class, Mid-Atlantic, WCW, and beyond.
“Wrestling should be real,”
Fernandez passionately explains.
“I am so sick of that flip flop, trapeze acts, choreographed stuff. (Fernandez doesn’t want to refer to it as wrestling.) The marque says ‘WRESTLING’ and that’s what it should be! I just can’t sit through that other stuff anymore.”
Fernandez is not alone in these sentiments. With the revival of Texas Strong Style currently taking shape in King of Sports, the return of real wrestling is very much on the horizon. Manny Fernandez is still a part of that movement, as well. Manny Fernandez doesn’t need wrestling anymore. However, wrestling needs Manny Fernandez! Wrestling needs West Texas Strong Style!
See Texas Strong Style wrestling at a King of Sports event in Northeast Texas !
Go to King of Sports website for info on upcoming events and tickets. www.koswrestling.com
Thank you Ragin’ Bull
