Ricky Rice
Encyclopedia
Ricky Rice is an American professional wrestler who competed in Midwest regional promotions during the late 1980s, most notably with tag team partners Derrick Dukes
and Jon Paul DeMans as The Top Guns in Eddie Sharkey
's Minneapolis-based Pro Wrestling America
and the American Wrestling Association
.
Rice often drew comparisons to former AWA star Jim Brunzell for being able to execute one of the best dropkick
s in professional wrestling.
promotion defeating Mad Dog Vachon for the heavyweight title in March 1986 and, with Derrick Dukes, defeating The Terminators for the tag team title in June 1987 before jumping to the American Wrestling Association in early-1988.
, he would have more success in tag team competition teaming with Dukes, Mando Guerrero
and Baron von Raschke
. He would also team with Jon Paul as the Top Guns during his feud with Teijho Khan
and Soldat Ustinov and later Badd Company
, defeating the then AWA tag team champions by disqualification in Columbus, Nevada
on July 9, 1988.
After losing to Badd Company in a rematch in Two Rivers, Wisconsin
on July 29, they became involved in a short-lived feud with Beauty & The Beast although John Paul would eventually leave the team by late-1988.
Reuniting with Dukes, they later won a mixed tag team match while teaming with Wendi Richter
against AWA tag team champions Badd Company and AWA Woman's champion Madusa Miceli at AWA SuperClash III on December 13, 1988.
Making regular appearances on the promotion's syndicated television program on ESPN
during early 1989, the two eventually worked their way back up the tag team ranks although failed to unseat the AWA tag team champions The Destruction Crew
in St. Paul, Minnesota on February 7, 1989.
Before leaving the AWA, Rice wrestled as the Unknown Soldier, a masked wrestler in military fatigues. He participated in the very first Team Challenge Series match, defeating Mike Enos
(he would later lose to Enos in a NWA Central States championship tournament in March 1989).
's Stampede Wrestling
promotion during early-1989, Rice returned to PWA within several months defeating Larry Cameron to regain the heavyweight title on July 8, 1989. Although trading the titles with Charlie Norris
and Jerry Lynn
, he finally lost the title for a fourth and final time to his old tag team rival Terminator Riggs on September 22, 1990.
After a short stint in Windy City Pro Wrestling
in which he defeated Jerry Lynn in Sullivan, Illinois
on October 6, he returned to the AWA for a one time appearance losing to Steve O on May 3, 1991.
Rice enjoyed a brief seven-day reign as the AWA Light Heavyweight champion before losing the title to Jerry Lynn on December 29. Rice remained with the promotion until its close in 1990.
Inactive for much of the mid-90s, he returned to professional wrestling competing for St. Paul Championship Wrestling in 1998.
Derrick Dukes
Derrick Dukes is an American professional wrestler best known for his stint in the American Wrestling Association in the late 1980s as one half of the tag team The Top Guns with Ricky Rice. The team was originally made up off Rice and Jon Paul DeMans...
and Jon Paul DeMans as The Top Guns in Eddie Sharkey
Eddie Sharkey
Eddie Sharkey is an American professional wrestling trainer. He is often called "The Trainer of Champions", and has been instrumental in training some of the biggest names in the industry, including the Road Warriors , "Ravishing" Rick Rude, Tom Zenk, Bob Backlund, Jerry Lynn, Sean Waltman, Nord...
's Minneapolis-based Pro Wrestling America
Pro Wrestling America
Pro Wrestling America is a regional independent wrestling promotion based in Minneapolis, Minnesota during the 1980s and early 1990s. Founded and promoted by retired wrestler Eddie Sharkey, a longtime veteran of the American Wrestling Association and owner of the Pro Wrestling America Training...
and the American Wrestling Association
American Wrestling Association
The American Wrestling Association was an American professional wrestling promotion based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that ran from 1960 to 1991. It was owned and founded by Verne Gagne and Wally Karbo...
.
Rice often drew comparisons to former AWA star Jim Brunzell for being able to execute one of the best dropkick
Dropkick
A dropkick is an attacking maneuver in professional wrestling. It is defined as an attack where the wrestler jumps up and kicks the opponent with the soles of both feet; this sees the wrestler twist as he or she jumps so that when the feet connect with the opponent one foot is raised higher than...
s in professional wrestling.
Early career
Trained by Eddie Sharkey, Rice spent much of his early career in Sharkey's Pro Wrestling AmericaPro Wrestling America
Pro Wrestling America is a regional independent wrestling promotion based in Minneapolis, Minnesota during the 1980s and early 1990s. Founded and promoted by retired wrestler Eddie Sharkey, a longtime veteran of the American Wrestling Association and owner of the Pro Wrestling America Training...
promotion defeating Mad Dog Vachon for the heavyweight title in March 1986 and, with Derrick Dukes, defeating The Terminators for the tag team title in June 1987 before jumping to the American Wrestling Association in early-1988.
American Wrestling Association
Although having a somewhat successful singles career feuding with The Nasty BoysThe Nasty Boys
The Nasty Boys are a professional wrestling tag team consisting of Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags, active from the mid to late 1980s and throughout the 1990s. Their gimmick was that of anti-social punks who specialized in hardcore wrestling and brawling...
, he would have more success in tag team competition teaming with Dukes, Mando Guerrero
Mando Guerrero
Armando Guerrero Llanes , better known as Mando Guerrero, is a retired professional wrestler. He also was the trainer for the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, an all female professional wrestling promotion.-Movie stuntman career:...
and Baron von Raschke
James Raschke
James Donald Raschke is a retired professional wrestler best known as Baron von Raschke.-Career:...
. He would also team with Jon Paul as the Top Guns during his feud with Teijho Khan
Tom Cassett
-Career:He started with Jim Crockett Promotions in the National Wrestling Alliance, with Paul Jones as his manager. He participated in the 1987 Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament, teaming with Shaska Whatley...
and Soldat Ustinov and later Badd Company
Badd Company
Badd Company was a professional wrestling tag team in the American Wrestling Association in the late 1980s, which later went by the name the Orient Express. It is rumored that the team name was derived from the rock band Bad Company...
, defeating the then AWA tag team champions by disqualification in Columbus, Nevada
Columbus, Nevada
Columbus was a borax mining boom town in Esmeralda County. Its remnants are located on the edge of the Columbus Salt Marsh.-History:Settlement came to the Columbus Salt Marsh in 1865 with the raising of a quartz mill. Columbus was the ideal location for a mill, as it was the only stop for several...
on July 9, 1988.
After losing to Badd Company in a rematch in Two Rivers, Wisconsin
Two Rivers, Wisconsin
Two Rivers is a city in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 11,712 at the 2010 census. It is the birthplace of the ice cream sundae...
on July 29, they became involved in a short-lived feud with Beauty & The Beast although John Paul would eventually leave the team by late-1988.
Reuniting with Dukes, they later won a mixed tag team match while teaming with Wendi Richter
Wendi Richter
Wendi Richter is a retired American professional wrestler. She began her professional wrestling career in companies such as the National Wrestling Alliance, where she teamed with Joyce Grable, with whom she held the NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship twice. In the 1980s, she joined the World...
against AWA tag team champions Badd Company and AWA Woman's champion Madusa Miceli at AWA SuperClash III on December 13, 1988.
Making regular appearances on the promotion's syndicated television program on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
during early 1989, the two eventually worked their way back up the tag team ranks although failed to unseat the AWA tag team champions The Destruction Crew
Beverly Brothers
The Beverly Brothers were a professional wrestling tag team comprising Mike Enos and Wayne Bloom in the World Wrestling Federation. They were also known as The Destruction Crew in the American Wrestling Association and the Minnesota Wrecking Crew 2 in the National Wrestling Alliance...
in St. Paul, Minnesota on February 7, 1989.
Before leaving the AWA, Rice wrestled as the Unknown Soldier, a masked wrestler in military fatigues. He participated in the very first Team Challenge Series match, defeating Mike Enos
Mike Enos
Mike Enos is a retired professional wrestler who wrestled mainly as a tag-team wrestler in World Championship Wrestling, the American Wrestling Association and the World Wrestling Federation between 1989 and 2000....
(he would later lose to Enos in a NWA Central States championship tournament in March 1989).
Later career
Wrestling for Stu HartStu Hart
Stewart Edward "Stu" Hart, CM was a Canadian amateur wrestler, professional wrestler, promoter and trainer. Hart founded Stampede Wrestling, a promotion based in Calgary, Alberta, and was the father of famous wrestlers Bret and Owen Hart...
's Stampede Wrestling
Stampede Wrestling
Stampede Wrestling is a Canadian professional wrestling promotion based in Calgary, Alberta and was for nearly 50 years one of the main promotions in western Canada and the Canadian Prairies...
promotion during early-1989, Rice returned to PWA within several months defeating Larry Cameron to regain the heavyweight title on July 8, 1989. Although trading the titles with Charlie Norris
Charlie Norris
Charlie Norris is a retired American professional wrestler who competed in North American promotions as well as the World Championship Wrestling during the early 1990s.-Career:...
and Jerry Lynn
Jerry Lynn
Jeremy "Jerry" Lynn is an American professional wrestler who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
, he finally lost the title for a fourth and final time to his old tag team rival Terminator Riggs on September 22, 1990.
After a short stint in Windy City Pro Wrestling
Windy City Pro Wrestling
Windy City Pro Wrestling was an American regional professional wrestling promotion based in Chicago, Illinois. Established by retired wrestler Sam DeCero in 1988, the promotion was one of several major regional territories in the Midwest during the late 1980s, along with Dick the Bruiser's World...
in which he defeated Jerry Lynn in Sullivan, Illinois
Sullivan, Illinois
Sullivan is a city in Moultrie County, Illinois, United States. The population was 4,326 at the 2000 census, and 4,396 in 2009. It is the county seat of Moultrie County...
on October 6, he returned to the AWA for a one time appearance losing to Steve O on May 3, 1991.
Rice enjoyed a brief seven-day reign as the AWA Light Heavyweight champion before losing the title to Jerry Lynn on December 29. Rice remained with the promotion until its close in 1990.
Inactive for much of the mid-90s, he returned to professional wrestling competing for St. Paul Championship Wrestling in 1998.
Championships and accomplishments
- Pro Wrestling America
- PWA Heavyweight Championship (4 times)
- PWA Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- PWA Tag Team Championship (1 time) with Derrick Dukes
- Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI ranked him # 150 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1991
External links
- Ricky Rice at the WrestleWiki
- Profile at OWW
- Tag Team Gallery: Top Guns (Ricky Rice and Derrick Dukes), photo of the Top Guns in the AWA.