Stan Frazier
Encyclopedia
Stanley C. Fraizer was a professional wrestler
from Pascagoula, Mississippi
, better known as Uncle Elmer and Plowboy Frazier .
As Uncle Elmer, he was a member of the Hillbillies in the World Wrestling Federation
(WWF) from 1985 to 1986. The highpoints of his career were wrestling Adrian Adonis
at WrestleMania 2
, and marrying Joyce Stazko on Saturday Night's Main Event.
region. He used several ring names, including Pascagoula
Plowboy. Because he was a local wrestler, he was very popular with the fans.
Fraizer was discovered by Jerry Jarrett
and Jerry Lawler
, who brought him to wrestle in the National Wrestling Alliance
(NWA)'s Mid-South region and later in the American Wrestling Association
(AWA). He used many gimmicks in Tennessee, including Giant Rebel, the Lone Ranger, Giant Hillbilly and Tiny Frazier. Despite weighing 460 pounds, he also wrestled in a loincloth
as Kamala II, a copy of Kamala, who wrestled in Tennessee with a Ugandan headhunter gimmick.
Fraizer won several championships while in Tennessee. Wrestling under his own name, he won the Mid-America version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship in 1971. Wrestling as Plowboy Frazier, he formed a tag team
with Lawler and won the AWA Southern Tag Team Championship
in 1976. He won the belts again in 1978 while teaming with Terry Sawyer.
Fraizer's next title success came in Georgia Championship Wrestling
. While there, he teamed with Ted DiBiase
to win the NWA National Tag Team Championship
from the Fabulous Freebirds
. Their title reign lasted five days, as they dropped the titles back to the Freebirds.
, Cousin Junior
, and Cousin Luke
. The Hillbillies' gimmick was that of simple-minded country folk who performed square dances in the ring. They feuded with several of the WWF's top wrestlers, including Roddy Piper
and Bob Orton, Jr.
On the October 5, 1985 episode of Saturday Night's Main Event (taped two days earlier), Fraizer was legitimately married to Joyce Stazko despite a storyline that saw Roddy Piper
try to interfere. During the ceremony, wrestler Jesse Ventura
heckled Frazier; Ventura later read a poem at the reception criticizing the wedding until Hillbilly Jim attacked him, and the evening's events led to a feud between Elmer and Ventura. Uncle Elmer competed at WrestleMania 2
in 1986, where he lost to "Adorable" Adrian Adonis
.
Fraizer then wrestled for the Continental Wrestling Association
(CWA), where he found success in the super heavyweight division. He won the CWA Super Heavyweight Championship
on November 17, 1986 by defeating Goliath. He dropped the belt to Jerry Blackwell
but was awarded the title again in 1988. He held the championship until the promotion abandoned it later that year.
. He was married to his wife Joyce for over six years, and she traveled with him as he wrestled. Frazier was known for selling cheap merchandise such as fake Rolex
watches, and he operated a shoe store. He also made an appearance as himself on an Andy Kaufman
special on PBS
in 1983, drinking raw eggs.
Frazier suffered from diabetes
and poor health as a result of his weight. These problems led to kidney failure
, from which he died on July 1, 1992. He was buried in Biloxi, Mississippi
.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
from Pascagoula, Mississippi
Pascagoula, Mississippi
Pascagoula is a city in Jackson County, Mississippi, United States. It is the principal city of the Pascagoula, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area, as a part of the Gulfport–Biloxi–Pascagoula, Mississippi Combined Statistical Area. The population was 26,200 at the 2000 census...
, better known as Uncle Elmer and Plowboy Frazier .
As Uncle Elmer, he was a member of the Hillbillies in the World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(WWF) from 1985 to 1986. The highpoints of his career were wrestling Adrian Adonis
Adrian Adonis
Keith A. Franke was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, "Adorable" Adrian Adonis.-Career:Franke trained under Fred Atkins and debuted in 1974, wrestling under his own name...
at WrestleMania 2
WrestleMania 2
WrestleMania 2 was the second annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation...
, and marrying Joyce Stazko on Saturday Night's Main Event.
Southeastern United States
At the beginning of his career, Fraizer later wrestled in the Gulf CoastGulf Coast of the United States
The Gulf Coast of the United States, sometimes referred to as the Gulf South, South Coast, or 3rd Coast, comprises the coasts of American states that are on the Gulf of Mexico, which includes Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida and are known as the Gulf States...
region. He used several ring names, including Pascagoula
Pascagoula, Mississippi
Pascagoula is a city in Jackson County, Mississippi, United States. It is the principal city of the Pascagoula, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area, as a part of the Gulfport–Biloxi–Pascagoula, Mississippi Combined Statistical Area. The population was 26,200 at the 2000 census...
Plowboy. Because he was a local wrestler, he was very popular with the fans.
Fraizer was discovered by Jerry Jarrett
Jerry Jarrett
Jerry W. Jarrett is an American promoter and former professional wrestler, and the father of wrestler Jeff Jarrett. He is the co-founder and former part-owner of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
and Jerry Lawler
Jerry Lawler
Jerry O'Neil Lawler is an American professional wrestler, wrestling commentator, musician, businessman, commercial artist and film actor, known throughout the wrestling world as Jerry "The King" Lawler. He is currently signed to WWE, working on its Raw brand as the color commentator and occasional...
, who brought him to wrestle in the National Wrestling Alliance
National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
(NWA)'s Mid-South region and later in 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...
(AWA). He used many gimmicks in Tennessee, including Giant Rebel, the Lone Ranger, Giant Hillbilly and Tiny Frazier. Despite weighing 460 pounds, he also wrestled in a loincloth
Loincloth
A loincloth is a one-piece male garment, sometimes kept in place by a belt, which covers the genitals and, at least partially, the buttocks.-History and types:Loincloths are being and have been worn:*in societies where no other clothing is needed or wanted...
as Kamala II, a copy of Kamala, who wrestled in Tennessee with a Ugandan headhunter gimmick.
Fraizer won several championships while in Tennessee. Wrestling under his own name, he won the Mid-America version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship in 1971. Wrestling as Plowboy Frazier, he formed a tag team
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
with Lawler and won the AWA Southern Tag Team Championship
AWA Southern Tag Team Championship
The AWA Southern Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling tag team title in the Tennessee area from the 1940s through the late 1980s. It was originally named the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship from its inception through 1977, when it was renamed the AWA Southern...
in 1976. He won the belts again in 1978 while teaming with Terry Sawyer.
Fraizer's next title success came in Georgia Championship Wrestling
Georgia Championship Wrestling
Georgia Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion whose self-titled TV program aired in the 1970s and 1980s on Atlanta, U.S., superstation WTBS. Though based in Atlanta, the company also ran live wrestling shows throughout its geographic "territory" of Georgia Georgia...
. While there, he teamed with Ted DiBiase
Ted DiBiase
Theodore Marvin "Ted" DiBiase, Sr. is a retired professional wrestler, manager, ordained minister and color commentator. DiBiase achieved championship success in a number of wrestling promotions, holding thirty titles during his professional wrestling career...
to win the NWA National Tag Team Championship
NWA National Tag Team Championship
The NWA National Tag Team Championship was the major tag team title in the NWA-affiliated Georgia Championship Wrestling from 1980 until 1986.The championship was introduced in November 1980 when Georgia Tag Team Champions the Fabulous Freebirds won a tournament to determine the first champions,...
from the Fabulous Freebirds
Fabulous Freebirds
The Fabulous Freebirds were a professional wrestling tag team that attained fame in the 1980s, performing into the 1990s. The team usually consisted of three wrestlers, although in different situations and points in its history, just two performed under the Freebirds name.-History:The Fabulous...
. Their title reign lasted five days, as they dropped the titles back to the Freebirds.
World Wrestling Federation
In the mid-1980s, Fraizer wrestled for the World Wrestling Federation as Uncle Elmer. He was a member of a stable named the Hillbillies, which also included Hillbilly JimHillbilly Jim
Jim Morris , best known to fans as Hillbilly Jim, is an American professional wrestler and disc jockey. He was one of the World Wrestling Federation's most popular wrestlers of the mid-to-late 1980s.-Career:...
, Cousin Junior
Lanny Kean
Lanny Neal Kean, Jr. was an American professional wrestler. He competed under several ring names, including Moondog Cujo and Cousin Junior. He died of a heart attack on January 13, 2009.-Career:...
, and Cousin Luke
Gene Petit
Gene Petit is a retired American professional wrestler best known for his portrayal of Cousin Luke in the World Wrestling Federation. He also competed under several other gimmicks and competed for several promotions in the United States as well as Australia, Japan, and Nigeria.-Early career:Petit...
. The Hillbillies' gimmick was that of simple-minded country folk who performed square dances in the ring. They feuded with several of the WWF's top wrestlers, including Roddy Piper
Roddy Piper
Roderick George Toombs , better known by his ring name "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, is a Canadian semi-retired professional wrestler and film actor who is currently signed to WWE. In professional wrestling, he is best known for his work with WWE...
and Bob Orton, Jr.
Bob Orton, Jr.
Robert Keith Orton is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, "Cowboy" Bob Orton. He is the father of wrestler Randy Orton, who is signed to World Wrestling Entertainment...
On the October 5, 1985 episode of Saturday Night's Main Event (taped two days earlier), Fraizer was legitimately married to Joyce Stazko despite a storyline that saw Roddy Piper
Roddy Piper
Roderick George Toombs , better known by his ring name "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, is a Canadian semi-retired professional wrestler and film actor who is currently signed to WWE. In professional wrestling, he is best known for his work with WWE...
try to interfere. During the ceremony, wrestler Jesse Ventura
Jesse Ventura
James George Janos , better known as Jesse Ventura, is an American politician, the 38th Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003, Navy UDT veteran, former SEAL reservist, actor, and former radio and television talk show host...
heckled Frazier; Ventura later read a poem at the reception criticizing the wedding until Hillbilly Jim attacked him, and the evening's events led to a feud between Elmer and Ventura. Uncle Elmer competed at WrestleMania 2
WrestleMania 2
WrestleMania 2 was the second annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation...
in 1986, where he lost to "Adorable" Adrian Adonis
Adrian Adonis
Keith A. Franke was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, "Adorable" Adrian Adonis.-Career:Franke trained under Fred Atkins and debuted in 1974, wrestling under his own name...
.
Later career
Fraizer continued to wrestle in Tennessee after leaving the WWF. Using the ring name Giant Hillbilly Elmer, he teamed up with Lawler again to win the AWA Southern Tag Team Championship once more on June 23, 1986. Their title reign lasted less than a month, but he then regained the championship while teaming with Cousin Junior. This reign was even shorter, as they lost the title belts two days later.Fraizer then wrestled for the Continental Wrestling Association
Continental Wrestling Association
The Continental Wrestling Association was a wrestling promotion managed by Jerry Jarrett. The CWA was the name of the "governing body" for the Championship Wrestling, Inc. promotion which was usually referred to as Mid-Southern Wrestling...
(CWA), where he found success in the super heavyweight division. He won the CWA Super Heavyweight Championship
CWA Super Heavyweight Championship
The CWA Super Heavyweight Championship was a short-lived professional wrestling title defended in the Continental Wrestling Association, reserved for very large, "super heavyweight" wrestlers.-Title history:-References:*...
on November 17, 1986 by defeating Goliath. He dropped the belt to Jerry Blackwell
Jerry Blackwell
Jerry Blackwell was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name "Crusher" Jerry Blackwell. Blackwell competed in the 1979 World's Strongest Man contest, but withdrew early in the competition due to an injury...
but was awarded the title again in 1988. He held the championship until the promotion abandoned it later that year.
Personal life
Fraizer was born on August 16, 1937 and lived in Pascagoula, MississippiPascagoula, Mississippi
Pascagoula is a city in Jackson County, Mississippi, United States. It is the principal city of the Pascagoula, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area, as a part of the Gulfport–Biloxi–Pascagoula, Mississippi Combined Statistical Area. The population was 26,200 at the 2000 census...
. He was married to his wife Joyce for over six years, and she traveled with him as he wrestled. Frazier was known for selling cheap merchandise such as fake Rolex
Rolex
Rolex SA is a Swiss watchmaking manufacturer of high-quality, luxury wristwatches. Rolex watches are popularly regarded as status symbols and BusinessWeek magazine ranks Rolex No.71 on its 2007 annual list of the 100 most valuable global brands...
watches, and he operated a shoe store. He also made an appearance as himself on an Andy Kaufman
Andy Kaufman
Andrew Geoffrey "Andy" Kaufman was an American entertainer, actor and performance artist. While often referred to as a comedian, Kaufman did not consider himself one...
special on PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
in 1983, drinking raw eggs.
Frazier suffered from diabetes
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus, often simply referred to as diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced...
and poor health as a result of his weight. These problems led to kidney failure
Renal failure
Renal failure or kidney failure describes a medical condition in which the kidneys fail to adequately filter toxins and waste products from the blood...
, from which he died on July 1, 1992. He was buried in Biloxi, Mississippi
Biloxi, Mississippi
Biloxi is a city in Harrison County, Mississippi, in the United States. The 2010 census recorded the population as 44,054. Along with Gulfport, Biloxi is a county seat of Harrison County....
.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Leg dropLeg dropA leg drop or legdrop refers to an attack used in professional wrestling in which an attacking wrestler will jump and land his leg across a fallen opponent's chest, throat, face or head or in some cases, the groin/lower-abdominal area...
- Standing splash
- Leg drop
- Signature moves
- Elbow drop
- ManagersManager (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
- Jimmy HartJimmy HartJames "Jimmy" Ray Hart is a professional wrestling manager, executive, composer, and musician currently signed with WWE. He is best known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling under his nickname "The Mouth of the South." He has managed many professional...
- Freddie Blassie - Blassie stated that Frazier (as The Convict) was the first person he ever managed.
- Jimmy Hart
Championships and accomplishments
- Georgia Championship WrestlingGeorgia Championship WrestlingGeorgia Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion whose self-titled TV program aired in the 1970s and 1980s on Atlanta, U.S., superstation WTBS. Though based in Atlanta, the company also ran live wrestling shows throughout its geographic "territory" of Georgia Georgia...
- NWA National Tag Team ChampionshipNWA National Tag Team ChampionshipThe NWA National Tag Team Championship was the major tag team title in the NWA-affiliated Georgia Championship Wrestling from 1980 until 1986.The championship was introduced in November 1980 when Georgia Tag Team Champions the Fabulous Freebirds won a tournament to determine the first champions,...
(1 time) - with Ted DiBiaseTed DiBiaseTheodore Marvin "Ted" DiBiase, Sr. is a retired professional wrestler, manager, ordained minister and color commentator. DiBiase achieved championship success in a number of wrestling promotions, holding thirty titles during his professional wrestling career...
- NWA Mid-America / Continental Wrestling AssociationContinental Wrestling AssociationThe Continental Wrestling Association was a wrestling promotion managed by Jerry Jarrett. The CWA was the name of the "governing body" for the Championship Wrestling, Inc. promotion which was usually referred to as Mid-Southern Wrestling...
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version)NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version)The Mid-America version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship existed from 1957 until 1977. It was defended primarily in Tennessee and Alabama.-Title history:...
(1 time) – with Dennis Hall - AWA Southern Tag Team ChampionshipAWA Southern Tag Team ChampionshipThe AWA Southern Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling tag team title in the Tennessee area from the 1940s through the late 1980s. It was originally named the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship from its inception through 1977, when it was renamed the AWA Southern...
(4 times) – with Terry Sawyer (1), Jerry LawlerJerry LawlerJerry O'Neil Lawler is an American professional wrestler, wrestling commentator, musician, businessman, commercial artist and film actor, known throughout the wrestling world as Jerry "The King" Lawler. He is currently signed to WWE, working on its Raw brand as the color commentator and occasional...
(2), and Cousin Junior (1) - CWA Super Heavyweight ChampionshipCWA Super Heavyweight ChampionshipThe CWA Super Heavyweight Championship was a short-lived professional wrestling title defended in the Continental Wrestling Association, reserved for very large, "super heavyweight" wrestlers.-Title history:-References:*...
(2 times)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
- Worst Tag Team (1985) with Cousin Junior
- Worst Wrestler (1985)