York Foundation
Encyclopedia
The York Foundation was a professional wrestling
heel
stable in that worked in World Championship Wrestling
between 1990 and 1992. The stable was led by businesswoman Alexandra York
with each member of the stable adopting business suits & attitudes after joining the stable.
entered WCW near the end of 1990 as the manager / Financial analyst of Mike Rotunda
. According to the storyline
Rotunda had inherited a lot of money, turned heel and then adopted the name “Michael Wallstreet” (a gimmick patterned after Gordon Gekko
from the film Wall Street
). Miss York would use her laptop to analyze Wallstreet’s opponents and help him win matches. Wallstreet started off strong by defeating The Starblazer
at Clash of the Champions XIII before engaging in a feud with Terry Taylor
. Miss York claimed that her computer program predicted that Wallstreet could beat Taylor in less than 9 minutes, so during their Starrcade 1990
match a 9 minute countdown clock was used. Wallstreet won the match within the time limit. Then in early 1991 Rotundo left WCW and signed with the World Wrestling Federation
where he became a “ruthless tax collector” known as Irwin R. Schyster (I.R.S.) .
With no one to manage Miss York started to scout WCW, looking for her next “project”. At Clash of the Champions XIV Miss York found her man. During a match between Terry Taylor and Ricky Morton
Miss York appeared at ringside, distracted Morton and allowed Taylor to win the match. Taylor’s turn did not come as any surprise as he was mistakenly introduced as “the Computerized Man of the 90s” before the match. Taylor joined the York Foundation and insisted on being known as Terrence Taylor from now on and started wearing a Business suit. Miss York also added Mr. Hughes
as a bodyguard.
Next Miss York set her sights on Dustin Rhodes (her real-life husband) wanting him to join her foundation. When Dustin Rhodes turned her down Taylor attacked him kicking off a long-running feud between Rhodes and the York Foundation. In April and May, she had Taylor team with Arn Anderson
and Larry Zbyszko
as potential recruits but they decided to form a tag team called the Enforcers
instead of joining the York Foundation. She also gave "Nature Boy" Buddy Landel
a few tryouts but did not sign him as he lost those matches.
At Clash of the Champions XV on June 14, 1991 the York Foundation was expanded with Richard Morton as Morton joined in an attack on Dustin Rhodes and also beat up his longtime partner Robert Gibson
just as he announced he was ready to return from a serious knee injury. In July Richard Morton defeated Robert Gibson in the first ever 1 on 1 match between the former Rock 'N Roll Express partners at the Great American Bash 1991 . Gibson left WCW shortly after allowing Morton to focus on the York Foundation’s feud with Dustin Rhodes & friends. At GAB 91’ the Foundation lost the services of Mr. Hughes as he joined forces with Harley Race
and Lex Luger
, instead Miss York brought in Thomas Rich
to be the third member of her foundation.
Over the summer the foundation would continue their feud with Dustin Rhodes, Tom Zenk
and Bobby Eaton
all of whom had turned down Miss York’s offer of membership. The Foundation beat Dustin Rhodes, Tom Zenk and Big Josh for the WCW World Six-Man Tag Team Titles on October 8, 1991 and held the titles until they were abandoned in late November, 1991. As fall turned to winter the members of the York Foundation were used more as “Enhancement Talent” to make wrestlers such as Van Hammer or Big Josh
. The sole highlight was Richard Morton’s participation in the tournament to crown the first ever WCW Light Heavyweight Championship where he reached the finals before losing to Flyin’ Brian
. The York Foundation’s final feud was with the Fabulous Freebirds
that was cut short when the Foundation disbanded in January 1992.
Thomas Rich and Richard Morton both became nothing more than Jobbers
while Terry Taylor was repackaged as “The Taylor Made Man” and pushed for the first part of 1992
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...
heel
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
stable in that worked in World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
between 1990 and 1992. The stable was led by businesswoman Alexandra York
Terri Runnels
Terri Lynne Boatright Runnels is a former World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation professional wrestling manager, television host and occasional wrestler....
with each member of the stable adopting business suits & attitudes after joining the stable.
History
Miss Alexandra YorkTerri Runnels
Terri Lynne Boatright Runnels is a former World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation professional wrestling manager, television host and occasional wrestler....
entered WCW near the end of 1990 as the manager / Financial analyst of Mike Rotunda
Mike Rotunda
Lawrence Michael "Mike" Rotunda is a former American professional wrestler, perhaps best known under the name Irwin R. Schyster or I.R.S. for short. He is currently signed with WWE working as a road agent and making occasional appearances on WWE shows as Irwin R...
. According to the storyline
Kayfabe
In professional wrestling, kayfabe is the portrayal of events within the industry as "real" or "true". Specifically, the portrayal of professional wrestling, in particular the competition and rivalries between participants, as being genuine or not of a worked nature...
Rotunda had inherited a lot of money, turned heel and then adopted the name “Michael Wallstreet” (a gimmick patterned after Gordon Gekko
Gordon Gekko
Gordon Gekko is the main antagonist of the 1987 film Wall Street and the antihero of the 2010 film Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, both by director Oliver Stone...
from the film Wall Street
Wall Street (film)
Wall Street is a 1987 American drama film released by 20th Century Fox. It was directed by Oliver Stone and stars Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, and Daryl Hannah. The screenplay was written by Stanley Weiser and Stone...
). Miss York would use her laptop to analyze Wallstreet’s opponents and help him win matches. Wallstreet started off strong by defeating The Starblazer
Tim Horner
Tim Horner is a professional wrestler best known for his "Lightning Express" tag team with Brad Armstrong.-Career:Tim Horner started wrestling in 1982 in the Alabama territory. He formed a tag team called the "Lightning Express" with Brad Armstrong and they had a lot of success. They won the...
at Clash of the Champions XIII before engaging in a feud with Terry Taylor
Terry Taylor
Terry Taylor , is an American retired professional wrestler best known for his time in the National Wrestling Alliance, World Championship Wrestling, and the World Wrestling Federation...
. Miss York claimed that her computer program predicted that Wallstreet could beat Taylor in less than 9 minutes, so during their Starrcade 1990
Starrcade (1990)
Starrcade '90 was the eighth annual Starrcade professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced under the National Wrestling Alliance banner. It was the third Starrcade event produced by World Championship Wrestling, and the last pay-per-view event held by the NWA. It took place on December 16,...
match a 9 minute countdown clock was used. Wallstreet won the match within the time limit. Then in early 1991 Rotundo left WCW and signed with 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...
where he became a “ruthless tax collector” known as Irwin R. Schyster (I.R.S.) .
With no one to manage Miss York started to scout WCW, looking for her next “project”. At Clash of the Champions XIV Miss York found her man. During a match between Terry Taylor and Ricky Morton
Ricky Morton
Richard Wendell "Ricky" Morton is an American professional wrestler who has worked for such wrestling organizations as Jim Crockett Promotions, the American Wrestling Association, Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, the World Wrestling Federation and Total Nonstop Action...
Miss York appeared at ringside, distracted Morton and allowed Taylor to win the match. Taylor’s turn did not come as any surprise as he was mistakenly introduced as “the Computerized Man of the 90s” before the match. Taylor joined the York Foundation and insisted on being known as Terrence Taylor from now on and started wearing a Business suit. Miss York also added Mr. Hughes
Curtis Hughes
Curtis Hughes is an American professional wrestler, better known under the ring name Mr. Hughes. He is best known for his stints in the World Wrestling Federation. In addition to the WWF, Hughes has also worked for World Championship Wrestling, the American Wrestling Association, the American...
as a bodyguard.
Next Miss York set her sights on Dustin Rhodes (her real-life husband) wanting him to join her foundation. When Dustin Rhodes turned her down Taylor attacked him kicking off a long-running feud between Rhodes and the York Foundation. In April and May, she had Taylor team with Arn Anderson
Arn Anderson
Martin Anthony Lunde better known by his ring name Arn Anderson, is a former American professional wrestler and author. His career has been highlighted by his alliances with Ric Flair and various members of the wrestling stable, The Four Horsemen, in the NWA/WCW...
and Larry Zbyszko
Larry Zbyszko
Lawrence "Larry" Whistler is a professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Larry Zbyszko. Zbyszko is perhaps best known for his feud with his mentor, wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino during the early 1980s....
as potential recruits but they decided to form a tag team called the Enforcers
The Enforcers
The Enforcers may refer to:*Enforcers , a Marvel Comics villain team, enemies of Spider-Man*New Enforcers, another group of Marvel Comics supervillains*Enforcers , an animated series*Enforcers, a professional wrestling tag team...
instead of joining the York Foundation. She also gave "Nature Boy" Buddy Landel
Buddy Landel
William Ansor is a professional wrestler better knownas "Nature Boy" Buddy Landel.-Career:Buddy Landel started his career in 1979 as a young talented athlete in ICW. He left high school even though he had received letters of intent to play baseball and football at the University of Tennessee...
a few tryouts but did not sign him as he lost those matches.
At Clash of the Champions XV on June 14, 1991 the York Foundation was expanded with Richard Morton as Morton joined in an attack on Dustin Rhodes and also beat up his longtime partner Robert Gibson
Reuben Kane
Robert Gibson is a professional wrestler. He is famous as half of the tag team known as Rock 'N Roll Express, with Ricky Morton.-Early career:Cain started wrestling as Robert Gibson in 1977...
just as he announced he was ready to return from a serious knee injury. In July Richard Morton defeated Robert Gibson in the first ever 1 on 1 match between the former Rock 'N Roll Express partners at the Great American Bash 1991 . Gibson left WCW shortly after allowing Morton to focus on the York Foundation’s feud with Dustin Rhodes & friends. At GAB 91’ the Foundation lost the services of Mr. Hughes as he joined forces with Harley Race
Harley Race
Harley Leland Race is a retired American professional wrestler and current promoter and trainer. During his career as a wrestler, he held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship 7 times...
and Lex Luger
Lex Luger
Lawrence Wendell "Larry" Pfohl , better known by his ring name Lex Luger, is an American former professional wrestler and football player currently working with WWE on their wellness policy...
, instead Miss York brought in Thomas Rich
Tommy Rich
Thomas Richardson , better known by his ring name, "Wildfire" Tommy Rich, is a professional wrestler. He is best known for his wrestling career in Georgia and Memphis throughout the 1980s.-Professional wrestling career:...
to be the third member of her foundation.
Over the summer the foundation would continue their feud with Dustin Rhodes, Tom Zenk
Tom Zenk
Thomas Erwin "Tom" Zenk is a former Mr. Minnesota Bodybuilder, and most notably a American professional wrestler, also known by his nickname Z-Man.-Early career:...
and Bobby Eaton
Bobby Eaton
Robert Lee "Bobby" Eaton is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, who made his debut in 1976. Eaton is most famous for his work in tag teams, especially his days as one-half of the team the Midnight Express. Under the management of Jim Cornette, Eaton originally teamed with Dennis...
all of whom had turned down Miss York’s offer of membership. The Foundation beat Dustin Rhodes, Tom Zenk and Big Josh for the WCW World Six-Man Tag Team Titles on October 8, 1991 and held the titles until they were abandoned in late November, 1991. As fall turned to winter the members of the York Foundation were used more as “Enhancement Talent” to make wrestlers such as Van Hammer or Big Josh
Matt Osborne
Matthew "Matt" Wade Osborne is an American semi-retired professional wrestler. Osborne is a second generation wrestler, being son of "Tough" Tony Borne, but he is best known as the first wrestler to portray the character of Doink the Clown, which he still uses to this day.-Independent...
. The sole highlight was Richard Morton’s participation in the tournament to crown the first ever WCW Light Heavyweight Championship where he reached the finals before losing to Flyin’ Brian
Brian Pillman
Brian William Pillman was an American football player and professional wrestler best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation, Extreme Championship Wrestling, and World Championship Wrestling....
. The York Foundation’s final feud was with 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...
that was cut short when the Foundation disbanded in January 1992.
Thomas Rich and Richard Morton both became nothing more than Jobbers
Job (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling slang, the term job describes a losing performance in a wrestling match. It is derived from the euphemism "doing one's job", which was employed to protect kayfabe. As professional wrestling is scripted, inevitably a wrestler will be required to lose to an opponent.The term...
while Terry Taylor was repackaged as “The Taylor Made Man” and pushed for the first part of 1992
Championships and accomplishments
- World Championship WrestlingWorld Championship WrestlingWorld Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
- WCW World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (1 time) – Terrance Taylor, Richard Morton and Thomas Rich
See also
- The First FamilyThe First Family (professional wrestling)The First Family was the name of two professional wrestling stables led by Jimmy Hart, first in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the Memphis-based Continental Wrestling Association, then in the late 1990s in World Championship Wrestling.-CWA stable:...
- Money Inc.Money Inc.Money Inc. was a heel professional wrestling tag team in the World Wrestling Federation from February 1992 to August 1993. The team consisted of "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster . They held the WWF Tag Team Championship three times, defeating the Legion of Doom, The Natural...
- U.S. ExpressU.S. ExpressThe U.S. Express was a professional wrestling tag team composed of Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham in the World Wrestling Federation. Windham was later replaced by Dan Spivey and the team was renamed the American Express.-Windham and Rotunda:...
- Varsity ClubVarsity ClubThe Varsity Club was a professional wrestling heel stable in the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions and World Championship Wrestling. The stable was formed in 1987 and lasted until 1989...