Most wrestlers are gone from the ring long before their bodies tell the full story. Yet, well into his 70s, "Action" Mike Jackson is still lacing up his boots, carrying memories from a version of professional wrestling that barely exists anymore. In this exclusive conversation with Pro Wrestling Stories, Mike Jackson walks back through those territory roads, the legends who leaned on him, the fans who took things too far, and the reason he is still climbing through the ropes while most of his peers have long stepped away.
Action Mike Jackson has wrestled across five decades, from his early days in the Southern territories to walking the ropes in TNA well into his 70s. Few careers in professional wrestling have stretched this far and meant this much. Photo Credit: Mike Jackson / TNA Wrestling.
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Self-Taught Beginnings of “Action” Mike Jackson in Southern Wrestling
Action Mike Jackson, in his early years, was a self-taught wrestler from Birmingham, Alabama, who built his career from the ground up in the Southern wrestling territories. Photo Credit: Mike Jackson.
Born on November 10th, 1949, in Granite City, Illinois, Mike Jackson moved to Alabama at the age of three. His love affair with wrestling began when he was only eight years old.
“When I was eight, I saw it on television, and that’s all I ever wanted to do,” Jackson recalled in an interview with me for Pro Wrestling Stories. “I thought, man, this is the greatest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Growing up in Birmingham in the 1960s, wrestling wasn’t just a pastime; it was a calling for Jackson. He didn’t have the luxury of a formal wrestling school, and there were no roadmaps to follow. Instead, he found an unconventional path into the industry. The local referee, Bob Holland, had a son who worked at Channel 42, where wrestling shows aired every Saturday. When Holland’s son went off to college, Jackson eagerly filled the spot.
“I was in charge of the ring,” Jackson explained. “I had the key to the trainer facility, so I’d go up and set it up on Saturday, me and a couple of other guys, and we’d get down and play. I really trained myself. Never had a trainer lesson from anybody.”
He was proud of his self-made journey, noting that he picked up moves and techniques simply by observing the wrestlers on television and in the ring. In a time when wrestling schools were almost unheard of, Jackson created his own curriculum, fueled by passion and grit.
By 1964, Jackson’s family had settled permanently in Birmingham, where wrestling became a weekly ritual. “I’d walk two blocks to Boutwell Auditorium to catch the live events on Monday nights,” he said.
Jackson reminisced about the golden days of Southern wrestling, when names like Tojo Yamamoto, Len Rossi, Bearcat Brown, and Gypsy Joe drew packed houses. Those wrestlers, larger-than-life and deeply skilled, served as Jackson’s unofficial mentors.
How Action Mike Jackson Broke Into Southern Wrestling as a Referee
As a promoter, Nick Gulas was the driving force behind NWA Mid-America, overseeing towns across Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Operating out of Nashville, he ran weekly cards at venues like the Nashville Fairgrounds, maintained a steady television presence to build local stars, and developed talent such as Action Mike Jackson. Photo Credit: WWE.
“I wanted to wrestle. Refereeing wasn’t enough, but I was willing to pay my dues.”
After a long period of dedication, Jackson finally got his break. “My first big match was on Christmas night of 1973,” Jackson recalled. Teaming with Tony Ledoux, the duo moved to Nashville under Gulas’ guidance. For nearly two years, Jackson worked full-time across the Tennessee territory.
But the life of a territory wrestler was unforgiving. When bookings slowed down, Jackson found himself at a crossroads.
“Booking got slower, and it wasn’t as big as it used to be, so my partner quit, and I was ready to quit too,” he shared.
Names like Ernie Ladd, Carlos Colon, and Dusty Rhodes became familiar faces, and Jackson learned by sharing locker rooms and road trips with the best.
Inside the Tennessee and Georgia Territories That Built Mike Jackson
In 1986, Action Mike Jackson faces NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair on World Championship Wrestling, showcasing territory-era mat wrestling on national TV. Photo Credit: WWE.
“That was my training ground, the place I first got my teeth in wrestling. I learned a whole lot from the veterans,” Jackson said, speaking fondly of his time in Georgia Championship Wrestling. “Those guys taught me so much. We’d be driving from town to town, talking wrestling, sharing stories, and learning. They were masters.”
In Georgia, Jackson shared the ring with legendary names like Dusty Rhodes, JJ Dillon, and Ole Anderson. He noted, “Ole was one of the best bookers I ever worked with. He was strictly business, no nonsense. What you saw was what you got. I enjoyed working with him and learned a whole lot from that experience.”
JJ Dillon, in particular, left a strong impression on Jackson. “JJ was one of the smartest guys I’ve ever met,” he recalled. “Just a mastermind of wrestling psychology.”
But one of Jackson’s most cherished memories from this period was his matches with Ric Flair. “Flair would hand-pick his opponents. He’d say, ‘I want to work with Mike Jackson on TV today,’ and that was a feather in my cap,” Jackson said proudly. For Flair, wrestling was an art, and he had a unique ability to elevate his opponents. “Ric knew how to make his opponents look good, and that made him look even better,” Jackson explained. “It was all about the psychology, about telling a story in the ring.”
The Bill Watts Mid-South Run That Tested Mike Jackson’s Limits
Action Mike Jackson most notably held the NWA Southeastern Tag Team Championship and the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Championship during his territorial run. Both titles were sanctioned under the National Wrestling Alliance banner in the 1970s and 1980s, reflecting his prominence across the Southern circuits. Photo Credit: WWE.
Reflecting on his time in Mid-South Wrestling, Mike Jackson’s respect for Bill Watts is evident. “Bill Watts was probably, of all the people I worked for ever, my favorite. He was business all the way; there was never any doubt about what he wanted,” Jackson emphasized.
Watts’ reputation as a strict, no-nonsense promoter didn’t deter Jackson. Instead, he admired the clear structure and fairness of Watts’ approach: “He paid everybody equally. Like I said, no nonsense guy. His territory was wide open.”
The territory was vast and busy, requiring Jackson to travel to places like “the Superdome for him, Oakdale, Louisiana, Greenville, Shreveport…” With crowds filling the arenas and the schedule packed, Jackson recalls, “It was hot. Every single time I got out of the car, I knew it would be a packed house.” The excitement of those days left a strong impression on him.
When asked about the atmosphere and energy surrounding Junkyard Dog, Jackson shared, “Let me tell you now, Dog and I were partners for a while. We worked together in Selma, Alabama. Nick Gulas and then Bill Watts made him a superstar.” The Mid-South fans embraced Junkyard Dog’s charisma, and Jackson remembers, “When people say Bill Watts, you hear so much divisiveness about him. People either loved him or hated him. He was a taskmaster.”
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The Brutal Territory Schedule Mike Jackson Endured on the Road
Action Mike Jackson was a constant presence across the Southern territories in the 1970s and 1980s, competing in regions like NWA Mid-America, Southeastern Championship Wrestling, and Georgia Championship Wrestling. Known for his conditioning and crisp fundamentals, Jackson worked both underneath and in featured bouts, often sharing the ring with top names. Photo Credit: WWE.
The life of a wrestler during the territory days was intense and physically demanding.
“I started every night and three times on Saturday,” Mike Jackson recalled of the grueling pace. “That’s all I ever wanted, and… Friday, Saturday, maybe a Sunday afternoon or Thursday, Friday, Saturday – there’s not any holiday.”
Back then, he said, they’d be doing “at least every night of the week and usually two TVs,” including Birmingham TV at 10 a.m., Chattanooga at 5 p.m., and a house show in the evening. Despite the relentless schedule, Jackson reflected on it with a mix of pride and nostalgia, knowing he gave his all to each match and crowd.
The intense schedule was complemented by long miles on the road. “You’d probably put two or three thousand miles on a week,” Jackson estimated, as he and his fellow wrestlers would drive from one show to the next. Sometimes, he said, it was a “long trip across the country… Memphis, Tennessee to Kentucky, you name it.”
However, he took it all in stride, loving the camaraderie and the rhythm of life on the road.
In those days, fans took wrestling seriously, sometimes to dangerous levels. Jackson witnessed firsthand the intensity of fans who believed in the rivalries and in-ring conflicts.
“I’ve seen guys get stabbed,” he recalled, “I’ve seen windshield windows knocked down… people throwing rocks.” For Jackson, the danger was part of the job. “Back in the day, it was a lot scarier than it is nowadays. Fans really believed in wrestling. Sometimes we had to fight our way to the dressing room.”
In certain areas, especially in parts of Louisiana, fans were known to become aggressive, which added an unpredictable edge to every show. Jackson shared, “It got to the point where some guys had to…literally fight to get back to the dressing room.”
Working the Midnight Express and Jim Cornette at Their Peak
The Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton), managed by Jim Cornette, make their Mid-South Wrestling debut on November 23, 1983 in Shreveport, Louisiana, facing Action Mike Jackson and Rick Rude in action. Photo Credit: WWE.
Among Mike Jackson’s many memorable experiences, his matches with the Midnight Express stood out. Managed by Jim Cornette, Jackson had a deep respect for the team and their manager.
“Cornette was a mastermind. Some people don’t like him, but I think he’s one of the best that’s ever been for the business,” Jackson remarked. Cornette’s involvement was electrifying, and Jackson recalls, “He knew his role. He was great, probably one of the best managers of all time.”
Working with Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey was a highlight for Jackson, as he considered both to be incredible talents in the ring. Jackson recalled that Eaton was still green when they first wrestled together, learning the ropes but already showing incredible potential.
"Bobby was green at the time, but you could tell he had something special," Jackson noted. "He was one of the nicest people I ever worked with, a class act and incredibly talented. Working with Bobby and Dennis, you knew you’d have a match people would remember."
Working with them meant that each match had an added layer of excitement, as Cornette’s energy fueled the crowd’s reactions. With the Midnight Express, Jackson found the chemistry and respect that made the grind worthwhile. The combination of Cornette’s tactics and Eaton and Condrey’s skills created matches that would stick in fans’ memories.
“Those guys just knew how to tell a story in the ring,” Jackson said, reflecting on the matches they shared.
Crossing Paths with Randy "Macho Man" Savage Before National Stardom
A young Randy "Macho Man" Savage (holding the ICW World Heavyweight Championship during his pre-WWF territorial run) crossed paths with “Action” Mike Jackson before national stardom. Photo Credit: ICW.
Mike Jackson also crossed paths with Randy Savage early in their careers, and the connection they shared left a lasting impression.
“Randy and I started our first job together in Nashville for a new gig. We both started full-time at the same exact time,” Jackson recounted
Savage, already charismatic and fierce in his style, became a mainstay in the wrestling world, and Jackson admired him both as a wrestler and a friend. “We were on the same shows every night,” he continued, describing how they bonded through shared experiences and mutual respect.
Over the years, they saw each other’s careers grow in parallel, and Jackson often recalled those early days with a sense of pride.
Mike Jackson on the Road Warriors’ Territory Reputation
The Road Warriors, Hawk and Animal, dominated the early 1980s territories where Action Mike Jackson competed, including Georgia Championship Wrestling and Mid-Atlantic. Years later, the duo personally sought out Jackson to thank him for his role in their rise. Photo Credit: WWE.
Mike Jackson’s journey through various wrestling territories allowed him to work with a broad array of wrestling legends, each leaving their mark on his career.
Some of his favorite memories come from sharing the ring with famous tag teams, particularly the Road Warriors, known for their intimidating presence and popularity.
Jackson recalled their incredible impact in the ring and with fans: “They were the real deal, man. They had the look, the power, and the presence to back it up. Every time those guys walked into the ring, people went nuts.”
The reputation of the Road Warriors was legendary, and Jackson considered it an honor to wrestle in the same promotions as these towering figures in wrestling.
He often reflects on how the atmosphere would shift when they were on a card, with fans becoming even more excited and invested in the show. Their larger-than-life presence elevated any match they were in, and Jackson took pride in being part of that era. There was nothing like those days,” he reminisced, “and when you had names like the Road Warriors on the card, you knew it would be a wild night.”
Bob Armstrong, the Armstrong Family, and Southern Wrestling Loyalty
"Bullet" Bob Armstrong, a cornerstone babyface across Georgia Championship Wrestling and the Southern territories, was one of Action Mike Jackson’s closest friends in the business, a man Jackson simply called "the pinnacle." Photo Credit: WWE.
One of Mike Jackson’s most cherished professional relationships was with Bob Armstrong, a wrestler he held in the highest regard.
“Billy [Bob] Armstrong, he’s one of my all-time favorites,” Jackson expressed, recalling his friendship with the man who was an icon of Southern wrestling. Armstrong’s legacy extended to his family, who were all deeply respected within the industry. “The Armstrong family and I are very close,” Jackson continued, acknowledging the bond he shared with each of them.
Bob Armstrong’s career and presence in the ring were legendary, and Jackson saw him as a role model. “Bob was the pinnacle,” Jackson said simply. The two worked together in Southeastern and Continental Wrestling, where Armstrong was a central figure. Reflecting on Armstrong’s skill and charisma, Jackson explained, “Everything he did turned into gold. He was a class act.”
As Jackson describes, their family legacy extended beyond Bob, with his son, the late Brad Armstrong, emerging as a technically skilled wrestler in his own right. “Brad was probably the best, as far as just technical wrestling,” Jackson shared.
He went on to recall how Bob’s popularity never waned, noting, “The people just fell in love with him.”
Even in Armstrong’s later years, Jackson would invite him to shows in Alabama, where Armstrong continued to draw crowds and entertain fans. “He was the man,” Jackson said with admiration.
Giving Back: How Mike Jackson Uses Pro Wrestling to Fund Schools
Action Mike Jackson made appearances at Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) later in his career, bringing decades of in-ring experience to a new generation of talent. Photo Credit: OVW.
Now, as “Action” Mike Jackson reflects on his long career, he takes pride not only in his accomplishments in the ring but also in the work he does within his community.
“I run fundraisers for schools,” he explained, describing how he brings wrestling events to Alabama schools in need of financial support. “I do about seven or eight fundraisers a year for the schools. We come in, put together a wrestling show for them, and it’s a really good independent show. We try to make them some money.”
Beyond wrestling, Jackson also participates in substance awareness programs at schools, where he and his team give presentations during the day before the evening’s matches. “We usually do a program on Friday, just to get the kids excited, and then go help sell tickets for the Booster Club before we start the show that night,” he explained. This work has become a fulfilling extension of his wrestling career, allowing him to give back to the Alabama communities that supported him over the years.
His involvement doesn’t end there. Mike Jackson has also found a way to give back to the wrestling community by working with independent promotions across the South. “I still get booked two or three days a week,” he shared.
How Mike Jackson Still Wrestles Into His 70s
Action Mike Jackson alongside tag partner Chic Donavan after a 2023 match – two veterans who prove that dedication to pro wrestling has no expiration date. Photo Credit: John Rare.
For Mike Jackson, professional wrestling isn’t his only source of fulfillment; his faith has played a central role in his journey.
God’s good to me,” he said, explaining that his relationship with God has helped him through the many challenges of life and wrestling. “People ask me all the time, how do you keep doing this at 53, 64, 76 years old?” Jackson would often respond by sharing his faith, explaining, “God’s been good to me. I gave a lot to Him a long time ago, and He’s blessed me.”
As a devoted member of his church, Westmont Baptist, Jackson is involved in many of its activities. “I’m really involved in my church,” he shared, adding that his belief in God has been a source of strength throughout his life. Jackson’s faith and his church community have grounded him, providing a sense of purpose that extends beyond his work in the ring.
Old-School vs. Modern Wrestling: Action Mike Jackson’s Perspective
“Wrestling has changed so much over the years. You know that as well as I do. It’s changed a whole lot,” Jackson observed. He points out that in his day, wrestling was far more physically demanding and gritty, with a focus on strength and technique rather than high-flying maneuvers.
Jackson recalled the toll wrestling took on his body and his peers. “Back when I was in the day, you didn’t have guys diving through ropes and jumping on top ropes on each other’s heads. It was more wrestling,” he explained. This approach to wrestling led to the distinctive “cauliflower ears, broken noses” that wrestlers from his generation often sported as a badge of honor.
Nowadays, Jackson notices a focus on aerial maneuvers and a shift toward an acrobatic style. “It’s more finesse, soap-opera-type stuff than it was back in the day,” he said, reflecting on the ways in which wrestling has evolved. “Now you see these guys climbing up on top of stuff and jumping off.”
For Jackson, while he appreciates the athleticism, he’s wary of the risks involved in today’s high-risk moves: “It’s no wonder so many guys are getting hurt all the time.”
The Most Memorable Matches of Action Mike Jackson’s Wrestling Career
Action Mike Jackson on the independent circuit in his 70s, working regional shows across the Southeastern United States with an old-school, territory-influenced style. Photo Credit: The Troy Messenger.
Of all the matches in Mike Jackson’s career, some stand out as personal highlights. He fondly remembered his encounters with the Midnight Express, including legendary wrestler Bobby Eaton.
“Bobby Eaton was great. There’s not a whole lot better than Bobby Eaton,” Jackson said of his former opponent. In addition to Eaton, Jackson also singled out Dennis Condrey. “Dennis Condrey was one of my favorite guys to work with,” he said. The chemistry between Jackson and these iconic figures added to the excitement of their matches, making each bout feel special for the audience.
One of his most cherished memories was wrestling Alan Harden, an opponent Jackson respected deeply. “The best match I ever had was with Alan Harden,” he recalled, describing the energy in the venue. “That was at a high school in Alabama. We drew a really big crowd.”
Still Getting Booked: How "Action" Mike Jackson Defies Time
Action Mike Jackson applying a traditional headlock, displaying the technical fundamentals he honed across Southern wrestling territories. Photo Credit: Quad Cities Daily.
Even after over five decades in the ring, Mike Jackson’s passion for professional wrestling remains as strong as ever.
“I still get booked multiple times a week,” he shared, expressing his joy in continuing to perform and connect with fans. He regularly accepts bookings and travels around the country to wrestle at various independent events, proud that he can still keep up with the demands of wrestling.
Jackson’s love for the business and his desire to give back extend beyond his in-ring work. He frequently participates in fan events and signing sessions where he meets with fans and shares stories from his incredible career.
“I talk to a lot of younger wrestlers now, and they’ll ask me questions about working with legends like the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express or the Midnight Express,” Jackson shared. He’s happy to share advice and insights, hoping to inspire the next generation of wrestlers.
Action Mike Jackson’s 2026 Return to TNA Wrestling
In February 2026 at TNA No Surrender in Nashville, 76‑year‑old Action Mike Jackson returned to face Mance Warner in a featured singles match. Photo Credit: TNA.
When Mike Jackson stepped into an Impact Wrestling ring on March 7, 2020, he was 70 years old. Though he came up short in a match against Johnny Swinger, the appearance immediately reignited national attention around the ageless veteran.
Jackson returned on December 18, 2021, this time teaming with Swinger as The Rhythmic Warriors and scoring a victory over Daniel Dunn and Chris Sabin. Days later, he entered the chaotic Reverse Battle Royal at Slammiversary, a match ultimately won by Shark Boy, reminding fans that Jackson could still hang.
In 2023, he would compete in a six-way scramble at Hard To Kill, sharing the ring with some of the company’s top modern talent in a match won by Kushida. The following night, he faced Trey Miguel, continuing to test himself against a new generation nearly half his age.
Most recently, Mike Jackson showed that he wasn’t finished with TNA just yet. On February 13, 2026, he wrestled for TNA in a match against Mance Warner. While the result didn’t go his way, the message was unmistakable: long after most of his peers had retired, "Action" Mike Jackson was still stepping between the ropes for pure passion of the business.
Building a Pro Wrestling Legacy The Mike Jackson Way
Action Mike Jackson walking the ropes in his 70s, the self-described "carpenter" of pro wrestling who spent five decades holding shows together, elevating stars, and earning the respect of legends. Photo Credit: TNA.
Reflecting on his legacy, Mike Jackson shared with Pro Wrestling Stories that he is proud of the respect he’s earned from fans and fellow wrestlers alike.
“Guys like the Road Warriors came to me one time and told me how much they appreciated what I did for them and helped them. It doesn’t get better than that.”
His role as a seasoned wrestler helped elevate other stars, contributing to their success. “It takes somebody to make a star,” Jackson explained. “The stars have been made, but somebody’s got to make those stars.”
In his words, Jackson described himself as a “carpenter” in the wrestling world, a craftsman who helped hold the shows together between the main events. “Between the main events and the gimmicks, it was guys like you that held the show together,” a friend once told him, and Jackson agrees. “It was hard work, but we did what we had to do, and we took pride in it.”
“Action” Mike Jackson has always taken an old-school approach to his career, preferring personal connections over technology.
“I’m not big on computers or social media,” he admitted. Instead, Jackson relies on word of mouth and the connections he’s built over the years to sell his merchandise and promote his shows.
“If people want something, they’ll call me,” he said, explaining how he sells DVDs, T-shirts, and other memorabilia directly to fans.
As he looks back on his life in wrestling, Jackson expresses gratitude for the opportunities he’s had and the respect he’s earned from the wrestling community. “I worked hard to get where I am,” he expressed. “If I go places, I haven’t even met some of the guys, but they’ll come up to me and thank me for what I did to help them in their careers. That means the world to me.”
Most athletes chase legacy. Mike Jackson never had to. He built his quietly, one territory town at a time, one match at a time, one star elevated at a time.
From a self-taught kid walking two blocks to Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham to a veteran still answering the bell well into his 70s, "Action" Mike Jackson never needed the spotlight to matter. The legends always knew where to find him.
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Jim Phillips is a senior author for Pro Wrestling Stories and a lifetime member of the Cauliflower Alley Club. He has been a passionate pro wrestling fan since the late '70s and has spent the past decade as a journeyman writer, sharing his insights and stories with the wrestling community. He can also be heard in the BBC Radio production Sports Strangest Crimes: The Ballad of Bruiser Brody. Tragically, Jim is currently facing the greatest challenge of his life after being paralyzed on January 21st, 2023. You can learn more about his journey and how you can support him in reaching his goal of taking his first steps again at the link above.
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