Author: Fans flocked to Ben Justice for his scientific wrestling and fan camaraderie. But on one night in 1968, at Dayton, Ohio’s Hara Arena, the Hells Angels were locked in, and two referees were needed!
Remembering Wrestler Ben Justice: A Look Back at His Life and Career
In the world of professional wrestling, many legendary figures have left an indelible mark on the sport. One such figure is Ben Justice, whose career spanned the late 1960s through the 1970s and garnered him a devoted following of fans. Let’s take a closer look at his life and career.
The Early Days
Ben Justice entered the wrestling scene in the late 1960s, and it wasn’t long before he made a name for himself.
On December 6, 1968, he and Rocky Johnson faced off in a Cage Match for the tag team championship, marking an early highlight in his career.
Notable Matches and Results
Ben Justice’s career was filled with memorable matches and encounters with some of wrestling’s biggest names:
May 9, 1969: At Hara Arena, Ben pinned Pierre “Mad Dog” LaBelle with a small package in singles action. Afterward, Mark Lewin & Rocky Johnson defeated Bull Curry & Thunderbolt Patterson by DQ.
May 23, 1969: The Sheik promoted his last show at Hara Arena due to Classics takeover, featuring the Stomper vs. Ben Justice.
June 9, 1969: The Hell’s Angels were scheduled to compete for the NWA World Tag Team Championship against Rocky Johnson and Ben Justice at Clark County Fairgrounds. Their matches with the Hell’s Angels were brutal, and one time, two referees were needed to keep the peace. Nonetheless, that match ended in a No Contest!
1970: Ben wrestled “Wild Bull” Curry in a Hair vs. Mask match, eventually unmasked by Dr. Jerry Graham.
1972: Ben and the Stomper defeated the Fabulous Kangaroos for the NWA World tag titles during a time when they also had a series of matches against Tony Parisi and Dominic DeNucci over the NWF World tag titles.
1973: Teaming up with Tojo Yamamoto, Ben captured the NWA Mid-American World Tag Team titles.
The Heel Turn
A significant turning point in Ben Justice’s career came in 1973 when he formed an alliance with Killer Brooks and turned heel.
This marked a major shift in his character and wrestling style, earning him a new set of fans and detractors.
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Interview with Ben Justice
Around this time, I interviewed Ben Justice, where he shed light on his thoughts and motivations:
Strat: Do you think that you can be as successful without wrestling as the Stomper’s tag partner?
Ben: Why sure I can. I was successful with him, I was successful with Rocky Johnson before him, and I’m very successful now. So you can actually say that I’m a very successful person.
Strat: You sure seem to have turned your back on him to me. What about that match on TV that I saw where you lost the titles?
Ben: Look, you weren’t there the night that it happened, so you don’t really know what really happened.
Strat: In closing, is there anything else that you would like to say before we close this interview?
Ben: Sure, because just like these fans, you’re my kind of people! Now, you have just interviewed one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, Ben Justice, which is me. Thank you!
Life After Wrestling
Ben Justice’s wrestling career eventually came to an end, and he transitioned to other pursuits. He worked as a gas tanker truck driver and even owned a couple of bars in the Detroit area. Despite his success in the ring, he seemed disillusioned with the wrestling business as time went on.
A Fond Farewell
On October 23rd, 2018, Ben Justice passed away at the age of 81 after a battle with prostate cancer. His legacy lives on in the hearts of wrestling fans who remember him for his skill, charisma, and contributions to the world of professional wrestling.
In closing, Ben Justice’s career was filled with various victories and defeats, but he will always be remembered as a true wrestling icon. His impact on the sport and the memories he created will forever be cherished by those who had the privilege of witnessing his matches and following his journey.
Author: P. Stratoti
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