Author: Today In Pro Wrestling History: On January 22nd, 1987, at a UWF event in Jackson, Mississippi, One Man Gang defeated Hacksaw Jim Duggan in a Loser Leaves UWF match. This pivotal match led to Duggan and his tag team partner Terry Taylor being forced to vacate the UWF World Tag Team Championship. This storyline was instrumental in writing Duggan off UWF television and facilitating his transition to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where he would achieve significant commercial and mainstream success.
The Rise of One Man Gang
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One Man Gang, whose real name is George Gray, also had a prominent wrestling career. In May 1987, he began discussions with the World Wrestling Federation about joining them. After agreeing to terms, he returned to UWF to drop the title to Big Bubba Rogers. One Man Gang made his WWF debut on May 12, 1987. During his early WWF run, he mostly defeated enhancement talent in very short matches to build his character.
The match between Hacksaw Jim Duggan and One Man Gang on January 22, 1987, at the UWF event was a significant turning point in both wrestlers’ careers, marking the end of an era in UWF and the beginning of new opportunities in the WWF.
Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. The One Man Gang, one month prior, in a UWF title match on Dec 20, 1986:
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"Evan Ginzburg’s stories are a love letter to wrestling, filled with heart, humor, and history. A must-read for any true fan." — Keith Elliot Greenberg
Wrestling Rings, Blackboards, and Movie Sets is the latest book from Pro Wrestling Stories Senior Editor Evan Ginzburg. 100 unforgettable stories—from sharing a flight on 9/11 with a WWE Hall of Famer to untold moments in wrestling history. A page-turner for fans of the ring and beyond. Grab your copy today! For signed editions, click here.
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