Violence Turns Real For Ex-Wrestler
By RONALD JORDAN Media General News Service
Published: Dec 30, 2004
As a professional wrestler, Tony Norris, a k a Ahmed Johnson, never had a problem when it came to confrontation. In the scripted world that absorbed his energies more than 300 days out of a year, fending off attacks had become a way of life for the former World Wrestling Federation intercontinental champion.
But what happens when the action shifts from the story-lined confines of the squared circle and into the streets of the real world - where the attack is not scripted, but real and life threatening? Norris found out recently when he was forced to intervene in what police in his hometown of Houston, Texas, believe was an attempted kidnapping and rape.
The incident happened around Thanksgiving as Norris was leaving a grocery store near his home, he said this week by telephone from his home in Houston.
''I had just gotten into my car and was taking a short cut back to the house through the Wal-Mart parking lot when I saw this guy walking with this girl,'' Norris said. At first, Norris thought nothing of the couple but became suspicious when he drove closer.
''He had her by the neck and arm and she looked real nervous,'' Norris recalled. ''I didn't feel right about this, so I drove around the parking lot and decided to park and watch them to see if something was wrong.''
Norris' instincts were right.
As he sat watching, Norris said he witnessed the man trying to force the woman into the driver's side of a car. When she resisted, the man punched her in the stomach and side, Norris said. At that point, Norris jumped from his car and went to the woman's aid.
''I asked him what he was doing, and about that time the woman yelled to me that he had a knife,'' Norris said. The man first acted as though he would try and use the knife on Norris, but then dropped the weapon and ran.
''He went into the Wal-Mart store and I chased after him,'' Norris said. Once inside, others who had witnessed the incident called police. Norris said the man was found inside the store and arrested by a security officer.
Norris said he later learned the man had several prior arrests charges, including domestic abuse. Asked if he was concerned for his own safety when he decided to intervene, Norris said it never crossed his mind.
''I guess I should have thought about that, but I didn't,'' said Norris, who stands just over six feet tall and weighs in at 330 pounds. ''All I thought about at the time was that this girl was getting beaten. When I saw him punching her like that, I just didn't give a damn. She was so scared.''
-- A steel-cage match featuring former NWA stars The Rock 'n' Roll Express versus the Midnight Express will headline the first card of the new year when Carolina Championship Wrestling returns to Lenoir, N.C., and the Mulberry Recreation Center this Saturday. The Rock 'n' Roll's Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson will be out to settle some unfinished business when they square off against ''Beautiful'' Bobby Eaton and ''Lover Boy'' Dennis Condrey, who will be led to the ring by their former manager Jim Cornette.
In addition, ''The American Dream'' Dusty Rhodes will take on former Four Horsemen member Tully Blanchard, The Ugandan Giant will face Madd Maxx, Brad Armstrong meets George South, Thunderfoot I and II take on George South Jr. and Johnny Blaze, and ''Gorgeous'' Gary Royal faces Bobby Fulton. In two other special matches, Amber O'Neal will meet Venus, and former WWE personality Chavo Guerrero Sr. will go up against an opponent yet to be named.
-- The countdown is under way for WrestleReunion, which will take place Jan. 28-30 in Tampa. The three-day event will feature more than 60 of professional wrestling's' most legendary stars, who will appear during meet-and-greet and questions and answer sessions, as well as in matches. Among those expected to appear over the course of three days are: Bruno Sammartino, Roddy Piper, Kevin Nash, Bobby Heenan, Mick Foley, Terry and Dory Funk Jr., Jimmy Hart, Wendi Richter, Marty Janetty, Sabu, Tully Blanchard, Diamond Dallas Page, Kevin Von Erich, Bill Watts, Magnum TA, Ricky Steamboat, Abdullah the Butcher, Harley Race, Ted DiBiase, The Fantastics, Jimmy Garvin, Precious, Stan Lane, Bobby Eaton, Dennis Condrey, Jim Cornette, Norman Smiley, Cowboy Bob Orton Jr., Paul Jones, Masked Superstar, Bugsy McGraw, Jimmy Valiant, Malia Hosaka, Col. DeBeers, Gary Royal, Kamala, Oliver Humperdink, The Wild Samoans, Buddy Rose, J.J. Dillon, Mike Graham, Jack Brisco, Superstar Billy Graham, Rocky Johnson, Mike Rotunda, Barry Windham, George South, Dusty Rhodes, and Kevin Sullivan.
-- Now that it is apparent he has no real future on the gridiron, Brock Lesnar appears to be making some moves to re-enter the world of professional wrestling.
Japanese promoter Antonio Inoki announced this week that Lesnar would be a special guest at a show on Jan. 4 at the Tokyo Dome. Reportedly, there is a no-compete clause in affect in Lesnar's WWE contract, which means he is not free to wrestle for another wrestling group. It is likely the stipulation allows Lesnar some latitude and he might be able to appear in other groups in a non-wrestling role, like that of a guest referee.
Weeks ago, reports were that Lesnar sent word to the WWE that he was ready to return to work for the company. The message was reportedly not greeted with as much enthusiasm as Lesnar had hoped, however. Triple H, who, as the son-in-law of Vince McMahon is said to be making some of the backstage decisions these days, responded by saying something to the effect that Lesnar's services were not needed.
Contact Ron Jordan at P.O. Box 161593, Fort Worth, TX 76161 or email rjringside@aol.com
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