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{{For|those of a similar name|Billy Watts (disambiguation)|William Watts (disambiguation)}}
{{short description|American professional wrestler and wrestling promoter}}
{{short description|American professional wrestler and wrestling promoter}}
⚫
{{For|those of a similar name|Billy Watts (disambiguation)|William Watts (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name = Bill Watts
|name = Bill Watts
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|weight = {{convert|297|lb|kg}}<ref name=WWE/>
|weight = {{convert|297|lb|kg}}<ref name=WWE/>
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1939|5|5|mf=y}}{{sfnp|Watts|Williams|2006|p=6}}
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1939|5|5|mf=y}}{{sfnp|Watts|Williams|2006|p=6}}
|birth_place = [[Oklahoma City]], [[Oklahoma]], [[United States]]{{sfnp|Watts|Williams|2006|p=6}}
|birth_place = [[Oklahoma City]], Oklahoma, U.S.{{sfnp|Watts|Williams|2006|p=6}}
|death_date =
|death_date =
|death_place =
|death_place =
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|debut = 1962<ref>{{cite book|title=National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly That Strangled Pro Wrestling|url=https://archive.org/details/nationalwrestlin00horn|url-access=limited|last=Hornbaker|first=Tim|page=[https://archive.org/details/nationalwrestlin00horn/page/n376 351]|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|year=2007|isbn=978-1-55022-741-3}}</ref>
|debut = 1962<ref>{{cite book|title=National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly That Strangled Pro Wrestling|url=https://archive.org/details/nationalwrestlin00horn|url-access=limited|last=Hornbaker|first=Tim|page=[https://archive.org/details/nationalwrestlin00horn/page/n376 351]|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|year=2007|isbn=978-1-55022-741-3}}</ref>
|retired = 1995
|retired = 1995
| module = {{Infobox NFL biography
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}}
| embed = yes
| name = Bill Watts
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| number =
| current_team =
| position = [[Guard (gridiron football)|Guard]]<br>[[Linebacker]]
| birth_date =
| birth_place =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft =
| height_in =
| weight_lb =
| high_school = [[Putnam City High School]]<br>([[Warr Acres, Oklahoma]], U.S.)
| college = [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma]]
| undraftedyear = 1961
| pastteams = * [[Houston Oilers]] ([[1961 American Football League season|1961]])*
* [[Indianapolis Warriors]]
| status =
| highlights =
| pfr =
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}}}}


'''William F. Watts Jr.''' (born May 5, 1939){{sfnp|Watts|Williams|2006|p=6}} is a retired American [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]], promoter and former [[American football]] player. Watts garnered fame under his "Cowboy" [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Gimmick|gimmick]] in his wrestling career, and then as a promoter in the Mid-South United States, which grew to become the [[Universal Wrestling Federation (Bill Watts)|Universal Wrestling Federation]] (UWF).
'''William F. Watts Jr.''' (born May 5, 1939){{sfnp|Watts|Williams|2006|p=6}} is a retired American [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]], promoter and former [[American football]] player. Watts garnered fame under his "Cowboy" [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Gimmick|gimmick]] in his wrestling career, and then as a promoter in the Mid-South United States, which grew to become the [[Universal Wrestling Federation (Bill Watts)|Universal Wrestling Federation]] (UWF).
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In 1992, Watts was the Executive Vice President of [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) but after clashes with management over a number of issues, as well as feeling pressure from [[Hank Aaron]] over a racially insensitive interview, he resigned.{{sfnp|Foley|1999|p=238}} He was subsequently replaced by [[Ole Anderson]].{{sfnp|Foley|1999|p=237}}
In 1992, Watts was the Executive Vice President of [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) but after clashes with management over a number of issues, as well as feeling pressure from [[Hank Aaron]] over a racially insensitive interview, he resigned.{{sfnp|Foley|1999|p=238}} He was subsequently replaced by [[Ole Anderson]].{{sfnp|Foley|1999|p=237}}


In 1995, Watts briefly worked as a booker for the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF). In 2009, he was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]].
In 1995, Watts briefly worked as a booker for the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF; now WWE). In 2009, he was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]].


==Football career==
==Football career==
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==Professional wrestling career==
==Professional wrestling career==
[[File:Cowboy Bill Watts - Wrestling News Sept 1968.jpg|thumb|Watts in 1968]]
[[File:Cowboy Bill Watts - Wrestling News Sept 1968.jpg|thumb|Watts in 1968]]

===Wrestling career (1962–1979)===
===Wrestling career (1962–1979)===
As a professional wrestler, he famously feuded with [[WWE Championship|WWWF Champion]] [[Bruno Sammartino]], but was unable to win the title. In the 1960s, he wrestled in many areas, such as San Francisco, Chicago, St. Louis, and even Japan for [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] (AJPW). During these periods, Watts challenged for both the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] (NWA) and [[American Wrestling Association]] (AWA) versions of the [[Pro Wrestling Illustrated#World Heavyweight titles|World Title]].
As a professional wrestler, he famously feuded with [[WWE Championship|WWWF Champion]] [[Bruno Sammartino]], but was unable to win the title. In the 1960s, he wrestled in many areas, such as San Francisco, Chicago, St. Louis, and even Japan for [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] (AJPW). During these periods, Watts challenged for both the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] (NWA) and [[American Wrestling Association]] (AWA) versions of the [[Pro Wrestling Illustrated#World Heavyweight titles|World Title]]. Watts also had a successful run winning tag belts with [[Buck Robley]] in the [[NWA Tri-State]]/[[Universal Wrestling Federation (Bill Watts)|Mid South Wrestling]] before he became head promotor in the [[Oklahoma]]/[[Louisiana]] areas.


===Booking career (1979-1995)===
===Booking career (1979-1995)===


====Mid-South Wrestling / Universal Wrestling Federation (1979–1987)====
====Mid-South Wrestling / Universal Wrestling Federation (1979–1987)====
[[File:Bill Watts Mid South wrestling booker 1986.png|thumb|Watts during his time as Mid South Wrestling booker, {{Circa|1986}}]]
Watts is perhaps even more famous for being a pioneering promoter in the Mid-South area of the United States, with his base of operation being in the Shreveport, Louisiana area. His promotion was known as Mid-South Wrestling. He is often credited with creating the current and popular "episodic" style of TV wrestling, building solid creative [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Angle|storylines]] week-on-week, with an emphasis on solid in-ring action with dependable wrestlers like [[Steve Williams (wrestler)|"Dr. Death" Steve Williams]], The [[Junkyard Dog]], [[Ted DiBiase]] and [[Jim Duggan]]. He is an outspoken critic on breaking [[kayfabe]] and [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Smark|"smart" wrestling fans]]. A Watts-run promotion always had face and heel wrestlers dress in different locker rooms and to have faces and heels not meet publicly. He has also been known to revamp his booking plans in order to protect the business from such fans.
Watts is perhaps even more famous for being a pioneering promoter in the Mid-South area of the United States, with his base of operation being in the Shreveport, Louisiana area. His promotion was known as Mid-South Wrestling. He is often credited with creating the current and popular "episodic" style of TV wrestling, building solid creative [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Angle|storylines]] week-on-week, with an emphasis on solid in-ring action with dependable wrestlers like [[Steve Williams (wrestler)|"Dr. Death" Steve Williams]], The [[Junkyard Dog]], [[Ted DiBiase]] and [[Jim Duggan]]. He is an outspoken critic on breaking [[kayfabe]] and [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Smark|"smart" wrestling fans]]. A Watts-run promotion always had face and heel wrestlers dress in different locker rooms and to have faces and heels not meet publicly. He has also been known to revamp his booking plans in order to protect the business from such fans.


After losing over half a million dollars, Watts sold the UWF to NWA Mid-Atlantic's [[Jim Crockett Promotions]], who kept many of their stars, such as [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]]. Instead of having UWF as a separate organization, Crockett sent his mid-card wrestlers to the UWF and had them quickly win their titles. Eventually, the UWF folded, and Crockett would be bought out by [[Ted Turner]] in 1988. In April 1989, after firing [[George Scott (wrestler)|George Scott]], [[World Championship Wrestling|WCW]] offered Watts the chance to [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Book|book]], but he declined the offer and WCW instead decided to go with a booking committee, which included [[Ric Flair]] and [[Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)|Kevin Sullivan]]. It is said that Flair would seek advice on booking or how to formulate a document correctly from Jim Cornette, who is often miscredited as a member of the actual committee.
After losing over half a million dollars, Watts sold the UWF to NWA Mid-Atlantic's [[Jim Crockett Promotions]], who kept many of their stars, such as [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]]. Instead of having UWF as a separate organization, Crockett sent his mid-card wrestlers to the UWF and had them quickly win their titles. Eventually, the UWF folded, and Crockett would be bought out by [[Ted Turner]] in 1988. In April 1989, after firing [[George Scott (wrestler)|George Scott]], [[World Championship Wrestling|WCW]] offered Watts the chance to [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Book|book]], but he declined the offer and WCW instead decided to go with a booking committee, which included [[Ric Flair]] and [[Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)|Kevin Sullivan]].


====World Championship Wrestling (1992–1993)====
====World Championship Wrestling (1992–1993)====
Watts became Executive Vice President of [[World Championship Wrestling]] (succeeding Kip Frey) in 1992. He took many of his old-school values with him, such as banning moves from the top rope and the [[Face (professional wrestling)|babyfaces]] and [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heels]] separation. His tenure was not long, nor were his ideas overly embraced. According to his autobiography, ''[[Controversy Creates Cash|Controversy Creates Ca$h]]'', [[Eric Bischoff]] (who worked under Watts at the time) felt Watts would intimidate anyone he was talking to and was only interested in taking the WCW product back to 1970s standards, with poorly lit arenas and house shows in remote rural towns.
Watts became Executive Vice President of [[World Championship Wrestling]] (succeeding Kip Frey) in 1992. He took many of his old-school values with him, such as banning moves from the top rope and the [[Face (professional wrestling)|babyfaces]] and [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heels]] separation. His tenure was not long, nor were his ideas overly embraced. According to his autobiography, ''[[Controversy Creates Cash|Controversy Creates Ca$h]]'', [[Eric Bischoff]] (who worked under Watts at the time) felt Watts would intimidate anyone he was talking to and was only interested in taking the WCW product back to 1970s standards, with poorly lit arenas and house shows in remote rural towns.


The circumstances of Watts' departure in 1993 are controversial. Prior to 1992, he had given an interview to a wrestling newsletter. Most notably, Watts had commented on [[Lester Maddox]], a restaurant owner (and future [[Governor of Georgia]]) who was told he had to serve black people but instead closed down his business. Watts felt Maddox stood up for what he believed in and acted accordingly. He also made several other controversial statements pertaining to race and sexual orientation. When he was hired by WCW, Watts had explained the situation to Turner president [[Bill Shaw (executive)|Bill Shaw]], apparently to his satisfaction. However, a year later wrestling journalist [[Mark Madden]] brought the interview to the attention of [[Hank Aaron]], himself a vice president in the Turner organization with the [[Atlanta Braves]], who then pushed for Watts' removal. While Madden takes credit for Watts getting fired, Watts himself disputes this account, saying he was not fired for the comments but quit his position out of frustration over "backstabbing" by Shaw and (unbeknownst to Shaw) had already resigned by the time Aaron got the newsletter.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} Watts was replaced by [[Ole Anderson]].
The circumstances of Watts' departure in 1993 are controversial. Prior to 1992, Watts had given an interview to [[Wade Keller]] for his newsletter, Pro Wrestling Torch. After a lengthy interview on wrestling, Watts commented on [[Lester Maddox]], a 1960s restaurant owner and segregationist [[Governor of Georgia]]) who refused service to black customers. Watts supported the owner's position, illegal under the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]], that he had a right do discriminate as did Watts in his business. Watts further expressed his view that slavery was beneficial for bringing slaves to America. He also made numerous other controversial statements pertaining to race and sexual orientation, including using numerous highly offensive slurs:<ref>Pro Wrestling Torch Summer Annual 1991</ref>
"If you want a business, and you put money in it, why shouldn't you be able to discriminate? It's your business... That's why I went into business, so that I could discriminate... Who's killed more blacks than anyone? The fuckin' blacks."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Deadspin {{!}} Hank Aaron Sparked Pro Wrestling's First Major Racism Story 25 Years Ago |url=https://deadspin.com/hank-aaron-sparked-pro-wrestlings-first-major-racism-st-1823080138/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=deadspin.com |language=en}}</ref>.
Watts claims that when he was hired by WCW, he had explained the situation to Turner president [[Bill Shaw (executive)|Bill Shaw]], apparently to his satisfaction. {{citation needed|date=June 2024}} However, a year later wrestling journalist [[Mark Madden]] brought the interview to the attention of [[Hank Aaron]], himself a vice president in the Turner organization with the [[Atlanta Braves]], who then pushed for Watts' removal. While Madden takes credit for Watts getting fired, Watts himself disputes this account, saying he was not fired for the comments but quit his position out of frustration over "backstabbing" by Shaw and (unbeknownst to Shaw) had already resigned by the time Aaron got the newsletter.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} Watts was replaced by [[Ole Anderson]].


====World Wrestling Federation (1995)====
====World Wrestling Federation (1995)====
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==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Watts has five children. From his first marriage, he has a son, William III (nicknamed Biff), and from his second marriage, he has three sons, Joel, [[Erik Watts|Erik]], Micah and a daughter, Ene.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cowboybillwatts.com/?page_id=39 |title=Official website profile |access-date=2010-01-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221095141/http://www.cowboybillwatts.com/?page_id=39 |archive-date=2015-02-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In March 2006, Watts released his autobiography ''The Cowboy and the Cross: The Bill Watts Story: Rebellion, Wrestling and Redemption'' through [[ECW Press]]. The book chronicles his upbringing, his career as first a wrestler, then a promoter, along with events in his personal life. The book also details his becoming a born-again Christian.
Watts has five children. From his first marriage, he has a son, William III (nicknamed Biff), and from his second marriage, he has three sons, Joel, [[Erik Watts|Erik]], Micah and a daughter, Ene.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cowboybillwatts.com/?page_id=39 |title=Official website profile |access-date=2010-01-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221095141/http://www.cowboybillwatts.com/?page_id=39 |archive-date=2015-02-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In March 2006, Watts released his autobiography ''The Cowboy and the Cross: The Bill Watts Story: Rebellion, Wrestling and Redemption'' through [[ECW Press]]. The book chronicles his upbringing, his career as first a wrestler, then a promoter, along with events in his personal life.

Watts is a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], and in an [[Ring of Honor|ROH]] shoot interview with [[Jim Cornette]], filmed in 2006, he criticised [[Bill Clinton]] and the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] numerous times. He also said, "All men are equal, but some men are more talented than others, and worth more."


Watts served as co-host of a sports talk radio show on [[KYAL-FM|The Sports Animal]] in Tulsa, Oklahoma until late 2008. He was a longtime resident of [[Bixby, Oklahoma|Bixby]], a Tulsa suburb.<ref name="TW030409" />
Watts served as co-host of a sports talk radio show on [[KYAL-FM|The Sports Animal]] in Tulsa, Oklahoma until late 2008. He was a longtime resident of [[Bixby, Oklahoma|Bixby]], a Tulsa suburb.<ref name="TW030409" />
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*'''[[Universal Wrestling Federation (Bill Watts)|NWA Tri-State / Mid-South Wrestling Association]]'''
*'''[[Universal Wrestling Federation (Bill Watts)|NWA Tri-State / Mid-South Wrestling Association]]'''
**[[Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship]] ([[Mid-South North American Championship#Title history|2 times]])
**[[Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship]] ([[Mid-South North American Championship#Title history|2 times]])
**[[UWF World Tag Team Championship|Mid-South Tag Team Championship]] ([[UWF World Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with Buck Robley
**[[UWF World Tag Team Championship|Mid-South Tag Team Championship]] ([[UWF World Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Buck Robley]]
**[[NWA Louisiana Tag Team Championship]] (1 time) – with Buck Robley<ref>{{cite book|author=Royal Duncan and Gary Will|chapter=United States: Louisiana|pages=233|title=Wrestling Title Histories |publisher=Archeus Communications|year=2000|isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref>
**[[NWA Louisiana Tag Team Championship]] (1 time) – with Buck Robley<ref>{{cite book|author=Royal Duncan and Gary Will|chapter=United States: Louisiana|pages=233|title=Wrestling Title Histories |publisher=Archeus Communications|year=2000|isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref>
**[[Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship|NWA North American Heavyweight Championship ''(Tri-State version)'']] ([[Mid-South North American Championship#Title history|7 times]])
**[[Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship|NWA North American Heavyweight Championship ''(Tri-State version)'']] ([[Mid-South North American Championship#Title history|7 times]])
**[[NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Tri-State version)|NWA Tri-State Brass Knuckles Championship]] ([[NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Tri-State version)#Title history|2 times]])
**[[NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Tri-State version)|NWA Tri-State Brass Knuckles Championship]] ([[NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Tri-State version)#Title history|2 times]])
**[[NWA Tri-State Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Tri-State Tag Team Championship#Title history|5 times]]) – with Jerry Kozak (1), [[Billy Red Lyons]] (1), [[Greg Valentine]] (1), [[Billy Robinson]] (1) and Buck Robley (1)
**[[NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Tri-State version)|NWA United States Tag Team Championship ''(Tri-State version)'']] ([[NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Tri-State version)#Title history|5 times]])– with Jerry Kozak (1), [[Billy Red Lyons]] (1), [[Greg Valentine]] (1), [[Billy Robinson]] (1) and Buck Robley (1)
*'''[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
*'''[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
**[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame#2013|Class of 2013]]<ref name=PWHOF>{{cite web|url=http://0362dc8.netsolhost.com/halloffamers/bios/cowboy_bill_watts.asp|title=Cowboy Bill Watts|publisher=[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum]]|last1=Johnson|first1=Steven|last2=Oliver|first2=Greg|access-date=February 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618225353/http://0362dc8.netsolhost.com/halloffamers/bios/cowboy_bill_watts.asp|archive-date=2016-06-18|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/118-daily-updates/28789-mon-update-major-spike-announcement-tomorrow-aces-a-8s-identity-tna-injury-updates-hall-of-fame-inductions-announced-wwe-two-ppvs-this-weekend-jericho-schedule-amateur-wrestling-hits-msg-first-time-ever-|title=Mon. update: Major Spike announcement tomorrow, Aces & 8s identity, TNA injury updates, Hall of Fame inductions announced, WWE two PPVs this weekend, Jericho schedule, Amateur wrestling hits MSG first time ever|date=2012-12-10|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|access-date=2012-12-10|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref>
**[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame#2013|Class of 2013]]<ref name=PWHOF>{{cite web|url=http://0362dc8.netsolhost.com/halloffamers/bios/cowboy_bill_watts.asp|title=Cowboy Bill Watts|publisher=[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum]]|last1=Johnson|first1=Steven|last2=Oliver|first2=Greg|access-date=February 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618225353/http://0362dc8.netsolhost.com/halloffamers/bios/cowboy_bill_watts.asp|archive-date=2016-06-18|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/118-daily-updates/28789-mon-update-major-spike-announcement-tomorrow-aces-a-8s-identity-tna-injury-updates-hall-of-fame-inductions-announced-wwe-two-ppvs-this-weekend-jericho-schedule-amateur-wrestling-hits-msg-first-time-ever-|title=Mon. update: Major Spike announcement tomorrow, Aces & 8s identity, TNA injury updates, Hall of Fame inductions announced, WWE two PPVs this weekend, Jericho schedule, Amateur wrestling hits MSG first time ever|date=2012-12-10|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|access-date=2012-12-10|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref>
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[[Category:Houston Oilers players]]
[[Category:Houston Oilers players]]
[[Category:Minnesota Vikings players]]
[[Category:Minnesota Vikings players]]
[[Category:20th-century professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:20th-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:NWA Florida Heavyweight Champions]]
[[Category:NWA Florida Heavyweight Champions]]
[[Category:NWA Southern Heavyweight Champions (Florida version)]]
[[Category:NWA Southern Heavyweight Champions (Florida version)]]
[[Category:NWA International Tag Team Champions]]
[[Category:NWA International Tag Team Champions]]
[[Category:NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champions]]
[[Category:NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champions]]
[[Category:WWWF United States Tag Team Champions]]
[[Category:NWA Texas Heavyweight Champions]]
[[Category:NWA United States Heavyweight Champions (San Francisco version)]]
[[Category:United Football League (1961–1964) players]]

Latest revision as of 06:50, 26 August 2024

For those of a similar name, see Billy Watts (disambiguation) and William Watts (disambiguation).

Bill Watts
Watts in 2005
Birth nameWilliam F. Watts Jr.
Born (1939-05-05) May 5, 1939 (age 85)[1]
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Bill Watts
Billed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[2]
Billed weight297 lb (135 kg)[2]
Debut1962[3]
Retired1995
American football career
Career information
High school:Putnam City High School
(Warr Acres, Oklahoma, U.S.)
College:Oklahoma
Position:Guard
Linebacker
Undrafted:1961
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only

William F. Watts Jr. (born May 5, 1939)[1] is a retired American professional wrestler, promoter and former American football player. Watts garnered fame under his "Cowboy" gimmick in his wrestling career, and then as a promoter in the Mid-South United States, which grew to become the Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF).

In 1992, Watts was the Executive Vice President of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) but after clashes with management over a number of issues, as well as feeling pressure from Hank Aaron over a racially insensitive interview, he resigned.[4] He was subsequently replaced by Ole Anderson.[5]

In 1995, Watts briefly worked as a booker for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF; now WWE). In 2009, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Football career

[edit]

Watts played as a linebacker for his high school football team, the Putnam City Pirates.[6][7] Bud Wilkinson recruited him to play for the Oklahoma Sooners, where he played as a guard during his sophomore and junior years.[8] However, his junior year was marred by a near fatal car accident involving him and his mother, resulting in him going into a coma.[9] When he came out, he had lost a significant amount of weight,[10] and had to put it back on, despite the coaches at the time preferring their players to be small and quick, which Watts had struggled with before the accident.[11] Former Sooners teammate Wahoo McDaniel (then of the Houston Oilers of the AFL), introduced him to professional wrestling for the first time, something McDaniel did in the off-season.[12] Watts turned professional in 1961 and joined the Oilers, but did not last long there, and according to a shoot interview, he left after knocking out a coach.[11]

Through McDaniel's friendship with defensive coach Bob Griffin, Watts played for the Indianapolis Warriors of the United Football League, while also being able to wrestle for NWA Indianapolis.[13] Watts then had a try-out with the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL), but after a discussion with general manager Jim Finks, who wanted him to quit his wrestling career, Watts left the Vikings having decided he could make more money back in Oklahoma.[11]

Professional wrestling career

[edit]
Watts in 1968

Wrestling career (1962–1979)

[edit]

As a professional wrestler, he famously feuded with WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino, but was unable to win the title. In the 1960s, he wrestled in many areas, such as San Francisco, Chicago, St. Louis, and even Japan for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). During these periods, Watts challenged for both the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and American Wrestling Association (AWA) versions of the World Title. Watts also had a successful run winning tag belts with Buck Robley in the NWA Tri-State/Mid South Wrestling before he became head promotor in the Oklahoma/Louisiana areas.

Booking career (1979-1995)

[edit]

Mid-South Wrestling / Universal Wrestling Federation (1979–1987)

[edit]
Watts during his time as Mid South Wrestling booker, c. 1986

Watts is perhaps even more famous for being a pioneering promoter in the Mid-South area of the United States, with his base of operation being in the Shreveport, Louisiana area. His promotion was known as Mid-South Wrestling. He is often credited with creating the current and popular "episodic" style of TV wrestling, building solid creative storylines week-on-week, with an emphasis on solid in-ring action with dependable wrestlers like "Dr. Death" Steve Williams, The Junkyard Dog, Ted DiBiase and Jim Duggan. He is an outspoken critic on breaking kayfabe and "smart" wrestling fans. A Watts-run promotion always had face and heel wrestlers dress in different locker rooms and to have faces and heels not meet publicly. He has also been known to revamp his booking plans in order to protect the business from such fans.

After losing over half a million dollars, Watts sold the UWF to NWA Mid-Atlantic's Jim Crockett Promotions, who kept many of their stars, such as Sting. Instead of having UWF as a separate organization, Crockett sent his mid-card wrestlers to the UWF and had them quickly win their titles. Eventually, the UWF folded, and Crockett would be bought out by Ted Turner in 1988. In April 1989, after firing George Scott, WCW offered Watts the chance to book, but he declined the offer and WCW instead decided to go with a booking committee, which included Ric Flair and Kevin Sullivan.

World Championship Wrestling (1992–1993)

[edit]

Watts became Executive Vice President of World Championship Wrestling (succeeding Kip Frey) in 1992. He took many of his old-school values with him, such as banning moves from the top rope and the babyfaces and heels separation. His tenure was not long, nor were his ideas overly embraced. According to his autobiography, Controversy Creates Ca$h, Eric Bischoff (who worked under Watts at the time) felt Watts would intimidate anyone he was talking to and was only interested in taking the WCW product back to 1970s standards, with poorly lit arenas and house shows in remote rural towns.

The circumstances of Watts' departure in 1993 are controversial. Prior to 1992, Watts had given an interview to Wade Keller for his newsletter, Pro Wrestling Torch. After a lengthy interview on wrestling, Watts commented on Lester Maddox, a 1960s restaurant owner and segregationist Governor of Georgia) who refused service to black customers. Watts supported the owner's position, illegal under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, that he had a right do discriminate as did Watts in his business. Watts further expressed his view that slavery was beneficial for bringing slaves to America. He also made numerous other controversial statements pertaining to race and sexual orientation, including using numerous highly offensive slurs:[14] "If you want a business, and you put money in it, why shouldn't you be able to discriminate? It's your business... That's why I went into business, so that I could discriminate... Who's killed more blacks than anyone? The fuckin' blacks."[15]. Watts claims that when he was hired by WCW, he had explained the situation to Turner president Bill Shaw, apparently to his satisfaction. [citation needed] However, a year later wrestling journalist Mark Madden brought the interview to the attention of Hank Aaron, himself a vice president in the Turner organization with the Atlanta Braves, who then pushed for Watts' removal. While Madden takes credit for Watts getting fired, Watts himself disputes this account, saying he was not fired for the comments but quit his position out of frustration over "backstabbing" by Shaw and (unbeknownst to Shaw) had already resigned by the time Aaron got the newsletter.[citation needed] Watts was replaced by Ole Anderson.

World Wrestling Federation (1995)

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Watts later went on to a position of booking power in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). His tenure there was short, as he stated in later interviews that he was only there on a three-month contract and had no interest in staying long-term.[16] On April 4, 2009, Watts was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a part of the Class of 2009.[17][2]

Personal life

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Watts has five children. From his first marriage, he has a son, William III (nicknamed Biff), and from his second marriage, he has three sons, Joel, Erik, Micah and a daughter, Ene.[18] In March 2006, Watts released his autobiography The Cowboy and the Cross: The Bill Watts Story: Rebellion, Wrestling and Redemption through ECW Press. The book chronicles his upbringing, his career as first a wrestler, then a promoter, along with events in his personal life.

Watts served as co-host of a sports talk radio show on The Sports Animal in Tulsa, Oklahoma until late 2008. He was a longtime resident of Bixby, a Tulsa suburb.[17]

Championships and accomplishments

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Watts being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.

References

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Notes
  1. ^ a b c Watts & Williams (2006), p. 6.
  2. ^ a b c d "WWE Hall of Fame profile". Retrieved March 29, 2011.
  3. ^ Hornbaker, Tim (2007). National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly That Strangled Pro Wrestling. ECW Press. p. 351. ISBN 978-1-55022-741-3.
  4. ^ Foley (1999), p. 238.
  5. ^ Foley (1999), p. 237.
  6. ^ Bentley, Mac (June 27, 2000). "Cowboy Bill Pro wrestling pioneer helped build a sport he now calls immoral". The Oklahoman. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  7. ^ Przybylo, Robert (March 6, 2009). "Boxing/mma notebook: 'Cowboy' Bill Watts makes WWE Hall of Fame". The Oklahoman. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  8. ^ "Bill Watts 1958-1960". soonerstats.com. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  9. ^ Watts & Williams (2006), p. 2.
  10. ^ Watts & Williams (2006), p. 3.
  11. ^ a b c Truitt, Brandon (July 14, 2003). "Bill Watts Shoot". thesmartmarks.com. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  12. ^ Marvez, Alex (May 12, 2006). "Cowboy Bill Watts leaves ring for cross". The Oklahoman. Retrieved October 19, 2020 – via South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
  13. ^ Watts & Williams (2006), p. 45.
  14. ^ Pro Wrestling Torch Summer Annual 1991
  15. ^ "Deadspin | Hank Aaron Sparked Pro Wrestling's First Major Racism Story 25 Years Ago". deadspin.com. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  16. ^ Russo, Ric (April 14, 2000). "What Ever Happened To . . . Cowboy Bill Watts?". Orlando Sentinel.
  17. ^ a b Jimmie Tramel, "WWE Hall of Fame to induct 'Cowboy Bill'", Tulsa World, April 3, 2009.
  18. ^ "Official website profile". Archived from the original on February 21, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2010.
  19. ^ "Flair, Watts, Taylor to enter Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame". WrestleView. October 17, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  20. ^ Royal Duncan and Gary Will (2000). "United States: Louisiana". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. p. 233. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  21. ^ Johnson, Steven; Oliver, Greg. "Cowboy Bill Watts". Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. Archived from the original on June 18, 2016. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  22. ^ Meltzer, Dave (December 10, 2012). "Mon. update: Major Spike announcement tomorrow, Aces & 8s identity, TNA injury updates, Hall of Fame inductions announced, WWE two PPVs this weekend, Jericho schedule, Amateur wrestling hits MSG first time ever". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  23. ^ *Will, Gary; Duncan, Royal (2000). "Texas: NWA Texas Heavyweight Title [Von Erich]". Wrestling Title Histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. pp. 268–269. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  24. ^ "NWA Texas Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
Bibliography
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bill Watts.
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