Lord Alfred Hayes(1928-2005)
- Actor
Beginning his wrestling career in 1950 in the United Kingdom as "Judo"
Al Hayes, the man who later became known as "Lord Alfred Hayes" joined
the World Wrestling Federation in 1982 and retired from active
wrestling in 1983. Not one to leave the wrestling business, Hayes
became a commentator for the World Wrestling Federation; most notably
as Vince McMahon's co-host on "WWF Tuesday Night Titans" where he
played Ed McMahon to Vince's Johnny Carson. He also commentated the
Hulk Hogan/King Kong Bundy main event at WrestleMania 2. Slowly phasing
out from his roles in front of the camera, Hayes became the main voice
for the World Wrestling Federation's home video releases. In 1990,
Hayes was struck by a speeding car in Stamford, Connecticut resulting
in a broken back, a broken hip and blood poisoning from all the dust
and dirt than entered his wounds. As a result of the accident, Hayes
required several vertebrae to be removed resulting in a loss of height.
By 1993, Hayes' duties for the World Wrestling Federation remained
mainly behind the camera and by 1995, he retired from the company.
Alfred's health began to severly diminish; after contracting gangrene,
his leg had to be amputated, and by 2001, he was confined to a
wheelchair. Hayes suffered a series of strokes in July 2005 and
eventually passed away at the age of 76. Hayes may be gone, but his
memory lives on in wrestling fans and observers the world over.
