PAGE OF FAME: Rocky Johnson

Soulman Rocky Johnson

"Soulman" Rocky Johnson
Real name: Wayde Bowles

The "Soulman." Very successful all across North America. Had an excellent physique, and was strong, quick, and agile. Born in Nova Scotia and grew up in Toronto.
Began wrestling while a teenager living in Toronto and working as a truck driver. Made his Maple Leaf Gardens debut on the first show of 1966 and was a regular performer in Toronto until February 1967. Went out to the west coat and won his first title in April 1967, teaming with Don Leo Jonathan to defeat Chris & John Tolos for the Canadian tag team championship in Vancouver. Returned to Toronto in late 1968 for a few months, and came back again in late 1969.
Has one of the most impressive list of titles for someone who was never world champion. Held major regional belts in just about every area he travelled to, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Memphis, and Portland. Held the San Francisco version of the NWA world tag title three times with Pat Patterson.
Wrestled under a mask as Sweet Ebony Diamond in the Mid-Atlantic region in 1980-82, and made several appearances at Maple Leaf Gardens -- his first in over a decade. May be best remembered for his run as WWF tag champion with Tony Atlas, defeating the Samoans for the belts in 1983.
Married the daughter of wrestler Peter Maivia and promoter Lia Maivia. His son Dwayne is best known as WWF/WWE superstar The Rock.
"Johnson is an exciting performer who is skillful, agile, and dynamic. There is little doubt that this newcomer is a future star. The 24-year-old has met most of the top-notchers, including NWA champion Gene Kiniski." (From WRESTLING, July 1969)

Prominent Titles:

Canadian tag champion (Vancouver), with Don Leo Jonathan, 1967
North American champion (Nova Scotia), 1969
NWA World tag champion (Detroit), with Ben Justice, 1969
Los Angeles Battle Royal champion, 1970
2-time Beat the Champ TV champion (L.A.), 1970
NWA Americas champion (L.A.), 1970
NWA Americas tag champion (L.A.), with Earl Maynard, 1970
NWA World tag champion (San Francisco), with Pepper Gomez, 1971
NWA U.S. champion (San Francisco), 1971
3-time NWA World tag champion (San Francisco), with Pat Patterson, 1972-74
NWA Georgia tag champion, with Jerry Brisco, 1975
2-time NWA Florida champion, 1975, 78
Florida TV champion, 1975
Florida Brass Knucks champion, 1976
2-time Texas champion (Dallas), 1976
Texas tag champion, with Jose Lothario, 1976
Memphis Southern champion, 1976-77
NWA Florida tag champion, with Pedro Morales, 1977
Brass Knucks champion (Dallas), 1978
Mid-America champion (Tennessee), 1980
Memphis Southern tag champion, with Jimmy Valiant, 1980
2-time NWA Mid-Atlantic TV champion, as Sweet Ebony Diamond, 1981
NWA Pacific Northwest tag champion, with King Parsons, 1981
NWA Pacific Northwest tag champion, with Brett Sawyer, 1982
NWA Pacific Northwest champion, 1982
WWF tag champion, with Tony Atlas, 1983-84
2-time Pacific tag champion (Hawaii), with Ricky Johnson, 1984-86
Memphis Southern tag champion, with Soul Train Jones, 1987
Memphis CWA International tag champion, with Bill Dundee, 1987