'Killer' Tim Brooks to retire, close doors on Ellis County Smackdown

Throughout his career as a professional wrestler “Killer” Tim Brooks has shared his passion for the sport with his fans during his time in the ring, his wrestling school and his monthly wrestling matches. After 45 years of providing memories, the final bell of his career will ring on Saturday.

Brooks’ career in wrestling wasn’t planned, it was started by accident when a wrestler didn’t make it to a match in Odessa. At the time, Brooks was traveling to wrestling shows with his cousin, Dick Murdoch.

“I went to some shows with him, and one night, a guy named the Turk didn't show up at the Coliseum in Odessa. They needed someone to take his place and they asked me if I would. I said ‘no’ because I didn't know anything about pro wrestling,” Brooks said in a previous Daily Light interview. “They told me ‘we will help you and take care of you.’ Well I said ‘OK.’ They just got me in the ring and into a battle royale with 14 other guys. They just beat the heck out of me and threw me over the top row.”

After the match, the same guys helped Brooks limp back to the dressing room. Brooks said he came to the idea that wrestling was not for him. Soon after, a promoter came and handed him an envelope that had some money in it to pay for his performance. He took the envelope and didn’t think he would wrestle in the ring again.

About a week later, he was asked again to wrestle, but this time on Saturday morning television. Because of his experience the last time in the ring, he was a little apprehensive, but agreed to the match after being talked into it. Leading up to the match, wrestlers took time out of their schedules to provide him with some instruction. During that Saturday morning match, he faced Dory Funk. Jr. He lost but was able to complete the match. Funk later became the National Wrestling Alliance World Champion. Following that match, he started traveling to wrestle and would receive training and would also referee.

Brooks then when up to Kansas City, where he refereed and wrestled for about a year. Leaving there, he got his big break in Michigan and Ohio, where he began wrestling five to six nights a week. He has also wrestled outside of the country in Japan, where he went on 21 tours, ranging from two weeks to seven weeks at a time.

“I tag -teamed wrestled with Bruiser Brody in Japan at the Sumo Hall and there were 80,000 people in attendance. I will always remember that because 80,000 Japanese people can raise a lot of cane,” Brooks said. “When the two Japanese stars came out, they threw these things that are called streamers. They are these big, long ribbons that are rolled up and come undone when they throw them. There were so many streamers flying through the air, you could hardly see anyone. It took about 10 minutes for them to clean the streamers up before we could wrestle.”

In 1973, he became known to his fans as ‘Killer’ Tim Brooks after a promoter suggest he adopt the name change. During his career, Brooks has gone against notable competitors, including Andre the Giant, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Teddy DiBuase — known as the Million Dollar Man, Terry Funk, Fritz Von Erich and Wahoo McDaniel.

One of the titles that Brooks earned during his career was the National Wrestling Alliance heavy weight tag-team championship belt against Paul Orndorff in Atlanta.

With a growing desire to spend more time with his family and less time on the road Brooks began taking more and more matches in Texas. After requests from many people asking if he trained wrestlers, Brooks opened his wrestling school in 1988 in Lancaster. He then moved the school to Waxahachie in 1991.

“A lot of the young guys want to do it and everything, but when it comes down to hard work, a lot of them fall by the wayside. It takes a certain kind of guy. It takes someone who is athletic and strong,” Brooks said. “But it just takes a lot of want because you go through a lot of punishment. It is almost like a fight when you first start. Nobody likes the new guy, and they are really hard on rookies. But that is what makes rookies turn pro because the older guys are hard on them.”

Some of the wrestlers that he has had a hand in training are Bullman, who has wrestled in Japan and the Middle East; Big John Famous, who has had some first and second matches with WWE and TNA; and Li Fang, who was part of Florida Championship Wrestling. Florida Championship Wrestling is the minor league training facility for the WWE.

Brooks started his monthly wrestling show six years ago called Big Time Pro Wrestling Ellis County Smack Down. The goal for the show has not only been to share his love of wrestling, but provide families with a great and safe time out.

“A lot of people have told me that they wish I was not closing it down. Then, they turn right around and tell me that I have a right to retire like anyone else — we think you deserve to slow your pace down and enjoy the rest of your life,” Brooks said. “I have had it for over six years here on the first Saturday of every month. I have a lot of regulars that are going to come no matter what. It does not matter. I have some people that are going to be there. I have enjoyed it. I have met a lot of new people that have come out to my wrestling matches. I made lot of new friends.”

Brooks said he has had gotten a lot of complements from people thanking him for having wrestling here in Ellis County, keeping it economical and family friendly. He added the highest complement he has gotten is when people thanked him for providing them with memories of watching Brooks wrestle on channel 11 with their grandparents.

Brooks’ last wrestling show will be Saturday at his wrestling facility located at 472 Cox Road in Waxahachie. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and wrestling will start at 6 p.m. Smoking, alcohol and profanity are prohibited at the venue. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door.

Brooks said his wrestling show would not have been possible without the continued support from his sponsors. He wanted to thank KBEC 1390, the Waxahachie Daily Light, Oma’s Jiffy Burger, Compton’s Carpet cleaning and Sonic on Ferris Avenue.

Following the final match, the 12-14 wresters taking part will meet with the audience and shake their hands on the way out. Once the last match is complete, Brooks and his wife will retiring to Cedar Creek.

“My wife Julie and I — it has been our pleasure to present Big Time Pro Wrestling Ellis County Smack Down to the people and for the people. I would like to ask that everyone who has come, to be there this Saturday. If you ever wanted to come and you didn’t get to make it you better make this one or you won make it,” Brooks said. “I am giving it a theme name, ‘‘Killer’ Tim Brooks’ Last Round Up’ because this is going to be the last time that I am going to be rounding up these wrestlers and all of my wrestling fans.”

Brooks added he plans on coming back to town to do a yearly match with the proceeds going to benefit a local non-profit.