Ernie-the Big Cat Ladd has died of cancer. The famous ex AFL star who switched to wrestling for more money had spent his retirement in Louisiana and had done prison ministry work and run some small businesses. He was 69 I think.
When I worked for Paul Boesch in Houston in the early 70's Ernie was one of our main eventers and am amazing physical specimen. He was unbelievably quick for such a big guy and so strong you could tell the other wrestlers were in awe and loathe to really piss him off.
He liked to work "heel" but in Houston since he was a local football hero he was always a "face" and I'm not sure he ever had to throw a match although I'm sure if it built a program and he'd been sufficiently "wronged" it may have happened. Usually Ernie would lay a big old butt whooping on some poor schmuck and have the joint going wild-he was a great showman and really loved hamming it up for the huge crowds we got every Friday night.
I recall one night Ernie and young Andre the Giant did a tag team and took on about 20 heels and of course tossed em all over the top rope in about 5 minutes-even Ernie looked a little small compared to Andre!!!!
RIP Ernie Ladd!
When I worked for Paul Boesch in Houston in the early 70's Ernie was one of our main eventers and am amazing physical specimen. He was unbelievably quick for such a big guy and so strong you could tell the other wrestlers were in awe and loathe to really piss him off.
He liked to work "heel" but in Houston since he was a local football hero he was always a "face" and I'm not sure he ever had to throw a match although I'm sure if it built a program and he'd been sufficiently "wronged" it may have happened. Usually Ernie would lay a big old butt whooping on some poor schmuck and have the joint going wild-he was a great showman and really loved hamming it up for the huge crowds we got every Friday night.
I recall one night Ernie and young Andre the Giant did a tag team and took on about 20 heels and of course tossed em all over the top rope in about 5 minutes-even Ernie looked a little small compared to Andre!!!!
RIP Ernie Ladd!
