2021/08/16
Welcome to AustralianWrestling.org!
The website devoted to preserving the history of Australian wrestling.
We're in the process of renovating and moving some things around so some things may look a little strange but the aim is to minimise disruption.
This website was designed in 2012 with a scope of covering present and past wrestling in Australia.
The scope will change to prioritise the older stuff and make that a bit more accessible.
Thank you for your patience.
I also have another website (with my good buddy Greg) The Wrestling Roadshow which has more of a global scope. We have a podcast by the same name too and discuss all sorts of wrestling.
-CD
Rick Hunter
Name :- Rick Hunter
Height :- 5' 10" (1.78m)
Weight :- 237lb (108kg)
Born :- March 1, 1936
From :- Winnipeg, Manitoba
Trained by :- George Gordienko, Ole Olsen
Debut :- October 16, 1957
Retired :- 1990
Died :- February 8, 2022
Also known as :- Buddy Sprott, The Gladiator, Super Gladiator, Rocky Hunter, The Spartan
Toured Australia :- 1963, 1970 (as The Gladiator)
Began wrestling around the Manitoba area before moving to Oregon in 1962. Toured Hawaii and Australia in 1963 before returning the PNW.
Moved to San Francisco in 1966, before traveling to Georgia in 1968 and wrestling under a mask as "The Gladiator". Also undertook an extensive tour of Japan in 1968. Became a mainstay in Florida for several years before joining up with Ann Gunkel's newly-formed "All-South Wrestling Association", wrestling as Super Gladiator.
After the closure of ASWA in 1974, returned to PNW, branching out into the Vancouver area on occasion. Stayed around the Oregon/California area until 1985, when he signed with WWF.
Was used primarily as "talent enhancement" in WWF, both as Rick Hunter and as The Gladiator. Retired from in-ring action in 1990, but continued to work for WWF as ring crew and occasionally referee until 1996.
Titles held :- Florida Hwt (2), Florida Brass Knuckles, Western States Hwt (2), Caribbean Hwt, ASWA Georgia TV, Atlas WC Jr Hwt, Florida Tag (w/ Lester Welch), (Vancouver) Canadian Tag (w/ Guy Mitchell), Western States Tag (w/ Mr. Wrestling), ASWA Georgia Tag (w/ Tommy Seigler), Madison WC Tag (w/ George Eakin)