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| A Tribute to the True American Patriot | |||||||||
| Henry Howard Benner born April 2, 1918 was an American Professional Wrestler best known as Big Bob Griffin and the American Patriot (August 20, 1962June 10, 1990). Born in Blanco County Texas, He grew up in Texas and dropped out of high school in the 9th grade to get a job to help feed and support his family. He was the middle child of nine kids, four sisters and four brothers. He was always obsessed with Pro Wrestling and Pro fighting so in July 1955 he started his wrestling training and was trained in Pensacola Florida by Steve "crusher" Casey. He then began his career in 1960 in Florida with World League Wrestling (WLW) Ran by Harley Race. His Wrestling career with WLW was from 1962 to 1965 where he held the WLW tag team title and the WLW JR Heavyweight Title. In April 1965 he married Wynonia Williams and in June of 1966 they had their first-born son and in August 1968 had a second son. He then went back to his wrestling career and wrestled all over the Indy Circuit until his Retirement in 1990. He left this world at his home January 10, 2008 at 89 yrs old to join his Father in his Kingdom in Heaven. His oldest son has now taken the American Patriot name and has kept his fathers dream's alive wrestling in his name for 19 years now. Notable Feuds Harley Race Dusty Rhodes Red Bastien Vern Gagne Jack Brico Rick Flair Johnny Valentine Midnight Express Championships and Accomplishments (WLW) World Tag Team Titles w/Larry Henning defeating Vern Gagne & Crusher Aug. 7, 1965 IWA (Australia) World Tag Team Titles w/Waldo Von Erich defeating Billy White Wolf & Tex McKenzie May 24, 1969 Mid-South North American Heavyweight Title 1969 NWA (JWA) International Heavyweight Title defeating Gene Kiniski Dec. 19, 1970 NWA World Heavyweight Title defeated Jack Brisco Dec. 2, 1974 NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title defeated Dusty Rhodes Feb. 6, 1976 NWA World Heavyweight Title defeated Harley Race Oct. 31, 1979 NWA World Heavyweight Title defeated Harley Race Sep. 4, 1980 PWF (Japan) Heavyweight Title defeated Harley Race Feb. 11, 1983 WCCW (TX) Texas Tag Team Titles w/Fritz Von Erich defeating Johnny Valentine & Red Bastien Mar. 12, 1984 WCW Starrcade 1985: American Patriot & Handsome Jimmy Valiant defeated The Midnight Express in an Atlanta Street Fight. WCW May 16, 1987: lost to Rick Flair for the WCW World Heavy Weight Title He finished his Career in WCCW working for Fritz Von Erich untll his retirement in July 29, 1990 Member of WCW Hall of Fame inducted in 1994 |
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| Howard Brenner as the American Patriot | |||||||||