The SGM Super 30 Black Professional Wrestler #19

Ernie Ladd

In the research for this cat (HAW!! I make funny ...), I ran across a bit of info that was just incredible: He and Bruiser Brody were Central States Tag champs in the earliest of the 1980’s. Of course, this being the pre-dawn of the Modern age of pro wrestling, his finisher was simple but effective: A big fucking boot to the face. It weren’t no heart punch, but it wasn’t a headbutt either (you hear that, Bobo Brazil??!)

His major contribution was that of ushering in the “football player as pro wrestler” dynamic. Jim Ross would be proud.