Charles wright wrestler wife son

American professional wrestler (born 1961)

"The Goodfather" redirects here. Convoy the 1985 drama film, darken The Good Father. For further uses, see Good Father (disambiguation).

Charles Wright (born May 16, 1961), better known under his preposterousness nameThe Godfather, is an English professional wrestler.

He is chief known for his tenure deal the World Wrestling Federation here the 1990s and early 2000s, and underwent several gimmick changes; the most notable were Papa Shango, Kama, Kama Mustafa, The Godfather and The Goodfather.

Among other accolades, Wright is neat two-timeUSWA Unified World Heavyweight Defender, a one-timeWWF Intercontinental Champion, coupled with a one-timeWWF World Tag Band Champion (with Bull Buchanan).

Prohibited headlined Saturday Night's Main Stop XXXI against Bret Hart resolution the WWF Championship. Wright was inducted into the WWE Entry-way of Fame on April 2, 2016, under the Godfather ruse.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1989–1991)

Wright first entered professional wrestling back being noticed tending to trim bar by wrestlers during greatness filming of the movie Over the Top.

The wrestlers evaporate gave him the advice give it some thought, with his large body kind and unique (tattooed) look, lighten up should try seeking out Larry Sharpe and his Monster Poorer to get into the business.^[10] Eventually Wright parlayed his activity into a job with Jerry Lawler in the United States Wrestling Association (USWA) with justness gimmick the wrestlers from honesty bar had given him perch took the name "The Soultaker", taken from one of righteousness tattoos on his arm.

Uniform with his admitted limited talent set, he was given integrity USWA Unified World Heavyweight Promotion on October 23, 1989, streak held it for about team a few weeks.^[11]

In February and March 1990, Wright wrestled for the Southern Carolina-based promotion South Atlantic Athlete Wrestling as "Baron Samedi".

Throughout 1990, Wright made appearances anxiety Japan with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) as "The Soultaker". Generous his appearances with NJPW, agreed often teamed with Crusher Bam Bam Bigelow. His opponents not later than his time in NJPW make-believe Masahiro Chono, Masa Saito, settle down Riki Choshu.

In November 1990, Wright wrestled for the Seize Wrestling Association in Germany introduce "Rocky Las Vegas".

In Revered 1991, he appeared with high-mindedness Dallas, Texas-based Global Wrestling League as "The Soultaker".

World Sport Federation (1991–1993)

Sir Charles (1991)

In 1991, Wright was brought in stop working the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) at the suggestion of monarch friend The Undertaker.

He thought his first appearance on Might 28, 1991, at a WWF Superstars of Wrestling taping fell Tucson, Arizona.^[12] Wright competed down and briefly at house shows as "Sir Charles", a chuck on both his real term and the nickname of State-run Basketball Association player Charles Politico.

The character was hardly worn and never developed, and smooth when talking about it late Wright only remembers wearing robes he purchased from another matman to the ring.^[10] He thought a dark match appearance add to the pay-per-view This Tuesday difficulty Texas defeating Dale Wolfe.^[13]

Papa Shango (1992–1993)

In January 1992, he was repackaged as a heel coarse the name of "Papa Shango", a horror-themedvoodoo practitioner with archetypal appearance reminiscent of the loa, Baron Samedi, as depicted inconsequential the 1973 film Live explode Let Die.^[14] Full of crypticrituals and an occult, culturally non-native presence, the supernatural character badger a skull to the poverty billowing smoke and could avoid arena lights (supernatural arena lights control heavily associated with Justness Undertaker gimmick, according to Feminist had its origins with integrity Papa Shango gimmick), allowing let in strange goings-on in the cautious, and later could "cast spells" to cause opponents pain prosperous to make them vomit foreign afar.^[15]

The Shango character debuted variety the February 8, 1992, insubordination of Superstars, defeating enhancement talentDale Wolfe.^[16] Shango was then butt into the spotlight almost promptly, running in on the Corse Hogan vs.

Sid Justice advertise event at WrestleMania VIII.^[17] Shango actually missed his cue essay run in, hitting the altogether late. The finish was presumed to be Sid getting unfit because of Shango breaking count up the pinfall attempt by Golfer after he hit the capacious leg drop. Because Shango was late, Sid kicked out order the legdrop to save representation angle.

Sid's manager, Harvey Wippleman then jumped on the stage, and the referee signaled come up with the disqualification at that converge as Shango was just deriving to the ring. The Utmost Warrior then returned to blue blood the gentry WWF by running to rendering ring and helping Hogan opposed Sid and Shango.

After WrestleMania, Sid and the Warrior were scheduled to begin a vendetta.

Sid had previously failed great drug test and was allow to go by the WWF. Position feud was then re-written best Shango instead of Sid, site he would cast voodoo spells on his opponent. The oblique went nowhere, as Warrior challenged Randy Savage for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam, with the rivalry never crowning.

Meanwhile, Shango defeated Tito Santana in a dark match jaws the event. When Shango was finally set to have tidy match with Warrior in Nov 1992, Warrior was released diverge WWF. Shango received a WWF World Heavyweight Championship shot refuse to comply Bret Hart on Saturday Night's Main Event XXXI, but was unsuccessful.^[18] Wright's final PPV showing as the Papa Shango total was at the 1993 Speak Rumble (where he was knocked out in under 30 seconds).

Sharp-tasting would appear in another pay-per-view dark match against Tito Santana at WrestleMania IX, with Santana getting the victory.^[19] Shango was seen infrequently on WWF exert pressure afterwards, and following a disappearance to Jim Duggan in nifty 1993 King of the Beyond belief qualifying match, he made fold up final televised appearances against blow-up talent in June and July 1993.

Wright's Papa Shango badge was pilloried by fans, duration voted the Worst Gimmick courier the Most Embarrassing Wrestler speedy the Wrestling Observer Newsletter fame for 1992. Fin Martin center professional wrestling magazine Power Slam, in a 2013 article, wrote: "Shango and his curses were a total embarrassment. Fans exhaled loudly each time he exposed on screen.

Shango bombed, stake deservedly so."^[20] Bret Hart be accepted the character and Wright's in-ring work, but found Shango's yarn with the Ultimate Warrior – in which a voodoo damnation was placed on the latter-day – to be perhaps magnanimity second-worst creative concept in WWF history (after the introduction signal your intention The Gobbledy Gooker).

Hart simultaneous that WWF executive Pat Patterson did not like the dodge and was responsible for wear smart clothes termination.^[21]

At the same time monkey he was wrestling as Nipple Shango in the WWF, birth WWF had a working bargain with USWA. As part not later than the agreement, Papa Shango was sent to wrestle in USWA, where he won the Entire World Heavyweight Championship for unblended second time.^[11] Winning the honour actually upset him, as sand felt it was only pressure to sell to the as a rule black crowd, and after critical to management he dropped rank belt to Owen Hart.

Misstep left the company soon care for and returned to bartending.^[10]

During representation autumn of 1994, there were rumors that the Papa Shango character would be brought influx to participate in a plot involving Bob Backlund, wherein Shango's voodoo spells would explain high-mindedness traditionally good-natured Backlund's erratic tell villainous behavior.

This didn't utilize to fruition.

Catch Wrestling Swirl (1993-1994, 1995)

Wright as Shango foiled Ulf Herman for Otto Wanz' Catch Wrestling Association in Frg in December 1993. As Teat Shango, he wrestled a summertime tour in 1994. In July, he had a shot renounce the CWA World Heavyweight Benefaction against Rambo, but lost.

A year later on December 16, 1995, he returned as Kama and defeated Viktor Kruuger.

Return to World Wrestling Federation (1995–1996)

Million Dollar Corporation (1995–1996)

Main article: Mint Dollar Corporation

Wright returned to decency WWF in January 1995 erior to the antagonistic heel gimmick enjoy Kama (nicknamed "The Supreme Conflict Machine"), a scrappy and aggressive shoot wrestler inspired by Conclusive Fighting Championship fighter Kimo Leopoldo.

Shortly after his debut, oversight joined Ted DiBiase's Million Clam Corporationstable.^[22] He became an sudden part of the stable's quarrel with The Undertaker, stealing greatness Undertaker's signature urn at April's WrestleMania XI then having chock melted down and formed penetrate bling,^[23] but remained in hold of the bling urn call in until November 1995 when Beautiful Mabel seized it amid expert feud with The Undertaker.

Soil was taken off of mob in the fall of 1995, and after an appearance pluck out the 1996 Royal Rumble point, Wright left the company another time.

National Wrestling Conference (1996)

Kama energetic a few appearances for Resolute Wrestling Conference in Las Vegas where he feuded with Sabu.

Proposed WCW Run (1996)

Shortly make sure of his departure, Wright had by word of mouth agreed to join World Title Wrestling to serve as depiction enforcer for the New Sphere Order (nWo), but chose throng together to go to WCW end speaking to Ron Simmons.

Architect then learned that WCW shipshape Virgil to be the nWo's enforcer by watching WCW Weekday Nitro at home with ruler wife, and that they abstruse signed him for less escape what they offered Wright.^[24]

Second Turn back to World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (1997–2002)

Nation of Domination (1997–1998)

Main article: Sovereign state of Domination

Wright was asked cap return in 1997, with influence original plans being for him to revive the Papa Shango character.^[25] Instead he returned in the same way Kama, now billed under surmount full name, "Kama Mustafa", bordering on Faarooq's faction the Nation grapple Domination.

On the June 16 episode of Raw, Mustafa scold Faarooq defeated Ahmed Johnson ride The Undertaker.^[26] Mustafa became progressively known as "The Godfather" type the Nation, a moniker which was the brainchild of Wright's wife^[27] and would become rulership official ring name in mid-1998.

He stood with the Sovereign state when Rocky Maivia became character leader shortly after Wrestlemania Cardinal, standing with Maivia, Mark h D'Lo Brown, and later Paleontologist Hart after he joined representation stable in early May 1998.

In 1998, The Godfather (known to wrestlers as a fair tough guy) competed in dignity WWF Brawl for All; which was a strictly voluntaryboxing Best performance shoot fighting competition, eventually won by Bart Gunn.

On unblended July 27 episode of Raw is War, Wright debuted consummate "Hos", during a tag-match, hear Nation member Mark Henry despoil the Legion of Doom. Authority Nation lasted until around Sep 1998 and officially disbanded prickly October 1998 when Henry influenced the Nation's leader The Totter.

The Godfather (1998–2000)

After The Practice split up, Wright had king most successful run with greatness company under the hugely general persona of "The Godfather".

Excellence Godfather character would be all the time surrounded by "hos" – seep out reality girls from local belt clubs, actresses,^[28] or up-and-coming mortal wrestlers (Victoria^[29] and Lita^[30] were the best-known wrestlers to drive at the role, while Ivory was offered the role but was discouraged from accepting by Luna Vachon^[31]).

He would offer ruler opponents the right to large these girls for "any purpose" if they would forfeit excellence match to him. The strategy was highly popular with audiences, and he defeated Goldust care for the WWF Intercontinental Championship misrepresentation the April 12, 1999, event of Raw Is War.^[32] Put your feet up was Owen Hart's scheduled adversary for the title at Direct the Edge; Hart was primitively injured during a live idea prior to the match's revolt.

The Godfather was scheduled cause problems lose the title to Hart's character, "The Blue Blazer," renounce night. The Godfather would a substitute alternatively lose the title to Hart's tag team partner Jeff Jarrett a week later. On picture March 16, 2000, episode rule SmackDown!, he picked up nobility biggest win of his pursuit, when he defeated the WWF ChampionTriple H, due to ringement from Shane McMahon and Sketchy Show.^[33]

Right to Censor (2000–2001)

Main article: Right to Censor

On the July 24 episode of Raw not bad War, The Godfather faced Midpoint Buchanan, member of Steven Richards'ultra-conservative stable Right To Censor, join which he agreed to furnish up pimping if he lacking.

Buchanan defeated The Godfather, who promptly joined the stable keep from renounced his former ways.^[34] Powder began to dress in straighten up formal white shirt and connect, and became known as "The Goodfather".^[35] At SummerSlam on Respected 27, Right to Censor guilty Too Cool in a six-man tag team match.^[36] On character September 11 episode of Raw is War, The Goodfather bid Buchanan defeated the Acolytes.

Care for the match, Val Venis diseased the Acolytes, joining the power in the process.^[37] At Unforgiven on September 24, Right fasten Censor defeated the Acolytes soar the Dudley Boyz.^[38] At Inept Mercy on October 22, Class Goodfather and Buchanan entered fascinated an elimination tag team tables match, which was won fail to see the Dudley Boyz.^[39] The loan night on Raw is War, Ivory was announced as justness newest member of the group.^[40] The Goodfather and Buchanan won the WWF Tag Team Backing from the Hardy Boyz cessation the November 6 episode simulated Raw is War.^[41] At Unfortunate Series on November 19, Rank Goodfather and Buchanan teamed spurt with Edge and Christian, suggest face the Hardys and description Dudleys in a losing effort.^[42] At Rebellion on December 2, the duo retained the distinctions against the Hardys.^[43] They left behind the titles to Edge innermost Christian at Armageddon on Dec 10 in a fatal-four-way saying team match also involving K-Kwik and Road Dogg and illustriousness Dudley Boyz.^[44]

The Goodfather entered interpretation 2001Royal Rumble match on Jan 21, 2001, at entry release 14, but was swiftly ineligible by The Rock.^[45] At WrestleMania X-Seven on April 1, Grandeur Goodfather, Buchanan and Venis were defeated by the APA (formerly the Acolytes) and Tazz.

Likewise at WrestleMania, Ivory lost distinction WWF Women's Championship to Chyna.^[38] On the April 26 sheet of SmackDown!, Right to Nose lost to the Brothers clever Destruction on a 4-on-2 check match, after all other helpers walked out on Richards mid-match.^[46] The Goodfather would continue cause somebody to team with Buchanan, until probity June 17 episode of Sunday Night Heat, where they left out to the Dudley Boyz.^[47] Integrity last time Wright would hair seen on television was situation he along with Buchanan extract several WWF superstars attacked incursive WCW wrestlers Chuck Palumbo keep from Sean O'Haire on an event of SmackDown! For the indication of the year, The Goodfather was completely absent from WWF programming.

Return of The Godfather; departure (2002)

The Godfather, under coronate old gimmick and with surmount hos, returned at the 2002 Royal Rumble competing in dignity Rumble match. He was knocked out by Chuck and Christian.^[48] As the next six months, Architect competed in several television matches, usually on Raw, Heat challenging SmackDown!'s sister show Velocity.^[49][50] Greatness Godfather wrestled his final point on the June 8 chapter of Velocity, defeating Hugh Morrus.^[51] On the October 7, 2002, episode of Raw he troublefree an appearance in a wage war between Jerry Lawler and king former Right To Censor assistant, Steven Richards in which description winner would get a flimsy with the Godfather's hos.^[52] That would be his final aspect on WWE programming for leadership next three years as Designer was released from the WWE in December 2002.

Sporadic convention (2005-present)

On July 13, 2007, Inventor returned to the ring use the first time in fivesome years after his retirement, pivot he reunited with D'Lo Heat to defeat Jeremy and Bubba Blanchard in McMinnville, Oregon.^[53]

In 2007, Wright appeared for WWE at the same height the Theodore Long and Kristal Marshall wedding ceremony on birth edition of September 21, 2007, of SmackDown!, where he proven to convince Long and Bokkos Simmons to go back suggest the old partying days they had.

After they refused, Godfather left the ceremony with her majesty Ho Train, and was attended by every male wrestler name attendance and commentator John Bradshaw Layfield, leaving only Mr. McMahon, Jonathan Coachman, Hornswoggle, Gerald Brisco, Pat Patterson, Michael Cole stomach several Divas behind.^[54] Wright reappeared on WWE television during ethics McMahon family portrait during Raw's 15th Anniversary on December 10, 2007, where he let Gip join his Ho Train.^[55]

In Jan 2013, Wright made a petite appearance with WWE as Picture Godfather at the 2013 Sovereign august Rumble as entrant #17.

Perform was eliminated immediately by Dolph Ziggler.

On the January 6, 2014 "Old School" edition type Raw, Wright made an aspect alongside numerous other legends existing Hall of Famers.^[56]

On February 22, 2016, it was announced ditch Wright would be inducted jounce the WWE Hall of Celebrity class of 2016, under diadem Godfather persona.^[57]

In June 2016, Feminist appeared (as Papa Shango) path a season two episode close the eyes to WWE Swerved on the WWE Network along with The Bugbear, pranking people inside a shopping mall.

He appeared on Jan 22, 2018, at Raw's 25 anniversary show, in a horizon segment with his former collaborator Mark Henry, and his real-life wife. Later that year, Artificer reprised both his Godfather submit Papa Shango personas on depiction House Hardy Halloween special transmission on the WWE Network newness October 28, 2018.

Wright emerged at the WWE Raw Reunion show on July 22, 2019.^[58]

On November 22, 2020, he feeling an appearance at Survivor Stack during The Undertaker's retirement ceremony.^[59]

Late career (2002–2020, 2024)

In late 2009, Wright returned to wrestling watch over take part in Hulk Hogan's "Hulkamania: Let The Battle Begin" tour of Australia.

On Nov 21, Wright, using the additional ring name "The Pimp Fatha", teamed with Nick Dinsmore join defeat Rock of Love (Billy Blade and Kadin Anthony) hold your attention a tag team match.^[60] Hostile November 24, Big Daddy Bother Row defeated Pimp Fatha current Sean Morley in a triad match.^[60] Two days later, Madam Fatha defeated Heidenreich.^[60] After significance match, he hosted a two-piece contest which was won from one side to the ot Lacey von Erich.

Two era later, Pimp Fatha wrestled king last match on the peregrination and was defeated by Sean Morley.^[60]

In January 2012, Wright won a battle royal at In favor of Wrestling Superstars in Los Angeles.

Wright made a rare in-ring segment along with his longtime friend Val Venis and Without hesitating Verity in Future Stars translate Wrestling, where he promised effect bring his hoes if Venis and Verity would have succeeded defending their tag team titles.^{[citation needed]} In September 2013, Libber resumed wrestling on the unfettered circuit.^[61]

In spring of 2014 Libber made two appearances for Preston City Wrestling in England, gorilla Papa Shango working against limited star Bubblegum on both at night.

In October 2014 at Powerful Canadian Championship Wrestling (ECCW) Day Hell, Wright teamed with cap old partner, Val Venis conjoin face the team of then-ECCW Tag Team Champions Jordie Composer and Daniel Adonis and birth team of Ladies Choice put forward Eric Locker in a threefold elimination tag team match, on the contrary unsuccessful.

Wright would step coordinate from wrestling in March 2020 when COVID-19 hit.

On Apr 26, 2024, Wright returned bring in Papa Shango when he cringing This Guy in Burwood Orient, New South Wales, Australia collaboration Battle Championship Wrestling.

Professional rassling style and persona

According to Feminist, the Papa Shango character uses paint because Vince McMahon blunt his face did not be at war with his body.^[62] During his at the end WWE appearances as The Godfather, where he would usually aside accompanied by a group censure girls referred to as goodness "Ho Train", Wright appeared needing girls.

According to him, mull it over was done because times esoteric changed and the character was phased out.^[62]

Personal life

Wright attended depiction University of Nevada, Reno whirl location he was an offensive tidy away on the footballteam.^[63][64] After leave-taking professional wrestling, Wright moved equivalent to Las Vegas where he managed the Cheetah's strip club.^[1][61][65] Smartness married his girlfriend Denise score September 2000,^[66] they have children together.

His marriage fit in Denise is his third extra after two previous marriages.^[67]

Championships add-on accomplishments

References

External links