WWE's 'Hacksaw' Jim Duggan coming to Rafters game
WISCONSIN RAPIDS – People who have never been to a professional wrestling event, World Wrestling Entertainment or otherwise, will get a taste of that excitement Friday night.
Former WWE wrestler "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan , who rose to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, will throw out the first pitch at the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters game at Witter Field. The Rafters will be playing against the Battle Creek Bombers. He will also sign autographs prior to the game.
"I love getting out to ballparks and hockey rinks to visit with fans," Duggan said during a phone interview Wednesday. "It's nice to be remembered, and I like to thank people for the support through my career.
"I will have some pressure with that first pitch. I want to throw it over the plate."
Duggan — who is best known as the two-by-four toting, American flag-waving patriot during the latter part of the Cold War-era in the then-WWF — squared off with the most notorious anti-American bad guys of the time, including the Iron Sheik , Nikolai Volkoff and Andre the Giant .
During his heyday, he would often shout "HOOOO!" while giving fans the thumbs up and starting chants of "USA, USA, USA" to get the pro-America crowds fired up.i
"Those days were the golden age of the WWF," Duggan said. "I was the hero and they were the heels to the fans in those days.
"The industry was at one of its several high points then, and it was an exciting time to be in professional wrestling."
Duggan did three stints with the WWE and also signed with World Championship Wrestling.
During his rise, Duggan won a Royal Rumble and had several shots at the industry's biggest titles. Getting to the big time in the WWF, however, took years.
Duggan was trained by legendary pro wrestler Fritz Von Erich and was first discovered by Vince McMahon Sr., current WWE chairman Vince McMahon's father. From 1979 to 1986, he grew his persona and craft in the regional circuits in the southern states.
"People don't realize how big wrestling was regionally when I started," Duggan said. "I trained and wrestled in Texas, Georgia and Alabama, just to name a few states early in my career.
"People also don't realize how hard it is to get into. There are 1,500 NFL players; there are 100 spots in the WWE. Vince Sr. and Vince only take the very best. You have to be able to do what is required in the ring, but you also have to have a character and be able to cut interviews."
It was during his time in the minor leagues of pro wrestling that he took on the wooden two-by-four prop. It was more out necessity and safety than a gimmick, at first.
"Going to and from the ring back then it was different," Duggan said. "People would punch, kick and spit at you. I was sitting in the locker room covered with loogies after a match, and a friend told me to forget about a robe or feather boa, take something useful into the ring. So I grabbed a two-by-four. Once I came out with the two-by-four, I never had any more problems."
That's why fellow pro wrestler Jake Roberts started walking to the ring with a real boa constrictor and later would be known as Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Duggan said.
The lifestyle isn't easy. A wrestler needs support from home to make a career work. Duggan traveled and performed 300 days a year at the height of his career.
He knows he is in the twilight of his career, but he's still not sure when he will take his boots off for the last time. Duggan still gets into the ring, and last Sunday was in City Field, the New York Mets' ballpark.
"I don't do that much in the ring anymore," Duggan said. "I'm usually paired with a young guy who does most of the work in the ring and I get the crowd into it.
"I'm not sure when I'll retire. It's still a rush when I walk down the aisle yelling 'HOOOOOO' and chanting 'USA, USA, USA.'"
Mark Massoglia can be reached at 715-423-7200, ext 6736 or mmassogl@cwnews.net. Follow him on Twitter @markmazzy.
About 'Hacksaw' Jim Duggan
Age: 61
Family: Wife, Debra; daughters, Celia and Rebecca
Pro wrestling debut: 1979
WWF debut: 1987
Ring names: Hacksaw Duggan, The Convict, Derek Wood, Jim Duggan, King Duggan.
Career highlights: Royal Rumble winner (1988); "King of the WWF" (1989); had shots at Wolrd Heavyweight and Intercontinental championships; wrestled in all 50 states, all 12 Canadian provinces and 29 countries; 2011 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee.
Fun facts: Competed in football, track, wrestling and baseball in high school; won state high school wrestling championship; played college football at SMU; drafted by the Atlanta Falcons
USA! USA! USA!
Pro wrestler "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan will be at Witter Field at 6:05 p.m. Friday to sign autographs for those who purchase tickets to the game. There is no cost for autographs.
All fans will receive an 8-by-10 inch photo to have signed, but they are limited to one item each. There will be two-by-fours for purchase, the price of which was not given at press time.
For more information about getting tickets to the game, visit http://northwoodsleague.com/wisconsin-rapids-rafters/tickets/single-game-tickets/. Tickets are also available at the Rafters Ticket office, Witter Field, 521 Lincoln St., Wisconsin Rapids, by calling 715-424-5400 and at the stadium the day of the game.