Dick the Bruiser

1.1. Early Life and Education

William Fritz Afflis Jr. was born on June 27, 1929, in Delphi, Indiana. During World War II, his family relocated to Indianapolis when his mother secured a job there. He attended Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, playing football during his freshman and sophomore years. Following his mother's job loss, the family returned to Delphi, but the local high school lacked a football team. To continue playing, Afflis moved to the YMCA in nearby Lafayette, Indiana, enabling him to attend Lafayette Jefferson High School, where he excelled in both football and wrestling.

He later pursued higher education, attending Purdue University and the University of Nevada, Reno, playing varsity football at both institutions. Despite his academic pursuits, he was known for his aggressive nature; anecdotes suggest he was expelled from seven different universities due to brawling, with his longest tenure being seven months at Purdue and only two days at Indiana University. During his time in Reno, he also worked as a bouncer at a local nightclub.

1.2. American Football Career

Afflis was selected 186th overall in the 16th round of the 1951 professional football draft. He played as a lineman for the Green Bay Packers from 1951 to 1954, appearing in all 48 regular season games during those years, although the team never finished higher than fourth place. During his tenure with the Packers, Afflis suffered a larynx injury, which resulted in his distinctive, gravelly voice that remained with him for the rest of his life.

2.1. Debut and Early Career

Dick the Bruiser made his professional wrestling debut in 1954, having been trained by Verne Gagne and Joe Pazandak. Billed from Reno, Nevada, he began wrestling in Chicago in 1955 under the "Bruiser" moniker, facing notable opponents like Gagne and Lou Thesz. Gagne played a significant role in guiding him during his initial days as a professional wrestler.

In the late 1950s, Dick the Bruiser became a household name in the Detroit area, wrestling live every Thursday on television. His matches typically involved him pulverizing lesser-known opponents, and his interviews were highly effective in building his tough-guy image. His only televised defeat during this period was to "Cowboy" Bob Ellis, though he avenged this loss in two rematches at the Olympia in Detroit.

In 1963, Afflis was involved in a highly publicized incident with NFL star Alex Karras. A planned "worked shoot" brawl at Lindell's Bar, co-owned by Karras, escalated into a genuine melee when an uncle of the bar's owners, unaware the event was staged, attacked Dick the Bruiser. The brawl resulted in significant damage to the bar and injuries to several police officers who responded to the scene, with reports indicating over 300 people were hurt. Eight officers were eventually required to subdue him. Afflis was charged with aggravated assault and was ordered to pay 50.00 K USD in damages to two injured policemen.

On November 19, 1957, Dick the Bruiser and Dr. Jerry Graham participated in a tag team match at Madison Square Garden in New York City against Antonino Rocca and Édouard Carpentier. The match, which drew a crowd of 12,987, devolved into a riot after the wrestlers continued fighting post-match, leading to a large number of fans joining the brawl. Two policemen were injured, two fans were arrested, and over 60 officers struggled to disperse the angry crowd, leaving the arena floor littered with hundreds of broken chairs. Although the direct cause was Graham making Rocca bleed, the Bruiser reportedly stood his ground, throwing rioting fans back into the stands. As a result of this incident and his notoriously rough style, Afflis was banned for life by the New York State Athletic Commission. Despite the ban, he continued to make occasional appearances at Madison Square Garden until 1958. Afflis later expressed that he was "happy" about the permanent ban, stating it was more important to protect his pride than to perform at the Garden, as he had many other places to earn a living.

2.2. Key Territories and Promotions

Dick the Bruiser established a dominant presence across various wrestling territories. In 1964, Afflis, alongside fellow wrestler and business partner Wilbur Snyder, purchased the Indianapolis NWA promotion from its long-time owner Jim Barnett. Afflis rebranded the territory as the World Wrestling Association (WWA) and promoted himself as its champion. While operating as an independent promotion with its own titles, the WWA maintained a working agreement with the larger AWA, owned by Verne Gagne. This partnership allowed for talent sharing and mutual recognition of championships, benefiting both promotions. The WWA operated from 1964 until 1989, eventually ceasing operations due to the loss of talent, television exposure, and fan attendance to the expanding World Wrestling Federation (WWF).

In the Midwest, he held the Detroit version of the NWA US Heavyweight Championship seven times, first winning it on December 13, 1957, by defeating Wilbur Snyder. He feuded with Snyder, Verne Gagne, Cowboy Bob Ellis, Bobo Brazil, and Fritz Von Erich for the title. On July 15, 1963, he also captured the Hawaii version of the NWA US Heavyweight Championship by defeating King Curtis Iaukea.

On April 22, 1964, he defeated Freddie Blassie to win the WWA World Heavyweight Championship (Los Angeles version). On the same day, he declared himself the inaugural WWA World Heavyweight Champion in Indianapolis. He lost the Los Angeles version of the title to The Destroyer on July 22, 1964. In Indianapolis, he became a beloved babyface and the promotion's top star, defending his WWA World Heavyweight Championship against challengers like Johnny Valentine and Gene Kiniski in 1965.

In the AWA, he also transitioned to a babyface role, winning the AWA World Heavyweight Championship on November 12, 1966, by defeating Mad Dog Vachon in Omaha, Nebraska. Throughout the 1970s, he continued to be a major draw in both the WWA and AWA. In the WWA, he feuded with top heels such as The Sheik, Blackjack Lanza, Blackjack Mulligan, Baron von Raschke, Ox Baker, Ernie Ladd, Guy Mitchell, and Ivan Koloff for the WWA World Heavyweight Championship. He also frequently competed in St. Louis, the NWA's stronghold, challenging NWA World Heavyweight Champions like Dory Funk Jr., Harley Race, Jack Brisco, and Terry Funk.

In the NWA St. Louis territory, he captured the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship on July 14, 1978, by defeating Dick Murdoch. He won the title a total of three times, with his final reign beginning on January 1, 1982, when he defeated Ken Patera at promoter Sam Muchnick's retirement show. He also frequently challenged Nick Bockwinkel for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship. From 1979 to 1980, he engaged in a notable rivalry with Bruiser Brody over the WWA World Heavyweight Championship. In a rare pairing, he even teamed with Hulk Hogan in Chicago on December 18, 1982.

2.3. Tag Team Partnerships

Dick the Bruiser was highly successful in tag team wrestling, securing 20 tag team championships throughout his career. His most renowned partnership was with Crusher Lisowski, who was billed as his "cousin." Together, they won 11 tag team championships, including five reigns as AWA World Tag Team Champions. Their first AWA World Tag Team Championship was won on August 20, 1963. On December 28, 1968, they defeated Mitsu Arakawa and Dr. Moto in Chicago to simultaneously hold both the AWA World Tag Team Championship and the WWA World Tag Team Championship. They feuded with teams like Larry Hennig & Harley Race, Chris Markoff & Angelo Poffo, Mad Dog Vachon & Butcher Vachon, and Mitsu Arakawa & Dr. Moto. They reclaimed the AWA World Tag Team Championship on August 16, 1975, by defeating Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens in Chicago. On September 20, 1975, they also won the WWA World Tag Team Championship from The Legionnaires (Jack Gray & Zarinoff Lebeouf), making them double champions again. They held these titles until March 13, 1976 (WWA) and July 23, 1976 (AWA), respectively.

Beyond his partnership with The Crusher, Afflis also held the WWA World Tag Team Championship with various other partners a total of 15 times. These partners included Wilbur Snyder (3 times), Bruno Sammartino (1 time), Bill Miller (1 time), Spike Huber (1 time), Jeff Van Kamp (1 time), Bobby Colt (1 time), and Calypso Jim (1 time). On July 21, 1973, he teamed with Bruno Sammartino to win the WWA World Tag Team Championship from Baron von Raschke & Ernie Ladd. He also briefly teamed with André the Giant in the WWWF and feuded with the Valiant Brothers in 1974.

2.4. Major Rivals and Feuds

Dick the Bruiser engaged in memorable feuds against some of professional wrestling's biggest names. Early in his career, he faced legends such as Lou Thesz, Bobo Brazil, Angelo Poffo, and "Classie" Freddie Blassie. As he became a top star and promoter, his list of rivals expanded to include Wilbur Snyder, Verne Gagne, Cowboy Bob Ellis, Fritz Von Erich, King Curtis Iaukea, The Sheik, Blackjack Lanza, Blackjack Mulligan, Baron von Raschke, Ox Baker, Ernie Ladd, Guy Mitchell, and Ivan Koloff.

In the NWA St. Louis territory, he repeatedly challenged the reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champions, including Dory Funk Jr., Harley Race, Jack Brisco, and Terry Funk. His later career saw him in significant tag team rivalries with The Crusher against teams like The Blackjacks, The Texas Outlaws, Larry Hennig & Harley Race, Chris Markoff & Angelo Poffo, Mad Dog Vachon & Butcher Vachon, Mitsu Arakawa & Dr. Moto, Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens, and Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum. In his semi-retirement, he teamed with The Crusher and Baron von Raschke to face The Russians (Ivan Koloff, Nikita Koloff, and Crusher Khruschev) in a six-man tag match at "AWA SuperClash" on September 28, 1985, at Comiskey Park in Chicago. He also had notable feuds with Bruiser Brody and challenged Nick Bockwinkel multiple times for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship.

2.5. International Appearances

Dick the Bruiser made several impactful tours to Japan, leaving a lasting impression on the Japanese wrestling scene. His first tour was in November 1965 with Japan Pro Wrestling. On November 24, 1965, at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, he challenged Giant Baba for the vacant NWA International Heavyweight Championship. Despite Baba winning the match due to two disqualifications against Bruiser, his brutal brawling style dominated the contest, leaving a profound impact on Baba. Three days later, on November 27, he faced Baba again in his first defense at Kuramae Kokugikan, which ended in a draw, allowing Baba to retain. He would challenge Baba for the title again on February 28, 1968, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium and on August 12, 1969, at the Sapporo Nakajima Sports Center.

In tag team action, on February 26, 1968, in Osaka, he teamed with his American rival Harley Race to challenge Baba and Antonio Inoki (the "BI Gun") for the NWA International Tag Team Championship. On August 11, 1969, in Sapporo, he and his long-time partner Crusher Lisowski defeated the BI Gun to win the NWA International Tag Team Championship, though they lost it back two days later. This tour marked the first time the "Bru-Cra Combo" appeared in Japan, making a significant impact. On August 14, 1969, in Hiroshima, he teamed with Mario Milano to challenge Inoki and Michiaki Yoshimura for the All Asia Tag Team Championship.

In November 1972, Dick the Bruiser and The Crusher came to International Pro Wrestling (IWE) through their AWA partnership. On November 24, 1972, at the Okayama Budokan, they challenged Strong Kobayashi and Great Kusatsu for the IWA World Tag Team Championship. On November 27, at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, they participated in Japan's first-ever cage tag deathmatch against Kobayashi and Kusatsu. However, Bruiser and Crusher misunderstood the rules, believing victory was achieved by escaping the cage first (an American escape rule). They exited the cage while Kobayashi and Kusatsu were down, leading to a no-contest and a riot among the enraged audience, requiring riot police intervention. They were billed as the WWA World Tag Team Champions during this tour, but the actual champions at the time were The Blackjacks.

In April 1975, he made his first appearance for All Japan Pro Wrestling. On April 10, 1975, at the Miyagi Sports Center, he challenged Baba for the PWF Heavyweight Championship. He and Crusher returned to All Japan in January 1976, holding both the AWA and WWA World Tag Team Championships. They challenged Baba and Jumbo Tsuruta for the International Tag Team Championship on January 26 at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium and again on January 29 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.

His final tour to Japan was in March 1980 with IWE. He had a highly anticipated match against Kintaro Ohki, a notable rival from his Japan Pro Wrestling days. He also teamed with Mongolian Stomper against Rusher Kimura and Ohki, and had a singles match against Animal Hamaguchi, who was known as the "Japanese Bruiser." Across his career, Dick the Bruiser participated in seven tours to Japan-three with Japan Pro Wrestling, and two each with All Japan Pro Wrestling and International Pro Wrestling-each typically lasting about a week, reflecting his status as a special attraction.

2.6. Promoter Activities

In 1964, Dick the Bruiser, along with Wilbur Snyder, took over the Indianapolis NWA promotion, renaming it the World Wrestling Association (WWA). He positioned himself as the promotion's top star and champion. The WWA operated independently with its own titles but maintained a crucial working agreement with Verne Gagne's American Wrestling Association (AWA). This arrangement allowed for talent exchanges and mutual recognition of championships, benefiting both organizations. As a promoter, Afflis was instrumental in developing new talent, including future stars like Greg Wojciechowski and Scott Steiner. The WWA continued to operate until 1989, when it eventually ceased due to increasing competition from the expanding World Wrestling Federation (WWF), which led to a decline in talent, television exposure, and fan attendance.

2.7. Post-Retirement Activities

After retiring from active wrestling in 1989, Dick the Bruiser remained involved in the professional wrestling world. He served as a color commentator for the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW), a promotion founded by David McLane, who had previously managed the WWA for Afflis as a teenager. He also worked as a talent agent for World Championship Wrestling (WCW). One of his notable post-retirement appearances was as the special guest referee for the main event of Starrcade 1990, a steel cage match between Sting and The Black Scorpion.

3.1. Wrestling Style

Dick the Bruiser was renowned for his aggressive, hard-hitting brawling style. He cultivated a "tough guy" persona that made him both a feared opponent and an incredibly popular figure among fans. His matches often devolved into chaotic brawls, characterized by relentless punches, kicks, and stomps. He was known for his incredible resilience, earning him the nicknames "Tough Guy" and "Monster" among fellow wrestlers, as he would absorb punishment and continue to relentlessly attack his opponents. His approach to wrestling was straightforward: he would simply keep punching and kicking, embodying the essence of a street fighter.

3.2. Key Maneuvers

Dick the Bruiser's arsenal of offensive techniques reflected his brawling style:

• Punches and Kicks: These were his fundamental tactics, maximizing his brawler character. He would relentlessly punch and kick his opponents, often ignoring their counterattacks.
• Stomping: He would dramatically lift his leg and stomp on an opponent's abdomen, often yelling loudly as he trampled them.
• Diving Knee Drop: A common top-rope attack of his era, often used as a setup for his finisher.
• Atomic Bomb Drop (Diving Foot Stomp): His most devastating finishing move. He would leap from the top rope and stomp on a fallen opponent's abdomen, using either both feet or a single foot. The Japanese name for this move was 原爆落とし_{Genbaku Otoshi}^Japanese (Atomic Bomb Drop), though this term is less commonly used today.
• Stamp Hold: A variation of the bearhug, where he would embrace an opponent's torso and squeeze, but with the unique twist of holding the opponent upside down, aiming to reverse blood flow to the head. This was considered one of his trump cards.
• Weapon Attacks: He was infamous for utilizing any available object as a weapon, including the ring gong, ropes, ringside telephones, and even breaking the ring's floorboards to strike opponents. He was also known to conceal brass knuckles, similar to his partner The Crusher.

4.1. Major Championships

• 50th State Big Time Wrestling
  • NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Hawaii version) (1 time)
• American Wrestling Alliance
  • AWA World Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Wilbur Snyder
• American Wrestling Association
  • AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • AWA World Tag Team Championship (5 times) - with The Crusher
  • World Heavyweight Championship (Omaha version) (1 time)
  • AWA United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• Big Time Wrestling
  • NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Detroit version) (4 times)
• Fred Kohler Enterprises
  • NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Chicago version) (1 time)
  • NWA World Tag Team Championship (Chicago version) (1 time) - with Gene Kiniski
• Japan Wrestling Association
  • NWA International Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with The Crusher
• St. Louis Wrestling Club
  • NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
• Other titles
  • World Heavyweight Championship (Georgia version) (1 time)
• World Wrestling Association
  • WWA World Heavyweight Championship (13 times)
  • WWA World Tag Team Championship (15 times) - with The Crusher (6), Wilbur Snyder (3), Bruno Sammartino (1), Bill Miller (1), Spike Huber (1), Jeff Van Kamp (1), Bobby Colt (1) and Calypso Jim (1)
• Worldwide Wrestling Associates
  • WWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

4.2. Hall of Fame Inductions and Honors

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI Tag Team of the Year (1972) - with The Crusher
  • Ranked #300 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003
• Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
  • Class of 2005 - Tag Team with Crusher
  • Class of 2011 - Television Era
• St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame
  • Class of 2007
• World Championship Wrestling
  • WCW Hall of Fame (Class of 1994)
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
  • Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)
• WWE
  • WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2021)

5.1. Family and Relationships

Dick the Bruiser was married five times during his life. His son-in-law, Dick the Bruiser Jr., also pursued a career in the independent wrestling circuit.

5.2. Anecdotes and Personality

Afflis was a legitimate cross-media star and something of a local hero in the Indianapolis area, where he made his home. His charisma, NFL notoriety, and gravelly-voiced, tough-guy persona contributed to his widespread appeal. Indianapolis native David Letterman, whose career was reportedly launched by the Bruiser, later named his television show's band, The World's Most Dangerous Band, as a derivation of Dick the Bruiser's nickname, "The World's Most Dangerous Wrestler." The moniker "Dick the Bruiser" was also used by George Baier, a co-host on Detroit rock radio station WRIF, who created an effective impersonation of Afflis, with Afflis himself appearing in popular TV ads for the station.

Numerous stories circulated about his toughness and brawling prowess, including the common, though fictional, tale of him being a bar bouncer. In an interview with Tokyo Sports in 1965, just before his first match in Japan, Afflis stated, "My specialties are punches, kicks, scratching, biting, and all other rough play. I was expelled from pro football for being too rough, so wrestling is the only place for me. That's why I entered this path. I've been married five times, but I don't have one now. My hobbies are beer and women."

He was known for his strong stance against racial discrimination. During his time with the Green Bay Packers, he was a teammate of Bob Mann, the team's first Black player. When a taxi driver refused to pick up Mann due to his race, Bruiser reportedly confronted the driver, forcing him to comply. As a promoter of the WWA, he actively supported and featured Black wrestlers such as Bobo Brazil, Art Thomas, Ernie Ladd, and Rufus R. Jones, with Brazil and Ladd even holding the WWA World Heavyweight Championship under his promotion.

His reputation for intimidation was legendary. At the contract signing for his International Heavyweight Championship match against Giant Baba in 1965, Bruiser reportedly called Baba a "kid," tore a phone book in half, and opened a beer bottle with his fingers before chugging it. This display of raw power reportedly intimidated Baba, who later admitted, "Just hearing 'Bruiser' made my spine tingle. That man was truly amazing." During their match, Baba was so overwhelmed by Bruiser's toughness that he resorted to using his forbidden "Brain Chop," a move his mentor Rikidozan had told him never to use, fearing it could kill an opponent. Even years later, in the 1980s, when Baba had become a major promoter, Bruiser would greet him with "Hey, Kid!", a term of endearment he also used for other younger wrestlers like Bruiser Brody. He was also known to have engaged in a backstage brawl with Bruiser Brody, showcasing his continued fiery temperament even as a promoter.

In 1976, when Antonio Inoki's mixed martial arts match against Muhammad Ali was being organized, Ali initially requested Bruiser as a sparring partner, but Bruiser declined. Instead, he attended Inoki's press conference in Chicago in May and later served as a second for the wrestlers against Ali's manager, Freddie Blassie, during a mixed-match event on June 10 in Chicago.

A notable anecdote from his 1980 tour to Japan with International Pro Wrestling involved his flight. When boarding in Indianapolis, airport staff, recognizing him, allowed him to board under the name "W. Bruiser" instead of his legal name, William Afflis. This led to confusion at Narita International Airport when Japanese wrestling staff searched the passenger manifest for "William Afflis" but eventually discovered he had boarded under his ring name.

Dick the Bruiser's persona and tough-guy image were so impactful that he served as a model for the character Richard Phils in the popular Japanese manga series Grappler Baki.

6.1. Circumstances and Cause

William Fritz Afflis died on November 10, 1991, at the age of 62, in Tampa, Florida, near his winter home. According to a spokesman for Suncoast Hospital in Largo, Florida, the cause of death was internal bleeding. His widow, Louise, stated that her husband had been weightlifting at home with his adopted son, Jon Carney, when he ruptured a blood vessel in his esophagus, leading to the fatal internal bleeding.

7.1. Positive Contributions

Dick the Bruiser was one of the most well-known and charismatic "heels" (villains) in professional wrestling from the mid-1950s until the early 1980s. His raw charisma, background as an NFL player, and authentic tough-guy persona made him a legitimate cross-media star and a beloved local hero, particularly in the Indianapolis area. He was instrumental in promoting diversity within wrestling, actively supporting and elevating Black wrestlers in his WWA promotion, ensuring they had opportunities to achieve top championship status. His unique brawling style and ability to incite passionate reactions from crowds contributed significantly to the popularity and evolution of professional wrestling, solidifying his status as a true icon of the sport.

7.2. Criticisms and Controversies

Despite his popularity, Dick the Bruiser's career was not without its share of controversies. His notoriously aggressive in-ring style and persona often led to real-life chaos. He was involved in several infamous wrestling riots, including the incident at Lindell's Bar with Alex Karras in Detroit, the major riot at Madison Square Garden in 1957, and the cage match incident in Japan in 1972, which caused a riot due to a misunderstanding of the rules. These incidents led to bans from certain venues, most notably his lifetime ban by the New York State Athletic Commission following the Madison Square Garden riot. Critics often pointed to his "too rough" style as a cause for concern, but this very aggression also contributed to his legend.

7.3. Cultural Influence

Dick the Bruiser's impact extended beyond the wrestling ring into popular culture. His memorable nickname, "The World's Most Dangerous Wrestler," became iconic. This moniker notably inspired David Letterman, an Indianapolis native, to name his television show's band "The World's Most Dangerous Band." His enduring tough-guy persona, characterized by his gravelly voice (a result of an NFL injury), cigar-chomping, and beer-chugging antics, became a cultural archetype. His influence even reached Japanese popular culture, where he served as the inspiration for the character Richard Phils in the acclaimed manga series Grappler Baki, further cementing his legacy as a larger-than-life figure.