1. Early Life and Background
Scott McGhee's early life was marked by his family's deep roots in professional wrestling and their relocation to the United States.
1.1. Birth and Family
Garfield Portz was born on May 1, 1959, in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. He is the son of renowned professional wrestler Geoff Portz (1931-2016), who was known as a master of Lancashire wrestling and a respected figure in the sport.
1.2. Relocation to the United States
In his early years, Garfield Portz relocated from the United Kingdom to the United States alongside his father, Geoff Portz. This move set the stage for his own career in professional wrestling, which would primarily unfold across various American territories.
2. Professional Wrestling Career
Scott McGhee's professional wrestling career began in the late 1970s and saw him compete in numerous promotions across the United States, Canada, and Japan, leaving a significant mark in regional territories and brief stints with larger national companies.
2.1. Early Career (1978-1980)
Portz began his involvement in professional wrestling in the late 1970s, initially working as a referee for Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP). He received his wrestling training from his father, Geoff Portz, and also learned from acclaimed figures such as Ric Flair, Karl Gotch, Buddy Rogers, and Ricky Steamboat. He made his professional wrestling debut for Jim Crockett Promotions in 1978. In 1980, he briefly wrestled in Canada, performing for Stampede Wrestling under the name "Gary Portz" and for Maple Leaf Wrestling as "Scott McGhee". Some sources suggest he may have debuted in the United Kingdom before his move to the United States.
2.2. NWA Regional Territories
McGhee spent a significant portion of his career in the regional territories affiliated with the NWA, where he achieved considerable success as a babyface and engaged in notable rivalries.
2.2.1. Championship Wrestling from Florida (1980-1985)
In 1980, McGhee moved to Tampa, Florida, to wrestle for Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF), a promotion led by Eddie Graham, which was a major territory for his father. There, he engaged in feuds with prominent heel wrestlers such as Ivan Koloff, Nikolai Volkoff, Mr. Saito, Dick Slater, Bobby Jaggers, R.T. Tyler, Lord Alfred Hayes, and Hans Schroeder.
In October 1980, McGhee secured his first championship, teaming with Barry Windham to win a tournament for the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship. Their reign concluded in December 1980 when they were defeated by The Cowboy Connection. By late 1982, McGhee regularly teamed with popular figures like Dusty Rhodes, Magnum T. A., and Blackjack Mulligan on the promotion's weekly television program. In 1983, he continued his tag team success, frequently partnering with Magnum T.A. (then known as Terry Allen) and Mike Graham. Together, they competed for the NWA Florida Global Tag Team Championship, battling teams such as The Fabulous Kangaroos (Don Kent & Johnny Heffernan), Bobby Duncum & Angelo Mosca, and Elijah Akeem & Kareem Muhammad.
In 1983, McGhee won a tournament to capture the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship. During this reign, he challenged both Ric Flair and Harley Race in a series of matches for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, though he was unsuccessful in winning the title. After losing the Florida Heavyweight title to Jos LeDuc later that year, he briefly left the promotion. Upon his return to Florida, he immediately defeated "Superstar" Billy Graham to regain the Florida Heavyweight title. However, following the suicide of Eddie Graham in late 1985, McGhee departed from the Florida territory.
2.2.2. Other NWA Territories and Japan Tours
McGhee's career extended beyond Florida to other NWA territories and international tours. In 1980, he repeatedly challenged Les Thornton for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship. On November 17, 1980, in West Palm Beach, he challenged Harley Race for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
In mid-1982, McGhee embarked on his first tour of Japan with New Japan Pro-Wrestling as part of their "Summer Fight Series Part 1." On June 18, at the opening event in Kuramae Kokugikan, he faced Antonio Inoki in Inoki's highly anticipated return match after a long-term knee injury. On July 2, 1982, in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, McGhee notably teamed with André the Giant to face the formidable duo of Hulk Hogan and Seiji Sakaguchi. Also in 1982, he competed for Southeastern Championship Wrestling in Dothan, Alabama, where he won the NWA Southeastern United States Junior Heavyweight Championship on three occasions.
In 1983, McGhee began wrestling for Pacific Northwest Wrestling (PNW) in Portland, Oregon, sometimes using the ring name "'Irish' Pat McGhee." On December 24, 1983, he teamed with Curt Hennig to capture the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship from Dynamite Kid and The Assassin, holding the title until February 1984. On November 24, 1983, he participated in the inaugural Starrcade event, promoted by Jim Crockett Promotions, where he teamed with Johnny Weaver in a match against Kevin Sullivan and Mark "Purple Haze" Lewin.
In 1984, McGhee also spent time in the CWA in Memphis, Tennessee, often forming a tag team with Spike Huber. From September to October 1984, he engaged in a series of matches challenging Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. In November 1984, he returned to Japan, this time touring with the UWF under the booking of Karl Gotch, where he faced prominent Japanese wrestlers such as Akira Maeda and Super Tiger in singles competition.
2.3. World Wrestling Federation (1985-1987)
McGhee joined the WWF in September 1985, making his debut at a house show in Springfield, Massachusetts, on September 21, where he was victorious over Rene Goulet. He initially received a push, defeating Goulet in a rematch on Prime Time Wrestling and Les Thornton on the October 13 episode of All American Wrestling. His first defeat came on October 26, when he submitted to Greg Valentine's Figure Four Leglock in a televised tag team match where he partnered with Paul Roma in a challenge for the WWF Tag Team Championship against Valentine and Brutus Beefcake on Championship Wrestling. Later that fall, he wrestled against top heels like Randy Savage and Adrian Adonis on the house show circuit.
By 1986, McGhee's role in the WWF primarily shifted to that of a jobber, appearing on house shows and various WWF television programs such as All-Star Wrestling, WWF Championship Wrestling, Prime Time Wrestling, and WWF Superstars of Wrestling. In early 1986, he achieved draws against Tiger Chung Lee, Les Thornton, and Barry O, and secured pins against Joe Mirto, Rene Goulet, and Ron Shaw in opening matches. However, he was less successful against more established veterans higher on the card, suffering losses to Hercules, Jake Roberts, and Dory Funk Jr.. After several months of defeats, McGhee secured a televised victory over Johnny K-9 on the May 19 episode of Prime Time Wrestling, which remained his sole televised win for some time amidst further losses. He concluded December with victories over Frenchy Martin and Barry O on the house show circuit.
In 1987, McGhee lost to Tama on the January 19 episode of Prime Time Wrestling. He rebounded with house show victories over Barry O and The Red Demon, and a televised win against Terry Gibbs on January 10 in Philadelphia. McGhee then teamed with former WWF Tag Team Champion Tony Garea in a losing effort against the Hart Foundation on the January 24 episode of WWF Superstars. His final WWF match took place at a house show on November 11, 1987, in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he teamed with Ken Patera against Demolition.
2.4. Independent Circuit and Later Career (1987-2010)
After departing the WWF, McGhee returned to the independent circuit in 1987. In late 1987, he began wrestling for Stampede Wrestling in Calgary, Canada, competing under his real name, "Garfield Portz." During this period, he took on a heel role and formed a foreign unit with Jerry Morrow and Gama Singh. As part of this faction, he faced prominent Stampede talents including Owen Hart, Brian Pillman, Johnny Smith, Mr. Hito, Chris Benoit, and Phil Lafleur.
3. Retirement and Later Life
Scott McGhee's career was significantly impacted by a sudden health crisis, leading to his retirement from active competition and a new path in the medical field.
3.1. Stroke and Initial Retirement
On January 31, 1988, while working for Stampede Wrestling in Calgary, Garfield Portz suffered a severe cerebral stroke. This debilitating event forced him to immediately retire from professional wrestling, bringing an abrupt end to his active career in the ring.
3.2. Nursing Career and Brief Returns
Following his stroke and forced retirement from professional wrestling, Scott McGhee transitioned into a new profession, training as a nurse and subsequently working in medical institutions. Despite his retirement, McGhee made two brief returns to the wrestling ring. The first was in October 1989, when he wrestled a single match for the Professional Wrestling Federation. His final return occurred in November 2010, when he competed for NWA Wrestle Birmingham, marking his last recorded professional wrestling appearance.
4. Wrestling Style and Techniques
Scott McGhee was known for his technical prowess and his consistent portrayal as a babyface throughout much of his career. His wrestling style incorporated fundamental, impactful maneuvers.
His signature techniques included:
- German suplex
- Belly-to-back suplex
5. Championships and Accomplishments
Scott McGhee achieved numerous championships and accolades throughout his professional wrestling career.
- Championship Wrestling from Florida
- NWA Florida Global Tag Team Championship (4 times) - with Magnum T. A. (3 times) and Mike Graham (1 time)
- NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
- NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Barry Windham
- Pacific Northwest Wrestling
- NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Curt Hennig
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI ranked him #387 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003
- Southeastern Championship Wrestling
- NWA Southeast United States Junior Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
Scott McGhee as NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion, circa 1984