Chad Fortune

Chad A. Fortune (born August 13, 1967) is a monster truck driver, former American football tight end and former professional wrestler in both the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

Chad Fortune
Fortune in 2014
Personal information
Full nameChad A. Fortune
NationalityAmerican
Born (1967-08-13) August 13, 1967
Roswell, Georgia
ResidenceValparaiso, Indiana
Alma materLouisville
OccupationMonster truck driver
Years active1986 — 1992 (football)
1994 — 2000 (wrestling)
2000 — 2019 (Monster Jam)
Chad Fortune
No. 81
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1967-08-13) August 13, 1967
Roswell, Georgia
Career information
College:Louisville
Undrafted:1990
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Sport
CountryUnited States
SportMonster Jam
TeamSoldier Fortune
Retired2019

Football career

Fortune played tight end at the University of Louisville from 1986 to 1989.[1] In 1987, he appeared in 11 games and recorded 16 receptions for 204 yards and one touchdown. In 1988, he appeared in 11 games and recorded 35 receptions for 339 yards and four touchdowns. In 1989, he appeared in 11 games and recorded 30 receptions for 353 yards.[2]

Following his college career he signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts but was released prior to the start of the 1990 season.[3] Fortune spent time on the practice squad of both the Miami Dolphins[4] and Colts during the 1990 season.[5] He competed in the Philadelphia Eagles 1991 training camp, but the team released him to clear a roster spot for Kenny Jackson.[6]

Fortune was signed at various points of 1992 preseason, with the Washington Redskins,[7] Dallas Cowboys,[8] and Chicago Bears. He was on the Bears practice squad at the start of the 1992 season, missing some time due to an allergic reaction caused by a bee sting.[9] He was promoted to the main roster, and spent part of the 1992 season as the team's third string tight end.[10]

Fortune was also a starting tight end for the Frankfurt Galaxy during both their 1991 and 1992 seasons.[11]

Professional wrestling
Chad Fortune
Birth nameChad A. Fortune
Born (1967-08-13) August 13, 1967
Roswell, Georgia
ResidenceValparaiso, Indiana
Alma materUniversity of Louisville
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Chad Fortune
Travis
Billed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Billed weight240 lb (110 kg)
Trained byWCW Power Plant
Debut1994
Retired2000

Early career

Fortune joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) under the ring name Travis and teamed with college teammate Erik Watts (as Troy) as Tekno Team 2000.[12] Wearing silver smocks and tight zubaz, their gimmick was that they represented the cutting edge of cyberculture. Their tag team made its debut on the May 27, 1995 episode of Superstars in a victorious effort against Brooklyn Brawler and Barry Horowitz.[13] They wrestled two more matches on television the following month before disappearing from television until July 1995 for the In Your House pay-per-view acting as lumberjacks for the main event. After the pay-per-view they disappeared off of television for a year being sent to United States Wrestling Association (USWA), only to resurface back on WWF television in 1996. They got a WWF Tag Team title shot against The Bodydonnas.

World Championship Wrestling

Fortune signed a World Championship Wrestling (WCW) contract in 1997. He wrestled mainly on the taped shows such as WCW Saturday Night and WCW Worldwide. He made his WCW debut on the June 24 episode of WCW Saturday Night in a loss to Joey Maggs. He and Dale Torborg were briefly a tag team known as "The Pit Crew".[14] Fortune is also known as the first wrestler to defeat Bill Goldberg in a singles match on July 24, 1997 in a dark match on Saturday Night. He would barely perform throughout 1998, returning in early 1999 before again being taken off TV. His last match of his career would come on July 8, 1999 in a loss to The Barbarian. Fortune was one of many wrestlers released by WCW in October 1999.[15]

Monster trucks

In 2000, SFX Entertainment (recently Live Nation, now Feld Entertainment) signed a contract with World Championship Wrestling to bring WCW-based trucks to their USHRA Monster Jam series, which gave Fortune, through wrestling, his start in monster trucks. He was initially an unnamed "spokesman" for the nWo truck, who would give antagonistic interviews while the driver, Rob Knell, acted as being focused on the truck. Many in the industry were vocal against the use of professional wrestling gimmicks for drivers, and the truck only lasted one season.

The following year, Fortune began driving the WCW Nitro Machine truck in the winter season, then bounced around trucks during the summer.[16] He gave Karl Malone a ride in the WCW Nitro truck and the two became friends. In 2002, when Malone signed a deal with SFX/Clear Channel to create a truck called Power Forward. Fortune was chosen as the driver and drove the truck for three years, reaching the World Finals in 2002 and 2003.[17]

In 2005, Fortune brought to the table the idea of the Superman truck. The company created the new truck. Based on his professional wrestling background, he decided to dye his hair black and alter his look to match the character of Superman. He was successful in the Superman truck, and made the final rounds of several stadium events. He was then given the "Most Improved Driver" award for 2005.[17]

In 2012, 2013 and 2014 Monster Jam Seasons, Fortune drove the new Captain America truck, one of the two Marvel Comics themed trucks coming back onto the circuit along with Alex Blackwell who was to drive Wolverine. In the 2015 season, Fortune initiated the idea of the "Soldier Fortune" truck honoring the United States Armed Forces.

In 2019, Fortune announced his retirement from Monster Jam.

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References
  1. Louisville UofLSports.com - University of Louisville Official Athletic Site
  2. "Chad Fortune College Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  3. For the RecordWashington Post. August 18, 1990
  4. Dolphins Defense Next Test for Cards Victor Lee, Palm Beach post November 1, 1990 Mentions release
  5. Wagner Might Be Cure For Bears' Receiving IllsDan Pompei. Chicago-Sun Times.September 8, 1992. Section Fortune for Bears.
  6. Special Team for Him Jets assistant Roberts has soft spot for Birds Kevin Mulligan. Philadelphia Daily News. August 3, 1991.
  7. Redskins notebook: Team gives boot to 12, including punter. Richard Justice. Washington Post. August 25, 1992
  8. Signings of Rice, three key Redskins, may affect game, salaries Richie Whittstar. Fort Worth Star-Telegram August 26, 1992
  9. Stinson Bares Latest Predictions Dan Pompei Chicago-Sun Times. October 1, 1992. Mentions injury
  10. Behind the wheel is an ex-Chicago Bear Nancy Moffett, Chicago Sun-Times May 23, 2003
  11. "News - Around the NFL - NFL.com". NFL.com. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  12. Online World of Wrestling
  13. Chad Fortune - Biography
  14. Online World of Wrestling
  15. 'Halloween Havoc' may be a timely WCW treat Blackjack Brown. Chicago Sun-Times. October 24, 1999
  16. Chad Fortune Monster Jam bio
  17. Monsterjamonline Archived August 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
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