Tex McKenzie

Frank McKenzie (July 21, 1930 – May 31, 2001) was an American professional wrestler who appeared in American Wrestling Association, IWA Australia, National Wrestling Federation and Maple Leaf Wrestling. He appeared in many territories during his career.

Tex McKenzie
Birth nameFrank H. McKenzie
Born(1930-07-21)July 21, 1930
Edmonds, Washington
DiedMay 31, 2001(2001-05-31) (aged 70)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Tex McKenzie
Goliath
Dakota Mack
Billed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Billed weight280 lb (130 kg)
Trained byJack Pfeffer
Debut1950
Retired1979

Professional wrestling career

Early career

McKenzie stood at 6"10 and weighted at 280 pounds. Made his pro wrestling debut in 1950 in Texas. In 1954 he went to Canada to wrestle for Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling in Calgary. He teamed up with Ilio DiPaolo and they won the NWA Calgary Tag Team titles by defeating Al and Tiny Mills.[1]

American Wrestling Association (1958, 1961-1965, 1970)

In 1958 he debuted for American Wrestling Association in Minnesota where he wrestled there for many years. In 1961 he feuded with Bob Geigel and Bill Miller.

On October 10, 1970 McKenzie defeated Tarzan Tyler for the AWA Midwest Heavyweight Championship in Omaha, Nebraska.[1]

He dropped the title a month later to Ole Anderson. After the loss, he left the company.

WCW Australia (1964-1969)

In 1964 he went to Australia to wrestle for IWA Australia. He would feud with Killer Kowalski. On June 6, 1967 he defeated Kowalski for the IWA World Heavyweight Championship. He dropped the title to Skull Murphy in August. A year later he regained the title defeating Toru Tanaka on November 13, 1968. Once again he dropped the title to Skull Murphy. In 1969 he left Australia.

Various promotions

From 1965-1967 he wrestled for Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling. Also wrestled in Hawaii, Portland, Detroit, and Vancouver. Then he went to Toronto to wrestle for Maple Leaf Wrestling from 1970-1975. In 1974 he feuded against Dusty Rhodes in Championship Wrestling from Florida. In 1975, he did commentary for the International Wrestling Association.

Death

McKenzie retied from wrestling in 1979. He was inducted into the Stampede (Calgary) Wrestling Hall of Fame and Northwest Wrestling Hall of Fame. He died on May 31, 2001 at 70 from abdominal aortic aneurysm.[2]

Championships and accomplishments
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References
  1. "Tex McKenzie". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  2. "Tex McKenzie Dead At 73". Mike Mooneyham. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  3. Whalen, Ed (host) (December 15, 1995). "Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame: 1948-1990". Showdown at the Corral: A Tribute to Stu Hart. Event occurs at 15:38. Shaw Cable. Calgary 7.
  4. Will, Gary; Duncan, Royal (2000). "Texas: NWA Texas Tag Team Title [Von Erich]". Wrestling Title Histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. pp. 275–276. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  5. "NWA Texas Tag Team Title [E. Texas]". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
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