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Wrestlers You Need to Know: Southern Stars photos+ G8 g* G# I8 `2 m
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9 ?& B5 |# R% C- M7 B* A7 c9 Z- W"Wildfire" Tommy Rich's blazing hot offense earned him a loyal legion of fans across the South.% g/ Z- L5 E$ i+ u/ m4 J" s8 G/ q8 |
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' Q* d$ ^3 K+ f$ WRich battled the likes of Ric Flair during his career.
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In 1981, Rich shocked the world by defeating Harley Race for the NWA World Title.
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* [# S" [8 g a3 \4 QThough he only held the title for four days, Rich's victory established him as one of Dixie's top heroes.5 [5 y2 h) R! O
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& H" G- v& g: L( G4 b"Mad Dog" Buzz Sawyer was one of the most fearsome competitors to step inside the ring.
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Sawyer had a two-year long rivalry with "Wildfire" Tommy Rich that electrified fans across Georgia.3 q' S8 c8 Z* n+ Z) h' B
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. I4 [9 s; ]; HThe rivalry culminated with a Steel Cage Match dubbed "The Last Battle of Atlanta."
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Thunderbolt Patterson was a trailblazer for African-American wrestlers in the South.7 \( C4 i3 h3 n% W) V0 k
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His unique manner of speech also influenced future Superstars like "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes.
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Ed "The Bull" Gantner entered the squared circle after playing football in the USFL.& P- X1 y1 D2 w
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According to Paul Heyman, Gantner had charisma in boatloads, along with his 6-foot-4, 275-pound frame.
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' |' W1 ?% r! V& G1 B2 T$ x"The Bull" was a standout in Championship Wrestling from Florida before hanging up his boots in 1987.
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