Woody Farmer

Woody Farmer (December 25, 1935 - February 29, 2012) was a professional wrestler who was active in the 1960s and 1970s. He was also wrestling occasionally while in his seventies. He also acted in a few films during the 1980s.

Woody Farmer
Born(1935-12-25)December 25, 1935
Buchanan County, Virginia, United States
DiedFebruary 29, 2012(2012-02-29) (aged 76)
Union City, California,
NationalityAmerican
OccupationProfessional wrestler
Years active1960s-2008

Background

As a young man, Farmer joined the army and the workout schedule of the army led to him taking up wrestling as a hobby. It then became a career for him. Farmer's son Rex is a wrestler who wrestles under the name of Shane Kody.[1] His grandson Rex, Jnr. is also a wrestler known as Riot.[2]

During his career, Farmer had at least two titles. Once with Bobby Duncum for the NWA Western States Tag Team title in 1971 and California State Heavyweight in 1982, defeating Mike York.[3]

Career

1960s to 1970s

Farmer started out wrestling in the 1960s and was trained by Ray Stevens. His early wrestling days were spent on the Northern California, Hawaii and Las Vegas wrestling circuits.[4]

In Phoenix on January 7, 1966, Farmer was beaten by Nikita Mulkovich. He was beaten again by Mulkovich on January 31.[5] On October 2, 1970, Farmer and Tito Montez took on The Comancheros in Phoenix, but were beaten by them. On the 19th of that month, they beat The Comancheros.[6]

In 1967 he wrestled for World Wide Wrestling Federation as a jobber.

In 1971, with partner Bobby Duncum, farmer defeated The Beast and Bulldog Brower and won the NWA Western States Tag Team Titles.[7]

1980s to 2000s

In 1980, Farmer was photographed at a gym for a publicity stunt with iconic stripper Carol Doda.[8] From 1989 to 1992, Farmer was a promoter and achieved a degree of success in that field.[9][10]

It was reported by the East Bay Times on February 15, 2007 that 71 year old Farmer, along with his son 43 year old son Shane Kody and 21 year old grand son Riot (both wrestlers) were to wrestle another three man tag team for the Night of Champions on the 24th of that month.[11] On February 24 for Bay Wrestling Federation in Alameda, California, he teamed with his son Shane Kody and his grandson Riot defeating Boom Boom Comini, Johnny Starr and Mr. Frost.

Films

In 1985, he played an international wrestler in Grunt! the Wrestling Movie which was directed by Alan Holzman.[12][13] Farmer had a role as Fuzzy in the Frank Harris directed Low Blow which starred Leo Fong as private eye, Joe Wong.[14][15] He would appear in another film involving Fong's Joe Wong character, this time in Blood Street.[16]

Death

Farmer died in California from cancer at age 76 on February 29, 2012.[17]

Filmography
Film
Title Role Director Year Notes #
Grunt! The Wrestling Movie! Battle Royale Wrestler Allan Holzman 1985
Low Blow Fuzzy Frank Harris 1986
Blood Street Allan George Chung
Leo Fong		 1988

References
  1. East Bay Times, April 10, 2008 - Wrestlers rock ring for a worthy cause By Laurie Burkitt
  2. Slam Wrestling - Woody Farmer leads three generations to battle By Mike lano
  3. OnlineWorldofWrestling.com - Woody Farmer, Title History
  4. Slam Wrestling - Woody Farmer leads three generations to battle By Mike lano
  5. The History of Arizona Wrestling, By Dale Pierce Page 47
  6. The History of Arizona Wrestling, By Dale Pierce - Page 61
  7. F4Wonline.com, April 8, 2018 - Daily Pro Wrestling History (04/08): Larry Zbyszko wins AWA World title by Brian Hoops
  8. San Jose Mercury News, November 20, 2015 - Celebrity San Francisco stripper Carol Doda led quiet early life in Vallejo By Richard Freedman
  9. Cagematch.net - Woody Farmer, Career Data
  10. Pro Wrestling: A Comprehensive Reference Guide, By Lew Freedman - Page 217 Promoters, wrestling
  11. East Bay Times, February 15, 2007 - Wrestlers to face off for charity in Hayward By Rachel Cohen
  12. TV Guide - Grunt! the Wrestling Movie, Cast
  13. AllMovie - Grunt! the Wrestling Movie (1985), Cast
  14. TV Guide - Low Blow, Cast & Crew
  15. Rotten Tomatoes - Low Blow (1986), Cast
  16. Comeuppance Reviews, 2/01/2011 - Blood Street (1990)
  17. Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2012, By Harris M. Lentz III - Page 93 Famer, Woody
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