Forgotten legends78: Ox Baker
 

What was one of the most dreaded move in the 1960s? Heart/Hurt Punch from what I came across. It was used by two guys, Stan Stasiak and the other one being Ox Baker.

In a tag team match, his opponent was Torres and Cowboy Bob Ellis. The former died three days later and the promoters notoriously blamed it on the heart punch making Baker one of the most feared guys during that time. To add to it, Ray Gunkel died in the ring after a Heart Punch from Baker when in reality he had a cardiac arrest. With these two accidental deaths attributed to the 6'5'' 342 pound scary looking Ox Baker, he goes down as one of the most dreaded heels in pro-wrestling history.

He ironically debuted as a country simpleton but gained notoriety as a dreaded heel for his mic work and coincidental deaths. He developed a unique look to go with it. He wrestled across promotions in the country including WWWF and is rumored to have knocked out 8000 men incl the likes of Erichs, Gagnes, Jimmy Snuka, Mil Mascaras, The Sheik and none other than Hogan in his younger days.

With 25 titles to his credit, a unique look and a kayfabe devastating maneuver as a dreaded heel, he is a forgotten legend. Maybe, Big Show should pick up the Heart Punch and make it his WMD. Your thoughts?

Re: Forgotten legends78: Ox Baker
 

They say he killed few men with his Heart Punch. But who really knows?

Re: Forgotten legends78: Ox Baker
 

They weren't his fault though as that kind of thing happens. Bruno Sammartino had an opponent die in the ring of a heart attack after a body slam.

Ox Baker also had a few memorable appearances in other than wrestling show business.




Baker was also once a contestant on the Price Is Right.

Back to wrestling, Hogan's first face turn was from an incident where he and Baker turned on each other after a tag team match. Hogan later defeated Baker for the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title (southern version) which he later lost to Austin Idol.

Re: Forgotten legends78: Ox Baker
 

Ox Baker is most famous for his role in the movie "Escape From New York" like Mike Z posted. He bank-rolled that success in the movie and it furthered his career as a monster heel, although he was already a huge star. He was one of about 20 monster heels of the 70's and 80's that was rarely out of work traveling from territory to territory.

Good call Mike Z on the Hogan turn invovlving Baker, I barely rmember that.

I can remember fondly most of his stops into our territory and his fueds with Lawler and Austin Idol. I felt like there was a legit chance the faces could die, with the heart punch and all.

I met Ox in Charlotte, NC, in 2005 and he is about the nicest guy I have ever met in the business. He was really excited that I remembered him and he took almost a half an hour just talking with me. Can't believe anyone would forget Ox with his trademark facial hair.

Re: Forgotten legends78: Ox Baker
 

The only reason I know about Ox Baker is because he showed up to a ROH show a time or two back in 2004 I think.

Re: Forgotten legends78: Ox Baker
 

I remember seeing an interview with him in a wrestling mag when I was a kid. I remember my dad told me that he once beat Hulk Hogan, but he never saw Ox Baker wrestle on TV before. I've always remembered the heart punch and I used to use it on my little brother, too! LOL