Eddie Sharkey

Eddie Sharkey is an American professional wrestling trainer.

Often called "The Trainer of Champions", Sharkey has been instrumental in training some of the biggest names in the industry, including the Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal), "Ravishing" Rick Rude, Tom Zenk, Bob Backlund, Jerry Lynn, Sean Waltman, Nord the Barbarian, Barry "Demolition Smash" Darsow, Rick Steiner, Scott Steiner, Madusa, Jesse "The Body" Ventura, and Austin Aries. "A couple of years ago, I tried to sit down and count 'em all, but I couldn't," Sharkey said when interviewed by Minneapolis-based "City Pages". "There's been so many. I'm pretty sure I've had more world champions than anyone else."

Early life

Growing up in south Minneapolis, Eddie Sharkey was a huge wrestling fan. His father, Tom Shyman, was a first-generation immigrant from Poland who worked in the liquor-display business. Eddie Shyman didn't become "Eddie Sharkey" until he began his professional wrestling career.

Eddie took up boxing in his teens.

In the late 1950s, he joined the carnival circuit as a wrestler. Sharkey was trained by Boris Malenko, Bob Geigel, and Joe Scarpello.

Career

AWA years

Eddie made his American Wrestling Association debut in Fargo, North Dakota in 1961 where he was a fairly successful babyface. He had memorable feuds with Danny Hodge, Bob Boyer, and Jack Donovan. Sharkey left the AWA over a disagreement with promoter Verne Gagne.

Family life

Eddie Sharkey married Maryland professional wrestler Princess Little Cloud (Dixie Jordan). When Dixie gave birth to their children, Eddie left the wrestling profession for eight years to spend more time at home. He took a job as a bartender at Grandma B's in the Twin Cities.

Pro Wrestling America

While working at Grandma B's, Eddie recognized the future that four of the bouncers (Hawk, Animal, Rick Rude, and Barry Darsow) could have in wrestling. Sharkey opened his own professional wrestling promotion, Pro Wrestling America, in 1982 and trained the men himself.

After several years of training and showcasing some of the best wrestlers of the 1980s, including epic feuds between Jerry Lynn & The Lightning Kid (Sean Waltman), and The Hater & The Punisher, Sharkey's involvement in the independent scene waned.

He went on to form Midwest Pro Wrestling, as well as joining up with another trainer by the name of Terry Fox to open yet another wrestling school.

Recent news

In June 2006, Sharkey was presented with the Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award at the Cauliflower Alley Club Convention. Eddie is currently engaged to be married.

Wrestlers trained by Eddie Sharkey

Championships and accomplishments

*National Wrestling Alliance:*NWA United States Heavyweight Championship "(Central States version)" (1 time) (Last)

External links

* [http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Arena/9893/sharkey1.htm Official Website]