Lifespan - 11/17/1935 - 2/15/2008 6'1" 235 lbs. - Charlotte, NC Athletic Background - Stock Car Racing Teacher(s) - Sonny Myers Professional Background - Missouri(`56), Indianapolis(50s), Georgia(`59), Mid-Atlantic(`62-`72), All Japan(`74-`75), Florida(`75), Amarillo(`76), Mid-Atlantic(`78-`84) Aliases - Johnny Ace, The Grappler, Ultimate Assassin Peak Years - `66-`72 Place in History - For the better part of twenty years, the Mid-Atlantic wrestling scene was dominated by one man - Johnny Weaver. In a region without big professional sports teams, pro-wrestling filled that role and its babyfaces were local heroes. Weaver had a several years under his belt when he came to Charlotte in the early 1960s. He was, by most accounts, a natural from early on. He and Sonny Myers as the Weaver Brothers in the Midwest allowed Johnny to develop as a babyface tag wrestler and that would be his primary role throughout his career. In the Carolinas, Weaver partnered with George Becker in a team that was legendary and skyrocketed him into the top face spot in the promotion. In his day, Johnny Weaver was everything the Southern fans wanted - a fiery, athletic good guy in the ring and a mild-mannered family man outside of the ring. Weaver’s long-time relationship with lady wrestler Penny Banner was stormy for sure, but both benefited professionally from the wholesome image they cultivated as a pair. That sort of calculating approach was what made Johnny Weaver not only a successful pro-wrestler, but also a well-respected booker who created riveting stories through pacing, timing and great finishes. Weaver and friends had rivalries with great heel units like Aldo Bogni, Bronko Lubich & Homer O’Dell; Rip Hawk, Swede Hanson & Gary Hart; and the Minnesota Wrecking Crew. Following the death of Jim Crockett, the Mid-Atlantic region began to change and Johnny Weaver ventured out and worked elsewhere. Ultimately, he came back to the Mid-Atlantic and worked out the last leg of his career and even tried his hand at commentating. When he completely left the sport, Weaver became a deputy sheriff and maintained that position until his death in 2008. For a generation of Mid-Atlantic fans, Johnny Weaver was the preeminent pro-wrestling star who took over for George Becker in the late 1960s and carried the promotion for several years before it was moved away from its roots as a tag team territory. |