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Heavenly Bodies (1990s tag team)

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The Heavenly Bodies is a professional wrestling tag team famous for having worked in Smoky Mountain Wrestling , the World Wrestling Federation , and various independent promotions . Over the years, there have been multiple variations of the team, which has at different times included "Doctor" Tom Prichard , "Sweet" Stan Lane , "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton , and "Gigolo" Jimmy Del Ray , and was led by heel manager James E. Cornette .

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41-605: In 1985, Tom Prichard and Pat Rose briefly used the name the Heavenly Bodies while working in the Memphis territory. The team was managed by Sherri Martel . In 1992, Prichard reformed the Heavenly Bodies in Smoky Mountain Wrestling (SMW) with Stan Lane . Managed by Jim Cornette , Prichard and Lane became the first SMW Tag Team Champions . Following his departure from World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Bobby Eaton

82-620: A Texas Tornado death match at a middle school fundraiser in Lebanon, Virginia . According to the pre-match stipulation, the Heavenly Bodies' valet Dawn Renae would have her head shaved if the team failed to win the belts. In 2015, "Desirable Dustin" and "Gigolo Justin" began teaming as the Heavenly Bodies in the Global Force Wrestling promotion. They also wrestled for New Jersey–based promotion, PWS (Pro Wrestling Syndicate), during which time they received permission from Tom Prichard to use

123-505: A Texas Tornado death match at a middle school fundraiser in Lebanon, Virginia . According to the pre-match stipulation, the Heavenly Bodies' valet Dawn Renae would have her head shaved if the team failed to win the belts. In 2015, "Desirable Dustin" and "Gigolo Justin" began teaming as the Heavenly Bodies in the Global Force Wrestling promotion. They also wrestled for New Jersey–based promotion, PWS (Pro Wrestling Syndicate), during which time they received permission from Tom Prichard to use

164-522: A few appearances as a singles wrestler for ECW in the summer of 1997. On November 16, 1998, Prichard became the masked Blue Blazer teaming with Jeff Jarrett losing to Steve Blackman and Goldust on Raw Is War. The next week he lost to Blackman and December 21 both on Raw Is War. The Blue Blazer gimmick was related to Owen Hart storylines and Hart's feud with Blackman. On September 27, 1999, Prichard teamed up with Jeff Jarrett to face against Chyna and Debra on Raw Is War. Prichard hit Chyna with

205-774: A guitar and Jarrett was knocked out cold as Chyna went for the victory. He also occasionally commentated for shows such as WWF Metal and co-hosted Byte This! , the WWF's internet talk show. Prichard was released from WWE in 2004. He went on to wrestle in the United Wrestling Association and in various other independent promotions in the Southeastern United States. He also holds training seminars in conjunction with certain promotions. During this time Prichard also befriended online professional wrestling journalist James Guttman of World Wrestling Insanity and provided

246-721: A heel stable that included Eric Embry and Steve Austin , managed by Tojo Yamamoto . They feuded with the other top babyfaces, including Jeff Jarrett , Bill Dundee , Robert Fuller , and others. While based out of Texas, Prichard won both the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship and the USWA Texas Heavyweight championship before the USWA closed the Texas end of their territory in November 1990. Afterwards, Prichard competed in

287-476: A match allowing Skip to defeat Rad Radford , who had been trying to become a Bodydonna himself. Before this appearance he cut off his long curly brown hair into a dyed blond crew cut, to more resemble his storyline cousin. On the WrestleMania XII pre-show, on March 31, 1996, the team defeated The Godwinns in the finals of an eight team tournament to win the vacant WWF Tag Team Championship . They held

328-579: A very controversial angle, which aired on April 23, 1988, where Anthony's valet came out with a black eye and begged Prichard to help her, only for Anthony to attack him from behind, cuff his hands behind his back and hang him. On October 3, 1988, in Birmingham, Alabama , he defeated Anthony in the finals of a tournament to win the vacant CWF Heavyweight Championship . Prichard lost the title to Wendell Cooley on April 7, 1989, in Knoxville, Tennessee, but regained

369-502: A weekly commentary on the world of pro wrestling entitled Tuesdays with Tom. On August 10, 2006, eight days prior to his 47th birthday, he became the oldest man to win the United Wrestling Association Heavyweight Championship, defeating Dillinger for the title. In January 2007, he was rehired by WWE and replaced Bill DeMott as the head trainer for Deep South Wrestling (DSW). When DSW closed, he

410-521: The NWA World Tag Team Championship three times, and on occasion, "Gigolo" Jimmy Del Ray served as their manager. DeNucci and Nelson were previously the longest reigning NWA World Tag Team champions, but have since been surpassed by America's Most Wanted . The duo occasionally appear on various independent wrestling shows. The team also wrestled in IPW as Drunk and Disorderly; as well as holding

451-401: The NWA World Tag Team Championship three times, and on occasion, "Gigolo" Jimmy Del Ray served as their manager. DeNucci and Nelson were previously the longest reigning NWA World Tag Team champions, but have since been surpassed by America's Most Wanted . The duo occasionally appear on various independent wrestling shows. The team also wrestled in IPW as Drunk and Disorderly; as well as holding

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492-697: The World Wrestling Federation for about a year, before being released in July 1995. Prichard fought in a couple of single matches against Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. They returned to SMW and regained the SMW Tag Team Championship, marking Prichard's eighth title reign, on August 4, 1995, in Knoxville, Tennessee , defeating Tracy Smothers and Dirty White Boy at the Super Bowl of Wrestling. During

533-650: The Americas tag team title with Chris Adams . After LeBell closed the L.A. promotion down in 1982, Prichard competed in various NWA territories for the next four years (including a stint as color commentator in Georgia Championship Wrestling (replacing the departed Roddy Piper) in 1982-83) before settling in the southeast, where he had the greatest success of his career. Prichard joined Continental Championship Wrestling in 1986, and by 1988, he feuded with "The Dirty White Boy" Tony Anthony . Their feud included

574-548: The Heavenly Bodies throughout the Southeastern United States during 2008. They were occasionally accompanied by their valet Dawn Renea. Although short-lived compared to the prior incarnations, they won the tag team titles in the New Frontier Wrestling Association and challenged the tag champions in NWA All-Star Wrestling . In one of their last matches together, they wrestled Iron Cross and Stan Lee in

615-406: The Heavenly Bodies throughout the Southeastern United States during 2008. They were occasionally accompanied by their valet Dawn Renea. Although short-lived compared to the prior incarnations, they won the tag team titles in the New Frontier Wrestling Association and challenged the tag champions in NWA All-Star Wrestling . In one of their last matches together, they wrestled Iron Cross and Stan Lee in

656-544: The Memphis end of the USWA before the opening of Smoky Mountain Wrestling in 1992. Stan Lane and Prichard formed a team as " The Heavenly Bodies " and joined Smoky Mountain Wrestling upon its formation in 1992, and on April 23, 1992, in Harrogate, Tennessee , they defeated The Fantastics to become the first SMW Tag Team Champions . They continued to feud with The Fantastics throughout mid-1992, and were finally defeated for

697-867: The NWA World Tag Team Championships three times, they have also held the IPW Tag Team Championships among others. On April 3, 2010 the New Heavenly Bodies defeated the Dark City Fight Club ( Jon Davis and Kory Chavis ) to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship . On April 16 DeNucci and Nelson lost the titles back to the Dark City Fight Club. Eddie Golden and K. C. Thunder , former rivals in Southern States Wrestling , teamed together as

738-455: The NWA World Tag Team Championships three times, they have also held the IPW Tag Team Championships among others. On April 3, 2010 the New Heavenly Bodies defeated the Dark City Fight Club ( Jon Davis and Kory Chavis ) to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship . On April 16 DeNucci and Nelson lost the titles back to the Dark City Fight Club. Eddie Golden and K. C. Thunder , former rivals in Southern States Wrestling , teamed together as

779-627: The November 1995 closure of SMW, the Heavenly Bodies disbanded. Their last match as a team occurred in ECW on December 9, 1995, losing to The Public Enemy. Prichard joined the WWF as Zip of The Bodydonnas while Del Ray competed on the independent circuit and in WCW as "Jimmy Graffti". Del Ray died of a heart attack on December 6, 2014. A new Heavenly Bodies team began to compete on the independent circuit around 2000. The New Heavenly Bodies , comprising "Vivacious" Vito DeNucci and "Casanova" Chris Nelson captured

820-536: The November 1995 closure of SMW, the Heavenly Bodies disbanded. Their last match as a team occurred in ECW on December 9, 1995, losing to The Public Enemy. Prichard joined the WWF as Zip of The Bodydonnas while Del Ray competed on the independent circuit and in WCW as "Jimmy Graffti". Del Ray died of a heart attack on December 6, 2014. A new Heavenly Bodies team began to compete on the independent circuit around 2000. The New Heavenly Bodies , comprising "Vivacious" Vito DeNucci and "Casanova" Chris Nelson captured

861-702: The Rock 'N Roll Express. The Rock 'N Roll Express regained the titles on February 18, 1994, in Port Huron, Michigan, but lost the titles to the Heavenly Bodies on the following day in Taylor, Michigan. At WrestleMania X the Heavenly Bodies defeated the Bushwhackers in a dark match. The Rock 'N Roll Express defeated the Heavenly Bodies on April 1, 1994, in Pikeville, Kentucky in a " Loser Leaves SMW match ", where they then competed in

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902-583: The WWF allowed the Heavenly Bodies and The Rock 'n' Roll Express to wrestle on the organization's pay-per-view shows. Prichard and Del Ray unsuccessfully challenged for the WWF Tag Team Championship at SummerSlam 1993 but captured the SMW Tag Team Championship against The Rock 'n' Roll Express three months later at Survivor Series 1993 . During their time in the WWF, they wrestled a tour for All Japan Pro Wrestling in May 1994, and returned to SMW in

943-466: The WWF allowed the Heavenly Bodies and The Rock 'n' Roll Express to wrestle on the organization's pay-per-view shows. Prichard and Del Ray unsuccessfully challenged for the WWF Tag Team Championship at SummerSlam 1993 but captured the SMW Tag Team Championship against The Rock 'n' Roll Express three months later at Survivor Series 1993 . During their time in the WWF, they wrestled a tour for All Japan Pro Wrestling in May 1994, and returned to SMW in

984-514: The WWF. Prichard competed under his own name with his Heavenly Bodies attire at the Survivor Series 1995 , wrestling on future tag team partner Skip 's team " The Bodydonnas ." Prichard was the first man eliminated as the Bodydonnas defeated Barry Horowitz 's "Underdogs" team. A month later, Prichard was officially introduced as Zip, Skip's on-screen cousin and tag team partner, interfering in

1025-578: The belt on June 23 of that year. He lost the title to Dennis Condrey a month later on July 22 in Dothan, Alabama , before once again regaining it after defeating Condrey on December 6 of that same year. Prichard held the title until the CWF closed later that month. In 1990, Prichard then moved on to the United States Wrestling Association , first working out of the Texas branch, where he formed

1066-542: The bodies to face the Rock 'n' Roll Express at the SuperBrawl III pay-per-view on February 21, 1993. The Heavenly Bodies lost this match. For a brief time in 1993, Eaton held Smoky Mountain's television championship (the promotion's secondary title) while the Heavenly Bodies were the tag team champions. In May 1993, Lane left the team after losing a loser-of-the-fall leaves town match. The team continued with Lane replaced by Pritchard's "cousin" "Gigolo" Jimmy Del Ray . Over

1107-487: The bodies to face the Rock 'n' Roll Express at the SuperBrawl III pay-per-view on February 21, 1993. The Heavenly Bodies lost this match. For a brief time in 1993, Eaton held Smoky Mountain's television championship (the promotion's secondary title) while the Heavenly Bodies were the tag team champions. In May 1993, Lane left the team after losing a loser-of-the-fall leaves town match. The team continued with Lane replaced by Pritchard's "cousin" "Gigolo" Jimmy Del Ray . Over

1148-592: The feud, The Thugs injured Prichard's leg, and he began wearing a loaded boot, which he used as a weapon to gain victories for him and Del Ray. They held the titles until the promotion folded on November 26, 1995. Also that summer they worked for United States Wrestling Association . They won the USWA Tag Team titles from PG-13 on August 7, 1995. After SMW folded, the Heavenly Bodies briefly wrestled for Extreme Championship Wrestling in December, until Prichard returned to

1189-667: The following year before Lane left the promotion and retired from the ring. Prichard reformed the Heavenly Bodies with Jimmy Del Ray , and the two competed in both SMW and the World Wrestling Federation , wrestling the WWF World tag team champions the Steiner Brothers at SummerSlam 1993 . On November 24, 1993, in Boston on the World Wrestling Federation's pay-per-view Survivor Series 1993 , Prichard and Del Ray defeated

1230-574: The match, Prichard and Rossi announced that this was their final match. Chris Nelson (wrestler) The Heavenly Bodies is a professional wrestling tag team famous for having worked in Smoky Mountain Wrestling , the World Wrestling Federation , and various independent promotions . Over the years, there have been multiple variations of the team, which has at different times included "Doctor" Tom Prichard , "Sweet" Stan Lane , "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton , and "Gigolo" Jimmy Del Ray , and

1271-746: The name the Heavenly Bodies. The PWS owners parted ways and Pat Buck, former co-owner of PWS, started WrestlePro. The Heavenly Bodies won the WrestlePro Tag Team titles on January 7, 2016. Tom Prichard Thomas Prichard (born August 18, 1959) is an American retired professional wrestler and author better known by the ring name Dr. Tom Prichard . He is the older brother of Bruce Prichard . Tom Prichard began his career in Los Angeles, around 1979, working for Gene and Mike LeBell's Los Angeles Olympic Auditorium wrestling promotion, where he held several championships in that organization, including

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1312-504: The next few years, the new duo competed not only in SMW but also in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), and the United States Wrestling Association (USWA). They continued their feud with The Rock 'n' Roll Express in these promotions and began new rivalries with the Steiner Brothers ( Rick and Scott Steiner ), and The Smoking Gunns ( Bart and Billy Gunn ). In July 1993, SMW's working agreement with

1353-457: The next few years, the new duo competed not only in SMW but also in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), and the United States Wrestling Association (USWA). They continued their feud with The Rock 'n' Roll Express in these promotions and began new rivalries with the Steiner Brothers ( Rick and Scott Steiner ), and The Smoking Gunns ( Bart and Billy Gunn ). In July 1993, SMW's working agreement with

1394-558: The summer of 1994 to feud with teams like The Rock 'n' Roll Express, The Thrillseekers ( Chris Jericho and Lance Storm ) and The Gangstas ( New Jack and Mustafa Saed ). In 1995, The Bodies defeated PG-13 ( J. C. Ice and Wolfie D ) to capture the USWA Tag Team Championship . Later in the year, Prichard and Del Ray also competed in ECW, aligning themselves with Raven (see Raven's Nest ) to face off against The Public Enemy ( Rocco Rock and Johnny Grunge ). Following

1435-489: The summer of 1994 to feud with teams like The Rock 'n' Roll Express, The Thrillseekers ( Chris Jericho and Lance Storm ) and The Gangstas ( New Jack and Mustafa Saed ). In 1995, The Bodies defeated PG-13 ( J. C. Ice and Wolfie D ) to capture the USWA Tag Team Championship . Later in the year, Prichard and Del Ray also competed in ECW, aligning themselves with Raven (see Raven's Nest ) to face off against The Public Enemy ( Rocco Rock and Johnny Grunge ). Following

1476-551: The titles on August 8, 1992, in a barbed wire cage match in Johnson City, Tennessee. The Heavenly Bodies regained the titles two days later, holding them for three months before losing to the Rock 'N Roll Express on November 13, 1992, in a hospital elimination match in Harlan, Kentucky . They traded the titles with the Rock 'N Roll Express three times in a variety of hardcore matches over

1517-688: The titles until May 19, 1996, when they were defeated by the Godwinns in Madison Square Garden in New York City. After Skip left the WWF in fall of 1996, Prichard became a masked jobber named Dr.X. Dr. X fought mainly on house shows but made a few TV appearances on Superstars. Dr. X lost to Brakkus at In Your House 12: It's Time . By 1997, he became a trainer for the company, responsible for training such future stars as The Rock , Kurt Angle , and Mark Henry , among others. In addition, Prichard made

1558-546: Was added to the team. Manager Jim Cornette explained that any two of the three men could defend the belts at any given time, as he had registered the Heavenly Bodies with SMW as a 'corporation'. During their tenure in SMW, the Heavenly Bodies had long running feuds with the likes of The New Fantastics ( Bobby Fulton and Jackie Fulton ) and The Rock 'n' Roll Express ( Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson ). Their feuds were often highlighted with hardcore matches and numerous title changes. An agreement between SMW and WCW allowed

1599-544: Was added to the team. Manager Jim Cornette explained that any two of the three men could defend the belts at any given time, as he had registered the Heavenly Bodies with SMW as a 'corporation'. During their tenure in SMW, the Heavenly Bodies had long running feuds with the likes of The New Fantastics ( Bobby Fulton and Jackie Fulton ) and The Rock 'n' Roll Express ( Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson ). Their feuds were often highlighted with hardcore matches and numerous title changes. An agreement between SMW and WCW allowed

1640-481: Was led by heel manager James E. Cornette . In 1985, Tom Prichard and Pat Rose briefly used the name the Heavenly Bodies while working in the Memphis territory. The team was managed by Sherri Martel . In 1992, Prichard reformed the Heavenly Bodies in Smoky Mountain Wrestling (SMW) with Stan Lane . Managed by Jim Cornette , Prichard and Lane became the first SMW Tag Team Champions . Following his departure from World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Bobby Eaton

1681-632: Was moved to WWE's new developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling . On May 30, 2012, Prichard was released from the WWE, being replaced by Bill DeMott as the head trainer. In 2017, Prichard travelled to England to wrestle at the Runcorn Wrestling Academy (RWA), where he teamed up with RWA owner Andreas Rossi (his former OVW trainee), Chris Von Sharpe, and Connor "The Bullet" Stafford in an eight-man tag team match against "Fantastic" Matt Fox, Demoni, Johnathan Alexander, and Mr. Williams. After

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