Michael Jones (November 7, 1954 – August 8, 2022) was an American professional wrestler known as Mike Masters who worked in the World Wrestling Federation, Pacific Northwest Wrestling, National Wrestling Alliance and Japan in the 1980s. Later in his career, he worked in various independent promotions in New Jersey.
| Mike Masters | |
|---|---|
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| Birth name | Michael Jones |
| Born | November 7, 1954 Kearny, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | August 8, 2022 (aged 67)[1] |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Mike Masters Mike Jones Rocky Jones[2] |
| Billed height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Billed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Trained by | Johnny Rodz |
| Debut | 1978 |
| Retired | 2021 |
Professional wrestling career
editJones made his professional wrestling debut in 1978 in the World Wide Wrestling Federation after being trained by Johnny Rodz.[3] In 1979, the World Wide Wrestling Federation changed its name to World Wrestling Federation. He worked with the company as a jobber until 1980.[4][5]
After leaving the WWF, Masters would make his first tour to Japan for New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1981. Later that year he made his debut in Portland, Oregon for Pacific Northwest Wrestling.
In 1982, he returned to the WWF. Then in 1983 he returned to Japan for All Japan Pro Wrestling as Rocky Jones. From 1984 to 1988, he worked in Georgia, Minnesota, and Vancouver.
Later in his career, he worked in the independent circuit in New Jersey most notably East Coast Pro Wrestling where he was their heavyweight champion two times.
Masters wrestled his final match on November 12, 2021, for East Coast Pro Wrestling in tag team where his team won in Franklin, New Jersey.
Death
editJones died on August 8, 2022, from throat cancer. He was 67.[6][7]
Jones appeared posthumously in the Tales from the Territories episode on Pacific Northwest Wrestling on November 7, 2022. At the end of the show a tribute is dedicated to Jones.[8]
Championships and accomplishments
edit- NWA Hollywood Wrestling/Worldwide Wrestling Associates
- East Coast Pro Wrestling
- ECPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[10]
- Windy City Pro Wrestling
References
edit- ^ Saalbach, Axel. "Wrestlingdata.com – The World's Largest Wrestling Database". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- ^ "Mike Masters: Profile". CageMatch.
- ^ "1978". Thehistoryofwwe.com. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ "1979". Thehistoryofwwe.com. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ "1980". Thehistoryofwwe.com. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ Oliver, Greg (August 8, 2022). "Mike Masters/Rocky Jones dead at 68". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ Mike Johnson (August 8, 2022). "Former WWF, Portland Star Mike "Rocky" Jones AKA Mike Masters Passes Away". PWInsider.com. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ Leighty, Robert Jr. (November 16, 2022). "411s Tales from the Territories Episode 7 Report: "Portland: Where Wrestling Got Weird"". News. 411mania.com. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ "N.W.A. Americas Heavyweight Title". Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
- ^ "Title Histories". East Coast Pro Wrestling. Retrieved August 10, 2015.