The hard-hitting history of The Brass Knuckles title

Rob Faint

Throughout wrestling history there have been many titles-US, Intercontinental, Hardcore, Pure-but none have such an interesting history as the brass knuckles title.  The rules of the match were simple: there are none.  2 men enter the ring with their hands taped with brass knuckles underneath.  They battle to the finish.

In some cases, there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the lineage of the championship.  In fact, it appears that the title was awarded by the bookers of the promotion.   The following promotions have had a brass knuckles champion.  I have provided a summary of some of the territories and champions and any other interesting facts.

Florida

Active-1960, 1968-1972, 1975-1976, 1978-1984

Notable Champions-Boris Malenko (8), Killer Karl Kox (2), Eddie Graham (3), Jose Lothario (3)

Notes-several times this title was vacated for unknown reasons.  Also inactive for several years.

Amarillo

Active-1962-1981

Notable Champions- Dory Funk Sr. (7), The Lawman (5), Dick Murdoch (5), Terry Funk (4), Ciclon Negro (4), Dennis Stamp (4)

Notes-Killer Karl Kox and Ciclon Negro also were Florida BK champions.  Several times the championship changed hands without a recorded match.  Several times it was vacated and reactivated. 

Dallas

Active-1953-1982 (renamed WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Championship) 1983-1987

Notable Champions-Bruiser Brody (8), Mark Lewin (7), Killer Karl Krupp (4), Fritz Von Erich (5), Johnny Valentine (5), Bull Curry (23)

Notes- The title has large areas of unrecorded history.  It was also vacated several times for unknown reasons.  Many times, it was unclear who the champion defeated to win the title. 

Mid-Atlantic

Active-1978, 1980, 1984

Notable Champions-Black Bart (2), Ciclon Negro (1), Bobby Duncum (1)

Notes- Ciclon Negro and Bobby Duncum were BK champions in Texas.  This title went inactive for large portions of time. 

Mid-America Southern Championship Wrestling (Tennessee)

Active-1978-1982

Notable Champions-Don Fargo (4 times), Gypsy Joe (3)

Notes-several times there is no location or day of title changes.

Tri-State

Active-1970-1981

Notable Champions-Bill Watts (3), Killer Karl Kox (1), Dick Murdoch (1), Bob Sweetan (2)

Notes- Killer Karl Kox and Dick Murdoch were BK champions in other areas.  Many times, the date and location of title changes are unknown. 

World Championship Wrestling (Australia)

Active-1974-78

Notable Champions-Ron Miller (4), Killer Karl Kox (1), King Curtis (2), Brute Benard (2), Bruiser Brody (1), Ciclon Negro (2)

Notes-Several times the location of the title change is unknown.  Bruiser Brody and Ciclon Negro have been BK champions in other areas. 

The Brass Knuckles title was another way for the promoters to get fans through the turnstiles and at the same time promote pro wrestlers as some of the toughest athletes around.  Their lack of consistency or the fans’ apathy caused the titles to fade into obscurity.

Rob Faint is a long time fan of wrestling.  He greatly misses the territory days.  It’s “still real to me, dammit!” 

 He was born in Brooklyn, NY but now lives in NJ. He loves ECW, the Crockett years, World Class and especially Georgia Championship Wrestling.