Alfred Hayes

Alfred George James Hayes (August 8, 1928 – July 21, 2005) was an English professional wrestler, manager and commentator, best known for his appearances in the United States with the World Wrestling Federation between 1982 and 1995. Hayes was distinguished by his "Masterpiece Theatre diction" and "Oxford accent".^[1][2]

Professional wrestling career

Born in London, Hayes attended Luton Grammar School. He attained a black belt in judo before training as a wrestler under Sir Atholl Oakley, Bt.^[1] Wrestling as "Judo" Al Hayes, he appeared on the British circuit from the late 1950s to the late 1970s, when he left the United Kingdom and travelled to the United States.^[2] He was a face who battled all of the heavyweight heels of his time, and held the Southern Area Heavyweight Championship for a number of years. He traded heavily on his judo background, and specialised with judo chops and nerve holds. Upon his return from America he turned heel, having inherited the dreaded "American style", and fought his way through most of his former tag partners. His most famous period was when he fought for Paul Lincoln promotions as The White Angel, with a massive feud against Dr Death. Death eventually won, and unmasked Hayes.^[1]

World Wrestling Federation (1982-1995)

Hayes joined the World Wrestling Federation in 1982.^[2] He was a sidekick to Vince McMahon on Tuesday Night Titans, a WWF-style talk show from 1984 to 1986. Hayes became familiar to WWF viewers as a light-spoken Englishman with an uproarious laugh. On TNT, Hayes usually was the victim of several slapsticks; some instances included getting a face-full of powder, being slopped with pumpkin-innards by "Captain" Lou Albano, vomiting on one of Hulk Hogan's diet shakes, being nearly bitten by one of Hillbilly Jim's goats, and getting slapped in the face by "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. He would later become the introductory announcer on Prime Time Wrestling, on which he would give rousing and complimentary introductions to the face hosts and slightly less flattering but coolly worded intros to Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. He was once "taken hostage" from the show by Sgt. Slaughter and his "Iraqi" allies.

Hayes appeared at WrestleMania in 1985 where he was kissed by The Fabulous Moolah. At WrestleMania 2, he served as commentator alongside Jesse "The Body" Ventura and Elvira for the Los Angeles portion of the event. For the Coliseum Video release of WrestleMania III, Hayes briefly appeared alongside Gorilla Monsoon hyping the event. As the WWF's video library began to expand, Hayes became a mainstay in many of the releases; such as "Etiquette With Lord Alfred Hayes", a short segment on the WWF World Tour 1991 tape, where he attempted to teach table manners to Sensational Sherri and The Brooklyn Brawler. He later appeared on the video releases of WrestleMania VII, WrestleMania VIII, and Royal Rumble 1993. He also appeared on some early episodes of Monday Night RAW.

As a commentator, Hayes maintained his reserved mannerisms; though not specifically a heel, he would be quicker to give praise to heelish characters, though disapproving of underhanded methods (in one match, after being told by Gorilla Monsoon that the Hart Foundation had "broken every rule in the book," he replied with a conceding "yes, they've done that."). It was during this time that his hearty uproarious laugh would become his trademark. Normally bursting into laughter after a witty comment by his regular broadcast partner Gorilla Monsoon. He would quietly absorb criticism and insults from heel commentators such as Heenan and The Honky Tonk Man. However during the end of his WWF run he quietly shifted to a more heelish style. Where he would be quicker to take the sides of heels (such as Owen Hart after he turned on Bret) and quicker to insult the faces (calling Paul Bearer a "little toad".) He would later appear as a full on heel commentator along side Mick Karch, calling the action in 1996 for the short-lived AWF (American Wrestling Federation).

Retirement and death

He ultimately retired from the WWF in 1995, after he was in a car accident. As a result of the accident he suffered gangrene and part of his leg had to be amputated. Hayes was a wheelchair user for the remainder of his life. He eventually suffered a series of strokes and died on July 21, 2005 at his home in Texas. On the following episode of WWE Monday Night RAW, the WWE paid tribute to Hayes with a ten-bell salute and a video memorial.^[2]

In wrestling

• Finishing moves
  • London Bridge (Bridging Indian deathlock)

• Managers
  • Bobby Heenan^[3]

• Wrestlers managed by Hayes
  • Chris Markoff^[2]
  • The Masked Superstar^[2]
  • Billy Robinson^[2]
  • Super Destroyer^[2]
  • Super Destroyer Mark II^[2]
  • Nikolai Volkoff^[2]

Championships and accomplishments

• Big Time Wrestling
  • NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Big O

• British Championships
  • World Mid-Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

• Central States Wrestling
  • NWA World Tag Team Championship (Central States version) (2 times) - with Bob Brown (1) and Roger Kirby (1)

• Eastern Sports Association
  • ESA International Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Mike Dubois

• NWA Western States Sports
  • NWA Western States Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
  • NWA Western States Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Ricki Starr (1) and Nick Kozak (1)

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (1972)^[4]

References

External links

Professional wrestling portal

• Alfred Hayes at the Internet Movie Database
• Alfred Hayes (wrestler) at Find a Grave