On February 20, 1975, Hart, along with Austin Idol and Bobby Shane, were passengers on a Cessna 182 flown by wrestler Buddy Colt, which crashed into Tampa Bay in Florida, killing Shane. Hart was thrown from the plane and had suffered serious injuries (broken arm, wrist, knee, back, sternum, collarbone and vertebrae; right eye knocked loose; a partially severed nose; head trauma). Despite this, he managed to locate Idol and swim him to shore, then swim back and rescue Colt. However, swimming out a third time, Hart was unable to find Shane; reportedly he was plagued by the memory and for decades wondered whether he had done everything he could.
He apparently beat himself up over Gino Hernandez' death as well wondering if he could have done more to get him back on the right path away from the vices that were destroying him. I think he was way too hard on himself. By all accounts he seemed like a stand up guy with a good heart.
I grew up in a predominately African-American community watching Gary Hart on World Class reruns that aired on ESPN every weekday afternoon and I, as well as my Black friends, was absolutely sure Gary Hart was a brother lol
(Finally) and episode on one of the most underrated personalities on Pro-Wrestling=Gary Hart. This man was such a Good Manager too, he managed a Great Tag team in Chris Adams and Geno Hernandez.
ALSO THE VIDEO SAYS IT WAS UPLOADED 30 MIN AGO AND THAT YOUR COMMENT WAS POSTED 40 MINUTES AGO. IF THAT'S NOT PROOF THIS A CORNETTE ALT NOTHING EVER WILL
I, myself, being in a wheelchair, can't believe Gary Hart could stand let alone walk, hearing how many injuries he had as a result of that plane crash that Bobby Shane died in, also the future Austin Idol was in as well.
I thought Gary Hart was black as well until 2010. He was alright with me running the J-Tex Corporation, with Muta, Funk, Sawyer, and the Dragon Master. Completely an afterthought when Sting was kicked out of the Horsemen.
Teddy Long told a great story about Gary. He had gotten tired of Ric Flair constantly F'ing with Teddy by calling him the hard N Word, so he gave Teddy a knife,which he still has to this day & told him "Brotha they need to stop f__in' & they will"
Hart grew up in the North and went to school with Blacks. Later when he came to the South he was really disgusted with the amount of segregation he saw.
Teddy Long might not be a shooter, but he was/is in excellent shape. Not a manager most men could push around if he decided to stand his ground. Not too much different than Hart in that respect. But Long is more of a people pleaser, it would have taken a little more for him to cut Flair.
I'll stick with Hart being part Black and part Asian. Before the Freebirds arrived in Texas, he kept wccw alive managing Bundy, Kabuki, the Magic Dragon, and Bill Irwin as the top heels.
Gary always reminded me of Mr Addams from the Addams family .. not the tv show the cartoon. Loved his book. What a look into booking. And we never knew. We just watched what he put out.
Gary was my favorite manager of all time to watch. Not necessarily the best, but my favorite. He had the unique dynamic in that unlike other managers Gary wasn't a pussy, but he was a coward nonetheless. And he knew how to get his talent over, how to play to their strengths and eventually the babyface would exploit their weaknesses. This made his guys look like legitimate threats to the Von Erich's despite the fact that it was just another heel that was being brought forth by Gary that would lose the war to the Von Erich's. As a booker he didn't have success everywhere he went. All Star in Texas was a failure. But he was more successful than he was a failure. I remember him getting knocked for pushing the Von Erich's so much, but they drew ridiculous money. It would be like arguing that Phil Jackson allowed Michael Jordan to be the star of the Bulls too much. But his great asset as a booker was that he was excellent at putting the faces in real peril. That gave the fans doubt as to how the faces where going to get out of this one. The problem he had in Dallas was that Fritz would get involved and Fritz wasn't going to put anybody over but himself. I can't imagine Gary wanting to book it that way, but that is what he was saddled with.
Gary Hart had one of those Vin Diesel things going: "Is he Black??! Is he Italian??!" Nobody knew! I STILL don't know. He could've easily been trying to pass for White all those years. Nobody would tell him otherwise either... Gary would cut you up!
Gary Hart is on my list of the 10 greatest managers in wrestling history, along with Bobby Heenan, Cornette, The Grand Wizard, Lou Albano, Wild Red Berry, Paul Heyman, Jimmy Hart, Bobby Davis, and Paul Bearer (strictly on the basis of his uniqueness - wrestling never had a manager like Paul/Percy before and likely never will again). Among managers, those men are your GOATS.
@@jefferyanderson6573 I thought about him but he was mostly known for managing the Four Horsemen. He managed some other guys like the Mongolian Stomper, but the short answer is I wanted a ten best list and someone had to get left off. I like him though.
Gary Hart is the greatest manager who never worked for the wwf during his career. The reason why is Gary was very serious and wouldn't have fit in with Vince's more cartoon presentation. Gary was perfect for the southern territories more serious, realistic presentation. He did his best work in Florida, Georgia, and WCCW.
Vince wanted Gary in the 1984 expansion and apparently Gary showed up to MSG, at Vince’s request, but a prior issue with Chief Jay Strongbow put the kaybosh on him joining the WWF.
Remember hearing the name Gary hurt but always thought it was just Jimmy hurt in a different territory. Don't remember ever actually seen Gary or recognizing him as such when I was watching in the '80s. Has there been any more used name for unrelated wrestling personalities then Hart? You have Stu his clan then Jimmy and Gary and I think that was at least one other person or group that wasn't related to any of those.
Kevin Sullivan's bizarre protege the late great Miss Luna Vachon Managed a mysterious early Nineties Tag Team in Theatrical Masks called The Blackharts for various Midwest Indies.🤔😱💃🎭🤼♀️🤼♂️B.W.
Gary Hart…. Just like Brian. I thought he was black. What a surprise when I found out he was white….. Gary and the dream was some of the blackest Whiteman I’ve ever seen … and I always thought it was so cool 💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💯💯💯💯💯❤️❤️❤️❤️
Gary Hart was legitimately scary sounding and intimidating, always managed nut cases. Remember him pulling out a coat hanger to choke Dusty Rhodes, seemed completely legitimate. RIP.
Gary Hart was a special kind of Evil! He would just speak and gave you that look, like you knew this guy was not to be trusted! And he always promoted and represented the villains from far away lands and the unique talents that threatened the champions. We dont have that today!
Missing link attacked Gary from behind and the people in the room let it happen and didn't try to help Gary like they knew ot was gotti happen. He kade a mistake because when Gary got his blade out that was it. You didn't fuck woth Gary Hart putting your hands on him. He slapped Paul Bosch right in the face for being disrespected on a pay off. Gary didn't take any shit.
Jimmy Valiant beat your man Kabuki Hey Hey that's like saying America won in Vietnam..One battle doesn't mean nothing..Yes Valiant you got the 3 count but you had pain Kabuki had no pain. Kabuki walked out and you crawled out among the people brother
Gary Hart was a solid booker. But look at WCCW in 1982 when Gary was booker. Then look at WCCW in 1983 with Ken Mantell as booker. 1983 was the biggest year in the history of WCCW. I think Gary was a great talker. But he rarely helped his wrestlers cheat. And at ringside he did very little.
Lapsed Gary Woke up this mornjng, took a big shit, toasted a bagel, IM GOING TO R-A-S-S-L-I-N BTW if anyone can let me know what episode of the lapsed fans podcast from the lamentable tragedy of wccw has the r a s s l I n bit I'd be mighty appreciative.
I always thought he was black as well. I think he played to that a bit. Didn't he run a promotion, briefly, called Urban Wrestling or something? Not the shit one that ran PPV's a decade ago that no one watched. But, like, a more ethnic leaning wrestling show in the mid 1990's? Or, am I having a stroke? If I indeed had a stroke, could I go out and scream "I LIKE FRACKING BECAUSE I LIKE FRACKING!" like a Jackovasaurus and get half the people in PA to vote for me?
Gary Hart's book is an amazing insight into the territory days and also really explains what booking really is. He also shits all over Memphis wrestling and the Jarretts that Jim loves which is hilarious, they really were the prototype for sports entertainment garbage
On February 20, 1975, Hart, along with Austin Idol and Bobby Shane, were passengers on a Cessna 182 flown by wrestler Buddy Colt, which crashed into Tampa Bay in Florida, killing Shane. Hart was thrown from the plane and had suffered serious injuries (broken arm, wrist, knee, back, sternum, collarbone and vertebrae; right eye knocked loose; a partially severed nose; head trauma). Despite this, he managed to locate Idol and swim him to shore, then swim back and rescue Colt. However, swimming out a third time, Hart was unable to find Shane; reportedly he was plagued by the memory and for decades wondered whether he had done everything he could.
Ric Flair’s plane crash was later in ‘75.
I live in Tampa. First I've heard of this. Thanks for sharing.
You can copy/paste articles the same as we all cam
He apparently beat himself up over Gino Hernandez' death as well wondering if he could have done more to get him back on the right path away from the vices that were destroying him. I think he was way too hard on himself. By all accounts he seemed like a stand up guy with a good heart.
@@theophrastusbombastus1359 difference is he was informative and it was an interesting post.
Yours was useless.
Gary Hart had one of the best minds in the history of the business. Tremendous booker. Underrated manager.
He's a national treasure.
I loved him in WCCW, him managing The Great Kabuki & Abdullah The Butcher was legendary.
Gary Hart is criminally underrated
I grew up in a predominately African-American community watching Gary Hart on World Class reruns that aired on ESPN every weekday afternoon and I, as well as my Black friends, was absolutely sure Gary Hart was a brother lol
I did as well. Gary Hart always had soul and swagger when he spoke.
@@kaioh187but that was put on (badly). Great guy, good booker, bad promos
Gary Hart is one of the very few people to shut Rowdy Roddy Piper up!! He must have been great at promos to do that.
@@djdarq6311Bad promo's? What Gary Hart were you watching, he must have done something right.
New Jack was right on another video when he said he was 100% sure that Gary Hart messed with some African-American sistas!! 💯
Gary Hart and Kabuki scared me every Saturday evening at 6:05 on WTBS
Gary Hart was one of the few managers who might be a threat if he stepped in. He looked tough.
He was tough. Carried a straight razor and a pistol everywhere he went
@@greenbeans9388 Yes, I heard that as well. He was not a person that put up with bs.
Gary was gold in the 70's in the south,my favorite manager ever
(Finally) and episode on one of the most underrated personalities on Pro-Wrestling=Gary Hart. This man was such a Good Manager too, he managed a Great Tag team in Chris Adams and Geno Hernandez.
Gary Hart is extremely underrated. I think Gary Hart is a top 10 manager and booker of all-time.
Agree, definitely top 10 manager and possibly booker
He was great managing Abdullah and Kabuki in World Class and later Chris and Gino as a tag team and had a good run with one man gang.
Gary Hart had the sock full of nickels....one of the greatest mangers ever.
And a knife just in case
ALSO THE VIDEO SAYS IT WAS UPLOADED 30 MIN AGO AND THAT YOUR COMMENT WAS POSTED 40 MINUTES AGO. IF THAT'S NOT PROOF THIS A CORNETTE ALT NOTHING EVER WILL
@@alsc7211 Im tapped in. Clairvoyant of sorts!
@@thegarygnushow7921 lol I'll allow this answer
@@alsc7211 it’s proof Jim has a Patreon page.
Now we’re going to need that Missing Link story about the carpet matching the drapes.
Gary Hart was an amazing booker.
I, myself, being in a wheelchair, can't believe Gary Hart could stand let alone walk, hearing how many injuries he had as a result of that plane crash that Bobby Shane died in, also the future Austin Idol was in as well.
I heard Idol tell that story...my imagination was working well with his telling of the story, and it seemed a living nightmare...
@@stinkypinkeee5085 Oh man that sounded horriffic. I wouldn't wish that on even an enemy.
I thought Gary Hart was black as well until 2010. He was alright with me running the J-Tex Corporation, with Muta, Funk, Sawyer, and the Dragon Master. Completely an afterthought when Sting was kicked out of the Horsemen.
Every time I hear about Kabuki I think of Harley Race bounty promo.
".....KABUKI!!!"
SOMEBODY TAKE THE DAMN MONEY!!!
Teddy Long told a great story about Gary. He had gotten tired of Ric Flair constantly F'ing with Teddy by calling him the hard N Word, so he gave Teddy a knife,which he still has to this day & told him "Brotha they need to stop f__in' & they will"
Hart grew up in the North and went to school with Blacks. Later when he came to the South he was really disgusted with the amount of segregation he saw.
Teddy Long might not be a shooter, but he was/is in excellent shape. Not a manager most men could push around if he decided to stand his ground. Not too much different than Hart in that respect. But Long is more of a people pleaser, it would have taken a little more for him to cut Flair.
After reading Gary's book, I had a new idol.
Fingers crossed Gary Hart get his Darkside episode. A story worth telling.
Gary did a great job in Dallas. He was a great heel manger. Just looked evil! Kabuki, Missing Link. I thought he was black too and so cool.
I learned hatred towards my fellow man because of Gary Hart!
Using the WCCW theme music was certainly VERY appropriate when discussing Gary Hart. #whateverthefuck
I'll stick with Hart being part Black and part Asian.
Before the Freebirds arrived in Texas, he kept wccw alive managing Bundy, Kabuki, the Magic Dragon, and Bill Irwin as the top heels.
That entrance music for wccw was awesome
Gary always reminded me of Mr Addams from the Addams family .. not the tv show the cartoon. Loved his book. What a look into booking. And we never knew. We just watched what he put out.
I say hmm. The only ones I knew were from Halsted St. Were the Legion of Doom
Chasing Gary off with a stingy cheque was the worst mistake WCCW made.
I thought Gary was black for so many years, he was pretty dark complected.
He just tanned easily
Me too.
Gary Hart, I feel, is so underrated as a manager, booker, and on air talent.
Gary Hart vs. Jimmy Snuka in a “brudda”-off
Gary was my favorite manager of all time to watch. Not necessarily the best, but my favorite. He had the unique dynamic in that unlike other managers Gary wasn't a pussy, but he was a coward nonetheless. And he knew how to get his talent over, how to play to their strengths and eventually the babyface would exploit their weaknesses. This made his guys look like legitimate threats to the Von Erich's despite the fact that it was just another heel that was being brought forth by Gary that would lose the war to the Von Erich's.
As a booker he didn't have success everywhere he went. All Star in Texas was a failure. But he was more successful than he was a failure. I remember him getting knocked for pushing the Von Erich's so much, but they drew ridiculous money. It would be like arguing that Phil Jackson allowed Michael Jordan to be the star of the Bulls too much.
But his great asset as a booker was that he was excellent at putting the faces in real peril. That gave the fans doubt as to how the faces where going to get out of this one. The problem he had in Dallas was that Fritz would get involved and Fritz wasn't going to put anybody over but himself. I can't imagine Gary wanting to book it that way, but that is what he was saddled with.
Possibly THEE greatest booker/manger and in some cases FRIEND to many in the industry
Gary was good guy, worked a few events with him in same locker rooms, great conversations
I am a black man and i am with Brian,i thought he was black or at least half black back in the day.
A lot of people did.
He was before my time that’s why I enjoy these segments
Gary Hart had one of those Vin Diesel things going: "Is he Black??! Is he Italian??!" Nobody knew! I STILL don't know. He could've easily been trying to pass for White all those years. Nobody would tell him otherwise either... Gary would cut you up!
Gary was the best heel manager back then. Easy not to like.
Gary Hart is on my list of the 10 greatest managers in wrestling history, along with Bobby Heenan, Cornette, The Grand Wizard, Lou Albano, Wild Red Berry, Paul Heyman, Jimmy Hart, Bobby Davis, and Paul Bearer (strictly on the basis of his uniqueness - wrestling never had a manager like Paul/Percy before and likely never will again). Among managers, those men are your GOATS.
The Wiz...an out of sight mind for an out of sight body!
JJ Dillon.
@@jefferyanderson6573 I thought about him but he was mostly known for managing the Four Horsemen. He managed some other guys like the Mongolian Stomper, but the short answer is I wanted a ten best list and someone had to get left off. I like him though.
Gary Hart's book is pristine
Gotta love Cornys Chicago accent
Great manager and better human being
Actually, Gary broke into the business pre-Amphitheater. He wrestled his first matches at the Marigold.
Corngold content here, Guys!! Love ir
You want some corn, Brotha? 😁
I would love to get his book , but it sells for 300
Google the PDF version
Gary Hart is the greatest manager who never worked for the wwf during his career. The reason why is Gary was very serious and wouldn't have fit in with Vince's more cartoon presentation. Gary was perfect for the southern territories more serious, realistic presentation. He did his best work in Florida, Georgia, and WCCW.
Vince wanted Gary in the 1984 expansion and apparently Gary showed up to MSG, at Vince’s request, but a prior issue with Chief Jay Strongbow put the kaybosh on him joining the WWF.
wtf? I had to rewind the Missing Link story lol.
Gary Hart managed The Spoiler in Australia in the early 1970s.
Totally new segment
Not sure how close he was with Fritz but he did respect him
They were tied because of wrestling, they fought and argued a lot. They were not close just worked together there was a respect that's it.
Halsted is beautiful. Very nice. Lots of people saying it.
When I was younger, I thought he was Asian.
If Gary Hart was alive and backstage during that Omega, Bucks and Punk incident, guaranteed, someone would've gotten stabbed!
🤣😂
Absolutely!!!
Remember hearing the name Gary hurt but always thought it was just Jimmy hurt in a different territory. Don't remember ever actually seen Gary or recognizing him as such when I was watching in the '80s.
Has there been any more used name for unrelated wrestling personalities then Hart? You have Stu his clan then Jimmy and Gary and I think that was at least one other person or group that wasn't related to any of those.
Kevin Sullivan's bizarre protege the late great Miss Luna Vachon Managed a mysterious early Nineties Tag Team in Theatrical Masks called The Blackharts for various Midwest Indies.🤔😱💃🎭🤼♀️🤼♂️B.W.
Gary Hart…. Just like Brian. I thought he was black. What a surprise when I found out he was white….. Gary and the dream was some of the blackest Whiteman I’ve ever seen … and I always thought it was so cool 💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💯💯💯💯💯❤️❤️❤️❤️
gary
Gary Hart was legitimately scary sounding and intimidating, always managed nut cases. Remember him pulling out a coat hanger to choke Dusty Rhodes, seemed completely legitimate. RIP.
I'm gonna pull that mask off and prove it's Bruisssaaahh Brody
Gary Hart was a special kind of Evil! He would just speak and gave you that look, like you knew this guy was not to be trusted! And he always promoted and represented the villains from far away lands and the unique talents that threatened the champions.
We dont have that today!
HUMPERDINK MENTION! Please let's talk more about THE LATE GREAT SIR OLIVER HUMPERDINK!
Did I miss it or has Jim not brought up Kevin Nash's son dying?
Missing link attacked Gary from behind and the people in the room let it happen and didn't try to help Gary like they knew ot was gotti happen. He kade a mistake because when Gary got his blade out that was it. You didn't fuck woth Gary Hart putting your hands on him. He slapped Paul Bosch right in the face for being disrespected on a pay off. Gary didn't take any shit.
A babyface Muta would have watered down Sting imo. They were natural rivals.
He wasn't going to be there long no matter what. Might as well get as much money out of him as possible while he was there.
@@natebaxter9551 it worked out for him. The Herd regime would have had him as one of The Dudes With Attitude.
@@natebaxter9551 he would have stayed longer if Herd hadn't messed up his push.
Now Sting vs Myra will happen in the Tokyo Dome next year in 2023
@@gregorylevi1826 not really. He was on excursion, not a free agent. NJPW was always going to want him back.
Jimmy Valiant beat your man Kabuki
Hey Hey that's like saying America won in Vietnam..One battle doesn't mean nothing..Yes Valiant you got the 3 count but you had pain Kabuki had no pain. Kabuki walked out and you crawled out among the people brother
Gary Hart was a solid booker. But look at WCCW in 1982 when Gary was booker. Then look at WCCW in 1983 with Ken Mantell as booker. 1983 was the biggest year in the history of WCCW. I think Gary was a great talker. But he rarely helped his wrestlers cheat. And at ringside he did very little.
Lapsed Gary
Woke up this mornjng, took a big shit, toasted a bagel, IM GOING TO R-A-S-S-L-I-N
BTW if anyone can let me know what episode of the lapsed fans podcast from the lamentable tragedy of wccw has the r a s s l I n bit I'd be mighty appreciative.
I always thought he was black as well. I think he played to that a bit. Didn't he run a promotion, briefly, called Urban Wrestling or something? Not the shit one that ran PPV's a decade ago that no one watched. But, like, a more ethnic leaning wrestling show in the mid 1990's? Or, am I having a stroke? If I indeed had a stroke, could I go out and scream "I LIKE FRACKING BECAUSE I LIKE FRACKING!" like a Jackovasaurus and get half the people in PA to vote for me?
Of all things He became a Face Manager in the repackaged World Class called Global in Dallas during The Early Nineties.🤔😉🎤🐴🤼♀️🤼♂️B.W.
Wait…Gary Hart wasn’t black?
Beep beep beep beep beep
And Corny says there's no competition, yea okay, he knows Gary Hart had more impact on the business than him....
Corny was better and had a much bigger impact long term.
Clearly you do not know your history.
@@bluefukingreene
Clearly you don't know much about Gary Hart
Gary Hart created more stars than Corny managed, puñal...
Gary Hart's book is an amazing insight into the territory days and also really explains what booking really is. He also shits all over Memphis wrestling and the Jarretts that Jim loves which is hilarious, they really were the prototype for sports entertainment garbage
Vince loved that Memphis stuff.
@@natebaxter9551 And made more money than anybody because that's what sells.
All professional wrestling is sports entertainment including everything Gary Hart ever did
Gary Hart was definitely carrying a bit of West African blood. He was passing
I always thought he had Asian in him...more likely...
@@stinkypinkeee5085 I've never seen an Asian look sound and act like Suge Knight before there was a Suge Knight 🤷🏽♂️
Beep beep beep beep beep