Vital Statistics[]
Wrestler Name: Hank Marshall
Real Name: Henry Randall Marshall Jr.
Birthday: March 2, 1962
Death Date: June 17, 1981 (San Francisco)
Hometown: Iuka, MS
Billed From: Los Angeles
Marital Status: Single
Alignment: Tweener/Heel
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 265
Theme Music: "Rhinestone Cowboy” by Glen Campbell
Debut: August 2, 1979
Debut Opp: Grappler
Last Match: January 30, 1981
Last Opp: Terry 'Thunder' Thorson
PriDistrict: MidAmerica
Style: Technician
Finishing Move: Hankerin' (double underhook backbreaker)
Favorite Moves:
Weapon: chair
Notable Feuds: L.A. Underground
Image: Tom Zenk
Personal History[]
Hank and Garrett Marshall were born to Henry and Carla (Schmidt) Marshall on March 2, 1962, in Decatur, AL. The family moved to Iuka, MS. Henry worked security at the Yellow Creek Nuclear Power Plant after it became operational in 1978. Carla worked at Iuka Hospital as a pediatric nurse.
Hank wasn't thrilled with the move and started to rebel. He got into fights at school. Tishomingo County High School principal Thomas Kreiter was almost to the point of kicking him out of school. Henry and Carla met with Kreiter about what they could do for their son. Kreiter, whose daughter was then dating Andrew Adams, suggested a "healthier extension for his anger." He spoke with Arnold Adams and they agreed to give Hank a shot in the ring. Hank had his tryout match on May 15, 1979, against A.J. Adams. Arnold said Hank wasn't quite ready, but with some help he would be by his senior year of high school. Hank's brother Garrett helped him get ready for the ring. As a reward, Arnold gave Garrett a contract as well.
On August 2, 1979, Hank faced off against the Grappler in his first official match in the MVW. He and his brother would continue to wrestle primarily as a tag team until January 30, 1981. Hank had been contacted by the West Coast Wrestling Federation to come wrestle for them. On January 30, 1981, he lost the Arkansas State Heavyweight Title to Terry 'Thunder' Thorson. Hank left Garrett in the dark over the new contract. Garrett found out when the rest of the MVW found out.
Hank won the WCWF Heavyweight Title in May 1981, but he died of a congestive heart failure on June 17, 1981. The WCWF folded three months later due to financial concerns. The family was devestated by the loss. When Henry Sr. heard about it, he almost immediately had a heart attack. Henry Sr. died on June 20, 1981. The double funeral was one of the highest-attended funerals in Iuka history.
Title History[]
Title | # | Won From | Lost To |
Arkansas State Heavyweight Title | 1 | January 16, 1981 (Terry Thorson) | January 30, 1981 (Terry Thorson) |