Tommy Seigler
Birth nameThomas Edward Seigler Jr.
BornJuly 25, 2023(2023-07-25) (aged 84)
Fieldale, Virginia, U.S.
DiedJuly 2023
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Tommy Seigler
Billed height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Billed weight230 lb (104 kg)
Debut1963
Retired1978

Thomas "Tommy" Edward Seigler Jr. (born September 24, 1938) is a retired American professional wrestler. Better known as Tommy Seigler, he held multiple wrestling titles including the NWA British Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship, the NWA Macon Tag Team Championship, and the NWA Florida Television Championship.

Early life

Tommy was born to Thomas & Clare Seigler in Fieldale, Virginia. Moving back to South Carolina after birth, Tommy was raised in Anderson. Upon entering high school, his family moved to Iva, South Carolina, where Tommy attended Iva High School. There he competed in football, basketball, and baseball, and was selected as an all-conference basketball player. Upon graduating in 1956,[1] Tommy moved to Flint, Michigan to work in a car factory, but returned to South Carolina a year later. Tommy began working in the construction industry with his father, where he became a master pipefitter.[2]

Wrestling career (1963-1978)

In 1963, while on a construction job in Pensacola, Florida, he began working out at a local gym where he was noticed by some local wrestlers who convinced him to give wrestling a try.[1][3] Tommy began training and only wrestled part-time, while continuing to work in construction. After six years of part-time wrestling, Tommy decided to make it his full-time career.

On June 24th, 1972, Seigler wrestled George Scott (wrestler) at the Parade of Champions supercard put on by Fritz von Erich at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. On November 14th, 1972, Seigler, and his partner Argentina Apollo, defeated Skandor Akbar and Rocket Monroe to win the NWA Macon Tag Team Championship before departing for All-South Wrestling Alliance.[4][5]

In July, 1973, Seigler defeated Ox Baker to win the All-South Wrestling Georgia Television Championship.[1][5][6] Later that year, he and Super Gladiator defeated Rock Hunter and Assassin #2 to win the All-South Wrestling Alliance Georgia Tag Team Championship.[5][7] On November 11th, 1975, he defeated Rock Hunter to become the NWA Southeastern Television Champion, a title he held twice.[1][8] On October 19th, 1976, he defeated The Missouri Mauler to win the NWA Florida Television Championship.[4][5][9] In 1977, he was named the Wrestling Fans International Association Wrestler of the Year. Also in 1977, Seigler defeated The Iron Sheik (Ali Vaziri) to win the NWA British Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship, which he held until his retirement in 1978.[1][2][4][5]

Seigler was known for his calm manner in the ring. He rejected the flamboyant costumes and theatrics often associated with professional wrestlers, and once said, "Having a gimmick doesn't change your ability, it just draws more attention to you."[2] He estimated throughout his career he often drove more than 2,000 miles per week to wrestle six days a week.[2]

Throughout his career, Tommy worked for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), All-South Wrestling Alliance, Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF), Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW), Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW).[5] He wrestled around the world in places such as Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa, and Singapore.[1]

Tommy's career was cut short in December, 1977, when he ruptured three discs in his lower back while wrestling the Iron Sheik in Singapore.[1][2][3] After having the discs fused together, Tommy tried to rehabilitate and return to the ring, but was forced to retire from wrestling in 1978.

After wrestling

Tommy continued to appear at wrestling matches from time to time in guest appearances, but never returned to the ring. He returned home to Anderson, South Carolina where he was a member of the local law enforcement for two decades.[1][3][2] In December, 2019, he retired from his position as the head of security for the Historic Anderson County Courthouse.[2]

Personal life

Tommy has four children and seven grandchildren. He continues to work out daily, having a personal gym of his own with over 4,000 pounds of weights.[1] He is an avid motorcycle rider.

Tommy passed away on circa July 25, 2023. He was 84 years old. It was mentioned in a Facebook post.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Smith-Miles, Charmaine (May 5, 2008). "A Different Era: Man recalls his days as wrestling champion before WWE". Anderson Independent-Mail.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Brown, Kirk (December 18, 2019). "Former Pro Wrestler Tommy Seigler Retires as Security Chief at Anderson Courthouse". Anderson Independent-Mail.
  3. ^ a b c Brutzman, Anna Bard (November 30, 2012). "Professional wrestling returns to Anderson". Anderson Independent-Mail.
  4. ^ a b c Online World of Wrestling. Tommy Seigler. Retrieved from https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/tommy-seigler/.
  5. ^ a b c d e f WrestlingData. Tommy Seigler. Retrieved from https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=14302&bild=0&details=7.
  6. ^ Cage Match. ASWA Georgia Television Championship. Retrieved from https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=4725.
  7. ^ Cage Match. ASWA Georgia Tag Team Championship. Retrieved from https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=4724.
  8. ^ Cage Match. NWA Southeastern Television Championship. Retrieved from https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=1355.
  9. ^ Cage Match. NWA Florida Television Championship. Retrieved from https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=1010.
  10. ^ https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=6904264479602613&set=gm.6418835644830540&idorvanity=566217783425718. ((cite web)): Missing or empty |title= (help)
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