Legendary World Champion Wrestler - Film and Television Actor - Author
The Ugly Hero
Born: Douglas A. Baker on April 19,1934
A former boxer, Ox Baker was feared for his dreaded Heart Punch. (Special Note: Ox changed The Heart Punch to The Hurt Punch out of respect for Stan Stasiak.)
Ox Baker was an amateur high school wrestler in 1962 before getting thrown out of school. He played football for six years, 4 in high school and two in the service. In the early 1960's Ox approached Kansas City promoters about wrestling and was paid $300 for his first night. Following that night he went into training with Buddy "Killer" Austin, Pat O'Connor, and Bob Geigel. A couple of years later he was ready, standing 6-Foot 5-Inches and Weighing in at 342-pounds Ox began his Pro-Wrestling Career. First rolling over Frank Hickey in Kansas City, then destroying the Missouri Mauler. As time went on he was winning a majority of his matches by knock out caused by the Heart Punch which he borrowed from Stan Stasiak and adapted into his own ring arsenal.
In his career he would defeat "Cowboy" Bob Ellis for a version of the crown in Dick The Bruiser's Indianapolis territory, he would also defeat Carlos Colon for the WWC World Title in Puerto Rico. History shows that Ox Baker was a multi-time Tag Team Champion. He has teamed with the likes of Ole Anderson and Scandor Akbar to capture Tag Team Championships in the NWA and NWF. Baker teamed with Big John Stud (then known as Chuck O' Connor) to win the WWA Tag Team Title in 1976. He also teamed with Superstar Billy Graham to hold the NWA Florida Tag Team Title. Baker would go on to Heart Punch his way through The Sheik to win the American Heavyweight Title, he also won the World Class Championship and the World Class Texas Title several times.
In studying Baker's In-Ring Career it would appear that over 8,000 men have fallen to his feared version of the Heart Punch. Among them are Fritz Von Erich, David Von Eric, Kerry Von Eric, Jimmy "Super Fly" Snuka, Verne Gagne, Ernie Ladd, Harley Race, Bulldog Brower, Mil Mascaras, and Hulk Hogan. Hogan's knockout came when he tried to wrestle the Florida Title away from Baker, Hogan would eventually get knocked out three nights in a row.
Ox Baker's Heart Punch made Head-Lines in 1970, when he wrestled a man by the name of Alberto Torres. Baker hit Torres with the Heart Punch and Torres dropped and did not get back to his feet again. He was rushed to the hospital where he later died. It turned out that he had a ruptured pancreas, but didn't disclose it to the wrestling promoters before the match. Baker's Heart Punch was not the 100% cause of death. Then in 1975, Baker's Special Move made Head-Lines again. This time Ox was battling Ray Gunkel in a Texas Death Match. Baker hit Gunkel with the Heart Punch and Gunkel was dead before he hit the floor. Incidents like these made Ox Baker a feared man in the ring.
He has done work on Television and appeared in half a dozen feature films, such as Jackie Chan's action film "The Big Brawl" and John Carpenter's 1981 film classic "Escape From New York".
In 1988 Ox retired from Pro-Wrestling and in following years he opened "Ox Baker's Wrestling School" becoming a well renowned trainer of future Stars and Champions such as the Russian Brute and the Night Stalker (latter known as Atom Bomb) . Now happily remarried with his wife Peggy Ann and living in the New England area where he continues to keep himself busy. He has published a children's Coloring Book, recorded a Music CD and always a fan favorite, continues to make Public Appearances, most recently to promote his new Cook Book.