William Fritz Ensor (August 14, 1961 – June 22, 2015) was an American
professional wrestler better known by the
ring name
A ring name is a type of stage name or nickname used by an athlete such as a professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, or boxer whose real name is considered unattractive, dull, difficult to pronounce or spell, amusing for the wrong reasons ...
"Nature Boy" Buddy Landel. He was best known for his work in the
National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) is an American professional wrestling professional wrestling promotion, promotion and governing body owned by Billy Corgan and operated by its parent company Lightning One, Inc.
Founded in 1948, the NWA be ...
(NWA) territories.
Early life
Landel first became interested in professional wrestling when a friend of his sister, Lou Anne Smith, introduced him to
Bob Orton
Robert Keith Orton Sr. (July 21, 1925 – July 16, 2006) was an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. The patriarch of the Orton wrestling family, his two sons Bob Orton Jr. and Barry Orton, and grandson Randy Orton, have all wr ...
,
Randy Savage
Randy Mario Poffo (November 15, 1952 – May 20, 2011), better known by his ring name "Macho Man" Randy Savage, was an American professional wrestler and professional baseball player, best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation ( ...
and
Boris Malenko. Landel was an amateur wrestler in high school, but dropped out during his junior year.
While he was training with Boris Malenko, Landel lived in an apartment with Olympian Bob Roop.[
]
Professional wrestling career
Early career (1979–1981)
Landel started his career in 1979. In 1980 he worked for Angelo Poffo's International Championship Wrestling in the Midwest.
National Wrestling Alliance (1981–1986)
In 1981, he became a part of Bill Watts
William F. Watts Jr. (born May 5, 1939), better known under the ring name Bill Watts, is a retired American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler, promoter and former American football player. Watts garnered fame under his "Cowboy" Glos ...
's Mid-South Wrestling
The Universal Wrestling Federation was a 1986 re-branding of wrestler-turned-owner Bill Watts' Mid-South Wrestling promotion. Watts' goal was to elevate his promotion from a relatively smaller, regional-level business, to a national-level riv ...
.[ Landel made his debut on May 25, 1981, in New Orleans, LA and defeated Kelly Kiniski. The young wrestler was quite active, wrestling Ken Mantell, Carl Fergie, ]Jake Roberts
Aurelian Smith Jr. (born May 30, 1955) better known by the ring name Jake "the Snake" Roberts, is an American actor, podcaster and retired professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he performs as the on-screen ma ...
, and The Great Kabuki. On August 18, 1981, he received his first title opportunity, but fell in defeat to Mississippi Champion Bob Orton. On September 29, 1981, he teamed with Jim Garvin in an unsuccessful challenge to MSW Tag-Team Champions The Wild Samoans, and after this moved on to Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling.
Less than two weeks later Landel surfaced in Jim Crockett's Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, defeating Mike Miller in Asheville, NC. He was largely victorious against a number of opponents, including Charlie Fulton, Mike Miller, and Jeff Sword.
Landel returned to Mid-South Wrestling on March 3, 1982, defeating Bob Orton in a match held in Baton Rouge, LA. He stayed in Bill Watt's territory for the next few months, facing Rick Ferrara, Paul Orndorff
Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr. (October 29, 1949 – July 12, 2021), nicknamed "Mr. Wonderful", was an American professional wrestler and football player, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Champions ...
, and One Man Gang
George Gray (born February 12, 1960) is an American retired Professional wrestling, professional wrestler, better known by his ring name (The) One Man Gang. For three years in the WWE, World Wrestling Federation (WWF), he was Akeem "The Africa ...
. After several months in the promotion, Landell jumped to the Continental Wrestling Association
Continental Wrestling Association (later the Championship Wrestling Association) was a wrestling promotion managed by Jerry Jarrett. The CWA was the name of the "governing body" for the Championship Wrestling, Inc. promotion which was usually ...
on August 30, 1982. Teaming with Mike Graham, they battled Spike Huber and Steve Regal to a double count-out. After several months in the CWA, Landel returned to MSW and would split time between several National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) is an American professional wrestling professional wrestling promotion, promotion and governing body owned by Billy Corgan and operated by its parent company Lightning One, Inc.
Founded in 1948, the NWA be ...
promotions, including Mid-South, the CWA, and Houston Wrestling.
On March 8, 1983, he traveled to Capitol Sports Promotions and defeated Pierre Martel to win the WWC North American Heavyweight Title. This was Landel's first title, and he held the belt until June 25, 1983, when he lost to Pedro Morales in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. That summer Landel defeated Dutch Mantell to win the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship in Memphis, TN. He held the title until August 29, 1983, when he was defeated by Koko B Ware. Landel regained the title on September 10, then holding it until he was defeated by Terry Taylor on December 1, 1983, in Lexington, KY. Landell spent all of 1984 splitting time between Mid-South and Houston Wrestling, facing competitors such as Terry Taylor, Jose Lothario, and Brickhouse Brown.
In 1985 he returned to Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling (Jim Crockett Promotions
Jim Crockett Promotions, at times branded as Eastern States Championship Wrestling and Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, is a Family business, family-owned professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, United Sta ...
), defeating Denny Brown at "MACW Title Night '85" in Raleigh, North Carolina on March 6. Landel joined manager J. J. Dillon's stable,[ and he unsuccessfully challenged Magnum T. A. for the United States Heavyweight Championship on March 29, 1985. He would wrestle Magnum several more times that spring but was unable to gain the title. On June 15, 1985, Buddy Landell received his first ever shot at the ]NWA World Heavyweight Championship
The NWA World's Heavyweight Championship is a men's professional wrestling Professional wrestling championship#World championships, world heavyweight championship owned and promoted by the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), an American professiona ...
, falling in defeat to "Nature Boy" Ric Flair
Richard Morgan Fliehr (born February 25, 1949), known professionally as Ric Flair, is an American retired professional wrestler. Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Flair's career spanned 50 years.
He is ...
in Greensboro, NC. A wrestling card with a Landel-Ric Flair
Richard Morgan Fliehr (born February 25, 1949), known professionally as Ric Flair, is an American retired professional wrestler. Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Flair's career spanned 50 years.
He is ...
main event on July 31, 1985, drew an overflow crowd at J.S. Dorton Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Landel often claimed this crowd broke Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one of the most significant cultural figures of the ...
's attendance record at the arena, but this has not been independently confirmed.) He won the NWA National Heavyweight Championship from Terry Taylor at Starrcade '85 in Greensboro, North Carolina.[
Landel was set to win the ]NWA World Heavyweight Championship
The NWA World's Heavyweight Championship is a men's professional wrestling Professional wrestling championship#World championships, world heavyweight championship owned and promoted by the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), an American professiona ...
from Flair in 1985. However, Landel had a falling out with the management of Jim Crockett Promotions and left the company after dropping the National Heavyweight Championship to Dusty Rhodes
Virgil Riley Runnels Jr. (October 11, 1945 – June 11, 2015), better known as "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, was an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler, booker, and trainer who worked for the National Wrestling Alliance ...
on December 19, 1985.[
He resurfaced in the Continental Wrestling Association January 4, 1986, and defeated David Haskins at a television taping in Memphis, TN. Seventeen days later he retook the CWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship from Koko B Ware,] although his reign was brief as he was defeated for it by Dusty Rhodes
Virgil Riley Runnels Jr. (October 11, 1945 – June 11, 2015), better known as "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, was an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler, booker, and trainer who worked for the National Wrestling Alliance ...
on February 2. Landel regained the championship sixteen days later and held it until April 7, when he lost to Dutch Mantell. On April 19, 1986, he made a one-off return to Jim Crockett Promotions, teaming with Bill Dundee to participate in the Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup. The duo was defeated in the first round by Steve Williams and Terry Taylor. On June 2, 1986, he defeated former partner Bill Dundee to win the AWA Southern Championship in a barbed wire match held in Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee. He briefly vacated the belt that month, then regained it in a tournament finale over The Flame (Roger Smith). With Bill Dundee, Dutch Mantell, and Jerry Lawler
Jerry O'Neil Lawler (born November 29, 1949), better known as Jerry "the King" Lawler, is an American retired color commentator and professional wrestler signed to WWE under a Legends contract.
Prior to joining the World Wrestling Federati ...
, he headlined the last sold-out show in the Mid-South Coliseum.
On July 27, 1986, Buddy Landel returned to Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling and defeated George South at a television taping in Atlanta, GA. Accompanied by former foe turned partner Bill Dundee, Landel and Dundee both attacked South after the match. On the August 2nd episode of "World Championship Wrestling", announcer Tony Schiavone
Noah Anthony Schiavone ( ; born November 7, 1957) is an American sports announcer, professional wrestling commentator and podcaster. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) where he serves as the play-by-play commentator for ''Collision'', ...
conducted a sit-down interview with Buddy Landel who claimed that he and not Ric Flair was the real "Nature Boy". In his first month back, he was programmed against opening level competition on house shows, facing and defeating Rocky King, Sam Houston
Samuel Houston (, ; March 2, 1793 – July 26, 1863) was an American general and statesman who played a prominent role in the Texas Revolution. He served as the first and third president of the Republic of Texas and was one of the first two indi ...
, and Todd Champion. While Landel remained undefeated, Flair would not respond until the September 6th episode of NWA Pro, where he stated that he was "Space Mountain" while Buddy was "Ride the Wild Mouse". That same weekend on NWA Worldwide, Landel and Dundee claimed that Flair would only wrestle an injured competitor like Dusty Rhodes. Landel, however, would never wrestle Flair in this time period and instead faced Magnum T. A. and NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Champion Ron Garvin
Roger Barnes (born March 30, 1945) is a Canadian former professional wrestling, professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, "Rugged" Ronnie Garvin. He is best known for his appearances with Jim Crockett Promotions, Mid-Atlantic Champi ...
, wrestling each to a draw when they faced off.
Universal Wrestling Federation (1986)
Buddy Landel joined Bill Watts' Universal Wrestling Federation on October 10, 1986, and defeated Jeff Raitz at a house show in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Landel was unbeaten, defeating Joe Savoldi, Jeff Gaylord, and Chavo Guerrero.
Continental Championship Wrestling (1987)
He next jumped to National Wrestling Alliance affiliate Continental Championship Wrestling in February 1987, winning the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship. During the first half of the year, he would face The Tennessee Stud ( Ron Fuller) and Wendell Cooley.
American Wrestling Association (1987)
Landel joined Verne Gagne
the Minnesota Golden Gophers wrestling, Minnesota Golden Gophers
Laverne Clarence "Verne" Gagne ( ; February 26, 1926 – April 27, 2015) was an American amateur wrestling, amateur and professional wrestling, professional wrestler, Amer ...
's American Wrestling Association
The American Wrestling Association (AWA) was an American professional wrestling promotion based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that ran from 1960 until 1991. It was founded by Verne Gagne and Wally Karbo. The promotion was born out of the Minneapolis ...
on September 18, 1987, defeating ML Williams at a TV taping in Las Vegas, NV. His stay was short-lived and consigned only to that TV taping, where he also defeated Lance Allen and Chris Bassett.
All Japan Pro Wrestling (1988)
Buddy Landel made his first trip to an overseas promotion in January 1988 when he joined All Japan Pro Wrestling
(AJPW/AJP) or simply All Japan is a Puroresu, Japanese professional wrestling Professional wrestling promotion, promotion founded on October 21, 1972, by Giant Baba after he left the Japanese Wrestling Association to create his own promotion. Ma ...
. His first appearance came at the "All Japan Pro Wrestling 100 Million Yen Capture 16 Man Battle Royal" on New Year's Day in Tokyo, Japan. During the tour Landel faced Akira Taue, Tiger Mask, Akio Sato, Hiroshi Wajima, John Tenta
John Anthony Tenta Jr. (June 22, 1963June 7, 2006) was a Canadian professional wrestler and sumo wrestler ('' rikishi'') best known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation as Earthquake.
After a promising start to his sumo career, u ...
(Earthquake), and Jumbo Tsuruta.
Continental Wrestling Association (1988–1990)
He returned once more to the CWA on August 1, 1988, and unsuccessfully challenged AWA World Heavyweight Champion
The AWA World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling professional wrestling championship#World championships, world heavyweight championship and the highest ranked championship in the defunct American Wrestling Association (AWA). A ...
Jerry Lawler in Memphis, TN. While appearing in the CWA he also wrestled for Capitol Sports Promotions, and on August 20 defeated TNT ( Savio Vega) for the WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Champion. He held the belt until September 17 when TNT regained it. Landel returned to the CWA and remained with the company as it transitioned into the United States Wrestling Association
The United States Wrestling Association (USWA) was a professional wrestling promotion based in Memphis, Tennessee. The company was founded when the Memphis-based Continental Wrestling Association merged with the Dallas-based World Class Champions ...
.
Global Wrestling Federation (1991)
Following a stint in the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance
Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) was an American professional wrestling promotion that was based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and operated by its parent company HHG Corporation. The promotion was founded in 1992 by Tod Gordon as Nationa ...
, Landel joined the newly created Global Wrestling Federation on June 28, 1991, and defeated Gary Young. He would lose to The Patriot in the finals for a tournament to crown the GWF Television Champion. Landel also continued to wrestle for the TWA, and was going to wrestle "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers for his Tri-State Title in early 1992, but the promotion folded before the match could happen.
Smoky Mountain Wrestling (1991–1992)
Buddy Landel joined Jim Cornette
James Mark Cornette (born September 17, 1961) is an American author, sports historian, and podcaster who previously worked in the professional wrestling industry as an agent, booker, color commentator, manager, photographer, promoter, tra ...
's new promotion Smoky Mountain Wrestling
Smoky Mountain Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that held events in the Appalachian area of the United States from October 1991 to December 1995, when it was run by Jim Cornette. The promotion was based in Knoxville, Tennessee, wit ...
for its inaugural TV taping on November 27, 1991, in Morristown, TN. Landel stated that he had refused to do favors for major promotions and had joined SMW to hurt people. His first wrestling match would not come until April 18, 1992, however; he defeated Reno Riggins on SMW television in his debut match. Landel feuded with Tim Horner that spring but was generally unsuccessful.
United States Wrestling Association (1992–1994)
He rejoined the USWA on August 17, 1992, teaming with Brian Christopher
Brian Christopher Lawler (January 10, 1972 – July 29, 2018) was an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He is best remembered for his career in the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE), where he performed as "Too Sexy" Brian ...
, Doug Gilbert and Eddie Gilbert to defeat Bill Dundee, The Rock 'n' Roll Express and Tommy Rich. On November 22, 1993, he defeated Jeff Jarrett
Jeffrey Leonard Jarrett (born July 14, 1967) is an American professional wrestler and professional wrestling promoter. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he both wrestles and serves as Director of Business Development. He is also ...
to win the vacated USWA Heavyweight Championship. He would lose it to Brian Christopher on December 11, 1993. In 1994 he unsuccessfully attempted to regain the title from Tommy Rich and later Sid Vicious
Simon John Ritchie (10 May 1957 – 2 February 1979), better known by his stage name Sid Vicious, was an English musician, best known as the second bassist for the punk rock band Sex Pistols. After his death in 1979 at the age of 21, he remai ...
.
Return to Smoky Mountain Wrestling (1994–1995)
On December 25, 1994, Landel appeared at Christmas Chaos '94, defeating SMW Heavyweight Champion The Dirty White Boy via disqualification. Landel became one of the main eventers managed by Jim Cornette
James Mark Cornette (born September 17, 1961) is an American author, sports historian, and podcaster who previously worked in the professional wrestling industry as an agent, booker, color commentator, manager, photographer, promoter, tra ...
. Buddy held the SMW Heavyweight Championship
The SMW Heavyweight Championship was the top heavyweight championship in Smoky Mountain Wrestling. It existed from 1992 until 1995 when SMW folded. "Dirty White Boy" Tony Anthony and Brad Armstrong were tied at the most reigns at three. The Unite ...
and the SMW Television Championship in 1995. In August 1995 he earned a role in the movie Box of Moonlight, appearing in a scene wrestling Headbanger Thrasher. He remained a heroic character until the promotion folded in late 1995.[ Landel and ]Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels (born Michael Shawn Hickenbottom on July 22, 1965) is an American retired professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he is the Senior Vice President of Talent Development, Creative, and oversees the creative aspects of th ...
set a record house at the Knoxville Coliseum.
World Wrestling Federation (1995–1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)
After Cornette closed SMW, both Cornette and Landel went to the World Wrestling Federation.[ Working without a contract, Landel began wrestling for the WWF on December 17, 1995, at In Your House. It would be his only WWF pay-per-view match. It was not a favorable debut though as he was defeated quickly by ]Ahmed Johnson
Anthony Norris (born June 6, 1963) is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with the professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Federation (WWF) from 1995 to 1998, under the ring name Ahmed Johns ...
in only 45 seconds. He continued to use a very similar image to Ric Flair, even using Flair's early 90s WWF entrance music. He made his '' Raw'' debut the next night, defeating Bob Holly.[ He also defeated ]Matt Hardy
Matthew Moore Hardy (born September 23, 1974) is an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he a former List of TNA World Tag Team Champions, three time TNA Wor ...
on the December 23, 1995, episode of '' Superstars''. It was right after this match that Landel suffered a serious injury outside of the arena, slipping on ice and tearing his right quadriceps. He was out of action for six months as a result.[ Landel wrestled ]Bret Hart
Bret Sergeant Hart (born July 2, 1957) is a Canadian retired professional wrestler. A member of the Hart wrestling family and a second-generation wrestler, he has an amateur wrestling background at Ernest Manning High School and Mount Royal U ...
in a WWF World Heavyweight Championship match shown on ''Mania
Mania, also known as manic syndrome, is a Psychiatry, psychiatric Abnormality (behavior), behavioral syndrome defined as a state of Abnormality (behavior), abnormally elevated arousal, affect (psychology), affect, and energy level. During a mani ...
'' on January 13, 1996, although the match was taped prior to Landel's injury.
Landel returned to the WWF for a one-night appearance on February 20, 1997, wrestling against TL Hopper. On May 19, 1998, he worked a dark match against Edge
Edge or EDGE may refer to:
Technology Computing
* Edge computing, a network load-balancing system
* Edge device, an entry point to a computer network
* Adobe Edge, a graphical development application
* Microsoft Edge, a web browser developed by ...
. He had one last short run with the WWF in 1999, wrestling two matches on '' Shotgun Saturday Night'', first on February 20, 1999, against The Godfather
''The Godfather'' is a 1972 American Epic film, epic crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, who co-wrote the screenplay with Mario Puzo, based on Puzo's best-selling The Godfather (novel), 1969 novel. The film stars an ensemble cast inc ...
and then on February 27, 1999, against Triple H
Paul Michael Levesque (; born July 27, 1969), also known by the ring name Triple H, is an American business executive and former professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he serves as its chief content officer.
Levesque began his wres ...
.[
]
Late career (1996–2010)
After leaving WWF and recovering from his quadriceps injury Landel began wrestling on the independent scene, appearing first for Tennessee Mountain Wrestling and competing for them on multiple occasions. Landel also returned to the World Wrestling Council
The World Wrestling Council (WWC; Spanish: "Consejo Mundial de Lucha") is a professional wrestling promotion based in Puerto Rico. It was originally established as Capitol Sports Promotions in 1973 by Carlos Colón, Victor Jovica, and Goril ...
. In 1997 and 1998 he would wrestle for numerous other promotions as well, including IWA Mid-South, Ohio Valley Wrestling
Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) is an American professional wrestling promotion, professional wrestling promotion and former developmental territory based in Louisville, Kentucky. The company is currently run by Al Snow, Matt Jones (radio host), Ma ...
, NWA New Jersey, and the National Wrestling League. Landel won the AIWF World Title in 1998. He retired in 2003 where he teamed with Jerry Lawler
Jerry O'Neil Lawler (born November 29, 1949), better known as Jerry "the King" Lawler, is an American retired color commentator and professional wrestler signed to WWE under a Legends contract.
Prior to joining the World Wrestling Federati ...
and Jimmy Valiant defeating Bill Dundee, Mabel, and Jimmy Hart
James Ray Hart (born January 1, 1944) is an American professional wrestling manager, executive, composer, and musician. He is signed to WWE in a Legends deal. He is best known for his work in WWE when it was still known as the World Wrestling ...
for Memphis Wrestling on September 28, 2003. In 2005 he worked at NWA Rocky Top promotion in Knoxville doing color commentary with Tony Basilio. Following a six-year absence from the ring, Landel returned at the XCW Mid-West: Legends Of The Louisville Gardens on March 3, 2009, to wrestle Flash Flanagan for the XCW Heavyweight Championship. On October 24, 2009, Landel appeared at the TWA Reunion Show in Vorhees, NJ. Still holding onto the TWA Heavyweight Championship, he then lost the title to Glen Osbourne
Glen Osbourne (born June 5, 1971) is an American retired professional wrestler, perhaps best known for his appearances with Eastern Championship Wrestling in the early 1990s, where he was the second ever, and the overall second youngest holder ...
.
Landel was honored as Most Influential WWF/WCW Wrestler from Kentucky
Kentucky (, ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north, West Virginia to the ...
by the state's governor and made a Kentucky Colonel in 1990.
He wrestled his final match at the NWA Wrestle Birmingham: The Big Bang event on November 19, 2010, where he teamed with Cameron Valentine and Greg Valentine to face Brutus Beefcake, Brickhouse Brown, and Jake Roberts
Aurelian Smith Jr. (born May 30, 1955) better known by the ring name Jake "the Snake" Roberts, is an American actor, podcaster and retired professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he performs as the on-screen ma ...
.
On August 27, 2011, Landel was inducted into the Legends Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Personal life
Landel acknowledged that in 1985 he began abusing drugs, using them for 10 to 15 years.[ He hoped by talking about the rampant drug abuse in pro wrestling, that he could help newcomers to avoid the trials he went through. He also had some trouble with the ]IRS
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the revenue service for the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government, which is responsible for collecting Taxation in the United States, U.S. federal taxes and administerin ...
, but wrestling promoter Jim Crockett helped him pay the tax bill.[
]
Death
On June 21, 2015, Landel was involved in a car crash
A traffic collision, also known as a motor vehicle collision, or car crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other moving or stationary obstruction, such as a tree, pole or building. T ...
. He was hospitalized and reportedly checked himself out against his doctor's wishes, eventually returning to his home in Chilhowie, Virginia. He told his wife Donna that he was "feeling bad", and she found him dead the next morning. He left behind two daughters and four grandchildren, one of whom is Nick Osborne, who was drafted in 2019 by the Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (frequently referred to as the Oakland A's) were an American Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Oakland, California from 1968 to 2024. The Athletics were a member club of the American League (AL) American League We ...
.
Championships and accomplishments
*American Independent Wrestling Federation
**AIWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
**AIWF Hall Of Fame (Class of 2016)**
*American Wrestling Federation
**AWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
*Extreme Coastal Championship Wrestling
**ECCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
* Independent Professional Wrestling Alliance
** IPWA Heavyweight Championship ( 1 time)
*Independent Wrestling Alliance
**IWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
*Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South
Independent Wrestling Association (IWA) Mid-South (also known as IWA Mid-South, IWA-MS, and IWA Mid South Wrestling) was an American Independent circuit, independent professional wrestling professional wrestling promotion, promotion based in J ...
** IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship ( 1 time)
*Jim Crockett Promotions
Jim Crockett Promotions, at times branded as Eastern States Championship Wrestling and Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, is a Family business, family-owned professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, United Sta ...
** NWA National Heavyweight Championship ( 1 time)
*Legends Pro Wrestling
**LPW Hall of Fame (Class of 2011)
* Memphis Wrestling Hall of Fame
**Class of 2022
*Mid-Atlantic Wrestling Alliance
**MAWA National Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
* Mid-South Wrestling Association
** Mid-South Television Championship ( 1 time)
*New Dimension Wrestling
**NDW Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
* NWA Mid-America / Continental Wrestling Association
**AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship
The AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship was a major professional wrestling championship (professional wrestling), title in the Continental Wrestling Association during the 1970s and 1980s. The title is part of a long lineage that was started wh ...
( 2 times)
** NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship ( 4 times)
* NWA New Jersey
** NWA United States Tag Team Championship ( 1 time) – with Doug Gilbert
*''Pro Wrestling Illustrated
''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' (''PWI'') is an American professional wrestling magazine that was founded in 1979 by publisher Stanley Weston. ''PWI'' is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and published by Kappa Publishing Group. The maga ...
''
**PWI ranked him No. 72 of the 500 top singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 1995
*Southeastern Championship Wrestling
Continental Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion based in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Dothan, Alabama, from 1985 until 1989, owned by Ron Fuller. The promotion evolved out of the NWA-affiliated Southeastern Championship W ...
** NWA Southeast Continental Heavyweight Championship ( 1 time)
*Smoky Mountain Wrestling
Smoky Mountain Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that held events in the Appalachian area of the United States from October 1991 to December 1995, when it was run by Jim Cornette. The promotion was based in Knoxville, Tennessee, wit ...
**SMW Heavyweight Championship
The SMW Heavyweight Championship was the top heavyweight championship in Smoky Mountain Wrestling. It existed from 1992 until 1995 when SMW folded. "Dirty White Boy" Tony Anthony and Brad Armstrong were tied at the most reigns at three. The Unite ...
( 1 time)
** SMW Beat the Champ Television Championship ( 1 time)
*Southeastern Championship Wrestling
**SCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
* Southern States Wrestling
** SSW Heavyweight Championship ( 1 time)
** SSW Tag Team Championship ( 1 time) – with Beau James
** Kingsport Wrestling Hall of Fame (Class of 2001)
*Tennessee Mountain Wrestling
**TMW Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
*Tri-State Wrestling Alliance
**TWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
*United Atlantic Championship Wrestling
**UACW Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Big Jesse
*United States Wrestling Association
The United States Wrestling Association (USWA) was a professional wrestling promotion based in Memphis, Tennessee. The company was founded when the Memphis-based Continental Wrestling Association merged with the Dallas-based World Class Champions ...
** USWA Heavyweight Championship ( 1 time)
*USA Wrestling
**USA Tennessee Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
*World Wrestling Council
The World Wrestling Council (WWC; Spanish: "Consejo Mundial de Lucha") is a professional wrestling promotion based in Puerto Rico. It was originally established as Capitol Sports Promotions in 1973 by Carlos Colón, Victor Jovica, and Goril ...
** WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship ( 1 time)
** WWC Caribbean Tag Team Championship ( 1 time) – with Terry Gibbs
Terry Gibbs (born Julius Gubenko; October 13, 1924) is an American jazz vibraphonist and band leader.
He has performed or recorded with Tommy Dorsey, Chubby Jackson,Theroux, Gary"Gibbs, Terry".''Grove Music Online''. Oxford University Press. R ...
** WWC North American Heavyweight Championship ( 1 time)
** WWC North American Tag Team Championship ( 1 time) – with Terry Gibbs
*Other titles
**NCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
**UAW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Jesse Landell
References
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Landel, Buddy
1961 births
2015 deaths
20th-century male professional wrestlers
20th-century American professional wrestlers
21st-century male professional wrestlers
21st-century American professional wrestlers
American male professional wrestlers
American professional wrestling trainers
NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Champions
NWA National Heavyweight Champions
People from Chilhowie, Virginia
People from Knoxville, Tennessee
Professional wrestlers from Tennessee
Road incident deaths in Tennessee
SMW Beat the Champ Television Champions
WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Champions