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Harold Edward Cox (born November 4, 1973), 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 ...
Eddie Golden, is an American
professional wrestler Professional wrestling, often shortened to either pro wrestling or wrestling,The term "wrestling" is most often widely used to specifically refer to modern scripted professional wrestling, though it is also used to refer to real-life wrest ...
. A member of the Golden wrestling family, he is the father of Evan Golden and the nephew of
Bunkhouse Buck James "Jimmy" Golden (born August 1, 1950) is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) under the ring name Bunkhouse Buck. He also appeared in WWE as Jack Swagger Sr. A me ...
. Golden was one of the top junior heavyweights in the Southeastern territories during the 1990s and won numerous championship titles in
the Carolinas The Carolinas, also known simply as Carolina, are the U.S. states of North Carolina and South Carolina considered collectively. They are bordered by Virginia to the north, Tennessee to the west, and Georgia to the southwest. The Atlantic Ocean ...
,
Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...
,
Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the South Caucasus * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the southeastern United States Georgia may also refer to: People and fictional characters * Georgia (name), a list of pe ...
, and
Tennessee Tennessee (, ), officially the State of Tennessee, is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders Kentucky to the north, Virginia to the northeast, North Carolina t ...
. He was known for his work in tag teams, specifically as part of The Beautiful Blondes with Stan Lee and the fourth incarnation of The Heavenly Bodies with K. C. Thunder. A major star in
Southern States Wrestling Southern States Wrestling is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Kingsport, Tennessee. Founded by wrestler Beau James in early 1991, SSW (along with NWA Bluegrass) succeeded Smoky Mountain Wrestling as the top prom ...
during the 1990s, Golden won the
SSW Junior Heavyweight Championship The Southern States Wrestling (SSW) Junior Heavyweight Championship is a secondary professional wrestling championship in Southern States Wrestling. Eddie Golden was the inaugural champion, defeating Jamie Gibson in Banner Elk, North Carolina o ...
three times and the SSW Tag Team Championship twice with Alex Shane and Stan Lee. In 2000, Golden joined NWA Wildside where he was part of Jeff G. Bailey's NWA Elite stable with Ruckus, Onyx, and Terry Knight. He was considered by ''
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 ...
'' as one of the promotion's "best young veterans", winning the NWA Wildside Television Championship three times and having impressive matches against
AJ Styles Allen Neal Jones (born June 2, 1977), better known by his ring name AJ Styles (or A.J. Styles), is an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw (WWE brand), Raw WWE brand extension, ...
, E. Z. Money, and Kid Kash."The PWI 500." ''
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 ...
''. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: London Publishing Company. (December 2001): pg. 59.


Early life

Harold Edward Cox was born on November 4, 1973, in
Johnson City, Tennessee Johnson City is a city in Washington, Carter, and Sullivan counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee, mostly in Washington County. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 71,046, making it Tennessee's eighth-most populous cit ...
. A member of the Golden-branch of the famed Welch-Fuller wrestling family, he is the grandson of
Montgomery, Alabama Montgomery is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Alabama. Named for Continental Army major general Richard Montgomery, it stands beside the Alabama River on the Gulf Coastal Plain. The population was 2 ...
, wrestling promoter Billy Golden and nephew of
Jimmy Golden James "Jimmy" Golden (born August 1, 1950) is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) under the ring name Bunkhouse Buck. He also appeared in WWE as Jack Swagger Sr. A ...
. He briefly attended
East Tennessee State University East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is a public research university in Johnson City, Tennessee. It was historically part of the State University and Community College System of Tennessee under the Tennessee Board of Regents, but since 2016, ...
during his beginning tenures of professional wrestling.


Professional wrestling career


Early career (1990–1991)

Golden made his professional wrestling debut in 1990. He spent the first few years of his career wrestling on the local
Tennessee Tennessee (, ), officially the State of Tennessee, is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders Kentucky to the north, Virginia to the northeast, North Carolina t ...
independent circuit In professional wrestling, the independent circuit (often shortened to the indie circuit or the indies) is the collective name of independently owned promotions which are deemed to be smaller and more regionalized than major national promotions. ...
. By October 1991, Golden was in Tennessee Championship Wrestling working with the likes of Stan Lee, E. Z. Money, J. C. Black, Wayne Rogers, Jeff Tankersley, The Christian Brothers (Bam Bam and Danny Christian), and a teenaged Beau James refereeing matches. Golden also teamed with Big Ox as The Texas Outlaws in Bruce Wren's Southeastern Championship Wrestling. The Texas Outlaws won the SECW Tag Team Championship three times between 1992 and 1999.


Southern States Wrestling (1992–1996)

Golden was among several wrestlers who followed Beau James when he founded
Southern States Wrestling Southern States Wrestling is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Kingsport, Tennessee. Founded by wrestler Beau James in early 1991, SSW (along with NWA Bluegrass) succeeded Smoky Mountain Wrestling as the top prom ...
. On March 20, 1992, Golden defeated Jamie Gibson in Banner Elk, North Carolina, to become the first-ever SSW Junior Heavyweight Champion. He held onto the title for over a year before losing to Alex Shane in Fall Branch, Tennessee, on April 30, 1993. Golden regained the title in Sullivan Gardens, Tennessee, on May 28 but dropped it back to Shane in Fall Branch a month later. He and his uncle, managed by The Godfather, feuded with
The Fantastics The Fantastics were a professional wrestling tag team composed of Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers who worked together extensively between 1984 and 2007. At times, Bobby Fulton would team up with his brother Jackie Fulton under the same name. ...
( Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers) that same year. An encounter between the two teams occurred at WrestleFest 93, during a "Southern Hospitality" interview segment with "Big" Al Bass, and turned into a four-way brawl. In the summer of 1994, Golden began teaming with former rival Alex Shane. The two captured the SSW Tag Team Championship from The Death Riders (Chic White and The Tennessee Equalizer) in Fall Branch on July 15, 1994. A week later in
Johnson City, Tennessee Johnson City is a city in Washington, Carter, and Sullivan counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee, mostly in Washington County. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 71,046, making it Tennessee's eighth-most populous cit ...
, Golden defeated Keith Hart at a show for Tim Horner's National Championship Wrestling promotion. Golen and Shane eventually lost the tag team title to Mike Powers and The Alabama Heartthrob in
Kingsport, Tennessee Kingsport is a city in Sullivan and Hawkins counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It lies along the Holston River and had a population of 55,442 at the 2020 census. It is the largest city in the Kingsport–Bristol metropolitan area, ...
, on August 6, 1994. At the end of the year, Golden began teaming with Stan Lee as The Beautiful Blondes. The team would win a number of tag team championships throughout the
Southeastern United States The Southeastern United States, also known as the American Southeast or simply the Southeast, is a geographical List of regions in the United States, region of the United States located in the eastern portion of the Southern United States and t ...
during the next few years. On December 17, 1994, Golden and Lane defeated
The Rock 'n' Roll Express The Rock 'n' Roll Express is a professional wrestling tag team consisting of professional wrestlers Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton. The duo began teaming together in Memphis in the early 1980s, followed by Mid-South Wrestling (later to be known a ...
(
Ricky Morton Richard Wendell Morton (born September 21, 1956) is an American professional wrestler, currently performing on the independent circuit. For most of his career, Morton has performed with Robert Gibson (wrestler), Robert Gibson as the Rock 'n' Roll ...
and Robert Gibson) at an All-Star Wrestling show in
Elizabethton, Tennessee Elizabethton () is a city in, and the county seat of Carter County, Tennessee, United States. Elizabethton is the historical site of the first independent American government (known as the Watauga Association, created in 1772) located west of ...
. That summer on the independent circuit, The Beautiful Blondes defeated The Young Guns (Scott Sterling and Jeff Lovin) in Elizabethton for Tennessee Championship Wrestling. On September 9, Golden and Lane lost to
Ricky Morton Richard Wendell Morton (born September 21, 1956) is an American professional wrestler, currently performing on the independent circuit. For most of his career, Morton has performed with Robert Gibson (wrestler), Robert Gibson as the Rock 'n' Roll ...
and
The Crow ''The Crow'' is a supernatural superhero comic book series created by James O'Barr revolving around the titular character of the same name. The series, which was originally created by O'Barr as a means of dealing with the death of his fianc� ...
in
Rural Retreat, Virginia Rural Retreat is a town in Wythe County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,483 at the 2010 census. History Rural Retreat was originally named Mount Airy. The name was changed because of confusion with other communities named Mount Ai ...
. On October 1, 1995, they faced David Jericho and Chris Hamrick at a Great American Wrestling Federation show in
Asheville, North Carolina Asheville ( ) is a city in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. Located at the confluence of the French Broad River, French Broad and Swannanoa River, Swannanoa rivers, it is the county seat of Buncombe County. It is the most populou ...
. Back in SSW, the team also defeated David Jericho and Danny Cooley in Ledgar, North Carolina on December 9, 1995. Golden also defeated The Alabama Heartthrob for the
SSW Junior Heavyweight Championship The Southern States Wrestling (SSW) Junior Heavyweight Championship is a secondary professional wrestling championship in Southern States Wrestling. Eddie Golden was the inaugural champion, defeating Jamie Gibson in Banner Elk, North Carolina o ...
in Fall Branch that same week. The Beautiful Blondes claimed their first tag title when they defeated Beau James and Ricky Morton for the SSW Tag Team Championship in Fall Branch on January 5, 1996. A few weeks later, the team faced then WWF World Tag Team Champions
The Headbangers The Headbangers are a professional wrestling tag team consisting of Mosh (Charles Warrington) and Thrasher (Glenn Ruth). They are currently signed to WWE as ambassadors. As the name of the team implies, their gimmick is that they are a pair of ...
( Mosh and Thrasher) at an International Pro Wrestling in Asheville. On February 10, they wrestled The Olympian and Tony Prichard to a double-disqualification in
Morristown, Tennessee Morristown is a city in and the county seat of Hamblen County, Tennessee, United States. Morristown also extends into Jefferson County on the western and southern ends. The city lies within the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians, Ridge and Valley regi ...
. On February 26, at SSW's 5th Anniversary Show, The Beautiful Blondes lost the tag belts to Death & Destruction ( Frank "The Tank" Parker and "Ruthless" Roger Anderson). On March 1, Golden successfully defended the junior heavyweight title against Scott Sterling. The Beautiful Blondes had less luck that month losing matches to Sterling with partners Steve Flynn and Danny Christian respectively. On May 3, 1996, The Beautiful Blondes wrestled Battering Ram and Ironman at a United Wrestling Alliance show in Hansonville, Virginia; the following night in
Nora, Virginia Nora is an unincorporated community in Dickenson County in the southern U.S. state of Virginia. In the 2000 US census, its population is listed as 566. Nora is situated along the McClure River. Coal mining has always been the primary business f ...
, the two wrestled their opponents in singles matches with Golden losing to Battering Ram. On May 11, The Beautiful Blondes wrestled Medic Madness (Dr. Dan and The Orderly) to a double-disqualification at a Great American Wrestling Federation show in Asheville, North Carolina. The following year, Golden lost to
Ricky Morton Richard Wendell Morton (born September 21, 1956) is an American professional wrestler, currently performing on the independent circuit. For most of his career, Morton has performed with Robert Gibson (wrestler), Robert Gibson as the Rock 'n' Roll ...
at the Sampson Center in Fall Branch, Tennessee. The bout was promoted as a "clean scientific match", however, Morton became frustrated when the younger wrestler kept successfully countering his moves. He then uncharacteristically used "heel" tactics against Golden and scored the winning pinfall only after using the ring ropes for leverage and pulling Golden's tights. He also unsuccessfully challenged Beau James for the SSW Appalachian Heavyweight Championship.


Tennessee Mountain Wrestling (1996–1997)

At the end of 1996, Golden began competing in Tennessee Mountain Wrestling where he quickly won the promotion's light heavyweight championship. On November 30, Golden defeated Chris Steelheart in
Morristown, Tennessee Morristown is a city in and the county seat of Hamblen County, Tennessee, United States. Morristown also extends into Jefferson County on the western and southern ends. The city lies within the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians, Ridge and Valley regi ...
. On December 7, 1996, he lost to Steelheart in a non-title match at Holston High School in Knoxville. He and Ricky Rockett wrestled to a double-countout at a TMW show in Johnson City the same month. On January 5, 1997, Golden suffered his first defeat in the promotion at the hands of Chris Powers in
Knoxville, Tennessee Knoxville is a city in Knox County, Tennessee, United States, and its county seat. It is located on the Tennessee River and had a population of 190,740 at the 2020 United States census. It is the largest city in the East Tennessee Grand Division ...
. Golden formed a short-lived alliance with Chris Steelheart when he began feuding with Ricky Rockett. The two defeated Rocket and David Jericho in a tag team match on February 14, however, Golden was unable to win the TMW Light Heavyweight Championship from Rocket in their title bout at Holsten Elementary School. Two months later, Golden and Rusty Riddle were defeated by Ricky Rocker and David Jericho at the Johnson City Parks & Recreation Center.


Independent circuit (1997–2000)

Golden continued teaming with Stan Lee during this time. In February 1997, The Beautiful Blondes wrestled Surge and
Venom Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...
at a National Championship Wrestling television taping in
Asheville, North Carolina Asheville ( ) is a city in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. Located at the confluence of the French Broad River, French Broad and Swannanoa River, Swannanoa rivers, it is the county seat of Buncombe County. It is the most populou ...
. On April 4, The Beautiful Blondes and Allen King wrestled a 6-man tag match against Scott Sterling, Ricky Harrison, and Donnie Dallas for Southern Championship Wrestling in
Elizabethton, Tennessee Elizabethton () is a city in, and the county seat of Carter County, Tennessee, United States. Elizabethton is the historical site of the first independent American government (known as the Watauga Association, created in 1772) located west of ...
. Golden traveled to
Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the South Caucasus * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the southeastern United States Georgia may also refer to: People and fictional characters * Georgia (name), a list of pe ...
's National Championship Wrestling for the summer where he faced David Jericho and Ricky Rocket. On July 10 in
Sylva, North Carolina Sylva is an incorporation (municipal government), incorporated town located in central Jackson County, North Carolina, Jackson County, in the Plott Balsams, Plott Balsam Mountains of Western North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 United St ...
, Golden lost to Rocket in a match for the then vacant NCW Television Championship. He again lost to Rocket in Sylva on October 2, 1997. On February 21, 1998, The Beautiful Blondes wrestled GAWF Tag Team Champions Kane and Abel Adams at a Great American Wrestling Federation event in Red Oak, North Carolina. By the late-1990s, Golden has established himself as a formidable competitor in the Southern United States with victories over veteran wrestlers such as Bobby and Jackie Fulton, Tony Anthony, Tracey Smothers, and
Jimmy Valiant James Harold Fanning (born August 6, 1942) is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name "Handsome" Jimmy Valiant. Early life Fanning was born in Tullahoma, Tennessee as the youngest of five children of James and Effie Fann ...
. Though considered a "heel" wrestler by Southern wrestling fans, he was very popular with crowds in his native Tennessee. Golden briefly feuded with Stan Lee but would eventually reform The Beautiful Blondes with him."The PWI 500." ''
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 ...
''. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: London Publishing Company. (Holiday 1998): pg. 62.
Golden spent much of 1998 in Appalachian Mountain Wrestling where he had standout matches with AMW Heavyweight Champion "Playboy" Bryan Wayne. On August 1, 1998, Golden and Ricky Harrison defeated The Artists Formerly Known as The Young Guns (Scott Sterling and Jeff Lovin) for the AMW Tag Team Championship. Their three-month championship reign was ended by Bryan Wayne and his former partner Stan Lee at "Tag Wars '98" on November 14; their opponents had won an eight-team tournament earlier that night to earn a title shot. Golden subsequently won the vacant AMW Junior Heavyweight Championship from Eight-Ball Jones on December 12, 1998. Several days later in
Cornelia, Georgia Cornelia is a city in Habersham County, Georgia, United States. The population was 4,160 at the 2010 census, up from 3,674 at the 2000 census. It is home to one of the world's largest apple sculptures, which is displayed on top of an obelisk-sh ...
, Golden defeated Shane Austin for the NCW United States Heavyweight Championship in a three-way match also involving David Jericho. He lost the belt to Jesse Taylor three months later. Golden also teamed up with his uncle Jimmy Golden for occasional tag team matches in Kingsport. A July 21 bout against David Jericho and Rusty Riddle ended in a no-contest, however, they beat Pretty Handsome (Chris Steelheart and Mike Hanson) in August 1998 and "Dirty White Boy" Tony Anthony & Dr. Dan in July 1999. On March 25, 2000, Golden wrestled Big Ox for a Southeastern Championship Wrestling television taping at Bishop Moore High School in
Orlando, Florida Orlando ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Orange County, Florida, United States. The city proper had a population of 307,573 at the 2020 census, making it the fourth-most populous city in Florida behind Jacksonville, Florida, Jacksonville ...
.


NWA Wildside (2000–2001)

That spring, Golden made his debut in NWA Wildside. With over a decade of experience, the 27-year-old wrestler quickly established himself as one of the "best young veterans" in the promotion. On April 1 at "Hardcore Hell 2000", he defeated A.J. Styles in a
Ladder match A ladder match is a type of match in professional wrestling, most commonly one in which an item (usually a title belt) is hung above the ring, and the winner is the contestant who climbs a ladder and retrieves the item. The ladder itself become ...
for the NWA Wildside Television Championship in
Cornelia, Georgia Cornelia is a city in Habersham County, Georgia, United States. The population was 4,160 at the 2010 census, up from 3,674 at the 2000 census. It is home to one of the world's largest apple sculptures, which is displayed on top of an obelisk-sh ...
. He lost the belt that same night to Jesse Taylor, however, with whom he would feud with over the title throughout the year. Golden would eventually be recruited by Jeff G. Bailey as part of NWA Elite with Ruckus,
Onyx Onyx is a typically black-and-white banded variety of agate, a silicate mineral. The bands can also be monochromatic with alternating light and dark bands. ''Sardonyx'' is a variety with red to brown bands alternated with black or white bands. ...
, and Terry Knight. A rematch between Golden and A.J. Styles on the May 14th edition of ''NWA Wildside TV'' saw Styles "turn heel" by attacking his tag team partner
Jorge Estrada Jorge Moraza is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Jorge Estrada. He is a former National Wrestling Alliance North American Heavyweight champion and participated in the first televised match of NWA Total Nonstop A ...
after the bout and aligning himself with Golden and NWA Elite. He and Styles faced Estrada and J.C. Dazz in a tag team match the following week. The stable would feud with former National Championship Wrestling stars, the promotion having recently merged with NWA Georgia, with Golden, Onyx, A.J. Styles, and NWA Wildside owner Bill Behrens wrestling Team NCW's Stone Mountain, J.C. Dazz, Rick Michaels, and David Young on June 18. Golden enlisted stablemate Terry Knight in his year-long feud against Jesse Taylor. He had managed to regain the NWA Wildside Television Championship, but dropped the belt back to Taylor in Knoxville, Tennessee on July 7. Golden won it back from Taylor a day later in Sylva, North Carolina. On the August 20th edition of ''NWA Wildside TV'', Golden and Knight wrestled Taylor and Romeo Bliss in a tag team match. They also wrestled Bad Attitude (Rick Michaels and David Young) at various times during the year. He and Taylor faced each other again on the November 6th episode of ''NWA Wildside TV''. Holden eventually lost the television title to Air Paris at the NWA Wildside Arena on January 1, 2001. On January 20, Golden defeated E. Z. Money via countout in his NWA Wildside debut. On February 3, Golden and Terry Knight lost to
David Flair David Richard Fliehr (born March 6, 1979), better known by the ring name David Flair, is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he held the WCW United States Cha ...
and Romeo Bliss at the NWA Wildside Arena. On April 21, 2001, Golden teamed with Adam Jacobs and John Phoenix in a losing effort against A.J. Styles, Air Paris, and Onyx.


Independent circuit (2002–2006)

Golden briefly feuded with Brad Hunter in North American Championship Wrestling in early 2002. On February 8, 2002, Golden lost Hunter in
Newton, North Carolina Newton is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 United States census, 2010 census, the city had a population of 12,968. It is the county seat of Catawba County. Newton is part of the Hickory, North Carolina, Hicko ...
. He also took part in a 6-man tag team match with Big Daddy and Big Wood against Hunter, Black Angel, and Reverend Slim in
Shelby, North Carolina Shelby is a city in and the county seat of Cleveland County, North Carolina. It lies near the western edge of the Charlotte, North Carolina, Charlotte-Concord, North Carolina, Concord, North Carolina, NC-South Carolina, SC Charlotte metropolitan a ...
, the following night. On March 5, Golden wrestled Mike Hanson on New South Wrestling's first television taping on WCYB in Johnson City, Tennessee. On November 28, 2002, Golden lost to Allen King in a three-way match with E. Z. Money for New South Wrestling. On January 11, 2003, Golden wrestled DG 2000 for Ron’s Championship Wrestling in Knoxville. On March 22, Eddie and Jimmy Golden lost to Beau James and Gator McAllistor by countout in Kingsport. Golden lost to Jesse Taylor at NWA Wildside's "Hardcore Hell" in
Cornelia, Georgia Cornelia is a city in Habersham County, Georgia, United States. The population was 4,160 at the 2010 census, up from 3,674 at the 2000 census. It is home to one of the world's largest apple sculptures, which is displayed on top of an obelisk-sh ...
, a week later. That summer, Golden began feuding with Jeff Tankersfly in Southern States Wrestling and on the independent circuit. On July 20, 2003, Golden was defeated by Tankersfly at an SSW show in Kingsport. On January 24, 2004, Golden defeated Tankersly (with
Sherri Martel Sherry Lynn Schrull (née Russell; February 8, 1958 – June 15, 2007) was an American professional wrestler and manager, better known by her ring names, Sherri Martel and Sensational Sherri. Martel began her professional wrestling career in t ...
) by disqualification in Iron Ring Wrestling. On March 6, Golden and Robbie Cassidy lost to LCW Tag Team Champions Allen King and Shane Matthews in Liberty Championship Wrestling. Four months later, Golden faced Jeff Tankersly and Sherri Martel once again at Iron Ring Wrestling's show for Kingsport's annual Funfest event on July 17, 2004. The two men wrestled in a bloody
Steel Cage match Many types of wrestling matches, sometimes called "Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Gimmick, gimmick matches" in the Glossary of professional wrestling terms, jargon of the business, are performed in professional wrestling. Some gimmick m ...
for the IRW Heavyweight Championship. Golden ended up winning the match after Martel turned on Tankersly in effect turning Golden into a "heel" and Tankersly a "babyface". On February 12, 2005, Eddie Golden defeated Gluteus Maximus and Nick Diamond three-way match for Palmetto Pride Championship Wrestling in
Columbia, South Carolina Columbia is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of South Carolina. With a population of 136,632 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is List of municipalities in South Carolina, the second-mo ...
. On May 7, at the Mark Curtis Memorial Wrestling Reunion, Golden defeated K. C. Thunder (with The Duke of New York) via disqualification. Golden nearly pinned Thunder with a big splash at the end of the match but was pulled off of his opponent by The Duke of New York when he made the cover. While Golden argued with the referee, Thunder then hit him with
brass knuckles Brass knuckles (also referred to as brass knucks, knuckledusters, iron fist and paperweight, among other names) are a melee weapon used primarily in Hand to hand combat, hand-to-hand combat. They are fitted and designed to be worn around the kn ...
and pinned him for the win. Thunder seemingly had the match won but the referee found the foreign object after the match and reversed the decision. On July 17, 2005, Eddie and Jimmy Golden defeated The Midnight Express (
Dennis Condrey Dennis Condrey (born February 1, 1952) is an American retired professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with the Continental Wrestling Association, Jim Crockett Promotions and World Championship Wrestling ...
and Bobby Eaton) at an Iron Ring Wrestling show by disqualification. A week later at NWA Rocky Top's "Night of Champions" in Knoxville, Eddie teamed with cousin Bobbie Golden to beat The Turbanators (Jahid and Jaheed) by disqualification. Golden returned to Knoxville for NWA Rocky Top's "Retribution" on August 19 where he and Tim Horner, accompanied by Bobbie Golden, were defeated by The Turbanators in a rematch. Golden defeated K. C. Thunder at a Carolina Championship Wrestling show in Clyde, North Carolina, on October 8. On November 6, 2005, Golden wrestled E. Z. Money at Iron Ring Wrestling's "Afternoon Chaos" in Kingsport, Tennessee. On March 11, 2006, Golden and K. C. Thunder wrestled Iron Cross and Rich Mansfield in USA Main Event.


Championship Wrestling (2006–2007)

Golden started working for Championship Wrestling in early 2006. On April 22, 2006, Golden beat Allen King in Elizabethton, Tennessee. On July 29, Golden and
Tom Prichard Thomas Prichard (born August 18, 1959) is an American retired professional wrestling, professional wrestler and author better known by the ring name Dr. Tom Prichard. He is the older brother of Bruce Prichard. Professional wrestling career ...
lost to Tony Givens and Robbie Cassidy in an interpromotional "Championship Wrestling vs. Iron Ring Wrestling" match. On August 12 at "Fire On The Mountain 2006", Golden was disqualified in his match against Nick Hammonds. On September 2, Golden and Stan Lee lost to Skull and Frank "The Tank" Parker at Great Southern Championship Wrestling's "Hostile Takeover" in
Hickory, North Carolina Hickory is a city in western North Carolina primarily located in Catawba County, North Carolina, Catawba County. The List of municipalities in North Carolina, 25th most populous city in the state, it is located approximately northwest of Charlot ...
. October 21, 2006, at a Championship Wrestling show in Kingsport, Golden lost an 8-man tag team match with Chris Richards, Brad Thomas, and Allen King against Tony Givens, Robbie Cassidy, Wayne Adkins, and Nick Hammonds when his team was disqualified. On April 14, 2007, Golden and Allen King lost a tag team match to Tony Givens and Robbie Cassidy at another Championship Wrestling event in Kingsport. He and King subsequently had a falling out and faced each other in a grudge match at Championship Wrestling's "Collision Course 3", the promotion's flagship supercard, on May 25, 2007.


NWA All-Star Wrestling (2007)

Golden and Stan Lee were brought into NWA All-Star Wrestling to challenge then tag team champions Bobby Houston and Iron Cross in the summer of 2007. On June 2, 2007, The Beautiful Blondes and K. C. Thunder lost to Bobby Houston, Iron Cross, and Jerry "The King" Lawler at the Dukes of Hazard Festival in
Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...
. He and K. C. Thunder won the tag belts the following month, however, on the August 4th edition of ''NWA All-Star Wrestling'' in
Bristol, Tennessee Bristol is a city in Sullivan County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 27,147 at the 2020 census. It is the twin city of Bristol, Virginia, which lies directly across the state line between Tennessee and Virginia. The boundary be ...
. They won the match when Iron Cross turned on his partner but afterwards the masked wrestler took off his mask revealing himself as Stan Lee. They successfully defended the titles against E. Z. Money and Cody Ices via disqualification in
Lebanon, Virginia Lebanon is a town in Russell County, Virginia, United States. The population was 3,424 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Russell County, Virginia, Russell County. History The town of Lebanon was founded in 1818 as per an effort to ...
.


Independent circuit (2008–2009)

On February 15, 2008, Eddie and Jimmy Golden (with Stan Lee) appeared on SSW's 17th Anniversary Show against K. C. Thunder and Wayen Adkins. Golden and Lee later participated in a "SSW Legends"
battle royal Battle royal (, also battle royale) traditionally refers to a fight involving many combatants, usually conducted under either boxing or wrestling rules, where the winner is the one who registers the most wins. In recent times, the term has been ...
that same night. That summer, Golden began wrestling with Thunder as the fourth version of The Heavenly Bodies. The team won their first titles in the New Frontier Wrestling Association by defeating champions Jamar Acid and Cornbread in
Franklin, North Carolina Franklin is a town in and the county seat of Macon County, North Carolina, United States. It is situated within the Nantahala National Forest. The population was reported to be 4,175 in the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, an increase from ...
, on May 24. On June 3, Golden (with Holly Trinity) defeated The Tennessee Stud (with Dawn Renea) for National Championship Wrestling at
North Wilkes High School North Wilkes High School is a public school (grades 9–12) located in Hays, North Carolina. It is a part of the Wilkes County Schools (North Carolina), Wilkes County Schools system. The school's enrollment typically runs from 700 to 750 student ...
; Renea would later become a valet for Golden and Thunder. On July 19, The Heavenly Bodies beat Chris Damien and Adam Logan on a NFWA show at the National Guard Armory in Franklin. On August 16 at "Total Chaos", Golden and Thunder were scheduled to face The Saturday Nigh Sensation (Matt Sells and Ryan Michaels) for the NFWA Tag Team Championship. Golen was unable to attend the event and was replaced by Chris Hamrick. On December 6, 2008, The Heavenly Bodies challenged NWA All-Star Wrestling Tag Team Champions Iron Cross and Stan Lee in a Texas Tornado death match at an NWA All-Star Wrestling fundraiser for Lebanon Middle School. According to the pre-match stipulation, The Heavenly Bodies' valet Dawn Renae would have her head shaved if the team failed to win the belts. On July 24, 2009, Golden and Jeff Tankersley wrestled David and Reid Flair for Iron Ring Wrestling in Kingsport. The two men attacked
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 ...
earlier that night while giving a speech to the audience. The former world champion was saved by his sons and managed them in their match at the end of the night. Golden did several shows for Tony Givens' Championship Wrestling Alliance (later known as NWA Smokey Mountain Wrestling) during early-2010. On January 23, 2010, Golden defeats Kole Layton King at "House Party 2010" in Johnson City, Tennessee. On March 6, at CWA's 6th Anniversary Show, Golden wrestled in the 2010 Best of the Best tournament and was eliminated by Robbie Cassidy in the first round.


Return to Southern States Wrestling (2010–2011)

Golden returned to Southern States Wrestling in the summer of 2010. On June 26, Golden (with Jeff Tankersley) wrestled Beau James at "Legends Night 2010" in Kingsport, Tennessee. On July 25 at "WrestleFest 2010", Golden and Tankersley wrestled Beau James and Dutch Mantel to a no-contest when David Flair interfered. On the June 20th edition of SSW's weekly television show ''SSW Power Half Hour'' Golden and Tankersley wrestled David Flair and Jerry "The King" Lawler. On September 18, 2010, at "Fall Spectacular 2010", he took part in a 6-man tag team match with Tankersley and Jimmy Golden, to battle Beau James, Dutch Mantell, and Jerry Lawler. On February 18, 2011, Golden appeared at SSW's 20th Anniversary Show in Kingsport, Tennessee where he lost to Johnny Knievel.


NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling (2011–2013)

On April 1, 2011, Golden took part in the NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling Cup tournament at the Civic Auditorium in Kingsport, Tennessee. He was eliminated by NWA Mountain Empire Heavyweight Champion Chase Owens in the opening rounds. In the spring of 2013, Golden once again began feuding with Jeff Tankersley. This latest feud was triggered when Golden interfered in an April 6 match between Tankersley and Jimmy Golden that allowed his uncle to win the bout. The two men faced off at NWA Smoky Mountain's "Collision Course 9" in Kingsport on May 18. On October 12, 2013, Golden and E. Z. Money challenged NWA Smoky Mountain Tag Team Champions Air America (Skylar Kruze and Gavin Daring) at Hampton High School in Hampton, Tennessee.


Independent circuit (2014–present)

On June 14, 2014, Golden reunited with Stan Lee at Reborn Wrestling's "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" in Johnson City, a tribute show honoring Jake "The Snake" Roberts, where they lost to Air America (Skylar Kruze and Gavin Daring). The Beautiful Blondes began abusing their valet Brooklynn after the match, blaming her for their defeat, who was rescued by Air America. Although they lost the match, the tag team bout "stole the show" according to 411mania.com and praised all four men for their "enormous talent and athleticism". On June 16, 2018, Golden was defeated by Jeff Tankersley in a Bunkhouse Match at Innovate Wrestling’s Stars for Heroes event. Golden made a return to the ring on April 16, 2022, in
Elizabethton, Tennessee Elizabethton () is a city in, and the county seat of Carter County, Tennessee, United States. Elizabethton is the historical site of the first independent American government (known as the Watauga Association, created in 1772) located west of ...
, in a six-man tag team match, teaming with his son Evan Golden and Stan Lee. The Golden’s and Lee were defeated by Wayne Adkins and The Tennessee Hillbillies. Golden was inducted into the Carter County Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame on April 6, 2024 in
Elizabethton, Tennessee Elizabethton () is a city in, and the county seat of Carter County, Tennessee, United States. Elizabethton is the historical site of the first independent American government (known as the Watauga Association, created in 1772) located west of ...
.


Personal life

Golden married Natalie Dupree in 1995. His son
Evan Evan is a Welsh language, Welsh masculine given name, derived from ''Iefan'', a Welsh form of the name John (name), John. Similar names that share this origin include Euan, Ivan (name), Ivan, Ian, and Juan. "John" itself is derived from the ancie ...
debuted as a professional wrestler in 2021.


Championships and accomplishments

*All-American Wrestling **AAW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Stan Lee *All-State Wrestling **ASW Junior Heavyweight Championship (2 times) *All Pro Wrestling **APW Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Stan Lee *American Wrestling Federation **AWF Cruiserweight Championship (2 times) *Appalachian Mountain Wrestling **AMW Southeastern Championship (1 time) **AMW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Ricky Harrison *Iron Ring Wrestling **IRW Heavyweight Championship (1 time) **IRW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with
Jimmy Golden James "Jimmy" Golden (born August 1, 1950) is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) under the ring name Bunkhouse Buck. He also appeared in WWE as Jack Swagger Sr. A ...
* National Championship Wrestling ** NCW United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time) *New Frontier Wrestling Association **NFWA Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with K. C. Thunder *
NWA All-Star Wrestling NWA All Star Wrestling (sometimes referred to as NWA Vancouver) is a Canadian professional wrestling promotion, based in Vancouver, British Columbia. All-Star Wrestling folded in 1989. History Early history Although other wrestling promotions e ...
**NWA All-Star Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with K. C. Thunder * NWA Wildside **NWA Wildside Television Championship (3 times) *
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 Eddie Golden # 457 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the
PWI 500 ''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 ...
in 1993 **PWI ranked Eddie Golden # 443 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the
PWI 500 ''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 ...
in 1994 **PWI ranked Eddie Golden # 232 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the
PWI 500 ''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 ...
in 1995 **PWI ranked Eddie Golden # 226 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the
PWI 500 ''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 ...
in 1996 **PWI ranked Eddie Golden # 235 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the
PWI 500 ''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 ...
in 1997 **PWI ranked Eddie Golden # 279 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the
PWI 500 ''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 ...
in 1998 **PWI ranked Eddie Golden # 334 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the
PWI 500 ''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 ...
in 2000 **PWI ranked Eddie Golden # 262 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the
PWI 500 ''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 ...
in 2001 *Southeastern Championship Wrestling **SECW Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Big Ox *
Southern States Wrestling Southern States Wrestling is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Kingsport, Tennessee. Founded by wrestler Beau James in early 1991, SSW (along with NWA Bluegrass) succeeded Smoky Mountain Wrestling as the top prom ...
**
SSW Junior Heavyweight Championship The Southern States Wrestling (SSW) Junior Heavyweight Championship is a secondary professional wrestling championship in Southern States Wrestling. Eddie Golden was the inaugural champion, defeating Jamie Gibson in Banner Elk, North Carolina o ...
(3 times) ** SSW Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Stan Lee and Alex Shane *Tennessee Championship Wrestling **TCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Stan Lee *Tennessee Mountain Wrestling **TMW Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time) *United Atlantic Championship Wrestling **UACW Tag Team Championship (1 time, first) – with Stan Lee


References


External links


Eddie Golden at Cagematch.netEddie Golden at Wrestlingdata.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Golden, Eddie Living people American male professional wrestlers Professional wrestlers from Tennessee 1973 births Sportspeople from Knoxville, Tennessee Sportspeople from Asheville, North Carolina People from Elizabethton, Tennessee Welch family