John Nord

John Nord (born October 18, 1959) is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with the American Wrestling Association and World Class Championship Wrestling in the 1980s as Nord the Barbarian and Yukon John and with the World Wrestling Federation, All Japan Pro Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling in the 1990s as The Berzerker and under his birth name.

Professional wrestling career

Early career

Nord was trained to wrestle by Eddie Sharkey. He debuted in late 1984 under the ring name "The Barbarian" for Mid-South Wrestling, where he was managed by Skandor Akbar.^[3]

American Wrestling Association

In 1985, the AWA originally promoted him as a member of the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League.^[4]

In 1986, he became Nord the Barbarian and wrestled in singles and tag team matches (under manager Adnan El Kassey) in the American Wrestling Association. Here, he frequently teamed with Bruiser Brody.^[3] The two faced Greg Gagne and Jimmy Snuka as part of a triple main event at WrestleRock '86.^[1]

World Class Championship Wrestling

Nord then went to World Class Championship Wrestling (managed by Gary Hart), where he feuded with Kevin Von Erich over the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship. He challenged Von Erich for the title at the fourth annual David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions at Texas Stadium in 1987.^[3]

American Wrestling Association (1989–1991)

In 1989, he returned to the AWA under the name Yukon John (a lumberjack gimmick where he would come to the ring with an ax, dressed in blue jeans, flannel shirt, animal skin hat and boots). He mainly competed in singles matches, until forming a tag team in 1990 with Scott Norton, called The Yukon Lumberjacks. They briefly feuded with The Texas Hangmen.^[1][3]

Pacific Northwest Wrestling (1991)

After the American Wrestling Association closed in 1991, Nord joined Pacific Northwest Wrestling as "Nord the Barbarian". He formed a tag team with The Grappler called "The Breakfast Club". After winning matches, Nord and The Grappler would humiliate their opponents by pouring Cheerios and milk on them.

World Wrestling Federation (1991–1993)

In 1991, Nord joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as The Viking. He soon became The Berzerker (managed by Mr. Fuji) and feuded with Davey Boy Smith and Jimmy Snuka. His preferred method of winning matches was by throwing his opponents over the top rope for a countout, all the while holding his wrist, licking his hand, shouting "Huss! Huss!", and falling flat on his back.^[5] He wrestled as part of a four-man team in an elimination match at the 1991 Survivor Series pay-per-view event. He was the last man eliminated for his team. He then feuded with The Undertaker, at one point attempting to stab him with his sword.^[3][5] In July 1992, he won a 40-man Battle Royal on WWF Prime Time Wrestling, and challenged Bret Hart for the WWF Championship that November.^[6] Nord's final appearance was as a participant in a battle royal on the February 1, 1993 edition of Monday Night Raw.

All Japan Pro Wrestling (1994–1997)

In 1994, Nord traveled to Japan where he competed for All Japan Pro Wrestling under his real name. There he formed a tag team with Stan Hansen. He continued to appear with AJPW until 1997.

World Championship Wrestling (1997–1998)

In 1997, Nord joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW) with bleached blond hair, under his real name, John Nord.^[1] He wrestled mainly on WCW Saturday Night and had a long winning streak that ended with a loss to another streak holder, Bill Goldberg, on July 4, 1998. Nord then formed a short-lived team with Barry Darsow, and was soon gone from WCW.^[1]

Personal life

After retiring from wrestling, Nord went to work at his brother's auto dealership, Nord East Motors, in Hilltop, Minnesota.^[1][7]

In July 2016, Nord was named part of a class action lawsuit filed against WWE which alleged that wrestlers incurred traumatic brain injuries during their tenure and that the company concealed the risks of injury. The suit is litigated by attorney Konstantine Kyros, who has been involved in a number of other lawsuits against WWE.^[8]

In wrestling

• Finishing moves
  • Camel clutch^[9]
  • Falling powerslam^[3]
  • Inverted suplex slam^[3]
  • Over The Top Rope Throw^{[10][11][12][13]}
• Signature moves
  • Big boot, sometimes to an opponent tied up in the ropes^[2][9]
  • Leg drop^[9]
  • Leg drop bulldog^[9]
• Signature weapons
  • Longsword^[2][14]
  • Round shield^[2][14]
• Managers
  • Adnan El Kassey^[3]
  • Mr. Fuji^[3][14]
  • Oliver Humperdink^[3]
  • Skandor Akbar^[3]
  • Gary Hart^[3]

Championships and accomplishments

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI Rookie of the Year (1985)
  • PWI ranked him # 422 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003^[9]

References

External links

• The Berzerker on WWE.com
• John Nord at the Internet Movie Database