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Sam Houston

[Sam Houston GALLERY]

SLAM: Grizzley Smith & Sam Houston Rebuild

Title History

  • NWA Mid Atlantic Heavyweight title defeating Krusher Khrushchev (January 11, 1986);
  • NWA Central States Heavyweight title defeating Bill Dundee in a tournament (November 16, 1986);
  • GWF (Global Wrestling Federation) Television title won a Battle Royal (April 3, 1992);
  • PWA (Pro Wrestling America) Tag Team titles w/Charlie Norris defeating Storm Troopers (August 15, 1994);

Career Highlights

  • Sam Houston is the son of wrestler Grizzly Smith and is the brother of Rockin’ Robin and half brother of Jake Roberts..
  • February 14, 1985 – MACW: JJ Dillon defeated Sam Houston.
  • March 27, 1985 – MACW: Sam Houston defeated John Tatum.
  • April 10, 1985 – MACW: Arn Anderson defeated Sam Houston.
  • July 3, 1985 – MACW: Buddy Landel defeated Sam Houston.
  • October 8, 1985 – NWA Worldwide: NWA United States heavyweight champion Tully Blanchard defeated Sam Houston to retain the title.
  • November 28, 1985 – NWA Starrcade: Krusher Kruschev defeated Sam Houston to win the tournament and vacant Mid-Atlantic heavyweight title.
  • 1987: Sam Houston debuted in the World Wrestling Federation and feuded with Dangerous Danny Davis..
  • May 9-10, 1987 – House Show: Sam Houston defeated Sika.
  • May 17, 1987 – House Show: Sam Houston defeated Johnny K-9.
  • May 18, 1987 – MSG: Sam Houston defeated Terry Gibbs..
  • July 17, 1987 – House Show: Sam Houston defeated Barry Hart.
  • September 20, 1987 – House Show: Sam Houston defeated Tiger Lung Chee.
  • October 10, 1987 – Philadelphia Spectrum: Sam Houston defeated Barry Horowitz..
  • October 11, 1987 – Toronto: Sam Houston defeated Barry Horowitz..
  • October 31, 1987 – Superstars: Sam Houston defeated Danny Davis.
  • November 1, 1987 – Wrestling Challenge: Sam Houston defeated Rick Renslow.
  • November 28, 1987 – Saturday Night Main Event: Sam Houston defeated Barry Horowitz in a dark match.
  • December 13, 1987 – Wrestling Challenge: Danny Davis defeated Sam Houston by count-out.
  • January 9, 1988 – Superstars: Sam Houston defeated Terry Gibbs.
  • January 10, 1988 – Wrestling Challenge: Sam Houston defeated Jerry Grey.
  • January 23, 1988 – Superstars: The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart, Danny Davis & Jim Neidhart) defeated Rex King, Sam Houston & Van Van Horne.
  • January 24, 1988 – Royal Rumble: Sam Houston participated in the 1st ever Royal Rumble televised on USA Network won by Jim Duggan..
  • January 25, 1988 – MSG Network: Sam Houston defeated Danny Davis..
  • January 31, 1988 – Wrestling Challenge: Sam Houston defeated Steve Lombardi.
  • March 27, 1988 – WrestleMania IV: Sam Houston was in the battle royal won by Bad News Brown.
  • June 11, 1988 – Superstars: Sam Houston, Jacques and Raymond Rougeau defeated Chris Curtis, Danny Davis and Pete Sanchez.
  • June 12, 1988 – Wrestling Challenge: Sam Houston defeated Barry Horowitz.
  • July 30, 1988 – Superstars: Los Conquistadors defeated Sam Houston and Terry Taylor in a dark match.
  • July 31, 1988 – Wrestlefest: King Haku defeated Sam Houston.
  • July 31, 1988 – Wrestling Challenge: Dino Bravo defeated Sam Houston in a dark match.
  • July 31, 1988 – Wrestling Challenge: Tag team champions Demolition (Smash and Ax) defeated Sam Houston and JT Thomas to retain the titles.
  • September 10, 1988 – Superstars: Hillbilly Jim and Sam Houston defeated Gene Ligon and George South in a dark match.
  • September 25, 1988 – Wrestling Challenge: Sam Houston defeated Mike Williams.
  • September 29, 1988 – MSG Network: Terry Taylor defeated Sam Houston.
  • October 2, 1988 – Wrestling Challenge: Ron Bass defeated Sam Houston in a dark match.
  • October 23, 1988 – Wrestling Challenge: The Brain Busters (Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard) defeated Sam Houston & Scott Casey in a dark match.
  • October 23, 1988 – Wrestling Challenge: Sam Houston defeated George South.
  • November 1988: Teamed with Blue Blazer & Jim Brunzell & Brutus Beefcake & Ultimate Warrior in a Survivor Series match!
  • November 13, 1988 – Wrestling Challenge: Mr. Perfect defeated Sam Houston in a dark match.
  • November 26, 1988 – Saturday Night Main Event: Sam Houston defeated Steve Lombardi in a dark match.
  • December 3, 1988 – Superstars: Sam Houston defeated Nikolai Volkoff.
  • December 10, 1988 – Superstars: Jacques and Raymond Rougeau defeated Sam Houston and Stephan de Leon.
  • December 4, 1988 – Wrestling Challenge: The Red Rooster defeated Sam Houston.
  • January 15, 1989 – Royal Rumble: Sam Houston defeated Steve Lombardi in a dark match.
  • January 23, 1989 – MSG Network: Sam Houston defeated Danny Davis.
  • February 4, 1989 – Superstars: Ted DiBiase defeated Sam Houston.
  • February 5, 1989 – House Show: Rick Rude defeated Sam Houston.
  • February 11, 1989 – Superstars: The Honky Tonk Man defeated Sam Houston.
  • March 5, 1989 – House Show: Sam Houston defeated Jose Estrada.
  • March 25, 1989 – Superstars: Jacques and Raymond Rougeau defeated Sam Houston and Stephan de Leon.
  • January 19, 1991 – Royal Rumble: Jerry Sags defeated Sam Houston in a dark match.
  • February 1-2, 1991 – House Show: The Mountie defeated Sam Houston.
  • March 8, 1991 – SAPW: Sam Houston defeated Matt Burns.
  • April 20, 1991 – House Show: Sam Houston defeated Jack Victory.
  • May 2, 1991 – WCW House Show: Sam Houston defeated Joe Cruz.
  • May 4, 1991 – WCW House Show: Sam Houston defeated Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker.
  • May 12, 1991 – WCW House Show: Sam Houston defeated Ron Cumberledge.
  • May 16, 1991 – WCW House Show: Sam Houston defeated Rip Morgan.
  • May 30, 1991 – WCW House Show: Sam Houston defeated Moondog Rex.
  • June 19, 22, 1991 – WCW House Show: Larry Zbyszko defeated Sam Houston.
  • July 6, 1991 – WCW The Great American Bash Tour: WCW TV champion Steve Austin defeated Sam Houston to retain the title.
  • July 28, 1993 – WCW House Show: Frankie Lancaster defeated Sam Houston.
  • October 9, 1993 – Saturday Night: Harlem Heat (Kane & Kole) defeated Mark Starr & Sam Houston.
  • October 16, 1993 – WCW Saturday Night: WCW tag team champions The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Sags) (w/Missy Hyatt) defeated Pez Whatley & Sam Houston to retain the titles.
  • April 26-28, 1995 – NWA: Sam Houston defeated Dusty Wolfe.
  • September 8, 1995 – CWA: Sam Houston defeated GQ Knight.
  • October 27, 1995 – CWA: Sam Houston defeated Johnny Mantell.
  • November 10, 1995 – CWA: Sam Houston defeated Randy Rhodes.
  • December 15, 1995 – CWA: Sam Houston defeated Vito Mussolini.
  • March 22, 1996 – CWA: Sam Houston defeated Chris Young.
  • September 13, 1996 – CWA: Sam Houston defeated Shawn Summers.
  • November 1, 1996 – CWA: Sam Houston defeated King Kong.
  • November 22, 1996 – CWA: Bill Irwin defeated Sam Houston.
  • September 26, 1997 – CWA: Brian Adias defeated Sam Houston.
  • August 29, 1998 – SSOW: Sam Houston defeated The One Mang Gang by disqualification.
  • 2005: Grizzly Smith & son Sam Houston lost everything in the destruction that was created by Hurricane Katrina..
  • 2006: Sam Houston was incarcerated in the Tangipahoa Parish (Louisiana) Jail (if anyone knows why please email me).
  • September 1, 2007–Grunge Wrestling Entertainment: Sam Houston defeated Porkchop Cash after using a foreign object..
  • February 23, 2008 – OldSkool Wrestling Entertainment: Menace II Society defeated Sam Houston in Harahan, Louisiana..
  • October 11, 2008 – PWF: Sam Houston defeated Cody Jones.
  • January 10, 2009 – PWF: Sam Houston defeated PWF heavyweight champion Mike DiBiase by disqualification. Mike DiBiase retains.
  • April 12, 2015 – Vendetta Pro: Sam Houston vs. Sinn Bohdi ended in a double disqualification.
  • November 28, 2015 – WrestleCade: Sam Houston was in the #1 contenders battle royal for the AML title won by Ethan Carter III.
  • March 19, 2016 – RWC: Sam Houston was in the battle royal won by PoPo Da Klown.
  • November 5, 2016 – RWA: Steve Stardom defeated Sam Houston to retain the heavyweight title.
  • April 22, 2017 – MWO: Sam Houston defeated Faris Hakeem and Leo O’Farrell in a 3-way match. Chasyn Rance, Kaci Lennox, Leo O’Farrell and Sam Houston defeated Alex Santiago, Amber Nova, Faris Hakeem and Mike Austin. Alex Santiago, Leo O’Farrell and Sam Houston defeated Carlos Gabriel, Faris Hakeem and Mike Austin. Sam Houston defeated Jason Dugan. Sam Houston defeated Carlos Gabriel.
  • April 29, 2017 – WXW: D. Ramos vs. Sam Houston ended in a no contest.
  • May 1, 2017 – Vendetta Pro: Andrew Anderson and Mustang Mike vs. Sam Houston and Wild Horse ended in a no contest.
  • May 20, 2017 – WXW: D. Ramos defeated Sam Houston in a Texas bullrope match to retain the heavyweight title.
  • November 4, 2017 – WildKat: Black Wallstreet (Drolix and Marcellus Prime) vs. Danny Flamingo and Sam Houston ended in a draw.
  • April 30, 2018 – BVW/GRPW/Vendetta Pro: Andrew Anderson, Mike Jones and Mustang Mike defeated Chaz Taylor, Sam Houston and Wild Horse.
  • July 24, 2021 – T-Mart Promotions: The Gathering II: Sam Houston defeated Mitch Hurley.
  • September 12, 2021 – Casino Royale: Sam Houston defeated Paul Lee.
  • September 13, 2021 – Casino Royale: Davian, Nick Lush, Sam Houston and Santana Jackson defeated Juan Roman, Niles Plonk, Paul Lee and Trevor Blanchard.
  • November 27, 2021 – WrestleCade: Sam Houston was in the battle royal won by Shane Taylor.
  • March 12, 2022 – WCPBTW: Sam Houston defeated Robby Starr.
  • August 6, 2022 – T-Mart Promotions: The Gathering III: Sam Houston defeated Paul Woux.
  • October 15, 2022 – WCPBTW: Sam Houston defeated Mr. Hughes.
  • March 11, 2023 – WCPBTW: Sam Houston defeated Josh Benson.

    Jay Ambler wrote: Sam Houston actually debuted in 1983 and by 1984 would make a brief run in Eddie Graham’s Championship Wrestling from Florida promotion and in a televised match was literally used by Abdullah The Butcher to mop up the ring apron. Sam Houston’s first serious ‘push’ inthe squared circle occurred in early 1985 for Jim Crocket’s NWA promotion known as Mid Atlantic Wrestling. Houston had been trained by his father Grizzly Smith and schooled by Dusty Rhodes and Magnum TA. Houston was seen as being a member of Rhodes’ corner against the Four Horsemen, which at the time was comprised of Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, Ole and Arn Anderson. By the summer of that same year the Horsemen had “broken” his arm.

 

It was also in 1985 that Houston and Dick Murdoch squared off in what is probably one of the shortest matches in professional wrestling’s history. Murdoch pinned Houston in less than two minutes with a one shot punch as Houston attempted a headlock. By the end of 1985 Houston began a feud with Krusher Krushchev for the Mid Atlantic belt. In January 1986 Houston won the belt defeating Krushchev but subsequently lost it to Black Bart. By the end of 1986 Houston formed a tag team with Nelson Royal and ventured to the Central States promotion where he would win the championship belt from Jerry Lawler. While there he engaged in a series of matches with Bulldog Bob Brown and Bill Dundee. Before his departure from the NWA Houston had began dating Tully Blanchard’s valet Baby Doll. The two married in 1987 and she too would leave with him. Also this was around the time he began a brief run in the Von Erich’s World Class Championship Wrestling.

By the end of 1987 he debuted in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). At the same time Baby Doll was attempting to reenter the NWA/WCW and following a brief stint was terminated. It was widely believed that the NWA brass saw Houston working for a rival promotion as a conflict of interest. After 1988, Houston and Baby Doll toured the independent route before he showed up in the now defunct Global Wrestling Federation in 1992 wearing a masked and calling himself The Midnight Rider.

In 1994 Baby Doll would divorce Houston, describing her reasons, she said “Sam wanted to be the life of the party”. Following the destruction experienced by his father following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, matters worsened when it was revealed that Houston was a multiple DUI offender and because of his father’s notoriety had avoided stiff penalties. In 2005 after repeated DUIs Houston was sentenced to ten years in prison.

Updated: March 27, 2023 @ 5:34 pm

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Trained By

Grizzly Smith,
Dusty Rhodes,
Magnum T.A.

Debut

1983

Birthday

October 11, 1963

Hometown

Originally from Texas
Moved to Metairie, Louisana

Gender

Male

Height

6' 2" (188 cm)

Weight

222 lbs (101 kg)

Finishing Move(s)

Bulldog

Favorite Move(s)

Half Boston Crab
Steer Buster
Dropkick
Flying Crossbody

Notable Feuds

Status

Living