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Johnny Barend


Last updated by David Buckler on April 28, 2014

[A visit with ‘Handsome’ Johnny Barend]

Title History

  • NWA (San Francisco) World Tag Team titles w/ Enrique Torres defeating James Blears and Gene Kiniski (July 28, 1955);
  • NWA Hawaii Tag Team titles w/ Sandor Kovacs (September 1955);
  • MWA (Ohio) Eastern States Heavyweight title defeating Buddy Rogers (September 26, 1959);
  • MWA (Ohio) Eastern States Heavyweight title defeating Buddy Rogers (October 10, 1959);
  • MWA Ohio Tag Team titles w/ Magnificent Maurice (December 1960);
  • MWA Ohio Heavyweight title defeating Frankie Talaber (August 19, 1961);
  • AWA (Indiana) World Tag Team titles w/ Magnificent Maurice defeating Stan and Art Neilson (Febuary 27, 1962);
  • NWA (Capitol) United States Tag Team titles w/ Buddy Rogers defeating Bob Ellis and Johnny Valentine (July 5, 1962);
  • WWWF United States Heavyweight title defeating Bobo Brazil (June 8, 1963);
  • NWA Hawaii Heavyweight title defeating Neff Maiava (October 7, 1964);
  • NWA (Detroit) World Tag Team titles w/ Magnificent Maurice defeating John and Chris Tolos (March 5, 1965);
  • NWA Hawaii Tag Team titles w/ Ripper Collins defeating Bearcat Wright and Luther Lindsay (January 4, 1966);
  • NWA (Hawaii) United States Heavyweight title defeating Nick Kozak (Febuary 2, 1966);
  • NWA Hawaii Tag Team titles w/ Hans Mortier defeating Pampero Firpo and Neff Maiava (Febuary 1, 1967);
  • NWA Hawaii Tag Team titles w/ Jim Hady defeating Ripper Collins and Curtis Iaukea (July 25, 1967);
  • NWA (Hawaii) United States Heavyweight title defeating Curtis Iaukea (November 7, 1967);
  • NWA Hawaii Tag Team titles w/ Ripper Collins (December 27, 1967);
  • NWA Hawaii Tag Team titles w/ Magnificent Maurice defeating Billy White Wolf and Peter Maivia (July 17, 1968);
  • NWA (Hawaii) North American Heavyweight title defeating Pedro Morales (Febuary 7, 1970);
  • NWA Hawaii Tag Team titles w/ Billy Robinson defeating Bing Ki Lee and Pedro Morales (July 1, 1970);
  • NWA Hawaii Heavyweight title defeating Ripper Collins (December 9, 1970);
  • NWA (Hawaii) North American Heavyweight title defeating Sweet Daddy Siki (March 22, 1972);

Career Highlights

NWA United States {Northeast} Tag Team Title Results:

  • July 5, 1962 in Washington, DC: with Buddy Rogers defeated Johnny Valentine and “Cowboy” Bob Ellis
  • March 7, 1963 in Washington, DC: with Buddy Rogers lost the Titles to Buddy Austin and The Great Scott

NWA World Tag Team Title (San Francisco) Results:

  • July 28, 1955 in Richmond, CA: with Enrique Torres beat Gene Kiniski and James Blears
  • August 9, 1955: with Enrique Torres lost the Titles back to Gene Kiniski and James Blears
  • (Unknown Date): with Ronnie Etchison won the Tag Team Championship

NWA United States Heavyweight Title (Hawaii) Results:

  • February 2, 1966: defeated Nick Kozak for the Championship
  • March 1, 1967: lost the Championship to Curtis Iaukea
  • November 7, 1967: regained the Championship from Curtis Iaukea
  • April 24, 1968: lost the Championship to Jim Hady

NWA North American Heavyweight Title (Hawaii) Results:

  • February 7, 1970: wins the Championship from Pedro Morales
  • August 5, 1970: lost the Championship back to Pedro Morales
  • March 22, 1972: won the Championship from Sweet Daddy Siki
  • July 26, 1972: lost the Championship to Classy Freddie Blassie

NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship Results:

  • October 7, 1964 in Honolulu, Hawaii: won the Heavyweight Title from Neff Maiava
  • November 25, 1964 in Honolulu, Hawaii: lost the Heavyweight Title to Nick Bockwinkel
  • December 9, 1970 in Honolulu, Hawaii: won the Heavyweight Title from Ripper Collins
  • January 2, 1971 in Honolulu, Hawaii: lost the Heavyweight Title back to Ripper Collins

NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship Results:

  • September 1955: with Sandor Kovacs wins the vacant NWA Hawaii Tag Team Titles
  • December 4, 1955: with Kovacs loses the Titles to Lord James Blears and Gene Kiniski
  • January 4, 1966: with Ripper Collins wins the belts from Luther Lindsay and Bearcat Wright
  • November 2, 1966: with Ripper Collins loses the Titles to Neff Maiava and Pampero Firpo
  • February 1, 1967: with Hans Mortier wins the Titles from Neff Maiava and Pampero Firpo
  • May 3, 1967: with Hans Mortier loses the Tag Titles to Ripper Collins and Curtis Iaukea
  • July 25, 1967: with Jim Hady wins the Tag Titles from Ripper Collins and Curtis Iaukea
  • December 27, 1967: splits with Jim Hady – Tag Titles declared vacant; gets the belts with Ripper Collins
  • February 21, 1968: with Ripper Collins loses the Titles to Jim Hady and Pampero Firpo
  • July 17, 1968: with Magnificent Maurice wins Titles from Peter Maivia and Billy White Wolf
  • October 16, 1968: with Magnificent Maurice loses the Titles to Hady and Billy White Wolf
  • Unknown: Ripper Collins and Johnny Barend receive the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Titles
  • July 1, 1970: with Billy Robinson wins the Titles from Bing Ki Lee and Pedro Morales

Other Match Results:

  • December 29, 1949 in Toronto: drew against Kay Bell
  • January 6, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: drew against Kay Bell
  • January 13, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: drew against Steve Stanlee
  • January 20, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: defeated Wally Dusek
  • January 27, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: drew against Juan Hernandez
  • February 3, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: defeated Joe Christie
  • February 10, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: drew against Sky Hi Lee
  • February 24, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: defeated Les Ryan
  • March 6, 1950 at The Garden in NYC: defeated Rocco Colombo (in 9:18)
  • March 8, 1950 at Sunnyside Garden in NY: lost to Chick Garibaldi
  • March 10, 1950 at Jamaica Arena in NY: defeated Miguel Torres
  • March 13, 1950 at Bronx Winter Garden in NY: defeated Jack Steele
  • March 14, 1950 at St.Nick’s Arena in NY: fought against Hardy Kruskamp
  • March 15, 1950 at Hempstead Garden in NY: fought against Tony Martinelli
  • March 16, 1950 at Ridgewood Grove in NY: fought Hardy Kruskamp
  • March 17, 1950 at Jamaica Arena in NY: defeated Tiny Mills
  • March 31, 1950 in Buffalo, NY – 12th Parade of Champions: lost to Lord Blears
  • April 7, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: defeated Sky Hi Lee
  • April 21, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: lost to Lord Blears
  • May 5, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: drew against Mickey Gold
  • May 12, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: defeated Ali Bey
  • May 19, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: defeated Howard Cantonwine
  • June 2, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: defeated Bobby Nelson
  • June 9, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: drew against Goon Henry
  • June 16, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: defeated Toar Morgan
  • June 30, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: defeated Jack Moore
  • July 7, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: defeated George Butler
  • July 10, 1950 at Yankee Stadium in NY: drew against Yvon Robert (20 mins)
  • July 14, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: defeated Abe Zvonkin
  • July 21, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: defeated Bull Montana
  • July 28, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: defeated Jack Moore
  • August 4, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: defeated Tiger Joe Marsh
  • August 11, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: DQ loss to Gorgeous George
  • August 18, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: drew against Gorgeous George
  • August 25, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: defeated Willie Davis
  • September 1, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: defeated Don Marlin
  • September 29, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: defeated Kay Bell
  • October 13, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: lost to Dizzy Davis
  • November 22, 1950 at Sunnyside Garden in NY: fought Antonino Rocca
  • November 28, 1950 at St.Nick’s Arena in NY: fought against Lord Carlton
  • November 29, 1950 at Sunnyside Garden in NY: fought against Jack LaRance
  • December 5, 1950 at Twin City Bowl: defeated Abe Coleman
  • December 6, 1950 at Sunnyside Garden in NY: fought against Arnold Skaaland
  • December 9, 1950 at Broadway Arena: fought against Chris Zaharias
  • December 12, 1950 at St.Nick’s Arena: fought against Ernie Dusek
  • December 13, 1950 at Sunnyside Garden in NY: wrestled against George Harben
  • December 22, 1950 in Buffalo, NY: defeated Joe Marsh
  • April 29, 1952 in New York City, NY: drew with Don Leo Jonathan
  • November 29, 1954 in California: won a 2/3 falls contest against Lou Pitoscia
  • 1.18.55 in Sacramento, CA at Memorial Auditorium: with Enrique Torres lost to James Blears and Jesus Ortega
  • ~~~Barend pinned Blears in 12 mins; Blears beat Barend in 7 mins 35 secs; Blears defeated Barend in 6 minutes
  • March 28, 1955 in Sacramento, CA at The Memorial Auditorium: wrestled Steve Stanlee to a draw
  • April 19, 1955 at Winterland in San Fran, CA: with Enrique Torres, Art Michalik drew Gene Dubuque, Kiniski and Blears
  • April 26, 1955 at Winterland in San Fran, CA: with E.Torres and A.Michalik beat Dubuque, Kiniski and Blears by DQ
  • May 17, 1955 at Winterland in SF: with Vic Christy lost to Bob Orton and Gene Dubuque
  • May 24, 1955 at Winterland in San Francisco, CA: drew against Gene Kiniski
  • July 5, 1955 at Coliseum Bowl in SF, CA: with E. Torres beat G. Kiniski and Lee Henning
  • July 19, 1955 at Coliseum Bowl in SF, CA: with Torres lost to Mike Sharpe and Ben Sharpe
  • July 26, 1955 at Coliseum Bowl in SF, CA: with E. Torres defeated Mike and Ben Sharpe
  • August 9, 1955 at Coliseum Bowl in SF, CA: with Torres lost to G. Kiniski and J. Blears
  • August 16, 1955 at Coliseum Bowl in SF, CA: with Torres lost to Kiniski and Lord Blears
  • May 1, 1956 in Minneapolis, MN: drew against Al Mills
  • May 11, 1956 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: defeated Lionel Baillargeon
  • May 21, 1956 in Omaha, Nebraska: defeated Harry Lewis
  • June 5, 1956 in Minneapolis, MN: defeated Tony Baillargeon
  • May 24, 1958 in California: defeated Tiny Mills by DQ
  • August 9, 1958 in Fresno, CA: with Hombre Montana lost to Strutter (Gene) Dubuque and Mike Valentino
  • September 16, 1961 in Cincinnati, OH: no contested with “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers
  • September 30, 1961 in Cincinnati, OH (evening show): was defeated by Buddy Rogers
  • October 7, 1961 in Columbus, OH: was defeated by “The Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers
  • November 21, 1961 in Dayton, OH: was defeated by “The Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers
  • June 22, 1962 at MSG in NYC: drew against Johnny Valentine
  • August 3, 1962 at MSG in NYC: with Buddy Rogers drew against Bobo Brazil and Ed Carpentier
  • August 24, 1962 at MSG in NYC: with Buddy Rogers lost to Brazil and Carpentier by DQ
  • September 21, 1962 at MSG in NYC: lost to Bobo Brazil
  • October 5, 1962 at MSG in NYC: with Magnificent Maurice (Gene Dubuque) beat Rip Collins and Chuck Conley
  • October 24, 1962 at MSG: with Maurice drew with Antonino Rocca and Argentine Apollo
  • November 12, 1962 at MSG: with Maurice beat Bobo Brazil and Killer Kowalski by DQ
  • December 10, 1962 at MSG: suffered a loss to Dory Dixon
  • 2.25.63 at MSG in NYC: with Magnificent Maurice lost a 2/3 falls against Bobo Brazil and Bruno Sammartino
  • March 29, 1963 in West Hempstead, NY: was defeated by Bruno Sammartino
  • May 17, 1963 at MSG in NYC: defeated Tim Woods
  • June 10, 1963 in Washington, DC: with Buddy Rogers, Diamond Jack and The Shadow lost an 8-man tag match
  • ~~~ to Bruno Sammartino, Buddy Austin, Pedro Morales and Bobo Brazil
  • June 14, 1963 in West Hempstead, NY: was defeated by Bruno Sammartino
  • June 15, 1963 in Patterson, NJ: with Diamond Jack and Magnificent Maurice lost a 6-man
  • ~~~to Bruno Sammartino, Bobo Brazil and Pedro Morales
  • June 20, 1963 in Wash, DC: with Buddy Austin beat Sammartino and The Great Scott
  • June 21, 1963 at MSG in NYC: with Diamond Jack beat Pedro Morales and Miguel Perez
  • June 28, 1963 in New Haven, CT: with Diamond Jack and The Shadow lost a 6-man tag
  • ~~~to Bruno Sammartino, Argentina Apollo and Pedro Morales
  • August 2, 1963 at MSG in NYC: with Buddy Rogers defeated B.Sammartino and B.Brazil in a 2/3 falls match
  • August 15, 1963 in Washington, DC: was defeated by Bruno Sammartino
  • August 22, 1963 in Washinton, DC: with B.Rogers defeated B. Sammartino and A. Apollo
  • August 24, 1963 in Atlantic City, NJ: with B.Rogers drew against Sammartino and B.Brazil
  • January 17, 1965 in Toronto at Maple Leaf Gardens: with Tex McKenzie drew Chris and John Tolos
  • January 24, 1965 in Toronto at Maple Leaf Gardens: lost to Professor Hiro (in 15 mins. 54 secs.)
  • January 12, 1966 in Honolulu, Hawaii at The Civic Auditorium: defeated Ron Reed
  • January 19, 1966 in Honolulu at International Center Arena: lost to Bearcat Wright by a reverse decision
  • January 26, 1966 at Honolulu Civic Auditorium: with Collins, Beauregarde lost to Bockwinkel, Nick Kozak and Neff Maiava
  • February 2, 1966 in Honolulu at Civic Auditorium: won US Title from Nick Kozak in 3 falls
  • ~~~Barend won with an atomic drop; Kozak with a backbreaker; Barend with an atomic drop
  • February 9, 1966 in Honolulu at Civic Auditorium: drew against Nick Bockwinkel
  • ~~~Bockwinkel won the first fall; Barend won the second fall; double count out on the third
  • February 16, 1966 in Honolulu at International Center Arena: beat Nick Kozak in 3 falls
  • ~~~Barend with an atomic drop; Kozak with an airplane spin; Barend with an elbow smash
  • February 23, 1966 in Honolulu at Civic Auditorium: drew against Nick Bockwinkel
  • ~~~Bockwinkel with an abdominal stretch; Barend with an atomic drop; time limit expires
  • February 23, 1966 in Honolulu at Civic Auditorium: with 2 partners beat Bockwinkel, Neff Maiava and a partner
  • March 2, 1966 in Honolulu, Hawaii at Civic Auditorium: with “Oddjob” Togo beat Nick Kozak and Lord Blears
  • ~~~earlier in the night Johnny Barend interfered in a match between Neff Maiava and Lou Newman
  • February 8, 1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii: lost to Jim Hady
  • February 15, 1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii: with Hans Mortier beat Jim Hady and Steve Stanlee
  • February 22, 1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii: DQ loss to Harry Fujiwara
  • March 1, 1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii at International Center Arena: lost to Curtis Iaukea
  • March 8, 1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii: defeated Kongozan
  • March 15, 1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii: defeated Dean Higuchi
  • March 22, 1967 in Honolulu: with Hans Mortier beat Nick Bockwinkel and Paul Diamond
  • April 5, 1967 in Honolulu: with Mortier and Beauregarde beat Bockwinkel, Diamond and Hady
  • April 19, 1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii: defeated Ripper Collins
  • April 26, 1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii: with H. Mortier beat Pepper Gomez and Pedro Morales
  • May 3, 1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii: with H. Mortier loses to Ripper Collins and Curtis Iaukea
  • May 10, 1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii: defeated Hans Mortier
  • May 17, 1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii: with Jim Hady defeated Curtis Iaukea and Ripper Collins

Other Facts:

  • One of the all-time greatest tag team wrestlers; won Titles with 9 different partners…
  • 1969 in Hawaii: Wrestled NWA Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk Jr. for the Title
  • June 7, 1996 – WCW’s Ilio DiPaolo Memorial in Buffalo, NY at War Memorial: Appears In Legends Ceremony
  • June 6, 2003: Attended Freddie Blassie’s memorial services at Hitchcock Church in Scarsdale, New York
  • September 20, 2011: Handsome Johnny Barend passed away on Tuesday at his home in Avon, NY at the age of 82.

Dave Meltzer wrote: Handsome Johnny Barend, a major worldwide star of the 50s and 60s, passed away on Tuesday at his home in Avon, NY at the age of 82. Barend headlined throughout the world, but was something of a 60s cultural icon in Hawaii where he, King Curtis Iaukea, Lord James Blears and Gentleman Ed Francis were household names as the Saturday television show used to get a 50 market share. Barend played a crazy character and was known for outlandish interviews which were among the best of their era.