Ricky Hunter

Last updated: February 8, 2024

NWA (Amarillo) Western States title defeating Pak Song ();
NWA Florida Heavyweight title -as The Gladiator- defeating Nick Kozak (November 23, 1968);
NWA Florida Heavyweight title -as The Gladiator- defeating Hans Mortier (June 13, 1969);
NWA Florida Brass Knucks title defeating Boris Malenko (April 3, 1969);
NWA Florida Tag Team titles w/Lester Welch defeating The Medics (Jim Starr & Billy Garrett) (April 29, 1969);
NWA Georgia Tag Team titles w/Tommy Siegler defeating Gene & Ole Anderson (1972);

Rick Hunter, amung wrestling historians, is known more admirably, under the mask of the “Gladiator” gimmick..
Dory Funk Jr. wrestled The Gladiator (Rick Hunter) to a 60-minute draw, and the rematch was a 90-minute DQ finish!
November 23, 1968: The Gladiator defeated Nick Kozak to win the Florida title in Tampa, Florida..
June 13, 1969: The Gladiator defeated Hans Mortier to win the Florida title in Jacksonville, Florida..
April 3, 1969: The Gladiator defeated Boris Malenko to win the Brass Knucks title in Jacksonville, Florida..
April 29, 1969: The Gladiator & Lester Welch defeated The Medics (Jim Starr & Billy Garrett) for the Florida Tag Team titles..
1972: The Super Gladiator & Tommy Siegler defeated Gene & Ole Anderson to win the Georgia Tag Team titles..
~~~Ricky Hunter (as The Gladiator) was one of the first wrestlers to use the inverted suplex..
Ricky Hunter is sadly best remembered for his days as a regular jobber in the World Wrestling Federation..
~~~He regularly lost matches to U.S. Express, Koko B. Ware, Jake Roberts, Don Muraco, Uncle Elmer, Rick Steamboat and more..