Changes: Hillbilly Jim

Revision as of 15:36, 10 August 2018

James "Jim" Morris (July 5, 1952) is an American retired professional wrestler and current radio host, better known by his ring name, Hillbilly Jim. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation from 1984 to 1990.

Career

Before appearing in the WWF (now WWE) as Hillbilly Jim, Morris wrestled with the Continental Wrestling Association in the Memphis area under the name Harley Davidson, a biker gimmick. While there, Morris formed a popular tag team with Roger Smith, who went by the ring name "Dirty Rhodes" because of his resemblance to Dusty Rhodes. He also made some appearances with Stampede Wrestling under his given name as "Big" Jim Morris.

In late 1984, Morris first appeared in the WWF as a wrestling fan who routinely sat in the front row of live events and who eventually decided to try his hand at wrestling himself. A series of vignettes were aired on WWF's TV programming in the early weeks of 1985, showing Hulk Hogan training Jim and providing him with his first set of wrestling boots. This introduced the character of Hillbilly Jim; a simple-minded, shaggy-bearded Appalachian hillbilly clad in bib overalls, and hailing from Mudlick, Kentucky. Hillbilly Jim appeared in a few tag team matches with friend Hulk Hogan, and had his first high-profile singles match at The War to Settle the Score event on February 18, 1985 in which he defeated Rene Goulet. Unfortunately, Morris was sidelined by an injury a few days later. At a show in San Diego, he appeared in Hogan's corner in a match between Hogan and Brutus Beefcake. While chasing Beefcake's manager Johnny V around ringside, Morris slipped on a wet spot and (legitimately) broke his leg. To help fill in the seven months during his recovery, similarly-dressed "family" members Uncle Elmer, Cousin Luke, and Cousin Junior were introduced for Morris to accompany to ringside as a manager.

When his in-ring career resumed, Morris often either tag teamed with his family, or fellow big man André the Giant. He was traditionally matched up against the WWF's monster heels of the era, such as Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy. He also had a short feud with Mr. Fuji, and wrestled him in a series of tuxedo matches in late 1986. Hillbilly Jim was generally kept as a "fun" character, rarely getting involved in any serious storylines. His theme music was a folksy barn dance tune called "Don't Go Messin' With a Country Boy", which Morris danced along to with his partners, the ring announcer and or children from the crowd while the audience clapped along.

His only WrestleMania appearance outside of battle royals was a novelty match in WrestleMania III involving King Kong Bundy and midget wrestlers. At Survivor Series '88, Jim teamed with his old mentor Hulk Hogan along with Randy Savage, Hercules and Koko B. Ware to defeat the team of Big Boss Man, Akeem, Ted DiBiase, King Haku and The Red Rooster. Though Jim was eliminated by Akeem, Hogan and Savage would go on to survive and win the match.

In addition to wrestling, Hillbilly Jim is also credited as creating the puppet named "Mine" for fellow WWF Superstar George "The Animal" Steele.

Hillbilly Jim continued to appear regularly in WWF matches until the summer of 1990. His last high-profile match with the WWF was during the April 28, 1990 (taped April 23, 1990) edition of Saturday Night's Main Event, in which he lost to Earthquake in a squash match that lasted just under 2 minutes. He returned in December 1995 as a guest referee and a month later became manager of Henry O. and Phineas I. Godwinn, "cousins" who were pig farmers, After the Godwinns turned heel in the spring of 1997, Hillbilly Jim was no longer needed as their manager, Morris later worked as a road agent and participated in the "Gimmick Battle Royal" in 2001 at WrestleMania X-Seven.

He was the official WWE legend host of the highly successful WrestleMania Fan Axxess tour for WrestleMania XX, WrestleMania 21, WrestleMania 22, and WrestleMania 23 in major malls across the US. As part of the WrestleMania 20 Fan Axxess Tour, Jim performed at the "House of Blues" in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New Orleans sponsored by Gibson Guitars.

From 1990 to 2001 Morris traveled worldwide representing the WWF for Coliseum Video sales and later with Sony Videos.

In 2005, Sirius Satellite Radio added "Hillbilly Jim's Moonshine Matinee" as a weekly program on its Outlaw Country channel 63. Every Saturday, Morris plays a wide variety of classic country music and Southern rock. Between records, he tells stories of his days with the WWF.

On April 10, 2012, Hillbilly Jim made an appearance on WWE Smackdown: Blast from the Past.

On March 5, 2018, Hillbilly Jim was announced to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Other media

Morris has appeared in a number of trade shows, such as Atlanta Super Sports Show, Video Software Dealer's Association, Focus on Video, and many others. Moreover, he has had numerous personal appearances in national retail stores, such as Blockbuster Video, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Toys "R" Us, and Kroger.

He has done a national commercial for Chevy trucks and another local TV and radio commercials in Kentucky. He appeared in WWE cartoon series Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling, which was produced by DIC Enterprises.

He is featured in the game WWE Smackdown! Here Comes the Pain and is billed as a legend.

He performed the song "Don't Go Messing With A Country Boy" for the The Wrestling Album, which was certified gold. Its follow-up album, Piledriver - The Wrestling Album 2, also included a duet by Hillbilly Jim and a female singer credited as Gertrude, entitled "Waking Up Alone".

On August 31, 2009, Hillbilly Jim appeared on ESPN's fantasy football podcast "Fantasy Focus" with Nate Ravitz and fill-in host Keith Lipscomb. Matthew Berry, one of the show's regular co-hosts, was absent due to a fantasy football draft in Las Vegas.

Filmography

Hee Haw
Live with Regis and Kathy Lee
Farm Aid
Jerry Lewis Telethon
Special Olympics
Juvenile Diabetes Telethon
Variety Club Children's Telethon

In wrestling

Finishing moves
- Bear hug

Signature moves
- Big boot
- Running leg drop

Entrance themes
- "Don't Go Messin' with a Country Boy"

Wrestlers managed

Championships and accomplishments

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

PWI ranked him # 298 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.

World Wrestling Entertainment

WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2018)

External links

WWE Hall of Fame
1993
André the Giant
1994
Arnold Skaaland • Bobo Brazil • Buddy Rogers • Chief Jay Strongbow • Freddie Blassie • Gorilla Monsoon • James Dudley
1995
Antonino Rocca • Ernie Ladd • George Steele • Ivan Putski • The Fabulous Moolah • The Grand Wizard • Pedro Morales
1996
Lou Albano • Jimmy Snuka • Jimmy Valiant • Johnny Rodz • Johnny Valiant • Killer Kowalski • Mikel Scicluna • Pat Patterson • Vince McMahon, Sr.
2004
Big John Studd • Bobby Heenan • Don Muraco • Greg Valentine • Harley Race • Jesse Ventura • Junkyard Dog • Pete Rose • Sgt. Slaughter • Superstar Billy Graham • Tito Santana
2005
Bob Orton, Jr. • Hulk Hogan • Jimmy Hart • Nikolai Volkoff • Paul Orndorff • Roddy Piper • The Iron Sheik
2006
Bret Hart • Blackjack Mulligan • Eddie Guerrero • Gene Okerlund • Jack Lanza • Sherri Martel • Tony Atlas • Verne Gagne • William Perry
2007
Afa • Curt Hennig • Dusty Rhodes • Jerry Lawler • Jim Ross • Mr. Fuji • Nick Bockwinkel • Sika • The Sheik
2008
Eddie Graham • Gerald Brisco • Gordon Solie • Jack Brisco • Mae Young • Peter Maivia • Ric Flair • Rocky Johnson
2009
Bill Watts • Chris Von Erich • David Von Erich • Dory Funk Jr. • Fritz Von Erich • Howard Finkel • Kerry Von Erich • Kevin Von Erich • Koko B. Ware • Mike Von Erich • Ricky Steamboat • Steve Austin • Terry Funk
2010
Antonio Inoki • Bob Uecker • Gorgeous George • Maurice Vachon • Stu Hart • Ted DiBiase • Wendi Richter
2011
Abdullah the Butcher • Bob Armstrong • Drew Carey • Jim Duggan • Legion of Doom • Paul Ellering • Shawn Michaels • Sunny
2012
Edge • Four Horsemen • Mike Tyson • Mil Máscaras • Ron Simmons • Yokozuna
2013
Bob Backlund • Booker T • Bruno Sammartino • Donald Trump • Mick Foley • Trish Stratus
2014
Carlos Colon • Jake Roberts • Lita • Mr. T • Paul Bearer • Scott Hall • Ultimate Warrior
2015
Arnold Schwarzenegger • Connor Michalek • Alundra Blayze • Kevin Nash • Larry Zbyszko • Randy Savage • Rikishi • Tatsumi Fujinami • The Bushwhackers
2016
Art Thomas • Big Bossman • Buddy Roberts • The Godfather • Ed Lewis • Frank Gotch • George Hackenschmidt • Jacqueline • Jimmy Garvin • Joan Lunden • Lou Thesz • Michael P.S. Hayes • Mildred Burke • Pat O'Connor • Snoop Dogg • Stan Hansen • Sting • Terry Gordy
2017
Bearcat Wright • Beth Phoenix • Diamond Dallas Page • Dr. Jerry Graham • Eric LeGrand • Haystacks Calhoun • Judy Grable • June Byers • Kurt Angle • Luther Lindsay • Martin Burns • Rick Rude • Ricky Morton • Rikidozan • Robert Gibson • Theodore Long • Toots Mondt
2018
Alfred Hayes • Boris Malenko • Cora Combs • Dara Singh • Dudley Boyz • El Santo • Goldberg • Hillbilly Jim • Hiro Matsuda • Ivory • Jarrius "JJ" Robertson • Jeff Jarrett • Jim Londos • Kid Rock • Mark Henry • Rufus R. Jones • Sputnik Monroe • Stan Stasiak
2019
Bruiser Brody • Brutus Beefcake • Buddy Rose • D-Generation X • (Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Chyna, Road Dogg, Billy Gunn, X-Pac) • Harlem Heat (Booker T, Stevie Ray) • The Hart Foundation(Bret Hart, Jim Neidhart) • Hisashi Shinma • The Honky Tonk Man • Jim Barnett • Joseph Cohen • Luna Vachon • Primo Carnera • Professor Toru Tanaka • S.D. Jones • Sue Aitchison • Torrie Wilson • Wahoo McDaniel
2020
Baron Michele Leone • The Bella Twins (Nikki Bella, Brie Bella) • Brickhouse Brown • The British Bulldog • Gary Hart • John "Bradshaw" Layfield • Jushin "Thunder" Liger • New World Order ("Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Sean Waltman) • Ray Stevens • Steve Williams • Titus O'Neil • William Shatner
2021
Buzz Sawyer • Dick the Bruiser • Eric Bischoff • Ethel Johnson • The Great Khali • Kane • Molly Holly • Ozzy Osbourne • Paul Boesch • Pez Whatley • Rich Hering • Rob Van Dam
2022
The Undertaker • Steiner Brothers (Rick Steiner, Scott Steiner) • Big Van Vader • Queen Sharmell
2023
Rey Mysterio • The Great Muta • Andy Kaufman • Stacy Keibler • Tim White
2024
Paul Heyman • Bull Nakano • U.S. Express • Muhammad Ali • Thunderbolt Patterson • Lia Maivia

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Tabs
+|backcolor=#FFE93E
+|altbackcolor=#FFFFFF
+|bordercolor=silver
+|borderradius=6
+|height=2.2
+|maxwidth=20
+|tab1=General
+|tab2=Event history
+|tab3=Image gallery
+|tab4=Magazine covers
+|tab5=Merchandise
+|tab6=Toys
+}}
 {{Infobox Wrestler
+| name = Hillbilly Jim<br>[[File:WWE HOF 2013.png|150px]]<br>Class of 2018
-| name = Jim Morris
-| image = [[Image:Hillbilly-Jim.jpg|200px]]
+| image = [[File:HillbillyJim full.png|200px]]
-| names = Harley Devidson<br>'''Hillbilly Jim'''
+| names = Harley Devidson<br>'''Hillbilly Jim'''<br>"Big" Jim Morris
-| height = 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
+| height = 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
-| weight = 287 lb (130 kg)
+| weight = 320 lbs (150 kg)
-| birth_date = July 5, [[1952]]
+| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1952|7|5}}
-| birth_place = Miami, Florida
+| birth_place = [[Miami, Florida]]
 | death_date =
 | death_place =
-| resides =
+| resides = [[Bowling Green, Kentucky]]
-| billed =
+| billed = [[Mud Lick, Kentucky]]
-| trainer = [[Bob Orton]]
+| trainer = [[Bob Orton, Sr.]]
-| debut = [[1975]]
+| debut   = [[1975]]
 | retired = January 6, [[2009]]
 }}
+'''James "Jim" Morris''' (July 5, [[1952]]) is an [[American]] retired [[professional wrestler]] and current radio host, better known by his [[ring name]], '''Hillbilly Jim'''. He is best known for his appearances with the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] from [[1984]] to [[1990]].
+==Career==
-'''James Morris''' (born July 5, 1952) is a [[professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] best known to fans as '''Hillbilly Jim'''. He was one of the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation's]] most popular wrestlers of the mid-to-late 1980s.
+Before appearing in the WWF (now WWE) as Hillbilly Jim, Morris wrestled with the [[Continental Wrestling Association]] in the [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] area under the name '''Harley Davidson''', a biker [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Gimmick|gimmick]]. While there, Morris formed a popular [[tag team]] with Roger Smith, who went by the ring name "Dirty Rhodes" because of his resemblance to [[Dusty Rhodes]]. He also made some appearances with [[Stampede Wrestling]] under his given name as "Big" Jim Morris.
+In late 1984, Morris first appeared in the WWF as a wrestling fan who routinely sat in the front row of live events and who eventually decided to try his hand at wrestling himself. A series of [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Vignette|vignettes]] were aired on WWF's TV programming in the early weeks of 1985, showing [[Hulk Hogan]] training Jim and providing him with his first set of wrestling boots. This introduced the character of Hillbilly Jim; a simple-minded, shaggy-bearded Appalachian hillbilly clad in bib overalls, and hailing from Mudlick, Kentucky. Hillbilly Jim appeared in a few tag team matches with friend Hulk Hogan, and had his first high-profile singles match at ''The War to Settle the Score'' event on February 18, 1985 in which he defeated [[Rene Goulet]]. Unfortunately, Morris was sidelined by an injury a few days later. At a show in [[San Diego, California|San Diego]], he appeared in Hogan's corner in a match between Hogan and [[Edward Leslie|Brutus Beefcake]]. While chasing Beefcake's manager [[John L. Sullivan|Johnny V]] around ringside, Morris slipped on a wet spot and ([[Legit (professional wrestling)|legitimately]]) broke his leg. To help fill in the seven months during his recovery, similarly-dressed "family" members [[Uncle Elmer]], [[Gene Petit|Cousin Luke]], and [[Cousin Junior]] were introduced for Morris to accompany to ringside as a manager.
+When his in-ring career resumed, Morris often either tag teamed with his family, or fellow big man [[André the Giant]]. He was traditionally matched up against the WWF's [[heel (professional wrestling)|monster heels]] of the era, such as [[Big John Studd]] and [[King Kong Bundy]]. He also had a short [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with [[Mr. Fuji]], and wrestled him in a series of [[Professional wrestling match types#Tuxedo match|tuxedo matches]] in late 1986. Hillbilly Jim was generally kept as a "fun" character, rarely getting involved in any serious storylines. His theme music was a folksy barn dance tune called "Don't Go Messin' With a Country Boy", which Morris danced along to with his partners, the ring announcer and or children from the crowd while the audience clapped along.
-{{Navbuttons}}
+His only WrestleMania appearance outside of [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royals]] was a novelty match in [[WrestleMania III]] involving King Kong Bundy and midget wrestlers. At [[Survivor Series 1988|Survivor Series '88]], Jim teamed with his old mentor Hulk Hogan along with [[Randy Savage]], [[Hercules]] and [[Koko B. Ware]] to defeat the team of [[Big Boss Man]], [[Akeem]], [[Ted DiBiase]], [[King Haku]] and [[The Red Rooster]]. Though Jim was eliminated by Akeem, Hogan and Savage would go on to survive and win the match.
+In addition to wrestling, Hillbilly Jim is also credited as creating the puppet named "Mine" for fellow WWF Superstar [[George Steele|George "The Animal" Steele]].
+Hillbilly Jim continued to appear regularly in WWF matches until the summer of 1990. His last high-profile match with the WWF was during the April 28, 1990 (taped April 23, 1990) edition of ''[[Saturday Night's Main Event]]'', in which he lost to [[John Tenta|Earthquake]] in a squash match that lasted just under 2 minutes. He returned in December 1995 as a guest referee and a month later became manager of [[Mark Canterbury|Henry O.]] and [[Dennis Knight|Phineas I. Godwinn]], "cousins" who were pig farmers, After the Godwinns turned heel in the spring of 1997, Hillbilly Jim was no longer needed as their manager, Morris later worked as a road agent and participated in the "Gimmick Battle Royal" in 2001 at [[WrestleMania X-Seven]].
-==Finishing and signature moves==
-*'''[[Professional wrestling holds#Bear Hug|Bearhug]]'''
-*'''[[Leg Drop]]'''
+He was the official WWE legend host of the highly successful WrestleMania Fan Axxess tour for [[WrestleMania XX]], [[WrestleMania 21]], [[WrestleMania 22]], and [[WrestleMania 23]] in major malls across the US. As part of the WrestleMania 20 Fan Axxess Tour, Jim performed at the "House of Blues" in [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], [[Chicago]], and [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]] sponsored by Gibson Guitars.
-==Accomplishments==
-*[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]] (PWI) ranked him # '''298''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.
+From 1990 to 2001 Morris traveled worldwide representing the WWF for Coliseum Video sales and later with Sony Videos.
+In 2005, Sirius Satellite Radio added "Hillbilly Jim's Moonshine Matinee" as a weekly program on its Outlaw Country channel 63. Every Saturday, Morris plays a wide variety of classic country music and Southern rock. Between records, he tells stories of his days with the WWF.
+On April 10, 2012, Hillbilly Jim made an appearance on WWE Smackdown: Blast from the Past.
+On March 5, 2018, Hillbilly Jim was announced to be inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]].
+==Other media==
+Morris has appeared in a number of trade shows, such as ''Atlanta Super Sports Show'', ''Video Software Dealer's Association'', ''Focus on Video'', and many others. Moreover, he has had numerous personal appearances in national retail stores, such as Blockbuster Video, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Toys "R" Us, and Kroger.
+He has done a national commercial for Chevy trucks and another local TV and radio commercials in [[Kentucky]]. He appeared in WWE cartoon series ''[[Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling]]'', which was produced by DIC Enterprises.
+He is featured in the game ''[[WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain|WWE Smackdown! Here Comes the Pain]]'' and is billed as a legend.
+He performed the song "Don't Go Messing With A Country Boy" for the ''[[The Wrestling Album]]'', which was certified gold. Its follow-up album, ''[[Piledriver - The Wrestling Album 2]]'', also included a duet by Hillbilly Jim and a female singer credited as Gertrude, entitled "Waking Up Alone".
+On August 31, 2009, Hillbilly Jim appeared on ESPN's fantasy football podcast "Fantasy Focus" with Nate Ravitz and fill-in host Keith Lipscomb.  Matthew Berry, one of the show's regular co-hosts, was absent due to a fantasy football draft in Las Vegas.
+===Filmography===
+*''Hee Haw''
+*''Live with Regis and Kathy Lee''
+*''Farm Aid''
+*Jerry Lewis Telethon
+*Special Olympics
+*Juvenile Diabetes Telethon
+*Variety Club Children's Telethon
+==In wrestling==
+*'''Finishing moves'''
+**[[Professional wrestling holds#Bear hug|Bear hug]]
+*'''Signature moves'''
+**[[Professional wrestling attacks#Big boot|Big boot]]
+**[[Leg drop#Running leg drop|Running leg drop]]
+*'''[[Music in professional wrestling|Entrance themes]]'''
+**"[[The Wrestling Album|Don't Go Messin' with a Country Boy]]"
+*'''Wrestlers [[Manager (professional wrestling)|managed]]
+**[[Cousin Junior]]
+**[[Gene Petit|Cousin Luke]]
+**[[The Godwinns]]
+**[[Uncle Elmer]]
+==Championships and accomplishments==
+*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''
+:*PWI ranked him # '''298''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.
+*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]
+:*[[WWE Hall of Fame]] (Class of 2018)
 ==See also==
 *[[/Event history|Hillbilly Jim's event history]]
-*[[/Gimmick history|Hillbilly Jim's gimmicks]]
 ==External links==
@@ Line 40: / Line 106: @@
 *[http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1335 Hillbilly Jim profile at CAGEMATCH]
 *[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/h/hillbilly-jim.html OWW profile]
+{{WWE Hall of Fame}}
 [[Category:American wrestlers]]
 [[Category:Managers and valets]]
+[[Category:American Wrestling Association alumni]]
+[[Category:Century Wrestling Alliance alumni]]
+[[Category:Continental Wrestling Association alumni]]
+[[Category:Stampede Wrestling alumni]]
 [[Category:World Wrestling Entertainment alumni]]
 [[Category:1952 births]]
 [[Category:1975 debuts]]
+[[Category:2009 retirements]]
+[[Category:WWE Legends House]]
+[[Category:Living people]]
+[[Category:Male wrestlers]]
+[[Category:WWE Hall of Fame inductees]]
+[[Category:WWE Hall of Fame]]