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|tab1=General
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|tab2=Event history
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|tab3=Image gallery
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|tab4=Merchandise
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{{Infobox wrestler
 
{{Infobox wrestler
 
|name = Jim Brunzell
 
|name = Jim Brunzell
|image = [[Image:Jim Brunzell.jpg|200px]]
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|names = '''Jim Brunzell'''
 
|names = '''Jim Brunzell'''
 
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'''James "Jim" Brunzell''' (August 13, 1949) is a retired [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] better known by his [[ring name]] '''"Jumping" Jim Brunzell'''. Known for his successful [[tag team]]s, Brunzell performed for various wrestling promotions over the course of approximately two decades.
 
'''James "Jim" Brunzell''' (August 13, 1949) is a retired [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] better known by his [[ring name]] '''"Jumping" Jim Brunzell'''. Known for his successful [[tag team]]s, Brunzell performed for various wrestling promotions over the course of approximately two decades.
 
{{Navbuttons - Event Images Toys}}
 
   
 
==Career==
 
==Career==
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===Independent circuit===
 
===Independent circuit===
He left WWF in 1993 and competed on the independent circuit, primarily in the Chicago area. Brunzell also wrestled for [[Herb Abrams]]' [[Universal Wrestling Federation (Herb Abrams)|Universal Wrestling Federation]] (UWF) in 1991. While there, he reunited with B. Brian Blair under the name Masked Confusion, winning the tag team title twice. After UWF closed, Brunzell returned to the independent circuit and continued to wrestle until the 1999, when Brunzell faced fellow wrestler, The Hater.
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He left WWF in 1991 and competed on the independent circuit, primarily in the Chicago area. Brunzell also wrestled for [[Herb Abrams]]' [[Universal Wrestling Federation (Herb Abrams)|Universal Wrestling Federation]] (UWF) in 1991. While there, he reunited with B. Brian Blair under the name Masked Confusion, winning the tag team title twice. After the UWF closed, Brunzell returned to the independent circuit and continued to wrestle until late 1999, when Brunzell faced fellow wrestler, The Hater.
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On May 23, 1993, Brunzell wrestled at [[World Championship Wrestling]]'s inaugural [[Slamboree#1993|Slamboree]] [[pay-per-view]]. He wrestled in a six-man tag match alongside fellow "legends" [[Wahoo McDaniel]] and [[Blackjack Mulligan]] against [[Dick Murdoch]], [[Don Muraco]], and [[Jimmy Snuka|"Superfly" Jimmy Snuka]].
 
On May 23, 1993, Brunzell wrestled at [[World Championship Wrestling]]'s inaugural [[Slamboree#1993|Slamboree]] [[pay-per-view]]. He wrestled in a six-man tag match alongside fellow "legends" [[Wahoo McDaniel]] and [[Blackjack Mulligan]] against [[Dick Murdoch]], [[Don Muraco]], and [[Jimmy Snuka|"Superfly" Jimmy Snuka]].
   
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==Championships and accomplishments==
 
==Championships and accomplishments==
 
*'''[[American Wrestling Association]]
 
*'''[[American Wrestling Association]]
:*[[AWA World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of AWA World Tag Team Champions|2 times]]) - with [[Greg Gagne (wrestler)|Greg Gagne]]
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:*[[AWA World Tag Team Championship]] (2 times) - with [[Greg Gagne]]
   
 
*'''[[Heart of America Sports Attractions|Central States Wrestling]]'''
 
*'''[[Heart of America Sports Attractions|Central States Wrestling]]'''
:*[[NWA World Tag Team Championship (Central States version)|NWA World Tag Team Championship ''(Central States version)'']] ([[NWA World Tag Team Championship (Central States version)#Title history|2 times]]) - with [[Mike George]]
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:*[[NWA World Tag Team Championship (Central States version)|NWA World Tag Team Championship ''(Central States version)'']] (2 times) - with [[Mike George]]
   
 
*'''[[Jim Crockett Promotions|Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling]]'''
 
*'''[[Jim Crockett Promotions|Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling]]'''
:*[[NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship#Title history|2 times]])
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:*[[NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship]] (2 times)
   
 
*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''
 
*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''
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*'''[[Universal Wrestling Federation (Herb Abrams)|Universal Wrestling Federation]]
 
*'''[[Universal Wrestling Federation (Herb Abrams)|Universal Wrestling Federation]]
:*[[UWF World Tag Team Championship (Herb Abrams)|UWF World Tag Team Championship]] ([[UWF World Tag Team Championship (Herb Abrams)#Title history|1 time]]) - with [[Brian Blair]]
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:*[[UWF (Herb Abrams) Tag Team Championship]] (1 time) - with [[Brian Blair]]
   
 
*'''[[West Four Wrestling Alliance]]'''
 
*'''[[West Four Wrestling Alliance]]'''
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==External links==
 
==External links==
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*[[File:Cm logo.jpg|50px]] [https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=851&gimmick=Jim+Brunzell Profile]
* [http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/brunzell.html accelerator3359.com Profile]
 
   
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{{1991 PWI Top 500 Wrestlers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brunzell, James}}
 
 
[[Category:American wrestlers]]
 
[[Category:American wrestlers]]
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[[Category:Minnesota wrestlers]]
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[[Category:AWA World Tag Team Champions]]
 
[[Category:1949 births]]
 
[[Category:1949 births]]
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[[Category:1972 debuts]]
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[[Category:1994 retirements]]
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[[Category:All Japan Pro Wrestling alumni]]
 
[[Category:American Wrestling Association alumni]]
 
[[Category:American Wrestling Association alumni]]
 
[[Category:American Wrestling Federation alumni]]
 
[[Category:American Wrestling Federation alumni]]
 
[[Category:Central States Wrestling alumni]]
 
[[Category:Central States Wrestling alumni]]
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[[Category:Georgia Championship Wrestling alumni]]
 
[[Category:Jim Crockett Promotions alumni]]
 
[[Category:Jim Crockett Promotions alumni]]
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[[Category:Maple Leaf Wrestling alumni]]
 
[[Category:National Wrestling Alliance alumni]]
 
[[Category:National Wrestling Alliance alumni]]
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[[Category:NWA Mid American Wrestling alumni]]
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[[Category:St. Louis Wrestling Club alumni]]
 
[[Category:Universal Wrestling Federation (Bill Watts) alumni]]
 
[[Category:Universal Wrestling Federation (Bill Watts) alumni]]
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[[Category:Universal Wrestling Federation (Herb Abrams) alumni]]
 
[[Category:World Championship Wrestling alumni]]
 
[[Category:World Championship Wrestling alumni]]
 
[[Category:World Wrestling Entertainment alumni]]
 
[[Category:World Wrestling Entertainment alumni]]
[[Category:1972 debuts]]
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1994 retirements]]
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[[Category:Male wrestlers]]
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[[Category:Frank Gotch Award Winners]]

Revision as of 00:59, 15 May 2019

James "Jim" Brunzell (August 13, 1949) is a retired professional wrestler better known by his ring name "Jumping" Jim Brunzell. Known for his successful tag teams, Brunzell performed for various wrestling promotions over the course of approximately two decades.

Career

American Wrestling Association

Jim Brunzell wrestled for American Wrestling Association (AWA) throughout the 1970s, primarily as a mid-card talent. In 1973, he made a cameo appearance sparring with Billy Robinson in the film, The Wrestler. On July 7, 1977, Greg Gagne and Brunzell defeated 'Black Jack' Lanza and 'Big Bad' Bobby Duncum, managed by Bobby Heenan, to win their first AWA World Tag Team Championship. They held the titles until September 1978, when they were stripped of the belts due to an injury that Brunzell incurred while playing in a charity softball game. The titles were awarded to Pat Patterson and Ray Stevens.

National Wrestling Alliance

During the later half of the 1970s, he signed to wrestle for the Mid-Atlantic region and won the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship twice, a significant singles title at the time.

Return to AWA

Upon returning to AWA, Brunzell reformed his tag team with Greg Gagne, known as the "High Flyers", and was elevated to main event status. The tandem of Brunzell and Gagne held the AWA World Tag Team Championship on two separate occasions, feuding with teams like Jesse Ventura and Adrian Adonis and Jerry Blackwell and Ken Patera. Brunzell remained with the AWA in both tag team and singles competition until 1985.

World Wrestling Federation

Brunzell then signed to wrestle with World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as they continued their national expansion. Here, he formed the popular tag team, The Killer Bees, with another WWF newcomer, Brian Blair. Apparently, Verne and Greg Gagne felt somewhat betrayed by the move. Gagne even expressed his displeasure during an AWA broadcast, making subtle references to Brunzell's departure and his new gimmick.

Brunzell and Blair experienced moderate success while with the WWF. The two feuded with the likes of The Hart Foundation as well as the Funks, Jimmy Jack Funk and Hoss Funk, who they faced in front of over 74,000 fans at The Big Event. Their stay was also highlighted by a match against Nikolai Volkoff and the Iron Sheik as part of WrestleMania III and a win at the inaugural Survivor Series on Thanksgiving Day 1987. The Killer Bees teamed together until Blair left the promotion in 1988. Brunzell continued in singles competition for a time, being used to put over newer talent like Curt Hennig and Damien Demento as late as a Raw episode in April 1993.

Independent circuit

He left WWF in 1991 and competed on the independent circuit, primarily in the Chicago area. Brunzell also wrestled for Herb Abrams' Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF) in 1991. While there, he reunited with B. Brian Blair under the name Masked Confusion, winning the tag team title twice. After the UWF closed, Brunzell returned to the independent circuit and continued to wrestle until late 1999, when Brunzell faced fellow wrestler, The Hater.

On May 23, 1993, Brunzell wrestled at World Championship Wrestling's inaugural Slamboree pay-per-view. He wrestled in a six-man tag match alongside fellow "legends" Wahoo McDaniel and Blackjack Mulligan against Dick Murdoch, Don Muraco, and "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka.

In 1994, he was named the commissioner of the American Wrestling Federation, and he made an appearance as a guest referee in a bout for the AWF Heavyweight Championship, in which Tito Santana beat Bob Orton, Jr., to win the title.

In 2006, Brunzell became involved in a highly publicized "interview feud" after his former tag team partner, Brian Blair, was insulted by the Iron Sheik in a series of shoot interviews that received heavy circulation on the internet. Brunzell received high praise from the Sheik for his athletic and high-jumping prowess.

Currently, Brunzell works as a financial planner for Focus Financial in the Minneapolis area, he is also active in his church and does charity work for children with diabetes.

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

  • NWA World Tag Team Championship (Central States version) (2 times) - with Mike George
  • Pro Wrestling Illustrated
    • PWI ranked him # 180 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.
    • PWI ranked him # 49 of the 100 best tag teams during the "PWI Years" with Greg Gagne.
    • PWI Tag Team of the Year award with Greg Gagne in 1982.
  • UWF (Herb Abrams) Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Brian Blair
  • WFWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

External links

1991 PWI Top 500 Wrestlers
1-100
Hulk HoganLex LugerRic FlairRandy SavageStingScott SteinerRicky SteamboatSteve WilliamsArn AndersonRick SteinerUltimate WarriorJerry LawlerCurt HennigBarry WindhamRoad Warrior HawkSid JusticeTed DiBiaseRoad Warrior AnimalNikita KoloffThe Great MutaBret HartTerry FunkJake RobertsStan HansenBig BossmanRick RudeJushin LigerJeff JarrettRon SimmonsBobby EatonSteve AustinEric EmbryBig Van VaderAntonio InokiAbdullah the ButcherSgt. SlaughterShawn MichaelsLarry ZbyszkoIrwin R. SchysterKerry Von ErichRick MartelMr. SaitoEddie GilbertBrian PillmanCactus JackDavey Boy SmithDino BravoTom ZenkKonnanEarthquakeTony AnthonyTerrence TaylorGreg ValentineBob BacklundThe PatriotRichard MortonMarty JannetyBam Bam BigelowDoug FurnasMichael HayesStan LaneDan SpiveyRobert GibsonTony AtlasBill DundeeChris AdamsCol. DebeersBezerkerIceman ParsonsJim NeidhartVictor ZangievAustin IdolHerculesAl PerezWarlordDiamond StuddThe MountieKevin Von ErichRoddy PiperSamuGary YoungHacksaw DugganJeff GaylordBig Bully BusickThe BarbarianP.N. NewsManny FernandezTracey SmothersBlack BloodSmashRiki ChoshuDynamite KidJim GarvinAxis the DemolisherBeau BeverlySamoan SavageBilly Jack HaynesKen PateraBad News BrownJoel Deaton
101-200
Johnny B. BaddRobert FullerLarry CameronAngel of DeathBrad ArmstrongJimmy SnukaChris BenoitThe GrapplerNaoki SanoJerry EstradaNegro CasasEl GiganteBlake BeverlyOne Man GangPaul OrndorffAndre The GiantDick MurdochDr. Tom PrichardThe SkinnerB. Brian BlairThomas RichBuddy RobertsButch ReedDon MuracoPaul RomaRon GarvinRandy RoseBig JoshCarlos ColonBob Orton, Jr.Dustin RhodesSteve ArmstrongBrickhouse BrownTito SantanaAkira NogamiBrad RheingansDan DavisJimmy Jack FunkBilly BlackFatuScott NortonMil MascarasWendell CooleyHakuMike DavisSteve DiSalvoPat TanakaKokina MaximusDoug GilbertRicky RiceJim BrunzellKevin SullivanDerrick DukesIvan KoloffRip OliverBuzz SawyerJohnny SmithJunkyard DogJohn TatumHiroshi HaseAwesome DogScott AnthonyKatoBobby FultonDick SlaterBrian KnobbsMakhan SinghMr. HughesDan KroffatThe Honky Tonk ManShane DouglasSteve DollMasa ChonoChris WalkerYellow DogJumbo TsurutaTim HornerD.C. DrakeVic SteamboatLou PerezPaul DiamondSteve RegalThe EqualizerBuddy LandellChris ChavisDavid SammartinoMitsuharu MisawaAl MadrilJerry SagsJoe SavoldiDestructionThe SheikTommy RogersSoultakerJohnny AceTommy JammerRex KingHarley RaceRochester RoadblockBrad Anderson
201-300
Jerry MorrowBilly TravisSam HoustonTom BrandiD.J. PetersonCheetah KidOctagonRicky SantanaTerminatorSteven DaneSteve SawyerApocalypseKen WayneDoug MastersCol MustafaCharlie NorrisKing CobraLarry SharpeTodd MortonLarry OliverFirebreaker ChipSunny BeachJonnie StewartDutch MantelMiguel Perez Jr.Stevie RayBill IrwinAfaLanny PoffoTyphoonRanger RossRay OdysseyKamalaJay Strongbow Jr.Preston SteeleTyree PrideSteve SimpsonBadstreetAdrian StreetRip RogersRay StevensJacko VictoryThe JuicerRussian BruteScott PutskiVirgilTerry GarvinMr. PogoSteve ODean MalenkoDoug SomersSkip YoungLightning KidEric SbracchiaHandsome StrangerTNTTeijho KhanBarry HorowitzKoko B. WareNikolai VolkoffKen TimbsRob ZakowskiMondo KleenFire CatRip MorganToshiaki KawadaTazmaniacPez WhatleyIvan PutskiJoe MalenkoBuddy RoseJackie FultonRon HarrisLuke WilliamsGama SinghLeo BurkeT.C. CarterScott CaseyChris ChampionChick DonovanDory Funk Jr.Greg GagneMike GeorgeMike GrahamInvader IRocky JohnsonCpl. KirchnerRufus R. JonesWahoo McDanielVan HammerYoshihiro AsaiKillerEl Hijo Del SantoCrushLarry PowerMotor City MadmanBrian AdiasMark RoccoRon BassBrad Baiton
301-400
Bobby BlairBob BradleyMark MillerDragon MasterJohn RamboJohnny RichNelson RoyalGreg WojokowskiAkio SatoSoldat UstinovFabulous LanceHumongusJeff ColletteBart BattenKing KaluhaJohnny RodzDennis CondreyGary AlbrightOle AndersonDon BassMark YoungbloodJon MichaelsEqualizer ZipDavid PowerJerry GreyEqualizer ZapSikaFrank LancasterMike SharpeSteve CoxChris YoungbloodBaron Von RaschkeSteve LawlerRay CandyJ.W. StormBuck ZumhofeJoey MaggsPsychoLes ThorntonBob BrownShaun SimpsonMike SamsonFestusTiger Conway Jr.Barry OMike JacksonTugboat TaylorJason the TerribleKevin KellyMike WinnerTerry DanielsScott ArmstrongJim BacklundHurricane WalkerBlack BartTom DavisTexas RangerJimmy ValiantKiller BrooksBoris ZhukovBotswana BeastBonecrusherCuban AssasinRikki NelsonBrady BooneLarry WintersOzBull RantosAxl RottenBuddy Lee ParkerJimmy PowellRod PriceJ.T. SmithMark StarrHossRon CumberledgeSteve LombardiTony CaponeBrian DonohueTommy AngelG.Q. MadisonMadd MaxxDusty WolfeFrank MelsonRon ShawBob CookJose Luis RiveraMike CervichSabuG.I. BroMr. AtlantaJerry LynnGene LigonChris MichaelsLeatherfaceMoondog SpotCarl StyleasTony StetsonJim PowersG.Q. Stratus
401-500