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{{short description|American professional wrestler}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
{{Infobox professional wrestler
| name = Rufus R. Jones
| name = Rufus R. Jones
Line 5: Line 6:
| names = Rufus R. Jones
| names = Rufus R. Jones
<!-- Please don't change the height or weight. These are the measures as officially stated and they should not be changed. -->
<!-- Please don't change the height or weight. These are the measures as officially stated and they should not be changed. -->
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=1}}<ref name="wn">{{cite web|url=http://kuro.pinoko.jp/pro/w848.htm|title=ルーファス・ジョーンズ / レスラーノート (Rufus R. Jones / Wrestler Notes) |accessdate=2019-02-11|publisher=ダークロHP}}</ref>
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=1}}<ref name="wn">{{cite web|url=http://kuro.pinoko.jp/pro/w848.htm|title=ルーファス・ジョーンズ / レスラーノート (Rufus R. Jones / Wrestler Notes) |access-date=2019-02-11|publisher=ダークロHP|language=ja}}</ref>
| birth_name = Carey L. Lloyd
| birth_name = Carey L. Lloyd
| weight = {{convert|273|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name="wn"/>
| weight = {{convert|273|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name="wn"/>
| birth_date = {{birth date|1933|7|4}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1933|7|4}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1993|11|13|1933|7|4}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1993|11|13|1933|7|4}}
| birth_place = [[Dillon, South Carolina]], United States
| birth_place = [[Clio, South Carolina]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Kansas City, Missouri]], US
| death_place = [[Kansas City, Missouri]], U.S.
| billed = [[St. Louis, Missouri]]
| billed = [[St. Louis, Missouri]]
| trainer =
| trainer =
| debut = 1969
| debut = 1969
| retired = 1988
| retired = 1988
| children = 4, including [[Slick (wrestling)|Slick]]
}}
}}
'''Carey L. Lloyd''' (July 4, 1933 – November 13, 1993), also known by his [[ring name]] '''Rufus R. "Freight Train" Jones''', was an American professional wrestler who competed in the Central States and Mid-Atlantic regional promotions of the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] as well as the [[American Wrestling Association]] during the 1970s and 1980s.
'''Carey L. Lloyd''' (July 4, 1933 – November 13, 1993), also known by his [[ring name]] '''Rufus R. "Freight Train" Jones''', was an American professional wrestler. He competed in the Central States, St. Louis and Mid-Atlantic regional promotions of the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] as well as the [[American Wrestling Association]] and [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] during the 1970s and 1980s.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Lloyd grew up in [[Dillon, South Carolina]] and attended [[South Carolina State University]], where he played on the football team. He also got involved with boxing and competed as a [[Golden Gloves]] boxer.<ref name=moon>{{cite web|title=Rufus R. Jones : The 'R' Stood For 'Guts'|first=Mike|last=Mooneyham|work=The Wrestling Gospel According to Mike Mooneyham|url=http://www.mikemooneyham.com/pages/viewfull.cfm?ObjectID=B5BF374A-88C0-41ED-A732FB5B91606D73|accessdate=2009-01-09|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081114082131/http://www.mikemooneyham.com/pages/viewfull.cfm?ObjectID=B5BF374A-88C0-41ED-A732FB5B91606D73|archivedate=November 14, 2008}}</ref>
Lloyd was born in [[Clio, South Carolina]], and as a young boy, moved to a tenant home in [[Dillon, South Carolina|Dillon]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last1=Oliver |first1=Greg |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0wxLpfRhZqcC&dq=WWE+legends+rufus+r+jones&pg=PT301 |title=The Pro Wrestling Hall Of Fame: Heroes and Icons |last2=Johnson |first2=Steven |last3=Mooneyham |first3=Mike |publisher=[[ECW Press]] |year=2013 |isbn=9781770902695 |pages=301–308 |language=en}}</ref> He also worked as a carpenter and attended [[South Carolina State University]], where he played on the football team.<ref name=":0" /> He also got involved with boxing and competed as a [[Golden Gloves]] boxer,<ref name="moon">{{cite web |last=Mooneyham |first=Mike |date=November 8, 1991 |title=Rufus R. Jones : The 'R' Stood For 'Guts' |url=https://mikemooneyham.com/1991/11/08/rufus-r-jones-the-r-stood-for-guts/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118143125/https://mikemooneyham.com/1991/11/08/rufus-r-jones-the-r-stood-for-guts/ |archive-date=November 18, 2011 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |publisher=The Wrestling Gospel}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YLXmDwAAQBAJ&dq=rufus+r+jones+wrestling&pg=PA255 |title=WWE Encyclopedia of Sports Entertainment New Edition |publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2020 |isbn=978-1465497871 |pages=255 |language=en}}</ref> amassing a 32–3 record.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Rufus R. "Freight Train" Jones |url=https://www.wwe.com/superstars/rufus-r-jones |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213074436/https://www.wwe.com/superstars/rufus-r-jones |archive-date=February 13, 2023 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref>


==Professional wrestling career==
==Career==
⚫
Lloyd trained to become a wrestler at the Tony Santos Boston Wrestling School.<ref>{{cite web |last=Oliver |first=Greg |title=HWA supplies WWF with future talent |url=http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingCAC/02_thatcher-can.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724041524/http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingCAC/02_thatcher-can.html |archive-date=July 24, 2012 |access-date=January 9, 2009 |work=SLAM! Wrestling |url-status=usurped |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> At the beginning of his career, he used the ring name Buster Lloyd, claiming to have learned how to fight on the corner of [[Lenox Avenue]] and [[125th Street (Manhattan)|125th Street]] in [[Harlem]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name="atlantic">{{cite web |last=Martin |first=William C. |title=Friday Night in the Coliseum |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/unbound/flashbks/extreme/martin.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040626223953/https://www.theatlantic.com/unbound/flashbks/extreme/martin.htm |archive-date=June 26, 2004 |access-date=January 9, 2009 |work=The Atlantic Online}}</ref> In this [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Gimmick|gimmick]], he wrestled in Texas and criticized the local wrestlers as being inferior fighters to someone who grew up on the streets. He feuded with [[Tiger Conway, Sr.]], who emerged as the victor in the [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]].<ref name=atlantic/>


He made his professional wrestling debut in 1969, working in Eastern Canada for [[Grand Prix Wrestling]] in the Maritimes and International Wrestling in Montreal. In 1969, he wrestled in Japan for the [[Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance]]. Lloyd later adopted the ring name of '''Rufus R. Jones''', and was nicknamed "Freight Train", which was also the name of his finisher consisting of two shoulder blocks followed by a [[headbutt]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Rufus R. Jones profile |url=https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/rufus-r-jones/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615071859/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/rufus-r-jones/ |archive-date=June 15, 2020 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> In interviews, he would tell opponents that his middle initial, R, stood for "guts".<ref name="moon" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> He formed a [[tag team]] with [[Burrhead Jones]], who was billed as his cousin.<ref name=moon/>
===Early career===
⚫
Lloyd trained to become a wrestler at the Tony Santos Boston Wrestling School.<ref>{{cite web|title=HWA supplies WWF with future talent|first=Greg|last=Oliver|work=SLAM! Wrestling|url=http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingCAC/02_thatcher-can.html|accessdate=2009-01-09}}</ref> At the beginning of his career, he used the ring name Buster Lloyd, the [[Harlem]] Hangman. He claimed to have learned how to fight on the corner of [[Lenox Avenue]] and [[125th Street (Manhattan)|125th Street]] in Harlem.<ref name=atlantic>{{cite web|title=Friday Night in the Coliseum|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/unbound/flashbks/extreme/martin.htm|work=The Atlantic Online|first=William C.|last=Martin|accessdate=2009-01-09}}</ref> In this [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Gimmick|gimmick]], he wrestled in Texas and criticized the local wrestlers as being inferior fighters to someone who grew up on the streets. He feuded with [[Tiger Conway, Sr.]], who emerged the victor in the [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]].<ref name=atlantic/>


⚫
Jones then moved to Missouri to work for [[Sam Muchnick]] in the [[St. Louis Wrestling Club]].<ref name=moon/> He also competed for [[Heart of America Sports Attractions|Heart of America Sports/Central States Wrestling]]. On September 10, 1970, he won his first championship by teaming with [[Danny Little Bear]] to win the Central States version of the [[NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Central States version)|NWA North American Tag Team Championship]].<ref name=CentraNATagBook>{{cite book | author=Royal Duncan and Gary Will | title=Wrestling Title Histories |chapter= (Kansas and Western Missouri) West Missouri: North American Tag Team Title| page= 253| publisher=Archeus Communications | year= 2006 | isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref><ref name="CentraNATagWeb">{{cite web |title=NWA North American Tag Team Title (Central States) |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/nwa/cs-na-t.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517053452/https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/nwa/cs-na-t.html |archive-date=May 17, 2023 |access-date=March 24, 2015 |website=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref> He won the belt three more times with different partners, including Steve Bolus, [[Mongolian Stomper|The Stomper]] and [[Bob Geigel]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=CentraNATagBook/><ref name=CentraNATagWeb/><ref name=":2" /> On February 5, 1976, Jones wrestled [[NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship|NWA World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Terry Funk]] to a one-hour draw in [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina|Winston, Salem]], until beating him via disqualification on July 6.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> He did not win the world title, but instead won the [[WCW World Television Championship|NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Championship]] on November 30 from [[Greg Valentine]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Title |url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/nwa/ma-tv.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418150046/https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/nwa/ma-tv.html |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref> He lost the title to Valentine on January 19, 1977, but regained it from him on February 11 until dropping the title on April 4 to [[Ric Flair]].<ref name=":3" />
Lloyd later adopted the ring name of Rufus R. Jones, nicknamed "Freight Train". In interviews, he would tell opponents that his middle initial, R, stood for "guts".<ref>{{cite web|title=Lobby|work=Mid-Atlantic Gateway|url=http://www.midatlanticgateway.com/Lobby.htm|accessdate=2009-01-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=About Us |work=The Wrestling Gospel According to Mike Mooneyham |url=http://www.mikemooneyham.com/pages/about.html |accessdate=2009-01-09 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081112115841/http://www.mikemooneyham.com/pages/about.html |archivedate=November 12, 2008 }}</ref> He formed a [[tag team]] with [[Burrhead Jones]], who was billed as his cousin.<ref name=moon/>


Between 1972 and 1982, he worked for [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]. He also had a short stint in Florida for [[Continental Championship Wrestling|Southeastern Championship Wrestling]], winning the [[NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title |url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/al/al-h.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207072536/https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/al/al-h.html |archive-date=February 7, 2022 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref> Jones wrestled his final match in [[Puerto Rico]] for the [[World Wrestling Council]] (Capitol Sports Promotions), on September 10, 1988, at A Hot Night in Bayamon, where he and [[Jimmy Valiant]] defeated [[Wild Samoans|The Wild Samoans]] ([[Afa Anoa'i|Afa]] & [[Sika Anoa'i|Sika]]) by disqualification.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Anniversary 1988: A Hot Night in Bayamon results |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/videos/misc/wwc.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625113350/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/videos/misc/wwc.html |archive-date=June 25, 2016 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref>
===Missouri===
⚫
Jones moved to Missouri to wrestle, where he worked for promoter [[Sam Muchnick]] in the [[St. Louis Wrestling Club]].<ref name=moon/> He also competed for [[Heart of America Sports Attractions|Heart of America Sports/Central States Wrestling]]. In 1971, he won his first championship by teaming with Steve Bolus to win the Central States version of the [[NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Central States version)|NWA North American Tag Team Championship]] in late 1971.<ref name=CentraNATagBook>{{cite book | author=Royal Duncan and Gary Will | title=Wrestling Title Histories |chapter= (Kansas and Western Missouri) West Missouri: North American Tag Team Title| page= 253| publisher=Archeus Communications | year= 2006 | isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref><ref name=CentraNATagWeb>{{cite web | url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/nwa/cs-na-t.html | title=NWA North American Tag Team Title (Central States version) | publisher= wrestling-titles.com | accessdate=March 24, 2015}}</ref> He later won the belt twice more, teaming with [[Mongolian Stomper|The Stomper]] and [[Bob Geigel]].<ref name=CentraNATagBook/><ref name=CentraNATagWeb/> He also had a short stint in Florida briefly feuding with [[Leroy Brown (wrestler)|Leroy Brown]] in the early 80s. During the year of 1989, Jones traveled to [[Puerto Rico]] to wrestle in the [[World Wrestling Council]] ( Capitol Sports Promotion ).


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Lloyd was married to Brooksie Jones Lloyd. They had three daughters, Melaney, Crystal, and Kendall, as well as a son, [[Slick (wrestling)|Kenneth Johnson]], who worked for the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] for many years as "The Doctor of Style" Slick.<ref name=charleston>{{cite web|title=Rufus Was the King of Wrestling (article from ''Charleston Post and Courier'')|work=WrestlingClassics.com|accessdate=2009-01-09|date=1993-11-27|url=http://www.wrestlingclassics.com/wawli/New001-010.html}}</ref> After his retirement from wrestling, Carey Lloyd worked with Bob Geigel in security at a [[Greyhound racing|dog-racing track]] in [[Kansas City, Kansas]]. He then opened a restaurant named Rufus' Ringside Restaurant and Bar in [[Kansas City, Missouri]].<ref name=charleston/>
Carey Lloyd was married to Brooksie Jones Lloyd for thirty years.<ref name=":0" /> They had three daughters, Melaney, Crystal, and Kendall, as well as a son, [[Slick (wrestling)|Kenneth Johnson]], who worked for the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] for many years as "The Doctor of Style" Slick.<ref name="moon" /><ref name=":5" /> After Lloyd's retirement from wrestling, he worked with Bob Geigel in security at a [[Greyhound racing|dog-racing track]] in [[Kansas City, Kansas]]. He then opened a restaurant in 1991, named Rufus' Ringside Restaurant and Bar in [[Kansas City, Missouri]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name="moon" />


On November 13, 1993, Lloyd died of a [[Myocardial infarction|heart attack]] while hunting deer in [[Brunswick, Missouri]].<ref name=star1>{{cite web|title=Rufus R. Jones (article from ''Kansas City Star'')|work=WrestlingClassics.com|accessdate=2009-01-09|date=1993-11-17|url=http://www.wrestlingclassics.com/wawli/New001-010.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Black Stars of Professional Wrestling|publisher=Awesome Records|first=Julian L. D.|last=Shabazz|page=54|year=1999|isbn=1-893680-03-7}}</ref>
On November 13, 1993, Lloyd died of a [[Myocardial infarction|heart attack]] while hunting deer in [[Brunswick, Missouri]]; he was 60 years old.<ref name="moon" /><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite book|title=Black Stars of Professional Wrestling|publisher=Awesome Records|first=Julian L. D.|last=Shabazz|page=54|year=1999|isbn=1-893680-03-7}}</ref> He had a wide number of lodge members and fans at his funeral, and masonic rituals were performed at the viewing of his body prior to burial.<ref name=":2" />


==Championships and accomplishments==
== Championships and accomplishments ==
*'''[[Heart of America Sports Attractions|Central States Wrestling]]'''
*'''[[Central States Wrestling]]'''
**[[NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship#Title history|2 times]])
**[[NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship#Title history|2 times]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=NWA Central States Heavyweight Title |url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/nwa/cs-h.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419170524/https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/nwa/cs-h.html |archive-date=April 19, 2022 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
**[[NWA Central States Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Central States Tag Team Championship#Title History|3 times]]) – with [[Bob Brown (wrestler)|Bob Brown]] (1), [[The Missing Link (wrestler)|Dewey Robertson]] (1), [[Mike George (wrestler)|Mike George]] (1)
**[[NWA Central States Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Central States Tag Team Championship#Title history|3 times]]) – with [[Bob Brown (wrestler)|Bob Brown]] (1 time), [[The Missing Link (wrestler)|Dewey Robertson]] (1 time), and [[Mike George (wrestler)|Mike George]] (1 time)<ref>{{Cite web |title=NWA Central States Tag Team Title |url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/nwa/cs-t.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128073115/https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/nwa/cs-t.html |archive-date=January 28, 2022 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
**[[NWA Central States Television Championship]] ([[NWA Central States Television Championship#Title History|1 time]])
**[[NWA Central States Television Championship]] ([[NWA Central States Television Championship#Title History|1 time]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=NWA Central States Television Title |url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/nwa/cs-tv.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406133754/https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/nwa/cs-tv.html |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
**[[NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Central States version)|NWA North American Tag Team Championship ''(Central States version)'']] ([[NWA North American Tag Team Championship#Title history|4 times]]) – with Steve Bolus (1), The Stomper (2), [[Bob Geigel]] (2)<ref name=CentraNATagBook/><ref name=CentraNATagWeb/>
**[[NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Central States version)|NWA North American Tag Team Championship ''(Central States version)'']] ([[NWA North American Tag Team Championship#Title history|5 times]]) – with [[Danny Little Bear]] (1 time), Steve Bolus (1 time), The Stomper (1 time), and [[Bob Geigel]] (2 times)<ref name=CentraNATagBook/><ref name=CentraNATagWeb/>
*'''[[Georgia Championship Wrestling]]'''
*'''[[Georgia Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Norvell Austin]]
**[[NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Norvell Austin]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=NWA Georgia Tag Team Title |url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ga/ga-t.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206163227/https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ga/ga-t.html |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
*'''[[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|1 time]])<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bourne |first=Dick |title=Mid-Atlantic Wrestling: The Definitive History of the Mid-Atlantic Championship |url=https://www.midatlanticgateway.com/Almanac/mid_a_history/mid_a_title_history/mid-a_title_history.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217125022/http://midatlanticgateway.com/Almanac/mid_a_history/mid_a_title_history/mid-a_title_history.htm |archive-date=December 17, 2010 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |publisher=Mid-Atlantic Gateway}}</ref>
**[[NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])
**[[NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Bugsy McGraw]]
**[[NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Bugsy McGraw]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Title |url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/ma-t.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404130920/https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/ma-t.html |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
**[[WCW World Television Championship|NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Television Champions|2 times]])
**[[WCW World Television Championship|NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Television Champions|2 times]])<ref name=":3" />
**[[WCW World Tag Team Champions|NWA World Tag Team Championship ''(Mid-Atlantic version)'']] ([[List of WCW World Tag Team Champions|1 time]]) – with [[Wahoo McDaniel]]
**[[WCW World Tag Team Champions|NWA World Tag Team Championship ''(Mid-Atlantic version)'']] ([[List of WCW World Tag Team Champions|1 time]]) – with [[Wahoo McDaniel]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=NWA World Tag Team Title (Mid-Atlantic/WCW) |url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/nwa/ma-nwa-t.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228191727/https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/nwa/ma-nwa-t.html |archive-date=February 28, 2022 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
* '''[[Professional wrestling]]'''
* '''[[Professional wrestling]]'''
**World Negro Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref>http://www.wrestling-titles.com/world/world-negro-h.html</ref>
**World Negro Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Colored Heavyweight Title (Kentucky) |url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ky/ky-world-negro-h.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406225330/https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ky/ky-world-negro-h.html |archive-date=April 6, 2022 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''
*'''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
**PWI ranked him # '''477''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003
**PWI ranked him # '''477''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003
*'''[[Superstars of Wrestling|Pro Wrestling This Week]]'''
*'''''[[Superstars of Wrestling|Pro Wrestling This Week]]'''''
**Wrestler of the Week (November 1–7, 1987)<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Pro Wrestling This Week |url= |access-date= |series=[[Superstars of Wrestling]] |first=Joe |last=Pedicino |authorlink=Joe Pedicino |first2=Gordon (hosts) |last2=Solie |author2link=Gordon Solie |network=[[Broadcast syndication|Syndicated]] |station=[[WATL]] |location=[[Atlanta, Georgia]] |date=November 7, 1987 |season= |number= |minutes= |transcript= |quote= |language=}}</ref>
**Wrestler of the Week (November 1–7, 1987)<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Pro Wrestling This Week |series=[[Superstars of Wrestling]] |first=Joe |last=Pedicino |author-link=Joe Pedicino |first2=Gordon (hosts) |last2=Solie |author2-link=Gordon Solie |network=[[Broadcast syndication|Syndicated]] |station=[[WATL]] |location=[[Atlanta, Georgia]] |date=November 7, 1987 }}</ref>
*'''[[Continental Championship Wrestling|Southeastern Championship Wrestling]]'''
*'''[[Continental Championship Wrestling|Southeastern Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])
**[[NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name=":4" />
*'''[[WWE]]'''
*'''[[WWE]]'''
**[[WWE Hall of Fame]] ([[WWE Hall of Fame (2018)|Class of 2018]])<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 6, 2018 |title=Congratulations to the 2018 WWE Hall of Fame Legacy inductees |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-hall-of-fame/wwe-hall-of-fame-2018/article/legacy-inductions |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410020323/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-hall-of-fame/wwe-hall-of-fame-2018/article/legacy-inductions |archive-date=April 10, 2023 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref>
**[[WWE Hall of Fame]] ([[WWE Hall of Fame (2018)|Class of 2018]])


==References==
==References==
Line 70: Line 71:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://percivalafriend.com/friend120902.htm The Way It Was: Rufus R. Jones] by Percival A. Friend
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081114082131/http://www.mikemooneyham.com/pages/viewfull.cfm?ObjectID=B5BF374A-88C0-41ED-A732FB5B91606D73 Rufus R. Jones: The 'R' Stood For 'Guts'] by Mike Mooneyham
*[http://www.oowrestling.com/columns/circa/200202bhm3.shtml Black History Month: Pro Wrestling's Black Stars, Part 3] by Denny Burkholder
*[http://www.cwfarchives.com/Wrestler.php?id=117 Championship Wrestling from Florida: Rufus R. Jones]
*{{Find a Grave|8314234}}
*{{Find a Grave|8314234}}
* {{WWE superstar}}
* {{WWE superstar}}
* {{Professional wrestling profiles}}
* {{Professional wrestling profiles}}


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Revision as of 15:08, 27 April 2024

Rufus R. Jones
Birth nameCarey L. Lloyd
Born(1933-07-04)July 4, 1933
Clio, South Carolina, U.S.
DiedNovember 13, 1993(1993-11-13) (aged 60)
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Children4, including Slick
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Rufus R. Jones
Billed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1]
Billed weight273 lb (124 kg)[1]
Billed fromSt. Louis, Missouri
Debut1969
Retired1988

Carey L. Lloyd (July 4, 1933 – November 13, 1993), also known by his ring name Rufus R. "Freight Train" Jones, was an American professional wrestler. He competed in the Central States, St. Louis and Mid-Atlantic regional promotions of the National Wrestling Alliance as well as the American Wrestling Association and All Japan Pro Wrestling during the 1970s and 1980s.

Early life

Lloyd was born in Clio, South Carolina, and as a young boy, moved to a tenant home in Dillon.[2] He also worked as a carpenter and attended South Carolina State University, where he played on the football team.[2] He also got involved with boxing and competed as a Golden Gloves boxer,[3][4] amassing a 32–3 record.[5]

Professional wrestling career

Lloyd trained to become a wrestler at the Tony Santos Boston Wrestling School.[6] At the beginning of his career, he used the ring name Buster Lloyd, claiming to have learned how to fight on the corner of Lenox Avenue and 125th Street in Harlem.[2][7] In this gimmick, he wrestled in Texas and criticized the local wrestlers as being inferior fighters to someone who grew up on the streets. He feuded with Tiger Conway, Sr., who emerged as the victor in the feud.[7]

He made his professional wrestling debut in 1969, working in Eastern Canada for Grand Prix Wrestling in the Maritimes and International Wrestling in Montreal. In 1969, he wrestled in Japan for the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance. Lloyd later adopted the ring name of Rufus R. Jones, and was nicknamed "Freight Train", which was also the name of his finisher consisting of two shoulder blocks followed by a headbutt.[2][8][5] In interviews, he would tell opponents that his middle initial, R, stood for "guts".[3][4][8] He formed a tag team with Burrhead Jones, who was billed as his cousin.[3]

Jones then moved to Missouri to work for Sam Muchnick in the St. Louis Wrestling Club.[3] He also competed for Heart of America Sports/Central States Wrestling. On September 10, 1970, he won his first championship by teaming with Danny Little Bear to win the Central States version of the NWA North American Tag Team Championship.[9][10] He won the belt three more times with different partners, including Steve Bolus, The Stomper and Bob Geigel.[4][9][10][8] On February 5, 1976, Jones wrestled NWA World Heavyweight Champion Terry Funk to a one-hour draw in Winston, Salem, until beating him via disqualification on July 6.[8][4] He did not win the world title, but instead won the NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Championship on November 30 from Greg Valentine.[11] He lost the title to Valentine on January 19, 1977, but regained it from him on February 11 until dropping the title on April 4 to Ric Flair.[11]

Between 1972 and 1982, he worked for All Japan Pro Wrestling. He also had a short stint in Florida for Southeastern Championship Wrestling, winning the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship.[12] Jones wrestled his final match in Puerto Rico for the World Wrestling Council (Capitol Sports Promotions), on September 10, 1988, at A Hot Night in Bayamon, where he and Jimmy Valiant defeated The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) by disqualification.[13]

Personal life

Carey Lloyd was married to Brooksie Jones Lloyd for thirty years.[2] They had three daughters, Melaney, Crystal, and Kendall, as well as a son, Kenneth Johnson, who worked for the World Wrestling Federation for many years as "The Doctor of Style" Slick.[3][5] After Lloyd's retirement from wrestling, he worked with Bob Geigel in security at a dog-racing track in Kansas City, Kansas. He then opened a restaurant in 1991, named Rufus' Ringside Restaurant and Bar in Kansas City, Missouri.[2][3]

On November 13, 1993, Lloyd died of a heart attack while hunting deer in Brunswick, Missouri; he was 60 years old.[3][2][14] He had a wide number of lodge members and fans at his funeral, and masonic rituals were performed at the viewing of his body prior to burial.[8]

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ^ a b "ルーファス・ジョーンズ / レスラーノート (Rufus R. Jones / Wrestler Notes)" (in Japanese). ダークロHP. Retrieved 2019-02-11.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Oliver, Greg; Johnson, Steven; Mooneyham, Mike (2013). The Pro Wrestling Hall Of Fame: Heroes and Icons. ECW Press. pp. 301–308. ISBN 9781770902695.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Mooneyham, Mike (November 8, 1991). "Rufus R. Jones : The 'R' Stood For 'Guts'". The Wrestling Gospel. Archived from the original on November 18, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d WWE Encyclopedia of Sports Entertainment New Edition. Dorling Kindersley. 2020. p. 255. ISBN 978-1465497871.
  5. ^ a b c "Rufus R. "Freight Train" Jones". WWE. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  6. ^ Oliver, Greg. "HWA supplies WWF with future talent". SLAM! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. ^ a b Martin, William C. "Friday Night in the Coliseum". The Atlantic Online. Archived from the original on June 26, 2004. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Rufus R. Jones profile". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  9. ^ a b c Royal Duncan and Gary Will (2006). "(Kansas and Western Missouri) West Missouri: North American Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. p. 253. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  10. ^ a b c "NWA North American Tag Team Title (Central States)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  11. ^ a b c "NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  12. ^ a b "NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  13. ^ "Anniversary 1988: A Hot Night in Bayamon results". Pro Wrestling History. Archived from the original on June 25, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  14. ^ Shabazz, Julian L. D. (1999). Black Stars of Professional Wrestling. Awesome Records. p. 54. ISBN 1-893680-03-7.
  15. ^ "NWA Central States Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Archived from the original on April 19, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  16. ^ "NWA Central States Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  17. ^ "NWA Central States Television Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  18. ^ "NWA Georgia Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  19. ^ Bourne, Dick. "Mid-Atlantic Wrestling: The Definitive History of the Mid-Atlantic Championship". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Archived from the original on December 17, 2010. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  20. ^ "NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  21. ^ "NWA World Tag Team Title (Mid-Atlantic/WCW)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  22. ^ "World Colored Heavyweight Title (Kentucky)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  23. ^ Pedicino, Joe; Solie, Gordon (hosts) (November 7, 1987). "Pro Wrestling This Week". Superstars of Wrestling. Atlanta, Georgia. Syndicated. WATL.
  24. ^ "Congratulations to the 2018 WWE Hall of Fame Legacy inductees". WWE. April 6, 2018. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.

Further reading

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rufus_R._Jones&oldid=1221050134"