The son of former AWA President, Blanchard got started in the wrestling
business at age 10, selling peanuts at the arenas and putting up
flyers. Eventually he became apart of the ring crew, helping set up for
matches. In high school, he played football. He attended West Texas
State University where he was starting quarterback for 3 years. Fellow
wrestlers Tito Santana and Ted DiBiase were also on his team. After
college, he went on to Florida Championship wrestling with Tito Santana
where they began their wrestling career. Was most influenced in
wrestling by Harley Race, Terry Funk, Dory Funk Jr. and Ric Flair.
Wrestled in the NWA for most of his career. Started the Four Horsemen
group with Ric Flair, Arn and Ole Anderson. Had some memorable feuds
with Dusty Rhodes, Magnum T.A., and Ricky Steamboat. Blanchard had a
successful singles career, winning the United States Title as well as
the World Television Championship. Had a classic battle with Magnum
T.A. in a "I Quit" cage match at Starrcade '85.
He began teaming with Arn Anderson. The duo won the NWA Tag Team
Championship from the Rock 'n Roll Express. After losing their titles
to the Midnight Express, Blanchard and Anderson jumped companies to the
WWF. There they were managed by Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, and were
known as the Brain Busters. The duo won the WWF Tag Team Titles from
Demolition on a live Saturday Night's Main Event. Eventually they lost
the titles back to Demolition. They had a great running feud with the
Rockers, Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty.
Blanchard was hoping to go back to the NWA with Arn Anderson to reform
the Four Horsemen with Ric Flair, but the NWA refused to hire him.
Blanchard explained on WWE Confidential that this was when he gave his
life to Christ. He has wrestled several shows since then, but remained
in active ministry to prisons, as well as those struggling with
addictions.
