William Albert Haynes, III (born July 10, 1953 in
Portland,
Oregon) is a retired
American professional wrestler better known as
Billy Jack Haynes.
Career
Early career (1982-1984)
Haynes started wrestling in 1982 at the age of 28. He trained in
Stu Hart's "Dungeon" and briefly wrestled in Hart's
Stampede Wrestling under his given name, forming a tag team with
Bruce Hart. He started wrestling as Billy Jack in the Pacific Northwest territory but had to change his name when
Tom Laughlin (who starred in the movie
Billy Jack) threatened to sue him. He added his real last name to the gimmick and continued to work as a face.
Championship Wrestling from Florida and Pacific Northwest Wrestling (1984-1986)
He feuded heavily with Rip Oliver until 1984, when he had a brief run in
Championship Wrestling from Florida and then a run in
World Class Championship Wrestling in 1985. He started splitting his time between
Portland Wrestling and CWF and wrestled with partner
Wahoo McDaniel in the
National Wrestling Alliance's
Jim Crockett Promotions where they feuded with
Ole and
Arn Anderson. He had just begun a feud with
The Barbarian over who was the strongest man in the territory when he abruptly left the company after a confrontation with Jim Crockett in his office which became physical.
