Eddie Sharkey

Eddie Sharkey (born Edward Shyman; February 4, 1936) is an American professional wrestler, referee, promoter, and trainer. Nicknamed the "Trainer of Champions," he is best known for discovering and mentoring some of the biggest stars of professional wrestling's 1980s boom, including Jesse Ventura, The Road Warriors, Rick Rude, Bob Backlund, Lightning Kid, Nord the Barbarian, and Barry Darsow. Sharkey's legacy is defined by his work as a trainer and promoter, particularly through his Minneapolis-based independent promotion, Pro Wrestling America (PWA), which also represented Mad Dog Vachon, Bruiser Brody, Austin Aries, and Larry Cameron. By recruiting and promoting muscular bouncers and bodybuilders at a time when smaller, technical wrestlers were favored, Sharkey ushered in the trend of the power-based style that dominated the 1980s and still leads the sport today. Sharkey began his in-ring career in the 1950s before joining the American Wrestling Association (AWA) under Verne Gagne as a baby face in the early 1960s. As an independent promoter, Sharkey's PWA became a feeder organization for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), now World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Sharkey also acted as a talent scout and referee for the WWE. In 2006, Sharkey received the Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wrestling's most respected organization, the Cauliflower Alley Club. Sharkey has been featured in multiple articles, books, television specials, and documentaries. He continues to make appearances at special events.