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James Prudhomme (June 6, 1921 – July 14, 1984), was a Canadian professional wrestler, better known by the ring names Brute Bernard or Jim 'Brute' Bernhard.

Key Information

He spent much of his career wrestling as part of a tag team with Skull Murphy. He competed for several wrestling promotions associated with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). He also worked for the Australia-based World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as well as the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). He died of a gunshot while cleaning a rifle in 1984.

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Bernard was discovered by wrestling promoter Jack Britton, who convinced him to become a wrestler.[2] He made his debut in 1957,[1] competing in Ontario. He initially wrestled under his real name, but he later took on the name Brute Bernard.[2] He also competed as in Detroit for a promotion run by Ed Farhat.[1] He teamed up with fellow Canadian wrestler Skull Murphy throughout the 1960s. Their first championship came on May 16, 1963, when they won the WWWF United States Tag Team Championship. They held the title belts for almost six months before dropping them to Killer Kowalski and Gorilla Monsoon on November 14.[3] They then began competing for Championship Wrestling from Florida, an NWA territory. They participated in a tag team tournament and won the vacant Florida version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship in 1964. Bernard and Murphy feuded with Hiro Matsuda and Duke Keomurka over the belts and traded the belts back and forth before losing them to Matsusa and Keomuka for good.[4] Bernard and Murphy worked for World Championship Wrestling in 1966, where they won the IWA World Tag Team Championship twice.[5]

Texas

[edit]

Murphy remained in Australia,[6] while Bernard returned to the United States to compete for World Class Championship Wrestling in Texas. He defeated Fritz Von Erich, patriarch of the Von Erich family for the Texas version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship in March 1967.[7] That year, he had four more title reigns, as he won the NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Championship twice and teamed with his manager Mike Paidousis to win the NWA American Tag Team Championship twice.[2][8]

Later career

[edit]

Bernard and Murphy reunited in Australia, where they won the IWA World Tag Team Championship twice more in 1968 and 1969.[5] They also competed for Jim Crockett Promotions in the Carolinas, where they participated in a series of "battle of the bullies" matches. These bouts went against the tradition of having faces (fan favorites) competing against heels (villains),[9] as Bernard and Murphy competed against fellow heels the Blond Bombers (Swede Hanson and Rip Hawk).[10]

Murphy died of a heart attack on March 23, 1970.[11] Bernard took on a new partner, Larry Hamilton, and the pair won the NWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team Championship in October 1971.[12] They also competed in Texas, where they won the NWA American Tag Team Championship.[8]

Bernard continued to wrestle in Australia and won the NWA Austra-Asian Heavyweight Championship by defeating Spiros Arion on November 4, 1972. He held the belt for three weeks before dropping it back to Arion.[13] He also won the country's World Brass Knuckles Championship twice.[1] Back in Jim Crockett Promotions, he formed a tag team with Jay York. They had rivalries with the team of George Scott and Nelson Royal as well as the Anderson family (Gene and Ole).[1] Bernard and York were managed by Beauregarde,[14] who also teamed with them in six-man matches.[15] Bernard and York won the NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship by defeating Scott and Royal on November 26, 1973 but lost the belts to the Andersons one month later.[16]

Bernard wrestled for several promotions in his final years as a wrestler. He returned to Detroit, where he competed as The Brute.[1] He also teamed with Frank Morrell in Texas to win the NWA Western States Tag Team Championship in 1977.[17] He returned to the Carolinas and wrestled for Jim Crockett Promotions until he was released due to his age. He continued to wrestle occasionally; in his final match, he refused to go along with the scripted finish. The referee, Dave Routh, declared the result a double countout. Bernard got upset in the locker room and attacked Routh. He broke Routh's nose and was fired as a result.[18]

Personal life

[edit]

Bernard was married to female professional wrestler Betty Jo Hawkins. He died in 1984 of an accidental gunshot wound.[19] One story states that Bernard was playing Russian roulette.[20][21]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Brute Bernard

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Brute Bernard, whose real name was James Prudhomme, was a Canadian professional wrestler renowned for his portrayal of a brutal and menacing character in North American and Australian territories from the through the 1980s. Born on June 6, 1921, in , , he stood at 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighed approximately 270 pounds, leveraging his imposing physique to embody a wild, destructive persona that included destroying ringside furniture and using it as a against opponents. Bernard entered in the early 1950s, trained by promoter , and quickly established himself as a feared competitor known for his aggressive style, including grunting, drooling, and erratic behaviors during promos that heightened his villainous appeal. He primarily worked as a specialist, competing in promotions across the , such as the (NWA) territories in the , , , and , as well as international circuits in . His most famous partnership was with fellow , with whom he formed a dominant and intimidating duo that terrorized opponents in the . Among his notable achievements, and captured the WWWF Tag Team Championship on May 16, 1963, holding it for nearly six months, and secured multiple NWA tag team titles in and other regions. As a singles competitor, he won the NWA Austra-Asian Heavyweight Championship in 1972 and the World Brass Knuckles Championship in 1974 and 1978, further cementing his reputation as one of wrestling's most sadistic performers. continued wrestling into the early 1980s, often teaming with new partners after Murphy's death in 1970, before retiring; he died on July 14, 1984, at age 63 from a gunshot wound at his home in , with the cause listed as undetermined.

Early life

Birth and early years

James Prudhomme, better known by his ring name Brute Bernard, was born on June 6, 1921, in , , . Limited public records exist regarding his childhood and adolescence, though he grew up in the province of , which shaped his early Canadian roots before pursuing a career in .

Entry into wrestling

In his mid-30s, Prudhomme transitioned into after being discovered by promoter , who recognized his imposing physique and convinced him to pursue a career in the ring. Prudhomme made his professional debut in 1957 in , , initially wrestling under his real name before adopting the more menacing "Brute Bernard" to enhance his villainous persona. Some records indicate his in-ring career began as early as 1956, aligning with his entry into the Canadian wrestling scene during a period when regional promotions were seeking rugged, hard-hitting performers. Prior to wrestling, little is documented about Prudhomme's background, though his physical build—standing 6'2" and weighing approximately 270 pounds—likely stemmed from manual labor or athletic pursuits common in at the time. Britton's influence was pivotal, as he not only scouted Prudhomme but also guided his initial training and booking in local territories, setting the stage for Bernard's rise as a territorial known for his brutal style.

Professional wrestling career

Early career

Bernard entered professional wrestling after being discovered by promoter in a gym, where Britton convinced the physically imposing Canadian to train for the ring. Under Britton's guidance, he began his career as a brawler, leveraging his 6'2", 270-pound frame for a rugged, aggressive style. He debuted in 1957 in , , initially competing under his real name, Jim Bernard, in local promotions. By the late 1950s, he adopted the ring name to emphasize his brutish persona, wrestling primarily in Canadian territories such as those around and . These early matches helped him build experience against regional competitors, establishing a foundation before venturing into American promotions.

United States territories

Brute Bernard established himself as a formidable heel in the United States wrestling territories during the 1960s and 1970s, primarily through the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) affiliates, where he excelled as both a singles competitor and tag team specialist. His brute-force style and intimidating presence made him a staple in regional promotions, often drawing strong heel heat in feuds against fan favorites. Bernard frequently partnered with wrestlers like Skull Murphy, Mike Paidousis, and the Missouri Mauler, capturing multiple regional championships across the South, Midwest, and Northeast. In the Northeast, Bernard debuted prominently in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), the Vince McMahon Sr.-promoted territory that operated semi-independently from the NWA. Teaming with , he won the WWWF United States Tag Team Championship on May 16, 1963, in , by defeating Buddy Austin and . The duo defended the titles successfully against teams like and Dory Dixon before losing them to and on November 14, 1963, in , in a match that elevated the belts' prestige. This reign, lasting nearly six months, marked Bernard's breakthrough as a top competitor in the region. Moving to the Southern territories, Bernard found success in Florida's (CWF), an NWA affiliate. On January 28, 1964, he and captured the Florida version of the in Tampa by defeating and Don Curtis in a final following a title vacancy. They lost the belts on March 10, 1964, to the same team in a rematch. Later that year, on March 15, 1964, the pair also won the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship, further solidifying their dominance in the territory before transitioning elsewhere. These victories highlighted Bernard's ability to thrive in fast-paced Southern cards known for athletic action. Bernard achieved significant singles accolades in the Southwest, particularly in the Texas territories under Big Time Wrestling (BTW) and its affiliates. In March 1967, he defeated Wilbur Snyder to win the NWA American Heavyweight Championship (Texas version), holding it briefly before dropping it to Fritz Von Erich on March 27, 1967, in Fort Worth. Later that year, Bernard teamed with manager Mike Paidousis to win the NWA American Tag Team Championship (Texas version) on August 8, 1967, in Dallas, defeating the Von Erich brothers (Fritz and Waldo). They lost the titles on September 11 but regained them on October 3 in a rematch, only to vacate them shortly after due to Paidousis's injury. Additionally, Bernard captured the NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Championship twice in 1967, first against Bull Curry in August and again on September 18, showcasing his rugged, brawling persona in hardcore-style matches typical of Texas promotions. In 1977, he returned to West Texas, winning the NWA Western States Tag Team Championship with Frank Morrell on December 15 in Amarillo by defeating Dory Funk Jr. and Larry Lane. In the Mid-Atlantic region, under (JCP), Bernard continued his tag team success during the early 1970s. On October 12, 1971, he and Larry Hamilton (billed as ) defeated George Becker and Johnny Weaver to win the NWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team in , holding it for nearly 11 months before losing it to Rip Hawk and Swede Hansen on August 31, 1972. By 1973, partnering with Jay York, Bernard captured the on November 26 in , from and . The reign lasted one month, ending against the Anderson brothers ( and Ole) on December 26 in Charlotte. These accomplishments in the underscored Bernard's versatility in JCP's territory, where he often feuded with established babyface teams amid the promotion's rising popularity. He returned sporadically in the late 1970s and early 1980s, including challenges for the in , where a September 26, 1975, match against in resulted in a title hold-up due to controversy. Throughout the 1970s, Bernard also revisited Midwestern territories, including a return to Detroit's Big Time Wrestling under promoter The Sheik in the mid-1970s, wrestling as "The Brute" in brutal matches that aligned with the promotion's hardcore ethos. His extensive work across these territories—spanning over two decades—contributed to his reputation as a reliable , influencing the territorial system's emphasis on regional rivalries and championship pursuits.

International career

Brute Bernard's international wrestling career was primarily centered in , where he toured multiple times between 1966 and 1978, establishing himself as a prominent in promotions like and the International Wrestling Alliance (IWA). His expeditions to the country began in 1966, with subsequent visits in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1974, and 1978, during which he capitalized on his brute-force style and villainous persona to draw crowds in major cities like and . Billed as the "wild man from the wilds of ," Bernard often communicated through grunts and aggressive mannerisms, enhancing his role as a fearsome in the Australian scene. Much of Bernard's success Down Under came through his longstanding tag team partnership with Skull Murphy, which continued until around 1969 and yielded multiple IWA World Tag Team Championship reigns. The duo captured the titles on several occasions, including victories over and on July 15, 1966, Billy White Wolf and Mario Milano on March 22, 1968, and Lars Anderson and Dick on December 5, 1969, showcasing their dominance in high-profile matches that highlighted their roughhouse tactics. They defended the belts against formidable opponents such as and , as well as Mario Milano and Antonio Pugliese, before losing them in intense rivalries that solidified the team's reputation as international champions. Transitioning to singles competition after Murphy's passing in 1970, Bernard achieved further accolades, including the NWA Austra-Asian Heavyweight Championship, which he won by defeating on November 4, 1972, in a hard-fought bout emblematic of his solo prowess. He later dropped the title back to Arion but continued to thrive, securing the World Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship twice—once in 1974 and again in 1978—often in brutal, no-holds-barred encounters that emphasized his enduring appeal as a hardcore competitor. These achievements underscored Bernard's adaptability and impact in the Australian wrestling landscape, where he remained a drawcard through his final tour in 1978.

Later career and retirement

Returning to the , Bernard worked in various territories during the . In ' Mid-Atlantic region, he teamed with Jay York to win the on November 26, 1973, defending it until dropping the titles to Ole and Gene Anderson a month later. He briefly returned to the territory under The Sheik in the mid-, wrestling as "The Brute," and later ventured to , where he and Frank Morrell captured the NWA Western States Tag Team Championship on December 15, 1977. By the late , Bernard had relocated to the , continuing to appear in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling events into the early , often in mid-card matches that highlighted his brawling style and intimidating presence. Bernard's career concluded amid controversy in the Mid-Atlantic territory. During a match that ended in a double count-out due to his refusal to return to the ring, he became enraged and assaulted Dave Routh in the locker room, breaking Routh's nose; promoter fired him immediately for the outburst. This incident effectively ended his in-ring tenure around 1980, after which he retired from wrestling and took up work in a . On July 14, 1984, at age 63, Bernard died from a at his home in , with the cause listed as undetermined.

Championships and accomplishments

Singles championships

Throughout his career, Brute Bernard captured several regional singles championships, often portraying a dominant heel in no-holds-barred matches that suited his brute-force style. His title wins were concentrated in the 1960s and 1970s across North American territories and Australian promotions, emphasizing short but impactful reigns that highlighted his role as a top attraction. In Texas during 1967, Bernard secured two reigns with the NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Championship, a title that permitted the use of loaded gloves and aligned with his aggressive persona. He won his first reign in August 1967 (opponent unspecified), holding it until early September before losing to Bull Curry. He regained it on September 13, 1967, in San Antonio by defeating Curry, maintaining the belt for 48 days until a defeat to Fritz Von Erich on October 31. That same year, he briefly held the NWA American Heavyweight Championship (the Texas version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship), winning it in early March by defeating the incumbent champion and dropping it to Von Erich on March 27 in Fort Worth. Bernard found further success in , where he twice won the World Brass Knuckles Championship (Australian version) in brutal contests. On May 10, 1974, he captured the title in during a tag team match alongside Ciclon Negro against Mario Milano and a partner, holding it for 119 days until September 6. His second reign came on May 26, 1978, lasting 84 days before he lost it on August 18 in . Additionally, on November 4, 1972, Bernard defeated to win the NWA Austra-Asian Heavyweight Championship, a prestigious territorial title, but relinquished it after just 21 days on November 25 when Arion reclaimed it. Later in his career, Bernard won the NWA Columbus Heavyweight Championship on October 29, 1975, in , defeating the prior champion in a short seven-day reign before losing to on November 5. These victories underscored his versatility as a singles competitor in regional promotions, though he was more renowned for dominance.
TitlePromotion/RegionReign Date(s)DurationNotable Details
NWA Texas Brass Knuckles ChampionshipNWA (Texas)August 1967; September 13, 1967 – October 31, 1967~1 month (first); 48 days (second)Won first reign in August (opponent unspecified), lost to ; regained by defeating Curry (second); lost both to
NWA American Heavyweight Championship (Texas)NWA (Texas)March 1967 – March 27, 1967~3 weeksBilled win over prior champion; lost to
NWA Austra-Asian Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA (Australia)November 4, 1972 – November 25, 197221 daysDefeated ; dropped back to Arion
World Brass Knuckles Championship (Australia)May 10, 1974 – September 6, 1974; May 26, 1978 – August 18, 1978119 days; 84 daysWon first in tag match with Ciclon Negro vs. Mario Milano team
NWA Columbus Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA (Georgia)October 29, 1975 – November 5, 19757 daysLost to Dick Slater

Tag team championships

Brute Bernard achieved significant success in , particularly as part of a notorious duo with , with whom he captured multiple regional and international titles during the . Their partnership, characterized by brute force and villainous tactics, made them a dominant force in territories across and . Bernard later formed successful teams with other wrestlers in the , adding to his legacy as a versatile competitor.

Partnership with Skull Murphy

Bernard and Murphy first teamed prominently in the early 1960s, winning the WWWF United States Tag Team Championship on May 16, 1963, by defeating and Buddy Austin at in . They held the titles for 182 days until losing them to and on November 14, 1963. Their reign solidified their reputation as a top villainous pair in the Northeast. The duo continued their success in the , capturing the NWA Florida World Tag Team Championship on January 28, 1964, through a tournament victory over and Don Curtis. They defended the titles successfully, including against and on February 18, 1964, before vacating them after 42 days due to scheduling conflicts. In , under the International Wrestling Alliance (IWA), Bernard and Murphy became six-time IWA World Tag Team Champions between 1966 and 1969, defeating prominent teams such as and on July 15, 1966; and in August 1966; Billy White Wolf and Mario Milano on March 22, 1968; and Lars Anderson and on December 5, 1969. Other victories included against Mario Milano and Antonio Pugliese. Their reigns varied in length, with documented holds of 14 days in July 1966 and December 1969, contributing to their status as one of the promotion's most feared tandems. They lost the titles multiple times to pairs like Lewin and Wright (twice), Milano and Pugliese (twice), Don Leo and Pugliese, and Milano and .

Other Tag Team Successes

Later in his career, Bernard partnered with Mike Paidousis to win the NWA United States Tag Team (Amarillo version) twice in 1967, defeating the Von Erich brothers (Fritz and Waldo) in August and again on October 3 for a 20-day second reign. These victories highlighted Bernard's adaptability in Mid-South territories. Bernard teamed with (Larry Hamilton) to capture the NWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team on October 12, 1971, by defeating George Becker and Johnny Weaver; they held the titles for an impressive 324 days until August 31, 1972. This extended reign underscored Bernard's enduring prowess into the 1970s. He also won the NWA American Tag Team (Texas version) with in 1972 (exact dates unknown). Additional titles included the with Jay York on November 26, 1973, for 30 days; the NWA Macon Tag Team Championship with from October 25, 1975, to December 1975; and the NWA Western States Tag Team Championship with Frank Morrell from December 15, 1977, to February 2, 1978, lasting 49 days after defeating the reigning champions in a rematch. These partnerships demonstrated Bernard's ability to mesh with various styles across promotions.
TitlePartnerDate WonDurationPromotionNotes
May 16, 1963182 daysWWWFDef. & Buddy Austin
January 28, 196442 daysNWA FloridaTournament win vs. Calhoun & Curtis
IWA World Tag Team Championship (1st reign)July 15, 196614 daysIWA Def. DeNucci & Lewin
IWA World Tag Team Championship (2nd reign)August 1966UnknownIWA Def. Wright & Lewin
IWA World Tag Team Championship (3rd reign)March 22, 1968UnknownIWA Def. White Wolf & Milano
IWA World Tag Team Championship (4th reign)December 5, 196914 daysIWA Def. Anderson &
(1st)Mike PaidousisAugust 196734 daysNWA AmarilloDef. Von Erichs
(2nd)Mike PaidousisOctober 3, 196720 daysNWA AmarilloDef. Von Erichs
October 12, 1971324 daysNWA Mid-AtlanticDef. Becker & Weaver
(Texas)1972UnknownNWA (Texas)Exact dates unavailable
Jay November 26, 197330 daysNWA Mid-AtlanticDef. Royal & Scott
October 25, 1975~2 monthsNWA MaconDuration approximate
Frank MorrellDecember 15, 197749 daysNWA Western StatesDef. reigning champions in rematch
Note: The IWA Australia reigns total six, with two additional undocumented in precise dates here.

Personal life

Family

Brute Bernard, whose real name was James Prudhomme, was married to fellow professional wrestler Betty Jo Hawkins. Hawkins, active in the ring from 1948 until her retirement in 1959 due to health issues including , was known for her work in women's wrestling promotions across the . The couple had one son, Tony Prudhomme.

Death

James Prudhomme, known professionally as Brute Bernard, died on July 14, 1984, at the age of 63 in , from a . The circumstances surrounding his death were not conclusively determined, with authorities unable to establish whether the wound was self-inflicted as a or resulted from an . Various accounts from wrestling contemporaries suggested possibilities such as Bernard accidentally discharging the firearm while cleaning it, though no official coroner's report has been publicly detailed to confirm these theories. Bernard's death came more than a decade after the suicide of his longtime partner, , an event that had profoundly affected him emotionally and contributed to his struggles in later years, including health issues and a sense of job insecurity in the wrestling business. His son, Tony Prudhomme, later reflected on the lasting impact of Murphy's loss in discussions of their family's wrestling legacy.

References

  1. https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/ringley-wrestling-part-four/article_0afecc16-b7de-11ef-9bf2-9b11619c7ab3.html
  2. http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/brute-bernard-4915.html
  3. https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/brute-bernard/
  4. https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles_old/b/brute-bernard.html
  5. https://prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/Brute_Bernard
  6. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1245
  7. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/
  8. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=1204
  9. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/fl/nwa/fl-nwa-t.html
  10. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/fl/nwa/fl-south-t.html
  11. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tx/wccw/am-h.html
  12. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tx/wccw/am-t.html
  13. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tx/w/nwa/ws-t.html
  14. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/nwa/ac-t.html
  15. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/ma-t.html
  16. https://australianwrestling.org/index.php/profiles/22-men/204-brute-bernard
  17. https://www.kayfabememories.com/Regions/macw/macw36.htm
  18. https://dead-wrestler-database.fandom.com/wiki/Brute_Bernard
  19. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1245&page=11
  20. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tx/nwa/nwa-tx-bk.html
  21. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/australia/wcw/au-world-bk.html
  22. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/australia/wcw/aa-h.html
  23. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ga/nwa/columbus-h.html
  24. https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=1702
  25. https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=7303
  26. https://midatlanticwrestling.net/resourcecenter/interviews/weaver/weaver_02.htm
  27. https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/wrestling/behind-closed-doors-the-tale-of-wrestlemania-36/article_62492e0a-7038-11ea-aad4-57da297e3752.html
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