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Bunkhouse Buck
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James "Jimmy" Golden (born August 1, 1950) is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) under the ring name Bunkhouse Buck. He also appeared in WWE as Jack Swagger Sr [1]
Key Information
A member of the Golden wrestling family, he is the son of Billy Golden and the father of Bobby Golden. Golden's cousins are Robert and Ron Fuller, and he is the uncle of Eddie and Evan Golden. His grandfather is Roy Welch and his uncle is Buddy Fuller.
Professional wrestling career
[edit]This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (August 2022) |
Early career (1968–1975)
[edit]Jimmy Golden started wrestling in 1968 in his father (Billy Golden)'s territory in Alabama. He started teaming with his cousin Robert Fuller in the 1970s.[1][3] Golden also wrestled in the early 1970s in Australia for Jim Barnett.
Southeastern Championship Wrestling / Continental Championship Wrestling (1975–1987)
[edit]Jimmy Golden and Robert Fuller were members of the Stud Stable, managed by Ron Fuller in Southeastern Championship Wrestling, later Continental Championship Wrestling, throughout the early 1980s.[3][4] He was heel most of the time, while his cousins occasionally were face. Pensacola, Florida and Mobile, Alabama were his stomping grounds in the early 1980s.[3] The Stud Stable under Robert Fuller performed in the CWA in Memphis in 1988-1989. Among their feuds during this time were The Rock 'n' Roll Express, Steve Armstrong and Tracy Smothers, Tommy and Johnny Rich and Kerry and Kevin Von Erich.[3] He also teamed with Dennis Hall as "The Avengers" in the early 1970s.
In 1982, Golden briefly worked for Joe Blanchard's Southwest Championship Wrestling.[5]
Various promotions (1988–1990)
[edit]Between 1988 and 1990, Golden wrestled for promotions including the American Wrestling Association and the Continental Wrestling Association.
Smoky Mountain Wrestling (1991–1994)
[edit]He joined the newly founded Smoky Mountain Wrestling in 1991. He competed at the Volunteer Slam tournament on May 22, 1992 in Knoxville for the company's heavyweight championship, but was eliminated by Robert Gibson in the first round.[6] He went on to feud with Gibson, which turned into a tag team feud when Jimmy's partner Robert Fuller joined the promotion while Ricky Morton arrived to join Gibson. This rekindled the Stud Stable versus Rock 'n' Roll Express feud from the 1980s. Golden continued to wrestle for the promotion through 1993.
World Championship Wrestling (1994–1997)
[edit]In 1994, Golden followed Fuller to World Championship Wrestling (WCW) where Fuller was the manager "Col. Rob Parker" and wrestled for him as Bunkhouse Buck. He feuded mainly with Dustin Rhodes and then teamed with Dick Slater to win the WCW World Tag Team Titles.[7] By 1997, he had left WCW for the independent circuit again.
Late career (1997–2020)
[edit]Golden appeared on the July 16, 2010, episode of WWE SmackDown, portraying the character of Jack Swagger's father as an alibi to prove his Kayfabe son innocence of attacking The Undertaker, and Swagger abandoned him to be chokeslammed and tombstoned by Kane.[1] He returned on the September 3, episode of SmackDown, reprising his role as Jack Swagger's father, and was again left by Swagger to be attacked by Montel Vontavious Porter.[1]
On August 30, 2011 in New Tazewell, Tennessee, Golden became the Tennessee Mountain Wrestling Heavyweight Champion.[1]
He retired completely from wrestling in 2020.
Personal life
[edit]Golden married Patricia Ward in the 1970s. He trained their son, Bobby Golden, in wrestling with TMW.[citation needed]
Championships and accomplishments
[edit]- All-American Wrestling
- AAW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Wild Samoan[8]
- All-Star Championship Wrestling
- Cajun Wrestling Federation
- CWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[9]
- Capital Pro Wrestling
- CPW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with The Gladiator
- Continental Wrestling Federation
- CWF Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with The Mongolian Stomper (1) and Brian Lee (1)
- Championship Wrestling from Florida
- George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Lou Thesz Award 2026 – with the Welch/Fuller Family
- Georgia Championship Wrestling
- Heartland Wrestling Association
- HWA Barroom Brawl Championship (1 time)
- Iron Ring Wrestling
- IRW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Eddie Golden[8]
- Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling[a]
- Nationwide Championship Wrestling
- NCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[8]
- NWA Mid-America / Continental Wrestling Association
- CWA Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Robert Fuller[12]
- NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version) (1 time) – with Buddy Rose[13][14]
- NWA Tri-State Heavyweight Championship (Alabama version) (1 time)[15][16]
- NWA Tri-State Tag Team Championship (Alabama version) (1 time) – with Ramon Perez[17][18]
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-America Version) (2 times) – with Dennis Hall[19]
- NWA Rocky Top
- NWA Rocky Top Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Premiere Championship Wrestling
- PCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Southeastern Championship Wrestling
- NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[21]
- NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (Northern Division) (8 times)[22]
- NWA Southeastern Tag Team Championship (15 times) – with Robert Fuller (7), Ricky Gibson (2), Rip Smith (1), Norvel Austin (1), Bob Roop (1), Randy Rose (1), Mongolian Stomper (1), and Brian Lee (1)[23]
- NWA Southeastern United States Junior Heavyweight Championship (2 times)[24]
- NWA Tennessee Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Ricky Gibson[25]
- Southern Championship Wrestling
- SCW Southern Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[8]
- Southern States Wrestling
- SSW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[26]
- SSW Television Championship (1 time)[27]
- SSW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with G.Q. Strattus[28]
- Tennessee Mountain Wrestling
- United Atlantic Championship Wrestling
- UACW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Tim Horner[8]
- World Championship Wrestling
- World Championship Wrestling (Australia)
- World Class Wrestling Association
- WCWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Robert Fuller[30][31]
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Worst Tag Team (1995) with Dick Slater
Notes
[edit]- a While this promotion operates out of the same region and uses some of the same regional championships, it isn't the same promotion that was once owned and operated by Jim Crockett, Jr. That Mid-Atlantic promotion was sold to Ted Turner in November 1988 and went on to be renamed World Championship Wrestling.
- b This promotion has no connection to the World Championship Wrestling promotion formerly owned by Ted Turner and purchased by World Wrestling Entertainment in 2001. It was an NWA affiliated promotion based out of Australia.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Jimmy Golden profile". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on August 17, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
- ^ a b "Jimmy Golden profile". Cagematch. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Pope, Kristian (2005). "Golden, Jimmy (1970s-2000s)". Tuff Stuff - Professional wrestling field guide. KP Books. pp. 179location= Iola, Wisconsin. ISBN 0-89689-267-0.
- ^ "Stud Stable". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved September 8, 2009.
- ^ "Jimmy Golden » Matches". Cage Match.
- ^ "The Furious Flashbacks – SMW Volunteer Slam 1992 | 411MANIA". 411mania.com. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
- ^ a b Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "WCW World Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. pp. 16–18. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). "CWF Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "NWA Florida Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. pp. 160–161. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "NWA Macon Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. p. 145. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "CWA Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. p. 199. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2006) [2000.]. "(Memphis, Nashville) Tennessee: Southern Tag Team Title [Roy Welsch & Nick Gulas, Jerry Jarrett from 1977]". Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Waterloo, Ontario: Archeus Communications. pp. 185–189. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ "Southern Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- ^ Royal Duncan and Gary Will (2006). "Alabama: NWA Tri-State Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ "NWA Tri-State Heavyweight Championship (Alabama version)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
- ^ Royal Duncan and Gary Will (2006). "Alabama: NWA Tri-State Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ "NWA Tri-State Tag Team Championship (Alabama version)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
- ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. pp. 194–196. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1995". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
- ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. pp. 182–183. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. pp. 180–181. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "NWA Southeastern Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. p. 181. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "United States Junior Heayvweight Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. pp. 181–182. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "NWA Tennessee Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. pp. 206–207. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "SSW Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. p. 209. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "SSW Television Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. p. 210. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "SSW Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. pp. 209–210. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. pp. 425–426. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "WCWA World Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. p. 268. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ "World Class Wrestling Association Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
External links
[edit]- Bunkhouse Buck's profile at Cagematch , Internet Wrestling Database
Bunkhouse Buck
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Family background
James Golden, better known by his ring name Bunkhouse Buck, was born on August 1, 1950, in Dyersburg, Tennessee, to Billy Golden, a wrestling promoter, and Ruby Welch, whose family had deep roots in the sport.[5][6] Growing up in a household immersed in the wrestling business, Golden was exposed from an early age to the industry's inner workings through his father's promotional efforts in Alabama and the Southeast.[7] Golden spent much of his childhood in Dyersburg, Tennessee, where the familial emphasis on wrestling traditions shaped his worldview amid the region's territorial promotions.[8] His extended family included prominent figures such as cousins Ron Fuller, Robert Fuller, and Eddie Golden, both accomplished wrestlers and promoters; grandfather Roy Welch, a pioneering wrestler and co-founder of Gulas-Welch Enterprises; uncle Buddy Fuller; and son Bobby Golden, forming a multi-generational dynasty that dominated Southern wrestling circuits.[9][10] This legacy of involvement in NWA-affiliated territories provided Golden with early insights into the gritty, family-driven nature of professional wrestling in the mid-20th century.[7] The pervasive influence of his relatives' careers in Southeastern promotions fostered Golden's lifelong passion for the sport, later inspiring elements of his rugged "Bunkhouse" persona that echoed his rural Tennessee heritage.[11]Training and debut
James Golden, better known by his early ring name Jimmy Golden, began his wrestling training around 1967 under the guidance of his father, Billy Golden, a promoter, as well as other family members including his grandfather Roy Welch, who was a prominent figure in Tennessee wrestling circles.[10] This familial influence, rooted in the Welch-Fuller wrestling dynasty, provided Golden with foundational skills in a hands-on environment supplemented by local promoters in Tennessee who facilitated amateur and preliminary bouts to hone his technique.[2] He also received instruction from additional trainers such as Frank Martinez and Pancho Villa, focusing on the fundamentals of professional wrestling prevalent in the Southern territories.[10] Golden made his professional debut in 1968 as Jimmy Golden, performing in small independent shows across Southern territories, primarily in Alabama and Tennessee, where his father's promotion operated.[10] These early appearances were in minor promotions, emphasizing a basic technical wrestling style that prioritized holds, grapples, and chain wrestling over high-flying or theatrical elements.[2] Throughout his initial outings, Golden adopted a straightforward ring persona as Jimmy Golden, portraying a no-nonsense, clean-cut babyface without any elaborate gimmicks or character embellishments, which allowed him to build credibility through solid in-ring performances in these regional circuits.Professional wrestling career
Early career (1968–1975)
James Golden, performing under the ring name Jimmy Golden, debuted in professional wrestling in 1968 within the NWA-affiliated Alabama territory, where his father, promoter Billy Golden, operated out of Montgomery.[1] Initially gaining experience in local shows, he quickly transitioned to neighboring NWA Mid-America promotions in Tennessee and surrounding areas, honing his technical skills through consistent regional bookings in the pre-national television era.[2] This foundational period emphasized fundamental wrestling techniques, including chain wrestling and submission holds, as Golden adapted to the demands of weekly cards against established territorial talent. Throughout the early 1970s, Golden established key partnerships in NWA Mid-America, notably capturing the NWA Mid-America World Tag Team Championship twice with Dennis Hall in 1971 by defeating Lorenzo Parente and Bobby Hart.[2] By 1975, he teamed with veteran Tojo Yamamoto to win the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship from George Barnes and Bill Dundee in May, holding the titles briefly before dropping them to Karl Von Steiger and Otto Von Heller.[12] These alliances highlighted his versatility in tag division matches, while feuds such as those against Luke Graham and Don Duffy in early 1975—often involving interference and multi-man brawls—showcased his resilience in building storylines around territorial rivalries.[12] Golden also crossed paths with the Fuller family in heated exchanges, aligning temporarily with Barnes and Dundee against Ron, Robert, and Buddy Fuller.[12] As Jimmy Golden, he solidified a reliable mid-card babyface role, portraying a dependable Southern grappler who connected with audiences through clean, athletic performances that emphasized sportsmanship and underdog determination.[2] This positioning allowed him to fill crucial spots on cards, supporting main events while developing fan loyalty in small arenas across the Southeast. The territorial system's rigors defined his early lifestyle, involving grueling road loops with hours of driving between towns, often living out of cars or budget motels amid unpredictable schedules that tested physical and financial endurance.[13]Southeastern and Continental Wrestling (1975–1987)
In 1975, Jimmy Golden transitioned from regional bookings to Southeastern Championship Wrestling (SECW), a National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) territory primarily operating in Alabama and northern Florida under promoter Nick Gulas, where he quickly established himself as a reliable midcard performer with a strong technical foundation honed in earlier independent dates.[3] Golden's arrival coincided with SECW's efforts to expand its roster amid competition from Memphis promotions, and he began competing regularly in tag team matches, leveraging his athleticism for high-energy bouts that drew local crowds in venues like Birmingham's Boutwell Auditorium.[14] By 1977, following Gulas's reduced involvement and the promotion's shift under Ron Fuller's leadership—Fuller's family ties to Golden as cousins facilitated deeper integration—Golden adopted the "Gorgeous" Jimmy moniker and joined the heel faction known as the Stud Stable, aligning with Robert Fuller and other relatives in storylines emphasizing Southern family dynasties.[15] This period marked his rise to main-event status, particularly in feuds against the rival Armstrong family, including intense rivalries with Bob Armstrong and his sons Brad, Scott, and Steve; a pivotal 1985 steel cage match saw Golden and the Stud Stable overpower the Armstrongs in a brutal assault, solidifying their territorial dominance.[15] These conflicts, blending personal animosity with athletic confrontations, transitioned family rivals into stable allies, enhancing SECW's narrative depth as it rebranded to Continental Championship Wrestling (CCW) in 1984 under Fuller's full control.[3] Golden pursued and captured several key titles during this era, exemplifying his versatility as both a singles and tag competitor. He secured the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship eight times between 1977 and 1985, with notable reigns including a 65-day run from March 30 to June 3, 1985, defending against challengers like Austin Idol in Dothan, Alabama.[16] Complementing this, he won the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship twice in 1981 and 1982, and dominated the tag division with 16 NWA Southeastern Tag Team Championship reigns—seven alongside Robert Fuller, such as their 100-day hold from March 1 to June 9, 1986—often portraying ruthless heels in defenses against teams like the Armstrongs.[16] In CCW's final years, Golden and Fuller added two NWA Continental Tag Team Championship reigns in 1987, culminating the promotion's emphasis on stable warfare.[16] Amid these successes, Golden evolved his character toward edgier, regional archetypes, occasionally performing as Roy Lee Welch to invoke cowboy and bunkhouse motifs that foreshadowed his later Bunkhouse Buck persona, complete with rugged attire and anti-hero promos targeting "city slicker" opponents in Alabama and Tennessee rings.[10] This shift, rooted in his Bucksnort, Tennessee, billing, added layers to Stud Stable angles, portraying him as a hard-edged Southern enforcer whose technical prowess supported brawling style, contributing to CCW's peak attendance in the mid-1980s before national expansions fragmented territorial wrestling.[3]Independent promotions (1988–1990)
Following the sale of Jim Crockett Promotions to Turner Broadcasting System in November 1988, which marked a significant restructuring of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and accelerated the decline of the territorial system, Jimmy Golden transitioned to smaller independent promotions amid widespread industry upheaval.[17] The expansion of national entities like the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and the emerging World Championship Wrestling (WCW) via cable television eroded the financial stability of regional territories, forcing wrestlers like Golden to seek sporadic bookings across fragmented promotions to sustain their careers.[18] He primarily worked in the United States Wrestling Association (USWA), formerly the Continental Wrestling Association (CWA), and the Continental Wrestling Federation (CWF), where he adapted by forming tag teams and taking on mid-card roles rather than main-event pushes from his earlier Southeastern days.[6] In the USWA, Golden teamed with Robert Fuller, leveraging their established "Southern style" gimmick from prior territories, to capture the USWA Southern Tag Team Championship on November 7, 1988, defeating Cactus Jack and Gary Young.[6] They regained the titles on February 25, 1989, against Jed Grundy and Scott Steiner, highlighting Golden's reliability in tag division work during a period of promotional mergers and talent raids by larger companies.[6] These successes were short-lived amid the USWA's own financial strains from competing with national broadcasts, leading to inconsistent scheduling and regional tours focused on house shows in Tennessee and surrounding states.[19] Golden also appeared in the CWF, based in Alabama and Tennessee, where he pursued tag team opportunities to navigate the instability. On May 24, 1989, he partnered with the Mongolian Stomper to win the CWF Tag Team Championship from Mike Davis and Masahiro Chono.[6] Later that year, on August 26, he teamed with Brian Lee to claim the titles again, defeating Steve Armstrong and Tracy Smothers, as the promotion struggled with attendance drops due to the WWF's Hulkamania surge.[6] In a notable multi-man match earlier in 1988, Golden joined Robert Fuller and Dutch Mantell to defeat the Southern Boys (Tracy Smothers and Steve Armstrong) and Frankie Lancaster, showcasing brief alliances amid the era's promotional flux.[20] To adapt to the WWF and WCW boom, Golden made sporadic enhancement appearances in the American Wrestling Association (AWA), often in losing efforts that elevated rising stars. On September 17, 1988, he, Robert Fuller, and Tommy Rich lost to Bill Dundee, Jeff Jarrett, and Jimmy Valiant in a six-man tag match.[21] Another defeat came against Jimmy Valiant in a singles bout that year, underscoring his role as a reliable opponent during the AWA's waning years before its 1990 closure.[22] These bookings, combined with regional tours in declining territories, reflected the broader challenges of financial instability, with many promotions facing bankruptcy or absorption as the independent circuit contracted.[23]Smoky Mountain Wrestling (1991–1994)
In 1991, Jimmy Golden, who would later gain fame as Bunkhouse Buck, signed with Jim Cornette's newly formed Smoky Mountain Wrestling (SMW) promotion, bringing his rugged heel persona to the Appalachian territory. Drawing from his extensive independent circuit experience, Golden adapted seamlessly to SMW's emphasis on hard-hitting, Southern-fried brawling that resonated with local audiences.[24] Golden quickly aligned with longtime partner Robert Fuller and manager Dirty Dutch Mantell to revive the Stud Stable faction, establishing them as a dominant heel group known for their roughneck tactics and territorial bravado. The Stable engaged in high-profile feuds with fan favorites like the Rock 'n' Roll Express, reigniting a classic rivalry from the 1980s Continental Wrestling Association days, and Jim Cornette's Heavenly Bodies, often escalating into chaotic multi-man brawls. These conflicts highlighted Golden's versatility as a tag team specialist and solo competitor, contributing to SMW's reputation for authentic, gritty storytelling.[24][25] As part of the Stud Stable, Golden and Fuller captured the SMW Tag Team Championship multiple times between 1992 and 1993, including a decisive victory over Dixie Dynamite and Tracy Smothers on November 13, 1992, solidifying their status as top antagonists. Their reigns involved intense defenses against challengers like the Fantastics and further deepened ongoing rivalries, with Golden's brawling style adding to the promotion's hard-edged appeal. The group also participated in brutal stipulation matches, such as the three-way elimination street fight at Bluegrass Brawl on April 2, 1993, where they clashed with the Heavenly Bodies and Rock 'n' Roll Express in a no-holds-barred affair that exemplified SMW's raw, regional intensity—though they ultimately fell short, with the Heavenly Bodies emerging victorious.[24] Golden continued performing for SMW through 1994, occasionally crossing paths with other heels like the Dirty White Boy in multi-man scenarios and chain match-adjacent brawls that underscored the promotion's unforgiving environment. His tenure helped bolster SMW's underdog charm, blending veteran savvy with the faction's unyielding aggression to drive attendance and TV ratings in the Southeast.[26]World Championship Wrestling (1994–1997)
Bunkhouse Buck debuted in World Championship Wrestling in early 1994, portraying a rugged, Southern brawler character managed by Col. Robert Parker as part of the villainous Stud Stable faction.[27] The group, which included members like Arn Anderson, Terry Funk, and later Dick Slater, targeted prominent babyfaces and engaged in intense rivalries, elevating Buck's profile on national television through appearances on WCW Saturday Night and pay-per-view events.[28] Refining his hillbilly persona originally developed in Smoky Mountain Wrestling, Buck quickly integrated into WCW's mid-card scene with his no-nonsense, hard-hitting style. In 1995, Buck formed a prominent tag team partnership with fellow Stud Stable member Dick Slater, under Parker's guidance, leading to significant success in the division. The duo captured the WCW World Tag Team Championship on June 21, 1995, defeating Harlem Heat in a match taped for WCW Saturday Night, holding the titles for 88 days before losing them back to Harlem Heat at Fall Brawl on September 17, 1995.[29] During their reign, they defended the belts against teams like the Blue Bloods and the Nasty Boys, showcasing Buck's veteran teamwork and brawling prowess on shows such as WCW Pro and Monday Nitro.[30] Buck's WCW run featured key feuds that highlighted his role in multi-man and tag matches, including clashes with the patriotic duo Stars and Stripes over the tag titles in early 1995, where he teamed with Arn Anderson in a losing effort.[31] He also engaged in high-profile singles bouts against Sting, facing the franchise player multiple times on Nitro and pay-per-view undercards between 1995 and 1996, often in stipulation matches that emphasized his tough-guy archetype.[32] These programs, along with mid-card rivalries involving Dustin Rhodes—stemming from earlier Stud Stable conflicts—kept Buck relevant on WCW's flagship programming, including WarGames at Fall Brawl 1994.[33] By 1996, amid WCW's expanding roster and the rise of the New World Order storyline, Buck transitioned into a jobber role, frequently putting over emerging stars in squash matches on Nitro and secondary shows.[32] He occasionally tagged with Mike Enos in losses to top teams like the Steiner Brothers, marking a shift from contender status to enhancement talent as his contract wound down in 1997.Later career and retirement (1997–present)
Following his departure from World Championship Wrestling in 1997, Jimmy Golden returned to the independent wrestling circuit, resuming performances under both his real name and the Bunkhouse Buck gimmick in various regional promotions throughout the southern United States.[34] He maintained an active schedule in these smaller territories into the early 2000s, including bouts in organizations such as the Heartland Wrestling Association, where he faced Darren Drozdov in 1998, and New Dimension Wrestling.[35] Golden also competed in Premier Championship Wrestling in 2004, defeating Angelo Young, and Iron Ring Wrestling later that year against The Assassin.[2] Golden achieved a notable accolade during this period by capturing the NWA Rocky Top Heavyweight Championship on August 19, 2005, with a victory over Tom Prichard.[2] His independent run often featured tag team matches alongside family members, such as his cousin Robert Fuller, echoing elements of their earlier Stud Stable collaborations from WCW bookings. Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, these appearances emphasized his brawling style in regional events across Tennessee and Alabama.[9] In a rare major television crossover, Golden portrayed Jack Swagger Sr. on the July 16, 2010, episode of WWE SmackDown, appearing in a patriotic family segment that culminated in Swagger abandoning him to Kane's chokeslam and tombstone piledriver.[2] This one-off role highlighted his veteran status but marked no further WWE involvement. Golden continued sporadic in-ring work into the 2010s, primarily in nostalgia-driven events in the Southeast. He teamed with relatives like Ron Fuller in Continental Championship Wrestling matches, including a win over The Dirty Blondes on January 25, 2020, which served as his final bout before retirement at age 69 due to health considerations.[36] Post-retirement, he has participated in shoot interviews recounting career highlights, such as a full discussion of his WCW tenure and independent days in May 2024.[37]Personal life
Marriage and family
James Golden married Patricia Ward on September 14, 1972.[38] The couple has two children.[38] Their son, Bobby Golden, pursued a professional wrestling career, debuting in independent promotions after being trained by his father in Tennessee Mountain Wrestling (TMW).[10] Father and son teamed together in tag team matches, including a bout against Gary Valiant and The Super Destroyer managed by Col. Robert Fuller.[39]Health and post-retirement activities
Following his retirement from professional wrestling in 2020 at the age of 70, Jimmy Golden—best known by his ring name Bunkhouse Buck—has maintained ties to wrestling heritage through select interviews, including 2025 discussions recounting his WCW tenure and family legacy in the sport.[40][11]Championships and accomplishments
Major titles
Bunkhouse Buck, whose real name is James Golden, achieved his most prominent national-level success by winning the WCW World Tag Team Championship once, partnering with Dick Slater as part of The Stud Stable on June 21, 1995, in a match taped for WCW Saturday Night (aired July 22, 1995); this reign lasted 57 days until they lost the titles to Harlem Heat on September 17, 1995, marking a career peak during his World Championship Wrestling tenure.[41] This accomplishment elevated Buck's status from a regional veteran to a key player in WCW's tag division, showcasing his rugged, brawling style in high-profile defenses against teams like the Nasty Boys and contributing to storylines involving Col. Robert Parker's stable.[32] In the Southeastern territory, Buck established territorial dominance through multiple reigns as NWA Alabama Heavyweight Champion, first capturing the title on June 1, 1981, in Birmingham, Alabama, before losing it to Ray Candy on June 29, 1981, and securing a second reign beginning in January 1982, which ended on February 21, 1982.[42] These victories solidified his reputation as a reliable main-event heel in the NWA's Southern circuit, where he defended the belt in intense matches against prominent rivals, enhancing his booking as a credible champion capable of drawing crowds in an era of regional promotions.[43] Throughout his career spanning territories like Continental Championship Wrestling and later WCW, Buck's championship wins totaled over a dozen across various belts, but his Alabama and WCW triumphs underscored his versatility and longevity, positioning him as a foundational figure who bridged territorial wrestling with national exposure without relying on gimmicks beyond his authentic cowboy persona.[2]Title history
Bunkhouse Buck (James Golden) captured numerous championships throughout his career, primarily in regional NWA-affiliated promotions during the 1970s and 1980s, with additional wins in the 1990s and early 2000s. His title reigns often featured tag team success alongside partners like Robert Fuller, reflecting his role in the Southeastern wrestling territory. Below is a chronological overview of his major title wins, focusing on verified reigns with available details on dates, opponents, and durations.| Title | Promotion | Reign(s) | Date Won | Date Lost | Partner (if applicable) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tri-State Tag Team Championship | NWA Tri-State (Alabama) | 1 | June 11, 1971 | Unknown | Bobby Whitlock | Defeated Woodrow Bass & Roy Bass in Anniston, AL. Reign duration unknown. [44] |
| Tri-State Heavyweight Championship | NWA Tri-State (Alabama) | 1 | September 7, 1971 | Unknown | N/A | Won vacant title in Montgomery, AL, by defeating Woodrow Bass. Reign duration unknown. [45] |
| NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship | NWA (Alabama) | 1 | July 15, 1974 | Unknown | N/A | Defeated Billy Spears in Birmingham, AL. Reign duration unknown. [46] |
| NWA Southeastern Tag Team Championship | NWA Southeastern | 1 | Unknown (1975 period) | Unknown | Robert Fuller | One of 16 total reigns; specific win details unavailable, but part of early tag team success with Fuller. [3] |
| NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship | NWA Southeastern | 1 | June 1, 1981 | Unknown | N/A | First of eight reigns; defeated opponent in Birmingham, AL. Reign duration unknown. [47] |
| NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship | NWA (Alabama) | 2 | June 1, 1981 | Unknown | N/A | Second reign; location Birmingham, AL. Reign duration unknown. [42] |
| NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship | NWA (Alabama) | 3 | January 1982 (exact date unknown) | February 21, 1982 | N/A | Third reign; lost to Bob Armstrong in Anniston, AL. Reign duration approximately 1.5 months. [42] |
| NWA Southeastern Tag Team Championship | NWA Southeastern | Multiple (7 with Fuller, 1976–1985) | Various (e.g., April 9, 1976 for one reign) | Various | Robert Fuller (primary) | Won titles including on April 9, 1976 in Knoxville, TN; total 16 reigns across partners like Ricky Gibson (2x), Dutch Mantell, and others. Defenses often against teams like the Armstrong brothers. [48] [3] |
| NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship | NWA Southeastern | 2–4 | Various (1981–1984) | Various | N/A | Multiple reigns during territory peak; lost one to Austin Idol on June 3, 1985. Total eight reigns, with notable defenses in Birmingham, AL. [49] [3] |
| NWA Continental Tag Team Championship | NWA Continental | 1–6 (1970s–1980s) | Various | Various | Robert Fuller (4x), Mongolian Stomper (1x), Brian Lee (1x) | Won on April 27, 1987 in Birmingham, AL with Fuller; multiple defenses against teams like Tony Anthony & Jerry Stubbs. [50] [3] |
| CWF Tag Team Championship | CWF (Alabama/E. Tennessee) | 1 | May 24, 1989 | July 1989 | Mongolian Stomper | Won in Murphy, NC; vacated when Stomper quit the team. Reign duration approximately 2 months. [51] |
| ASCW Heavyweight Championship | All Star Championship Wrestling | 1–2 | 1990 (first), September 22, 1990 (second) | Unknown (first), November 16, 1990 (second, lost to Doug Vines) | N/A | Defeated Doug Vines for second reign in Knoxville, TN. Reign durations short, under 2 months each. [52] |
| ASCW Heavyweight Championship | All Star Championship Wrestling | 3–4 | January 5, 1991 (third), February 2, 1991 (fourth) | Unknown | N/A | Consecutive short reigns in Knoxville, TN area; title vacated after fourth. [52] |
| CWA Tag Team Championship | CWA (Memphis) | 1–2 | November 7, 1988 (first) | February 18, 1989 (first, lost to Scott Steiner & Jed Grundy) | Robert Fuller | Defeated champions in Memphis, TN. Second reign details approximate in late 1980s. Reign durations 3–6 months. [53] [3] |
| WCW World Tag Team Championship | WCW | 1 | June 21, 1995 (taped; aired July 22, 1995) | September 17, 1995 | Dick Slater | Defeated Harlem Heat on WCW Saturday Night in Atlanta, GA; lost to Harlem Heat in Asheville, NC. Reign duration 57 days; part of The Stud Stable. [30] [4] |
| HWA Bar Room Brawl Championship | HWA | 1 | March 10, 1999 | April 21, 1999 | N/A | Won in bar room brawl match against Bull Pain. Reign duration 42 days. [4] [16] |
| NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship | NWA Mid-Atlantic | 1 | October 7, 2000 | Unknown (2001) | N/A | Defeated Colt Steele. Reign duration approximately 1 year. [4] [16] |
| SSW Young Guns Television Championship | Southern States Wrestling | 1 | July 20, 2003 | October 2003 | N/A | Reign duration approximately 3 months. [16] |
| NWA Wrestle Birmingham Heavyweight Championship | NWA Wrestle Birmingham | 1 | 2010 | November 2010 | N/A | Reign duration under 1 year. [16] |
| TMW Heavyweight Championship | Tennessee Mountain Wrestling | 1 | August 30, 2011 | Unknown | N/A | Won in New Tazewell, TN. Specific loss details unavailable; part of multiple TMW reigns. [9] |
