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Dennis Knight (born December 26, 1968) is an American chef and retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling between 1992 and 1994 under the ring name Tex Slazenger and with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) between 1996 and 2001 under the ring names Phineas I. Godwinn and Mideon, as well as his real name.[2][1][4]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Knight grew up in the Tampa Bay Area, in the city of Clearwater, Florida. He attended Salem University in Salem, West Virginia, where he played American football for the Tigers. After suffering a severe shoulder injury, Knight left Salem College and returned to Florida, where he worked as a bouncer.[2]

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

Early career (1989–1992)

[edit]

While working as a bouncer in Clearwater, Florida, Knight was introduced to Steve Keirn, who trained him as a professional wrestler.[2] He debuted in 1989 under the ring name "Tex Slazenger", facing his stepfather, Ron Slinker, in his first match. Knight went on to wrestle on the independent circuit in the Carolinas.[2]

In 1991, Knight joined the Memphis, Tennessee-based United States Wrestling Association, where he adopted the ring name "Leatherface" and a gimmick based on the character from the 1974 film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, complete with "bloodstained" apron, leather mask and chainsaw (without the chain). He was pushed as a "monster" in a feud with Jerry Lawler. During one infamous match between the two, Knight was set on fire.[5] After dropping the Leatherface gimmick, Tex teamed up with Mark Canterbury who wrestled as the masked "Master Blaster".

After leaving the USWA, Knight wrestled in Florida, Puerto Rico and Japan before receiving a tryout with World Championship Wrestling in 1992.[2]

World Championship Wrestling (1992–1994)

[edit]

In 1992, Knight was hired by World Championship Wrestling, where he was renamed "Tex Slazenger" and given the character of an "ornery Texas outlaw". Knight formed a tag team with Canterbury, now wrestling as Shanghai Pierce. Knight and Pierce left WCW in 1994.[2]

United States Wrestling Association (1995–1996)

[edit]

When both men left WCW, Canterbury signed with the World Wrestling Federation under the ring name "Henry Godwinn" while Slazenger returned to the USWA. In the USWA, Slazenger captured the USWA Southern Title on two occasions, defeating Brian Christopher both times.[6]

World Wrestling Federation (1996–2001)

[edit]

The Godwinns and Southern Justice (1996–1998)

[edit]
Main article: The Godwinns

In 1996, Knight signed with the WWF and was therefore reunited with Canterbury and renamed "Phineas I. Godwinn" (abbreviated to P.I.G.). The duo were portrayed as being cousins (later brothers) and were collectively known as The Godwinns. Phineas made his in-ring debut on the January 29 episode of Monday Night Raw in a tag team victory for Godwinns over The Bodydonnas and began a feud with Bodydonnas over their manager Sunny. They soon entered a tournament for the vacant Tag Team Championship and defeated The New Rockers and Owen Hart and British Bulldog to qualify for the finals on the March 31 episode of Free for All, where they lost to Bodydonnas. They failed to win the titles from Bodydonnas in a rematch for the titles at In Your House 7: Good Friends, Better Enemies. On May 19, Godwinns defeated Bodydonnas to win the Tag Team Championship at a live event in Madison Square Garden. As a result, they gained Bodydonnas' valet Sunny as their manager on the May 26 episode of Free for All, where they lost their newly won titles to The Smoking Gunns.

In 1997, in a match between The Godwinns and the Legion of Doom, Canterbury suffered a cracked C7 vertebra when the Legion of Doom botched a Doomsday Device. He was advised by doctors to rest for 15 weeks, but returned to the ring in less than eight weeks.[7] In early 1998, the Godwinns dropped their pig farmer gimmicks and became "Southern Justice", the bodyguards of Tennessee Lee, using their real names.[8] Six months later, Canterbury herniated his C7 vertebra and pinched a spinal nerve, necessitating spinal fusion surgery. This came as a result of him returning to the ring too early after his neck injury. He eventually left the WWF and retired, due to the neck injury suffered in 1997 leaving Knight without a partner.[7]

The Ministry of Darkness (1999)

[edit]
See also: The Ministry of Darkness and The Corporate Ministry

In late 1998, Knight returned to the WWF after a brief hiatus, and in a short time, was kidnapped by the Acolytes and brainwashed into joining the Ministry of Darkness, a heel Satanic-themed stable led by The Undertaker, who rechristened him as the deranged soothsayer "Midian" (spelling later changed to "Mideon"). Throughout 1999, The Ministry feuded with Stone Cold Steve Austin, with Mideon often teaming up with Viscera. Mideon "won" the WWF European Championship in this time when he found it in Shane McMahon's bag.[6] Mideon held the belt for over a month until losing it to D'Lo Brown at Fully Loaded. When The Undertaker was injured in late 1999, the Ministry disbanded, however, Mideon continued the gimmick and union with Viscera, including doing The Undertaker's biddings in matches well after The Ministry had dissolved, although no clear stable was ever established again.

Various storylines (2000–2001)

[edit]

In early 2000, Knight appeared briefly as a Mankind imitator.

Knight returned in a limited capacity in mid-2000 as "Naked Mideon", a persona who ran around arenas wearing only a fanny pack, a pair of boots and a thong. At No Mercy 2000 he tried to reclaim the European Championship from William Regal, but was defeated.[9] At Armageddon 2000, Knight briefly interfered in the match between Chris Jericho and Kane. Knight then wrestled in a few dark matches under his previous moniker Tex Slazenger, but was released in January 2001.

Later career and retirement (2001–present)

[edit]

Following his run with the WWF, Knight returned to his home in Tampa, Florida and spent time training students at Steve Keirn's Pro Wrestling school. During this time he also continued to wrestle for several Florida independent promotions such as IPW and the FSPW, as well as touring Europe.

From 2003 to 2004, Knight returned for several dark matches for World Wrestling Entertainment under his own name.

Knight appeared at the NWA Total Nonstop Action event TNA Destination X 2005 on March 13, 2005 during the scheduled match between Monty Brown and Trytan. In the course of the match, the lights went off and Trytan vanished from the ring. When the lights came on, a masked Knight was in his place and was quickly pinned by Brown. TNA never revealed on air who was under the mask and released Knight the following day.[10]

Knight retired from professional wrestling in 2006. He wrestled several matches for Great Lakes Championship Wrestling in 2011 and 2012. On November 22, 2020, Knight returned to WWE together with Henry O. Godwinn as The Godwinns, to take part in The Undertaker's retirement ceremony at Survivor Series. Several other members of the Bone Street Krew also appeared to pay tribute.

Personal life

[edit]

After retiring from professional wrestling, Knight began working as a chef in Clearwater, Florida.[2][11]

Knight has an eyeball tattooed on the back of his head and a tattoo of Doc Holliday on his left arm.

In 2023, Knight lost all of the toes on his right foot after developing an infection that required them to be amputated.[12]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

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

Mideon

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Mideon is the of Dennis Knight (born December 26, 1968), a retired American renowned for his tenure with the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (WWF/E) during the late 1990s . Best known as a loyal follower in The Undertaker's supernatural stable, where he was dramatically initiated as its first member through a ritualistic "sacrifice," Mideon portrayed a bizarre, mask-wearing character often seen wandering the locker room in search of his "." Knight's wrestling journey began in the early 1990s after training under and debuting in the following a football injury at . He first gained prominence in (WCW) as Tex Slazenger, teaming with Mark Canterbury (as Shanghai Pierce) in the tag division from 1992 to 1994. Signing with WWF in 1996, Knight adopted the hillbilly persona of Phineas I. Godwinn, the on-screen cousin of Henry Godwinn, and the duo, managed by , competed as tag team, briefly holding the WWF Tag Team Championship. He later portrayed Southern Justice, a role for characters like Lee, before his transformation into Mideon in 1998 as part of the Ministry storyline, which involved occult themes and high-profile feuds. During this period, Mideon notably captured the WWF European Championship in June 1999 by opportunistically finding the title in Shane McMahon's bag, holding it for 34 days. After departing WWF/E in 2001 following the Ministry's dissolution and a comedic "Naked Mideon" phase, Knight made sporadic appearances, including a 2005 TNA stint and independent dates in Florida and Europe, before retiring from in-ring competition around 2006. Transitioning to a post-wrestling career in the culinary field, he now operates Dennis Knight Catering in his hometown of Clearwater, Florida, where he has built a successful business as a chef despite health challenges including a 2023 foot injury requiring partial amputation and a 2024 appendix rupture that led to an ICU stay; he has expressed interest in television opportunities.

Personal background

Early life

Dennis Knight was born on December 26, 1968, in Clearwater, Florida. He grew up in Clearwater. Knight was raised in a family of avid wrestling enthusiasts, with his stepfather, Ron Slinker, a former professional wrestler who had connections in the industry. No public records detail siblings, but the household emphasized wrestling viewing as a central activity from an early age. During his childhood and adolescence, Knight attended Pinellas Park High School in nearby , where he developed an interest in as a primary hobby outside of watching wrestling. He later pursued football at in , aspiring to emulate athlete-wrestlers like , though a severe injury ended those ambitions. Amid this, figures like began inspiring his fascination with .

Influences and entry into wrestling

Growing up in , Dennis Knight was deeply influenced by from a young age, primarily through his family's enthusiasm for the sport. His family, including his grandfather, introduced him to wrestling through TV viewing, and he attended his first live event at around age 11—a 60-minute "Broadway" match between and at the St. Pete Bayfront Center—where he became enamored with wrestlers like and Mike Graham. Rhodes, in particular, emerged as Knight's childhood hero, captivating him with his charisma and in-ring style. This early exposure solidified Knight's aspirations to enter wrestling. His stepfather, , a former professional wrestler known for his work in regional promotions and as a martial artist, further supported Knight's interest by embodying the wrestling lifestyle within the family. Slinker's background as a wrestler provided Knight with an insider's perspective on the profession, reinforcing the sport's presence in his formative years. Knight's path to training began around age 20, following a injury that ended his scholarship at in . Returning to , he worked as a in Clearwater, where connections through colleagues led him to Steve Keirn's wrestling school at the Sportatorium in Tampa. Keirn, a veteran trainer, guided Knight's initial professional training in , marking his transition from fan to aspiring wrestler without prior amateur experience. Within six months of starting, Knight was competing full-time in the Florida circuit he had idolized as a youth.

Professional wrestling career

Early independent career (1989–1992)

Dennis Knight made his professional wrestling debut in 1989 under the ring name Tex Slazenger, having trained under at the Sportatorium in . His first match took place on October 17, 1989, in , for the NWA Florida promotion (also known as Championship Wrestling of Florida), where he partnered with Jumbo Baretta to defeat The New Generation (Scott Dean and ) for the . This early success highlighted Knight's potential as a competitor in the southeastern regional scene. Throughout 1989 and 1990, Knight primarily competed on the independent circuit in southeastern U.S. promotions, including and various NWA-affiliated territories, wrestling under names like and occasionally Dennis Knight. The Tex Slazenger character was crafted as a rugged outlaw or cowboy persona, emphasizing a tough, no-nonsense brawler style suited to his physical presence and regional roots. Key early matches included bouts against established talents, helping him gain experience and visibility, though specific feuds remained localized without national exposure. By 1991, Knight began transitioning toward more specialized gimmicks, adopting the persona—inspired by the antagonist from the Texas Chain Saw Massacre film series—for appearances in USWA Memphis. This horror-themed character marked a shift from his cowboy roots, featuring in Memphis-area events under promoter , where he faced opponents like and in high-profile regional matches that built toward broader opportunities. These independent experiences solidified Knight's versatility before his entry into major national promotions.

World Championship Wrestling (1992–1994)

In 1992, Dennis Knight signed a contract with (WCW) following a successful tryout match against Joey Maggs, arranged through connections with and his stepfather. He retained his established ring name Tex Slazenger from his appearances, debuting as a mid-card performer with national television exposure on shows like . Knight was assigned the gimmick of an ornery Texas outlaw, emphasizing a rugged, cowboy persona that aligned with WCW's territorial storytelling style during the early 1990s. Soon after his debut, he formed a tag team partnership with Mark Canterbury, who wrestled as Shanghai Pierce, creating a duo of hard-edged Texas outlaws known collectively as the Texas Hangmen. The team focused on brawling, no-nonsense matches that highlighted their outlaw characters, positioning them as aggressive heels in the mid-card tag division without challenging for the top singles titles. The Texas Hangmen competed in several notable tag team bouts, including a WCW World Tag Team Championship challenge against Arn Anderson and Paul Roma on July 7, 1993, which they lost in a competitive encounter. Other key matches featured them facing established teams such as The Hollywood Blonds (Steve Austin and Brian Pillman) and mid-card duos like Marcus Bagwell and 2 Cold Scorpio, often on WCW Worldwide and Power Hour episodes, where their cowboy gimmick fueled short feuds centered on territorial rivalries and barroom-style confrontations. They also appeared at pay-per-view events like Beach Blast 1993 and Starrcade 1993, battling opponents including Diamond Dallas Page and Vinny Vegas, but never captured tag team gold despite their physical presence and crowd heat as heels. The duo's run emphasized mid-card consistency rather than main-event pushes, with their outlaw cowboy personas generating moderate fan interest through squash victories over enhancement talent and occasional upsets against upper-mid-card acts. and parted ways with WCW in early 1994 when signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), leading to pursue opportunities in international promotions like and .

United States Wrestling Association (1995–1996)

After departing in 1994, Dennis Knight returned to the in 1995 under his established Tex Slazenger, portraying a rugged Texan character known for his aggressive brawling style. As a dominant , Slazenger quickly positioned himself as a top contender in USWA storylines, engaging in high-profile matches that emphasized his power-based offense against fan favorites. His return highlighted the promotion's emphasis on regional rivalries, with Slazenger often aligned with manager Scott Bowden to intensify his menacing presence. Slazenger captured the USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship for the first time on November 22, 1995, in , defeating following a title vacancy stemming from their controversial match on November 13. He lost the title back to Christopher on November 27, 1995, but reclaimed it on December 2, 1995, again pinning Christopher in Memphis to begin his second reign. A major feud developed with USWA mainstay , culminating in Slazenger dropping the Southern Heavyweight Championship to Lawler on January 10, 1996, in Memphis. This loss marked the end of Slazenger's prominent USWA run, as Knight departed the promotion later in 1996 to join the World Wrestling Federation.

WWF: The Godwinns and Southern Justice (1996–1998)

In 1996, Dennis Knight signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and debuted as Phineas I. Godwinn, portrayed as the dim-witted cousin of the established (Mark Canterbury). The duo adopted a pig farmer gimmick, depicting them as inbred cousins from who wore overalls and carried buckets of "slop" to the ring, which they would dump over opponents' heads as a signature attack to generate heat or celebrate victories. Managed initially by , positioned themselves as fan favorites in the mid-card division, emphasizing comedic rural antics like square-dancing entrances alongside more serious brawling in matches. The Godwinns quickly rose to prominence by challenging established teams, including a high-profile feud with (Skip and Zip). On May 19, 1996, at a house show in , they defeated to capture the WWF Tag Team Championship in a match lasting 10 minutes and 56 seconds, with securing the pin via a kick and top-rope clothesline. This marked their first title reign, which lasted approximately 7 days until May 26, 1996, when they dropped the belts to (Billy and ) at the 8: Beware of Dog pay-per-view event in , after interference leading to a 4-minute and 57-second loss. The team regained momentum through ongoing rivalries with and other mid-card acts like , showcasing their power-based style in house shows and television tapings. In 1996, Sunny briefly aligned with them as a , adding a romantic angle that culminated in "slopping" her during a heated Superstars of Wrestling segment on June 29, 1996, after a betrayal tease. The Godwinns captured the WWF Tag Team Championship for a second time on October 5, 1997, at the Badd Blood pay-per-view, defeating (Mosh and Thrasher) in the main event to end their opponents' brief reign. However, this second reign was notably short, lasting only two days before The Legion of Doom (Hawk and ) dethroned them on the October 7 episode of Raw Is War. These title pursuits highlighted ' role in elevating the tag division during the era, though they often served as transitional champions amid shifting storylines. By early 1998, abandoned their farmer persona and reemerged as Southern Justice, a enforcer team acting as bodyguards for the debuting Lee (Ronnie P. Rowe Jr.) and his client . Introduced on the June 1 episode of Raw Is War, they adopted a tough Southern tough-guy look with black attire, focusing on interference in Jarrett's singles matches against competitors like and X-Pac. As Southern Justice, they engaged in tag team feuds with groups such as and , including a double disqualification brawl against on the September 5, 1998, episode of Raw Is War. Their run emphasized loyalty to Jarrett's faction, but it was cut short when suffered a severe injury in September 1998, sidelining the team and leading to Knight's eventual repackaging.

WWF: The Ministry of Darkness (1999)

In early 1999, Dennis Knight, previously known for his rural-themed Godwinn persona, underwent a stark transformation as part of 's emerging stable. On the January 11 episode of Raw Is War, The Acolytes abducted backstage, leading to a ritualistic sacrifice by The Undertaker in the ring, where Knight was rechristened as Mideon and emerged as a devoted follower. Mideon was depicted as a deranged, tattooed immersed in biblical and motifs, often wandering the arena in tattered robes while delivering cryptic prophecies and aiding the Ministry's dark agenda. As a midcard enforcer, he participated in the faction's rituals and assaults, closely aligning with stablemates like Viscera—another "recruited" member through a similar —and The Acolytes (Farooq and Bradshaw), who functioned as the group's brutal muscle in coordinated attacks on rivals. The Ministry's storyline escalated into a major feud with The Corporation, Vince McMahon's corporate alliance, highlighting the group's satanic rebellion against authority. A pivotal moment came on the February 22 episode of Raw Is War, when McMahon booked in an Inferno Match against his half-brother Kane as retribution, with Mideon and the stable providing ominous support ringside amid the flames. Amid the chaos, Mideon achieved a brief spotlight by capturing the WWF European Championship on the June 21 episode of Raw Is War in , when awarded him the vacant title after Mideon "discovered" it in McMahon's travel bag. He defended the belt sporadically before dropping it to at the Fully Loaded pay-per-view on July 25, 1999, in , ending his 34-day reign.

WWF: Later storylines and departure (2000–2001)

In early 2000, Dennis Knight briefly portrayed a Mankind imitator during WWF television appearances, marking a transitional phase following the dissolution of his prior role in . This short-lived gimmick served as a comedic interlude amid the promotion's shift toward more eccentric character work. By mid-2000, Knight reemerged as "Naked Mideon," a humorous inspired by a backstage prank where he appeared in only a after a shower, prompting WWF Chairman to incorporate elements into his act for audience reaction. The character featured Knight entering arenas clad solely in boots, a , and the , often disrupting matches by running through crowds or interfering in segments, which aligned with the Attitude Era's blend of shock value and comedy. This evolution emphasized physical comedy over the darker themes of his earlier Ministry tenure, positioning Naked Mideon as a mid-card enhancer rather than a main event contender. Naked Mideon's run included several mid-card bouts that highlighted his comedic losses, such as a April 1, 2000, defeat to on WWF Jakked, where Venis secured victory via his signature finisher. He also challenged for the at No Mercy on , 2000, under a stipulation requiring attire—accommodated by tear-away pants—but lost via submission to the Blackpool Hammer, ending his PPV in-ring appearances on a down note. Additional house show and dark match losses to opponents like and The Big Bossman further underscored his role in building other talents through defeats. The gimmick intersected with the Right to Censor (RTC) stable—a satirical group protesting WWF's edgy content—when Naked Mideon confronted them on the October 16, 2000, episode of Raw, streaking into the ring to thwart RTC leader ' interference in a match, parodying their censorship agenda with his own provocative antics. This segment amplified the era's cultural clashes, pitting Mideon's nudity against RTC's moralistic feuds with "edgy" wrestlers like and . Knight's WWF tenure concluded with his release on January 26, 2001, amid roster reductions as the promotion streamlined its talent pool post-Attitude Era peak. Prior to departure, he reverted to his Tex Slazenger persona for dark matches, including a win over Just Joe on January 16, 2001. Reflecting on his contributions, Knight's various roles, including Naked Mideon, exemplified the Attitude Era's innovative, boundary-pushing storytelling that helped WWF eclipse WCW in the Monday Night Wars.

Independent circuit and retirement (2001–2006)

Following his release from the World Wrestling Federation in early 2001, Dennis Knight resumed wrestling on the , primarily under the ring names Mideon and Phineas I. Godwinn. His bookings were concentrated in regional promotions across and surrounding areas, including Independent Professional Wrestling (IPW) Hardcore, NWA Florida, Entertainment Wrestling Alliance (EWA), and Independent Championship Wrestling (ICW). These appearances often featured a mix of and singles matches, with Knight incorporating elements of his past personas, such as brawling and hardcore stipulations, to engage local audiences. One of the highlights of this phase came in , where Knight won the IPW Hardcore Championship on April 18, 2003, by defeating Rastaman in a match held in . He defended the title successfully in several hardcore bouts involving weapons and high-risk maneuvers before dropping it to Chaos on August 2, 2003, after a reign of 106 days. This victory marked a brief resurgence for on the indies, though his schedule remained limited compared to his major promotion days, with additional notable outings including a tag team loss to Vicious & Delicious alongside Fifel Sierra on November 29, 2002, in a joint and NWA Florida event. Knight's independent activity gradually diminished over the ensuing years, as he prioritized family time and explored opportunities outside wrestling, such as culinary training. By 2006, after completing his final independent matches, he formally retired from in-ring competition to establish a in .

Post-retirement appearances (2007–present)

Following his retirement from active competition in 2006, Dennis Knight, known in as Mideon, has made sporadic appearances at wrestling conventions and autograph sessions, often portraying his Mideon or Phineas I. Godwinn personas to engage with fans. Knight's most notable post-retirement wrestling-related event occurred on November 22, 2020, when he reunited with his former tag team partner as during The Undertaker's retirement ceremony at . The appearance was part of a larger gathering of The Undertaker's longtime associates from the faction, highlighting Knight's historical ties to the group. Beyond this, Knight has participated in limited non-competitive one-offs and legends-style events on the independent circuit post-2006, focusing on ceremonial or tribute roles rather than full matches. In 2023, Knight underwent a significant health procedure when all toes on his right foot were amputated due to a severe stemming from a cooking-related injury that wore a hole through his big toe to the bone. This incident, which occurred while working as a chef, has impacted his mobility and led him to temporarily reduce his professional commitments. In March 2024, Knight experienced another serious health scare, initially thought to be a but revealed to be a shredded appendix, , and critically high blood sugar levels, requiring emergency , 8 days in the hospital, and 48 hours in intensive care; he has since recovered. As of November 2025, Knight remains active in select fan engagements and maintains a presence on social media, sharing updates about his life and occasional travels with fellow wrestling alumni, though he has not been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Championships and accomplishments

Major championships

Dennis Knight, performing under various ring names including Phineas I. Godwinn, Tex Slazenger, and Mideon, achieved success in major championships during his time in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and the United States Wrestling Association (USWA). His title wins were primarily in tag team and midcard divisions, contributing to key storylines in regional and national promotions.

WWF Tag Team Championship

Knight, as Phineas I. Godwinn, teamed with to win the WWF Tag Team Championship once in a significant reign on May 19, 1996, at a house show in , defeating the (Skip and Zip). This victory capped a feud stemming from earlier encounters and marked the Godwinns' first major tag title success in WWF. The reign lasted 7 days until they lost the titles to the at 8: Beware of Dog on May 26, 1996; during this short period, they made no televised defenses but appeared on Raw to assert dominance in the tag division./Champion_history) The duo captured the titles a second time on October 5, 1997, defeating (Mosh and Thrasher) at , reuniting after a period of separation. This reign was brief, lasting only 2 days before losing to the ( and ) on the October 6, 1997, episode of Raw Is War. No defenses occurred, and the win highlighted a short-lived Godwinns comeback amid the tag team landscape.

WWF European Championship

As Mideon, Knight was awarded the WWF European Championship on the June 21, 1999, episode of Raw Is War when Mideon found the vacant title in Shane McMahon's bag, leading Shane to award it to him after it had been "retired" earlier that year; this unusual accession tied into the storyline, positioning Mideon as an enforcer. The reign was short, lasting 34 days with no successful defenses, as the title was defended sporadically amid the faction's chaotic narrative. Mideon lost the championship to at Fully Loaded on July 25, 1999, in , ending his only midcard singles run in WWF.

USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship

Under the ring name Tex Slazenger, Knight won the USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship twice in 1995–1996, establishing himself as a key player in the Memphis territory. His first reign began on November 22, 1995, in , defeating in a rematch following a controversial prior bout; he held the title for 5 days before it was vacated or returned due to disputes, impacting his early push in feuds against younger talent like Christopher. Knight captured the title for a second time on December 2, 1995, again defeating in Memphis after commissioner reinstated the belt post-vacancy. This 39-day reign elevated in territorial rivalries, leading to defenses against local competitors and culminating in a loss to on January 10, 1996, which intensified ongoing power struggles in USWA. These victories solidified his reputation as a rugged in Southern wrestling circuits.

Career highlights and awards

Mideon's portrayal in the stands as one of the most iconic gimmicks of the WWF's , where he was dramatically "sacrificed" by in a ritualistic segment on the January 11, 1999, episode of Raw Is War. This moment, involving bloodletting and rebirth, transformed Dennis Knight into the deranged soothsayer Mideon, serving as a loyal to the faction's leader and enhancing the group's supernatural, horror-infused narrative that pushed wrestling toward darker, more mature themes during the era's cultural shift away from family-friendly content. His contributions to the Ministry extended beyond mere membership, as Mideon's unwavering loyalty helped solidify the stable's menacing presence, including key roles in storylines that merged with the alliance, amplifying the faction's dominance in mid-1999 feuds. Later, the "Naked Mideon" parody angle in 2000 provided a stark comedic contrast, originating from backstage antics involving Kurt Angle's post-match , leading to absurd interruptions like during matches and a high-profile European title bout against at No Mercy. This gimmick, though short-lived, exemplified the Attitude Era's blend of shock value and humor, leaving a memorable mark on fans for its outrageous execution. While specific awards elude Mideon's record, his indie circuit appearances post-WWF garnered respect for reliability, including notable bouts in promotions like IPW and TNA that highlighted his adaptability. Overall, Mideon's legacy endures as a quintessential mid-card performer whose versatility—from demonic disciple to comedic streaker—enriched WWF's storytelling, earning him enduring appreciation in wrestling circles for embodying the era's chaotic creativity.

References

  1. https://www.wwe.com/classics/wherearetheynow/where-are-they-now-mideon
  2. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1196576-dennis-knight
  3. https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/wrestlers/mideon
  4. https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/title-history/wwe/wwf-european-championship
  5. https://talksport.com/wrestling/2156590/wwe-the-undertaker-mideon-career-smackdown-attitude-era/
  6. https://www.sescoops.com/news/dennis-mideon-knight-after-health-issue-icu/
  7. https://www.ewrestlingnews.com/news/dennis-mideon-knight-reveals-loss-of-half-of-his-foot-due-to-chef-accident
  8. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0460872/bio/
  9. https://slamwrestling.net/legend/ron-slinker/
  10. https://www.facebook.com/dennis.knight.965/
  11. https://forums.thesmartmarks.com/topic/52591-an-interview-with-mideon/
  12. https://gerweck.net/2009/11/01/mideon/
  13. http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/dennis-knight-206.html?prom_id=4
  14. https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=tagteams&team=2284
  15. http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/dennis-knight-206.html?prom_id=4&year=1993
  16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJPrD4gyMWU
  17. https://memphiswrestling.fandom.com/wiki/Tex_Slazenger
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  20. https://memphiswrestling.fandom.com/wiki/Jerry_Lawler
  21. https://prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/AWA_Southern_Heavyweight_Championship/Champion_history
  22. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/uswa/uswa-h.html
  23. https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=titles&aufgabe=matches&titel=55&seite=9
  24. https://memphiswrestling.fandom.com/wiki/Southern_Heavyweight_Championship
  25. https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/jerry-lawler/
  26. https://prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/Dennis_Knight
  27. https://www.wwe.com/classics/classic-lists/15-worst-ring-names
  28. https://thehistoryofwwe.com/wwe-world-tag-team-title-history/
  29. https://www.wwe.com/videos/phineas-godwinn-slops-sunny-superstars-june-29-1996
  30. https://www.wwe.com/videos/headbangers-vs-southern-justice-raw-sept-5-1998
  31. https://www.thesportster.com/wwe-ministry-of-darkness-members-title-reigns-manager-higher-power-vince-mcmahon/
  32. https://www.thesportster.com/wwe-naked-mideon-final-gimmick-of-dennis-knight-career/
  33. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=81&page=4
  34. https://insidepulse.com/2006/07/05/49550/
  35. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/01/26/mideon-released-by-the-wwf-2
  36. https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/mideon/
  37. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=204881&page=9
  38. https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/wrestling/where-is-dennis-knight-now/article_fc3d577a-b2bb-11e8-892d-d3a18817407b.html
  39. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2079454785778441/posts/2668904756833438/
  40. https://cultaholic.com/posts/henry-godwinn-recalls-bsk-group-reunion-at-wwe-survivor-series-2020
  41. https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2023/10/former-wwe-star-reveals-he-recently-had-to-have-an-amputation-after-a-freak-accident.html
  42. https://www.instagram.com/mideon_is_dennisknight/
  43. https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=titles&titel=14
  44. https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=tagteams&team=1852
  45. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=28&nr=37
  46. https://thehistoryofwwe.com/wwe-european-title-history/
  47. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/cwa/awa-s-h.html
  48. https://whatculture.com/wwe/undertaker-10-genuinely-scary-wwe-moments?page=3
  49. https://www.thesportster.com/wwe-ministry-of-darkness-forgotten-moments/
  50. https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1351705/mideon-explains-naked-wwe-gimmick-got-started/
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