It was reported yesterday that former Professional Wrestler, Douglas “Ox” Baker died at the age of 80 due to congestive heart failure. Baker was not the best known or most talented professional wrestler that the industry had ever seen, but he certainly had one of the most unique and menacing looks in a business that has seen its fair share.
Ox Baker, with his clean shaven head, black bushy eyebrows, and menacing fu manchu, stood out from any crowd, regardless, of whether they were familiar with the game of wrestling or not. Baker, who stood six foot three and weighed in at over 300 pounds would become infamous when after a tag team match against Alberto Torres and Cowboy Bob Ellis, Torres died of a ruptured appendix, which he suffered during the match. Ox, and his famed heart punch were blamed and that was worked into what was already an infamous heel persona.
Baker, would go on to terrorize fans and brutalize opponents in territories across the United States and would win multiple regional championships in Florida, North Carolina, Minnesota, New Zealand, Los Angeles, Georgia and Detroit, though would only have one brief stint in the WWF, which took place in 1980.
Most fans may remember Ox best for his role in John Carpenter’s Escape from New York, and the wrestling film “I Like to Hurt People”, which coincidentally was Baker’s catch phrase. Ox also appeared in the Big Brawl with Jackie Chan and a favorite YouTube clip features Baker appearing as a contestant on the Price is Right.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to offer our condolences to the friends and family of Ox Baker.
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