True Crime With Caledonian Kitty

There's no end of dark and disturbing stories from the world of wrestling, that's why I could fill hundreds of blog posts with endless shocking details of events, murders, scandals, steroid related deaths, cover-ups, mysteries and so much more. In this seventh instalment of my Dark History From The World of Wrestling series, this story is another one of those that is both shocking, disturbing and will leave you with a feeling of anger, injustice and scratching your head in disbelief. I am of course (as you can see from the title) going to be talking about the legendary Bruiser Brody. 

Delving into these stories in the past seven weeks has been like an education in wrestling history for me. I thought I knew a lot of the details of tragic events and the sad endings to some of our legends who are no longer with us but I have learned so much more along the way. In many ways I'm grateful to have gained so much more knowledge, but in another way I am sad because the details of things that have happened have turned out to be so much worse than I originally thought. 

The murder of Bruiser Brody was brought to my attention when I was putting together a list of who I was going to cover and I knew the basics of what had happened to him and that was bad enough. The more I researched the more in disbelief I was at the cold, dark-hearted and self-centred way some people can be and this was something that was quite prevalent in the wrestling world. So many people wanted to get to the top and they would stop at nothing to get there. As well as huge egos, competitive streaks that were off the charts....throw in steroids, money and matches and you potentially have a disaster on your hands. Some people get into wrestling because it is their passion, they do it for the sport and some do it for the money, the power and the fame. Some do it for all of those things but what happens when tensions and rivalries go too far and someone ends up losing their life? Is it worth murder?, cover-ups? and money? No, but in the tragic story of Bruiser Brody you find a legend who was taken out by a fellow wrestler, and other wrestlers who covered it all up. You also find in this story an incredible friendship and a true hero who did his best to protect his friend as well as speak up in an effort to bring the people responsible for his death to justice.  

Bruiser Brody was a man who never needed an introduction, at 6ft 8, weighing 300 pounds he was a mountain of a man who was intimidating and could be tough in the ring and with fellow wrestlers, but at home he was like a teddy bear to those who knew him privately. His shocking death at the age of just 42 on the 17th of July 1988 has forever left a painful mark in wrestling history. Brody was murdered and the people he thought were his friends and colleagues covered it up to protect their own careers and further their own ends. Only one man stood up and tried to do what was right and that was the legendary Tony Atlas. He had a nickname 'The Black Superman' and I think that's very apt for him. 

Tony and Brody had a friendship that had gone back years, first beginning in the 1970s when Brody first appeared on the wrestling scene. They were both old school and helped inspire some of our favourite wrestlers of present time as well as helping shape the world of wrestling to what it is today. Brody had earned his stripes participating in many wrestling promotions all over the world, born Frank Donald Goodish on the 18th of June 1946 in Michigan, USA he was always quite stocky, even as a child. he excelled in sports and put 100% into everything he did. At school he played football and later became a sportswriter before dedicating himself fully to a career of wrestling. He soon found himself under the guidance of wrestling legend Fritz Von Erich so to say that he started at the top was an understatement but it was also his natural strength, build and ability that enabled him to progress and take part in various promotions all over the world. 

Brody was a powerhouse of a wrestler but he could also be a diva too, especially with his attitude around wrestling promoters and bookers. It was no secret that he wasn't happy with some of the paychecks he received over the years but push comes to shove, when he was needed to help draw a crowd he would throw himself into the matches. Brody was a popular wrestler and a fan favourite he knew the industry inside and out and had bags of experience he had accumulated over the years wrestling as far away as Japan for some time. He was a happy family man who doted on his wife and son. 

The incredible contribution to wrestling history that Brody has given is undeniable, despite sadly passing away at just 42 he left behind a huge legacy. He had been everywhere from (WCW) World Class Championship Wrestling to (AJPW) All Japan Pro Wrestling, to (WWWF) the Worldwide Wrestling Federation. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as well as being included in the St Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame, Southern Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Wrestling Observer Newspaper Hall of Fame. 

In July of 1988, Brody along with his wrestling colleagues were in Puerto Rico preparing for a show at a popular venue. it was tipped to be a huge turn out with the fans and that was as understatement, the parking lot was packed and there was fans everywhere. Whenever Bruiser Brody was on the bill to perform, so many fans would be excited to see him in action. At this point in his life, he was a happily married man who had already established his name in the wrestling world and had a son who he adored. There was no love lost with fellow wrestler Jose Gonzalez but the two men had learned to tolerate each other (or so it appeared) and both had been in each other's company on the run up to Brody's shocking death. A friend from way back in the beginning of his career, Tony Atlas, was also there. 

Tony was on his way to the venue that night with a couple and on the way out of his hotel he spotted Brody and Dutch Mantell sitting outside of his hotel. When Tony asked them why they were sitting there and Brody explained that they were waiting for Jose Gonzalez which surprised Tony. Tony ended up convincing Brody and Dutch to get into the car with them and head to the venue to which they agreed. The vehicle was packed and Brody had to sit in the front because he was too big and muscular to sit in the back.

When they got to the venue, they took their bags into the dressing room to find Jose Gonzalez, Carlos Colon and another wrestler sitting close to each other but saying nothing, the air was tense. Jose got up and walked out of the room. Tony Atlas is an incredible artist and would love to sketch drawings in his spare time. As Tony sat down he began putting the finishing touches to his latest creation before moving on to a drawing of Brody's son that Brody had requested. Tony was so passionate about his work (and still is) that he would refuse to take any money for his pieces. He claimed that he just loved creating art. 

So, just as Brody had produced a photograph of of his son and Jose came back into the dressing room requesting to have a quiet word with Brody. Tony noticed that Jose had a white towel wrapped around his arm. Jose approached the shower and Brody followed him and after a short space of time there was a  dull yell. At first Tony and the others assumed that Jose had punched Brody in the stomach but it soon became clear as Tony tried to keep the pair apart that Jose had stabbed Brody. Tony explained in an interview how incredibly difficult it was trying to hold on to Brody on one hand and trying to keep Jose away with the other. Jose was holding the knife up in the air (that was still dripping with Brody's blood) and as he swung the knife trying to get at Brody again, he clipped his ponytail. It was a miracle at that point that he didn't cut Brody's neck which was what was believed to have been his intention, he really wanted this man dead. Carlos Colon swooped past Tony and Brody and pinned Jose up against the wall telling him to stop. 

There was no way Brody could have defended himself from the unsuspected attack, he followed Jose into the shower area to have the private chat, still holding the picture of his son in one hand, and his gym bag in the other. There's no doubt that if Brody had been aware or planning to harm Jose in any way, he wouldn't have walked in there with his hands full, unknowingly leaving himself open to attack. The way in which Jose stabbed him was cowardly but also in the way that he had caught Brody with the very sharp knife as he aimed from the side. It all happened so fast. Tony was an incredible and brave friend in that moment and as he tried to protect Brody, Brody clung to him as he lay on the floor saying ''Don't let them hurt me any more.'' Tony assured him that nobody was going to come near him and that he would keep him safe until the ambulance arrived. 

In the middle of the commotion, Carlos (who turned out to be another treacherous snake who was also in on the whole plan with Jose) tried to come closer to Brody to which Tony made it clear to back off, he told him ''You come over here, I'm going to knock your freakin head right off your shoulders. Anybody come over here and I'll knock their head off their shoulders.''

Carlos tried to plead with Tony that he was just wanting to check if Brody was ok but Tony knew these guys were not to be trusted, he saw their faces when he saw them all sat together when they first walked in. the whole thing was a set-up. Tony was determined to protect Brody and get him out of there as soon as possible when the paramedics arrived. Brody was still conscious at this time as he tugged on Tony's trouser leg telling him it was ok for Carlos to come over to see him. Tony kept his eye on Carlos as Carlos asked Brody ''Is there anything I can do for you?.'' 

This was the level of callousness Carlos and the others were at. To ask a dying man who you've helped set up, what his last wishes were and furthermore, continue to be complicit in what was to become the cover-up of the circumstances of this man's murder just shows you how coldhearted they were. Brody responded to Carlos with ''Take care of my family.'' 

Tony was trying to keep Brody calm and stop the blood flow as much as possible. Brody was losing a lot of blood and some of his intestines were visible, it was an agonising wait because the ambulance didn't reach them for nearly 2 hours due to the fact that the parking lot was packed full of cars and fans who were still coming into the venue. The show had not begun yet and people were still arriving so it was pure chaos. Eventually a female and male paramedic arrived at the scene and they struggled to lift Brody on to the stretcher. Tony helped and managed to get him on to which Brody, despite the sheer pain he must have been going through, made a joke as Tony was lifting him ''Don't drop me.'' 

Tony responded ''Brother, I curl more than you weigh,'' When Brody was on the ambulance one of the paramedics asked who was going to accompany Brody to the hospital. Without hesitation, Tony climbed on board but dragged another wrestler (who was not connected to the murder plot of Brody) on to the ambulance despite the man saying that he didn't want to be involved 

As soon as the ambulance arrived at the hospital, Tony was horrified to see that nobody seemed to be taking the situation with Brody seriously in Puerto Rico and this was because apparently, the medical staff had previously seen that many stabbings that it had become as common as the cold. Tony was not a man to just sit and wait, he wanted his friend seen to asap, he was losing blood, time was of the essence. He spotted a Doctor sauntering down the lobby reading a newspaper and he told him to please attend to Brody. The Doctor had a half-assed attitude and ended up leaving the room not appearing to be in any hurry. Tony went after him and picked the Doctor up and told him straight that he WILL give Brody the treatment he needed. With that, the Doctor examined Brody properly and could see that this was a matter of emergency so Brody was rushed to the emergency room to be operated on. 

Tony waited an agonising hour which felt like a lifetime, not sure what the outcome was going to be. At this point, Brody was so strong that he had held on for so many hours. It was a miracle that he was still alive after Jose first stabbing him and then having to wait, bleeding profusely until the ambulance arrived nearly two hours later. a Doctor finally came back to the room and fortunately told Tony that Brody was in a stable condition, his vitals were fine and it all looked good. It was great news and basically a miracle. The Doctor told Tony, that Brody was going to be pretty much sleeping after having the surgery and suggested he could leave, get some sleep, some food and return in the morning. Tony didn't feel 100% about leaving but he felt that Brody was in good hands. 

Instead of going back to the hotel, Tony returned to the venue because he had been scheduled to participate in a match that night with the legendary wrestler, The Iron Shiek. As he walked into the dressing room that had been the scene of the horrendous crime just hours before, he recalled being disgusted at the sound of laughing and cheering voices. The same monsters who were all part of the attempted demise of Brody seemed to be in high spirits despite the fact also that Brody's blood was still on the floor and tiles. 

Tony did his match with the Iron Shiek and returned to the dressing room to see a policeman there. It turned out that everyone there had given a statement, a completely different version of events and a fake story about a crazed fan stabbing Brody. Tony tried to tell the policeman the truth but found himself out in the cold as the others were trying to create a cover-up. With so many witnesses saying this horrific result was by the actions of a crazed fan the policeman could only go with what the majority were saying. It also was revealed later that Carlos was a huge figure on that particular island who had a lot of money and powerful friends in high places, even in politics. 

Tony decided he was not going to back down and planned to make a proper statement himself and take another fellow wrestler with him for added protection, not that he needed it. He probably did this as way of having someone else witness that he had reported the truth to the police. Tony later went to the police with none other than Sika Anoa-i (for the younger wrestling fans, this is Roman Reign's late and legendary father). Sika actually volunteered to go with Tony. Watching the interview in which Tony was telling this story made me smile because he said that Sika (who was also built like a man mountain) was tough and if you had Sika Anoa-i with you, you didn't need anybody else. 

Tony decided to go back to his hotel room but as he made his way up the stairs he was stopped by a wrestler Savio Vega, who was stood in front of him holding Tony's bag. In the confusion Tony asked him if everything was ok and Savio told him that there was a bunch of guys waiting for him in his room and it sounded like they were planning to kill him. Tony left the hotel and to this very day he is forever grateful to Savio for saving his life for they were indeed waiting for Tony because they knew he was telling the truth about what had happened. 

After spending hours and hours walking around, Tony did a lot of thinking and decided that he was going to go to his hotel and just confront them, to hell with the consequences, he would fight for his life if needs be. When he got to the hotel room, there was nobody to be seen. He just wanted to get off of that island. Brody was still in the hospital and Tony believed him to be stable and in safe hands as he got on the plane and travelled home. However, he was later to find out that Brody had shockingly died reportedly as a result of his injuries which further confused Tony as to why the Doctors seemed so confident that all was ok. 

Tony later revealed that he was later told that after he had left the hospital, two guys apparently had arrived looking for Brody and confronted the medical staff. These men threatened the staff to stop working on Brody and the next thing anyone knew, Bruiser Brody (real name: Frank Donald Goodish) was deceased at the age of 42. 

Fans and fellow wrestlers who had known Brody since the 70s, were heartbroken. His family were overcome with grief as one could imagine. There was a pathetic farce of a trial which was unbelievable and just goes to show how corrupt certain people can be. Jose Gonzales got away with the murder, it was declared self-defense. Apparently the jury didn't seem to care that there was a true story to all of this and the fact that they men had lied, originally telling the police that it was a crazed fan. It was obvious what had gone on but witnesses were not even contacted until later. There was a convenient delay in information getting to them so they didn't find out that they had been summoned to trial until the trial had come to a conclusion. Tony, who was the key witness to the whole situation, was not even called to testify. It was a whole cover-up and they let these people away with murder. Jose may have been the one with the knife (who physically stabbed Brody and wanted to keep on stabbing the poor man and had to be held back) but the others helped set it all up and covered it all up too. There was no investigation as to what went on in the hospital as soon as Tony was told to leave. 

To this very day, nobody had been held accountable for the death of Bruiser Brody. The truth has come out and it has spread far and wide thanks to the internet, a lot of wrestling fans know the full truth now but these men never faced justice and a young married father lost his life at the age of 42. The people responsible are now in their 70s and it's highly unlikely now that they'll face justice in a court of law but the public know them and see them for what they truly are. Brody is continually remembered, not only for his shocking death but for his incredible legacy as one of the all time wrestling greats. Tony Atlas is a global treasure in my opinion who deserves to be protected. What an incredible person Tony is and even to this day he has never changed his story of the events and he talks of Brody with such fondness. 

It's such a sad story and another example of how you think you can trust people but you just never know what some people's true intentions are. Jose and Brody had their moments, there was a lot of tense moments between the pair of them but on the run up to the murder, they appeared to be friends. Jose had spent some time with Brody that week and all was well, obviously he was planning his murder the whole time. I guess these heartless men didn't count on Tony Atlas standing up against them and so they ended up planning to murder him too,  thankfully they failed. If there's any justice in this, it is that these guys are remembered as murderers, Tony and Brody are thought of as heroes. To think that Brody was holding the picture of his beloved son is heartbreaking but he loved his family so much and his character 'Bruiser Brody' was so much different to the man he was at home. His family miss him dearly as do many of his fans. It was a terrible waste of a huge talent that never should have happened. In a dressing room full of witnesses and Tony was the only one with the decency and bravery to stand up for what was right. 

RIP Frank Donald Goodish, your legacy continues. RIP also to Sika Anoa'i . I also wish the best for Brody's family, Tony Atlas and Savio Vega. 

Brody was cremated and his ashes were given to his family. 

What are your thoughts on this very dark part of wrestling history? I would love to read them below or by email (jocaledoniankitty@gmail.com)

Further reading and sources: 

- Bruiser Brody | WWE Superstars

- Bruiser Brody | Wikipedia

- Brody: The Triumph And Tragedy of Wrestling's Rebel by Larry Mattysik & Barbara Goodish

- Tony Atlas Interview | Monte & The Pharaoh

- Tony Atlas | Wikipedia

- WWE | Wikipedia

- Jose Gonzalez | Wikipedia

- WWE Network 

- WWE Encyclopedia by DK

- WWE 50 by Kevin Sullivan

- WWE Ultimate Superstar Guide by Jake Black

- Tony Atlas: Too Much Too Soon by Tony Atlas

- The History of Pro Wrestling: And 30 Iconic Personalities by Taylor K Reade

I am nearly at the end of this series, I have two wrestlers to write about in my upcoming posts, please let me know what your thoughts have been on this series and if there's anyone you would like to see me cover. 

In the meantime, I hope you will join me on my Socials and I hope you will come back for the eight instalment in my Dark History From The World of wrestling series. Stay safe and take care until next time....x