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Bull Pain
Birth nameFrank Vizi
Born (1961-06-09) June 9, 1961 (age 63)
Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Bull Pain
Bull Payne
Psycho
Rick Gantner
Rick Golden
Billed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Billed weight260 lb (120 kg)
Trained byTom Stone[2]
Debut1984
Retired2012

Frank Vizi (born June 9, 1961) is a German-born American professional wrestler, better known by the ring names Bull Pain, Rick Gantner and Psycho. He is best known for his appearances with promotion such as the American Wrestling Association, World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling, as well as for independent promotions such as the World Wrestling Council, Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South, Juggalo Championship Wrestling and Chikara.

Early life

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Vizi had a grounding in martial arts and boxing, but, having been taken to AWA shows by his father, became a fan of professional wrestling (particularly Superstar Billy Graham, The Crusher and The Valiant Brothers).

Professional wrestling career

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Early career (1984–1985)

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Vizi was trained to wrestle by Tom Stone. He debuted in Milwaukee in 1984 under the ring name "Rick Golden", facing Lance Atlas in his first match. Later that year he joined NWA Heart of America, adopting the ring name "Rick Gantner".

American Wrestling Association (1984–1990)

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In 1984, Ganter joined the Minneapolis, Minnesota-based American Wrestling Association as a jobber. He would work with the company until the promotion went out of business in 1990.

World Wrestling Federation (1987–1988)

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In 1987, Ganter joined the World Wrestling Federation as a jobber. He worked for the promotion until 1988, appearing regularly on WWF Superstars and WWF Wrestling Challenge.

Independent circuit (1988–1995)

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From 1988, Vizi wrestled on the independent circuit for promotions including the United States Wrestling Association, Windy City Pro Wrestling and Global Wrestling Federation. In 1992, he wrestled in Mexico with the Universal Wrestling Association.

In 1990, Vizi donned a mask, adopted the ring name "Psycho" and formed a tag team with Killer named The Texas Hangmen. The Texas Hangmen achieved their greatest success in the Puerto Rico-based World Wrestling Council, winning the WWC World Tag Team Championship on four occasions.

Extreme Championship Wrestling (1995)

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While wrestling for Global Wrestling Federation, Vizi developed the Bull Pain gimmick, using an old high school football nickname. At the same time Ian Rotten was in a feud with his kayfabe brother Axl Rotten in Extreme Championship Wrestling, during which Axl Rotten disappeared. As Ian and Bull Pain had previously worked together in USWA, he recommended Bull Pain as a replacement,[3] and the two had a brief feud, including Taipei Death Matches and Barbed Wire Baseball Bat Matches.[4] Bull Pain was also wrestling at this time as a regular "enhancement talent" for World Championship Wrestling, wrestling the likes of Jim Duggan,[5] Hak,[6] Van Hammer,[7] Johnny B Badd,[8] and Bobby Duncum, Jr.[9]

Big Japan Pro Wrestling (1996)

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In 1996, Bull Pain toured Japan with Big Japan Pro Wrestling.

World Championship Wrestling (1996, 1998–1999)

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Vizi debuted in World Championship Wrestling on January 18, 1996, as "Bull Payne", unsuccessfully challenging Johnny B. Badd for the WCW World Television Championship.

He appeared with WCW throughout 1998 and 1999.

IWA-Mid South and return to the independent circuit (1996–2012)

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In 1996, Vizi debuted in the Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South. He went on to both hold the Television and Light Heavyweight Championships, as well as holding the Heavyweight Championship five times.

He also worked for Heartland Wrestling Association from 1998 to 2000 and 2004 to 2006.

He also worked for Kick Ass Wrestling (Now Known as Memphis Championship Wrestling) from 1999 to 2000 where he was the KAW Heavyweight Champion

Bull Pain debuted in Juggalo Championship Wrestling in 2007 at East Side Wars by attacking hero 2 Tuff Tony.[10] In the following weeks, Pain continued to beat opponents mercilessly using a metal baseball bat he called Brother Pain.[10] At Bloodymania, 2 Tuff Tony defeated Bull Pain in a Louisville Slugger match.[10] The following year at Bloodymania II, Pain replaced Isabella Smothers to team with Tracy Smothers in a losing effort against 2 Tuff Tony and Boondox.[11]

Following a run-in at Deuces Wild, Bull Pain made his Chikara in-ring debut at Passion and Persistence (April 20, 2008) at the New Alhambra Arena, teaming with Vin Gerard against The Colony (Fire Ant and Soldier Ant). Due to Pain's use of his signature baseball bat, which he nicknamed Brother Pain,[12] Pain and Gerard were disqualified, and Leonard F. Chikarason (Chikara's Director of Fun) banned them both from appearing on any Chikara shows for 30 days. Pain has not been seen in the company since.[13]

Pain continued his losing streak at Bloodymania III, losing a Tough Man Match to Butterbean. At Oddball Wrestling 2010, Bull Pain and Ian Bloody lost to Corporal Robinson and 2 Tuff Tony in a Taipei Deathmatch.[14] The following night at Bloodymania IV, Pain and Bloody interfered in a match on Tracy Smothers' behalf.[14] The duo was fended off by Jim Duggan and Smothers' opponent Booker T.[14]

By the end of 2010, Pain was put into a storyline in which he was seemingly dating Tracy Smothers' daughter Isabella. Both Pain and Isabella became involved in a rivalry with The Weedman.[15][16] On March 26, 2011, Pain took part in Juggalo Championship Wrestling's first internet pay-per-view Hatchet Attacks. Teaming with Baby Bitch Boy and The Bumpin' Uglies, Pain lost to the team of The Weedman, 2 Tuff Tony, Jailbird Man, and Rhino.[17] At the following event, he lost to The Weedman in a match that seemingly ended their feud. At Bloodymania 2011, Bull teamed with Tracy Smothers in a losing effort against Necro Butcher and Mad Man Pondo, The Ring Rydas and Raven and Slim Goody. Raven and Goody left with the Tag Team straps.[18]

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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  1. ^ "Profile on cagematch.de". cagematch.de. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c "Bull Pain Profile". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved July 1, 2008.
  3. ^ Bull Pain. Bull Pain Shoot Interview (DVD). Philadelphia: Smart Mark Video. Archived from the original on January 21, 2008.
  4. ^ "Extreme Championship Wrestling July - September 1995". prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved July 3, 2008.
  5. ^ "WCW Saturday Night - Saturday, 04/24/99". ddtdigest.com. Retrieved July 3, 2008.
  6. ^ "WCW Saturday Night Tapings Tuesday, February 16, 1999". ddtdigest.com. Retrieved July 3, 2008.
  7. ^ "WCW Monday Nitro - Monday, 03/22/99". ddtdigest.com. Retrieved July 3, 2008.
  8. ^ "WCW Saturday Night - Saturday, February 10th, 1996". ddtdigest.com. Retrieved July 3, 2008.
  9. ^ "WCW Saturday Night - Saturday, 01/09/99". ddtdigest.com. Retrieved July 3, 2008.
  10. ^ a b c JCW SLAM TV, Volume 2 (DVD). Royal Oak, Michigan: Psychopathic Video. October 30, 2007. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
  11. ^ "JCW Bloodymania II". The Internet Wrestling Database. August 10, 2008. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  12. ^ "Thoughts on "Deuces Wild" and "Passion and Persistence"". Chikarafans.blogspot.com. April 23, 2008. Retrieved July 1, 2008.
  13. ^ "Chikara Pro Wrestling Results". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved July 1, 2008.
  14. ^ a b c "Gathering of the Juggalos Wrestling Recap!". Psychopathic Sports. September 3, 2010. Archived from the original on February 22, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  15. ^ Adam Martin (December 31, 2010). "Indy News #1: JCW 12/22 results, Price of Glory". Wrestleview.com. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  16. ^ Adam Martin (March 11, 2011). "Indy News #3: CHIKARA, JCW and HETV details". Wrestleview.com. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  17. ^ Steve Gerweck (March 27, 2011). "3/26 JCW iPPV Results (Raven, Eugene, Conway)". Wrestleview.com. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
  18. ^ Adam Martin (April 7, 2011). "Indy News #2: JCW 4/6 iPPV results in Michigan". Wrestleview.com. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
  19. ^ "HWA - Barroom Brawl Title History". solie.org. Retrieved July 1, 2008.
  20. ^ "IAW Tag Team Title History". solie.org. Retrieved July 1, 2008.
  21. ^ "IWA - Mid-South Heavyweight Title History". solie.org. Retrieved July 1, 2008.
  22. ^ "IWA - Mid-South Lightweight/Light Heavyweight Title History". solie.org. Retrieved July 1, 2008.
  23. ^ "IWA - Mid-South Television Title History". solie.org. Retrieved July 1, 2008.
  24. ^ "MCW Southern Tag Team Title History". solie.org. Retrieved July 1, 2008.
  25. ^ "Pro-Wrestling Illustrated 500 - 1993". wwe-zone.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
  26. ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  27. ^ "USWA World Tag Team Title History". solie.org. Retrieved July 1, 2008.
  28. ^ "World Tag Team Title History". solie.org. Retrieved July 1, 2008.
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