Ted Vernon is an unlikely professional wrestling legend. Before becoming a wrestler, Vernon was best known as “Crazy Ted”, the eccentric owner of several used car dealerships in South Florida. With his loud television commercials and stunts like smashing cars with sledgehammers, Vernon built his car business into a local empire. But in the late 1990s, at nearly 50 years old, Vernon decided to try a new challenge – professional wrestling.
From Used Cars to the Ring
Vernon was a longtime wrestling fan and saw an opportunity to promote his car dealerships through the sport. In 1998, he began training under former WWE and WCW wrestler Kevin Sullivan. Within just a few months, Vernon made his in-ring debut under the name “Madman” Ted Vernon.
Standing 5’7″ and weighing just 170 lbs, Vernon did not have the typical look of a professional wrestler Ted Vernon’s. But he compensated with his charisma and showmanship, modeling his wrestling persona after classic heels like “Superstar” Billy Graham and Jesse “The Body” Ventura. Vernon wore tie-dyed outfits and grew out his graying hair long, often keeping it in a ponytail.
Vernon started out wrestling on small independent shows around Florida. He soon became a fixture on the state’s wrestling scene, feuding with other popular local stars. While Vernon was never known as a great technical wrestler, he excelled at riling up crowds with his arrogant, loudmouthed persona.
National Exposure
In 2000, Vernon got his big break in wrestling when he was hired by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Though past his prime at 51 years old, Vernon stood out from other WCW talent with his unique look and self-promoting style.
Wrestling as “Hack the Thug”, Vernon played a shady used car salesman. He would bring junk cars to ringside and cut promos filled with over-the-top sales pitches. Vernon embraced the villain role, cheating to win matches and berating fans.
Vernon’s WCW run was short-lived, as the company was bought out by WWE in 2001. But he had made enough of an impression to get called up to WWE (then known as the WWF) later that year. Vernon wrestled on WWE’s secondary shows like Sunday Night Heat and Velocity. Highlights included Vernon pinning WWE legend Koko B. Ware in an upset win.
Life After Wrestling
Ted Vernon continued wrestling sporadically until 2010, competing well into his 60s on small independent shows. While he never achieved great success in wrestling, Vernon proved he could transition from local used car dealer to national wrestling personality.
Today, Vernon focuses on his car business and makes occasional appearances meeting wrestling fans. Vernon’s outlandish wrestling persona brought him a new level of fame and notoriety. Though many fans see him as a novelty act, Vernon showed that with enough determination, even a used car salesman can become a wrestling star.
At nearly 70 years old, Ted Vernon remains a cult icon in the Florida wrestling scene. Vernon was an unconventional wrestler and self-promoter, but his legacy lives on as one of wrestling’s most memorable characters. For an aging used car dealer, leaping into the ring in a sequined robe was an unexpected change in life’s direction. But Vernon’s wrestling journey embodied the appeal of sports entertainment – with enough charisma, anyone can reinvent themselves between the ropes.