Brutus Beefcake Then and Now

Brutus Beefcake Then

Brutus Beefcake, born on April 21, 1957, in Tampa, Florida, began his journey in the world of professional wrestling during his formative years. 

His early involvement in the sport can be traced back to 1977 when he entered the wrestling scene alongside his friend and future wrestling legend, Terry Bollea, who would later gain fame as Hulk Hogan. 

Initially billed under various names such as Ed Boulder and Dizzy Hogan, Leslie’s early wrestling career involved both tag team and individual matches. 

Despite the confusion over his and Bollea’s supposed brotherhood, which was a fabricated part of their wrestling personas, Leslie quickly established himself as a promising talent. 

His early wrestling experiences included a brief stint in Bill Watts’ Mid-South territory and a notable appearance in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1980. 

Leslie’s initial matches included a tag team bout with Ron Slinker against notable wrestlers like Ox Baker and Eric the Red, setting the stage for his future career.

Brutus Beefcake Wrestling Career

Brutus Beefcakes’ wrestling career gained significant momentum in late 1984 when he rejoined the WWF under the ring name Brutus Beefcake. 

Characterized as a vain and flamboyant persona with a male stripper gimmick, Beefcake quickly became a fan favorite due to his outlandish outfits and larger-than-life personality. 

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His debut match in the WWF, which took place on August 25, 1984, saw him defeating Jose Luis Rivera, marking the start of his rise within the promotion. 

Beefcake’s career took off as he aligned with manager “Luscious” Johnny Valiant and entered into high-profile feuds, including one with the WWF Champion Hulk Hogan. 

Beefcake’s first major success came in the summer of 1985 when he formed a tag team with Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, known as The Dream Team. 

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Their victory over The U.S. Express for the WWF Tag Team Championship highlighted Beefcake’s ability to perform both in singles and tag team competitions.

Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, Beefcake continued to evolve, adopting various gimmicks including The Barber, The Butcher, and The Booty Man. 

Despite a serious parasailing accident in 1990 that temporarily sidelined him, Beefcake made a notable return to wrestling, though his later years saw him mainly working on the independent circuit and making sporadic appearances. 

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His involvement with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) introduced additional characters such as The Disciple and The Zodiac, further showcasing his versatility. 

Although his career began to wind down in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Leslie remained active in various wrestling-related activities, including coaching, appearances, and induction into multiple halls of fame.

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Brutus Beefcake Wrestling Competition

• World Wrestling Federation (WWF) (1979–1980, 1984–1985, 1987–1993)
• New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) (1994)
• World Championship Wrestling (WCW) (1994–1996, 1998–1999)
• Extreme Wrestling Federation (XWF) (2000)
• i-Generation Superstars of Wrestling (IGS) (2000)
• World Impact Wrestling (WIW) (Post-retirement)
• Pro Wrestling Syndicate (PWS) (2007)
• Memphis Wrestling (2007)
• Dynamic Wrestling Alliance (DWA) (2010)
• Big Time Wrestling (2016)

Brutus Beefcake Wife and Children

Brutus Beefcake, born Leslie Weinstein, has navigated a series of significant relationships throughout his life. 

He first married Kirsten Georgi on July 1, 1987. Their marriage lasted for four years before ending in divorce in 1991. 

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During his time with Georgi, Leslie had a daughter, Alana, with Barbara McGondel, a relationship that lasted for a while but did not culminate in marriage.

After his divorce from Georgi, Leslie went on to marry Melissa DeGloria Caruso in 2013. 

This marriage marked a new chapter in his personal life, reflecting a period of stability and renewed commitment.

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Brutus Beefcake Now

Brutus Beefcake, currently 67 years old, remains an influential figure in the professional wrestling world despite his retirement from active competition. 

Best known for his charismatic persona as Brutus “the Barber” Beefcake in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), he captured the hearts of fans with his flamboyant style and iconic barber gimmick. 

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His career also saw him make notable appearances in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he wrestled under various personas.

In retirement, Beefcake has transitioned into a new role that keeps him deeply engaged with the wrestling community. 

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He serves as a Commissioner for Boca Raton Championship Wrestling (BRCW), a role that allows him to stay actively involved in the sport he loves. 

Beefcake has expressed that his current position keeps him busier than he has been in years, demonstrating his enduring passion for professional wrestling and his commitment to contributing to its ongoing legacy.

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