Dick Slater Then and Now

Dick Slater Then

Dick Slater, born on May 19, 1951, in Albany, New York, is remembered as one of professional wrestling’s toughest and most versatile performers. 

His wrestling journey began at an early age, notably during his high school years in Tampa, Florida, where he trained alongside Mike Graham. 

The opportunity to develop his wrestling skills came when Eddie Graham, a wrestling promoter, recognized Slater’s potential and helped establish a wrestling program at Thomas Richard Robinson High School by donating a wrestling mat. 

Slater’s involvement in Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) wrestling, a feeder program for Olympic hopefuls, further honed his grappling skills and laid the foundation for his transition into professional wrestling.

Slater attended the University of Tampa, where he not only excelled in wrestling but also played football. 

His athleticism was evident, and he shared the field with notable players like John Matuszak and Paul Orndorff, both of whom would also leave their marks in professional wrestling and other sports. 

Slater had a chance to pursue a career in professional football with the Miami Dolphins, but his passion for wrestling led him to turn down the offer. 

His focus shifted entirely toward a career in professional wrestling after Mike Graham, recognizing Slater’s potential, encouraged him to train at the legendary Tampa Sportatorium.

At the Sportatorium, Slater received rigorous training under the guidance of some of the industry’s most respected figures, including Jack Brisco, Bob Roop, Hiro Matsuda, and Bill Watts. 

These mentors instilled in him the fundamentals of professional wrestling, helping him develop his rugged, no-nonsense style that would become his trademark in the ring. 

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During this period, Slater also forged a lifelong friendship with fellow wrestler Dick Murdoch, who shared a similar tough and unorthodox approach to the business. 

This combination of athleticism, training, and mentorship laid the groundwork for Slater’s successful career, which saw him become a prominent figure in various wrestling territories across the United States.

Slater’s decision to focus on wrestling over football proved to be the right one, as he became known as “Dirty” Dick Slater, a feared competitor in promotions like the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW). 

His background in amateur wrestling, combined with his intense training and natural toughness, made him one of the most respected and enduring wrestlers of his era.

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Dick Slater Wrestling Career

Dick Slater’s wrestling career spanned over two decades and featured his involvement in multiple major promotions, making him one of the most versatile and respected figures in the business. 

Slater began his career in 1972 with Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF), a promotion run by Eddie Graham. 

During his time in CWF, Slater formed alliances with top talents like Dusty Rhodes and won several championships, including the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship and the NWA Florida Television Championship. 

These early successes solidified his reputation as a formidable competitor and set the stage for his national career.

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After leaving CWF, Slater’s career took him to various territories, including California, where he worked with legendary figures like Pat Patterson and Ray Stevens. 

He also spent time in Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW), where he truly made his mark by winning the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship four times and forming a successful tag team with Bob Orton Jr. 

Slater’s ability to win titles and engage in high-profile feuds earned him significant recognition, leading to a rumored opportunity to become NWA World Heavyweight Champion—a chance that he later attributed to being derailed by backstage politics.

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In 1983, Slater’s career transitioned to Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP), where he became embroiled in a famous feud with Ric Flair alongside Bob Orton Jr., collecting a bounty from Harley Race for an attack on Flair. 

Slater’s time in JCP also saw him work as a booker while still actively competing, showcasing his deep involvement in the wrestling industry. 

During this period, Slater captured several titles, including the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship and the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship.

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Slater’s next major move was to Mid-South Wrestling, where he adopted a controversial persona alongside his valet, Dark Journey. 

His relationship with her sparked considerable attention due to racial dynamics at the time. 

In Mid-South, Slater’s feuds with stars like Jake Roberts highlighted his intense and gritty style, leading him to win the Mid-South North American Championship and the Mid-South Television Championship. 

His success continued as Mid-South transitioned into the Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF), where he became UWF World Television Champion.

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In 1986, Slater briefly joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where he competed with a Southern “Rebel” gimmick. 

Although his time in WWF was short-lived and primarily saw him being used as enhancement talent, Slater still left his mark by engaging in a notable match with Jake Roberts. 

After departing WWF, Slater competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he participated in prestigious tag tournaments and formed alliances with wrestlers like Tommy Rich and Joel Deaton.

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Slater’s career came full circle when he returned to Jim Crockett Promotions, now rebranded as World Championship Wrestling (WCW), in 1989. 

As a member of the J-Tex Corporation, Slater reignited rivalries with Ric Flair and Sting, leading to his involvement in high-profile events like Clash of the Champions. 

In the early 1990s, Slater formed a tag team with Dick Murdoch, known as the Hardliners, and later teamed with Greg Valentine and The Barbarian, winning the WCW United States Tag Team Championship.

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Slater’s final years in WCW saw him transition into a tag team with Mike Enos as Rough ‘n’ Ready. 

Despite not achieving significant success during this period, Slater’s contributions to wrestling remained undeniable. 

Unfortunately, his career ended due to a severe back injury, but his legacy as a tough, no-nonsense wrestler with a deep understanding of the business endures.

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Dick Slater Wrestling Competition

• Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF)
• National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)
  • NWA Florida
  • NWA Georgia
  • NWA Missouri
  • NWA Mid-Atlantic
  • NWA Macon
• Georgia Championship Wrestling
• Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (Jim Crockett Promotions)
• Mid-South Wrestling (later Universal Wrestling Federation – UWF)
• World Wrestling Federation (WWF)
• All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW)
• American Wrestling Association (AWA)
• International Championship Wrestling Alliance (ICWA)
• World Championship Wrestling (WCW)

Dick Slater Now

Dick Slater, whose real name was Richard Van Slater, passed away on October 18, 2018, at the age of 67. 

He was a well-known professional wrestler in the 1970s and 1980s, famous for his tough-guy persona and his work across various promotions, including Championship Wrestling from Florida, the NWA, Mid-South Wrestling, and WCW. 

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After his retirement, he lived a quiet life away from the wrestling spotlight. 

Slater’s career was marked by his versatility as a performer, both as a heel and a babyface, and he remains remembered as a prominent figure from the golden era of professional wrestling.

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