Tully Blanchard Then and Now

Tully Blanchard Then

Tully Blanchard, born on January 22 in Calgary, Canada, is a legendary figure in professional wrestling, with deep roots in the industry. 

As the son of renowned wrestling promoter and former American Wrestling Association (AWA) star Joe Blanchard, Tully was exposed to the world of wrestling from a very young age. 

His early involvement in the sport was hands-on—starting with selling programs and refreshments at wrestling events when he was just ten years old. 

This early exposure not only familiarized him with the industry but also laid the foundation for his eventual career in professional wrestling. 

As he grew older, Tully took on more responsibilities, working as a referee, which further sharpened his knowledge and skills in the wrestling business.

Blanchard’s athletic career was not limited to wrestling. He attended West Texas State University, where he showcased his talent on the football field. 

Initially playing as a quarterback and later transitioning to a defensive end, Blanchard played alongside several future wrestling stars, including Tito Santana and Ted DiBiase. 

West Texas State University was known for producing a number of professional wrestlers, and Blanchard’s time there played a significant role in his athletic and wrestling development. 

The competitive environment and camaraderie among future legends influenced Blanchard’s journey, blending his background in football with the physical demands of professional wrestling.

Blanchard would go on to become one of the most recognizable names in wrestling, known for his technical prowess, in-ring psychology, and charisma. 

His deep understanding of the business, combined with his athletic background, contributed to his success in the ring and made him a cornerstone of some of the most iconic wrestling factions and storylines in history.

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Tully Blanchard Wrestling Career

Tully Blanchard’s wrestling career was shaped from an early age under the guidance of his father, Joe Blanchard, and wrestling legend José Lothario. 

He debuted in 1975 in Southwest Championship Wrestling (SCW), a promotion run by his father. 

In addition to wrestling, Blanchard was involved in backstage production and creative work, giving him a broad understanding of the business. 

He initially wrestled as a face, teaming with his father in a feud against the Funk brothers, Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk. 

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Between 1978 and 1983, Blanchard solidified his presence in SCW, holding the SCW Southwest Television and Heavyweight Championships multiple times. 

He later formed a dominant heel tag team with Gino Hernandez known as “The Dynamic Duo,” which ruled the Texas wrestling scene, capturing the Texas All-Star USA Tag Team Championship and the SCW World Tag Team Championship.

In 1984, Blanchard transitioned to Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP), entering Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (MACW). 

His arrival marked the start of notable feuds, beginning with Mark Youngblood over the NWA Television Championship, which Blanchard won in March 1984. 

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His subsequent feud with Ricky Steamboat, culminating at Starrcade ’84, elevated Blanchard’s status as one of the top heels in the territory. 

After Steamboat left for the WWF, Blanchard began an intense rivalry with Dusty Rhodes. 

Their matches were memorable for their brutality and storytelling, with Rhodes ultimately ending Blanchard’s 353-day reign as TV Champion. 

The two continued their feud into 1985, culminating in a steel cage match at the Great American Bash where Rhodes defeated Blanchard, also winning the services of Blanchard’s valet, Baby Doll.

Blanchard’s career took another significant turn with his feud against Magnum T.A. for the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship. 

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This rivalry produced some of the most violent and memorable matches of the era, including their iconic “I Quit” match at Starrcade ’85. 

The match, which ended with Magnum forcing Blanchard to submit by driving a broken wooden chair piece into his forehead, is still regarded as one of the most intense matches in wrestling history. 

The feud solidified Blanchard’s reputation as a master of in-ring psychology and storytelling.

In 1986, Blanchard became a founding member of the Four Horsemen, one of the most legendary factions in wrestling history. 

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Alongside Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, and Ole Anderson (later replaced by Lex Luger), the Horsemen dominated the NWA, capturing numerous championships and engaging in fierce rivalries with stars like Dusty Rhodes, Magnum T.A., and The Road Warriors. 

Blanchard’s combination of technical wrestling and heel tactics made him a key figure in the faction’s success. 

He and Arn Anderson would go on to focus on tag team competition, winning the NWA World Tag Team Championship in late 1987.

By 1988, tensions with Jim Crockett and booker Dusty Rhodes over pay led Blanchard and Anderson to leave for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where they became known as “The Brain Busters” under manager Bobby Heenan. 

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They quickly made an impact, defeating Demolition to win the WWF Tag Team Championship in July 1989, marking the end of Demolition’s record-setting title reign. 

However, Blanchard’s time in the WWF was cut short after he failed a drug test, leading to his departure and a missed opportunity to join the newly formed World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

Blanchard’s late career saw him work with various promotions, including the American Wrestling Association (AWA), where he aligned with The Destruction Crew, and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), where he faced Shane Douglas for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship. 

Though he briefly reappeared in WCW in the 1990s, his role was limited. 

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Blanchard also participated in several independent shows and reunions, including his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012 as part of the Four Horsemen. 

His legacy as a member of the Horsemen, his feuds with wrestling legends, and his technical expertise have cemented him as one of the most respected wrestlers of his era.

In later years, Blanchard continued to contribute to the industry, working as a booker and agent while making occasional appearances in wrestling-related media. 

His influence extended beyond his in-ring accomplishments, as he helped shape some of the greatest moments and characters in wrestling history. 

His legacy lives on as a key player in the golden era of professional wrestling and a member of one of the most influential factions ever created.

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Tully Blanchard Wrestling Competition

• Southwest Championship Wrestling (SCW)
  • SCW Southwest Television Championship
  • SCW Southwest Heavyweight Championship
  • SCW World Tag Team Championship
• Texas All-Star Wrestling
  • Texas All-Star USA Tag Team Championship
• Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) / Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (MACW)
  • NWA Television Championship
  • NWA World Television Championship
  • NWA United States Heavyweight Championship
  • NWA National Heavyweight Championship
  • NWA World Tag Team Championship (with Arn Anderson)
• World Wrestling Council (WWC)
  • Competed in matches against Carlos Colón
• World Wrestling Federation (WWF)
  • WWF Tag Team Championship (with Arn Anderson as The Brain Busters)
• American Wrestling Association (AWA)
  • Competed in matches including SuperClash IV
• Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)
  • Challenged for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship
• National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)
  • NWA World Tag Team Championship (with Barry Windham)
  • Competed at the NWA 50th Anniversary Show (won the NWA Tag Team titles with Tom Prichard)
• Heroes of Wrestling
  • Competed against Stan Lane
• World Championship Wrestling (WCW)
  • Competed in matches including at Slamboree 1994
• WrestleReunion
  • Competed against Jeff Jarrett
• WWE (as a producer and talent)
  • Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a member of The Four Horsemen (2012)
  • Appeared on WWE programming including Table For 3 and the Essential Starrcade series
• NWA: New Beginnings (as head booker)
  • Served as head booker and backstage agent for shows

Tully Blanchard’s Wife and Children

Tully Blanchard’s personal life reflects both triumphs and challenges, particularly in his relationships and family dynamics. 

Blanchard first married Elizabeth Diane Boyles on May 7, 1978, in Bexar County, Texas. 

However, their marriage was short-lived, ending in divorce on June 30, 1980.

Later, Blanchard found love again and married Courtney Shattuck. The couple had four children together: Taylor, Tanner, Tessa, and Tally. 

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Despite their shared family, Blanchard and Courtney eventually parted ways. 

Their divorce was followed by Courtney’s marriage to another well-known wrestler, Magnum T.A., in March 2005, adding a unique twist to Blanchard’s personal and professional life since Magnum was also one of his most intense rivals in the ring.

The separation took an emotional toll on Blanchard, as he openly expressed the struggle it took to come to terms with the breakdown of his marriage and the impact it had on his role as a father. 

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He admitted that it took him two decades to reconcile with the circumstances surrounding his sparse presence in his children’s lives.

Among his children, Tessa Blanchard has notably followed in her father’s footsteps, carving out her own successful career in professional wrestling. 

As a third-generation wrestler, Tessa’s rise in the industry is a continuation of the Blanchard legacy, embodying the skills and tenacity that her father exhibited throughout his career.

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Tully Blanchard Now

Tully Blanchard, currently 70 years old, is a Canadian-American professional wrestler and manager, widely recognized for his influential career in the wrestling industry. 

He gained prominence in the mid-to-late 1980s through his iconic roles with Jim Crockett Promotions and the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE). 

As a founding member of the legendary Four Horsemen stable, Blanchard was part of a dominant faction that included Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, and others who left an indelible mark on professional wrestling. 

Additionally, he formed a formidable tag team known as The Brain Busters with Arn Anderson, managed by Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, further solidifying his legacy.

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Despite being semi-retired from active wrestling, Blanchard remains connected to his fans and the wrestling community through social media. 

With 34.3K followers on Instagram, he stays active by frequently sharing photos and videos that give fans insight into his life. 

His posts often include throwback images from his wrestling career, behind-the-scenes content, and personal moments, allowing his audience to stay engaged with his journey both past and present. 

By embracing digital platforms, Blanchard continues to extend his influence and maintain a connection with a new generation of fans while preserving his legacy as one of the most respected figures in the wrestling world.

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Tully Blanchard’s Net Worth

Tully Blanchard, a Canadian-American retired professional wrestler, has built a lasting legacy in the world of professional wrestling and is estimated to have a net worth of $3 million. 

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