James Ware (wrestler)
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| Birth name | James Ware |
|---|---|
| Born |
June 20, 1957 Union City, Tennessee, United States |
| Residence | Collierville, Tennessee, United States |
| Spouse(s) | Joyce Ware (m. ?–2009; her death) |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Koko B. Ware Stagger Lee Sweet Brown Sugar Koko Ware |
| Billed height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Billed weight | 229 lb (104 kg) |
| Billed from | Union City, Tennessee |
| Debut | 1978 |
| Retired | 2010 |
James Ware (born June 20, 1957), better known by his ring name Koko B. Ware is a retired American professional wrestler who made his professional wrestling debut in 1978. He rose in popularity during the mid 1980s, while appearing in the World Wrestling Federation, where he was initially a strong mid-carder before he eventually became a jobber to the stars. Ware came to the ring with a blue-and-yellow macaw named Frankie, and would flap his arms like a bird while dancing before and after his matches. Before joining the WWF, Ware worked as a part of several tag teams, first with Bobby Eaton in Memphis and then later on with Norvell Austin as one half of the P.Y.T. Express in several promotions. Ware also holds the distinction of having competed in the first ever match on the first episode of Monday Night Raw in a losing effort against Yokozuna.
Koko spent his early days in the sport in the Mid-South, Georgia and other NWA territories. Early in his career, Koko Ware (as he was then known) did not find great success, learning the ropes and paying his dues both in Jerry Jarrett’s Continental Wrestling Association and Nick Gulas’ territory in the south.
It was not until late in 1980 that Koko’s fortune changed when he participated in a battle royal to crown the first ever Mid-American Television Champion. The crowd favorite was Jimmy Valiant, who Koko accidentally knocked into Danny Davis and eliminated Valiant. Moments later, Koko dumped Davis to the floor and won his first title. After the match, Jimmy Valiant returned to the ring and beat Koko down. Koko’s feud with Jimmy Valiant was quickly expanded to include the heel Tojo Yamamoto and Koko ally Tommy Rich. When Dutch Mantel returned to the CWA in early 1981 he quickly defeated Koko for the TV title making Koko’s first run with the gold a short one.
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