Luke with his partner Butch having gone as far as they could
progress in little old New Zealand in the early 70’s (population 3
million) decided they wanted to explore the world of pro wrestling,
knowing that USA was the pinnacle. At that time they were know as
“Sweet William and the Brute; The Kiwi’s. First stops were
Australia, Singapore, Thailand and then Canada where they spent 3
years, the last one working for Stampede Wrestling owned by the
notorious Stu Hart.
They returned to NZ in 1974 to do live tapings for the first New
Zealand televised wrestling show “One the Matt”. In 1979 while
working in Hawaii, Roddy Pipper, Buddy Rose call the northwest
promoter Don Owen, Hence the invasion of U.S.A by the team now known
as “The Sheepherders”.
After ruling the northwest for 15 months they moved on to the NWA
headquarters in Charlotte N.C where they became the Mid Atlantic tag
champs in a matter of weeks. After 3 months working for NWA they got
a call from the World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico and decided
to head south to the Caribbean not knowing that NWA wrestling show
on TBS (then WTBS) was nationwide.
After rampaging the scene in Puerto Rico in cage, barbwire cage,
ambulance, four way chain, bootcampt and coalminer glove matches,
The boys decided to re-entered USA and continue on their invasion
carrying the New Zealand flag. Working there way from alliance to
alliance, covering two thirds of North America, and finally ending
back up with the NWA promotion out of Charlotte N.C whose live show
promotions were now covering ¾ of north America.
In the 80’s the Sheepherders were the most hardcore and brutal tag
time in North America, there were no body stopping them. Table,
chair, ladder etc every match was a blood bath. The Sheepherders
held numerous titles throughout US and around the globe.
Major feuds in this era were with Roddy Pipper and Rick Martel,
Rocky Johnson and Dewey Roberison, the Invaders, Carlos Colon and
Jose Gonzalez, Ron and Robert Fuller, Brad and Bob Armstrong, The
Fabulous Ones, Jerry Lawyer and Bill Dundee, Dick Murdock and Tully
Blanchard, Dick Murdock and Manny Fernandez, Brad Armstrong and Tim
Horner, The Fantastics and finally the Rock and Roll Express.
Mid 1988 the boys got a call from WWF (WWE) and off they went to the
biggest promotion on the planet. Name changed BUSHWHACKERS and now
loved by everyone, these eccentric farm boys from “Down Under”
mesmerized millions of fans from all walks of life, young, old, rich
and poor from all corners of the globe. Touring over 44 countries
they soon became Household names and the most entertaining team in
the Pro Wrestling history.
Not only champions in the ring but champs to numerous charities
raising money for “Make a Wish” Foundation, America Cancer Society,
Special Olympics and the Fox Network for under privilege kids, the
duo put there hearts as well as there energy into helping good
causes.
The biggest crowd, which they wrestled in front of, was in England,
London’s Wembley Stadium with an attendance up near 90,000 fans.
Among the many TV shows the boys were featured on WARNER BROTHER
“Family Matters” with Steve Urkel was the most memorable. After the
WWF era Bushwhackers worked England and Europe. Butch returned to
New Zealand in 2001and Luke went on to work in wrestling offices as
talent coordinator; Luke is now returning to pro wrestling LEGEND
CIRCUITS around the globe.
Official Bushwhacker Luke Williams
Wrestler - Bushwhackers Wrestling, WWF wrestling, WWE wrestling, NWA
wrestling, Wrestling Champions, Tag-team Champions, Championship
Wrestling, Butch and Luke wrestlers, Sheepherders, Wrestling bookings, WWE Dvd's,
TNA, CMLL,AAA,ROH,NOAH,RAW, IWAPR,EWC, Lucha Libre, WWE UNIVERSAL,
...defeating
Buzz Sawyer and Matt Borne
