The Assassin / Assassin #1 / Jody Hamilton - Pro Wrestlers Database

On this page, you find the full wrestling profile of The Assassin / Assassin #1 / Jody Hamilton, with his Career History, real name, age, height and weight, the Promotions he worked for, all the Face/Heel turns, the Championship Titles he won, his Finishers, Theme Songs, Tag Teams and Stables, his appearance changes through the years, and more.

Joseph Nicholas Zwaduk III was born in St. Joseph, Missouri on August 28, 1938.

He died on August 3, 2021 at the age of 82.

At 19, the Assassin (as Joe Hamilton) main evented Madison Square Garden alongside his brother Larry against Antonino Rocca and Miguel Pérez, becoming the youngest wrestler to do so in the stadium's history. Hamilton would also gain prominence as the founder and director of WCW’s training school, the Power Plant, for almost the entirety of their existence.

The Assassin / Assassin #1 / Jody Hamilton was inducted in the WCW Hall of Fame in 1994 and in the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) in 2013 as part of the Groups wing (as a member of The Assassins).

Profile Info

  • Gender Male
  • Real Name Joseph Nicholas Zwaduk III
  • Ring Names
    • Jody Hamilton ( December 31, 1986 - June 30, 2010)
    • El Fuego ( May 5, 1986 - December 30, 1986)
    • The Flame ( April 29, 1985 - December 25, 1985)
    • The Flame ( March 12, 1983 - August 8, 1983)
    • The Assassin ( June 13, 1975 - April 12, 1987)
    • Assassin #1 ( June 8, 1980 - February 21, 1985)
    • Assassin #2 ( November 24, 1972 - June 12, 1975)
    • Assassin #1 ( November 18, 1966 - November 23, 1972)
    • Joe Hamilton ( October 14, 1966 - November 17, 1966)
    • Ricky Monroe ( August 10, 1966 - October 13, 1966)
    • Assassin #1 ( January 19, 1965 - August 9, 1966)
    • Bolo ( December 27, 1962 - January 18, 1965)
    • Assassin #1 ( December 1, 1961 - December 26, 1962)
    • Joe Hamilton ( January 1, 1955 - November 30, 1961)
  • Born August 28, 1938
  • Died August 3, 2021 (aged 82)
  • Nationality Nationality: United StatesUnited States
  • Birth Place St. Joseph, Missouri
  • Billed From
    • St. Joseph, Missouri ( January 1, 1955 - April 12, 1987)
  • Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
  • Weight
    • 265 lbs (120 kg)
  • Notes At 19, the Assassin (as Joe Hamilton) main evented Madison Square Garden alongside his brother Larry against Antonino Rocca and Miguel Pérez, becoming the youngest wrestler to do so in the stadium's history. Hamilton would also gain prominence as the founder and director of WCW’s training school, the Power Plant, for almost the entirety of their existence.

Career History

  • Roles

    • Director of Operation, Producer ( October 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010)
    • Director of Operation, Producer ( February 1, 2009 - April 30, 2009)
    • Promoter ( September 1, 2005 - April 30, 2009)
    • Coach ( January 1, 1985 - October 11, 2007)
    • Promoter ( February 12, 1986 - October 18, 1988)
    • Wrestler ( January 1, 1955 - April 12, 1987)
  • Promotions History

    Promotionfromto
    Promotion Independent CircuitINDY March 27, 2001 June 30, 2010
    Promotion Deep South WrestlingDSW September 1, 2005 October 11, 2007
    Promotion World Championship WrestlingWCW January 1, 1989 March 26, 2001
    Promotion Deep South WrestlingDSW February 12, 1986 October 18, 1988
    Promotion National Wrestling AllianceNWA December 19, 1974 April 12, 1987
    Promotion Continental Championship WrestlingCCW May 5, 1986 December 30, 1986
    Promotion Continental Championship WrestlingCCW April 29, 1985 December 25, 1985
    Promotion Championship Wrestling from FloridaCWF February 5, 1985 March 29, 1985
    Promotion Jim Crockett PromotionsJCP July 4, 1983 January 26, 1985
    Promotion Southeastern Championship WrestlingSECW March 12, 1983 August 8, 1983
    Promotion Mid-South WrestlingMSW April 14, 1982 August 23, 1982
    Promotion Georgia Championship WrestlingGCW June 8, 1980 April 5, 1982
    Promotion Championship Wrestling from FloridaCWF July 4, 1980 November 14, 1981
    Promotion NWA Tri-StateNWA TRI STATE February 7, 1972 November 19, 1979
    Promotion Georgia Championship WrestlingGCW June 2, 1978 November 23, 1978
    Promotion Southeastern Championship WrestlingSECW November 18, 1977 February 26, 1978
    Promotion Championship Wrestling from FloridaCWF January 27, 1976 April 26, 1977
    Promotion Southeastern Championship WrestlingSECW June 13, 1975 September 5, 1975
    Promotion Georgia Championship WrestlingGCW December 19, 1974 May 23, 1975
    Promotion Georgia Championship WrestlingGCW November 22, 1968 October 6, 1972
    Promotion National Wrestling AllianceNWA January 1, 1955 October 6, 1972
    Promotion NWA Tri-StateNWA TRI STATE January 10, 1966 October 14, 1967
    Promotion Gulf Coast Championship WrestlingGCCW August 10, 1966 September 21, 1966
    Promotion Championship Wrestling from FloridaCWF July 30, 1963 May 4, 1965
    Promotion Jim Crockett PromotionsJCP January 6, 1964 January 8, 1965
    Promotion Jim Crockett PromotionsJCP December 27, 1962 July 11, 1963
    Promotion Championship Wrestling from FloridaCWF August 10, 1961 September 4, 1962
    Promotion Capitol Wrestling CorporationCWC September 4, 1957 September 29, 1958
  • Images History

    Sep 2005
    Sep 2005
    Feb 1986
    Feb 1986
    Jun 1975
    Jun 1975
    Dec 1961
    Dec 1961
    Jan 1955
    Jan 1955
  • Face / Heel Turns

    Alignmentfromto
    Heel December 1, 1961 April 12, 1987
    Tweener January 1, 1955 November 30, 1961

  • Finishers

    • Assassin Lock - Lifting Hammerlock Submission ( January 1, 1955 - April 12, 1987)
    • Second rope Diving Dropkick ( January 1, 1955 - April 12, 1987)
    • Second rope Diving Elbow drop ( January 1, 1955 - April 12, 1987)

Titles & Accomplishments

  • Halls of Fame

    • WCW Hall of Fame - Year 1994, Individual
    • Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) - Year 2013, Groups , The Assassins
  • Central States Wrestling

    • 1 NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship

    Championship Wrestling from Florida

    • 1 NWA Florida Television Championship
    • 2 NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version)
    • 1 NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (with Assassin #2)
    • 1 NWA World Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (with Assassin #2)

    Continental Wrestling Association

    • 4 AWA Southern Tag Team Championship (with Assassin #2)

    Deep South Wrestling

    • 3 Deep South Heavyweight Championship

    Mid-South Sports / Georgia Championship Wrestling

    • 1 NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship
    • 14 NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship (12 with Assassin #2, 2 with Assassin #2/Moondog Rex)
    • 2 NWA Macon Tag Team Championship (with Assassin #2)
    • 4 NWA Southeastern Tag Team Championship (Georgia version) (with Assassin #2)
    • 1 NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Georgia version) (with Assassin #2)
    • 2 NWA World Tag Team Championship (Georgia version) (with Assassin #2)

    NWA All-Star Wrestling

    • 2 NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version) (with Assassin #2)
    • 1 NWA World Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version) (with Assassin #2)

    NWA Hollywood Wrestling

    • 2 NWA Americas Tag Team Championship (1 with Tom Renesto, 1 with John Tolos)
    • 1 NWA "Beat the Champ" Television Championship
    • 2 NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Los Angeles/Japan version) (with Assassin #2)

    NWA Mid-America

    • 1 NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version) (with Assassin #2)

    NWA Tri-State

    • 4 NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Tri-State version) (2 with Assassin #2, 1 with Ernie Ladd, 1 with Angel)

    Southeastern Championship Wrestling - Continental Championship Wrestling

    • 1 NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship
    • 2 NWA Louisiana Heavyweight Championship
    • 2 NWA Louisiana Tag Team Championship (2 times) (1 with Assassin #2, 1 with Angel)
    • 4 NWA Southeastern Continental Heavyweight Championship
    • 1 NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (Northern Division)
    • 1 NWA Southeastern Tag Team Championship (with Don Carson)
    • 3 NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Gulf Coast version) (1 with Assassin #2, 1 with Don Carson, 1 with Billy Spears)
    • 1 NWA Tennessee Tag Team Championship (with Ron Fuller)

    World Championship Wrestling (Australia)

    • 1 IWA World Tag Team Championship (with Assassin #2)
  • Other Accomplishments

    • Georgia Wrestling Hall of Fame induction (as part of The Assassins)
    • Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame induction (class of 2015 - as part of The Assassins)

Teams & Relations

  • Tag Teams & Stables

    • The Assassins - Nick Patrick ( July 1, 1984 - August 18, 1984)
    • The Assassins - Hercules Hernandez ( July 17, 1983 - July 21, 1984)
    • The Assassins - Masa Saito / Mr. Saito ( July 2, 1981 - October 14, 1981)
    • The Assassins - Assassin #3 / Roger Smith ( February 8, 1981 - June 30, 1981)
    • The Assassins - Assassin #2 / Moondog Rex ( June 8, 1980 - October 18, 1980)
    • The Assassin & The Missouri Mauler - The Missouri Mauler / Larry Hamilton ( March 31, 1976 - February 5, 1977)
    • The Assassins - Assassin #2 / Tom Renesto ( December 1, 1961 - September 15, 1972)
    • Bolos - Great Bolo / Assassin #2 / Tom Renesto ( December 27, 1962 - January 8, 1965)
    • The Hamilton Brothers - Larry Hamilton ( January 1, 1957 - January 1, 1959)
  • Managed Wrestlers Paul Orndorff
  • Family

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