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).
The Assassin / Assassin #1 / Jody Hamilton Profile Index
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 United 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
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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)
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Promotions History
Promotion from to Promotion INDY March 27, 2001 June 30, 2010 Promotion DSW September 1, 2005 October 11, 2007 Promotion WCW January 1, 1989 March 26, 2001 Promotion DSW February 12, 1986 October 18, 1988 Promotion NWA December 19, 1974 April 12, 1987 Promotion CCW May 5, 1986 December 30, 1986 Promotion CCW April 29, 1985 December 25, 1985 Promotion CWF February 5, 1985 March 29, 1985 Promotion JCP July 4, 1983 January 26, 1985 Promotion SECW March 12, 1983 August 8, 1983 Promotion MSW April 14, 1982 August 23, 1982 Promotion GCW June 8, 1980 April 5, 1982 Promotion CWF July 4, 1980 November 14, 1981 Promotion NWA TRI STATE February 7, 1972 November 19, 1979 Promotion GCW June 2, 1978 November 23, 1978 Promotion SECW November 18, 1977 February 26, 1978 Promotion CWF January 27, 1976 April 26, 1977 Promotion SECW June 13, 1975 September 5, 1975 Promotion GCW December 19, 1974 May 23, 1975 Promotion GCW November 22, 1968 October 6, 1972 Promotion NWA January 1, 1955 October 6, 1972 Promotion NWA TRI STATE January 10, 1966 October 14, 1967 Promotion GCCW August 10, 1966 September 21, 1966 Promotion CWF July 30, 1963 May 4, 1965 Promotion JCP January 6, 1964 January 8, 1965 Promotion JCP December 27, 1962 July 11, 1963 Promotion CWF August 10, 1961 September 4, 1962 Promotion CWC September 4, 1957 September 29, 1958 -
Images History
Sep 2005Feb 1986Jun 1975Dec 1961Jan 1955 -
Face / Heel Turns
Alignment from to Heel December 1, 1961 April 12, 1987 Tweener January 1, 1955 November 30, 1961
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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
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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)
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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
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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
- Nick Patrick - Son