William Donald Schaefer: Maryland political icon was huge pro wrestling fan and 'Hulkamaniac'
William Donald Schaefer, the former Maryland governor and Baltimore mayor, was many things to many people during his 50 years in public office.
To pro wrestling fans, he simply was one of us.
Schaefer, who died last week at 89 and was buried today, was never one to put on airs, so his love of pro wrestling certainly wasn’t something that he was embarrassed about.
During the first of Schaefer’s two terms as governor in July 1989, the now-defunct Baltimore Evening Sun ran a front-page story (see the clip below) about him sitting in the front row at a WWF show at the Baltimore Arena. The headline was: “Hulk Hogan is my hero: Governor loves his wrestling.”
The article noted that “the governor stayed in his seat most of the evening, but when things got crazy in the ring, Schaefer stood up to record the action with a small instamatic camera.”
Schaefer acknowledged in the story that Hogan – who was defending the WWF title against Randy “Macho Man” Savage that night – was his favorite wrestler.
A few months earlier, Schaefer had met Hogan when he attended WrestleMania V in Atlantic City, N.J., as a guest of Donald Trump.
“Oh my God – the greatest day of my life,” said Schaefer, who sat in the front row next to Trump at that show. “Hulk Hogan is my hero. He’s great.”
Schaefer’s admiration of Hogan didn’t wane when “The Hulkster” defected to WCW – WWE’s rival – several years later. That created a memorably awkward moment when Schaefer was interviewed on the WWF’s 1994 King of the Ring pay-per-view, which was held in Baltimore.
When asked who his favorite wrestler was, Schaefer – who was known for speaking his mind rather than giving canned, politically correct responses – replied: “I’ve always been a big Hulk Hogan fan.”
Interviewer Todd Pettingill immediately cut off Schaefer and moved on. Later on the show, Jerry Lawler – who was wrestling Roddy Piper in the main event – referred to Schaefer as “Governor Budweiser.”
Thanks to Baltimore sun researcher Paul McCardell
Comments
Lawler vs. Piper was a PPV main event in 1994?
RESPONSE FROM KE: Indeed it was.
Posted by: Sam | April 27, 2011 1:36 PM
When Lawler comes to the Bowie Baysox game in June, I'll ask him if he remembers Governor Budweiser? Probably will think Willie Don was from Minnesota ;-)
Posted by: wrzesien | April 27, 2011 4:30 PM
just goes to show the affect Hogan had and still does on all of us.It did not matter if you were 6 or 60. lets do a blog on our favorite Hogan matches and moments, that would be fun.
Posted by: sean | April 27, 2011 4:54 PM
Ooooh yeeah. The Macho Man remembers that night like it was tomooorrow's yesterday oh yeeah. The Governor was a great guest, and even though he was cheering for the big yellow palooka, the Macho Man learned to forgive and forget years ago. SNAP INTO A SLIM JIM!
Posted by: TheMachoKing | April 27, 2011 5:18 PM
It's just one more thing you've got to love about Schaefer. He truly was a man of the people. Hulkamania was really running wild back in the 80's. And yes a blog on favorite Hulk moments could be entertaining at this point even for us Roddy Piper fans.
Posted by: mr. eli | April 28, 2011 7:41 AM
Am I the only one who thinks that Hogan is pro wrestling's version of Schaefer? Schaefer was in office way too long.
Posted by: Zach Ruth | April 29, 2011 12:00 PM