Wayne Cowan
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Wayne Cowan (born November 29, 1949) is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Dutch Mantel. He currently is semi-retired but still makes occasional wrestling appearances. His main job is with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as head writer behind the scenes.
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[edit] Career
Cowan debuted in 1973 as "Dirty" Dutch Mantel. He wrestled for various Southern promotions, and achieved considerable success in the National Wrestling Alliance.
Mantel was instrumental in the careers of several huge wrestling stars of the nineties, including the Blade Runners, who later went on to achieve notoriety as Sting and the Ultimate Warrior. The Undertaker and Kane both were early recipients of Mantel's astute wrestling knowledge, which served them well later on in their careers. Mantel also is credited with giving Stone Cold Steve Austin his stage surname, since Austin's real name is Steve Williams which was also the name of "Dr. Death" Steve Williams.
Mantel formed several tag teams throughout his career, including The Kansas Jayhawks (with Bobby Jaggers) and The Desperados, which lasted only two months. Mantel achieved his greatest notoriety in 1980 when he and then-partner, Frankie Lane, as Los Vaqueros Locos, sold out the 16,000 seat Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico for an unprecedented 9 weeks in a row, an attendance feat that still holds to this day.
When the independent wrestling promotion Smoky Mountain Wrestling, promoted by Jim Cornette, opened in 1991, Mantel served as the original color commentator for the television broadcasts. He was joined by Bob Caudle and would give something of a heel perspective to the television show. He also hosted a weekly talk segment called "Down and Dirty With Dutch," where he would interview the stars of SMW. He remained with Smoky Mountain until around 1994.
In the 1990s, Cowan appeared in the World Wrestling Federation as the manager of The Blu Brothers and later Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw, Uncle Zebekiah. He also had a brief sint in the WCW as a member of The Desperados. Cowan later joined the Puerto Rican International Wrestling Association as a booker, and remained there until September 22, 2003.
He was most recently hired by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as an assistant booker to Jeff Jarrett. After Jarrett stepped down and Dusty Rhodes took over, Mantel maintained his position. In light of the more recent change towards a booking committee, Mantel has now become an equal on the committee, which is headed by Vince Russo. Mantel relocated to Murfreesboro, Tennessee for this position, but remains in a consulting role with WWC.
[edit] Profile
- Height: 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
- Weight: 220 lb (100 kg)
- Born: November 29, 1949
- Resides: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- Billed from: Oil Trough, Texas (also sometimes Bucksnort, Tennessee)
- Debut: 1973
- Quotes: "You lowdown, egg-sucking dog!"
[edit] Wrestlers managed by Dutch Mantel
[edit] Previous identities
- "Dirty" Dutch Mantel
- Dutch Mantel
- Texas Dirt
- Uncle Zebekiah
[edit] Championships and accomplishments
- AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion (5 times)
- AWA/NWA Southern Tag Team Champion (4 times) - with [Bill Dundee]] (1), David Schultz (1), Koko B. Ware (1), and Tommy Rich (1)
- Championship Wrestling Association
- CWA Heavyweight Champion (3 times)
- Continental Wrestling Association
- CWA Tag Team Champion (1 time) - with Austin Idol
- AWA/CWA International Heavyweight Champion (2 times)
- GWF
- 1-time GWF Tag Team Champion (1 time) - with Black Bart
- Hoosier Pro Wrestling
- HPW Heavyweight Champion (1 time)
- NWA Continental Heavyweight Champion (1 time)
- NWA Georgia Junior Heavyweight Champion (1 time)
- NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Champion (1 time)
- NWA Mid-American Heavyweight Champion (12 times)
- NWA Mid-American Television Champion (1 time)
- NWA Mid America Southern Tag Team Champion (1 time)
- NWA Mid America Tag Team Champion (2 times)
- NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Champion (1 time)
- NWA Southeastern Television Champion (1 time)
- NWA Tennessee Tag Team Champion (2 times) - with John Foley (2)
- 1-time WWC Universal Heavyweight Champion
- 1-time WWC Tag Team Champion (with Bouncer Bruno)
- 4-time WWC North American Tag Team Champion (1-time with Honky Tonk Man, 3-time with Frankie Laine)
