CHILLICOTHE — On Saturday during an event in Chillicothe, several wrestling legends were recognized for their contributions to the sport by being inducted into a hall of fame.
The Ohio Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame inducted Bobby Fulton, a professional wrestler from Ohio who was part of The Fantastics. Fulton, also known as James Hines started wrestling as a teenager working in a variety of territories and promotions such as World Class Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation. He would eventually start his own promotion called World Classic Professional Big Time Wrestling.
He still makes appearances at these shows working with his two sons to book, put on and perform at the events. On March 9 he was also recognized with Fantastic Bobby Fulton Day being recognized in Chillicothe.
Hines said he was “surprised” to receive this honor. He thinks back to when he was starting out, living in his car and making barely any money at shows, he said it was the strong drive of Chillicothe inside of him that helped him make it on the road.
“I would never expect this to happen,” said Hines. “I was really taken aback by it.”
Ox Baker was posthumously inducted into the Ohio Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Doug Baker was born in 1934 and is best known for his time as a pro wrestler working under the name Ox for different territories and working with men such as Gorilla Monsoon, Ernie Ladd, Carlos Colon, Randy Savage and many more. His signature move was the heart punch, a move that caused fans to swarm and trash the ring in the ’70s after a match in Cleveland. He passed away in October 2014.
His daughter Meghan Kelly was at the event to honor her father. She said this has “been a long time coming” and something that her father wanted for years. While she is sad that he is not here for the induction she is happy to have her children and her mother with her to keep his legacy alive.
Other inducted included Greg “the Hammer” Valentine, Mr. USA Tony Atlas, The Rock N’ Roll Express and the original Doink the Clown Matt Borne.
See more about Fulton: James Hines: This ‘old dad’ had no trouble wrestling with the kids as well as the pros
Four women were also inducted into the Women’s Wrestling Hall of Fame: Babs Wingo, Ethel Johnson, Marva Scott and Baby Doll.
Sisters Wingo, Johnson and Scott are best known as some of the first African American women in professional wrestling, their work helped desegregate the sport in the ’50s. Wingo was the first African American female to be featured in an interracial pro wrestling match.
The group is being inducted posthumously as Wingo and Scott passed away in 2003 and Johnson passed in 2018.
Baby Doll, also known as Nickla Roberts, is a valet and manager in professional wrestling who made her debut in 1984. She has appeared in many promotions and worked with wrestlers such as Gino Hernandez, Tully Blanchard and Larry Zbyszko.
She said being inducted is an “honor” after all her time in the industry. She loves meeting all the fans who remember her.
“That is the coolest part, just being remembered,” said Roberts.
Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_
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