Tony Atlas

At 80 years old, Tony Atlas has this physical status:

Anthony White (born April 23, 1954) best known by his ring name Tony Atlas is an American bodybuilder, powerlifter, and professional wrestler who has competed for multiple titles and championships in each discipline.

He is also known by his bodybuilding name, "Mr.," according to him.

USA (a distinction he earned three times), "Black Superman," as well as an alter ego named Saba Simba.

He returned as WWE's on-screen boss, appearing on the now-defunct ECW brand.

In mid-2012, he re-signed with WWE in a Legends contract.

Personal life

Atlas was born in Roanoke, Virginia, where he attended Patrick Henry High School. Monika White and his partner, Stephen White, now live in Auburn, Maine.

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Professional wrestling career

Atlas began wrestling in 1974 for the National Wrestling Alliance World Wide/Mid Atlantic zone. It was his first match against Art Neilson and The Blue Scorpion on July 10, a tag team match with Bob Bruggers against Art Neilson and The Blue Scorpion. Atlas won the fall for his team with a sleeper hold on The Blue Scorpion.

Jim Crockett Promotions, the World Wrestling Council (WCW), World Championship Wrestling Federation (WWF), the American Wrestling Association (AWA), and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Tommy Rich (as "TNT"), Dick Murdoch, and Rocky Johnson were among his regular collaborators. Despite Hogan's foot being on the rope and the referee not seeing it, he was also the first man to press slam and pin Hulk Hogan.

Atlas captured the NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship with Tommy Rich during his time with the NWA. Mr. Wrestling II, Thunderbolt Patterson, Kevin Sullivan, and Rocky Johnson followed him later.

He competed for New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 1982.

Bill Watts' Universal Wrestling Federation (WW) championed him from 1982 to 1983. He returned to Georgia and wrestled in St. Louis from 1983 to 1984.

Atlas debuted in the World Wrestling Federation on October 23, 1979, defeating Johnny Rodz at a Championship Wrestling taping. Jesse "The Body" Ventura, one of his first rivalries, was over who had the best physique. He joined The Soul Patrol as The Wild Samoans defeated The Wild Samoans for the WWF World Tag Team Championship in 1983, becoming the company's first black champions. Atlas' last match was May 16, 1984, in Lacey Township, New Jersey, after losing the title to Adrian Adonis and Dick Murdoch and missing shows due to heroin use.

Atlas resurfaced in Verne Gagne's AWA two months after leaving the World Wrestling Federation. He made his debut at a house show in Denver, Colorado, on July 13, defeating Chris Markoff. At the time the AWA was being searched for talent by the WWF, it was in the wrong direction, and Atlas got a push on joining the company. He was undefeated against "Mr Electricity" Steve Regal, Larry Zbyszko, and Jake Milliman in July, before being defeated by King Kong Bundy on August 11 in Indianapolis, IN. Atlas' only losses in singles competition were this and a disqualification loss to Nick Bockwinkel. He teamed with The Crusher on October 10, 1984, and beat The Road Warriors, AWA Tag-Team Champions, for a chance at the titles and was disqualified by disqualification. He rejoined Jim Brunzell for another shot at the Road Warriors ten days later, but this time was disqualified. His last match with the promotion was a triumph over Tom Scott on October 28, which was his first match with the World Wrestling Federation.

Atlas returned to the WWF in Hamilton, Ontario, where he pinned Rene Goulet in a match that aired on November 17. Atlas was disqualified to the mid-card in the WWF and was undefeated against rivals such as Mr Fuji, The Spoiler, The Iron Sheik, and Moondog Rex. He won against Bob Orton and a non-title victory over WWF Intercontinental Champion Greg Valentine in Hartford, Connecticut, on November 23, 1984 (a precursor to the King of the Ring tournaments that were held later in the decade as annual house show functions), but he lost his first match on his return to him after losing to David Shultz. This will be his first loss for many months, as he will not be pinned back into submission after losing to Paul Orndorff on Prime Time Wrestling on March 19, 1985. Atlas began to transition from a mid-card performer to a number of tournaments, including ones against Bret Hart, Greg Valentine, Don Muraco, and Roddy Piper. Ivan Putski, Lanny Poffo, and George Wells were also enrolled in several short-lived tag-teams.

Atlas made his PPV debut in 1986 after being dismantled by William Perry after appearing in the Battle Royal at Wrestlemania 2. He was also used as a jobber to the actors, wielding King Kong Bundy and Harley Race as well as a series of matches against other muscle bound strongmen like Ted Arcidi, the latter of which were booed by the crowd and chastised by commentators Gorilla Monsoon & Lord Alfred Hayes for their poor results. Atlas began to be shunted further down the track, losing to Big John Studd, Iron Sheik, Dory Funk Jr., and the Harley Race. Adrian Adonis' last match was a loss in a fight that took place in Madison Square Garden and that aired on September 8, 1986 on Prime Time Wrestling.

On August 28, 1987, Tony made a one-match return when he teamed with The Junkyard Dog to defeat Kamala and Sika at the WWF Paul Boesch Retirement Exhibition.

Two months later, Tony joined the Texas-based World Class Championship Wrestling, where he earned the nickname "The Black Superman" in honor of his place in the sport. He made his first appearance on November 11, 1986, beating Tim Brooks in Fort Worth, Texas. Atlas won the World Class Television Championship on December 1, defeating Crusher Yorkoff. Atlas defeated Tim Brooks in the first round, but lost to Matt Borne in the quarter finals in January 1987. When he joined Skip Young with Skip Young to win the World Class Texas Tag Team Championship in 1987, he had almost instant success. Atlas left the firm in 1988 after a match that ended in a time limit draw against Al Perez.

Atlas was on July 16, 1988, when he was one of the two witnesses, the other being Dutch Mantel to the deadly assault on wrestler Bruiser Brody. José Huertas González, a.k.a. Brody, a fellow wrestler and booker, wanted to go into the shower to discuss company. Brody stepped into the shower stall and a few seconds later, a scuffle ensued, followed by two groans, loud enough for the entire locker room to hear. Brody bent over and clutching his stomach, triggering Atlas's exclamation (Mantel came after him). Atlas and Mantel looked up at González and saw him holding the knife. Brody was escorted downstairs to the waiting ambulance by ambulance crews, who were unable to lift him due to Brody's size. González, who had remained innocent, was initially charged with first-degree murder but was later found to have committed voluntary murder. Both Atlas and Mantel were seen in 2019's Dark Side of the Ring episode on Bruiser Brody, which then explained what really happened. Atlas said he was supposed to attend the trial but he was denied because the lawsuit was already closed.

In late 1988, Atlas moved to the Southern Ontario area. He began wrestling (owned and operated by Mario Savoldi), where he turned heel and under the guidance of The Duke (not Pete Doherty) defeated the ICW Heavyweight championship from Joe Savoldi. In Middletown, New York, Atlas lost the belt to Vic Steamboat. However, he recovered the belt from Steamboat after a few months. Because of the number of times it was shown on the IWCCW syndicated show, the match became well-known. After that being homeless for a year and a half, he was out inactive from wrestling due to being homeless for a year and a half.

Atlas returned to the WWF in 1990, where he competed as "Saba Simba" for the remainder of 1990 and 1991. On August 28, 1990, he pinned Haku at a house show in Augusta, GA, marking his first appearance in his return to WWF Superstars and Prime Time Wrestling. Atlas's history in the company was quickly acknowledged by televised appearance as Simba, but Vince McMahon claimed Atlas had "rediscovered his roots by lawfully changing his name," according to Vince McMahon. Tony appeared on Right After Wrestling on December 13, 2010 and credited Saba Simba with saving his life as he was homeless and sitting on a park bench before being called by McMahon. He was supposed to fight with Akeem, but the feud didn't take place until Akeem was barred from the job. Atlas was kept at midcard status after losing to Dino Bravo & The Barbarian. One writer has described the gimmick as "unpopular at best, and bigote at worst." He appeared at the 1991 Royal Rumble, where Rick Martel was ruled out by him. After the Royal Rumble, he was taken off television and was inactive with the firm and was inactive. Jim Neidhart was inactive for his last game at a house show in Allentown, Pennsylvania, filling in for him after losing to Irwin R. Schyster as Saba Simba.

He returned to IWCCW shortly after leaving the WWF, beating Tito Santana and Vic Steamboat shortly thereafter. He will regain the IWCCW's title. On June 28, 1992, Jimmy Snuka defeated him on an independent show in Wallingford, CT. He later left IWCCW, leaving the IWCCW's vacant position.

Atlas, a Barbarian team, made his WCW debut as a heel on October 10, 1992, beating Jeff Daniels and TA McCoy. They were instantly put into a rivalry with Barry Windham and Dustin Rhodes by WCW Vice President Bill Watts. On October 31, 1992, he suffered his first pinfall when he was defeated by Tom Zenk in Chicago, Illinois. Atlas qualified for the King of Cable tournament, but Big Van Vader defeated them in the quarterfinals. On the house show circuit, he continued his friendship with the Barbarians, winning championship matches against Ricky Steamboat and Shane Douglas, but was unsuccessful in winning the NWA/WCW Tag Team Championship.

Following the vacating of the title by an injured Rick Rude, Atlas entered a tournament on January 2, 1993 to crown a new United States Heavyweight Champion. In the quarterfinals, Atlas defeated Van Hammer. He lost to Dustin Rhodes in the semi-finals. Atlas was also part of a storyline in which a bounty had been placed on rookie Eric Watts' head; however, Atlas did not win with the youthful Watts in January 1993; On January 13, 1993, he appeared on Clash of the Champions XXII in Milwaukee, WI, and lost an arm wrestling match to Vinnie Vegas. Atlas dropped the promotion after a match with Steve Regal on February 5.

Atlas, a 1993 IWCCW recruiter, met Tommy Dreamer, Johnny Gunn, Tito Santana, and Primo Carnera III. In 1994, he competed for the CWA in 1994, and 1995, he founded the American Wrestling Federation (AWF). Greg Valentine and Tommy Richettie of Koko B Ware were teamed up with Koko B Ware in the AWF Tag Team Championship, which was a little out of date. Atlas wrestled predominantly with the CWA from 1995 to 1997, apart from his appearances in AWF.

He teamed with Tito Santana on July 11, 1999 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, defeating Salvatore Bellomo and Jay Love.

On July 16, 2000, he made a return to Puerto Rico's WWC by defeating Dutch Mantel at the WWC 27th anniversary celebration. Atlas defeated Tracey Smothers at CCW A Tribute to Starrcade in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on November 19, 2005.

He has appeared on Big Time Wrestling and Top Rope Promotions in New England regularly since 2006. On April 28, 2018, he team up with Bushwhacker Luke to defeat Eric Johnson and Thad Hairy Howett at UCW in Kentville, Nova Scotia. He defeated Nathan Banner by disqualification in Pembroke, Ontario, for Great North Wrestling on May 25, 2018. Lance Profit, a member of Frankie Flow, defeated Gene Snitsky and Salvatore Sincere Managed by Lance Profit at East Coast Pro wrestling in Manville, New Jersey, on May 17, 2019.

Atlas made a surprise return to the WWF on March 10, 1997, a version of Monday Night RAW that was released on Monday Night RAW. Atlas came out of the crowd to congratulate the son of his former tag-team partner Rocky Johnson after losing to Tony Roy on Monday. He appeared on RAW again, this time holding Maivia back from attacking The Sultan. He was seen in the crowd and yelling for Maivia at Wrestlemania 13. On the March 31 edition, Atlas was featured on RAW once more, with Maivia also cheering for Maivia.

S. D. Jones inducted Atlas into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006.

Atlas appeared on ECW's July 8, 2008, where Theodore Long appointed him the special guest ring announcer for the main event featuring Tommy Dreamer and then-babyface, Colin Delaney, in his corner against then-heel, ECW Champion Mark Henry. Atlas defeated Delaney, which in turn distracted Dreamer, allowing Henry to take the lead. Henry was the champion of the tournament at the time, but the official verdict was a double count out. This is also the first time since Atlas has worked as a heel in WCW, as he will then become Henry's boss.

Atlas helped Mark Henry keep his title at SummerSlam by disqualification, while Matt Hardy was defeated after Hardy's victory seemed to be imminent. On the August 19, 2008, episode of ECW against Hardy, Atlas also helped Henry maintain his crown. Henry lost the title to Hardy at Unforgiven. Atlas competed in a WWE ring for the first time in 17 years (long with Mark Henry) in a tag team match on December 9, where they defeated Finlay and Hornswoggle. Evan Bourne appeared on ECW's June 9, 2009, in a losing attempt. Henry was then transferred to the Raw brand on June 29, quietly ending their relationship. Atlas will continue to be on television during The Abraham Washington Show as Abraham Washington's sidekick until ECW went off air in February 2010.

Atlas was cut from his WWE contract on April 30, 2010. However, he made sporadic appearances with the company, including a brief appearance on the Old School Raw episode on November 15, 2010. He appeared on December 12, 2011 for "The Angry Superstar of the Year" to co-present the Slammy Award for "The Defending Superstar of the Year" in honor. Atlas made a appearance on SmackDown: Blast From the Past on April 10, 2012.

Atlas appeared on WWE Network original reality show Legends' House in 2014.

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