Jeff Gaylord

Actor · 1958 – 2023 · Columbus, Ohio, U.S.

Jeff Gaylord was an American professional wrestler active primarily during the 1980s and 1990s. His career spanned promotions such as the Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF), World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), and the United States Wrestling Association (USWA), where he became a recognizable figure across the southern U.S. independent wrestling circuit. In the ring, he was known for both singles and tag team competition, most notably as a frequent partner of Jeff Jarrett, with whom he held the USWA Tag Team Championship. He was also a member of the original Memphis-based Nation of Domination, under the name Akeem Hassain, and later joined Sid Vicious’ stable The Psychos. Gaylord made a one-time appearance in the WWF at the 1993 Survivor Series pay-per-view as The Black Knight, part of Shawn Michaels’ team in a match against the Hart Family. He was the first man eliminated, pinned by Owen Hart. Before becoming a professional wrestler, Gaylord was a football player. He played defensive line at the University of Missouri and was named an All-American in 1981. Drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 1982, he later played briefly in the CFL and the USFL over a three-season span. In wrestling, he debuted in 1985 and competed in multiple promotions over the years. In the UWF, he faced names like Rick Steiner and One Man Gang. In WCCW, he wrestled under a mask as “The Hood” before moving on to Memphis, where he was active in the USWA from 1991 to 1995. He was involved in numerous rivalries and tournaments, facing off against Jerry Lawler, Bill Dundee, C.W. Bergstrom, and The Moondogs, among others. Later in his career, he also wrestled in the Global Wrestling Federation, the American Wrestling Federation, and appeared once on WCW Saturday Night in 1994. He retired from wrestling in the late '90s. Outside the ring, his life took a difficult turn. In the 2000s, Gaylord was convicted of multiple bank robberies in Colorado and served more than a decade in prison. Jeff Gaylord passed away on March 15, 2023, at the age of 64. He was found deceased at a bus stop in Englewood, Colorado. Reports indicated he was likely homeless at the time of his death.