Austin Idol Gets Reality Show

Greenville Journal has reported on a new reality show coming to Prime and Roku that focuses on the wrestling school in Greenville, SC that is owned by Austin Idol.

Season 1 of the show, Tales from Idolville, will premiere later this year and will consist of eight episodes. Episode 1 features Idol discussing the 1975 plane crash that killed one wrestler who was on board and severely injured Idol.

Austin Idol, whose real name is Michael McCord, is an American retired professional wrestler. Born on October 26, 1949, he gained fame under the ring name Austin Idol. His wrestling career spanned several territories, but he is best known for his appearances in the Mid-South with the Continental Wrestling Association, particularly his recurring feud with Jerry Lawler.

McCord grew up in Tampa, Florida, where he attended Robinson High School. After graduating in 1966, he worked in construction. His interest in becoming a professional wrestler led him to persuade Mike Graham, son of Eddie Graham (promoter of Championship Wrestling from Florida), to train him. McCord spent a year training under Eddie and Mike Graham, facing challenges from wrestling legends like Bob Roop, Hiro Matsuda, and Jack Brisco.

In his early career, McCord wrestled in Florida and briefly for Nick Gulas' NWA Mid-America promotion in Alabama. He also appeared in Sydney, Australia, where he and Jimmy Golden won a tournament to become the inaugural NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Champions. Later, he joined Vincent J. McMahon's World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) as "Iron" Mike McCord, wrestling primarily in the mid-card and challenging Pedro Morales for the WWWF Championship.

However, one of the most significant events in Austin Idol's life occurred on February 20, 1975. While attempting to land at Peter O. Knight Airport in foggy conditions, the plane piloted by Buddy Colt (with McCord, Bobby Shane, and Gary Hart aboard) crashed into Tampa Bay. Tragically, Bobby Shane lost his life in the crash, while McCord sustained severe injuries, including two broken ankles, several broken ribs, and severe lacerations to his feet. Despite this harrowing experience, Austin Idol went on to have an incredible wrestling career and remains a legend in the industry.

In recent times, Austin Idol, nicknamed “the Universal Heart Throb”, has been involved in NWA programming, particularly on the show NWA Powerrr.