The Ring Post: The Man Who Made the R Stand for Guts
This Week’s Pro Wrestling Results, News, and a Tribute to Rufus R. Jones
Good morning!
Whether you spent the long Fourth of July weekend relaxing, traveling, or catching a live show, The Ring Post is here to get you fully caught up on everything you may have missed—plus brand-new features you won’t want to skip.
This week’s Monday newsletter is sponsored by Federated Wrestling Alliance. There’s a community effort underway to save the historic State Theatre in Havre de Grace – learn more about the campaign here.
Match results include FWA Dominion 8 in Maryland, GCW Backyard Wrestling 7 in New Jersey, and CZW’s free show in Philadelphia—plus more from 880 Wrestling, JCW, and NYWC.
In the news: RVA Pro Wrestling landed TV coverage on WTVR CBS 6, SiriusXM launched a 24/7 wrestling channel, and Nahir Robles gave an insightful interview about her career and championship run.
Premium Recap: This week’s Today in Pro Wrestling History series covers June 30 to July 6—including WWF at Madison Square Garden, WCW’s Great American Bash Tour, and more. We paused other premium content during the holiday week, so now’s the perfect time to upgrade your subscription and dive into exclusive rankings, recaps, and historical features.
Video of the Week: Don’t miss Ava Everett vs. Travis Jacobs from FWA Dominion 6—a fierce intergender clash that shows exactly why both are names to watch.
Our featured item this week is a brand-new birthday tribute to Rufus R. Jones, a territorial-era legend whose charisma and toughness helped pave the way for generations of Black wrestlers. If you love Mid-Atlantic wrestling history, this is a must-read.
Keep scrolling to catch up on everything you missed this week—including full results, exclusive stories, and standout moments you won’t find anywhere else.
Recent Results
The Latest News
Premium Recap: What You Missed This Week
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Today in Pro Wrestling History (6/30–7/6) – a full week of classic events, including WWF at MSG (1991), WCW’s Great American Bash Tour stop in Philly (1991), and WWE’s Ocean City house show (2013).
We took a short break from publishing additional premium content this past week for the Fourth of July holiday. If you want access to the premium stories, rankings, and features we have coming up, now is the perfect time to upgrade your subscription.
Video of the Week
This week's Video of the Week comes from FWA Dominion 6, held Sunday, May 4, 2025, at the State Theater in Havre De Grace, Maryland - featuring Ava Everett vs. Travis Jacobs in a hard-hitting intergender bout.
Remembering Rufus R. Jones On His Birthday
Rufus R. Jones, better known as the “Freight Train,” was a standout figure in territorial wrestling during the 1970s and early 1980s, particularly across the Mid-Atlantic and Central States. Born on July 4, 1933, in Clio, South Carolina, Jones brought a mix of athleticism and charisma to the ring. Before turning to wrestling, he competed as a Golden Gloves boxer and played college football at South Carolina State University.
He began his wrestling career in 1969 under names like Buster Lloyd and Hobo Brazil, but it was as Rufus R. Jones that he found his voice. He often told fans, “The ‘R’ stands for guts” - a line that captured the straightforward, determined attitude he brought to every match. Known for his shoulder blocks, headbutts, and a booming “Whooo-whooo!” rally cry, Jones was a regular in Jim Crockett Promotions, Central States Wrestling, and the St. Louis Wrestling Club.
In 1976, he defeated Greg Valentine to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Championship, later losing it to Ric Flair. He also competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling and held multiple NWA Central States Tag Team Championships.
As one of the most prominently featured African American wrestlers in the territorial era, Jones regularly appeared in main events across the Mid-Atlantic and Central States territories at a time when Black wrestlers were still often limited to mid-card roles. He was frequently booked in high-profile programs, held multiple regional championships, and competed on equal footing with top white stars, including Ric Flair and Greg Valentine. His consistent positioning helped open doors for broader representation in the industry during the 1970s and early 1980s.
Promoter Jim Crockett Jr. remembered Jones's unique presence on the mic: “During the late ’70s and early ’80s, he was really hot. He had one of the most unique styles of interviews. The first time I heard him do an interview, he was talking about a watermelon in his pocket, and I didn’t quite understand what he was talking about. But I later found out it was just a slang term that I had never heard, and I’ll never forget, that meant having a lot of money.”
One of his longtime rivals, Paul Jones, also reflected on Jones’s connection with the audience, saying, “He was the guy you couldn’t help but cheer for.”
After retiring in 1988, Jones stayed in the Kansas City area, where he opened Rufus’ Ringside Restaurant & Bar and worked in security. He was also the father of Kenneth Johnson, better known to WWF fans as Slick, the “Doctor of Style.”
Rufus R. Jones died of a heart attack on November 13, 1993, in Brunswick, Missouri. He was 60 years old. Though he never held a world title, he was a reliable draw and a memorable personality who helped define the territory era of professional wrestling.
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