Jim Powers (born James Manley) on January 4, 1958 in New York City) is an American professional wrestler who most notably wrestled for the World Wrestling Federation in the mid-to-late 1980's and early 1990's. Throughout most of his career, he was recognized as a preliminary wrestler - someone used as fodder for a more well-known wrestler who the audience knows does not stand a chance to win the match. This is also referred to as "enhancement talent".
Powers was discovered and brought into the WWF in late 1984 by Big John Studd.
He arguably reached the peak of his career in the WWF when, in March 1987, along with fellow preliminary wrestler Paul Roma, he formed a handsome tag team called The Young Stallions. The team seemingly received their name by accident when play-by-play commentator Vince McMahon referred to them once as "a couple of young stallions". This was an understatement, as Powers possessed huge biceps and a chiseled torso, while Roma's physique resembled that of a Greek God.
Powers and Roma were still viewed as enhancement talent when, during the August 8, 1987 episode of WWF Superstars, they scored an upset disqualification victory over the WWF Tag Team Champions, Hart Foundation. The victory launched their brief run as featured performers and the team was even one of only two surviving teams (the other being The Killer Bees) in the elimination tag team match at the first annual Survivor Series pay-per-view on November 26, 1987.
It wasn't too long before WWF owner Vince McMahon seemed to lose interest in the idea of pushing the Young Stallions. This may have been due, in part, to the fact that Powers and Roma did not get along with each other. The team was placed in featured matches on television and at house shows, but most times ended up on the losing end. Following yet another loss, this time to Demolition on the March 19, 1989 episode of WWF Wrestling Challenge, the team began arguing after matches. Soon, they were split up (off camera). After being hit in the head with a megaphone by Dino Bravo during a 1990 match on WWF Superstars, Roma (who accused the Rockers of attacking him rather than Bravo) formed a heel Tag Team with fellow wrestler Hercules named Power & Glory. Powers, in the meantime, faded back into the enhancement scene. During this time, he most notably became the first man to lose to Ric Flair when Flair made his WWF debut on the September 30, 1991 episode of Prime Time Wrestling.
After falling off the map completely for a couple years, Powers resurfaced in World Championship Wrestling in the spring of 1995. He was scouted and then managed for a brief time by Teddy Long. The highlight of his WCW run was arguably the time he was attacked and spray-painted during a mid-1996 match by the New World Order. The reason for the attack was simply that the NWO wanted to address the crowd. It didn't really have anything to do with Jim Powers. Not much else did either and Powers eventually faded off the scene entirely, leaving WCW in early 1999.
Jim Powers is currently training hard for his return to the ring on March 9, 2007 in Suffern, New York. He will be teaming with Tito Santana, Gino Caruso and Rocky Jones against The Honky Tonk Man, The Kodiak Bear, The Masked Superstar, and Vic Devine.
Powers was discovered and brought into the WWF in late 1984 by Big John Studd.
He arguably reached the peak of his career in the WWF when, in March 1987, along with fellow preliminary wrestler Paul Roma, he formed a handsome tag team called The Young Stallions. The team seemingly received their name by accident when play-by-play commentator Vince McMahon referred to them once as "a couple of young stallions". This was an understatement, as Powers possessed huge biceps and a chiseled torso, while Roma's physique resembled that of a Greek God.
Powers and Roma were still viewed as enhancement talent when, during the August 8, 1987 episode of WWF Superstars, they scored an upset disqualification victory over the WWF Tag Team Champions, Hart Foundation. The victory launched their brief run as featured performers and the team was even one of only two surviving teams (the other being The Killer Bees) in the elimination tag team match at the first annual Survivor Series pay-per-view on November 26, 1987.
It wasn't too long before WWF owner Vince McMahon seemed to lose interest in the idea of pushing the Young Stallions. This may have been due, in part, to the fact that Powers and Roma did not get along with each other. The team was placed in featured matches on television and at house shows, but most times ended up on the losing end. Following yet another loss, this time to Demolition on the March 19, 1989 episode of WWF Wrestling Challenge, the team began arguing after matches. Soon, they were split up (off camera). After being hit in the head with a megaphone by Dino Bravo during a 1990 match on WWF Superstars, Roma (who accused the Rockers of attacking him rather than Bravo) formed a heel Tag Team with fellow wrestler Hercules named Power & Glory. Powers, in the meantime, faded back into the enhancement scene. During this time, he most notably became the first man to lose to Ric Flair when Flair made his WWF debut on the September 30, 1991 episode of Prime Time Wrestling.
After falling off the map completely for a couple years, Powers resurfaced in World Championship Wrestling in the spring of 1995. He was scouted and then managed for a brief time by Teddy Long. The highlight of his WCW run was arguably the time he was attacked and spray-painted during a mid-1996 match by the New World Order. The reason for the attack was simply that the NWO wanted to address the crowd. It didn't really have anything to do with Jim Powers. Not much else did either and Powers eventually faded off the scene entirely, leaving WCW in early 1999.
Jim Powers is currently training hard for his return to the ring on March 9, 2007 in Suffern, New York. He will be teaming with Tito Santana, Gino Caruso and Rocky Jones against The Honky Tonk Man, The Kodiak Bear, The Masked Superstar, and Vic Devine.
