Jim Raschke

Jim Raschke

Born: October 18, 1940
in Omaha, Nebraska, USA
James Donald Raschke is an American retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Baron von Raschke.

After a successful amateur wrestling career and a stint in the United States Army, James Raschke started in professional wrestling in 1966 in the American Wrestling Association as a referee. He was soon wrestling under his real name, playing off of his amateur wrestling notoriety in the area. He eventually changed his ring name to Baron von Raschke and claimed to be from Germany. He would do a goose-step and then put his finisher known as the "brainclaw", on his opponent. Earlier in his career, the Von Raschke had a finishing maneuver known as the "Prussian sleeper", a rather complex variation of a traditional sleeper hold. His mantra at the time was; "I am ordered to win! I must win! And I will win!"

Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s he held numerous singles and tag team titles throughout several NWA and AWA territories, as well as wrestling for the WWWF, where his claw hold was "censored" by a huge red X on WWWF television because it was considered such a violent act. Managed by Fred Blassie, Von Raschke's highest-profile match of his 1970s WWWF run came in March 1977, where he wrestled WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino for the title at Madison Square Garden in New York. Von Raschke lost the match by disqualification when, after Sammartino became tied up in the ropes, he shoved the referee away as he had his clawhold applied to Sammartino's head. Sammartino defeated Von Raschke in a rematch a month later at Madison Square Garden, marking Sammartino's last successful title defense before losing the belt to Superstar Billy Graham.

In 1978, Von Raschke was recognized as the first NWA Television champion (the Mid Atlantic Television title had been renamed).

In May 1984, Raschke and The Crusher defeated Jerry Blackwell and Ken Patera for the AWA World Tag Team Championship. They would lose the belts in August of that same year to The Road Warriors.

Movies for Jim Raschke...

The Claw
Title: The Claw
Character: Himself
Released: May 13, 2021
Type: Movie
A documentary about legendary wrestler and all around supervillain Baron von Raschke by director Philip Harder.
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Back To The Territories: Indianapolis
Title: Back To The Territories: Indianapolis
Character: Self
Released: July 19, 2016
Type: Movie
Jim Cornette and a special guest break down the history and legacy of a famous wrestling territory, from its biggest stars and matches to the angles and events that put the promotion on the map and all things in between. For this edition he’s joined by Pro Wrestling Hall of Famer (2013) Baron von Raschke, a three-time WWA World Heavyweight Champion and personal friend of Dick the Bruiser and Wilbur Snyder, to discuss all things WWA Indianapolis.
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Grand Masters of Wrestling: First Blood Vol. 2
Title: Grand Masters of Wrestling: First Blood Vol. 2
Released: June 1, 2006
Type: Movie
The stars of pro-wrestling are out and they're ready to pummel anyone who steps in the ring. You" be screaming and cheering for your favorites such as King Kong Bundy, Iron Mike Sharp, and Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. Watch exciting matches as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews you can't find anywhere else!
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WWE: The Spectacular Legacy of the AWA
Title: WWE: The Spectacular Legacy of the AWA
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 2006
Type: Movie
The Spectacular Legacy of the AWA.
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Mad Dog Vachon: Wrestling with the Past
Title: Mad Dog Vachon: Wrestling with the Past
Character: Baron von Raschke
Released: May 19, 1999
Type: Movie
A comedic bio pic that traces Mad Dog Vachon's life & career from beginning to present, with an emphasis on hardship, friendship and road stories. Guests include Baron Von Rashke, Moose Morowski, Gene Kiniski, Stu Hart, Promoter Don Owen, Don Leo Jonathon, his brother The Butcher and The Intelligent, Sensational Destroyer.
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WCW Slamboree 1993
Title: WCW Slamboree 1993
Character: Baron Von Raschke
Released: May 23, 1993
Type: Movie
Slamboree 1993: A Legends' Reunion was the first annual Slamboree professional wrestling pay-per-view produced by WCW. It took place on May 23, 1993 at The Omni in Atlanta, Georgia. A "Legends Ceremony" occurred at the event, and introduced several legends. The WCW Hall of Fame induction ceremony also occurred, and Lou Thesz, Mr. Wrestling II, Verne Gagne, and Eddie Graham were the inductees. The PPV also saw the reformation of the Four Horsemen, now consisting of Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Ole Anderson, and new member Paul Roma. The main event was Big Van Vader defending the WCW World Heavyweight Title against Davey Boy Smith. Barry Windham defended the NWA World Heavyweight Title against Arn Anderson and The Hollywood Blondes defended the NWA & WCW World Tag Team Championships against Dos Hombres in a steel cage match.
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AWA SuperClash IV
Title: AWA SuperClash IV
Character: Baron Von Raschke
Released: April 8, 1990
Type: Movie
SuperClash IV was the fourth and final SuperClash professional wrestling Supercard event promoted by the American Wrestling Association (AWA) and was held at the Saint Paul Civic Center in St. Paul, Minnesota on April 8, 1990. In September 2019 the event was added to the WWE Network as a hidden gem.
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WWE SummerSlam 1988
Title: WWE SummerSlam 1988
Character: The Baron (Manager)
Released: August 29, 1988
Type: Movie
WWE SummerSlam was the first annual SummerSlam professional wrestling pay-per-view event. It was produced by the World Wrestling Federation and took place on August 29, 1988 in Madison Square Garden, located in New York, New York. The PPV was created to help the company compete against rival promotion World Championship Wrestling. It was one of the first four annual pay-per-view events produced by the WWF. The main match of the preliminary bouts was the WWF Intercontinental Championship match between The Ultimate Warrior and the reigning champion The Honky Tonk Man. The Ultimate Warrior won the match in approximately thirty seconds to end the longest Intercontinental Championship reign. The main event was a match pitting The Mega Powers (Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage) against their long-time rivals, The Mega Bucks (Ted DiBiase and André the Giant). Hogan and Savage won the match after Miss Elizabeth distracted the special guest referee by removing her skirt to reveal a bikini bottom.
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The Second Annual NWA Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament
Title: The Second Annual NWA Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament
Character: Baron Von Raschke
Released: April 11, 1987
Type: Movie
The second Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament was held over two nights, April 10 and 11, 1987. The tournament included 24 tag teams.
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NWA Starrcade '86: The Night of The Sky-Walkers
Title: NWA Starrcade '86: The Night of The Sky-Walkers
Character: Baron Von Raschke
Released: November 27, 1986
Type: Movie
Only one team will survive the "Night of The Skywalkers" as The Road Warriors and The Midnight Express clash high atop a 25 foot scaffold! Ric Flair defends the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against The Russian Nightmare Nikita Koloff. The Rock 'n' Roll Express defend the NWA Tag Team Championship against Ole & Arn Anderson in a Steel Cage Match and so much more!
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NWA Great American Bash '86 Tour: Greensboro
Title: NWA Great American Bash '86 Tour: Greensboro
Character: Baron Von Raschke
Released: July 26, 1986
Type: Movie
The Greensboro Coliseum is the site for the final stop on the '86 Bash tour!
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NWA Great American Bash '86 Tour: Charlotte
Title: NWA Great American Bash '86 Tour: Charlotte
Character: Baron Von Raschke
Released: July 5, 1986
Type: Movie
The Bash rolls into Charlotte's Memorial Stadium for a red-hot night of action!
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Wrestling's Living Legend Bruno Sammartino
Title: Wrestling's Living Legend Bruno Sammartino
Released: June 6, 1986
Type: Movie
Truly in a class by himeself! Once Bruno on the mat - watch out! Relive some of Bruno Sammartino's greatest moments, including encounters with Roddy Piper, Paul Orndorff, and much more.
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The First Annual NWA Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament
Title: The First Annual NWA Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament
Character: Baron Von Raschke
Released: April 19, 1986
Type: Movie
The first Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament was held on April 19, 1986. The tournament featured 24 tag teams.
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AWA: SuperClash '85
Title: AWA: SuperClash '85
Character: Baron von Raschke
Released: September 25, 1985
Type: Movie
SuperClash '85 – The Night of Champions was the first SuperClash professional wrestling supercard event promoted by the American Wrestling Association (AWA). It was billed as AWA's flagship supercard, their biggest event of the year. The event was held at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois on September 28, 1985, only a few months after WrestleMania, which was promoted by the rival World Wrestling Federation (WWF) promotion. The show drew a paid attendance of 20,347, although it was announced as 25,000. SuperClash – Night of Champions was one of the co-promotional efforts by the AWA, National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) to compete with the WWF's increasing national presence and popularity. The jointly promoted venture was known as Pro Wrestling USA.
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AWA StarCage
Title: AWA StarCage
Character: Baron Von Raschke
Released: April 21, 1985
Type: Movie
Pro Wrestling's first all-Cage Match event! featuring King Tonga, Sheik Adnan Al-Kassie & The Masked Superstar vs. Jerry Blackwell & Sgt. Slaughter, Greg Gagne & Verne Gagne vs. Mr. Saito & Nick Bockwinkel and The Road Warriors vs. Larry & Curt Hennig for the AWA World Tag Team Championship and much more!
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PWUSA Mayhem at The Meadowlands
Title: PWUSA Mayhem at The Meadowlands
Character: Baron Von Raschke
Released: April 19, 1985
Type: Movie
April 19, 1985 at The Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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PWUSA Star Wars
Title: PWUSA Star Wars
Character: Baron Von Raschke
Released: February 24, 1985
Type: Movie
February 24, 1985 at The Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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AWA Christmas Show 1984
Title: AWA Christmas Show 1984
Character: Baron Von Raschke
Released: December 25, 1984
Type: Movie
All your favorite AWA stars in action on Christmas night.
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AWA Christmas Show 1983
Title: AWA Christmas Show 1983
Character: Baron Von Raschke
Released: December 25, 1983
Type: Movie
All your favorite AWA stars compete on Christmas Night
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AWA Christmas Night 1983
Title: AWA Christmas Night 1983
Character: Baron von Raschke
Released: December 25, 1983
Type: Movie
The American Wrestling Association is live from the St. Paul Civic Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, featuring a main event between AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel and Mad Dog Vachon.
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NWA Sam Muchnick Retirement Show
Title: NWA Sam Muchnick Retirement Show
Character: Baron Von Raschke
Released: January 1, 1982
Type: Movie
Beloved promoter Sam Muchnick says farewell to the sport of kings in St. Louis with an All-Star card!
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The Wrestling Queen
Title: The Wrestling Queen
Character: Baron Von Raschke
Released: November 1, 1973
Type: Movie
This documentary is a must have for "old school" wrestling fans! It's loosely focused on the career of 23 year old Vivian Vachon during her first professional tour, and the wrestling legends she shares the ring with. Through interviews with wrestling superstars, the promoters, the fans, and the critics, Wrestling Queen will give you a snapshot of a rarely seen part of 70’s culture, along with a healthy dose of wrestling nostalgia!