Introduction
James Morrison (born June 26, 1942) is an American retired professional wrestler and manager, better known by his ring name, J.J. Dillon.
Professional wrestling career
J.J. Dillon had an extensive wrestling career, winning many championships in many areas of the country.He made his Madison Square Garden debut on April 23, 1984 when he challenged Tito Santana for the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship, losing by pinfall after a flying elbow by Santana.
He is most remembered as a manager in pro wrestling. He guided many wrestlers to singles and tag titles in the NWA. Dillon achieved his greatest success as the manager of the Four Horsemen which consisted of Nature Boy Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson , Ole Anderson, Lex Luger and Barry Windham. After leaving WCW in February 1989, Dillon served as a front office executive for the WWF until 1997. On April 21, 1997, he returned to WCW as an on-camera commissioner, which he lasted until fall 1998. In 2003, Dillon had a short stint as an NWA representative in TNA.
In 2009, he made a one-night appearance at Deaf Wrestlefest 2009 to team with "Beef Stew" Lou Marconi and "Handsome" Frank Staletto in a six-man tag team match against "Franchise" Shane Douglas, Dominic Denucci and Cody Michaels.
On December 29, 2019, Dillon joined the Board of Directors of the International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Championships and accomplishments
- Cauliflower Alley Club
- Other inductee (2007)
- Central States Wrestling
- NWA Central States Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Buzz Tyler
- Championship Wrestling from Florida
- NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Roger Kirby
- NWA Florida Television Championship (1 time)
- Eastern Sports Association
- ESA International Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- ESA International Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Freddie Sweetan
- ESA North American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Lou Thesz Award (2016)
- NWA Western States Sports
- NWA International Heavyweight Championship (Amarillo version) (1 time)
- NWA Western States Television Championship (1 time)
- Georgia Championship Wrestling
- NWA Macon Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Class of 2013
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI Manager of the Year (1982, 1983, 1988)
- WWE
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2012) as a member of The Four Horsemen
Books
- Dillon, James J.; Teal, Scott; Varriale, Philip (2005). Wrestlers are like seagulls : from McMahon to McMahon. Hendersonville, TN: Crowbar Press. ISBN 0-9745545-2-9. OCLC 62596130.