Gary Sabaugh, known as The Italian Stallion, is a former American professional wrestler active during the 1980s and 1990s. He competed in promotions such as WWF, NWA, and WCW, primarily on the independent wrestling scene.
Sabaugh participated in major matches and tournaments for Jim Crockett Promotions and WCW, and also worked as a wrestling advisor and stunt double for television. His time in the WWF was brief, but he played a key role in helping the Hardy Boyz break into the company.
Early Career and Notable Appearances
Gary Sabaugh, also known as the pro wrestler The Italian Stallion, has had many television appearances in the NWA, WCW, WWF, Georgia Championship Wrestling with WTBS, Florida Championship Wrestling, and New Japan Pro Wrestling. Teaming with Buzz Sawyer and "Pistol" Pez Whatley against Bob Roop and NWA National Tag Team Champions Ole and Arn Anderson on May 11, he would face a number of veteran wrestlers throughout 1985 including Terry Flynn, Black Bart, and appeared at the first Starcade '85 losing to Thunderfoot#1 on November 28.
Teaming with Koko B. Ware during the first annual Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament, Sabaugh and Ricky Lee Jones lost to Ronnie & Jimmy Garvin in the opening rounds of the second annual Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament. In his third appearance at the Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament, Sabaugh continued working for World Championship Wrestling (WCW), which was Jim Crockett Promotions renamed after the latter's sale to Ted Turner in November 1988.
WCW and WWF Career
Sabaugh would wrestle members of The Varsity Club facing Mike Rotunda in late 1988 and team with "Dr. Death" Steve Williams in tag team matches. His WCW appearances increased in 1992, and included a bout for the World Tag Team Championship on September 15 in Macon, Georgia, teaming with Ricky Nelson in a losing effort against Steve Williams and Terry Gordy. Sabaugh wrestled one match as a heel managed by Paul E. Dangerously known as The Masked Intruder losing to Erik Watts.
Read also: Steve Keirn: Wrestling Icon
He would contest the following year for the Television Championship, losing to "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff on April 3, 1993, and twice more for Tag Team Championship, partnering with Chris Sullivan on April 6 and Rex Cooper on April 27, losing both times to The Hollywood Blonds.
Sabaugh would also wrestle for a time in the World Wrestling Federation during the mid-1990s. Though he would never get higher than lower mid-card status, he did help a very young Matt & Jeff Hardy break into the WWF as jobbers. Though the Hardys would make $150 per appearance as jobbers, Sabaugh would charge them $100 per appearance.
According to Matt Hardy in the 2008 DVD Twist of Fate: The Matt & Jeff Hardy Story, Sabaugh ended up leaving the Hardys stranded in Charlotte, North Carolina where the three were supposed to meet before traveling to a show in Macon, Georgia. In the process, Sabaugh left the Hardys to fend for themselves, but still wanted to collect the $100 per appearance fee from the boys. Matt later told Bruce Prichard about what happened, and the WWF would contact the Hardys directly thereafter for jobbing before the two would eventually sign with WWF full-time in 1998.
Marty Garner On “The Italian Stallion “Gary Sabaugh Taking 66% Of His & The Hardy’s WWE Pay Day’s
Professional Wrestling Federation (PWF)
Sabaugh and wrestler George South founded the Professional Wrestling Federation in 1990. Originally based in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Promotion ran shows in the old Crockett territories in North and South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia until its closure in 1999.
| Promotion | Years Active | Location | Notable Wrestlers Trained |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Wrestling Federation (PWF) | 1990-1999 | Charlotte, North Carolina | The Hardy Boyz |
Read also: "Pretty Boy" Larry Sharpe's impact on wrestling
Read also: The Story of Chris Melendez