Written and Produced by Tony Richards
December 5th in the Time Tunnel:
Happy Birthday to those who have passed on and to those great wrestlers still with us:
In Memoriam:
Chris Tolos 1929
Tom Drake 1930
Tom Billington\Dynamite Kid 1958
Happy Birthday:
Larry Zbyszko (74)
RIP Memorial: We stop & remember those who have passed on this day and gave themselves to the business for us, the fans. We salute you and thank you.
Skip Young 12-5-2010 at the age of 59
Tom Billington\Dynamite Kid 12-5-2018 at the age of 60
The Life and Career of Skip Young
Born on July 24, 1951, in Dallas, Texas, Young grew up with a close friendship to David Von Erich, which ultimately drew him into pro wrestling. He entered the business in 1974, making his mark in Florida Championship Wrestling in 1979 as the enigmatic masked wrestler Sweet Brown Sugar. In Florida, he captured multiple titles, including the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship three times, the NWA Florida Television Title, the NWA Bahamian Heavyweight Title, and the NWA North American Tag Team Titles alongside Butch Reed after defeating David Von Erich and Dory Funk Jr. He also teamed with legends like Bobo Brazil to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Titles and defeated Ernie Ladd for the Southern Heavyweight belt in 1979.
Pictured: Skip Young as Sweet Brown Sugar
Expanding beyond Florida, Young ventured to territories such as Texas, Georgia, Memphis, Puerto Rico, and even Japan for at least one tour. In World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), he partnered with Tony Atlas to claim the Texas Tag Team Titles in 1987, and with Kerry Von Erich for the NWA Texas Tag Team Titles in 1980. Later, in 1996, he secured the World Wrestling Council (WWC) Television Title in Puerto Rico.
Notable feuds highlighted Young’s in-ring prowess, including a memorable rivalry in Tennessee with Koko B. Ware and Norvell Austin’s Pretty Young Things (PYT Express), where he teamed with Pez Whatley. There was even a brief dispute over the “Sweet Brown Sugar” moniker with Ware, adding intrigue to their encounters. Young’s matches, such as his respectful babyface clashes with Cowboy Johnny Mantell, often ended in sportsmanlike gestures, reflecting his reputation for work ethic and athleticism. Tragically, Young’s life was cut short when he passed away on December 3, 2010, in Dallas, at the age of 59, with the cause remaining undisclosed.
One Thing I Learned About Tom Billington, The Dynamite Kid
His family had a long history as official executioners for the English government in the 1800s—starting with his ancestor James Billington, who worked as a hangman and enlisted his three sons to assist, though many later distanced themselves from the grim profession; James himself also dabbled in wrestling.
Thank You for Reading
I’m Tony Richards, Pro Wrestling Historian, Author and Storyteller. I share pro wrestling historical items in each issue of the Time Tunnel Pro Wrestling History Newsletter. Thanks for reading! If you enjoy my information on select events, matches and insights, please share it with folks you think might like to be a subscriber!
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