Welcome to "The Thump!" — an irregular column spotlighting the best Black elements of professional wrestling. Named after the signature move of groundbreaking Black wrestler The Junkyard Dog, "The Thump!" showcases the history and impact of Black athletes in the squared circle.
Talk about the unsung heroes of the squared circle! This black pioneer of professional wrestling is a mulit-time NWA Heavyweight and Tag-Team champion. He is a native Texan who transplanted himself to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is also a country singer and karaoke DJ (KJ). He is also the trainer of one of the most famous WWE stars of all time, the ‘Rated R Superstar’, Edge! Who is this man? He is Mr. Irresistable, Sweet Daddy Siki!
"The most publicized wrestler on the grappling scene today is Sweet Daddy Siki. He is known as the Negro Gorgeous George and is as tough as they come. Sweet Daddy has been a main eventer several times at Madison Square Garden in New York, as well as other cities in the U.S. He has been headlined in all the big sports magazines and newspapers and is certainly a most publicized figure." [From Ft. Worth, TX newspaper, Feb. 4, 1963]
Reginald Siki is a native of Texas who made his debut on the New Mexico indy scene. Sweet Daddy wrestled during a time when there were numerous independent territories, few televised pro-wrestling monopolies (WWF, WCW etc) and few famous black wrestlers, much less performers with blonde hair. Operating out of Toronto, Siki worked the Stampede Wrestling circuit along with various NWA territories. Siki worked the wrestling scene as a heel in some territories, as a fan-favorite in others. As a heel, he strutted to the ring with his blonde hair and a hand-mirror, adoring himself. His catchphrase was "I'm the Women's Pet and the Mans Regret"…he had heel swagger! As a fan favorite, he tag-teamed with ‘Sailor’ Art Thomas and Bulldog Brower and feuded with The Kangaroos and Buddy Rogers.
Siki was a top draw in the '60s and '70s. Today he wrestles across the Maritimes and in small Northern Ontario towns. He also teaches the craft at Sully's Toronto Youth Athletic Club on Sundays. At his peak, Siki was a main card attraction at Maple Leaf Gardens and drew fans by the busloads. Then, he earned up to $3,000 a bout and got bundles of mail from fans around the world. "Wrestling has been good to me," says Siki, reaching for a cape from the caseful of gloves, mirrors, sunglasses and other "pretty boy" props lying on the floor. "I have traveled all over the world and have been places I never would have dreamed of." Along the way, he has accrued six major wrestling belts, including the Austra-Asian championship, thrice winning the North American championship, the Texas championship and the tag-team heavyweight crown. And those belts did not come easy. He has plenty of scars to show for it: He's suffered two broken ribs, had his hands broken twice, his ankle and leg broken and half his face paralyzed. "But I'm still here and the ladies still love me," he says, smiling and flexing his 250-lb. body. "I am so proud of what I see every time I look into the mirror." If that's not enough for his ego, just mention music. Country music, that is. Siki enjoys boasting about his three C&W albums and his new theme tune. "I though I would write my own theme song," he says. "After all, I am such a God-given great writer." Not surprisingly, his theme song's entitled I Am So Proud Of What I see. "I remember when I was the most recognizable wrestling in the world," he says. "People are always stopping me on the street." He says the reaction is still the same. "I even see some ladies out there with note pads writing down my every move." His secret? "My style is irresistible," he boasts. "When I step into the ring people love me. I can do no wrong." .
Interesting Facts:
- Sweet Daddy Siki feuded with ‘The Jackie Robinson of Professional Wrestling’ Bobo Brazil,
- Signature moves included The Airplane Spin, The Coco-Butt (headbutt) and The Neck Breaker
- Siki also defeated wrestling legends such as Pedro Morales, Buddy Rogers and Sam Steamboat
- Siki has held the NWA Heavyweight Championship in several territories including Texas, Hawaii, the Eastern States and Canada
- Siki has held the NWA Tag Team titles with various partners including Moondog Mayne, Duke Noble and Kenji Shibuya
- Sweet Daddy Siki made an appearance on WWE Smackdown on September 13 for Edge Appreciation Night
- WWE Superstars Edge and Christian were trained at Sweet Daddy Siki and Ron Hutchinson's School of Wrestling
- Sweet Daddy Siki released two country-western albums, Sweet Daddy Siki & Sweet Daddy Siki Takes on Country Music
- In early 2000s, Siki spent time as a DJ and KJ at Duke of York in Toronto.
[Source: SLAM! Sports]