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Larry Weil, professionally known as "Pretty Boy" Larry Sharpe, who wrestled regularly for the WWWF territory before founding The Monster Factory wrestling school in New Jersey, passed away this evening at the age of 66. Sharpe had been in hospice in recent days following a long battle with liver disease.
Weil was a well known collegiate wrestler from New Jersey who was trained by Gorilla Monsoon and Red Berry after being recruited into professional wrestling, making his debut for the WWWF in 1974 as Larry Sharpe. He was one half of the Hollywood Blondes with Dynamite Jack Evans in the late 70s for the promotion.
As was the norm in that era, Weil worked for a number of territories, including Mid-Atlantic, Hawaii, Florida, Puerto Rico, Stampede and Texas over the course of his career. Sharpe and Evans had a nice run in Puerto Rico's WWC, feuding with Carlos Colon Sr. and Victor Jovica over the North American Tag Team championship. As a singles talent, Sharpe held the NWA Pacific International Heavyweight Championship while working in Hawaii.
Towards the end of his career, Sharpe was used as a preliminary wrestler by the WWF but eventually left to form The Monster Factory in New Jersey, at the time with Buddy Rogers. One of the top schools of the era, it churned out talents that included Bam Bam Bigelow, Raven, The Pitbulls, Chris Candido, Tatanka, Balls Mahoney, D'Lo Brown and Rocco Rock, among others. The school still exists today, with Danny Cage heading the school, which continues to train talents, including names like Matt Riddle and Punisher Martinez.
In recent years, Sharpe had maintained an elder statesman role with the school until health issues necessitated his retirement and move to Florida. His passing, while sad, had been somewhat expected due to deteorating health issues.
The Monster Factory issued following statement from Darlene Weil Green, the sister of Larry Sharpe:
Larrry Weil, also known as 'Pretty Boy Larry Sharpe' passed away today with his family and friends by his side in Woodbury, NJ. Larry, a former collegiate and pro wrestler co-founded (alongside Buddy Rogers) The Monster Factory pro wrestling school. The former owner of the Monster Factory trained such notables as Bam Bam Bigelow, Chris Candido, Tatanka, Tony Atlas, Balls Mahoney, The Headbangers, D Lo Brown and The Pitbulls until his retirement.
Plans for a Memorial service will be announced at a later date. Arrangements by Farnelli Funeral Home in Williamstown, NJ. Please visit their website at www.farnellifuneralhome.com.
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On behalf of everyone associated with PWInsider.com, we'd like to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of Larry "Sharpe" Weil.
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