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As PWInsider.com reported, former NWA President Howard Brody passed away earlier this week due to complications after undergoing a quadruple bypass. Below is just a sample of memories and tributes made to Brody, who accomplished many things across his journey in professional wrestling - and if anyone else wishes to send their own along, email me and we will add them:
NECW Promoter and Historian Sheldon Goldberg:
"Howard Brody was one of the best friends I ever had. Since the news of his passing came out yesterday, my phone was going pretty much non-stop. I don't have to recount all of Howard's many accomplishments. You can read about all of those elsewhere.
Howard was a real, true blue friend. We developed a bond that went far beyond professional wrestling. If you took that out of the equation we'd still be close. In nearly 30 years of friendship, I never once saw him ill-willed or malicious in any way toward anyone.
He helped so many people and if he had a flaw it was not fully grasping how loved he was and how important he was to the people who loved him. I am proud to stand near the front of that line.
My hope is that each one of you finds a friend in your life like Howard Brody was in mine. I write this though a river of tears. I will treasure his memory always and will continue to try and be the same kind of friend to others.
To those who reached out to me about his passing, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words."
"RIP Howard Brody! Howard convinced me to join the NWA in 1998 and I was V/P to his President for several years. I was proud to be a custodian & an owner of that brand until 2012."
Former NWA Official Fred Rubenstein:
"Howard was my close-and-trusted friend of almost thirty years. A confidant; from him to me and vice versa. A pal who always made time for his friends. A guy with enough guts to tell you your fortune if warranted.
Shown in-between Jim Cornette and me (show at Ft. Lauderdale Armory), Howard T. Brody knew the callousness and viciousness of Professional Wrestling. Howard led the National Wrestling Alliance as its President for a number of years. He was thrust into the role of peacemaker when some of the "members" got moronic. And he was stabbed in his back often. Too often.
Howard authored a book: "Swimming with Piranhas." It details the unseen realities of pro wrestling politics.
Howard T. Brody introduced me to Japanese promoters. I credit Howard with helping me establish my 'Evil Mister Fred" character in Japan.
Jokingly referred to as "Hesh" and the "Strategic Partner," Howie could take it as well as dispense it.
This past week, Howard went in for major cardiac surgery. The odds of surviving the procedure were highly stacked against him. He lingered for a few days and then passed away peacefully.
I miss Howard more than these words can convey. And I will always love him.
Howard always closed his "Cafe Brody" column with a single word. I think that word fits here:
Out."
"You'll see this man photos on a lot of social media post today, unfortunately it's because we are mourning the loss of him. Howard T. Brody was a very loving and caring man! He loved wrestling and he loved his friends dearly! In the wild and very selfish world of professional wrestling, Howard was the opposite. Howie just wanted to see others be successful and he did his best to help that process, often putting many others before himself, which is extremely rare in this business.
I can personally tell you how thankful I am to have known Howard and how I am very appreciative of the opportunities he provided me in my career. He believed in me and believed in me as a top performer and gave me that opportunity along with several others on many occasions. I CAN'T STRESS HOW SELFLESS THIS MAN WAS!!! So many should be thankful and appreciative for what this man has done and he should always be remembered for that! We last spoke a lil over a month ago, he called me and asked to interview me for a major magazine that he wrote for, I asked him to wait a few months until we got close to the premiere of Heels season 2 and now I do regret putting it off, not because of the magazine press but because it would have left another milestone in Howard and I's relationship that I could have framed and saved in his memory. Today I look back and I'm just thankful that he always looked out for me and believed in my thought process and work ethic! There's A LOT of people that should be chompin at the bits to do a PROPER benefit show for him because I know its what he would want!!! The very last call we had, Howie mentioned he wanted to do a retirement/birthday show at some point, 1 last show for him. Well boys, now we know what we need to do and we ALL better be willing to go the extra mile just like Howard did for so many of us!!!"
Former NWA and WCW wrestler Bob Cook:
"Just learning the news that my old friend that I've known for nearly 40 years has passed away Howard Brody. Howard and I had a little falling out a few years ago but buried the hatchet a couple years past and I'm glad we did. The clock is ticking for us all, tell the ones you love that you love them and forgive the ones who deserve it. Rest easy old friend.."
UWN Promoter David Marquez:
"Have you ever heard the stories about the Continental Congress of the United States? That was my relationship with Howard T. Brody. There were many times we were on the same page, but often not. But that was business. In real life, I liked Howard a lot! We’d talk often and visit in person if I were in Vegas or if he was in LA. This morning I got the news that he had passed. It’s unfortunate for many reasons but recently he kept talking to me about running one last show in Florida and wanted me to produce it. He was such a character. Those early NWA days listening to him and Dennis were eye openers! In all honestly Uncle Howard was a good guy who meant well and wanted the best for everyone. I for sure will miss him. My condolences to his family, friends and fans."
Promoter Sal Corrente:
"I Was very sorry to hear that my friend Howard T. Brody has passed away. I just talked to him a couple of weeks ago. I had no idea he was having health issues. We got off on the wrong foot in 2004. It was over an issue with Dusty Rhodes and a lack of communication. We settled that and became friends and associates over the years.
I introduced him to Erin Moran he was going to write her book. They became friends and sadly she passed away as well. I would get together with Howard when I went to Vegas. We were driving on an overpass when an Earthquake hit. We didn’t know what happened until we read on Facebook that it was an Earthquake.
We would talk on a pretty regular basis. So much death around it seems like it’s an everyday occurrence. I hope that Howard finds Dusty and Erin both up there."
"We're devastated to announce the passing of long-time friend and cohort Howard Brody. Howard served as president of the NWA from 1996-2001, and if weren't for the street savvy of Dennis Corraluzzo and the paperwork acumen of Howard, the NWA in any form would have ceased to exist when WCW pulled out of the Alliance.
Howard loved wrestling more than anyone, pretty much always had a promotion running. He started Wild Women of Wrestling, NWA Florida, and NWA Ring Warriors. He was also the local Florida promoter for Herb Abrams' UWF.
When Howard was running Florida, he wanted to run the old Fort Hester Armory that was a regular stop for Eddie Graham's CWF, only to find out that the government had banned wrestling from there over a decade prior. So Howard called up the ranks until he finally got a General with the United States Armed Forces to OK wrestling's return to the Armory. That's Howard.
Howard was an excellent writer as well. He worked as a freelance writer for WWF magazine for ages, and wrote Dusty Rhodes' biography, as well as his own autobiography "Swimming with Pirhanas.""
Note from Mike Johnson about Howard:
I have lost far too many loved ones and friends over the last year. It really sucks to have to add Howard to the list. Howard and I had a recurring gag when we called each other, asking what the other had done for Herb Abrams' UWF today, playing off what wacky Abrams would say to Howard. When I heard he was ill I texted him the following:
"Howard, I heard the news, so from the bottom of my heart, sincerely, I just want to know...what have you done for the UWF today? I hope when you wake up and check your phone, this makes you laugh. Get well soon."
I know he never saw the message, but you just did and I hope it makes you laugh during a really sad day.
Howard was a good man. He chased every wrestling dream he had with passion and at times, was great at putting some incredible deals together, helping everyone from Carlos Colon to Jim Cornette to the NWA and WWF and beyond, but the one thing he never scored was the big "change your life" payday for himself.
Instead, he captured the riches of an incredible roller coaster ride with highs and lows and introspections that most would ignore when the time came to write his book about himself and working inside and around professional wrestling. It was immediately and will always remain one of my favorite books about pro wrestling.
One day, I'll tell the story of what a great person Howard was to me, but right now, it's not about me, it's Howard. I REALLY hope that wherever he is, he knows that he did right by pro wrestling and that a lot of people have saluted him, rightfully, because he deserves to know that. He was a good man and I'm going to miss him. I don't believe he really understood how many people appreciated him because he fixated on those who didn't. There is a life lesson for all of us there.
I can sincerely say I cherish the signed copy of Howard's book that I own. I am really sad we won't talk Adam West's version Batman and old comic book movie serials again and I hope wherever he is, he gets to finish the book he always wanted to write about comic book heroes and movie/tv over the years. He was so passionate about it, it's a shame we won't get to read it in our lifetimes on this plane of existence.
I would really appreciate if we could get thru the rest of the year without losing anyone else. I know that's an impossible hope but man, I could really appreciate some sunlight to come in and replace the darkness. Take care of yourselves.
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