Listen to Austin Erickson’s report
RED LAKE NATION – Family, friends, wrestlers and fans celebrated the life of five-time Pro Wrestling America Heavyweight Champion Charley “Thunderblood” Norris at Seven Clans Casino near Thief River Falls, Minnesota.
The former National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling athlete died in February 2023 at age 59.
At Midwest All-Star Wrestling’s “A Night of Thunder” on Saturday, rapper Thomas X said his uncle’s presence reflected the values and strength of Red Lake Nation and the Anishinaabe people.
“Standing at six foot eight and weighing over 300 pounds, Charley was as physically commanding as he was spiritually grounded,” X said in the ring.
Norris was a pipe-carrier for the tribe after years of spiritual training and guidance from Ojibwe-speaking elders.
“He displayed that responsibility in everything he did and everywhere he went. We pay tribute to him,” X said.
Former World Wrestling Federation and WCW wrestler Sam Houston was Thunderblood’s tag team partner. They won the PWA Tag Team Championship in 1994.
Listen: Austin Erickson’s interview with Sam Houston
“Wherever we went in all of our travels all over the world… We traveled to Japan five times. New Guinea we were almost eaten by cannibals. We carried the Red Lake Nation flag with us everywhere we went,” Houston explained.
Houston was thrilled to remember his dear friend.
“He meant the world to me, but my brother’s gone and the best way I can do is to relive the happy memories and memorialize him. Charley always did the right things. He always knew you had more in ya. You just had to tough it out,” Houston explained.
Before Midwest All-Star wrestlers took to the mat, fans could meet wrestling legends and WWE Hall of Famers Jake “The Snake” Roberts, who’s Houston’s half-brother, and Cowboy Bob Orton.
