Although these short paragraphs can do no justice to Eddie Sullivan, I just felt like sharing my memories of Mr. Sullivan.

My first recollection of Eddie Sullivan is that at the time, mid 70's Gulf Coast, Rip Tyler was involved in a feud with someone, can't remember who, and was in need of a help. Rip talked of bringing in his former World Tag Team Championship partner to the area. Although Sullivan had appeared here before, I had never seen him. Eddie was short but very stocky. He had shoulder length hair at the time and the one thing that stuck out was the man's barrel chest. If anyone remembers Crusher Verdue, you sorta get the picture.

Eddie had success in the area as a single competitor, holding the Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title several times. Some of the people he fought against included Ken Lucas, Don Carson, and Sonny King over the championship. He was very good at being either a "good guy" or "bad guy". For anyone that doesn't know, Eddie's finishing hold was the Boston Crab.

My most vivid memories though are his tag team partnership with Rip Tyler. No doubt they are my favorite and were my favorite Gulf Coast tag team. The earliest bouts I remember were against a team called the British (English?) Bulldogs - Ted Heath & Jonathon Foley. Other teams to face the Ripper & Super Sully were Ricky Fields & Terry Latham, Ricky & Rueben Gibson, and the Masked Challengers. Looking back though, my favorite matches were against Afa & Sika, the Samoans. I can also remember Eddie & Rip taking on the unlikely team of Danny Little Bear & Dick Murdoch in the Farm Center. On several separate occasions, both Andre the Giant and Dusty Rhodes came to Dothan to join Eddie & Rip in 6 man matches against hated manager Billy Spears and his "family" of bad guys. Rip & Eddie's favorite move was for Eddie to have his opponent in the Boston Crab and Rip would come off the ropes with the big lateral leg drop to the guys back at the same time. When they began to set this up, turn out the lights as they say.

Eddie & Rip feuded briefly a couple of times, once while Eddie was known as "Outlaw" Eddie Sullivan in a team with the Masked Challenger managed by Spears against Rip and several different partners. Of course though Eddie and Rip would eventually get back together.

As I mentioned earlier, words can't undo the tragedy that has befallen the family of Mr. Sullivan. My condolences go out to the family, and I hope the memories of a young teenage boy from Dothan, Alabama in the 70's help the fans of today appreciate this true Gulf Coast legend. Thank you.

R.I.P Super Sully…