The Cauliflower Alley Club recently announced some sad news on its Twitter (X) account: Phil Hickerson, a legendary figure from the days of NWA Mid-America and a member of the Memphis Wrestling Hall of Fame, has passed away at the age of 79.
Hickerson made his professional wrestling debut in NWA Mid-America in 1974. Early in his career, he was part of the Sherman Tanks tag team alongside Al Greene. The duo had notable rivalries with WWE Hall of Famer Jerry "The King" Lawler and Tojo Yamamoto over the promotion’s NWA Southern Tag Team Championship, capturing the titles three times.
He also teamed up with Doug Patton and Dennis Condrey, the latter under the name Bicentennial Kings. In 1975, Hickerson, Condrey, and Greene won the NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championships, holding the belts for just 12 days before losing them to Yamamoto, George Gulas, and Tommy Rich. The Bicentennial Kings enjoyed significant success in the promotion, winning the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship nine times, the NWA United States Tag Team Championship five times, and the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Championship.
Hickerson eventually left NWA Mid-America in 1977 and moved to the Continental Wrestling Association under Jerry Jarrett. He took several years off due to injury but returned in 1984, winning the AWA International Heavyweight Championship. In late 1988, he had a tour in Japan with AJPW before joining the USWA in 1989. He remained with the USWA until 1995, when he retired from wrestling and was later inducted into the Memphis Wrestling Hall of Fame. After retirement, Hickerson worked as a DJ in Jackson, Tennessee.
On behalf of Rajah.com, we extend our condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Phil Hickerson.
The wrestling world has lost one of its true tough men.
Today we say goodbye to Phil Hickerson, who has passed away at the age of 79.
Our condolences to family, friends and fans around the world.
Rest easy, sir… and thank you for the memories. pic.twitter.com/6caWbUo5fK— Cauliflower Alley Club (@CACReunion) May 20, 2026
