Michael McCord (born October 26, 1949) is an American retired professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Austin Idol. He is best known for his appearances in the Mid-South with the Continental Wrestling Association, in particular his recurring feud with Jerry Lawler. Early life McCord grew up in Tampa, Florida, where he attended Robinson High School. After graduating in 1966, he worked in construction. After developing an interest in becoming a professional wrestler, he eventually persuaded Mike Graham, the son of Eddie Graham (promoter of (Championship Wrestling from Florida), to train him. Professional wrestling career Early career (1972–1973) McCord spent a year training to wrestle under Eddie and Mike Graham; during his training, he was stretched by Bob Roop, Hiro Matsuda, and Jack Brisco. He initially worked for Graham's Championship Wrestling from Florida promotion as a referee before debuting as a wrestler in early 1972 under the ring name Dennis McCord. McCord wrestled in Florida until mid-1972, then briefly for Nick Gulas' NWA Mid-America promotion in Alabama before joining the Carolinas-based Jim Crockett Promotions. In late 1972 and early 1973, McCord appeared in Sydney, Australia with World Championship Wrestling, where he and Jimmy Golden won a tournament to become the inaugural NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Champions (they forfeited the titles in January 1973). World Wide Wrestling Federation (1973–1974) In March 1973, McCord joined Vincent J. McMahon's northeastern United States-based World Wide Wrestling Federation where he adopted the new persona of "Iron" Mike McCord and was given Lou Albano as his manager. In July 1973, McCord faced Chief Jay Strongbow in a memorable match in Madison Square Garden in New York City. As Strongbow applied a sleeper hold to McCord, Albano interfered by smashing a cast on Strongbow's forehead; McCord was disqualified, but Strongbow was cut wide open by Albano's blows. During his stint in the WWWF, McCord wrestled primarily in the mid-card, although he (unsuccessfully) challenged Pedro Morales for the WWWF Championship on several occasions. McCord remained with the WWWF until January 1974, when he left for Florida due to disliking the cold weather in the northeast. Florida and Georgia; plane crash (1974–1975, 1977) Upon returning to Florida in January 1974, McCord resumed wrestling for Championship Wrestling from Florida, this time as "The Super Texan", a masked heel allied with Dusty Rhodes. McCord was unmasked in March 1974 after losing a "mask versus beard match" to Jos LeDuc. In