Eddie Sharkey (born February 4, 1936) is an American professional wrestling trainer. He is often called "The Trainer of Champions". He has been instrumental in training some of the biggest names in the sport. He was also the owner of Pro Wrestling America. Professional wrestling career American Wrestling Association In the late 1950s, he joined the carnival circuit as a wrestler. Sharkey was trained by Boris Malenko, Bob Geigel, and Joe Scarpello. Sharkey made his American Wrestling Association (AWA) debut in Fargo, North Dakota in 1961 where he was a babyface. He had feuds with Danny Hodge, Bob Boyer, and Jack Donovan. Sharkey left the AWA over a disagreement with promoter Verne Gagne. In September 1968, he won the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship from Jack Donovan in Central States Wrestling. The title was later retired. Pro Wrestling America While working at Gramma B's, Sharkey recognized the future that four of the bouncers (Hawk, Animal, Rick Rude, and Barry Darsow) could have in wrestling. Sharkey opened his own professional wrestling promotion, Pro Wrestling America, in 1982 and trained the men himself. He also partnered with Terry Fox to open another professional wrestling school in Minnesota. He defeated his student Lenny Lane for the FLWA South Haven Title in South Haven, Minnesota on July 24, 2004 at 68 years old. Personal life Growing up in south Minneapolis, Sharkey was a huge wrestling fan. His father, Tom Shyman, was a first-generation immigrant from Poland who worked in the liquor-display business. Sharkey took up boxing in his teens. Sharkey married Maryland professional wrestler Princess Little Cloud (Dixie Jordan.) When Jordan gave birth to their children, he left the wrestling profession for eight years to spend more time at home. He took a job as a bartender at Gramma B's in the Twin Cities. Sharkey and Jordan later divorced. He married Mary Beth Rivera on April 20, 2006. Wrestlers trained Austin Aries Bam Neely Bob Backlund Larry Cameron Shawn Daivari Barry Darsow Derrick Dukes Paul Ellering Mike Enos Josie Tommy Jammer Nikita Koloff Lacey Lenny Lane Valentin Bravo John Nord Johnny Love Charlie Norris ODB Rain Ricky Rice Road Warrior Animal Road Warrior Hawk Rick Rude Erick Rowan Rick Steiner Teijo Kahn Jesse Ventura Sean Waltman The Warlord Tom Zenk Wayne Bloom Jerry Lynn Madusa Championships and accomplishments Cauliflower Alley Club Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award (2006) National Wrestling Alliance NWA United States Heavyweight