James Powers, born James Manley on January 4, 1958, is a former professional wrestler best known for his work in the 1980s wrestling scene. He was born in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to Joseph and Suzan Manley. His father worked as a repair technician at a local store, while his mother was a homemaker. James was an only child, reportedly due to the family’s financial limitations.
From an early age, James developed a strong interest in combat sports. He was captivated by disciplines such as boxing, kickboxing, savate, Muay Thai, karate, taekwondo, judo, sumo, and jiu-jitsu. His wrestling biography reveals that he looked up to legendary figures like Muhammad Ali, Rick Rude, Hulk Hogan, and André the Giant. He frequently skipped family dinners to watch combat-centered programs such as WWE Pay-Per-View events, Showtime Championship Boxing, SportsCenter, and The Sports Reporters.
Imitating wrestling moves around the house, James expressed to his parents his desire to become a professional wrestler. While his mother urged him to focus on education and discouraged his wrestling aspirations, his father supported his dream. Ultimately, his father’s encouragement proved pivotal in shaping James's future career in professional wrestling.
James Manley attended primary school in East Rutherford and went on to study at Henry P. Becton Regional High School. His academic performance was poor, and he was reportedly close to being expelled. James showed little interest in conventional studies, as his passion for wrestling overshadowed his educational pursuits.
Though he did not attend college, James Powers later became an example of achieving success without higher education. His wrestling biography highlights a career filled with notable accomplishments, reinforcing the idea that traditional academic paths aren’t the only routes to success.
| Description: | Wikipedia disambiguation page |
| Net Worth 2021: | 8 million |
