As stated in the Pensacola, Florida's
Comic Con" pensacolaparacon

The "Universal Heartthrob" Austin Idol scheduled to appear at 2015 Pensacola Para Convention!
http://www.pensacolaparacon.com/2015guestvendorlist.htm

Austin Idol ~ Mike McCord (born on October 26, 1949) is an American retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name the "Universal Heartthrob" Austin Idol. McCord graduated from Robinson High School in Tampa, Florida. He started wrestling as Iron Mike McCord, a superheavyweight powerlifter in 1972, and became a star in a number of southeast promotions, holding many titles in the Memphis, Georgia, Birmingham, Texas All Star & Mid Atlantic territories.

McCord also had a stint in the WWWF with Lou Albano as his manager. He also worked main event matches against then world champion Pedro Morales. McCord was the passenger on a small airplane, along with Gary Hart, and flown by Buddy Colt, which crashed in 1975 into Tampa Bay, Florida, killing fellow wrestler Bobby Shane. After a period of inactivity healing from two broken ankles, he emerged with bleach-blonde hair, over 100 lbs lighter, and the new ring name "Universal Heartthrob" Austin Idol.

Idol is well known for a feud during The 80s with the popular Jerry "The King" Lawler in the CWA and AWA territories. In a 1981 angle, Idol dressed up as a masked Mexican wrestler, presenting the "Top Rated Wrestler in Mexico" award to Lawler on TV before sucker-punching him. Afterward, he delivered an interview where he promised to clean up Memphis and rid it of Lawler. Early in the year, Lawler burned Idol's neck in a match. On April 27, 1987, Idol defeated Lawler in a steel cage match with the assistance of "Wildfire" Tommy Rich, who hid underneath the ring for the entirety of the event, winning the AWA Southern Heavyweight championship and causing Lawler to lose his hair.

Idol semi-retired in 1990, wrestling only every few years until the mid-1990s. In addition, he promoted his own promotion in Alabama in 1993. After appearing on Memphis Power Pro Wrestling's first television show in 1998, he officially retired. Idol has since become a popular motivational speaker. November 2012, Idol launched his new radio program "Austin Idol Rock & Roll Wrestling Show" broadcasting on American Hearts Network.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1^st, 2015                             ~ Austin's Blog Spot ~

Wrestlers Recall Plane Crash Off Tampa That Changed Their Careers

TAMPA — Dennis McCord remembers minute details of the plane crash.

The time was 1 a.m. Safety was a 300-yard swim away. The light they stroked toward hung from the back porch of a home owned by Emelia Martinez.

But today, 40 years later, McCord’s strongest memory from that February morning was the silence of the Cessna 182 cabin as he and the three other men on board realized they were lost in a blur of rain and clouds off the shore of Davis Islands.

Click below for the full story in TBO News.

http://tbo.com/news/wrestlers-recall-plane-crash-off-tampa-that-changed-their-careers-20150201/

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18^th, 2012                             ~ Austin's Blog Spot ~

THE "UNIVERSAL HEARTHROB" AUSTIN IDOL SET TO LEAD "INTERNATIONAL PRO WRESTLING CAMP!"

The New International Pro Wrestling Training Camp located in beautiful Greenville, SC has officially announced that former 80's star "The Universal Hearthrob" Austin Idol will be the driving force when it comes to helping all Pro Wrestling Prospects learn the ropes in this amazing industry.

We were seeking someone who has a deep knowledge and rich past in Pro Wrestling and this led us to Austin Idol.  Idol had legendary runs in Georgia when it was Georgia Championship Wrestling and a long run in Memphis with his on and off feuds with Jerry "The King" Lawler. We honestly felt that Austin Idol was the perfect fit for our training camp since he really knows all the fundamentals that are critical to young recruits not to mention Austin was a true master when it came to cutting incredible promos that packed thousands of wrestling fans in many arenas around the country.

Idol stated, "This is a very cool opportunity and will be great fun for all trainees and myself included." This isn't about flying off the top rope like an acrobat but, actually learning what makes the difference between the opening match and the Main Event! You have to understand ring psychology and the art of mastering the microphone. For those interested in full details on how to become a trainee, send an e-mail to: ipwcamp@gmail.com. Let's Get Ready To Ruuumble!!

July 16^th, 2012

Talk About Tampa History? Former 80's Pro Wrestling Super Star Austin Idol and Long Time Tampa Celebrity Talk Show Host Tedd Webb were caught hamming it up at the Iconic Cuban Restaurant "Arco Iris" on Tampa's renown Columbia Drive also known to Tampa natives as "Boliche Boulevard.

The Idol and Webb became close friends after Idol was involved in a fatal plane crash in 1975 which claimed the life of Bobby Shane. Webb and Mike Graham have started a new national radio talk show named Talking Wrestling with Mike Graham and Tedd Webb. Austin Idol is still in hot demand for personal appearances and motivational speaking engagements. You can inquire about having Austin Idol at your event by Clicking Here!