Abdullah the Butcher

Known as: Abdullah the Butcher, Zelis Amara, Great Amara, McKinley Pickens, Pussycat Pickens
Details
Pro Wrestlers Database
Abdullah the Butcher - Pro Wrestlers Database
WWE Hall of Fame: IndividualProfessional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF): Television Era

On this page you find the full wrestling profile of Abdullah the Butcher, with his Career History, real name, age, height and weight, the Promotions he worked for, all the Face/Heel turns, the Championship Titles he won, his Finishers, Theme Songs, Tag Teams and Stables, his appearance changes through the years, and more.

Lawrence Robert Shreve was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on January 11, 1941, and he is currently 85 years old.

Abdullah the Butcher has won a total of 8 championships in major promotions during his career.

Abdullah the Butcher was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011 as an individual and in the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) in 2019 as part of the Television Era wing.

Abdullah the Butcher Profile Index

Profile Info

  • Real NameLawrence Robert Shreve
  • GenderMale
  • Born January 11, 1941 (age 85)
  • NationalityNationality: CanadaCanada
  • Birth PlaceWindsor, Ontario, Canada
  • Billed From
    • The Sudan (June 19, 1967 - October 9, 2010)
  • Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
  • Weight
    • 360 lbs (163 kg)
  • NicknamesMadman from the Sudan

Career History

  • Ring Names & Gimmicks

    • Abdullah the Butcher (June 19, 1967 - October 9, 2010)
    • Zelis Amara (September 23, 1965 - June 15, 1967)
    • Great Amara (July 18, 1966 - April 24, 1967)
    • McKinley Pickens (August 13, 1965 - November 11, 1966)
    • Pussycat Pickens (June 29, 1964 - August 12, 1965)
    • McKinley Pickens (June 25, 1959 - June 28, 1964)

  • Roles

    • Wrestler (July 2, 1957 - October 9, 2010)

  • Promotions History

    Promotionfromto
    PromotionIndependent CircuitINDYSeptember 9, 1994October 9, 2010
    PromotionDragon GateDGJuly 19, 2009July 11, 2010
    PromotionNew Japan Pro WrestlingNJPWBrand Heavyweight January 4, 2010January 4, 2010
    PromotionJuggalo Championship WrestlingJCWAugust 9, 2009August 9, 2009
    PromotionHUSTLEHUSTLEJuly 26, 2009July 30, 2009
    PromotionNational Wrestling AllianceNWAMarch 28, 2009March 28, 2009
    PromotionWorld Wrestling CouncilWWCDecember 13, 2008December 13, 2008
    PromotionJuggalo Championship WrestlingJCWAugust 9, 2008August 9, 2008
    PromotionNational Wrestling AllianceNWAJune 7, 2008June 7, 2008
    PromotionAll Japan Pro WrestlingAJPWBrand Heavyweight October 8, 2007January 9, 2008
    PromotionInternational Wrestling Association of JapanIWA JAPANNovember 23, 2007January 6, 2008
    PromotionJuggalo Championship WrestlingJCWAugust 11, 2007August 11, 2007
    PromotionHUSTLEHUSTLEMay 9, 2007May 9, 2007
    PromotionMemphis WrestlingMWApril 27, 2007April 27, 2007
    PromotionWorld Wrestling CouncilWWCJune 24, 2006October 29, 2006
    PromotionStampede WrestlingSTAMPEDEMay 12, 2006May 12, 2006
    PromotionWorld Wrestling CouncilWWCJuly 15, 2005November 6, 2005
    PromotionNational Wrestling AllianceNWAJuly 23, 2005July 23, 2005
    PromotionAll Japan Pro WrestlingAJPWBrand Heavyweight January 28, 2001March 12, 2005
    PromotionIWA Mid-SouthIWA MSJune 19, 2004June 19, 2004
    PromotionMajor League WrestlingMLWJuly 26, 2003July 26, 2003
    PromotionWorld Wrestling CouncilWWCSeptember 14, 2002July 19, 2003
    PromotionJuggalo Championshit WrestlingJCWMarch 16, 2003March 16, 2003
    PromotionRing of HonorROHDecember 7, 2002December 7, 2002
    PromotionWorld Wrestling CouncilWWCJanuary 6, 2001November 24, 2001
    PromotionIWA Mid-SouthIWA MSJuly 7, 2001July 7, 2001
    PromotionBig Japan Pro WrestlingBJWJanuary 2, 1999October 30, 2000
    PromotionWorld Wrestling CouncilWWCJune 3, 2000July 16, 2000
    PromotionJuggalo Championshit WrestlingJCWMay 4, 2000May 4, 2000
    PromotionNational Wrestling AllianceNWAApril 14, 2000April 14, 2000
    PromotionNational Wrestling Alliance WildsideNWA WILDSIDEMarch 17, 2000March 18, 2000
    PromotionJuggalo Championshit WrestlingJCWDecember 19, 1999December 19, 1999
    PromotionNational Wrestling AllianceNWASeptember 25, 1999September 25, 1999
    PromotionWorld Wrestling CouncilWWCDecember 20, 1998August 15, 1999
    PromotionNational Wrestling AllianceNWAAugust 14, 1998October 24, 1998
    PromotionWrestle Association-RWARMay 5, 1997February 24, 1998
    PromotionWorld Wrestling CouncilWWCJanuary 12, 1997August 16, 1997
    PromotionAll Japan Pro WrestlingAJPWBrand Heavyweight November 21, 1987March 2, 1996
    PromotionNational Wrestling AllianceNWAMay 12, 1995May 13, 1995
    PromotionCapitol Sports PromotionsCSPJune 24, 1993August 7, 1994
    PromotionEastern Championship WrestlingECWSeptember 18, 1993October 2, 1993
    PromotionWorld Championship WrestlingWCWNovember 5, 1988May 10, 1992
    PromotionCapitol Sports PromotionsCSPAugust 10, 1991August 10, 1991
    PromotionIndependent CircuitINDYSeptember 15, 1990September 27, 1991
    PromotionCapitol Sports PromotionsCSPMarch 24, 1990July 7, 1990
    PromotionCapitol Sports PromotionsCSPApril 15, 1989April 15, 1989
    PromotionCapitol Sports PromotionsCSPJanuary 30, 1988July 15, 1988
    PromotionCapitol Sports PromotionsCSPJanuary 11, 1987September 20, 1987
    PromotionNWA Heart of America Sports AttractionsCSWJuly 9, 1987August 20, 1987
    PromotionNational Wrestling FederationNWFJune 13, 1986October 31, 1987
    PromotionWorld Class Wrestling AssociationWCWAMay 26, 1986July 27, 1987
    PromotionLutte Internationale (International Wrestling)LIMay 27, 1985June 23, 1987
    PromotionCapitol Sports PromotionsCSPSeptember 19, 1986September 21, 1986
    PromotionChampionship Wrestling from FloridaCWFApril 14, 1985February 23, 1986
    PromotionJim Crockett PromotionsJCPApril 13, 1985February 2, 1986
    PromotionCapitol Sports PromotionsCSPJuly 9, 1985December 21, 1985
    PromotionNational Wrestling AllianceNWA, American Wrestling AssociationAWANovember 24, 1985November 24, 1985
    PromotionWorld Wrestling FederationWWFOctober 21, 1985October 28, 1985
    PromotionContinental Wrestling AssociationCWAFebruary 25, 1985February 25, 1985
    PromotionUniversal Wrestling AssociationUWANovember 11, 1984February 24, 1985
    PromotionNew Japan Pro WrestlingNJPWBrand Heavyweight June 24, 1981January 30, 1985
    PromotionNational Wrestling AllianceNWADecember 26, 1984January 1, 1985
    PromotionLutte Internationale (International Wrestling)LIJuly 25, 1983November 28, 1984
    PromotionSouthwest Championship WrestlingSWCWJuly 1, 1984October 18, 1984
    PromotionCapitol Sports PromotionsCSPSeptember 15, 1984September 15, 1984
    PromotionAmerican Wrestling AssociationAWAApril 23, 1984July 22, 1984
    PromotionStampede WrestlingSTAMPEDEJuly 6, 1984July 11, 1984
    PromotionUniversal Wrestling AssociationUWAFebruary 12, 1984February 19, 1984
    PromotionJim Crockett PromotionsJCPSeptember 16, 1982November 24, 1983
    PromotionSouthwest Championship WrestlingSWCWMay 21, 1983November 20, 1983
    PromotionChampionship Wrestling from FloridaCWFSeptember 25, 1983November 19, 1983
    PromotionNWA Georgia Championship WrestlingNWA GCWJanuary 17, 1975November 18, 1983
    PromotionCapitol Sports PromotionsCSPSeptember 17, 1983September 17, 1983
    PromotionVaroussac PromotionsVPDecember 28, 1982December 29, 1982
    PromotionUniversal Wrestling AssociationUWANovember 29, 1981August 22, 1982
    PromotionJim Crockett PromotionsJCPSeptember 5, 1981October 4, 1981
    PromotionAll Japan Pro WrestlingAJPWBrand Heavyweight December 2, 1972April 30, 1981
    PromotionNWA Georgia Championship WrestlingNWA GCWJanuary 17, 1975June 30, 1978
    PromotionGulf Athletic ClubGACAugust 26, 1977December 23, 1977
    PromotionNWA Mid-AmericaMID AMERICAMarch 6, 1977October 25, 1977
    PromotionNWA Western States SportsWSSJune 2, 1977August 6, 1977
    PromotionNWA Tri-StateNWA TRI STATEJuly 1, 1976July 17, 1976
    PromotionChampionship Wrestling from FloridaCWFJuly 30, 1975August 27, 1975
    PromotionBig Time WrestlingBTW DETROITJune 29, 1974May 30, 1975
    PromotionStampede WrestlingSTAMPEDEJanuary 11, 1973January 11, 1974
    PromotionNational Wrestling FederationNWFNovember 25, 1971November 23, 1972
    PromotionStampede WrestlingSTAMPEDEJanuary 2, 1970July 10, 1971
    PromotionJapanese Wrestling AssociationJWAApril 2, 1971May 19, 1971
    PromotionNational Wrestling Alliance Hollywood WrestlingNWA HOLLYWOODJanuary 13, 1971January 15, 1971
    PromotionPacific Northwest WrestlingPNWJuly 14, 1967June 1, 1968

  • Finishers

    • Sudanese Meat Cleaver - Running Elbow Drop (July 2, 1957 - October 9, 2010)
    • Headbutt (July 2, 1957 - October 9, 2010)

  • Theme Songs

    • Theme Song"The Butcher" by Takao Kuramochi and Fumio Matsunaga - Single (January 28, 2001 - January 9, 2008)
    • Theme Song"The Butcher" by Takao Kuramochi and Fumio Matsunaga - Single (November 21, 1987 - March 2, 1996)
    • Theme Song"One of These Days" by Pink Floyd - Single (November 2, 1988 - May 10, 1992)
    • Theme Song"The Butcher" by Takao Kuramochi and Fumio Matsunaga - Single (December 2, 1972 - April 30, 1981)

  • Images History

    Jan 2001
    Jan 2001
    May 1992
    May 1992
    May 1986
    May 1986
    Jun 1981
    Jun 1981
    Nov 1972
    Nov 1972
    Jun 1967
    Jun 1967

  • Face / Heel Turns

    AlignmentDetailsfromto
    HeelJune 19, 1967October 9, 2010
    TweenerJuly 2, 1957June 18, 1967

Titles & Accomplishments

  • Career Awards

  • National Wrestling Alliance

    All Japan Pro Wrestling

    National Wrestling Federation

    Lutte Internationale (International Wrestling)

  • Big Japan Pro Wrestling

    • 1 BJW Deathmatch Heavyweight Championship

    Central States Wrestling

    • 2 NWA Central States Tag Team Championship - with Roger Kirby

    Georgia Championship Wrestling

    • 1 NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship
    • 1 NWA Georgia Television Championship
    • 1 NWA Macon Heavyweight Championship

    International Wrestling Association

    • 3 IWA International Heavyweight Championship

    Lutte Internationale (Montreal)

    • 1 Canadian International Heavyweight Championship

    Midwest Wrestling Federation

    • 2 MWWF Heavyweight Championship

    NWA All-Star Wrestling

    • 2 NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version) - with Dr. Jerry Graham (1), Armand Hussein (1)
    • 1 NWA World Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version) - with Dr. Jerry Graham

    NWA Detroit

    • 1 NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Detroit version)
    • 1 NWA World Tag Team Championship (Detroit version) - with Killer Tim Brooks

    NWA New Zealand

    • 1 NWA New Zealand British Commonwealth Championship

    NWA Southwest

    • 1 NWA Texas Hardcore Championship

    National Wrestling Federation

    • 2 NWF Heavyweight Championship
    • 1 NWF International Championship

    Stampede Wrestling

    • 1 NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship (Calgary version)
    • 6 Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship

    Tokyo Pro Wrestling

    • 1 TPW Tag Team Championship - with Benkei

    Trinidad and Tobago Wrestling Association

    • 1 Trinidad & Tobago Heavyweight Championship

    World Wrestling Council

    • 2 WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship
    • 1 WWC Hardcore Championship
    • 2 WWC North American Heavyweight Championship
    • 3 WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship
    • 3 WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship
    • 1 WWC World Heavyweight Championship

  • Other Accomplishments

    • Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame induction (class of 1996)
    • AJPW World's Strongest Tag Determination League Distinguished Service Medal Award (1978 with Tor Kamata & The Sheik)
    • Tokyo Sports Grand Prix Best Bout Award (1979 - with Tiger Jeet Singh vs. Antonio Inoki & Giant Baba)
    • Tokyo Sports Grand Prix Popularity Prize Winner (1978, 1980)
    • 35° in the PWI 500 (1991)
    • 54° in the PWI Years 500 (2003)

Teams & Relations

  • Tag Teams & Stables

    • Abdullah The Butcher & Giant Kimala - Giant Kimala II (May 26, 2001 - October 25, 2001)
    • Abdullah The Butcher & Giant Kimala - Giant Kimala II (September 29, 1990 - March 2, 1996)
    • Abdullah the Butcher & The Sheik - The Sheik (December 21, 1974 - March 1, 1980)
    • Abdullah the Butcher & "Killer" Tim Brooks - "Killer" Tim Brooks (June 1, 1974 - October 31, 1974)
    • Abdullah the Butcher & Arman Hussian - Arman Hussian (May 20, 1968 - August 12, 1968)
    • Abdullah the Butcher & Ray Candy - Ray Candy (October 5, 1979 - May 1, 1980)

  • Managers

Game Appearances (5)

Abdullah The Butcher
Wrestle Kingdom 2
Abdullah The Butcher
Showdown Legends Of Wrestling
Abdullah The Butcher
Legends Of Wrestling 2
Abdullah The Butcher
Virtual Pro Wrestling 2
Abdullah The Butcher
SuperStar Pro Wrestling

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