Moondog Spot

Larry Booker (June 6, 1952 – November 29, 2003), better known by his ring names Moondog Spot and Larry Latham, was an American professional wrestler.[1]

Not to be confused with Larry Latham, director of An American Tail: The Treasure of Manhattan Island.
Moondog Spot
Birth nameLarry Wayne Booker
Born(1952-06-06)June 6, 1952[1]
Louisiana, U.S.
DiedNovember 29, 2003(2003-11-29) (aged 51)[1]
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Cause of deathHeart attack
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Larry Latham[1]
Moondog Spot[1]
Billed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Billed weight375 lb (170 kg)[1]
Billed fromParts Unknown
Debut1979[1]

Professional wrestling career

Booker debuted in 1979 under the ring name Larry Latham. Latham formed a tag team with Carl Fergie called "The Ragin' Cajuns" managed by Billy Spears in the Gulf Coast territory.[1] Early in his career, he wrestled in Memphis and Mid-South. His first big push came as a member of the Blond Bombers with Wayne Farris (The Honky Tonk Man). The Blond Bombers were involved in heated feuds with several baby faces across the two competing Tennessee promotions, appearing in both Nick Gulas Nashville based territory, and Jerry Jarrett's Memphis area. The team was managed by Danny Davis. Their signature moment was the now famous "Tupelo Concession Stand Brawl" against Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee.

Years later, Booker resurfaced as "Moondog Spot", a member of The Moondogs. Booker became a WWWF World Tag Team Champion as a replacement for Moondog King in May 1981.[2][3] Booker held the title along with Moondog Rex until they were defeated by Rick Martel and Tony Garea on July 21, 1981.[2][3]

The Moondogs also frequently appeared in Memphis where they feuded with The Fabulous Ones, The Rock 'n' Roll Express, and Midnight Express. The Moondogs became a regular gimmick in the Memphis promotion featuring a revolving door of wrestlers who teamed with Latham.

On November 7, 1985 he wrestled in the tournament on the WWF pay-per-view event Wrestling Classic. He defeated Terry Funk in the first round by count out, then lost to Junkyard Dog in the quarterfinals.[3][4]

Latham later opened up a wrestling school and made a few appearances in the independent circuit with Moondog Puppy Love, working in Memphis Wrestling, with April Pennington acting as their manager. In March 2003, he made a few appearances as Moondog Spot in NWA:Total Nonstop Action.[1]

Death

Latham died of a heart attack in the ring during Jerry Lawler's "birthday bash" show on November 29, 2003 in Memphis, Tennessee.[2]

Championships and accomplishments
  • Southern Championship Wrestling
  • SCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[6]
  • World Wrestling Federation
  • Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
  • Feud of the Year (1992) with Moondog Cujo vs. Jerry Lawler and Jeff Jarrett

References
  1. "Larry Booker's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  2. Oliver, Greg. "Moondog Spot dies during match". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2012-07-20.
  3. Cawthon, Graham (2013). the History of Professional Wrestling Vol 1: WWF 1963 - 1989. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 1492825972.
  4. "The Wrestling Classic results". Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments. Retrieved 2008-05-25.
  5. Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "Boston: International Championship Wrestling Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  6. Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  7. Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "(Memphis, Nashville) Tennessee: Southern Tag Team Title [Roy Welsch & Nick Gulas, Jerry Jarrett from 1977]". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. pp. 185–189. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  8. "Southern Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  9. Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). "Tennessee: NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. pp. 194–195. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  10. "CWA Heavyweight Championship history". Wrestling-Titles.com.
  11. Duncan, Royal; Gary Will (2006). "(Memphis, Nashville) Memphis: USWA Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. pp. 200–202. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  12. "History of the World Tag Team Championship". WWE. Retrieved 2007-05-11.
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