Few wrestlers embodied the image of a chaotic, unpredictable heel quite like Dick “Bulldog” Brower. Shorter and stockier than many of his contemporaries, Brower wasn’t known for finesse or technical mastery but rather for his raw power, unpredictable behavior, and wild, fight-first style. Across three decades, from the late 1950s until his retirement in 1988, he was a prominent villain across North America and abroad, earning a reputation as one of the most difficult and volatile wrestlers to face in the ring.
Early Life and Path to Wrestling
Richard T. Gland was born on September 17, 1933, in Delaware. He graduated from Wilmington High School in 1952, where he was an athlete with a stocky build and raw strength. After a stint at chiropractic school, he dropped out, deciding to pursue a career in athletics.
Gland joined the U.S. Marines, where his physical toughness and discipline were forged. He spent much of his off-time at his local YMCA, where he became immersed in powerlifting. This dedication to strength training shaped his thick, bulldog-like physique and his reputation as one of the strongest wrestlers of his era.
By 1958 (though some sources cite 1960), Gland debuted as a professional wrestler under the name the Delaware Destroyer. It wouldn’t be long before he adopted the moniker that would define his career—Bulldog Brower.
Early Career and Rise in Canada (1960s)
Brower’s early years saw him travel across the wrestling territories, but his big break came in Canada, particularly working for Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling and promoter Frank Tunney in Toronto.
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Stu Hart claimed that Brower wrestled Canadian legend Whipper Billy Watson more than 500 times, a testament both to his drawing power and his ability to rile up crowds.
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In Toronto, Brower became a fixture from 1961 to 1974, winning the NWA International Tag Team Championship five times, including reigns alongside Sweet Daddy Siki and Johnny Valentine.
He quickly developed a reputation as a no-nonsense, wild brawler. Unlike many wrestlers of the time who emphasized mat wrestling, Brower’s style was about fists, slams, and creating chaos—an approach that resonated with audiences who paid to see him either dominate or finally get beaten down by fan favorites.
World Wide Wrestling Federation Run (1966–1970s)
In 1966, Brower was recruited by Vincent J. McMahon to join the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), the predecessor of WWE. He was brought in as a top heel to feud with the company’s biggest star, Bruno Sammartino, then the WWWF World Heavyweight Champion.
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Brower and Sammartino main-evented numerous shows across the WWWF territory. Brower’s unpredictable, bruising style made him a credible threat to the beloved champion.
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He also feuded with other top stars, including Bob Backlund, who would later describe Brower as his least favorite opponent, not due to lack of skill but because of how stiff and uncontrollable he was in the ring.
During this period, Brower became one of the company’s most hated villains, often managed and guided by other notorious heel managers. His rugged look—short, barrel-chested, and snarling—fit perfectly into the mold of the WWWF’s larger-than-life villains.
Championship Success Outside the WWWF
Brower was not only a main-event heel in New York but also a champion in several territories around the world:
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National Wrestling Federation (NWF): Won the NWF North American Heavyweight Championship in 1970.
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World Championship Wrestling (Australia): Captured the NWA Austra-Asian Heavyweight Championship in 1972, cementing himself as a top foreign villain in the Australian scene.
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Puerto Rico (WWC): Later in his career, Brower wrestled in Puerto Rico’s World Wrestling Council, where he teamed with Luke Graham to win the territory’s version of the NWA North American Tag Team Championship.
He also competed in the AWA, St. Louis Wrestling Club, Detroit’s Big Time Wrestling, and Montreal’s All-Star Wrestling, where his reputation as a “wild man” made him a valuable attraction.
Return to the WWWF (1979–1982)
Brower returned to the WWWF (then renamed WWF) in 1979, now managed by the legendary Captain Lou Albano. Though older, Brower continued to be booked as a powerhouse heel who could clash with the likes of Bob Backlund, Pedro Morales, and other stars of the era. His pairing with Albano only heightened his “unhinged” persona.
Style and Reputation
Bulldog Brower’s style was not refined—it was brutal. He was known for stiff punches, body slams (famously slamming the 600-pound Haystacks Calhoun), and wild brawls.
His reputation backstage was just as infamous. Many wrestlers found him unpredictable, difficult to work with, and unsafe. However, promoters valued him because his wildman character sold tickets. Fans came to see him wreak havoc—and more importantly, to see their heroes finally defeat him.
Retirement and Later Life
Brower wrestled into the 1980s, finally retiring in 1988 after three decades in the business. By then, his health was declining.
In his later years, Brower struggled with diabetes and other health issues. After breaking his hip in a fall, he developed a serious chest infection. Complications from his condition eventually led to him falling into a coma. On September 15, 1997, just two days shy of his 64th birthday, Brower passed away in Newark, Delaware.
He was survived by his three children and four grandchildren.
Legacy
While never a world champion in the NWA or WWWF, Bulldog Brower’s legacy lies in his ability to generate heat and draw crowds. He was a key heel for Bruno Sammartino’s reign and a dependable headliner across multiple territories.
Promoters like Stu Hart, Frank Tunney, and Vince McMahon Sr. trusted him as a top attraction. Fans may not remember him for flashy moves or championship runs, but they remember his wild, unhinged presence, his brawling matches, and his role as one of wrestling’s most unpredictable villains of the 1960s and 70s.
✅ Career Highlights:
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Debut: 1958 (as Delaware Destroyer)
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Stampede Wrestling: Regular opponent of Whipper Billy Watson
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Toronto (Frank Tunney): 5x NWA International Tag Team Champion
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WWWF: Main-event heel, feuded with Bruno Sammartino & Bob Backlund
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NWF: North American Heavyweight Champion (1970)
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Australia: NWA Austra-Asian Heavyweight Champion (1972)
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WWC (Puerto Rico): NWA North American Tag Team Champion (w/ Luke Graham)
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Retired: 1988
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Died: September 15, 1997