Real Name - Mike Bowyer
Lifespan - n/a
??? - San Diego, CA
Aliases - The Beastman
Athletic background - Judo (All-Marine Champion `64), Wrestling
Professional background - AWA(`66-`69), GCCW(`70-`73), Kansas City(`73), GCCW(`7?-`77), Memphis(`78), Kansas City(`79), St. Louis(`79), Georgia(`80), Mid-South(`80), Gulf Coast(`85), WOW[FL](`87), UWF(`87)
Teachers - Eddie Sharkey, Verne Gagne
Peak Years - `71-`76

Place in History - Mike Boyette’s seesaw career in pro-wrestling was as sporadic and wild as the acid trips many fans in Alabama probably assumed he was partaking in. A successful judoka in the US Navy, Bowyer had been an Olympic hopeful before an injury ended that dream. He did, however, find a home in pro-wrestling like several notable judokas. After cutting his teeth in California, he ventured to the Midwest and would find his way down the Mississippi to Alabama. Calling upon his judo throws, Boyette debuted in the area as an angry heel who was disqualified during most of his matches. He refined his character however, calling upon his California roots, Mike Boyette became the “California Hippie.” His longish hair and beard combined with his tie-dyed garb made him instantly hated by the Alabama crowds. Boyette was quickly elevated into a feud with Cowboy Bob Kelly that established him as a top star. Like any vehemently hated heel, there is always potential for a super-hot babyface. Boyette turned and used his judo to battle Japanese heels and won over the fans. This was followed by a partnership and rivalry with Prince Pullins that led into the forming of the California Hippies team that took GCCW by storm. Mickey Doyle was brought in to tag up with Boyette and the two complemented one another so well that they fast became one of the most popular tag teams in the company’s history. They took their act on the road to Memphis and Detroit with mixed results. Doyle, who was from Detroit, wanted to work there, while Boyette enjoyed the great success they had in Alabama. When not teaming with Doyle, Boyette often found himself hooking up with the legendary Danny Hodge in matches as well as a tag team. By 1977, Boyette’s personal problems had taken over and led to his firing following an arrest for robbery. He found a home of sorts in Mid-South, where he was booked as the ultimate jobber, losing match after match. Mike Boyette, while a good hand, was never able to reproduce the success he had seen in the early 1970s. His demons continued to haunt him and he has been lost to history and insiders since the late 1980s.