"Iron" Mike Sharpe (born Michael Sharpe, October 28, 1951 – January 17, 2016) was a Canadian Professional Wrestler and trainer from Hamilton, Ontario, famous for his work in WWE during the 1980s. He started in Toronto after training with Dewey Robertson in 1977 and competed in various Canadian territories before switching to the U.S. He found success in various National Wrestling Alliance territories, including Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Tri-State (Louisiana/Mississippi, the precursor to Mid-South) and Tennessee before he arrived in WWE in 1983 as a Heel. He started off getting a push until he faced WWE World Heavyweight Champion
Bob Backlund in Philadelphia on April 30th. Sharpe lost, and that was the end of his push, as he got moved into his most famous role as a Jobber. He got a few career highlights though, including reaching the second round of the 1988 King of the Ring Tournament and getting to team with Hulk Hogan in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, as Hulk was a heel there. He stayed around into 1995, with his last televised match being a loss to Man Mountain Rock. Among his in-ring achievements, he is a former Stampede International Tag Team Champion, a former 2x Louisiana Heavyweight Champion and a former NWA Canadian (Vancouver) Tag Team Champion.
"Canada's Greatest Tropes":
- Badass Teacher: He had his own wrestling school in New Jersey, producing such names as Stevie Richards, Charlie Haas, Mike "Super Nova"/"Nova"/"Simon Dean" Bucci and Chris "Devon Storm"/"Crowbar" Ford.
- Bash Brothers: Moose Morowski, The Brooklyn Brawler, Duke Myers, Salvatore Bellomo, Ernie Ladd (in Mid-South.)
- Berserk Button: He did NOT like it when the fans would chant "WIMP!" at him.
- California: He grew up there.
- Dirty Coward: Often wore a black brace on his arm, supposedly to heal an injury, in which he would hide foreign objects. See below.
- Finishing Move: Iron Hammer (Forearm smash), Bear Hug
- Heel Jobber: A rare case of someone regularly fulfilling both roles on a regular basis.
- Neat Freak: Had this reputation behind the scenes among his coworkers.
- NO INDOOR VOICE: Famous for yelling and grunting loudly during his matches.
- Power Stable:
- (in Florida): The Dillon Dream Team (led by James J Dillon)
- (in Memphis): The First Family (led by Jimmy Hart)
- Red Baron: "Canada's Greatest Athlete," which he stole from Gene Kiniski.
- The Starscream: Had a feud with his trainer, Dewey Robertson.
- Wrestling Family: His father Mike Sharpe Sr. and his uncle Ben Sharpe.
