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What Is Abdullah The Butcher Net Worth’ Net Worth
Abdullah the Butcher, whose real name is Lawrence Robert Shreve, is a semi-retired Canadian professional wrestler. As of 2024, Abdullah the Butcher’s net worth is estimated to be around $2 million. This wealth is a combination of his earnings from a long wrestling career and business ventures.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Lawrence Robert Shreve was born on January 11, 1941, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Some sources indicate his birth year as 1936, but 1941 is the more widely accepted date. He grew up in an impoverished family with ten children. During his youth, Shreve trained in judo and karate, building a foundation for his future career. At the age of 17, he caught the attention of Montreal promoter Jack Britton and debuted as a professional wrestler in 1958. Initially, he competed in various independent territories in Canada under different monikers, including Pussycat Pickens, Kuroi Jujutsushi (the Black Wizard), and Zelis Amara. However, it was the persona of Abdullah the Butcher, an evil Arabian sadist, that truly distinguished him.
Wrestling Career and Notoriety
Abdullah the Butcher became known for his brutal and violent wrestling style. He gained notoriety for ignoring the rules and inflicting physical punishment on his opponents. His disregard for safety, both his own and his competitors’, made him a special attraction in the wrestling world. He traveled extensively from region to region, managed by multiple personalities including J.J Dillon, the Grand Wizard, and Oliver Humperdink.. One of Shreve’s trademarks is the series of divot-like scars on his head, a result of excessive blading (intentionally cutting oneself to bleed) throughout his career. Mick Foley even recounted how Shreve would put gambling chips into the deeper scars on his head.
Abdullah wrestled in various promotions throughout his career, including World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), Dragon Gate, and New Japan Pro Wrestling. He also wrestled for World Wide Wrestling Federation in 1972. He also worked for Stampede Wrestling from 1970 to 1974. During the mid-1970s, he frequently performed in Detroit, Michigan’s Big-Time Wrestling territory, where he engaged in a rivalry against The Sheik. He arrived in World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) in 1986, where he defeated The Great Kabuki for the Texas Brass Knuckles Title and waged war against the equally wild Bruiser Brody. He feuded with Terry Funk in Japan, and Funk claims to have had one of his top three all-time greatest matches with Abdullah the Butcher. In Puerto Rico, he was declared the first WWC Universal Heavyweight Champion in July 1982 following three reigns as the Puerto Rican champion between 1978 and 1981.
Championships and Accomplishments
Abdullah the Butcher held several championships throughout his wrestling career:
- All Japan Pro Wrestling:
- NWA International Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Ray Candy
- NWA United National Championship (1 time)
- PWF United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- PWF World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Champion Carnival (1976, 1979)
- January 4th Korakuen Hall Heavyweight Battle Royal Winner (2008)
- Big Japan Pro Wrestling:
- BJW Deathmatch Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Central States Wrestling:
- NWA Central States Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Roger Kirby
Despite his success and numerous titles, Abdullah the Butcher never won a world championship, primarily due to his role as a special attraction and his reluctance to lose. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011 by Terry Funk.
Business Ventures and Other Media Appearances
Beyond wrestling, Abdullah the Butcher ventured into the restaurant business. He previously owned two restaurants called “Abdullah the Butcher’s House of Ribs and Chinese Food,” one in Atlanta, Georgia, and another in Japan. The Atlanta location, which opened in the 1990s, was even referenced in the 2006 film “ATL”. However, the Atlanta restaurant closed in 2016. He also appeared in Japanese TV commercials for companies like Suntory, Daikin Industries, Denon, and Sapporo Ichiban. He also had acting roles in the martial arts action film Roaring Fire, and the prison drama I’m Going to Get You, Elliott Boy.
Legal Issues and Controversies
Abdullah the Butcher faced legal issues related to infecting other wrestlers with hepatitis C. In 2014, Devon Nicholson, a Canadian wrestler, won a lawsuit against Shreve, who was ordered to pay $2.3 million in damages. The Fulton County Court of Georgia upheld the Canadian judgment. Following his WWE Hall of Fame induction, Superstar Billy Graham requested his name be removed from the Hall, protesting the inclusion of “a bloodthirsty animal such as Abdullah the Butcher.” In February 2015, Shreve announced he was selling his WWE Hall of Fame ring.
Net Worth Details and Contributing Factors
Abdullah the Butcher’s estimated $2 million net worth is primarily attributed to his earnings from wrestling. His longevity in the sport, spanning over five decades, allowed him to accumulate substantial income through match fees and appearances. His entrepreneurial ventures, such as owning restaurants, also contributed to his wealth. However, in recent years, reports have surfaced about his financial struggles. In 2023, it was reported that Abdullah was facing financial difficulties and had to sell his Hall of Fame ring to make ends meet. He also stated that he felt he had been taken advantage of financially throughout his career due to his limited education.
