James Hines, a renowned American professional wrestler, whose stage name, Bobby Fulton, has become synonymous with excellence in the ring, has retired from his illustrious career, leaving behind a legacy that is forever etched in the annals of wrestling history.
Bobby Fulton, whose wrestling career commenced at the impressionable age of 16, made a memorable debut on the 17th of June, 1977, in Clarksburg, West Virginia, where he achieved a resounding victory against the formidable Mad Dog Michaels via disqualification.
As he stood triumphant in the ring, basking in the applause of the enthusiastic crowd, Fulton's night seemed poised to reach new heights. However, fate had other plans, as he ultimately suffered a crushing defeat in the main event, succumbing to the rigors of a battle royal.
As a young grappler, Hines refined his craft in the Buckeye State, Ohio, where he had the privilege of training and engaging in intense wrestling matches alongside some of the most iconic figures of the time, including the enigmatic Lord Zoltan, the formidable Fred Curry, the rugged Bull Curry, and the erudite Dr. Jerry Graham.
Moreover, Hines had the opportunity to hone his skills in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF),making appearances on television tapings in Allentown and Hamburg, where he clashed with an array of opponents, including the skilled Steve Travis and the seasoned Fred Curry.
As Hines's professional wrestling journey continued to unfold, he embarked on a new chapter in Nick Gulas's Nashville territory, where he formed a formidable tag team partnership with Eric Embry, presenting themselves to the world as the "brother" duo, Bobby & Don Fulton, a harmonious and synchronized unit that captivated audiences with their synchronized moves and cohesive teamwork.
Following this successful stint, Hines's path led him to Stu Hart's Calgary territory, a renowned hub for wrestling excellence, where he had the privilege of sharing the ring with an array of talented grapplers, including the illustrious Bret Hart, the dynamic and high-flying The Dynamite Kid, the cunning and agile The Cuban Assassin, the rugged and relentless Bobby Bass, the rugged and determined Ross Hart, the charismatic and confident Bruce Hart, the towering and dominant Giant Haystacks, and the fiery and fearless Davey Boy Smith, each of whom brought their unique style and strengths to the ring, creating a rich and diverse tapestry of wrestling experiences for Hines to draw upon.
As a significant juncture in his professional journey, Hines proceeded to relocate to the Knoxville territory, a relatively short-lived professional wrestling promotion. During his stint in Knoxville, he formed a formidable tag team partnership with Terry Taylor, collectively known as the "Fantastic Ones".
Notorious professional wrestler Hines embarked on a new journey, transitioning to Jerry Jarrett's renowned Continental Wrestling Association territory, where he would participate in a string of preliminary matches, honing his skills and building momentum.
Undeterred by the prospect of uncharted territories, Hines ventured to the thriving Southwest Championship Wrestling scene in San Antonio, Texas, where he would have the opportunity to work under the guidance of the esteemed Joe Blanchard.
As he navigated this new landscape, Hines found himself engaged in a series of thrilling scaffold matches against formidable foes, including the cunning Adrian Street and the fearless Eric Embry.
Tommy Rogers embarked on a new chapter in his professional wrestling career by aligning himself with the esteemed Bill Watts, the visionary leader of Mid-South Wrestling, a renowned promotion that would provide a platform for Rogers to flourish alongside his new partner, Bobby Fulton, collectively known as the Fantastics.
The Fantastics, a wrestling tag team, embarked upon a prolonged and intense rivalry with the Midnight Express in the year 1984, within the confines of World Class Championship Wrestling.
In the subsequent year, a notable rivalry unfolded as they engaged in a series of intense matches against The Sheepherders within the confines of the esteemed Universal Wrestling Federation.
As the calendar flipped to 1987, the focus shifted to a heated feud with the high-flying Rock 'n' Roll RPMs within the storied walls of World Class Championship Wrestling.
One of the most memorable moments of this tumultuous period arrived on May 3, 1987, when The Fantastics emerged triumphant in a thrilling scaffold match at the illustrious "Parade of Champions" event.
In addition to their domestic exploits, The Fantastics made a notable appearance in the vibrant wrestling landscape of Puerto Rico, where they took to the squared circle alongside the World Wrestling Council.
The Fantastics embarked on a new chapter in their illustrious career by joining the renowned Jim Crockett Promotions, a subsidiary of the National Wrestling Alliance.
As they navigated this fresh terrain, they found themselves entangled in a long-standing feud with the esteemed Midnight Express, a rivalry that had been brewing for quite some time.
Throughout their tenure, The Fantastics managed to emerge victorious on multiple occasions, successfully claiming the NWA United States Tag Team Titles twice.
In addition to this notable achievement, they also vanquished The Sheepherders to capture the vacant NWA Mid-America Tag Team Championship, further solidifying their status as a dominant force within the tag team division.
In the year 1989, a significant turning point occurred in the trajectory of the Fantastics, as the group decided to disband and pursue individual endeavors, subsequently venturing into the realm of independent professional wrestling, where they have been actively competing across various promotions throughout the United States, as well as making appearances in the prestigious All Japan Pro Wrestling organization, with sporadic reunions and matches taking place over the years.
