Larry Jones Jr., who wrestles as Thar, holds up the title belt prior to going into the ring for a title match at the Enie Pyle VFW recently in Indianapolis.
THAR defends his TAG TEAM TITLES against G.I. John and Ricky at The RAIL RODDERS Charity CAR SHOW in Beech Grove last year. This year’s event will be held Sept. 7. Watch for their ad in The Southsider Voice. By Bob Kelly
Feature writer
Larry Jones Jr. grew up around the world of professional wrestling as a youngster. His dad walked with Dick the Bruiser to and from the locker room as protection and to keep him away from a crazed and maniacal crowd, giving him a glimpse into a world that fans rarely got to see, but one he would become an avid participant years later.
The lifelong Southside resident attended Public School 34 for the first seven years of his elementary education before attending Holy Name Catholic School in Beech Grove where he graduated and later enrolled at Roncalli High School. He graduated from the parochial high school in 1983.
Seven years after graduating from high school, Jones, Jr. ventured into professional wrestling, but little did he know how involved he would become in the wrestling world. “I told my dad I wanted to be part of this profession because it gives back to the public in so many ways,” Jones Jr. said. He told me he would call Dick the Bruiser so he can help me get started in it. The Bruiser helped me get started in the Fall of 1990.
Fortunately, I got to train with Mitsu Arakawa and Dick the Bruiser before he passed away.”
Jones Jr. fondly recalls his days being around professional wrestling in his youth during his recent conversation with The Southsider Voice. “I grew up around Bobo Brazil, The Crusher, Moose Cholak, Pepper Gomez, and Bobby Heenan to name a few wrestlers which I got to be around in those days,” he said. “I remember Sam Manacker, who was the announcer for the matches, and so many other wrestlers who I looked up to, and I was so privileged that I had the opportunity to be around them and talk to them.”
He added, “The world of professional wrestling is very close.” Jones Jr. explains how he and fellow wrestler Bobo Brazil, Jr. have become close friends. “We have been able to team up and do a meet and greet at Riley Hospital, Shriners Hospital for Children in Chicago, and many other places.” “We do it for the kids. It is something we believe so much in that, we do it on our dime because we want to help organizations raise money.”
Today, Jones Jr. is immersed not only as a professional wrestler but as a promoter involved heavily with the Midwestern Championship International Wrestling (MCIW) organization that was started in Indianapolis in 1985. He said it puts on a show monthly at Municipal Gardens Family Center.
“I had been out of the wrestling business for about a decade when a chance came my way when an acquaintance approached me and asked me if I wanted to get into the business,” he said. “So, I went out to the Ernie Pyle VFW to train.”
Jones Jr. started wrestling as Thar in 1990 and holds the copyrights for his wrestling name and his tag team name Bad Blood.
He explained to The Southsider Voice why he likes to compete in wrestling matches at various venues. “We have an opportunity to entertain fans and give the young kids something to look up to that is not part of the bad side of our society,” Jones Jr. said. “You make fans everywhere because I have fans in China, Japan, India, and many other places inside and outside the United States. I have signed autographs and taken pictures with fans. I enjoy doing stuff for churches, and schools to help raise money for any cause. I appreciate their support.”
Jones Jr. said the MCIW advocates for its wrestling fans. “It is a family-friendly show where we see fans of all ages. Any inappropriate language or cussing will be an automatic ejection from the match. We try to turn back the clock not for the wrestlers, but for our fans. Many fans get to relive their childhood memories.”
Jones Jr. was inducted into the MCIW Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2023.
Feature writer
Larry Jones Jr. grew up around the world of professional wrestling as a youngster. His dad walked with Dick the Bruiser to and from the locker room as protection and to keep him away from a crazed and maniacal crowd, giving him a glimpse into a world that fans rarely got to see, but one he would become an avid participant years later.
The lifelong Southside resident attended Public School 34 for the first seven years of his elementary education before attending Holy Name Catholic School in Beech Grove where he graduated and later enrolled at Roncalli High School. He graduated from the parochial high school in 1983.
Seven years after graduating from high school, Jones, Jr. ventured into professional wrestling, but little did he know how involved he would become in the wrestling world. “I told my dad I wanted to be part of this profession because it gives back to the public in so many ways,” Jones Jr. said. He told me he would call Dick the Bruiser so he can help me get started in it. The Bruiser helped me get started in the Fall of 1990.
Fortunately, I got to train with Mitsu Arakawa and Dick the Bruiser before he passed away.”
Jones Jr. fondly recalls his days being around professional wrestling in his youth during his recent conversation with The Southsider Voice. “I grew up around Bobo Brazil, The Crusher, Moose Cholak, Pepper Gomez, and Bobby Heenan to name a few wrestlers which I got to be around in those days,” he said. “I remember Sam Manacker, who was the announcer for the matches, and so many other wrestlers who I looked up to, and I was so privileged that I had the opportunity to be around them and talk to them.”
He added, “The world of professional wrestling is very close.” Jones Jr. explains how he and fellow wrestler Bobo Brazil, Jr. have become close friends. “We have been able to team up and do a meet and greet at Riley Hospital, Shriners Hospital for Children in Chicago, and many other places.” “We do it for the kids. It is something we believe so much in that, we do it on our dime because we want to help organizations raise money.”
Today, Jones Jr. is immersed not only as a professional wrestler but as a promoter involved heavily with the Midwestern Championship International Wrestling (MCIW) organization that was started in Indianapolis in 1985. He said it puts on a show monthly at Municipal Gardens Family Center.
“I had been out of the wrestling business for about a decade when a chance came my way when an acquaintance approached me and asked me if I wanted to get into the business,” he said. “So, I went out to the Ernie Pyle VFW to train.”
Jones Jr. started wrestling as Thar in 1990 and holds the copyrights for his wrestling name and his tag team name Bad Blood.
He explained to The Southsider Voice why he likes to compete in wrestling matches at various venues. “We have an opportunity to entertain fans and give the young kids something to look up to that is not part of the bad side of our society,” Jones Jr. said. “You make fans everywhere because I have fans in China, Japan, India, and many other places inside and outside the United States. I have signed autographs and taken pictures with fans. I enjoy doing stuff for churches, and schools to help raise money for any cause. I appreciate their support.”
Jones Jr. said the MCIW advocates for its wrestling fans. “It is a family-friendly show where we see fans of all ages. Any inappropriate language or cussing will be an automatic ejection from the match. We try to turn back the clock not for the wrestlers, but for our fans. Many fans get to relive their childhood memories.”
Jones Jr. was inducted into the MCIW Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2023.
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