Michael Barber (July 3, 1934 – December 31, 2007) was an American professional wrestler, best known by the ring name Armand Hussein or Armand Hussian, who portrayed a Sudanese character during his career.^[3]

Professional wrestling career

Hussein began his wrestling career in 1959. He worked in various NWA territories. In 1966, he worked in Japan for Japan Wrestling Association.^{[citation needed]} Hussein was the subject of a 1967 documentary, Sudanese Wrestler, produced for the United States Information Agency.^[4]

From 1966 to 1967, Hussian worked in New York City and the Northeast for the World Wide Wrestling Federation where he teamed a few matches with Bruno Sammartino.^[5][6]

In 1972, he made his debut in the Gulf Coast where he became a three-time NWA Mississippi Heavyweight Championship.^{[citation needed]}

Hussein won the WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship in Puerto Rico, defeating Invader 1 in 1978.^{[citation needed]}

In 1981, Hussein worked in his home state of Texas for World Class Championship Wrestling. Hussein formed a partnership with Gary Hart known as H & H Limited in 1982.^[7] His last match was on June 17, 1983, with Mike Bond and Tola Yatsu losing to Kamala (wrestler) in a Loser Leaves Town Handicap Match.^{[citation needed]}

Professional wrestling style and persona

Hussein portrayed a Sudanese character during his career. His signature moves were the "Desert Crab" and the headbutt.

Personal life and death

Hussein kept his life private and never broke kayfabe.^[8] He later in life converted to Islam.

On December 31, 2007, Hussein died at 73.^[9]

Championships and accomplishments

• Mid-South Wrestling
  • Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship (Tri-State version) (1 time)
• NWA All-Star Wrestling
  • NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version) (1 time) – with Abdullah the Butcher (1)^[10]
• NWA Big Time Wrestling
  • NWA American Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Killer Tim Brooks^[11][12]
• NWA Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling
  • NWA Mississippi Heavyweight Championship (3 times)^[13]
• Pacific Northwest Wrestling
  • NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Shag Thomas
• World Wrestling Council
  • WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

References

External links

• Armand Hussein's profile at Cagematch, Wrestlingdata
• Arman Hussein at IMDb