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Nate Whitlock, who worked as "Nate the Rat" during different runs as a manager in Memphis Wrestling, passed away on 7/5. His passing was mentioned by a number of Memphis area media outlets, including several news stations overnight. Details of his passing are not yet known.
Whitlock performed as a manager in the territory, working with several stars very early in their careers, including The Godfather (working at the time as The Soul Taker) and The Undertaker (who worked the Memphis territory under the Master of Pain ring name). He managed Bobby Jaggers during Jaggers' run as the Southern Heavyweight Champion in the late 1980s as well.
"He really played the [heel] role well. I liked being around him," legendary Memphis announcer and current WMC-TV channel 5 meterologist Dave Brown told WMC Action News. "He was just a nice guy. Anything that was asked of him, he was willing to do."
In one memorable promo in 1987, Whitlock produced a talent named Keith Erich and promised to take him to the top of Memphis Wrestling, only to see Erich completely wiped out by a young Scott Hall on Memphis TV. Whitlock appeared in a number of different iterations of the Memphis Wrestling product over the years, including the CWA and the USWA years.
Later on in life, Whitlock had left professional wrestling and was working as a taxi driver when by chance, NWA promoter Dennis Coralluzzo hailed a taxi while in Memphis and Whitlock was the driver. This led to Dennis, who immediately recognized Whitlock, bringing him to New Jersey to work some shots.
On behalf of everyone at PWInsider.com, we'd like to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of Nate Whitlock.
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