JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In the 1970s and 1980s the pro wrestling industry was broken up into territories around the country. And each territory had its top star.
In Florida, it was Dusty Rhodes; in Tennessee, it was Jerry Lawler; and in Texas, it was the Von Erichs. Then up in the Pacific Northwest there was Portland Wrestling. Their top star was a wrestler named Billy Jack Haynes.
“He was the closest thing the Northwest had to a Von Erich,” said KPTV reporter Joe Vithayathil, who also has close ties to some alumni of the Portland Wrestling scene, including the late “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. “He was from here. He was a local hero.”
Arguably, the peak of Haynes’ career came in 1987 when he left the dying territorial system and wrestled for the global World Wrestling Federation (WWF). At WrestleMania III, Haynes wrestled Hercules Hernandez.
But after this era, Haynes quickly dropped off the national radar. He went mostly into obscurity but became a little infamous when he popped back up on YouTube in the internet era.
Haynes became known for spinning wild conspiracies and even filed a lawsuit against WWE (formerly WWF) over issues with former wrestlers suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). That issue really became a public concern following the murder-suicide involving former wrestler Chris Benoit and his family.
The United States Supreme Court decided not to take up that case in 2021.
On Feb. 8, 2024, police were called to Haynes’ home in Portland. There was a standoff that lasted several hours and eventually, Haynes was taken into custody. He’s accused of shooting and killing his wife, Janette Becraft, 85.
Becraft was 15 years older than the 70-year-old Haynes, and they had only been married since 2022. Neighbors had said Becraft was suffering from medical issues at the time of her death, including possible dementia.
Haynes has been charged with second-degree murder and the unlawful use of a weapon.
The Oregon Judicial Department lists Haynes’ next hearing as Nov. 15.
On this episode, we also speak with a criminal defense attorney not affiliated with Haynes’ case to break down how the legal process will play out.