Brett Eugene Woyan, better known by his ring name Brett Sawyer, was born on August 10, 1960. He grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida and attended Dixie M. Hollins High School. It was here that he first got involved in amateur wrestling.
Professional Wrestling Career
Initial Training and Debut
Woyan was trained by professional wrestlers Ricky Steamboat and his elder brother Bruce Woyan, who was known in the wrestling world as Buzz Sawyer. Brett made his wrestling debut in 1976 at the young age of 16. He eventually adopted the ring name “Hacksaw” Brett Sawyer and formed a tag team with his brother, Buzz.
Wrestling in the Pacific Northwest
In the early 1980s, Sawyer wrestled for Pacific Northwest Wrestling, a promotion based in Portland, Oregon. Between 1982 and 1984, he held the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship four times and the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship five times.
Move to Georgia
In 1983 and 1984, the Sawyer brothers competed in Georgia Championship Wrestling, based in Atlanta, Georgia. They had a notable feud with The Road Warriors and even defeated them to win the NWA National Tag Team Championship in 1983. Brett also claimed the NWA National Heavyweight Championship the same year.
Time in Texas
In 1984, Sawyer wrestled for Southwest Championship Wrestling, a promotion in San Antonio, Texas. During his time there, he won the SCW Southwest Tag Team Championship alongside Chicky Starr.
Later Career
By early 1985, Sawyer had moved to Jim Crockett Promotions in Charlotte, North Carolina. However, he and his brother lost a “loser leaves town” cage match to The Midnight Express in September 1985. He then wrestled for Heart of America Sports Attractions in Kansas City, Missouri, winning the NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship. Sawyer returned to Jim Crockett Promotions in 1986 and also toured Japan with New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 1987.
In the late 1980s, Sawyer and his brother trained Ken Shamrock. By 1989, he wrestled for Championship Wrestling from Florida, teaming with Jim Backlund as The Playboys and briefly holding the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship. In 1991, he wrestled three matches for World Championship Wrestling under the name Brett Wayne.
Sawyer retired in 1998 and opened a wrestling school in St. Petersburg, Florida, called Mad Dog’s Palace School of Professional Wrestling.
Personal Life
Woyan is married and has two children. His elder brother, Bruce Alan Woyan, also known as Buzz Sawyer, tragically passed away on February 7, 1992, due to a drug overdose-induced heart failure. Brett Woyan’s nephew, Travis, son of Bruce, also followed in the family tradition and became a wrestler.
Legacy
Brett Eugene Woyan’s contribution to professional wrestling is significant. Whether it was his solo championships or tag team successes, he left an indelible mark on the sport. His legacy also continues through his wrestling school, contributing to the next generation of wrestling talent.
