Seabrook, NH – Elwood “Big Woody” Apt, Jr., 52, formerly of Salisbury, MA, died peacefully among friends and family on March 15th.
Born in Salisbury, Elwood was the son of Adolia Apt, of Haverhill, MA and the late Elwood K. Apt, Sr. He was a graduate of Triton Regional High School, class of 1985.
Woody, as he was affectionately called by friends, was a professional talker and passionate about wrestling, enjoying a lengthy career in the New England independent wrestling scene. He was notorious for playing the “bad guy” at wrestling shows and was always antagonizing the crowds. He was most famous for introducing the much loved “Big Woody Bodyslam Challenge” at Wrestling Star Wars, and later was instrumental in forming Atlantic Pro Wrestling, where for years he worked as the Booker, creating story lines and assembling talent for shows. With long-time friend Knuckles Nelson they co-founded a wrestling school while promoting Wrestling Star Wars and taping over 100 episodes of a local TV show called “This Week in Wrestling.” Elwood also appeared on the Jerry Springer show. His legacy in the New England wrestling scene will be that of a loyal friend and leader. He will be remembered as a fair and opinionated man who made many laugh and had the ability to bring people together. He will be greatly missed by many friends and co-workers throughout the professional wrestling business.
Elwood was survived by his mother, Adolia Apt, of Haverhill, Ma; his brother, Fred and his wife, Ruth Apt, of Brownfield, ME; his sisters Carol and her husband Mike McCay, of Greenland, NH, and Jeanne and her late husband Joseph Graham, of Haverhill, MA; his best friends, Gina and her children Arndria and “Baby the Boy” PKA Sean and “Little P” Penelope McGinness, of Seabrook, NH; and many nieces and nephews; he was predeceased by his father, Elwood K. Apt, of Brownfield, ME.
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