Bart Sawyer

Steven Stewart (November 30, 1965-September 12, 2023), known by his ring name Bart Sawyer, was an American professional wrestler, color commentator, and occasional actor.

Stewart made his pro debut as "Steve Sawyer" on April 22, 1988.

He initially wrestled for Geigel's World Wrestling Alliance in Kansas City, Missouri.

After the WWA's close, Stewart made brief appearances for the United States Wrestling Association and World Class Championship Wrestling.

He was best known for his time in Championship Wrestling USA and the United States Wrestling Association during the 1990s.

In his career, Sawyer also wrestled for Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling, House of Pain Wrestling Federation, Memphis Wrestling, NWA Georgia, NWA Main Event, NWA Worldwide, World Xtreme Wrestling and W*ING.

Additionally, he competed as a preliminary wrestler in World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation.

Trained by Bob Geigel, Stewart began his professional wrestling career in the World Wrestling Alliance.

He emerged as a popular "fan favorite" in Pacific Northwest Wrestling in the early-1990s, whose gimmick was modeled after Bart Simpson, and engaged in feuds with Al Madril, Colonel DeBeers, Matt Borne and Buddy Wayne.

Sawyer later became a "rulebreaker" himself when he relocated to the Southern United States.

Throughout his career, Sawyer won several championships including the Championship Wrestling USA Television Championship four times, the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship once, the NWA North American Tag Team Championship (with Chris Michaels), and the USWA World Tag Team Championship (with Doug Masters and Flex Kavana) three times.

Stewart joined Pacific Northwest Wrestling in the fall of 1990, as Bart Sawyer, a hyperactive and mischievous young wrestler.

The character was modeled after Bart Simpson from the American animated series The Simpsons.

Sawyer's nickname (The Bartman) derived from the 1990 parody song: "Do the Bartman".

He also cut his hair so as to more closely resemble the cartoon character.

Stewart scored wins over Brad Anderson and Ricky Santana during his first year in the promotion and became a popular "fan favorite" feuding with Al Madril.

On October 20, 1990, Stewart won a $5,000 Battle Royal at the Portland Sports Arena.

A match with Steve Doll against Anderson and The Hood for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship ended in a no-contest and the title was declared held-up.

Sawyer and Doll were defeated by Anderson and The Hood in Portland on February 16, 1991, however, The Hood was unmasked as Ricky Santana.

Later that year, Stewart traveled across the country to the United States Wrestling Association in Memphis, Tennessee.

He formed a partnership with Doug Masters and the two quickly climbed the ranks of the tag team division.

On November 4, 1991, they defeated Robert Fuller and Jeff Jarrett for the USWA World Tag Team Championship.

Stewart and Masters' championship reign was short-lived, however, as they lost the belts to Fuller and Mike Mitchell weeks later.

The two men soon had a falling out and were feuding by early 1992.

On January 13, Sawyer and Masters battled to a double-disqualification in a lumberjack strap match.

The following week, Sawyer unsuccessfully challenged Eric Embry for the USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship.

On the same event, Sawyer took part in an 8-man "strap battle royal" which was also won by Embry and included Tony Falk, Tom Pritchard, CJ, Miss Texas, Tony Anthony, and Doug Masters.

On February 2, Sawyer and Tony Williams lost to Masters and Brian Christopher at the Mid-South Coliseum.

On August 22, 1992, Sawyer defeated Ron Harris in a tournament final to win the Championship Wrestling USA Television Championship.

His first reign as champion lasted nearly two months before losing the title to Mike Winner on October 10, 1992.

That fall, Sawyer returned to the USWA and won victories against Randy Rhodes and Mike Miller at the Mid-South Coliseum.

His winning streak was stopped by Jeff Gaylord on November 9, 1992.

The next week, Sawyer and Miss Texas beat Mike Miller and Lauren Davenport in a mixed tag team match.

On January 9, 1993, Sawyer defeated John Rambo to win the Championship Wrestling USA Television Championship.

He feuded with Colonel DeBeers over the title before finally dropping the belt to DeBeers on February 27, 1993.

Later that year, Sawyer made a one-time appearance in World Championship Wrestling facing off against Maxx Payne on WCW Main Event.

Between 1993 and 1994, Stewart made several trips to Japan appearing for W*ING.

He was forced to retire in 2004, following a mild stroke, after nearly 18 years in the ring.

Stewart trained under Bob Geigel at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Missouri.

The first wrestler he ever faced as a student was Curtis Hughes.