Legendary Wrestler Eric “Butterbean” Esch is partnering with promoter Ace “Money Mike” Long to host a classic old school brawl to Gadsden, Alabama and Dothan Alabama, as part of the ‘2024 Roughest and Toughest Brawl Series’ tour. The nine stop tour will kick off in Gadsden on January 5, 2024.

Men and women can sign up for the tournament, and the winner will get to claim bragging rights, a nice cash prize, and a Championship Belt.

According to a press release, “Butterbean became a household name as the king of the four rounders. He excelled as a boxer, kick-boxer, wrestler and MMA fighter. No one was more exhilarating to watch coming out of his corner,” says “Money Mike” Long. An older generation may remember Butterbean for his bullish beatdown of Johnny Knoxville, host of MTV’s outrageous Jackass series and the new hit ABC show, The Prank Panel.

As a four time World Champion, Butterbean will be bringing his charisma and experience to each event personally. He will be available for meet and greets at each show. Other celebrities from the world of fighting sports will be stopping by the Roughest and Toughest Brawl events as well.

Other stops on the tour will be in Gastonia, North Carolina; Concord, North Carolina; Clemson, South Carolina; Boone, North Carolina; Fayetteville, North Carolina; Waynesville, North Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina;

Esch, in his early days, ate chicken and butterbeans to stay around the 400-pound mark to compete as a Toughman, earning him the nickname “Butterbean.” He was a five-time World Toughman Heavyweight Champion earning the title of International Boxing Association World Super Heavyweight Champion and World Athletic Association World Heavyweight Champion. He was 77-10-4 as a boxer with 58 knockouts.

Since retiring from the ring, Butterbean has returned to his hometown of Jasper and has continued to make a name for himself. In 2011, he became a Deputy with the Walker County Sheriff’s Department that later turned into a reality show on Investigation Discovery. Then he later opened a restaurant called Mr. Beans BBQ & Steakhouse. He also made headlines last year after announcing on social media that he lost 200 pounds due to a yoga program.