Jerry "Woody" Burns was a 1976 graduate of Parkersburg South High School. He began his wrestling career at the age of 6 with South Parkersburg Peewee Team. He was a member of the first Parkersburg South High School State Championship Team in 1975 where he finished 5th in 1976 as a senior. Woody finished State Runner-Up wrestling under the legendary Coach Rod Oldham.

After high school graduation, he coachred the Mineral Wells Peewee program from 1977-1980. He was a referee for 30 years, referring many Regional Tournaments and worked the West Virginia State High School Wrestling Tournament for 13 years. In 2003, he received the West Virginia Outstanding Referee Award of the year. Woody was the president of the Ohio - West Virginia Board for 5 years and was the Rules Interpreter for 5 years.

After 39 years of service, he has retired from IBEW. Woody and his wife Carol reside in Elizabeth WV. He has a daughter Tessa (Chad) Walters.