The WAWLI Papers # 011 ...

(ED. NOTE -- What follows is a cursory study of the year 1913 and results of a number of matches involving top stars; this is also the year that Ed (Strangler) Lewis came to national prominence, particularly with a series of bouts in the Chicago area. Plus -- a variety of clippings detailing the activities of top stars throughout the 1930s and 1940s.)

WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE YEAR 1913

ACCORDING TO A NOV. 30, 1913 ARTICLE IN THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE, ED LEWIS' FIRST PRO BOUT OF ANY SIGNIFICANCE WAS A STRAIGHT FALL LOSS TO FRED BEELL IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICH., THE CITY IN WHICH LEWIS (ROBERT FRIEDRICH) GREW UP. BUT I DON'T KNOW THE DATE, NOR DO i KNOW THE DATES OF TWO, 15-MINUTE DRAWS LEWIS GOT IN MINNEAPOLIS AGAINST STANISLAUS ZBYSZKO WHICH WERE CLAIMED IN THE SAME ARTICLE. LEWIS ALSO IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEATEN HJALMAR LUNDIN IN RICHMOND SOMETIME DURING 1912. SOME ARE CONFUSED ABOUT THE BOB FREDERICKS WHO SHOWS UP AGAINST LEWIS IN EARLY 1913, BUT THAT WAS BOBBY MANAGOFF SR., ACCORDING TO AN INTERVIEW WITH MANAGOFF PRINTED NATIONWIDE IN APRIL, 1933, AFTER MANAGOFF GAVE SAVOLDI THE CONTROVERSIAL FALL (AND APPARENT WORLD TITLE) OVER JIM LONDOS IN CHICAGO.

Jan. 13--Chicago--STANISLAUS ZBYSZKO def Charles Cutler 2-0;

Jan. 20--Chicago--George Lurich def DR. B.F. ROLLER 2-0;

Jan. 24--Louisville--ED LEWIS def Bob Fredericks;

Jan. 26--Duluth--STANISLAUS ZBYSZKO def Jess Westergaard 2-0;

Jan. 31--Louisville--William Demetral def ED LEWIS;

Feb. 6--Lexington KY--ED LEWIS drew Bob Fredericks (handicap conditions);

Feb. 7--Chicago--STANISLAUS ZBYSZKO def Raymond Cazeau 2-0;

Feb. 19--Lexington KY--ED LEWIS def Jack Stone;

Feb. 20--Boston--George Lurich def STANISLAUS ZBYSZKO cnc;

Feb. 21--Louisville--ED LEWIS def Doc Gomer;

Feb. 24--Chicago--STANISLAUS ZBYSZKO def Constant Le Marin;

Feb. 27--Detroit--STANISLAUS ZBYSZKO def William Demetral 2-0;

Mar. 6--Lexington KY--ED LEWIS def Harry Faust;

Mar. 14--Louisville--ED LEWIS drew Young Olsen;

Mar. 28--Louisville--ED LEWIS def Young Olsen;

ROLLER DEFEATS LEWIS IN STRAIGHT FALLS SOMEWHERE SPRING OF 1913

Apr. 4--New York--WLADEK ZBYSZKO, Tom Jenkins, others at 22nd Regiment Armory on flood relief show;

Apr. 23--Chicago--STANISLAUS ZBYSZKO def Constant Le Marin 2-0, WLADEK ZBYSZKO def Paul Martinson 2-0;

May 19 or 25--???--STANISLAUS ZBYSZKO vs Raymond Cazeau, WLADEK ZBYSZKO vs Sandelli;

May 24--Montreal--Constant Le Marin def STANISLAUS ZBYSZKO cnc;

May 28--????--STANISLAUS ZBYSZKO vs George Lurich; WLADEK ZBYSZKO vs Sampson;

Sept. 18--Lexington KY--ED LEWIS def B.F. ROLLER;

Nov. 3--Chicago--ED LEWIS def Paul Martinson;

Nov. 14--Chicago--ED LEWIS def Karl Schulz;

Nov. 15--Chicago--ED LEWIS def Paul Raas;

Nov. 21--Louisville--ED LEWIS def Young Olsen;

Nov. 26--Chicago--Charles Cutler def ED LEWIS;

Nov. 29--Chicago--ED LEWIS def Jack Sajatoric;

ED LEWIS TELLS CHICAGO TRIBUNE HE WAS BORN JUNE 30, 1891, IN SHEBOYGAN, MOVED TO GRAND RAPIDS AT AGE 13; SEZ HE BEAT FRED BEELL IN STRAIGHT FALLS THERE IN 1910, THEN MET STAN ZEE IN THOSE TWO HANDICAPS AT MINNEAPOLIS

Dec. 1--Chicago--ED LEWIS vs. Andrea Anderson;

Dec. 2--Lexington KY (date?)--ED LEWIS def Tom Jenkins;

Dec. 16--Lexington KY (date?)--ED LEWIS def Gus Kervaros;

Dec. 30--Chicago (Empire)--Gus Schoenlein def ED LEWIS 2-0, Gustav Fristensky def Max Miller, John Coleman, Mysterious Horseshoer; Ted Tonneman def Young Beell, John Meyers def George Dietz ($1,652.25, Lewis received check for $330.50);

J.M. WALLS MANAGING LEWIS AT THIS POINT, LEWIS ARRIVES BACK IN CHICAGO DEC. 26 FOR THE AMERICUS MATCH, CLAIMING WINS OVER TOM JENKINS AND GUS KERVAROS IN LEXINGTON SINCE HIS LAST CHICAGO BOUT...I GUESSED AT THE DATES. ____________________________________________

JONES SELECTED; COWBOY NAMED AFTER HOLDING KAMPFER TO DRAW IN LOCAL BOUT

(reprinted from Lancaster, Pa., paper, 4-26-33)

By George W. Kirchner

John Paul Jones, the Texas cowboy, has been named to meet Jim Londos, recognized in many states as the heavyweight wrestling champion, when the Greek makes his first appearance in Lancaster Tuesday, May 9.

This announcement was made this morning by Promoter Fred Jeffries after Jones had wrestled to a draw with Hans Kampfer, the German strong-boy, in one-half of a double feature presented last night before an enthusiastic audience of 2,975 fans at Maple Grove.

Jeffries' decision of naming Jones as the opponent for Londos on May 9 was made after the promoter had questioned many of the fans. It had been previously decided that "Jeemie" would meet the winner of the Kampfer-Jones match, but when the bout was declared a draw after both had tumbled out of the ring, these plans were rudely upset.

Immediately, Jeffries started sounding out the fans as to which grappler they wanted: Kampfer or Jones. The majority, he said, favored the wiry Texan who, in making his first appearance here, was especially impressive.

"It required considerable questioning before we were able to pick Jones as the most logical man to meet Londos," Jeffries remarked after naming the Texan. "Kampfer is a great wrestler and a strong favorite around here, but we found, after talking to many of the fans, that Jones had become immensely popular in his first showing here and that the majority preferred to see him against Londos.

"We also inquired of Dr. Appleyard as to which wrestler he thought was in better physical condition after the bout, and the doctor told us that Jones was in much better shape. Kampfer, he said, was badly dazed for some time after the pair had been counted out. This would indicate that Jones was the man to pick and we have decided on him."

Jones, as he exemplified last night, is an expert with the figure-four scissors and it was this grip which tortured the powerful German so much that he tumbled backwards over the ropes, in a desperate but futile effort, to break it. When Kampfer staggered to his feet with Jones still clinging to him, late in the bout, he intended to toss the cowboy over the ropes and in such manner break the hold. But Jones refused to release those legs which were wrapped around the German's mid-section and the pair went tumbling off the aporon of the ring, landing head-first on the floor.

Referee Jimmy Wilson of Philadelphia started to wave them back into the ring, changed his mind as he saw Jones had no idea of releasing his grip and dived down to the floor in an effort to separate them. This action, together with the fact that the cowboy still clung to his opponent, brought the fans out of their seats and it wasn't long before the ring was crowded with spectators, all anxious to see everything that went on.

Hampered considerably by the spectators who pushed their way to the front, Wilson encountered much trouble in prying the two apart and when he did both were so dazed that they couldn't move. The referee hopped back into the ring, counted the usual ten and declared the contest a draw as both men were still out of the ring when the count was concluded. No sooner had Wilson finished counting than did Jones hop back into the ring, protesting against the decision, but nothing could shake the husky Philadelphia referee and the verdict stood a draw.

Never since professional wrestling was first started in this city have the fans seen such a vicious grip as the figure-four scissors as applied by Jones. Other wrestlers, including Roland Kirchmeyer, who introduced it here, have used the grip, but none with as much effect as Jones.

The cowboy clung to his opponent much like a leech and the Greco-Roman champion from Germany must have suffered much pain during the time Jones held him between his powerful legs. And this was often during the 39 minutes and three seconds which they wrestled.

The cowboy came heralded as a scissors king and he convinced everyone that he was worthy of the name. It was these scissor grips that provided Jones with his best weapon although he knew plenty of other tricks which he displayed.

Kampfer had wrestled here twice previous to last night but never had he faced such a severe test as he did against Jones. The powerful Germany had his hands full and at no time did he show his superiority as he has in the past. It was give and take either way for the first 25 minutes and after that it was Kampfer locked in a vicious scissors. Both slammed each other around the ring and over the ropes often and neither hesitated in using their fists. The bout was fast from the start and Jones' performance surprised many.

Both Kampfer and Jones were fully recuperated 10 minutes after they reached their dressing rooms, but not as much can be said for Irving Beckhardt, of Coatesville, one of the two judges. When the pair came tumbling out of the ring, "Beckie" who had been dodging them all night was not fast enough to get out of their road and was caught beneath them. He came up with a badly bruised left knee and had to be treated by Dr. Appleyard.

The Kampfer-Jones bout was offered as one-half of a double feature and so surprising was the showing of Jones against the German that the bout stole away much of the color which went with the Lou Plummer-Marshall Blackstock rematch. Once again Plummer, the South Bend athlete, pinned the shoulders of the Sioux City Indian, but this time there was no after-the-bout blow by Blackstock and there was no attempt to mob him by the crowd. The reason for this is because he came and left the ring guarded by a detail of American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps boys.

But the Plummer-Blackstock affair, which went 27 minutes, 37 seconds, before Plummer applied the body press for the fall was not lacking in thrills. True, it did not quite measure up to the first one staged between the two, but there was plenty of action all the time. As before the boys took turns in tossing each other out of the ring and down to the floor, and, of course, these actions brought the fans out of their seats.

Plummer slammed his opponent no less than five times before he applied the final body press for the fall.

Joe Cox, Jewish grappler from Cleveland, made his debut in Lancaster by holding Emil Dusek, of Omaha, to a draw in a lively second bout. Cox made a big hit with the fans while Dusek, continuing in his rough manner, drew the usual Bronx cheers.

The bout appeared to be even and was made lively by the body slams and butts dished out by the pair. Both threw each over the ropes many times and the thirty-minute affair was fast from the opening gong.

In the first bout, Eli Fischer, former Rutgers football star, tossed Bill Nelson, veteran New York, after 21 minutes, 6 seconds. Three body slams put Nelson just about out and Fischer hopped on to apply the body press for the fall. In the early minutes of the bout Nelson, taking the aggressive side, appeared to be superior, but Fischer rallied and his vicious uppercuts and slams put his opponent in weak enough condition for the fall.

Jimmy Wilson was referee with "Dock" Kohsin and Irving Beckhardt judges and "Eph" Brenner announcer.
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SHIKAT WINS RIGHT TO KEEP DETROIT DATE

(Associated Press, April 24, 1936)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Counsel for Dick Shikat, German claimant of the world's heavyweight wrestling crown, countered successfully in Federal Court today in an attempt to prevent him from wrestling in Detroit tonight.

Attorney Fred Rector, representing Joe Alvarez, Boston matchmaker, in a managerial dispute with Shikat and Al Haft, Columbus promoter, sought to obtain a temporary restraining order to keep the wrestler from showing at Detroit.

John Connor, attorney for Shikat and Haft, told the court that they would be unable to prepare their answer to the motion until tomorrow.

Federal Judge Mell G. Underwood said he would reserve decision until the answer was filed, permitting Shikat to fill the Detroit engagement.

A temporary order preventing Shikat from wrestling was dissolved at the opening of the Federal Court hearing yesterday, during which charges were aired that a wrestling "trust" exists in the eastern half of America.

Rector presented an amended application today. Alvarez is attempting to show that a managerial contract signed with him by Shikat is binding. He asks an accounting of the wrestler's earnings since Shikat went under Haft's management.

Leon Balkin, matchmaker for Jack Curley, New York promoter, testified during the morning that Shikat had been one of about 130 wrestlers booked through Curley's office in the past two years.

Balkin said Shikat's matches were made through Joe (Toots) Mondt, a New York associate of Curley.

Figures submitted by Balkin showed that Shikat received through Curley's office alone $5,352 between February 14 and December 31, 1934; $4,979 between January 3 and June 6, 1935, and $1,864 between January 14 and March 2, 1936.

An exhibit disclosed that one time Shikat got only five per cent of the share of the receipts when his contract called for 12 per cent.

"He got paid off. He was satisified. He didn't raise no squawk," Balkin replied when questioned concerning this.

Wellington B. Guild, member of the Columbus Boxing Commission, testified briefly that on April 18, while a court order restraining Shikat from wrestling was in effect, he saw Shikat and Alan Eustace wrestle here.
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3,000 SEE CARNERA WIN MAT SCRAP: Da Preem's Da King, Savoldi Finds (Miami Herald, Feb. 4, 1947)

By Luther Evans, Herald Sports Writer

Da Preem reigns supreme, even if he does still make the social error of leading with his right.

Yes sir, Primo Carnera, the imported mountain of muscles from Italy, needed only two of the possible three wrestling acts to chastise aging Jumpin' Joe Savoldi before 3,000 fans Tuesday night at the Civic Center arena.

Truly, truly, truly, it was an ignoble defeat for Savoldi, who once was one of something like 331 simultaneous wearers of the wrestling crown.

"I'm glad it ended in 29 minutes," one wide-eyed lass cried. "Why, that Carnera would have killed Joe. He was asking for it by being so rough."

Savoldi wasn't so rough. But he sure was brave!

Why, two or three times, he squared off with the former world boxing champion and dared him to swap punch for punch.

Of course, by the time Carnera got the idea and lifted the ham hocks he uses for fists, Savoldi usually changed his mind and scurried to hide behind referee Jack Bloomfield's undershirt tail.

Carnera "squared off," ready for fistic battle (which never actually developed), and was a little sad. Twice he began a feint at old Joe and on each occasion he started to let the right fly first.

It is painful to tell you folks that Carnera didn't actually pin Savoldi on the first fall. Nope, he simply made him give up. Why, every man who ever attended Notre dame will be downright ashamed of the ex-Irish star when he hears that.

Maybe it'd be better if we didn't let it get out too much.

Carnera won that opening fall after 20 minutes with what looked like a "pretzel twister" to this writer. But it wasn't.

Joe explained it marching back to the ring for the final gong of doom.

"It was a front double toe hold and he had all his weight putting pressure on my legs."

The second and final fall must have broken Joe's heart -- in addition to his back. He lost it at his own game, attempting to level Carnera with his patented flying drop kick.

Absolutely enraged at the way Primo was tossing him around like a child, the daring Savoldi bounced off the ropes, raced across the ring and kicked Carnera in the chin. He didn't even say "pardon me."

That lack of courtesy cost him. The next time Joe leaped, Carnera stepped cunningly aside and the loser fell seven feet. Then 300 pounds fell on him. Then it was over.

Carnera was a credit to the sport. He exemplified the clean-living wrestler. Never did he resort to fouls. He wrestled according to the rules, even if he did seem to know only two or three holds.

Perhaps, it's a little harsh to say but Savoldi deserved to lose. He didn't play fair.

In the preliminaries which actually were faster and even more dirty, Bill Middlekauf threw Jules Strongbow in 14 minutes; Roy Welch tossed King Kong in 11, and Kilroy flattened Steve Karas in 15.

Next week: East Lynne.
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LEWIS CLASHES WITH CARNERA IN MAT BOUT

(reprinted from Miami Herald, December 2, 1947)

Primo Carnera, former heavyweight boxing champion, pits his 265-pound, six-foot-six-inch frame against Ed (Strangler) Lewis' famous strangle hold tonight in the feature wrestling event at the Coral Gables Coliseum.

They will clash over the best two-out-of-three fall, 90-minute time limit route. Red Cameron will be the referee.

Carnera wrestled in Italy during the early '30s when he was discovered and converted into a fighter. As a boxer he rose to the top of the fistic ladder when he won the heavyweight title from Jack Sharkey in 1933. He lost the crown a year later when he was knocked out by Max Baer.

Last year the Ambling Alp returned to the United States from Italy as a wrestler. He broke attendance records in cities from coast to coast.

Da Preem has appeared twice during the past year. Last February, he defeated Jumping Joe Savoldi and in July he licked Babe Sharkey. He is undefeated as a grunt and groaner.

Lewis is considered one of the greatest grapplers that ever climbed into a ring. His name has been connected with wrestling since the First World War and he has beaten every top performer in the game.

Four 30-minute, one-fall events will comprise the supporting card. In the semifinal, Johnny (Flash) Clifford meets the Flying Disc; Jack Bloomfield tangles with Duke DeKokma; Jake Schnable takes on Happy Davis and the opener pairs Young Billy Sandow and Joe (Kilroy) Santos at 8:45 p.m. ____________________________________________

Spotlighting Sports by Jimmy Burns, Sports Editor

(reprinted from the Miami Herald, Tues., Dec. 2, 1947)

Lumbering the arcade from the Columbus to the McAllister hotel, I almost collided with a huge guy. Apologies were in order because he looked like Ed (Strangler) Lewis. He was Lewis, so we paused for a chat.

"How old are you? I asked, because just the other day the point was argued with Mr. Pat Malone, the rassling promoter.

"I was born in 1890," Lewis replied gruffly, indicating it wasn't a polite question. "That makes me 57 years old."

His attitude seemed to imply -- "Do you wanta make something of it?"

Not with a man who weighs 275 p9ounds and who is going into the ring at the Coliseum tonight with another hulk of humanity, Primo Carnera.

Lewis doesn't appear to be 57, and anyone in his right mind would rather tackle a polar bear -- this cold snap must make one think of polar bears -- than to dispute Ed's word.

Lewis has been wrestling for 42 years; he's engaged in 6,200 matches, and his plane trip here from California was his 253rd excursion across the continent by air. He likes planes, and why not?

Air travel makes it possible for rasslers to work six times a week, instead of only three as in the horse-and-buggy days. Lewis claims that he's the biggest individual money earner ever in sports.

"I've grossed $15,000,000, while Jack Dempsey grossed only $11,000,000," Lewis said.

(Frank G. Menke's The New Encyclopedia of Sports says Dempsey earned only $5,063,079 as a fighter and referee, but who am I to argue with a 275-pounder who specializes in vise-like headlocks!)

Lewis holds modern rasslers in contempt, and is a trifle aggrieved because the current wrestling fans don't appreciate scientific grappling.

Lewis' rules for good health are simple. He eats good food, gets from six to eight hours' sleep nightly; practices the difficult feat of unlocking the mind from the body, and engages in good exercise.

"Exercise isn't any good unless you do it properly," Lewis declared. "Walking correctly is good exercise, so is proper breathing."

And then he pierced me with a baleful glare, demanding, "Did you know that not one person in 100,000 breathes correctly?"

Lewis demonstrated what he meant -- expanding his huge chest and then exhaling. For a moment, the walls of the arcade shook, as if in an earthquake shock.

"Deep breathing purifies the blood," he explained.

"What do you do for exercise?" he demanded.

"Play golf," I replied, timidly.

"Golf," he snorted. "That's a sissy game."

Well, I'm gonna keep playing it so long as Bert Berry can't break 100, and his betting money holds out.

Lewis resented the insinuation that he must eat a quarter of beef per meal.

"No," he replied. "My wife weighs only 122 pounds, yet she eats as much as I do. I prefer fruits and vegetables. No starches."

So, if you want to see a well-preserved and active 57-year-old, check out the Coliseum tonight. And be sure to take deep breaths all the while.
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The WAWLI Papers # 012...

(ED. NOTE -- In this issue, we have assorted results, 1939-53, from Washington state, Washington DC and southern California.)

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON -- MASONIC TEMPLE -- 1939

Jan. 17 -- Billy Edwards def Dave Johnson, Toby Wallace def Logger Agee, Cliff Thiede drew Sailor Barto; Jan. 24 -- Sailor Barto def Kay Bell 2-1, Billy Edwards def Dave Johnson, Toby Wallace def Aimlo Kallio; Jan. 31 -- Billy Hansen def Billy Edwards DQ, Dave Johnson def Floyd Johnson, Sailor Barto def Bull Venable; Feb. 7 -- Billy Hansen def Dave Johnson, Sailor Barto def Billy Edwards, Floyd Hansen def Bull Venable; Feb. 14 -- Billy Hansen def Tom Zaharias, Toby Wallace drew Floyd Hansen, Sailor Barto def Dave Johnson; Feb. 21 -- Sailor Barto def George Harben, Glen Palmer def Dr. Harry Kahoe, Raoul Lopez def Dave Johnson DQ; Feb. 28 -- Andre Adoree (Al Baffert) def Billy Hansen, Harry Kahoe drew Raoul Lopez, George Harben def Dave Johnson; Mar. 7 -- Andre Adoree def George Harben, Kay Bell def Joe Reynolds, Bull Venable def Toby Wallace; Mar. 14 -- Andre Adoree def Jim Clark, Al Getzowich def George Harben, Toby Wallace drew Bull Venable; Mar. 22 (Wednesday) -- Al Getzowich def Andre Adoree, Jack Kogut def Bull Venable, Raoul Lopez def Calvin Reese; Mar. 28 -- Al Getzowich def Pat O'Shocker DQ, George Harben def Jim Clark, Harry Kahoe def Kay Bell; Apr. 4 -- Bob Kruse def Pat O'Shocker, George Harben def Al Getzowich, Jack Kogut def Harry Kahoe; Apr. 11 -- Dean Detton def Bob Kruse, Archibald Morris def Harry Kahoe DQ, George Harben def Jack Kogut; Apr. 18 -- Dean Detton def George Harben, Toby Wallace def Jack Mitchell, Al Getzowich def Archibald Morris;
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WASHINGTON, D.C. RESULTS, 1942-43 Promoter Joe Turner, Turner's Arena (except for a few Uline Arena shows promoted by Goldie Ahearne); curiously, when Ahearne threw in the towel, he had switched from using Jack Pfeffer's circus troupe to rival Rudy Dusek's wrestlers.... Aug. 5--Bibber McCoy def Rudy Dusek, Michele Leone-Jim Austeri def John Melas-Ace Freeman, Dick Lever def Maurice LaChappelle, Tommy O'Toole drew Hans Kampfer Aug. 12--Ernie Dusek def McCoy, Leone-Austeri def Freeman-LaChappelle, Herman Rohde def John Vansky, Lever drew Abe Yourist Aug. 19--Ernie-Rudy Dusek def Leone-Austeri, O'Toole drew Joe Millich, Johnny Long def Eddie King, LaChappelle def Vansky Aug. 26--Ernie Dusek def Leone, Yourist def Vansky, Millich def Rudy Dusek, LaChappelle def Austeri, Long def Freeman Sept. 2--Ernie Dusek drew Millich, LaChappelle-Freeman def Austeri-King, Leone drew Long, Jack Kelly def Vansky Sept. 9--Millich def Leone, LaChappelle-Freeman def Mike Heller (Jack LaRue)-Austeri, Long def Vansky, Ron Etchison drew Kampfer Sept. 16--Joe Millich def Long, LaRue def King, LaChappelle drew Leone, Freeman drew Austeri, Morris Shapiro def Vansky Sept. 23--Leone def LaChappelle, Millich drew Long, Paul Boesch def King, Shapiro def Austeri, Rohde drew Freeman Sept. 30--Ernie Dusek def Boesch, Angelo Savoldi def Long dq, Etchison drew Millich, Shapiro def Bob Kess Oct. 7--Long def A. Savoldi, Boesch drew Leone, Shapiro def Freeman, LaChappelle def King Oct. 14--Jim Londos def Gino Garibaldi, Etchison def Leone dq, Shapiro def Vansky, Fred Grubmeier drew Millich, Millich def LaRue Oct. 21--Mildred Burke def Mae Young, Long def Rudy Dusek dq, Shapiro def Leone, Dick Craddock def Vansky, Etchison def LaRue Oct. 28--Londos def Shapiro, Long def Melas, Garibaldi def Grubmeier, Max Krauser def Etchison, Abe Coleman def Austeri NOV. 2 (ULINE)--Rube Wright drew Swedish Angel, Toto, The Ape Man def Karol Trauser, Stewart Smith (Irish Giant) def Franz Schuman dq, Ivan Vakturoff drew Schuman, George Tragos drew Zimba Parker (inaugural show for promoter Goldie Ahearne, Jack Pfeffer booking talent...natch) Nov. 4--Long drew Shapiro, LaChappelle-Freeman def Austeri-Vansky, Krauser def King, Coleman drew Leone NOV. 9 (ULINE)--Wright def Tragos, Toto def Irish Giant, Herman Levine def Purple Secret (Stewart Smith), Schuman def Buddy Kilpatrick, Vakturoff drew Parker Nov. 11--Garibaldi def Leone, Long def Melas, Coleman def Shapiro, Milo Steinborn def Austeri, Buddy Pappas def Vansky (count up the number of guys Vansky puts over on their first appearance for this group!) Nov. 18--Ernie Dusek def Long, Shapiro def Joe DeValto, Yellow Mask (Barto Hill) def Bamba Tabu (Yaqui Joe), Krauser drew Garibaldi, Coleman drew Henry Piers Nov. 25--Ernie Dusek def Shapiro, Long drew George Becker, Yellow Mask def DeValto, Leone drew Steinborn, Piers def Melas Dec. 2--French Angel def Rudy Dusek, Becker def Yellow Mask dq, Leo Numa drew Garibaldi, Long def Tabu, Kelly def Austeri Dec. 9--Krauser def Garibaldi, Long drew Yellow Mask, Freeman-Kelly def Coleman-Melas, Schuman def Craddock Dec. 16--Long def Yellow Mask dq, LaChappelle-Freeman def Leone-Tabu, Garibaldi drew Shapiro, Kelly def Melas ------------------------------------ Jan. 6--Rudy Dusek def Yellow Mask, Krauser def Piers, Long def Schuman, Kelly drew Stanley Pinto Jan. 13--Ernie Dusek def Yellow Mask, Rudy Dusek drew Krauser, Long drew Kelly, Piers def Tom George Jan. 20--Ernie Dusek def Yellow Mask, Leone drew Krauser, Long def Freeman, Becker drew Kelly Jan. 27--Ernie Dusek def Joe Cox, Yellow Mask def Lever, Long def Emil Dusek, Craddock def Tabu Feb. 3--Emil Dusek def Long, Krauser def Tony Felice, Craddock drew Freeman, Lever & King no show Feb. 10--Yellow Mask def Emil Dusek, Ernie Dusek drew Krauser, Rudy Dusek def Rohde, Felice def Tabu FEB. 15 (ULINE)--French Angel def Danno O'Mahoney, Frank Bronowicz drew George Macricostas, Iron Talun def Bobby Stewart dq, Levine drew Great Hans Tristran Feb. 17--Krauser def Yellow Mask dq, Grubmeier def Kelly, Long def Austeri, Emil Dusek drew Leone Feb. 24--George Koverly def Yellow Mask, Rudy Dusek drew O'Toole, Emil Dusek def Grubmeier, Long drew Leone MAR. 1 (ULINE)--Pat Fraley drew Golden Terror (Bobby Stewart), Man Mountain Dean def Tony Milano, Chief Chewacki def Blimp Levy, Jim Stefano def Tabu, Macricostas def Tristran Mar. 3--Koverly def Emil Dusek, Yellow Mask def Austeri (sub for Lou Plummer), Craddock def Austeri dq, Krauser drew Lever Mar. 10--Yellow Mask def Koverly, Krauser def Emil Dusek, Rohde def Leone dq, Austeri drew Coleman MAR. 15 (ULINE)--Golden Terror def MM Dean, Purple Flash (Mae Weston) def Elvira Snodgrass, Iron Talun def Chewacki, Macricostas def Tabu, Toar Morgan def Vakturoff, Stefano drew Ike Eisner Mar. 17--Ernie Dusek def Krauser, Yellow Mask drew Leone, Emir Badui def Ed White, Joe Parelli drew Eddie Pope Mar. 25--Ed Lewis def Nanjo Singh, Mildred Burke def Purple Flash, Morgan def Lever, Long drew Macricostas, Tom George drew Stefano MAR. 30 (ULINE)--Yellow Mask def Leone, Krauser def Koverly, Rudy Dusek drew Steinborn, Badui def Austeri Apr. 1--Macricostas def Numa, Long-Freeman def Tabu-Bomber Kulkovich, Babe Sharkey def Vakturoff, George Craig def Jack Delaney, Ed Pavloski drew Pope APR. 6 (ULINE)--Ernie Dusek def Yellow Mask, Joe Cox def Steinborn, Coleman-Louis Gyureak def Austeri-Parelli, Craddock def Felice Apr. 8--Ed Lewis def Macricostas, Long-Freeman def Tabu-Pope, Craig def Tom George, Lever def Vakturoff APR. 13 (ULINE)--Cox def Rudy Dusek, Nick Elitch def Leone dq, Steinborn def Badui, Craddock drew Parelli Apr. 15--(tournament) Pavloski def Freeman, Tabu def Pope, Macricostas def Charles Manoogian, Tom Mahoney def Stefano, Long def Red Czar (Tony Felice) dq, Craig def Chief Lone Wolf; Canadian Angel (Jack Rush) def Tabu, Macricostas def Pavloski, Long def Craig; Mahoney def Macricostas dq; Canadian Angel def Mahoney (sub for Long, injured) APR. 20 (ULINE)--Krauser def Cox, Coleman drew Leone, Steinborn def Ed White, Larry Moquin def Austeri dq Apr. 22--French Angel def Canadian Angel, Macricostas def Mahoney, Long def Harry Nixon, Sharkey def Red Czar dq, Lever def Manoogian Apr. 28--(tournament) Macricostas-Stefano def John Bonica-Mario di Caprio, Sharkey-Czar def Pavloski-King Clancy; Lever-Pope def Macricostas-Stefano; Sharkey-Czar def Lever-Pope (Tony Galento referee) May 5--Macricostas def Red Czar, MM Dean def Lever, Chewacki drew Mahoney, Long def Clancy, Tom George drew Freeman May 13--Jim Londos def Long, Macricostas def King, Red Czar drew Yourist, Sharkey NC Mahoney, Sharkey (sub for Nanjo Singh) def Abe Stein May 19--French Angel def Iron Talun, Long drew Lever, Yourist def Red Czar dq, Sharkey def Mahoney, King def Tom George May 26--Londos def Steinborn, Danno O'Mahoney drew Macricostas, Sharkey NC Lever, Yourist-Red Czar def Long-Melas, King drew Bonica June 2--Snodgrass def Mae Weston, Sharkey def Lever, Bronowicz-Red Czar def Bonica-Yourist, Macricostas def Tabu June 9--Snodgrass def Mae Young, Red Czar def Steinborn, Ben Morgan NC Babe Sharkey, Yourist drew Macricostas, Bonica def Melas June 16--Snodgrass def Flora Dearn, Sharkey def Red Czar, Ben Morgan def Lever, Long def Freeman, Macricostas drew Melas June 23--Joe Savoldi def Long, Sharkey NC Yourist, Ben Morgan def Steinborn, Craddock drew Freeman, Lever def Tabu June 30--Sharkey def Ben Morgan, Craddock def Eisner, Bonica def Stefano, Bronowicz def Gus Steffan, Freeman def Eddie Clay (Koverly, Lever, Melas no shows) July 7--French Angel def Sharkey, Long drew Bonica, Leone def Freeman, Black Mask (Hans Kampfer) def Tabu, Pavloski def Allen Cherney July 14--Sharkey def Leone, Bonica-Tony Martinelli def Tabu-A. Savoldi, Black Mask def Lever, Steinborn drew Macricostas, Yourist def Eisner July 21--Chief Thunderbird def Sharkey dq, Black Mask def Pat Fraley, Steinborn def Yourist, Martinelli def Vansky, A. Savoldi def Sailor Bob Corby (George Bruckman) July 28--Sharkey def Lever, Thunderbird def Abe Stein, LaChappelle drew Leone, Black Mask def Yourist, Jack Winthrop def Tabu Aug. 4--Black Mask def Yourist, Thunderbird drew Ben Morgan, LaChappelle def Vansky, Long drew Leone, Winthrop def Lever dq Aug. 11--Thunderbird def Leone, Sharkey def Winthrop, Iron Talun def Lever, Black Mask def Tabu, Macricostas def Ben Morgan dq Aug. 18--Sharkey def Iron Talun, Lever-Vansky def Long-LaChappelle, Thunderbird def Ben Morgan dq, Macricostas drew Black Mask Aug. 25--Long-LaChappelle def Vansky-Lever, Thunderbird drew Blue Streak, John Wentworth def Leone dq, Craddock drew Abe Stein __________________________________________

LOS ANGELES, SOUTHERN CAL- MARCH, APRIL 1951 Mar. 12

Hollywood Legion -- Danny McShain def Great Scott, Leo Garibaldi def Dave Levin, Jesse James def Ted Christy, Joe Pazandak def John Cretoria, Roy Asselin drew Angelo Cistoldi; Mar. 13 -- South Gate -- Baron Leone vs Great Scott, The Bushman vs Sheik Lawrence; Mar. 14 -- LA Olympic -- Baron Leone def Danny McShain 2-1, Black-Carlos Guzman def Karl Davis-Abe Kashey, Joe Pazandak def Roy Asselin, Tony Martinez def The Bushman, Andre Drapp def Pancho Valentino; Mar. 15 -- Long Beach -- Baron Leone vs Mr. Moto, Ted Christy vs Sheik Lawrence, Joe Pazandak vs Angelo Cistoldi, Roger Mackay vs Tony Martinez; Mar. 16 -- Santa Monica -- Danny McShain-Great Scott vs Black-Carlos Guzman, Great Togo vs Roy Asselin, Leo Garibaldi vs Dave Levin, Karl Davis vs Jesse James; Mar. 17 -- Valley Garden -- Baron Leone vs Karl Davis; Mar. 19 -- Hollywood Legion -- Enrique Torres def Gino Garibaldi, Leo Garibaldi def Antone Leone, Joe Pazandak def Roy Asselin, Jesse James def Bud Curtis, Bob Corby drew Tony Morelli; Mar. 19 -- Pasadena -- Billy Varga-Johnny Dugan def Karl Johnson-Darling Danny; Mar. 20 -- South Gate -- Leo Garibaldi vs Great Togo, Pat Fraley-Terry McGinnis vs Karl Davis-Angelo Cistoldi; Mar. 21 -- LA Olympic -- Black-Carlos Guzman def Mr. Moto-Great Togo, Enrique Torres def Abe Kashey, Joe Pazandak def Bud Curtis, Tony Martinez drew Angelo Cistoldi, Woody Strode def Pancho Valentino, Karl Davis vs Jesse James; Mar. 22 -- Long Beach -- Baron Leone vs Mr. Moto, Enrique Torres-Tony Martinez vs Great Scott-Abe Kashey, Joe Pazandak vs Don Lee, Hardy Kruskamp vs Bud Curtis; Mar. 23 -- Santa Monica -- Leo-Gino Garibaldi vs Mr. Moto-Great Togo, Black Guzman vs Roger Mackay, Carlos Guzman vs Karl Davis, Donn Lewin vs Angelo Cistoldi; Mar. 24 -- Valley Garden -- Black-Carlos Guzman vs Mr. Moto-Karl Davis; Mar. 26 -- Hollywood Legion -- Mr. Moto-Great Scott def Jesse James-Black Guzman, Leo Garibaldi def Billy McDaniels, Andre Drapp drew Angelo Cistoldi, Joe Pazandak def Bomber Kulkovich, Roy Asselin def George Temple; Mar. 26 -- Pasadena -- Tor Johnson-Karl Johnson def Billy Varga-Johnny Dugan, Tom Renesto vs Darling Danny (Joe Louis, referee); Mar. 27 -- South Gate -- Karl Davis-Angelo Cistoldi vs Leo Garibaldi-Roger Mackay; Mar. 28 -- LA Olympic -- Baron Leone def Mr. Moto, Great Scott-Karl Davis drew Leo-Gino Garibaldi, Joe Pazandak def Billy McDaniels, Roger Mackay drew Tony Martinez, Bud Curtis def Bob Corby (Joe Louis, referee); Mar. 29 -- Long Beach -- Mr. Moto-Great Scott vs Enrique Torres-Tony Martinez, Karl Davis vs Andre Drapp, Joe Pazandak vs Bomber Kulkovich, Chester Hayes vs Roy Asselin; Mar. 30 -- Santa Monica -- Baron Leone vs Carlos Guzman; Mar. 31 -- Valley Garden -- Black Guzman vs Mr. Moto, Carlos Guzman vs Joe Pazandak; Apr. 2 -- Hollywood Legion -- Gino-Leo Garibaldi def Great Scott-Mr. Moto, Sandor Szabo drew Jesse James, Roy Asselin def Tony Morelli, Angelo Cistoldi drew Billy McDaniels; Apr. 2 -- Pasadena -- Billy Varga-Johnny Dugan vs Tor-Karl Johnson, Red Torch vs Bomber Kulkovich, Frank Gary vs Tom Renesto, Tuffy Costello vs Raoul Lopez; Apr. 3 -- South Gate -- Karl Davis-Joe Pazandak vs Leo-Gino Garibaldi, Terry McGinnis vs Angelo Cistoldi, Bud Curtis vs Pancho Valentino, Bob Corby vs Billy McDaniels; Apr. 4 -- LA Olympic -- Baron Leone drew Black Guzman, Joe Pazandak-Great Scott def Billy McDaniels-Roger Mackay, Mr. Moto def El Capitano, Tony Morelli def Angelo Cistoldi, Chester Hayes vs Bud Curtis; Apr. 5 -- Long Beach -- Sandor Szabo vs Mr. Moto, Roger Mackay vs Joe Pazandak, Karl Davis vs Billy McDaniels, Donn Lewin vs Lucky Simunovich; Apr. 6 -- Santa Monica -- Baron Leone def Carlos Guzman, Black Guzman drew Leo Garibaldi, Tony Martinez vs Great Scott, Donn Lewin vs Bud Curtis; Apr. 7 -- Valley Garden -- Baron Leone vs Dave Levin, Joe Pazandak vs Billy McDaniels; Apr. 9 -- Hollywood Legion -- Gorgeous George def Jesse James, Leo-Gino Garibaldi def Karl Davis-Angelo Cistoldi, Sandor Szabo def Roy Asselin, Billy McDaniels def Howard Cantonwine; Apr. 9 -- Pasadena -- Billy Varga def Tor Johnson, Johnny Dugan vs Karl Johnson, Tuffy Costello def Darling Danny, Tom O'Dell vs Pete Mehringer; Apr. 10 -- South Gate -- Gorgeous George vs Dave Levin, Gino Garibaldi vs Joe Pazandak, Howard Cantonwine vs Karl Davis, Angelo Cistoldi vs Jesse James; Apr. 11 -- LA Olympic -- Baron Leone def Black Guzman, Great Scott def Tony Martinez, Joe Pazandak def Roy Asselin, Vic Holbrook drew karl Davis, Lucky Simunovich def Hardy Kruskamp; Apr. 12 -- Long Beach -- Baron Leone vs Leo Garibaldi, Enrique Torres-Tony Martinez vs Mr. Moto-Karl Davis; Apr. 13 -- Santa Monica -- Gorgeous George vs Roger Mackay, Black Guzman vs Great Scott; Apr. 14 -- Valley Garden -- Baron Leone vs Enrique Torres; Apr. 16 -- Hollywood Legion -- Danny McShain vs Roger Mackay, Black-Carlos Guzman def Great Scott-Don Lee, Sandor Szabo def Bud Curtis, Lucky Simunovich def Bob Corby; Apr. 16 -- Pasadena -- Billy Varga def Johnny Dugan, Darling Danny vs Tuffy Costello, Tom Renesto vs Pete Mehringer, Tex Mooney vs Raoul Lopez; Apr. 17 -- South Gate -- Baron Leone vs Gino Garibaldi, Joe Pazandak-Angelo Cistoldi vs Sandor Szabo-Bomber Kulkovich; Apr. 18 -- LA Olympic -- Baron Leone def Gorgeous George, Danny McShain def Tony Martinez, Enrique Torres def Howard Cantonwine, Joe Pazandak def Bomber Kulkovich, Donn Lewin def Chester Hayes, Paul Matty def Rudy Lyons; Apr. 20 -- Santa Monica -- Danny McShain-Great Scott drew Gino-Leo Garibaldi, Enrique Torres vs Don Lee, Ali Bey vs Bob Corby, Vic Holbrook vs Jesse James; Apr. 21 -- Valley Garden -- Gorgeous George vs Terry McGinnis, Sandor Szabo vs Joe Pazandak; Apr. 23 -- Hollywood Legion -- Danny McShain def Roger Mackay, Black Guzman-Vic Holbrook def Sandor Szabo-Don Lee, Billy McDaniels drew Great Scott, Paul Matty def John Cretoria; Apr. 23 -- Pasadena -- Tom Renesto-Billy Varga def Darling Danny-Karl Johnson; Apr. 24 -- South Gate -- Gino-Leo Garibaldi vs Karl Davis-Sandor Szabo, Joe Pazandak vs Tony Martinez, Hardy Kruskamp vs Bob McCune, Paul Matty vs Bob Corby; Apr. 25 -- LA Olympic -- Danny McShain drew Baron Leone, Enrique Torres def Billy McDaniels, Gino-Leo Garibaldi def Don Lee-Joe Pazandak, Sandor Szabo def Angelo Cistoldi, Paul Matty def Bob Corby dq; Apr. 26 -- Long Beach -- Baron Leone def Sandor Szabo 1-0 60:00, Karl Davis-Joe Pazandak drew Enrique Torres-Roger Mackay, Lucky Simunovich def Billy McDaniels, Paul Matty def Pancho Valentino Apr. 27 -- Santa Monica -- Danny McShain def Leo Garibaldi, Black Guzman vs Donn Lewin; Apr. 28 -- Valley Garden -- Leo-Gino Garibaldi vs Karl-Willie Davis; Apr. 30 -- Hollywood Legion -- Baron Leone vs Gino Garibaldi, Sandor Szabo vs Great Scott, Leo Garibaldi vs Donn Lewin, Vic Holbrook vs Bob McCune Apr. 30 -- Pasadena -- Billy Varga vs Don Lee, Terry McGinnis-Johnny Dugan vs Karl Johnson-Darling Danny;
__________________________________________

WASHINGTON STATE RESULTS, PAIRINGS -- 1953

Jan. 8 -- Bremerton -- Frank Stojack vs John Cretoria, Masked Marvel (Buddy Knox) vs Ivan Kameroff, Gordon Hessel vs Al Watkins Jan. 15 -- Bremerton -- Masked Marvel vs John Cretoria, George Dusette vs Ivan Kameroff, Dick Hayes vs Jack Kontos Jan. 20 -- Yakima -- George Dusette def Masked Marvel, Angelo Martinelli vs Jack Kontos, Gordon Hessel vs Dick Hayes Jan. 27 -- Yakima -- Frank Stojack drew George Dusette, Kurt Von Poppenheim vs Al Watkins, Bud Rattal vs Jack Kontos Jan. 29 -- Bremerton -- Kurt Von Poppenheim-John Cretoria def George Dusette-Angelo Martinelli, George Drake def Gordon Hessel, Al Fridell drew Arnold Snell Feb. 3 -- Yakima -- Carl Engstrom vs John Cretoria, Bud Rattal vs George Drake, Al Watkins vs Jack Kontos Feb. 5 -- Bremerton -- Kurt Von Poppenheim vs Angelo Martinelli, Chief Thunderbird vs George Dusette, John Cretoria vs George Drake Feb. 10 -- Yakima -- Masked Marvel vs Carl Engstrom, Angelo Martinelli vs Bud Rattal, Al Watkins vs George Drake Feb. 12 -- Bremerton -- Masked Marvel vs Angelo Martinelli, George Drake vs Glen Detton, Jack Kontos vs Al Fridell Feb. 17 -- Yakima -- Masked Marvel vs George Dusette, Harold Sakata vs Kurt Von Poppenheim, Bud Rattal vs Al Watkins Feb. 24 -- Yakima -- Frank Stojack vs George Dusette, Harold Sakata vs Bud Rattal, Walter Kameroff vs Angelo Martinelli Feb. 26 -- Bremerton -- Great Yamato-Harold Sakata vs Carl Engstrom-George Drake, Luther Lindsey vs George Dusette, Dick Hayes vs Al Fridell Mar. 3 -- Yakima -- Harold Sakata-Great Yamato vs Carl Engstrom-Walter Kameroff, Bud Rattal vs Doug Donnan, Al Fridell vs Jack Kontos Mar. 10 -- Yakima -- Harold Sakata vs Carl Engstrom, Doug Donnan vs Bud Rattal, Chief Little Bear vs. Tommy Martindale Mar. 12 -- George Dusette vs Luther Lindsey, Masked Marvel vs Walter Kameroff, Chief Little Bear vs Al Fridell Mar. 19 -- Bremerton -- Masked Marvel vs Luther Lindsey, Johnny Demchuk vs Harold Sakata, Doug Donnan vs Bud Rattal Mar. 24 -- Yakima -- Luther Lindsey vs George Dusette, Dave Jons vs Walter Kameroff, Dick Hayes vs Doug Donnan Mar. 31 -- Yakima -- Luther Lindsey def Masked Marvel DQ, George Dusette vs Bud Rattal, Walter Kameroff vs Dick Hayes Apr. 2 -- Bremerton -- George Dusette vs Johnny Demchuk, Carl Engstrom vs Red Vagnone, Paul DeGalles vs Bud Rattal Apr. 7 -- Yakima -- Luther Lindsey vs Carl Engstrom, Walter Kameroff vs Dave Jons, Tommy Martindale vs Danno McDonald Apr. 14 -- Yakima -- Luther Lindsey vs Walter Kameroff, Danno McDonald vs Bud Rattal, Gypsy Moe Faeita vs Al Watkins Apr. 21 -- Yakima -- Battle Royal featuring Jack Kiser, Walter Kameroff, Bud Rattal, Bronko Lubich, Danno McDonald, Gypsy Moe Apr. 28 -- Yakima -- Bud Rattal-Carl Engstrom vs Walter Kameroff-Jack Kiser, Bronko Lubich vs Al Watkins, Doug Donnan vs Dick Hayes Apr. 30 -- Spokane -- George Dusette def Jack Carter, Cal Roberts-Sugy Hayamaka def Harold Sakata-Treach Phillips DQ, Gino Nicolini def Gregario Iribarren May 5 -- Yakima -- DANNY McSHAIN def George Dusette, Luther Lindsey vs Jack Kiser, Bud Rattal vs Bronko Lubich May 7 -- Spokane -- GYPSY JOE def George Dusette, Jack Carter-Sugy Hayamaka drew Dale Haddock-Gino Nicolini, Harold Sakata def Ralph Alexander May 12 -- Yakima -- Battle Royal featuring Jack Kiser, Luther Lindsey, Bronko Lubich, Bud Rattal, Paul DeGalles, Axel Cadier May 14 -- Spokane -- (tournament) Gino Nicolini def Tarzan Zimba, Harold Sakata def Joe Campbell, George Dusette def Apache Craig, Sugy Hayamaka def Bob Cummings, Gino Nicolini def George Dusette, Harold Sakata def Sugy Hayamaka, Gino Nicolini def Harold Sakata May 19 -- Yakima -- Gypsy Moe Faeita-Walter Kameroff vs Luther Lindsey-Jack Kiser, Bronko Lubich vs Axel Cadier, Dick Hayes vs Al Watkins May 21 -- Spokane -- DANNY McSHAIN def Gino Nicolini 2-0, Apache Craig-Sugy Hayamaka drew Jack Carter-Dale Haddock, George Dusette def Harold Sakata May 26 -- Yakima -- DANNY McSHAIN def Jack Kiser, Luther Lindsey vs Bronko Lubich, Axel Cadier vs Angelo Poffo May 28 -- Spokane -- Apache Craig def Jack Carter, Doug Donnan def Al Warshawski, George Dusette def Frank James DQ, Pee Wee James-Great Schultz def Sky Low Low-Tiger Jackson June 2 -- Yakima -- Battle Royal featuring Walter Kameroff, Danno McDonald, Cal Roberts, Angelo Poffo, Juan Hernandez, Bud Rattal June 4 -- Spokane -- Paul DeGalles def Bill Fletcher, Apache Craig def Frank James DQ, Einar Olsen drew Victor Ochoa, George Dusette def Frank Fakety June 9 -- Yakima -- Danno McDonald vs Eric Pederson, Dave Jons vs Bud Rattal, Cal Roberts vs Juan Hernandez June 11 -- Spokane -- Paul DeGalles-Tarzan Zimba def Gregario Iribarren-Sugy Hayamaka, Apache Craig def Harold Sakata, Einar Olsen def Frank James June 16 -- Yakima -- GYPSY JOE def Jack Kiser, Fuzzy Smith vs Tiger Jackson, Danno McDonald vs Bud Rattal June 18 -- Spokane (Ferris Field) -- (tournament) Paul DeGalles-Tarzan Zimba def Apache Craig-Sugy Hayamaka, Gregario Iribarren-Victor Ochoa def Einar Olsen-Dale Haddock, Gregario Iribarren-Victor Ochoa def Paul DeGalles-Tarzan Zimba June 23 -- Yakima -- GYPSY JOE def Danno McDonald, Rey Urbano vs Axel Cadier, Bud Rattal vs Cal Roberts June 25 -- Spokane -- Frank Stojack def Paul DeGalles, Gregario Iribarren def Tarzan Zimba, Sugy Hayamaka def Red Vagnone, Bill Fletcher drew Jack Kiser June 30 -- Yakima -- Frank Stojack vs Danno McDonald, Axel Cadier vs Cal Roberts, Angelo Poffo vs Rey Urbano July 2 -- Spokane -- Gregario Iribarren def Cal Roberts, Red Vagnone-Tarzan Zimba def Apache Craig-Sugy Hayamaka, Doug Donnan drew Einar Olsen July 7 -- Yakima -- Gorgeous George vs Danno McDonald, Luther Lindsey vs Axel Cadier, Cal Roberts vs Angelo Poffo July 9 -- Spokane -- (tournament) Victor Ochoa def Tarzan Zimba, Logger Larsen def Greg Iribarren, Bill Fletcher def Paul DeGalles, Red Vagnone def Doug Donnan, Red Vagnone def Victor Ochoa, Bill Fletcher def Logger Larsen, Red Vagnone def Bill Fletcher July 14 -- Yakima -- Danno McDonald-Luther LIndsey vs Axel Cadier-Angelo Poffo July 17 -- Spokane (Ferris Field) -- LOU THESZ def Red Vagnone 2-0, DANNY McSHAIN def Frank Stojack 1-0 60:00, Victor Ochoa drew Dale Haddock, Doug Donnan def Einar Olsen (4,591, $9,018) July 21 -- Yakima -- Frank Stojack vs Danno McDonald, Dave Jons vs Angelo Poffo, Axel Cadier vs Cal Roberts July 23 -- Spokane -- Red Vagnone-Tarzan Zimba def Doug Donnan-Logger Larsen, Duke Demetri def Paul DeGalles, Doug Donnan def Dale Haddock DQ July 28 -- Yakima -- Dave Jons-Danno McDonald vs Angelo Poffo-Don Kindred, Cal Roberts vs Axel Cadier July 30 -- Spokane -- Bill Fletcher drew Red Vagnone, Glen Detton drew Sugy Hayamaka, Doug Donnan def Paul DeGalles DQ, Tarzan Zimba def Duke Demetri Aug. 6 -- Spokane -- Cal Roberts def Doug Donnan, Red Vagnone def Duke Demetri, Paul DeGalles def Glen Detton, Sugy Hayamaka drew Tarzan Zimba Aug. 10 -- Spokane (Ferris Field) -- FRANK STOJACK def GYPSY JOE 2-1 (won NWA world jr. lightheavy title, Ted Walker referee), Cal Roberts-Sugy Hayamaka vs Tarzan Zimba-Red Vagnone, Einar Olsen vs Doug Donnan Aug. 13 -- Spokane -- Bill Fletcher (later Rocket Monroe) def Paul DeGalles, Sugy Hayamaka def Red Vagnone, Doug Donnan def Tarzan Zimba DQ, Einar Olsen drew Glen Detton Aug. 20 -- Spokane -- One-night tournament advertising Jack Kiser, Danny O'Rourke, Sugy Hayamaka, Glen Detton, Paul DeGalles, Tarzan Zimba, Bill Fletcher, Doug Donnan
________________________________________________

The WAWLI Papers # 013...

ROCCA RILED, BLASTS VERDICT TO THESZ

(reprinted from the N.Y. Journal American, 1-6-53)

By Hugh Bradley

Antonio Rocca, the barefooted boy from the Argentina, is so peeved today he is biting his own toe nails. All because of the dastardly fate that befell him last night in the featured wrestling event at the Garden when he lost to Lou Thesz of St. Louis just when it seemed he had the ting won.

What happened to the vast edification of 11,693 grunt and groan connoisseurs who paid $36,589.50 to view the doings which were neither broadcast nor televised was that Rollicking Rocca was a victim of his own impetuosity. He had thrown Thesz, rated by most of the mat cognoscenti as the greatest wrestler in the world when the boys are levelling, outside the ropes with a backbreaker.

The customers were roaring with glee, eating hot dogs and letting their eyes pop out while watching this unexpected activity. Then with Thesz on the ring apron, Rocca, ignoring repeated warnings from Referee Johnny Garan, grabbed at his opponent again, and was disqualified as the match ended in 20 minutes and 46 seconds.

"I had to do it," Referee Garan said. "Rocca was warned that he should stand aside to permit me to count ten while Thesz was outside the ropes. He didn't obey. Instead, he tried another backbreaker. So I disqualified him."

In his shower bath where he was washing his mouth out with soap so as not to let his full opinion of such injustice become public, Rocca took a different view.

"Phooey," he said in a mixture of soap and Spanish. "I had a right to grab Thesz when he was leaning on the ropes even if he was outside the ring and that is what I did."

Thesz took a different view of the proceedings, particularly when he heard Rocca claimed he had hollered "nuff" after the first backbreaker. As befits a celebrated citizen of St. Louis, he thoughtfully considered the opposition statement, rubbed his chin and said, "Aw, nuts."

The crowd was far less than the 18,357 which paid $57,306 to watch similar doings in November but all hands -- who walked on account of the bus strike -- got full money's worth.

Opening the entertainment was a 20-minute draw between black mustachioed Pedro Escobar of Puerto Rico and Jack Steele, the juvenile from Newark. Then came the acrobats. Raphael Halpern, who insists he brought his 214 pounds all the way from Tel Aviv, met a villain in Kola Kwariani, a baldheaded hair puller from Russia, no less. They bounced and bounced and then all of a sudden -- in 4:47 -- Halpern threw the descendant of the tsars with a head scissors and body slam.

That brought on Lenny Montana of Newark and Whipper Watson of Toronto in face-slapping, hair-pulling display that video viewers will be sorry they missed. Justice triumphed in this one, too, however. After Montana had walked over his opponent's face and inflicted other horrible punishments, Watson put him down for keeps with an Australian whip followed by a body press in 7:36.

Up steps Lu Kim, supposedly from Manchuria but looking more like a portrait of a Civil War general, and Hardy Kruskamp, a skin head from San Francisco. It was over almost before the fans could decide for whom to root when Lu Kim won with a full Nelson in 1:42.

Thereafter it was Primo Carnera's turn to shine. Looking a bit older but far more at ease than in the days when people said he was the heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Carnera threw Bobby Nelson of Chicago, a weeper and a whiner, with a shoulder press in 5:18.

Next was the real rough stuff. In the tag team match, the Stanlees, Gene and Steve, won from a couple of guys named Rudy Kay and Al Williams of Chicago, two falls out of three. Kay and his elderly partner took the first one in 8:31 when Kay got Steve with a headlock and a body slam.

Thereafter Steve slammed Kay in 6:0-9 with a body slam and in 5:19 Gene, Mr. America, demonstrated his celebrated dropkick while downing Williams in 5:19. ____________________________________________

BEHIND THE SCENES by Dick Axman

(reprinted from Wrestling As We Like It, 11-17-49)

In the not too far distant future, Chicago fans may see the Great Togo, Master of Philosophy and Gentleman of Culture. The Great Togo who is a heavyweight contender for wrestling honors is a colorful character and the fans are anxious to see him. In his publicity releases it states that before he wrestles, his servant Hata goes into the ring to burn incense. After a ceremony a piece of white cardboard is folded four ways like a tombstone. This Togo places in his corner as a marker in case he is killed during the match.

For your information Lord Blears, the Great Balbo, Billy Venable and Ruffy Silverstein are in Ohio. Speaking of Ruffy, the west side star first started to wrestle at Crane Tech when there was no wrestling coach. The boys interested in wrestling had to coach themselves. At the University of Illinois, Ruffy met "Hek" Kenney, famed wrestling instructor. Kenney taught Silverstein the fundamentals of grappling. Under Hek's teaching, he won his first important titles -- the Western Conference and National Collegiate crowns.

Orville Brown is reported recovering from his serious automobile accident. He is in a Missouri hospital. Mike London has a grape vineyard in Lodi, California. George Temple, brother of Shirley Temple, movie star, is wrestling around Minnesota and North Dakota.

Canadian wrestlers in action are Pierre LaBelle, Rod Fenton, Yvon Robert, Maurice Roberre, Babe and Alex Kasaboski.

Dutch Howlett, of Boston, who wrestled here to great advantage, is being nicknamed "The Jungle Boy." Dutch has a marvelous build and is as quick as a cat, but we can't see where they should give him a title such as "Jungle Boy."

Chicago wrestling fans who attend the Rainbo Arena are reminded that the new phone number for reservations is WEllington 5-2218.

Lord Blears has a dog who is a Labrador retriever named Bruce. Many mat athletes have dogs as mascots. Hans Schnabel owned the only white chow in California. Tuffy Truesdale never came to the wrestling arena without his dog . . . in direct contrast Farmer Don Marlin had a three-months-old pig as a mascot.

An article in a recent national magazine was on the subject of the nation's knowledge of wrestling holds. . . since the advent of television and the many mat shows that are televised throughout the country, the fans and those who are not fans are now authorities on headlocks, grapevines, scissor holds and the difference between catch-as-catch-can and Greco-Roman styles.

And, by the way, the article brought out the fact that Guy Lebow, of WPIX, one of the wrestling commentators, wears a steel helmet at the ringside to protect himself from flying participants. It also brought out the fact that there are eight wrestling stadiums in the New York area, ten in Connecticut and nine in New Jersey.

The next mat date in the International Ampitheater will be held on December 16th. Promoter Fred Kohler is fast bringing big time wrestling back to the days when $30,000 to $40,000 dates were a regularity in Chicago.
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RESULTS from Wrestling As We Like It, 11-17-49

CHICAGO MIDWAY ARENA (11-18-49) Billy Goelz beat Billy Hickson; Nanjo Singh defeated Duke Keomuka; Maurice Roberre beat Pete Schuh; in a tag bout Danny Fenelon and Jack Carter defeated Kostas Davelis and Ned Taylor.

CHICAGO RAINBO ARENA (11-9-49) -- Al Williams defeated Billy Goelz (overweight match); Duke Keomuka and Jim McMillen wrestled to a draw; in a tag bout Rudy Hoffman and Maurice Roberre beat Pete Schuh and Ned Taylor; Danno McDonald won from Pete Vukavich.

CHICAGO MADISON ARENA (11-10-49) -- Chief Don Eagle defeated Rudy Kay; Tarzan White beat Jim Spencer; in a tag bout Maurice Roberre and Jim McMillen beat Ned Taylor and Kostas Davelis; Jack Carter beat Angelo Martinelli.

CHICAGO MARIGOLD GARDEN (11-12-49) -- Cyclone Anaya defeated Nanjo Singh; Ruffy Silverstein and Tarzan White wrestled to a draw; in a tag bout Angelo Poffo and Maurice Roberee beat Jack Carter and Pete Vukavich; Ned Taylor drew with Jim Spencer. _____________________________________________

FACING EAST by Dick Siegel (WAWLI, 11-17-49)

NEW YORK -- Primo Carnera, now back East, continues one of the mat game's great box-office draws. Huge houses follow Da Preem wherever he is billed. Stanley Finkleman, operator of Westchester County Center, has matched Carnera with Gene Stanlee, better known as Mr. America. One of the best events of the season is forecast.

Right now there are many arenas featuring top-notch wrestling in New York. Men like Bill Johnston, Toots Mondt, Emil Lence and Stanley Finkleman are responsible for the great shows. Wrestling fans can follow the game six nights a week at the arenas. TV fans likewise have six nights of wrestling from New York and Chicago, and this medium is making new friends for the game every night.

The big match between Argentina Rocca and Gene Stanlee was held at Newark Armory before a capacity crowd. Rocca returned the winner in a little over 20 minutes after he dropkicked Gene out of the ring for a county of 20. A big hand should be extended to Willie (The Beard) Gilzenberg, who arranged this match with the help of Toots Mondt and his partners Rudy Miller and Milo Steinborn. The Beard also promotes wrestling shows weekly at Laurel Gardens.

Don Evans, the popular Mid-Western grappler, is in New York showing his bag of tricks before local fans. Also in our midst is a full-blooded Cherokee Indian, Chief Indo Yaqui. Back from California and showing his wares to Easterners is Hardy Kruskamp.

Natie Brown, former Mid-Western heavyweight boxing contender of the 1930s, is now wrestling.

NEW FACES -- Many imports to Eastern wrestling, some in the mat game in America for the first time and others visiting here on tour. Among the new arrivals, to mention only two of them, are the Armenian champ Martin Karadajian and the popular Lord Leslie Carlton. Martin is one of the zaniest characters ever to hit the New York mats. Standing only 5 feet, 7 inches but scaling 210 pounds, he has been nicknamed both Punjab and Yogi by various TV announcers. Martin is thoroughly enjoyable as well as unpredictable from one moment to another. Rules and regulations mean nothing at all to him, for once the bell sounds he goes berserk intent on committing mayhem.

Lord Carlton reminds us of Lord Jan Blears. Coming into the squared circle with his monocle and cape, Lord Leslie is attended by his valet (and manager) Sir James Hartley and is known as one of the world's great aerialists. Have to skip off now for a copy of Burke's Peerage to check on the influx of titled Englishmen. Lord help us, this reverse lend-lease is throwing us. _____________________________________________

A HALL OF FAME (reprinted from WAWLI, 10-3-53)

Wrestling promoters throughout the nation have given thought to creating a Hall of Fame for the immortals of the wrestling world. Baseball has a Hall of Fame and there are other sports ready to inaugurate one.

Some time ago plaques were installed in the Milwaukee Arena for famed stars of the Badger State. At the time, Ed (Strangler) Lewis was given the great honor for the wrestlers. _____________________________________________

GOLDEN WEST GLEANINGS by Thomas J. Cummins

(reprinted from Wrestling As We Like It, Dec. 11, 1954)

The year 1954 was one of many changes for wrestling in this area, not all those changes were for the better. Probably the best that can be said for it, is that it was the year of Bobo Brazil's entry into our mat scene. This mammoth Canadian, who arrived just after the new year and had yet to suffer defeat in the territory as of Thanksgiving Day, was the difference between profit and loss for most local promoters.

In an effort to stimulate interest, the area promoters established two new titles, International TV Champion and International TV Tag Team Champions. The first title was won in a tournament by Sandor Szabo, who lost it to Mr. Moto. Moto then lost it to Wilbur Snyder, who held it the balance of the year and still holds it. The tag team title switched hands so often it was hard to follow, but Lord Blears and Joe Pazandak hold it as of this writing.

In general, there was a considerable increase in tag team action, though not in the quality of the teams engaged. None of the famous teams entered the area except Layton and Blears and only Sandor Szabo-Wilbur Snyder, Snyder-Bobo Brazil, Al Lovelock-Tom Rice and one or two others rose above the mediocre.

Early in the year, the first nationwide telecasts of wrestling were presented over the CBS Network, for 13 successive Saturdays. Lack of a sponsor was the main reason for dropping the series, according to network officials. Before closing down, this series of bouts presented such big names as Lou Thesz, Don Eagle, Buddy Rogers and Baron Leone, including three world title defenses. At one time, over 100 stations carried the televised matches.

After the feast came the famine. With the exception of Brazil, not a single new face made its appearance in this territory during the spring and summer season.

Easily the deepest-dyed villain and all-around figure to grace our mats was Leslie Carlton, the blonde who trompted all over our local good boys during the late part of 1953 and the early part of '54. Carlton's "dislike quotient" was about as high as a wrestler's unpopularity can get without the fans becoming a lynch mob. He left only after Bobo Brazil had decisively pinned his ears back, something Bobo delights in doing to guys who think they're tough.

Villainy rode pretty high all around the circuit in 1954, and the "meanies" were about the only exciting things in an otherwise dull calendar of matwork.

The year was marked by the return of Leo Garibaldi to fulltime activity in the ring. Leo seemed to have matured and gained in wrestling skill, while losing some of his boyish high spirits and recklessness. A number of other good young men appeared briefly here during 1954, including Ray Stevens and Nick Bockwinkel, son of Warren Bockwinkel. Nick began his pro mat career during the fall of the year, and after only a few matches he looked like a real comer.

Just after the first of the year, John J. Doyle, for nine years area matchmaker and booker in this territory, sold out his interests and moved to other, perhaps greener, pastures. Late in the fall, rumors were sputtering to the effect that Doyle had returned or would be back soon, but this has yet to be verified.

One sensational young man dropped in for a couple of months, and almost erased our fond memories of Rito Romero and Black Guzman. He was Pedro Vargas of Brazil. Vargas, in his few weeks of wrestling here, displayed speed and ability the like of which we hadn't seen since Romero and Guzman departed, lo, these many months past.

In April, televised bouts from Ocean Park were discontinued, reducing telecast wrestling to two nights a week in the Los Angeles area, a situation which prevailed during the balance of the year. Television, it soon became obvious, had changed its relationship to wrestling, as TV fans shifted their loyalties and the cash customer once more became boss.

It is hard to predict the future in a sport like wrestling, where fan-interest may shift overnight or where a sensational new athlete may stand the whole country on its ear in a match or two, then disappear like a snowflake in a winter storm.
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BASTIENS THRONE GRAHAMS (April 23, 1960)

CHICAGO -- The professional wrestling brother duo of Red and Lou Bastien became the U.S. tag team champions here at Chicago Stadium Saturday night.

The "atomic redheads" from Minneapolis defeated former champions Dr. Jerry Graham and his brother, Eddie, in the best of-of-three falls main event of an all-star mat show witnessed by a capacity crowd of 16,642.

After dropping the first fall to the Grahams in 18:44, the Bastiens staged a strong rally with Red pinning Jerry Graham in 14:07 to gain the second fall and even matters.

The third and final fall developed into a wild free-for-all as all four grapplers took part in the action. Lou Bastien pinned Eddie Graham with a series of backbreakers and a body press in 8:29.

The newly crowned U.S. tag-team champs will make the first defense of their titles Saturday night, April 30, at the Island Garden, West Hempstead, Long Island, opposing Killer Kowalski and Eddie Graham in a best two-of-three falls to a finish encounter.

The supporting card lists Donn Lewin vs. Al Smith; Tony Altomare vs. Prince Maiava; Miguel Torres vs. Mr. Kleen, a newcomer to the local mat scene; Arnold Skoaland versus another newcomer, Pedro Sanchez, and Jack Davis vs. Rubberman Johnny Walker. Each encounter is a one-fall affair, limited to 30 minutes.

The seating capacity for Saturday's show has been increased to 8,000. Popular prices will prevail. Tickets, priced at $2, $3 and $4, are on sale daily at the Garden, 500 Hempstead Turnpike. ___________________________________________

BASTIENS GRAPPLE TO DRAW (N.Y. Post, 5-1-60)

Red and Lou Bastien retained their U.S. tag team title during Saturday night's professional wrestling show at the Island Garden when the 11 p.m. curfew imposed by the New York State Athletic Commission halted the most grueling main event ever staged at the West Hempstead arena.

A crowd of 2,552 were on their feet from start to finish as the Bastiens wrestled to a heated draw with challengers Eddie Graham and Killer Kowalski in a match that lasted 31:50.

Neither team lived by the rules during this explosive encounter as free-for-alls marked every minute of action. Promoter Arnold (Whitey) Carlson hopes to stage a rematch at his club in the near future.

Other matches found Prince Maiava pinning Tony Altomare; Arnold Skoaland taking the measure of Pete Sanchez, and Donn Lewin rallying to beat Al Smith. The opening event between Jack Davis and Johnny Walker wound up a draw.

The grunt and groaners return to the Island Garden on Saturday night, May 14, with Dr. Jerry Graham and his brother, Eddie, making their first appearance together here since last May. -- JACK E. LEE. ____________________________________________

RESULTS (reprinted from Wrestling As We Liked It)

CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL AMPHITHEATER (1-25-52) -- NWA World's Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz and Verne Gagne wrestling to a sixty-minute draw. Thesz won the first fall and Gagne gained the second fall. With one fall apiece the pair wrestled to the sixty-minute time limit; The Chest (Barney Bernard) defeated Tarzan White; Alo Leilani beat Al Williams when the latter was disqualified; in the tag match Don Beitelman (later Don Curtis) and Walter Palmer beat Chris Zaharias and Ivan Rasputin; Elephant Boy (Tony Olivas) and Balk Estes drew.

CHICAGO MARIGOLD ARENA (1-26-52) -- Tarzan White defeated Ivan Rasputin (latter disqualified); in a tag match Rudy Kay and Al Williams beat Canadian Angel (Jack Rush) and Chris Zaharias; Jim Dobie and Alo Leilani were both counted out; Nature Boy Teddy Rogers beat Ned Taylor.

CHICAGO RAINBO ARENA (1-30-52) -- In a tag match, Professor Roy Shire and Edmund Francis beat Al Kasaboski and Bobby Ford; Jimmy Valentine and Pierre LaSalle drew; Angelo Poffo defeated Maurice Roberre; Bobby Watts and Jack Allen drew.
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The WAWLI Papers # 014 ...

PESEK CHALLENGES LONDOS IN NEW "WAR" MOVE

(reprinted from the Los Angeles Examiner, 8-23-32)

By Sid Hughes

Now it's the champion's move.

Al Haft, manager of John Pesek, Nebraska Tiger and champion of the Sandow-Hollywood Legion wrestling faction, today had appeared before the state athletic commission to deposit two cashier's checks totaling $6,000.

One check, for $5,000, was to go to Jimmy Londos, recognized in some parts as the champion of the world, should Pesek fail to score two falls against him in 90 minutes.

The other, for $1,000, was to go to some worthy charitable organization to be selected by the commission, the moment Londos steps into the same ring with Pesek for a title bout.

Sounds easy.

But Jimmy is a little wary.

In Cleveland, Walter Taylor offered to stage the bout with a guarantee of $25,000, no bout; in Philadelphia, Pete Glassman offered $30,000 for the match, no bout; Harman Hamer of Columbus, Ohio, smacked $25,000 on the line, and it was refused; Herman Katz, a citizen of Cincinnati, drew $30,000 from his bank account and waved it around, but no one would take it.

But Londos says: "I want $250,000 to defend my title."

Jimmy also mumbles that he wants the right to select the referee.

"Let Pesek go out and get a reputation, and then I'll rassle heem," is the Londos theme.

Pesek's action is just another move in the mat war.

"Jumping" Joe Savoldi's grasshopper leap from the Sandow camp back to the Daro camp is believed to have started the movement.

Joe is signed for a bout with Londos next Wednesday at the Olympic.

You can't defend a title you don't possess. There is no world's champion in heavyweight wrestling. ___________________________________________

CIRCUSES AND KINGS (The Canadian Forum)

(reprinted from the August, 1950, edition)

By D.M. Fisher

Several years ago Time magazine hinted that the large crowds drawn by wrestling in Toronto reflected the gullibility of the citizens. Now, with the surge of television, wrestling has come to the fore in the States; the top men are national figures, and the critics and publicists are debunking or glorifying the show. This is one matter where Canada has kept pace with America. We have the chance, even in the smaller towns, of seeing wrestling, and the attendance has risen until it probably stands behind only hockey and baseball as an athletic draw. No populated area fails to support the grapplers; Toronto, Montreal, and Hamilton turn out supporters enough to gross nearly a million and a half dollars a year. What does wrestling offer for the husky admission it charges?

The meaning of sport as a fair contest does not apply to wrestling; it is entertainment, generally of high calibre in execution, with features of the circus and the drama added to its athletic elements. The basic parts of an exhibition are two opponents, one referee, and the crowd. Color is supplied by the beautiful robes of the wrestlers, their wonderful or grotesque bodies, and the carnival informality of the show. Four or five matches make up the card, but many variations are common. The winner is usually pre-determined, but it is not a "fix" in the gambling sense. Team tag-fights, two against one, man against alligator, mud-floored rings, or the cockpit effect gained by a chicken-wire enclosure, keep the orthodox from becoming stale. Thought title matches are held, they signify little since each area has its "world champion" and, in Canada, its "British Empire champion." Because they advertise, promoters are given good coverage from local papers (and with a straight face), but there is little inter-city or international publicity on a press-service scale. This frees a man in a main event in Toronto on Thursday for a preliminary match in Buffalo on Friday. (It is disconcerting to find the invincible hero in Toronto being featured as a cad in the Montreal press.)

Despite this lack of geographic integration where rating or morality is concerned, the reciprocity of the different promotional centres is a marvel. There is a reptitive, rise, decline, and fall of wrestlers so geared that the public in each area has an ever-changing troupe to watch. A wrestler will usually draw well in his home town, but long jaunts on circuits, perhaps in Missouri, Texas, or in the Maritimes space out such appearances. Canada is turning out many of its own entertainers although their names generally lack the phonetic lilt of the importations. Mike Sharpe, Al Korman, Yvon Robert, or Pat Flanagan are Canadian leaders who sound dull beside the Warren Bockwinkles, Suni War Clouds, or Gorgeous Georges from the south.

Instructions about his next match often come to the wrestler by phone and rarely, unless the publicists have been creating a "natural" rivalry, does he know whom he is to fight. Much leeway is left the contestants and the referee whnever the bout is not part of a build-up sequence. They know how much time to allow before the finish and the scope of their play is sensitive to the crowd's reaction. That is, inattention comes when too much applying for breaking of holds is presented so, sensing this, something sensational like tossing each other out of the ring is resorted to. Normally, action see-saws to a climax that may rest on the virtue versus evil theme, on a quirk of the referee, or upon an accidental slip or skid. A favorite ending is Prometheanlike: some daring manoeuvre backfires and the fall is lost with explosive suddenness, leaving a "Well! You never know" hush upon the audience.

Most matches pit good against evil and as a rule justice does not triumph. But it will. Rematches go on until the routine becomes jaded; then right prevails. The most entertaining match to the sensitive fan is the first contest between two wrestlers who hitherto have borne the true-blue stamp. Action will be very fast, ostentatiously clean, and may continue so to the end. This is rare. More likely, one man displays a character flaw. Chances for perfidy prove too tempting; then, as his baser nature revealed, the crowd takes up the chant against him. The spectators do not split into two factions behind either fighter. They await the cue of one's fall from grace. (Of course, there may be the odd agitator perverse enough to applaud roguery.) The character of the contestants fixed, the hero is, of course, justified in using any means to gain his ends, but often he will give the rascal another chance and extend the open hand of forgiveness. If the handshake is accepted, the crowd becomes uneasy, for past performances have indicated that reform is never lasting.

The spectator's participation is not unlike the chorus in Greek drama, explaining and warning. In combat there are a number of conventions which theoretically must be upheld: when action comes to the ring border where either wrestler touches the ropes, they must break openly, as boxers from a clinch, and begin anew; strangle-holds, eye-gouging, punching, or the use of abrasive materials such as adhesive tape or peanuts, are technically forbidden. However, the referees as a group are typically ineffectual, a failing which the villain does not hesitate to exploit shamelessly. Thus the responsibility devolves upon the crowd, to call the arbiter to his duty, to warn the hero and to shame the villain. There is a quality, not unlike the responses in a prayer-meeting, appealing but dignified, which inhere in the cries of "Rope!", "Peanut!", etc., that rise from the crowd. In most matches, the opportunity arises for the hero to apply a hold whereby every rock of his body stretches the villain in a rack. The measured roar of "Hip. . .Hip. . ." that this occasions is in the spirit of the regatta. This eultant note has a rival in pure feeling when shrill despair settles in after the hero is beaten. The villain crows, defies the crowd, and often beats a coward's retreat under the fire of fists, fingernails, parasols, or burning cigarettes with which the fans assault him. Then, a hush of respect comes as the hero is solicitously helped away. A curious note about the mob scene around the villain is that the women show far more courage than the men.

Less than half the actual fighting time is spent at grips. A goodly bit passes in appeals to the referee and the crowd, and much to pacing and circling with gestures and grimaces of pain, wrath, or steely determination. The latter is the perquisite of the hero, and the villain's counter is the skulk or leer of menace. Naturally, there is a great range in ability of expression but a similarity in technique. For example, all good fellows must simulate blindness since, sooner or later, the villain rubs a peanut or a thumb into his eyes. Every Toronto fan knows that their nonpareil, Whipper Billy Watson, is literally blind in one eye. This intensifies the pathos of poor Whipper, staggering around the ring, groping at his face, while the dastard blandly assures the referee he has no peanut hidden in his trunks. The crowd knows better; sympathy and love for justice weld in a mighty current of feeling.

Other heroes can hardly match Watson in this specialty, but many, because of greater purity of feature and physique, are better in limning the role of righteous indignation. At present a new hero, Timothy Geohagen, is rising on the Toronto scene. Tim is young, blond, and handsome. His special characteristic is mighty strength, his special hold the "Irish Sleeper," and his dramatic forte the pure rage of the righteous. When Tim gets his Irish up, when his patience is gone, his clear skin pinks, his arms writhe, and he vibrates from the floor in anger. The crowd approves, the villain shows yellow and hides behind the referee who wags a finger at Tim. Tim brushes this obstacle aside and metes out justice. (It is hard to imagine a clearer show of the cliches of histrionics than those in Tim's bout, providing he is given a villain of merit.)

Often one finds former boxing "greats" such as Jack Dempsey, Jack Sharkey, or Max Baer headlined as referees. The idea is that they are impartial and able because of the supposed power in their fists to keep the villain in line. This myth is rooted in the "knock-out" punch and it promotes bizarre situations. Once a feud between Watson and a huge Pole, Wladislaw Talun, had grown so bitter that only a strong referee seemed to promise order and a decision. Jack Sharkey was brought in, and early in the bout he had to remonstrate with Talun for underhand tactics. Failing to impress the Pole verbally, Sharkey cocked his fist. Talun's reaction was swift; he cowered, fawned, and then carried on fairly, long enough for Watson to down him cleanly. The paradox here is the appearance of Talun and Sharkey. The ex-boxer is grey and paunchy, a flabby two-hundred pounder; Talun is at least six-foot-eight, weighs over three hundred and fifty, and ripples with muscle.

To most people, all these wrestlers are big, but the size range is broad -- a small man is from two hundred and twenty to two hundred and forty pounds in weight, while the giants range to four hundred pounds plus. The bigger men tend to be the villains. This supports the proverb "the bigger they come the harder they fall." About fifty years ago Bob Fitzsimmons coined this phrase, just before his fight for the heavyweight crown with the giant Jim Jeffries. Fitz was crushed by Jeffries, but his words are the prop for the multitude who resent superior stature; thus the wrestling addict has the vicarious thrill of the human dreadnought's fall.

One of the two groups of people whom wrestling infuriates are the sport purists who feel it as a satire on genuine competition. The other critics are the calamity howlers or disillusioned do-gooders. A sample of the latter was offered some years ago by Alan Sullivan. Writing in Maclean's he rued wrestling's appeal in Toronto: "Is the public appetite of this city so jaded, surfeited, dissipated, so lacking in what one may call 'tone' that the sensory receiving apparatus of eight thousand Torontonians demands the floodlit brutalities by mountainous grapplers . . ."

The brutalities are exaggerated. When giants begin somersaulting and leaping at lightning speed, there is a chance they may be hurt, but if it were brutal the men could not sustain their three to five matches a week schedule. An elbow-smash, a kick in the face, or a bite in the leg does seem rugged, but the recipients live to fight next day simply because their simulation is unbelievably good. The crowd's savor for the rough stuff intrigues the analysts who deal in psychological jargon. Mob hysteria, persecution mania, blood lust, and sexual sublimation have been put forward. The fact that women form a large part of the attendance disturbs many. To those who suggest that they are attracted by the exposition of virile bodies, one could point out that many wrestlers are very ugly and malformed. One entertaining theory is that men readily take their women to contests where gambling is not a factor. Certainly, it's hard to imagine even the staunchest fan wagering on wrestling. But then, this does not account for the ladies leading the chorus as they do.

Those who see the wrestling of today as another symbol of social decadence, might try attending some bouts in a relaxed state of mind, or if they are blessed with a TV set, watching it in their parlor. If they can't get delight from listening and watching the people around them, there are always marvels of muscle to admire and acrobatics in a grand manner. Besides, the orgy of disbelief at other people's tastes can bolster one's more cultured ego.

Historians place wrestling as the second oldest sport of all. For those who never sw the sport when it was the focal point of people who were sure of its validity as a contest, it is hard to imagine this past. Books tell us that Henry VIII once tried a fall with Francis, King of France, at the Field of the Cloth of Gold. Perhaps the pageant of today is a reversion to such a show. If nothing else, it reveals that Canadians, or at least many of them, are not so staid in expressing their emotions as we've been led to believe.
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DUBUQUE, IOWA, 1956 RESULTS

Feb. 19--Gorgeous George def Red Berry 2-1, Mike DiBiase-Danny Plechas def Joe Tangaro-Guy Brunetti (world tag title), Bibber McCoy def Bob Corby (1,300 sellout) Feb. 26--No Holds Barred, No Time Limit, Two Refs: Danny Plechas-Joe Dusek def Joe Tangaro-Guy Brunetti, Ada Ash def Lorraine Johnson, Mario DeSousa def Lou Plummer DQ Mar. 11--Mike DiBiase-Danny Plechas def Bob Orton-Lou Plummer, Kathleen Wimbley def Louise Greene, Red McIntyre def Bob Corby Mar. 18--Joan Ballard-Rose Roman def Lorraine Johnson-Shirley Strimple, Reggie Lisowski def Dave Jons, Mario DeSousa def Stan Lisowski DQ Oct. 10 (first card of fall season)--Verne Gagne def Roy McClarity 2-1 cor, Seymour Koenig def Bozo Brown, Bobby Bruns def Zack Malkov Oct. 17--U.S. Championship: Hans Schmidt def Bobby Bruns, Roy McClarity def Roy Rogers, Bill Melby def Turk Youseff Oct. 24--Pee Wee James-Little Panther def Tom Thumb-Tiny Roe, Benito Gardini def Seymour Koenig, Roy McClarity def Joe Pavich (Att: 1,200) Nov. 7--U.S. Championship: Hans Schmidt def Bobby Bruns (counted out, could not continue), World Championship: June Byers def Penny Banner, Dick Raines def Seymour Koenig Nov. 14--Antonino Rocca def Gypsy Joe 2-0, Dick Raines def Jim Carter, Bobby Bruns def Harry Lewis Nov. 21--Roy McClarity-Bobby Bruns drew Boris-Nicoli Volkoff (world tag team title defense) 60:00, Dick Raines def Billy Wicks, Bobby Knox def Dick Witt Nov. 28--Roy McClarity-Bobby Bruns "no contest" Boris-Nicoli Volkoff (world tag team title defense), Bill Melby drew Dick Raines, Don DeCortez drew Fritz von Schupp Dec. 5--Dick Raines def Roy McClarity, Chest Bernard def Tommy O'Toole, Bobby Bruns def Gypsy Joe 2-0 Dec. 12--Dick Raines vs. Roy McClarity (Max Baer ref), Chester Bernard vs. Mike DiBiase Dec. 19--Tito Infante-Brown Panther def Sky Low-Low-Irish Jackie, Chest Bernard def Bobby Bruns 2-1, Bob DeMarco def Martino Angelo
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The WAWLI Papers # 015 ...

FAMOUS WRESTLER AND ATHLETE CONFIDENT OF DEFEATING ZBYSZKO

(Hartford Daily Courant, Sunday, March 16, 1919)

Robert Frederick, known in wrestling circles as Ed (Strangler) Lewis, who will meet Wladek Zbyszko, Polish champion, in Madison Square Garden Friday night for the world's championship, in a finish match, is an all around athlete. He coached the football, basketball and wrestling teams at Kentucky State University.

Lewis never attended college, but his general knowledge of all branches of sport made him a valuable man as coach. While connected with the university he played on various professional basketball teams in the Southern League.

In the football season Lewis had complete charge of Kentucky state teams. He taught the linemen various forms of leg locks, body checks and how to use their hands to the best advantage on the defense.

It was while coaching the wrestling team that Lewis began to study his now famous headlock. When he first started as a public performer he had not mastered the lock, but because he threw as many men in the South his headlock, which was then a strangle hold, he was given the nickname of "Strangler."

Wrestling fans will recall when Lewis went to Chicago, about six years ago, and was beaten by Fred Beell, Americus and Charley Cutler. He attributed those defeats to the referees, who claimed his headlock was a strangle hold, and made him break the lock every time he put it on.

Lewis returned to his home in Kentucky and worked on his favorite hold. He shifted the lock higher and away from the throat, so there was no chance for a strangle. When he had mastered it he secured a return match with Charley Cutler won won. He then went to Baltimore, where he beat Americus with the same hold.

Since that time his victories on the mat have been largely secured through the famous headlock. It was the hold that won two falls for him over Stecher in Chicago recently and it is the one with which he expects to win over Wladek Zbyszko when he tackles the title claimant in New York Friday. Either man must secure a fall or money will be refunded to the spectators.

Lewis is out with an offer to wager $5,000 that he will defeat his rival for the title. The "Strangler" adds that to win his bet he must pin Zbyszko to the mat. He is more than anxious to conquer Zbyszko, for a victory would crown him the undisputed champion of the world.

Lewis declares he has increased the crushing power of his deadly headlock, the hold that almost wrecked the last tournament held in New York.
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L.H. GREGORY COLUMN IN THE OREGONIAN, PORTLAND, ORE. (probably early 1962)

Lewis made his debut professionally as a first baseman in the Kitty baseball league, turned to wrestling, developed a deadly headlock and at one time was the most traveled air passenger in the world, is now totally blind, and has been for a year. As Sid Ziff says in the Los Angeles Times, "He is a victim of trachoma, dreaded plague of the mat trade. Loss of his sight was a gradual process which began 14 years ago.

(Lewis) spends afternoons kibitzing the bridge games at the Los Angeles Athletic Club. "He dearly loved bridge," writes Ziff, "considered himself an expert. As his sight gradually faded he would hold his cards inches from his nose. He continued playing as long as he could see the spots."

Born Robert Herman Julius Friedrich in a small town in Wisconsin in 1888.
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ARTHUR MANN, SPORT MAGAZINE

Says Lewis played as semi-pro in Blue Ridge League...in 1910, after graduating from high school, he returned to the north woods, where he began a summer-long campaign of semi-pro baseball by day and wrestling by night...carried him through Wisconsin, Minnesota, across the Dakotas and into Montana...he became a freshman at University of Kentucky in 1911...quit after four months, but stayed on to coach wrestlers at $100 a month
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MACALUSO INJURED IN WRESTLING BOUT (1934)

SYRACUSE, N.Y., April 12 (AP) -- Len Macaluso, former Colgate football star, was taken to a hospital last night unconscious after he dived out of the ring in a wrestling match with Jake Patterson, former Syracuse football player. Spectators said Macaluso's head hit the concrete floor.

Macaluso is said to have rushed at Patterson who was regaining his feet near the ropes. Patterson was struck by Macaluso's shoulder and both grapplers crashed to the floor. Patterson was stunned, but made his way back to the ring half a minute later.

At the hospital it was said that Macaluso had regained consciousness and there were no indications that his condition was serious, but that he might be given an X-ray examination today.
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BROWNING WINS WITH OUTSIDE TOE HOLD, TWIST

(reprinted from unidentified New York paper, 2-12-35)

By Pat Rosa

An oldish man wrapped his gray coat closer around his throat as he hobbled down the steps of the Seventy-first Regiment Armory. He pulled a gray fedora lower over his eyes, limped painfully to the corner and called a taxi.

Carl Pojello almost never calls a taxi. He'd rather walk. If the distance is great, like from the Park Avenue drill shed to his home in upper Manhattan, he will across town to Fifth Avenue, up the darkened society lane several blocks, then take a bus home.

"I made a mistake," said Carl. It was his only explanation for his defeat in last night's main event with Jim Browning. It was a shooting match if ever there was one.

Browning used an outside toe hold and leg twist, an expedient seldom resorted to in wrestling matches of today. The end came after one hour, two minutes and 45 seconds of wrestling, the like of which seldom is seen in any modern arena.

George Bothner, venerable referee whose legs twice have been broken by refusal to give in to identical holds, was the only one who sensed the end.

"I thought he had him over in the other corner," Bothner said, "but Carl wiggled out of it. I don't know how he did. It's a vicious hold. Browning got it again almost immediately and I knew Carl would have to quit."

"It is my own fault," Pojello explained. "I never should have let him maneuver me into such a position. It was a hard match, a very hard match."

Truly it was a wrestler's wrestling match. Champion Jim Londos sat with chin in his cupped hands, eyes glued to the ring, impervious to the cheers and jeers of the nearby populace.

Promoter Jack Curley, something of a wrestling fan himself, had no time for smiles and repartee among his ringside friends. His eyes were on the ring. Danno O'Mahoney, here from Ireland in hopes of lifting the world heavyweight championship, watched with a look of amazement.

Ray Steele, probably O'Mahoney's first New York opponent; the Duseks--Rudy, Ernie and Joe; Nick Lutze, Abie Coleman and Hans Kampfer, all had to stick to the finish. All learned something, even the veterans.

Browning and Pojello both used more holds, breaks, bridges, wiggles and catlike maneuvers than the entire card of ordinary wrestling bouts usually offers. They were on their feet a lot and when on the mat were engrossed only in breaking holds.

Pojello took the offensive right from the start. He kept it throughout the match. Browning's tactics were for the most part purely defensive. Both got rough at times, but only when the spectators seemed to demand it.

Plenty of rough and tumble tactics were crowded into the earlier matches, however. Both Ernie Dusek and John Swenski were in and out of the ring half a dozen times before Dusek won with a body slam in 20:03. Steele pinned Harry Fields in 19:02 with a body slam; Alphonse Bisignano floored Wee Willie Davis in 11:07; Hans Kampfer dropped Henry Piers in 14:23, and Lutze was given the decision over Abie Coleman in thirty minutes. ____________________________________________

O'MAHONEY TOSSES STEELE AT THE GARDEN

(reprinted from unidentified New York paper, 2-19-35)

Daniel O'Mahoney, Ireland's aspirant to the world's heavyweight wrestling title, made his New York debut before about 4,000 fans in Madison Square Garden last night, defeating Ray Steele, veteran Californian, in 17 minutes 2 seconds. The victory kept intact O'Mahoney's record of successes since arriving in the United States last December.

O'Mahoney won with a combination of a wristlock and hiplock, with a body hold as the finishing touch. Two applications of the hold called the "Irish whip" were necessary against Steele.

The Irish grappler displayed fine defensive ability and great speed on the attack. In the first five minutes he applied two headlocks and a head scissors that had Steele twisting and squirming. He used a full nelson twice to pound Steele's head on the mat. When Steele attempted headlocks, O'Mahoney applied crotch and leg holds and tossed the Californian away. O'Mahoney weighed 217 pounds, Steele 215.

Ernie Dusek, 220, Omaha, threw John Swenski, 206, Boston, with a body hold in 21 minutes 57 seconds of the closing exhibition, scheduled for thirty minutes.

Sandor Szabo, 214, Hungary, and Rudy Dusek, 220, Omaha, drew in a thirty-minute exhibition. George Zaharias, 231, Colorado, threw Babe Jacobs, 308, California, in 11:08 with a body and crotch hold. Carl Pojello, 203, tossed Abe Goldberg, 205, in 15:58 with a body and crotch hold. In the opening exhibition of thirty minutes Al Bisignano, 222, Italy, and Charley Strack, 226, Spring Valley, wrestled to a draw.
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LONDOS' OPPONENT EXITS RING UNCONSCIOUS

OMAHA, Neb., March 19, 1935 (AP) -- Paul Jones, Lincoln, Neb., wrestler, was carried from the arena unconscious last night after fifty-five minutes of tussling with Jim Londos, heavyweight champion. Before 5,000 mat fans, the climax came when Jones, who time and again punished the champion with his leg work, tried to apply his hook scissors, missed connections and came down on his neck.

Londos picked up his rival several times and slammed him to the floor. Jones recovered consciousness in his dressing room. Once Jones tied the champion with a leg split and several times hooked a leg scissors.
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INJURED STEELE, LONDOS IN DRAW DECISION

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., March 20, 1935 (AP) -- Wrestling through the one-hour bout with his arm dangling helplessly at his side, Ray Steele of Glendale, Cal, gained a draw in his heavyweight championship match with Jimmy Londos, titleholder, last night.

Before a record house of 10,000 spectators, Steele outclassed Londos for fifty minutes, keeping the champion groggy with flying headlocks, but as he rushed in to finish him, the Greek applied a waist-lock and pitched the Californian through the ropes.

Steele damaged the ligaments in his left shoulder as he landed. He climbed back into the ring managing to evade the champion's attempts to close in on him by sprinting around the ring for the last four minutes of the bout.

Bronko Nagurski, International Falls, threw George Koverly, Hollywood, in fourteen minutes and three seconds.
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JIM BROWNING PINNED IN 22:31 BY O'MAHONEY

(reprinted from NY Telegram, March 19, 1935)

Danno O'Mahoney, the Irish whip specialist here with an eye on the world title, last night dispatched Jim Browning of Missouri, former champion, in Madison Square Garden. The attendance was 7,500.

After 22:31 of wrestling, O'Mahoney grabbed Browning by the right arm, yanked him first backward, then forward, then with a lightning twist of his body, pulled Browning over his back and crashed him on the flat of his back on the floor. The ring floor shook with the impact and for Browning it was the end.

He was stunned and out. It wasn't necessary for Danno to fall on his victim, but he did, and George Bothner, the referee, had hard work getting the Irish lad off.

It was an interesting match all the way. Browning looked the heavier and sturdier, althought the weights were announced as Browning, 220, and O'Mahoney, 219. But the Irishman is tall and comparatively slender. He was not long in proving his strength, however, breaking out of some of Browning's best holds, including the airplane scissors and various arm locks.

Both men ended the bout with bloody noses and bruised faces, as a result of several sessions at fisticuffs. Browning was the aggressor with these tactics at the start, but then O'Mahoney, with a look of surprise on his face after the American had clouted him three or four times, went back at his foe with vim and forced Browning to call a halt.

George Zaharias, 230, of Colorado, threw Dr. Harry Fields, also 230, of the University of Pennsylvania, with a body slam in 15:18. This bout was put on after the main bout.

Abe Goldberg, 205, lasted only 7:21 with Sam Cordovano, 208, who fills in between wrestling seasons and professional football. Cordovano reverted to his old flying tackle to bring his man down and then fell on him.

The second thirty-minute limit bout was marked by roughness all the way, but by a minimum of wrestling with Ivan Vernyhora, of Canada, 216, and Joe Dusek, 215, going to an unruly draw.

Al Bisignano, 210, and Pat McKay, 225, were the third bout principals, and Bisignano won with a flying tackle and body slam, after 14:53 of slam-bang work. Pat started out to be rough, but Bisignano had him quite tame at the finish.

The crowd got its first thrill out of the next thirty-minute bout, in which the Navajo Indian chief, Little Wolf, 210, pinned Rudy Dusek, 218, of Omaha, after 13:06, with what announcer Joe Humphries called the "real Indian death trap" out of Dusek's "spinning wheel" hold. It was a sensational finish, and the chief gave vent to his emotions by emitting a series of war whoops as he danced merrily about the ring afterward.
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FORT WORTH TEXAS RESULTS, FALL OF 1935

Sept. 26--Daniel Boone Savage def Ben Morgan, Tiny Roebuck drew Billy Edwards, Juan Humbero def Lee Meyers, Ralph Hammonds def Ivan Makaloff Oct. 3--Savage def Sol Slagel, Carl Hanson def Al Maynard, Eddie Newman def George Harben DQ, Hammonds drew Firpo Wilcox Oct. 10--Savage vs. Edwards, Hanson vs Slagel, Newman vs Al Maynard, Harben vs Allen Britt Oct. 19 (Saturday)--Ed (Strangler) Lewis def Billy Edwards, Karl Sarpolis vs. Juan Humberto, Hanson vs. Karl Davis, Chief Chewacki def Newman Oct. 26 (Saturday)--Ed (Strangler) Lewis def Chief Chewacki, Edwards drew Sarpolis, Slagel vs. Humberto, Al Sparks vs. Pete Schuh Oct. 31--Edwards def Sarpolis, Davis def Jules Strongbow, Jack LaRue drew Richard Stahl, Sparks def Nick Elitch Nov. 7--Edwards def Humberto DQ, Davis drew Newman, Elitch def Hank Matheny DQ Nov. 14--Paul Jones def Edwards DQ, Humberto drew Sarpolis, Elitch def Jake Brown Nov. 21--Humberto drew Jones, Jack Nelson drew Elitch, Danno O'Connor def Harben DQ Nov. 28--Jones drew Bobby Stewart, Savage def Jack Nelson, Masquerader def Elitch Dec. 5--Sarpolis vs. Bob Wagner, Darna Ostapovich vs. Stewart, Jack Warner vs. Elitch Dec. 12--Stewart def Tiny Roebuck, Wagner def Ernest Pat Kelly, Pat O'Brien drew Red Ryan Dec. 19--Savage def Stewart, Wagner def Joe Caddock, Ryan def Warner
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The WAWLI Papers # 016 ...

BOESCH IS PINNED BY DICK SHIKAT (6-14-35)

Dick Shikat, German wrestler, defeated Paul Boesch of Brooklyn in the main bout at the Jamaica Arena last night, after 26:21 of spirited work. Shikat substituted for Rudy Dusek of Omaha, and proved to be a suitable opponent for the big Brooklynite. Shikat started in furious fashion and seemed determined to make short work of the bout. However, Boesch gave Shikat plenty of trouble and at one time appeared on the verge of throwing the German

Shikat used several head locks and arm locks in rapid succession near the end of the first half, and Boesch was tired when his opponent decided on another form of attack. Boesch gave the fans a surprise at that point when he assumed the aggressive and sent Shikat spinning across the ring with a flurry of low tackles which he followed with a head lock.

From then on the milling was about even until Shikat threw Boesch to the mat with much force, using a crotch lift and body slam. As Boesch writhed on the ring floor, Shikat jumped on him to make the fall complete. Shikat weighed 226 pounds and Boesch 220 1/2.

Tony Ricco, New Jersey, 200, downed Joe Campbell, West Side, 205, in 11:32. Dick Daviscourt, California, 225, tossed Harry Finkelstein, Texas, 210, in 10:46. Walter Podolak, Poland, 205, threw Joe (Little) Beaver, Oklahoma, 233, in 19:53. Floyd Marshall, Arizona, 225, and Eli Fischer, Rutgers University, 213, drew in 30 minutes.
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COLLISION ENDS MAT BOUT AT NY COLISEUM

(reprinted from New York Times, June 18, 1935)

After grappling for more than an hour, Leo Wallick, 176, Germany, and Dave Levin, 182, Jamaica, collided head-on and were counted out by referee George Bothner at the New York Coliseum last night. A crowd of 2,000 saw both wrestlers collapse in 1:12:33.

The bout that followed, listed for twenty minutes, was halted after nine minutes by the curfew law, resulting in a draw between Hans Schacht, 187, Germany, and Max Martin, 185, Ohio. In another twenty-minute engagement, Clarence (Whitey) Wahlberg, 175, Sweden, gained the verdict over Giuseppe Ferrone, 173, Italy.

Two thirty-minute matches were on the card. Zimba Parker, 180, Africa, threw Bobby Blake, 175, St. Louis, with a crotch lift and body slam in 19:33. Tony Siano, 178, Italy, pinned Sammy Cohen, 182, East Side, with an armlock in 12:44.
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ED DON GEORGE DOWNS SHIKAT WITH ONE FALL

MONTREAL, June 18, 1935 (AP)--Ed Don George, 218, North Java, N.Y., defeated Dick Shikat, 226, Germany, in a one-fall match here last night. George Zarynoff, 208, Russia defeated Bob Langevin, 218, Montreal, one fall.
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ASSORTED RESULTS FROM THE SUMMER OF 1935

June 17

WATSONVILLE, CALIF. -- Juan Humberto def Vic Christy, Marin Plestina def Doug Wyckoff, John Weber def Mike Strelich

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. -- Lord Lansdowned def Joe Padia, Sheik Ben Ali Mar Allah def Arthur Hedin, Les Wolf drew Bobby Roberts, Earl (Wildcat) McCann def Hy Sherman, Bob Montgomery def Tug Wilson

DETROIT -- Bert Rubi def Turp Grimes, Frankie Hart drew Frank Malcewicz, Bobby Roberts def Bad Boy Brown, Ernie Peterson drew Schoolboy Schomer

ATLANTIC CITY -- Paul Boesch def Stanley Pinto (decision), Mike Mazurki def Bill Middlekauf, Rube Wright drew Pat McKay, John Swenski drew Pat Reilly

June 19

COLUMBUS, OHIO -- Ivan Rasputin def George Dusette

LINCOLN, NEB. -- Ernie (Dutch) Heffner def Rudy LaDitzi, Whitey Govro def Farmer Tobin, Mike Markoff drew Jack Manuel

STOCKTON, CALIF. -- Juan Humberto def Vic Christy, Ivan Managoff drew Willie Davis, Reb Russell drew Johnny Weber, Marin Plestina def Hans Schroeder

June 20

CHICAGO -- George Zaharias def Olaf Olsen, Roland Kirschmeyer drew Fred Grubmeier, Orville Brown def Paul Harper, Tommy Marvin drew Bobby Burns
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O'MAHONEY TOSSES LONDOS IN BOSTON (1935)

BOSTON, June 27 (AP) -- Danno O'Mahoney, former Irish Free State soldier, stripped Jimmy Londos of his wrestling title claims by throwing him with a flying body scissors before 30,000 fans tonight at Fenway Park. The fall was registered after an hour and 16 minutes of rugged grappling. O'Mahoney weighed 222 and Londos 205.

The match, feature event of the Crosscup-Pishon Legion Post's annual sports carnival, was the powerful Celt's fiftieth consecutive victory since he came to this country last December.

It was the first defeat the St. Louis Greek, whose championship claims were recognized in thirty eight states, had suffered in six years, with the exception of the disputed victory gained by Joe Savoldi, former Notre Dame football star, about two years ago in Chicago.

O'Mahoney, who used his spectacular Irish whip to overcome all of his other opponents, applied his surprise hold after Londos had broken loose from the two whips by the Irishman started during the last few seconds of grappling.

After the Greek had worked free of the second one, O'Mahoney leaped at him and wrapped his legs about hsi rival's barrel-like chest with such force that the latter was driven to the mat. Londos' shoulders struck the canvas and he was unable to squirm free during the three seconds that elapsed after his heavy crash.

The match started out to be a two-out-of-three falls affair, but when neither scored within an hour, the agreement was that victory would go to the first one ot pin the other.

Londos, whose title claims were recognized in thirty eight states, not including Massachusetts, gave himself championship billing.

Other results were: Danny Winters, 222, New York, threw John Spellman, 230, Providence, 7:46; Carl Pojello, 215, Cleveland, threw Red Egan, 220, Chicago, 8:53; Henry Piers, 210, Holland, drew with John Malmberg, 212, Sweden; George McLeod, 208, Los Angeles, drew with Len Macaulso, 212, East Aurora, N.Y.; Leo Numa, 210, Seattle, and Gino Garibaldi, 215, New York, drew with Chief Little Moose, 230, Oklahoma.
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CHIEF LITTLE WOLF UPSET BY MEXICAN ON COAST

LOS ANGELES, June 27, 1935 (INS) -- The field in the international wrestling tournament was cut down to four men today, after last night's matches saw a surprising upset.

The upset came when Vincent Lopez, the Idaho Mexican, succeeded in putting Chief Little Wolf, full-blooded Navajo Indian, out of the running. It all happened because Lopez packed a knockout punch which proved a better weapon than the so-called Indian death grip of the Navajo.

In the other tournament bout it looked like Strangler Lewis, a former world champion, was going to upset the dope and defeat Ernie Dusek, the rough-and-tough lad from Omaha, but another right cross, this time from Dusek's fist, put the Strangler out cold. ____________________________________________

MORE RESULTS FROM THE SUMMER OF 1935

July 1

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Danno O'Mahoney, claimant of the world heavyweight championship, threw Billy Bartush, Chicago; Gino Garibaldi, New York, drew with John Katan, Toronto; Sam Cordovano, Buffalo, defeated Harry Finkelstein, Houston, Tex.; Joe Veroni, Guelph, Ontario, won from Eddie Kaminski, Buffalo; Scotty McDougal, New York, defeated John Spellman, Providence, R.I.

PORTLAND, ME. -- Richard Wagner, Germany, defeated Dropkick Murphy, Alabama, two out of three falls; Jackie Nichols, Richmond, drew with Black Panther, New York; Yankee Hall, Montreal, threw Buddy O'Brien, California; Meisheka, Arabia, threw King Kong, Hollywood.

PITMAN, N.J. -- Emil Dusek, Omaha, pinned Paul Boesch, Long Island; Al Bisignano, Italy, threw Floyd Marshall; Cliff Olsen, Minnesota, gained decision over Stanley Pinto, Nebraska; Jack Donovan, Ireland, pinned Eli Fischer, Jersey City.

July 2

WOBURN, MASS. -- Leo Numa, Seattle, threw Tommy Rae, Springfield; Farmer George McLeod, Nebraska, defeated Chief Little Moose, Oklahoma, disqualification; Boris Demitroff, Boston, threw Jack Schaffer, New York; Frank Doyle, Boston, threw Jim Beaton, Boston; Andy Brown, New York, drew with Danny Winter, Boston.

DETROIT -- Frankie Hart, Holland, Mich., won over Frank Malcewicz, Utica, N.Y., DQ; Walter Roxy, Hamtramck, Mich., drew with Turp Grimes, Dayton, Ohio, and Herb Know, Wheeling, W. Va., threw Harry Brenner, Ann Arbor, Mich.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Man Mountain Dean, Georgia, won from Ivan Managoff, Russia, on disqualification; Willie Davis, Virginia, defeated Reb Russell, Boston; Casey de Collelmo (Colombo), Italy, defeated Joe Malcewicz, Utica, N.Y.; Kiman Kudo, Japan, defeated Rusty Wescoatt, Hawaii; Frank Dusek, Omaha, defeated Vic Christy, California

July 8

PORTLAND, ME. -- Wilhelm Wagner, 178, Germany (he was "Richard" Wagner the week before and, I believe, was really George Wagner, later to become Gorgeous George) and Jackie Nichols, 175, Richmond, Me., cracked heads and were counted out.

DALLAS -- George Hills, Racine, Wisc., threw Billy Edwards, Kansas City; Jack O'Dell, Denver, threw Jack Nelson, Canada; Sid Nabors, Memphis, threw Billy Evans, Tulsa; Dick Lever, Nashville, drew with Hank Metheny, St. Louis
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O'MAHONEY TOSSES CHIEF LITTLE WOLF

(reprinted from the New York Times, 7-9-35)

By Joseph C. Nichols

Dan O'Mahoney was successful in his first defense of the world's heavyweight wrestling championship. The 22-year-old Irishman defeated Little Wolf of Trinidad, Col., in 28 minutes, 23 seconds at the Yankee Stadium last night while a crowd of 12,000 persons looked on.

The bout was promoted by Jack Curley and a percentage of the receipts will be turned over to the Free Milk Fund for Babies, Inc., of which Mrs. William Randolph Hearst is chairman.

While O'Mahoney's victory was not a surprise, generally, the manner in which he disposed of his first challenger was. Instead of effectin the triumph with the Irish whipo, the grip with which he has won most of his bouts, O'Mahoney pressed Little Wolf's shoulders to the mat with a body hold after getting him into position with a flying scissors.

Until a few minutes before he was tossed, Little Wolf had a decided advantage over the young Irishman. He punished O'Mahoney several times with crushing head locks and gave the impression that he had little to fear from the invader.

Once O'Mahoney did apply the Irish whip, but it had so little effect on the challenger that he walked into the Irishman disdainfully. He became rough and tossed the titleholder about easily.

This treatment incensed O'Mahoney, who had been quite calm since the bout started. He suddenly sprang at the Coloradoan and smashed him to the floor three times with his right forearm.

Little Wolf was weakened and rendered dizzy by this quick turn, and it was nothing for O'Mahoney to whirl him to the floor. There the champion clamped a body hold on his foe, and forced the chief's shoulders to the mat.

The champion scaled 224 pounds and Little Wolf 210.

Jim Browning, former heavyweight champion, pinned Mike Mazurki of Troy in 13 minutes 54 seconds with a turn-over reverse body scissors in the semi-final.

Mazurki carried the action to Browning at the start and had a slight edge over the ex-ruler until he allowed himself to fall into an airplane scissors. The hold weakened the up-Stater, who gradually was beaten to the mat by the steady Browning. The weights were 231 for the winner as against 228 for Mazurki.

Rube Wright of Texas scored a surprise triumph over Joe Savoldi, former Notre Dame football ace, in a bout listed for thirty minutes. Savoldi, trying to down Wright with a flying tackle, hurled himself through the ropes and landed on the ground. While he was out of the ring Referee Joe Boyle counted ten.

Savoldi did get back after the count was finished and was in shape to continue, but the referee's count precluded any further action. Wright was 29 pounds heavier than Savoldi, who scaled 201. The bout lasted 6 minutes 9 seconds.

Abe Coleman of Los Angeles wrestled to a draw with Gino Garibaldi, Italian giant, in a thirty-minute encounter. Coleman had his foe in danger several times with crushing body holds, but Garibaldi wriggled free and punished the Californian with flying tackles. Coleman scaled 205 and Garibaldi 214.

Al Bisignano, 212, of Des Moines, Iowa, defeated Floyd Marshall, 225, of Phoenix, Ariz., in a scheduled thirty-minute encounter. Bisignano pinned his rival in 10:26 with a body slam.

Hank Barber, erstwhile Dartmouth athlete, won the opening bout on the card. He threw Pat McKay of Memphis in 13:49 with a flying tackle and body press. Barber, at 228, was 8 pounds heavier than McKay.
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MARSHALL MAT VICTORY -- LOSER TO HOSPITAL

CINCINNATI, July 12, 1935 (AP) -- Applying an airplane pin and body slam after 22 minutes in the main go of a mat program tonight, Everett Marshall, 211, of La Junta, Colo., defeated Nanjo Singh, 198, India, and sent him to the hospital with undetermined injuries to his shoulder.

Joe Montana, 176, of Camden, N.J., defeated Dale Haddock, Birmingham, Ala., in 23 minutes, pinning him with a hook scissors hold. Haddock weighed 168.

In other matches, Johnny Perkins, 195-pounder of Cincinnati, won over "Blacksmith" Smith, 185, of Dallas, Tex., and Curley Donchin, 176, Brookly, N.Y., downed Bobby Blake, 177, of Columbus in 13 minutes with an airplane leap.
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NUMA TRIUMPHS ON MAT AT HALIFAX SHOW

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, July 17, 1935 (Canadian Press) -- Leo Numa, 215-pound wrestler of Seattle, won the main bout of an exhibition staged tonight in connection with the Halifax Deep Sea Rodeo Week, defeating Farmer George McLeod of Iowa, 210.

Numa scored the first fall after 36 minutes and five seconds. McLeod was unable to continue because of a sprained leg.

The semifinal bout proved the most popular with the spectators. George Zarynoff of Russia, 205, and Henry Piers, ex-Olympic champion, 216, each gained a fall before the time limit expired. It was called a draw.
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STILL MORE RESULTS FROM THE SUMMER OF '35

July 12

DETROIT -- Danno O'Mahoney, 224, of Ireland defeated Gino Garibaldi, 214, Italy, one fall; Orville Brown, 218, Wallace, Kan., defeated Geo