The New WAWLI Papers (Wrestling As We Liked It) No. 547
FEATURE WON BY DUSETTE
(Portland Oregonian, September 12, 1949)
Stocky Kneilsen, rugged matman from Tennessee, chose to argue from the wrong side of the ropes Monday night at the Labor Temple and consequently was counted out, with the third and deciding fall of the wrestling feature going to George Dusette.
The match was all even, with Kneilsen winning the first fall and losing the second on disqualification, when the rhubarb began. Dusette, peeved when Kneilsen continually crawled outside the ropes to avoid him, went along the trip to the apron and punished the Tennessee grappler. Kneilson protested it took referee Harry Elliott too long in pulling Dusette off his back, and demanded the fall on disqualification. But the protest was made from outside the ropes, and Elliott merely counted Kneilsen out.
In the red-hot semi-windup, Leo Karilenko and Frank Stojack battled to a rugged draw. Karilenko took the first fall with a hammerlock, then Stojack, feinting a try for his specialty, the airplane spin, grabbed Karilenko by the ankles and gave him the giant swing before pinning him. They went the rest of the way to no fall.
Al Szasz and Carl Meyers went to a no-fall draw in the special event, and Dale Kiser won the opener from Bill McEuin on disqualification.
TEX HAGER TO HOLD FIRST MAT SHOW
(Portland Oregonian, September 21, 1949)
Tex Hager, wrestler turned promoter, will make his Portland bow as an impresario by presenting a three-bout mat card at the Eagles Hall, S.E. 6th Avenue and Alder Street, Thursday night.
In the top bout, Buck Weaver, billed as the coast lightheavyweight champ, will tackle Jack Kiser of Portland in a non-title melee.
Tarzan Zimba, of Canada, will meet rough karl Grey of Milwaukee in the semi-windup, and Rough House Billy McEuin will match grips with Bill Hunter, of Vancouver, B.C., in the opening attraction. Babe Small will referee all the bouts.
Hager, recently granted a license by the Portland boxing commission, plans to stage a card at the hall each Thursday night.
WEAVER WINNER ON MAT CARD
(Portland Oregonian, September 22, 1949)
Buck Weaver launched Tex Hager's weekly mat show at Eagles Hall Thursday night by defeating Jack Kiser, two out of three falls, in a slam-bang main event.
Weaver took the first flop with headlocks in 16 minutes and Kiser evened the score 12 minutes later with a skin-cat. Weaver ended the brawl nine minutes afterward, applying his lethal jumping full nelson.
In the special event, Karl Grey, Milwaukee, and Tarzan Zimba, of Canada, wrestled a fast no-fall, 30-minute draw, and Bill Hunter of Vancouver, B.C., was ruled winner of the opening tussle when Billy McEuin was disqualified for rough tactics.
WRESTLING CARD A MELTING POT
(Spokesman-Review, Sunday, Sept. 25, 1949)
Spokane's professional wrestling impresario, Hat Freeman, has dipped into a stable of top-flight mat performers to come up with an octet of the fans' favorites for his inaugural fall card Thursday evening at the Temple arena. The card will have an international touch.
From Mexico, ex-cavalry officer Juan Hernandez has been signed up to meet in the half-hour preliminary event Italian Tony Verdi.
A Greek, Ted Tourtas, will tangle in the semifinal with Larry Tillman, one of the three native-born Americans on the card.
Freeman has reserved as the show's hole card in the Australian tag-team that will headline the event.
A tag match, designed by its originators, the Australian Wrestling Association, as the most legal form of murder under professional wrestling rules, works this way:
Of each two-man team one member is meeting his opponent in the ring while his partner is required to stay outside the ropes, on the canvas, and further to hold onto a towel tied to a ringpost. The losing wrestler in the ring attempts to grapple his opponent to a place where the loser can tag his partner and swap places with him in the ring. It doesn't always work out that way when the going gets hot.
Thursday's match will team Jerry Meeker and the Cardiff Giant against Leo Wallick and Stu Hart.
BEAR TO SHOW ON MAT CARD
(Portland Oregonian, Sept. 25, 1949)
A big black bear, branded by those who have seen him in action as a natural wrestler, will take the spotlight on Don Owen's weekly mat card at the Labor Temple Monday night.
The burly bruin, which has appeared in many leading cities of the country, will appear in a 15-minute exhibition against Stocky Kneilson, bearded hillbilly, as a special attraction of the grappling show.
According to Owen, the goateed Kneilsen was the only wrestler in these parts willing to take on the shaggy brute, all the other maulers ducking for cover when the match was proposed.
In the main event, Al Szasz, riding a current victory wave, will tackle Buck Weaver, current claimant of the coast lightheavyweight title.
Bob Cummings will oppose Les Welch, youngest brother of a grappling family from Tennessee, in the semi-final, and Dan Dugan, a crowd-pleasing Irish cop from Santa Monica, Calif., will battle roughneck Billy McEuin in the opener.
Owen has announced that the bear and Kneilsen act will be presented before Weaver and Szasz lock arms.
TEMPLE MAIN ENDS IN DRAW
(Portland Oregonian, September 27, 1949)
Buck Weaver and Al Szasz wrestled to a one-fall-each draw Monday night in a rugged Labor Temple main event.
Weaver trapped the Hungarian matman in the first fall, by turning an apparently friendly handshake into a flying mare and neck breaker. The angry Szasz returned to the ring and battered Weaver with elbow slams, finally using a drop kick, whip wrist lock and Japanese arm bar to gain the equalizer just 45 seconds before the time limit.
The crowd, largest of the summer season, waited out the intermission to see them go the remaining distance to a draw.
In the special event, Stocky Kneilsen bowed to Ginger, the big black bear, in just four minutes. The bear wasn't much of a scientific grappler, but he fairly smothered Kneilsen in record time to earn his orange soda pop reward.
Dan Dugan defeated Billy McEuin, one fall, in the semi-windup, and Bob Cummings pinned Les Welch in the opener.
Portland, Ore. -- September 29, 1949
Karl Grey beat Tarzan Zimba, George Strickland drew George Dusette, Dale Kiser beat Pete Bartu dq (referee Babe Small)
GIANT-MEEKER TEAM WINNER
(Spokesman-Review, Sept. 30, 1949)
The Cardiff Giant and Jerry Meeker teamed up to teach Stu Hart and Juan Hernandez some of the finer points of rough, rugged wrestling in a team match which featured the opening of the Masonic Temple wrestling season.
The Giant and Meeker used body slams and finished their foes with body presses in the first and third falls. Hart and Hernandez grabbed the middle fall, however, with a flying cross hold after 15:43.
In the semi-windup, Ted Tourtas was forced to come back after losing the first fall to Larry Tillman and win the next two. After dropping the first in 43:54, he won the second after 3:45 with a rolling cradle and the third with a series of body slams and a body press from his still dazed opponent after 3:27.
Tony Verdi won the opener after 8:43 over Clarence Higdon with a Boston crab hold.
Portland, Ore. -- October 3, 1949
Leo Kirilenko beat Al Szasz, Buck Weaver beat Gust Johnson, George Dusette beat Carl Meyers, Dale Kiser beat Billy McEuin
Seattle, Wash. -- October 3, 1949
George Strickland beat Stocky Kneilsen, Ginger the Bear beat Tony Ross, Dan Dugan beat Jack Fisher, Pete Bartu beat Les Welch
Portland, Ore. -- October 6, 1949
Karl Grey beat George Strickland, Bob Cummings beat Stocky Kneilsen, Pete Bartu beat Les Welch, Ginger the Bear beat Babe Small
Portland, Ore. -- October 10, 1949
Al Szasz-Pierre LaBelle beat Pete Bartu-Leo Kirilenko, Buck Weaver beat Maurice LaChappelle, George Dusette drew Gust Johnson
Seattle, Wash. -- October 10, 1949
Tony Ross beat George STrickland, Mighty Atlas (Morris Shapiro) beat Jim Diamond, Dan Dugan beat Stocky Kneilsen, Billy Pappas beat Bobby Burns
Portland, Ore. -- October 13, 1949
Bob Cummings-Babe Small beat Tarzan Zimba-Kral Grey, Frank Stojack drew Jack Kiser, Babe Small beat Tarzan Zimba
Portland, Ore. -- October 17, 1949
Jack O'Reilly beat Gust Johnson, Al Szasz beat Leo Kirilenko, Bob Cummings drew George Dusette, Jack Kiser beat Pete Bartu
Seattle, Wash. -- October 17, 1949
Gorgeous George beat Tony Ross, George Strickland-Jim Diamond beat Mighty Atlas-Stocky Kneilsen dq, Carl Meyers beat Dan Dugan (A - 2,000; capacity crowd in Eagles Auditorium)
Portland, Ore. -- October 20, 1949
Karl Grey beat Pierre LaBelle, Frank Stojack beat Silent Rattan, Dale Kiser beat Harry Elliott
Portland, Ore. -- October 24, 1949
Jack O'Reilly beat Al Szasz, Jack Kiser drew Yaqui Kid, Jack Lipscomb beat Dale Kiser, Maurice LaChappelle beat Masked Saint
VENTURA JUMPS BACK INTO THE RING
(St. Paul Pioneer-Press, July 13, 1999)
By Patrick Sweeney
Gov. Jesse Ventura, who first achieved fame as a pro-wrestling bad guy known as "The Body,'' will return to the ring next month in a pay-for-view extravaganza sponsored by the World Wrestling Federation at Target Center.
Ventura and his spokesmen refused to say Monday whether he'll participate as a wrestler, referee, ringside announcer or perhaps as a color commentator for the television broadcast of the event.
"Be there on Wednesday for the press conference and find out,'' Ventura told reporters in Hibbing when they questioned him about the wrestling match during his tour of storm-damaged northern Minnesota. "Charities are going to do well,'' he added.
The World Wrestling Federation, which once employed Ventura as a wrestler and later an announcer, said Monday that Ventura would play an unspecified role in the SummerSlam wrestling show to be broadcast from Target Center on Aug. 22. Details of Ventura's involvement will be made public Wednesday.
Ventura's state staff referred questions about the wrestling show to David Bradley Olson, the governor's private attorney and vice president of the nonprofit corporation that markets Ventura's name and image.
"All I can tell you right now is it's going to be a lot of fun,'' Olson said.
Ventura, who will be 48 years old on Thursday, retired from pro wrestling in 1984 after an 11-year career.
Dave Meltzer, who publishes "Wrestling Observer,'' a San Jose, Calif., newsletter devoted to the booming professional wrestling industry, speculated that Ventura's return to the ring will likely be as a referee for the premier match in the wrestling show. And Meltzer predicted that Ventura is likely to earn more than $1 million for the one night of work.
"It's huge money,'' Meltzer said. "A celebrity of his stature, on a pay-for-view event, the going rate is seven figures.''
Tickets for SummerSlam are sold out, but it's available for $29.95 as a pay-for-view show.
Last summer, the celebrities taking part in similar wrestling shows included late-night TV host Jay Leno and National Basketball Association stars Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone. Meltzer predicted Ventura would be a bigger draw.
"Leno got a million, and Rodman got $2.5 million,'' Meltzer said. "I think more people by far will buy the show than bought the one that Rodman did.''
Meltzer said Ventura might wrestle, probably in a tag team, but more likely would referee a match featuring "Stone Cold'' Steve Austin, the WWF's top star. And if Ventura wrestles, he probably will take Austin's side at some point, Meltzer predicted.
Meltzer said the WWF, locked in a television ratings battle with the rival World Championship Wrestling organization and reeling from a string of bad publicity -- the death in May of wrestler Owen Hart in a ring accident; a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Rena Mero, a former female wrestler; and the recent death in Dallas of a 3-year-old boy accidentally killed by his 7-year-old brother with a wrestling move he reportedly had learned from television -- has much to gain from recruiting the popular Ventura for the show.
"For the WWF, it's a tremendous coup,'' Meltzer said. "There's no downside. They get tons and tons of publicity, and none of it's bad.''
Bruce Mitchell, a Greensboro, N.C., second-grade teacher who writes a wrestling column for the "Pro Wrestling Torch,'' a Twin Cities-based newsletter, said he questions whether Ventura should lend the prestige of his office as governor to professional wrestling at a time when the sport, which is heavily marketed to children, is becoming increasingly raunchy.
"They market violence, they use a lot of swearing and they have a lot of sexual content in their shows,'' Mitchell said of the WWF. "And Jesse, by participating in it, is endorsing it.''
For Ventura, taking part in the WWF event means rejoining Vince McMahon, the WWF chairman whom he successfully sued in 1994 in U.S. District Court in St. Paul. Ventura won nearly $1 million in a lawsuit charging that he improperly was denied residuals from videotapes McMahon sold from Ventura's old wrestling matches
VENTURA DEFENDS PARTICIPATION
(Associated Press, July 13, 1999)
By Rochelle Olson
ST. PAUL, Minn.--Gov. Jesse Ventura defended his return to professional wrestling Tuesday, insisting he's entitled to a life outside politics. Ventura bristled when asked whether his renewed ties to the World Wrestling Federation threatened the dignity of the governor's office.
"If I were a nightclub singer in Caesars Palace, would you ask the same question?" he asked.
That wasn't the only time he compared himself to a Las Vegas lounge act. Within the hour, he was on Minnesota Public Radio, using an identical argument against his critics.
The governor, who wrestled professionally as Jesse "The Body" Ventura until retiring in 1986, scheduled a news conference Wednesday with the World Wrestling Federation. He plans to participate Aug. 22 in the WWF's $29.95 pay-per-view "SummerSlam" event.
Ventura's role has been billed as a return to the ring. Whether he will wrestle or referee is a secret for now. The sold-out event is scheduled for the Target Center in Minneapolis.
Ventura wouldn't divulge his role in the event or answer questions about how much he would be paid or where the money will go, though he said Monday some will go to charity. He did respond to criticism.
"There's no rule that says a governor can't have fun," Ventura said. "There's no rule that says a governor on his own time can't be a human."
His appearance on the WWF event is simply a return to his profession before he was governor, he said.
"The perception is that people need to be professional politicians and that therefore being a politician is your entire life. Well, it's not Jesse Ventura's entire life and I think I was elected upon the fact that I came from being a private citizen," he said.
On Monday, state GOP Chairman Ron Eibensteiner called Ventura's actions "an absolute outrage."
"It's so obvious, so transparent, that he is using the office of governor to promote his own personal enrichment," Eibensteiner said. Ventura shot back Tuesday on MPR, noting that GOP St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman just struck a deal as a paid Saturday afternoon radio host. The governor receives no money for his weekly radio show.
"Where's the outcry? See, for Republicans, he's an entrepreneur," Ventura said.
Ventura believes his appearance on the WWF show would be a boost for the state. "More people will see Minnesota again and it will put us in the spotlight again," he said.
It won't take away from his gubernatorial duties
because he generally doesn't work on Sundays, the day of the event, and the job
requires no travel because the event is at the Target Center.
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The New WAWLI Papers (Wrestling As We Liked It) No. 548
(ED. NOTE -- Mike Smith, Ojai, Calif., contributor, sent along the following goodies from the wonderful old Knockout magazines, these items from some January and February, 1940, issues. Note that Dick (Whoa, Nellie!) Lane, the famous Hollywood wrestling telecaster, began his association with the mat game as manager for Dangerous Danny McShain.)
LINEUPS FROM KNOCKOUT MAGAZINES
(January 6, 1940)
Los Angeles -- Olympic Auditorium
Young Stecher vs. Joe Woods . . . A win a piece -- we like Woods to win the rubber and retire Stecher from the tournament, which is now in its 13th week
Ricardo Lugo vs. Oki Shikina . . . Oki much too fast and clever and will make a sucker out of Lugo
Hank Oswald vs. Sammy Stein . . . Both flying tacklers -- we like Stein to take Hank apart
Nanjo Singh vs. Vic Christy . . . Singh ruined Vic last week in a "dirty" brawl -- we like the Hindu to repeat tonight amid many a boo
Sandor Szabo vs. Moose Munn . . . Szabo to win in his usual style
Pat Fraley vs. Kayo Koverly . . . This will be a wow -- Pat can be tough, too, and will give Kayo a hot evening. We sorta like Pat to down Koverly with a flying toehold
Nick Lutze vs. Dean Detton . . . Rematch of a great struggle -- Lutze figures to turn the tables on Detton tonight
Jules Strongbow vs. Tiny Roebuck . . . This is for the Indian title and they will rassle Indian style, whatever that is. Jules figures to win
MAIN EVENT: Vincent Lopez vs. Pantaleon Manlapig . . . Perhaps the most colorful bout of the new year -- it's Mexican Lopez versus Filipino Manlapig. We like the Filipino, who has held some good ones to a draw, to hand the Mexican a pinning tonight
(January 27, 1940)
San Diego
Cardiff Giant vs. Dan Savage . . . Leo to win after many laughs
Kola Kwariani vs. Karl Davis . . . Davis will ride Kola for the fall
Jules Strongbow vs. Pete Mehringer . . . Pete too smart for the Indian
Oki Shikina vs. Rudy LaDitzi . . . A draw and the show-stealer
Ed Payson vs. Vic Christy . . . Christy's leg holds to win
Tiny Roebuck vs. Vic Hill . . . Tiny too beeg and strong for Vic
Baron Ginsberg vs. Sammy Stein . . . Stein in a hurry
MAIN EVENT: Nick Lutze vs. Dean Detton . . . Detton too much for Lutze to handle.
San Francisco -- Civic Auditorium
Jack Wagner vs. Pat Rooney . . . Wagner, rassling referee, will twist Pat into pretzel
Kay Bell vs. Jim Powell . . . Bell, pro footballer, a husky and the winner
Cliff Theide vs. Hardy Kruskamp . . . Hardy's dropkicks should down Cliff
Danny Dusek vs. Ed Payson . . . Payson's tackles will win a brawl from Danny
MAIN EVENT: Kayo Koverly vs. Bill Hansen . . . Koverly and his punches a bit too hot for clever Billy to handle
Los Angeles -- Olympic Auditorium
Lee Wycoff vs. Little Wolf . . . These boys are entering the fourth round; all matches to be 45 minutes to fall or decision. We like Lee after a fine exhibition
Fred Von Schacht vs. Dean Detton . . . Fred a new one; Detton will curl him up in a soft spot with toeholds
Oki Shikina vs. Rube Wright . . . Oki too good for rough and ready Rube and will win via his Surf Board Grip
Joe Woods vs. Jules Strongbow . . . Woods a pretty fair lad; will hang a left hook on Jules to win the fall
Joe Pazandak vs. Dr. Len Hall . . . Hall too good and will have an easy time in making Joe yell for help
Dan Boone Savage vs. Nanjo Singh . . . Leo a colorful gink and will steamroll all over the Hindu to cop the match
Ed Payson vs. Egg Haggerty . . . The Egg just a bit too powerful for tackling Ed and gets the call
MAIN EVENT: Karl Davis vs. Vincent Lopez . . . This will be a riot of action -- we favor Lopez to wind up getting the decision and match after 45 minutes of rough and wild struggling
(February 10, 1940)
Los Angeles -- Olympic Auditorium
Pantaleon Manlapig vs. George Zaharias . . . Tabbed a grudge struggle, Zaharias too much for the Flipino
Egg Haggerty-Rudy LaDitzi vs. Ed Payson-Nick Lutze . . . Heroes Lutze and Payson will tame villains Egg and LaDitzi
Leo Savage vs. Sandor Szabo . . . Szabo the winner
Count Von Schacht vs. Dean Detton . . . A tournament match, Dean to win with toeholds
Dr. Len Hall vs. Rube Wright . . . Rube won last week, Hall will level tonight and is winner
Max Krauser vs. Pat Fraley . . . Max a European champ, he'll dust off Pat with some wicked grips
Little Wolf vs. Lee Wycoff . . . Lee to win a sensational struggle from the Indian
MAIN EVENT: Vincent Lopez vs. Karl Davis . . . Lopez's elbow wallops will put Davis out of the tournament
Sacramento
Bob Mabrey vs. Jim Powell . . . Powell the choice
Art Larson vs. Ted Sarris . . . Sarris to steal the show
Leo Narberes vs. Pat Rooney . . . A wild draw
Elbows Gracia vs. Jack Kugot . . . Kugot will bounce the Filipino
MAIN EVENT: Doc. Meyers vs. Bill Hansen . . . Hansen all the way
Santa Monica -- Ocean Park Arena
Pat Fraley vs. Joe Woods . . . A fine all-around card. Woods has the edge
Mike Works-Painter Hogan vs. Bob Coleman-Young Stecher . . . A wowser -- we like Coleman and Stecher
Bud O'Brien vs. Vic Hill . . . Buddy's back -- a sensational winner
Jules Strongbow vs. Sandor Szabo . . . Szabo will flop the Indian
MAIN EVENT: Vincent Lopez vs. George Zaharias . . . For 1940 club championship -- we like Zaharias after a wild classic
El Rio
Manuel Rodriguez vs. Joe Woods . . . Both know what it's all about -- a pleasing draw
Jack Reeder vs. Pete Peterson . . . Two toughies -- we like Pete to roll Jack
Vic Christy vs. Hank Metheny . . . Vic to pin baldheaded Hank with a hook scissors
MAIN EVENT: George Zaharias vs. Vincent Lopez . . . Rough and wild -- Lopez the winner
Wilmington
Ernie Peterson vs. Al Ferona . . . Ernie a bit too rough
Otis Clingman vs. Yukon Jake . . . Jake will stamp on Otis' features
Bob Gregory vs. Karl Grey . . . A classic -- favor British Bob
MAIN EVENT: Sugai Matsuda vs. Jesse James . . . Greek vs. Japanese -- tab Jesse, he's too powerful
San Diego
Bob Coleman vs. Billy Varga . . . Varga the pick
Harry Jacobs vs. Sammy Stein . . . Stein all the way
Little Wolf vs. Pat Fraley . . . Wolf will death grip
Karl Davis vs. Nick Lutze . . . A draw and the best match of the night
Rudy LaDitzi vs. Ed Payson . . . Payson should outtackle Rudy
MAIN EVENT: Sandor Szabo vs. Rube Wright . . . Szabo will roll Rube over for the fall
EASTSIDE ARENA (Ninth and Lorena Streets, Los Angeles) THE BEST IN BIG-TIME WRESTLING EVERY THURSDAY EVENING (Ladies Free, With or Without Escorts, Every Week) JOHN J. DOYLE, Matchmaker
McSHAIN CLASHES WITH BOB GREGORY
(The Knockout, January 27, 1940)
By Dean Snyder
Being a world's champion is not always what it is cracked up to be.
For instance, when Dangerous Danny McShain stuck out his chest -- and he really can do that -- after defeating Jesse James, glamour Greek, he bumped into Bob Gregory.
McShain won the undisputed recognition by the National Wrestling Association which controls 36 states and the sanction of California, Illinois and New York that he was the world's light-heavyweight wrestling champion.
But up pops Gregory and made a speech. It was "How about me?"
Gregory is not only the lightheavy and junior heavy champion of England, but Europe as well.
"You are only the champion of America," said Gregory. "I'm the champion of Europe, where all the good wrestlers really are."
McShain is a strutter. He is also a big bluffer. But he is also a great wrestler. And he is Irish.
A genuine Irishman wouldn't bend a knee to an Englishman under any circumstances.
McShain's "high command" may be short-lived.
About nine out of every ten mat followers think that Gregory can make a pretzel out of McShain or most anyone else in the grinding game of bones and muscles.
Gregory has a way about him.
His sportsmanship is only equalled by his ability.
Last week when he injured Silent Rattan with a hip lock instead of giving him another push in the face, the Briton helped the guards to take his victim to the dressing room.
The audience appreciates good fellowship along with hard competition and rivalry.
One night Gregory was pitched out of the ring. He injured his ankle and the back of his neck struck a chair. He was packed away on a stretcher while his conqueror patted himself on the back but didn't make a move to aid the man he had injured with a maneuver that is really a foul and not wrestling.
McShain, in spite of his victory over James that gave him the championship, is in an embarrassing position.
A few weeks ago Gregory beat him in a one-fall bout.
A championship when some other fellow holds a decision over you is hollow.
Styles have much to do with the dealing of the cards in wrestling, as well as any other sport.
James beat Gregory for the California title because he is an expert on defense. He claims he can block any hold. But he specializes in leg leverages. And Gregory specializes in leg leverages.
McShain, on the other hand, is at his best against arm leverages. Leg grips puzzle him.
Critics, who saw Gregory beat McShain in the one-fall contest, predict that the Englishman will win in straight falls if McShain is curbed from slugging.
Gregory isn't rugged. He is all science.
It is said McShain plans to retire and go into pictures with his manager, Richard Lane, if he loses to Gregory.
McShain owns his own home in Beverly Hills and has a sizeable trust fund established. He is an exceptionally good actor.
Outside of the ring he is handsomer than most of the movie actors. But when he climbs into the ring he becomes a roaring harlequin.
Promoter Hugh Nichols bridged the split between the California commission recognized champion and the N.W.A. sanctioned titleholder by staging the James-McShain bout.
But the winner of the international bout will be the real world's head man of the 175-pound division.
Hollywood fans will welcome the return of Don Sugai Matsura, who wrestles under the name of Matty Matsura, to the Legion again.
Matsura wrestled at the film capital arena two years ago.
He proved to be a sensation. Efforts to rebook him failed since he left the next day for Japan where he had bouts scheduled.
Ever since then Hollywood has wondered what became of the brilliant Japanese ace.
Matsura makes his first start in the mixed team match Monday. He will work with Red Lyons against two other Japanese stars, Taro Ito and Sugy Hayamaki.
Hundreds of Japanese fans will be on hand to see Matsura in action.
Regardless of how the team match ends Matsura will be a strong challenger for the Gregory-McShain survivor.
In mixed team grappling the Japanese have the advantage in jacket falls while Americans have the edge at catch-as-catch-can falls.
To make a mixed match fair, a coin is dropped before the bout starts. This will decide whether the four men will start with or without jackets. If each team gets a fall the one with the shortest time has the choice of style for the deciding fall.
Ito and Hayamaka defeated Lyons and Duke Pettigrove two weeks ago.
With the crafty Matsura working beside Lyons the result may be different.
Last week's show featuring the McShain-James bout attracted the largest crowd the club has ever had in the new $250,000 stadium for wrestling.
McSHAIN SAID WEIGHING FILM OFFER
(The Knockout, February 10, 1940)
By Dean Snyder
What would you do if you were Danny McShain?
He holds the world's undisputed light-heavyweight championship.
But the flickers are calling him.
Dangerous Danny has the requisites because he is handsome and alert.
The wrestling game has been good to McShain. He owns a home in Beverly Hills. He has a sizeable trust fund.
But a few years ago he met Richard Lane, movie star.
Lane liked the way McShain went about his work. He watched him as a fan.
One night he met Danny and had a talk with him. Then McShain was a flashy wrestler, but didn't seem to be headed any place.
Lane advised him to develop one hold and use it as a weapon.
At that time McShain was experimenting with a deadly maneuver that he called a pile driver.
It is the simple thing of picking a man up upside down and driving his head into the mat.
The next time he met Lane he said, "How would you like to be my manager?"
Lane accepted the job. The combination made Mcshain a world's champion.
It is said that McShain has such a good offer that he cannot very well refuse it. But he is signed for one more bout at Hollywood. He wants to retire -- if he makes the final decision -- as undefeated.
Two fellows -- Bob Gregory of England and Jesse James, glamour Greek -- are meeting Monday night at the Hollywood Legion stadium.
Most fans think either would beat McShain if McShain was made to live up to the rules.
James is known as the man with a block for every hold.
Gregory isn't such a great blocker, but he has a powerful defensive with his many leg holds.
James is the youngster. He is only 24 years old.
A year ago James was recognized as the wonder boy in New York state. He won the New York title.
He realized a big ambition when he got a match with Jimmy Londos one night.
The bout went two hours to a draw. Londos, a veteran of the war and a world's champion, became very much interested in his Greek countryman.
Since then Londos has taught James many things about wrestling. If James continues to improve and if he grows heavier he may some day be the successor of the maestro, Londos. James has already had the honor of being California champion. What he lacks in experience he makes up for in speed and the ability to think his way out of difficulty.
His system is much like that of the popular Lord Lansdowne. Lansdowne always said: "Don't resist a hold but go with it."
Few men could ever tie the Lord up into a knot he couldn't untie. The same is true of James.
Gregory uses a different system. The Briton has emphasized leg leverages, although he is master of everything in the book.
Gregory can do more things with his legs than half the other grapplers can do with their arms.
It is Gregory's ambition to hold the world's light-heavyweight title. If he succeeds in this he will then challenge LeRoy McGuirk for the junior heavyweight belt.
Gregory's one weakness is that he cannot stand up against slugging.
He claims that McShain could not beat him at real standup wrestling. When they met, McShain's only edge was that he could outslug the Englishman. McShain is an exponent of the elbow smash, which was introduced and developed by Vincent Lopez.
Gregory is too much of a gentleman to slug back with a rough opponent.
If he can't win by strict leverage methods he refuses to employ rough tactics that border on the foul side of the ledger.
If Gregory meets McShain again many will string with the Briton.
The new rule book, drawn by Commissioner Everett Sanders, is out and is in effect. Of all the "don'ts" in the book, Gregory isn't guilty of any of the infractions named.
James likewise is a cleancut worker.
As Commissioner Sanders explains, the new code is not for the boys of the James and Gregory type, but for the men who resort to rough tactics to cover up the weaknesses in their wrestling technique.
Matchmaker Hugh Nichols of Hollywood is now in the east scouting for new talent for California.
Two men he has already booked for Hollywood are McGuirk and Lansdowne. Neither of these are strangers. Lansdowne hasn't worked here since he was a welterweight.
Most of the high-caliber men in the 175-pound and the 190-pound classes are in the west.
But Nichols is seeking the best that other sections have to offer.
One man who may be giving all the light-heavies
trouble soon is Matty Matsura, the Japanese boy. He is not only a black-belted
man, but he is an excellent catch-as-catch-can man.
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The New WAWLI Papers (Wrestling As We Liked It) No. 549
(ED. NOTE -- Our profuse thanks go out to the latest contributor to the WAWLI Papers archive, Mr. David Crane of Northern California. He dug up the following two stories plus the scan of Sacramento results from 1936, the period in which a 20-year-old Lou Thesz was beginning his march to the top of the game.)
RIOT AT JAMAICA WRESTLING BOUT
(Associated Press, June 5, 1936)
NEW YORK -- It started as a small time wrestling match, but wound up a full fledged riot.
Several thousand mat fans were seated in Jamaica Arena watching George Lenihan and Tony Colesano go through their grunt and groan routine. Suddenly Lenihan was seen rubbing unknown substances in Colessano’s eye.
Then the fun began.
Fifty of Colesano’s countrymen leaped into the ring and proceeded to assault Lenihan. In a moment the place was a bedlam with Lenihan’s adherents engaged in pitched battles with the Colesano faction.
Emergency squads rushed to the arena but it was not until they had drawn guns and took possession of the ring that order was restored.
So far as could be learned no one was seriously
injured.
NWA'S LEADING TITLE CONTENDERS
(Associated Press, September 22, 1936)
HOUSTON -- The National Wrestling Association championship committee yesterday named Leo (Daniel Boone) Savage, Dave Levin, and Everett Marshall as outstanding contenders for the world’s heavyweight title and suggested a tournament to clear up the situation in that division.
The Committee, meeting as a part of the National Boxing and Wrestling Association Convention, named seventeen others it considers are prominent enough to engage in such a tourney, and suggested appearance bonds on $1,000 be posted.
Besides the three heavyweight grapplers named, the following make up the first twenty: Orville Brown, Henry DeGlane, Ernie Dusek, Ed Don George, Ed (Strangler) Lewis, Jim Londos, Vincent Lopez, Earl McCready, Jim McMillin, John Pesek, Yvon Roberti, Steve Savage, Dick Shikat, Gus Sonnenberg, Ray Steele, Hans Steinke, and George Zaharias.
Colonel Harry Landry of Mississippi was re-elected president of the association.
SACRAMENTO RESULTS FROM 1936
(bouts were all held in the Memorial Auditorium and were promoted under the auspices of the Disabled American Veterans)
Sacramento -- June 1, 1936
Howard Cantonwine beat Willie Davis, Hardy Kruskamp beat Joe Malcewicz, Rusty Westcoatt beat Bud Hellwig, Charley Santen beat Jake Patterson, Hans Steinke beat Nelson Davis
Sacramento -- June 8, 1936
Willie Davis vs. Howard Cantonwine, Charley Santen vs. Dr. Fred Meyers, Mike Mazurki vs. Brother Jonathan, Jake Patterson vs. Bill Sledge, Hans Steinke vs. Jan Pencheff
Sacramento -- June 15, 1936
Charley Santen beat Willie Davis, Rusty Westcoatt beat Harry Jacobs, Hardy Kruskamp beat Jake Patterson, Fred Meyers beat Tommy Nilan, Mike Mazurki beat George Wilson
Sacramento -- June 22, 1936
Hardy Kruskamp beat Jake Patterson, Hugo De Collelmo beat Bronco Valdez, Mike Mazurki drew Fred Meyers, Willie Davis beat Mike Strelich, Bill Sledge drew Benny Ginsberg
Sacramento -- July 6, 1936
George Zaharias beat Rusty Westcoatt, Hardy Kruskamp beat Brother Jonathan, Bill Sledge drew Jake Patterson, Fred Meyers beat Bronco Valdez, Frank Malcewicz beat Mike Strelich
Sacramento -- July 13, 1936
Dave Levin beat Fred Meyers, Hardy Kruskamp beat Benny Ginsberg, Jack Kennedy beat Jack Washburn, Ray Steele beat Jake Patterson, Lou Plummer beat Bob Jessen
Sacramento -- July 20, 1936
Ray Steele beat Mike Mazurki, Hardy kruskamp beat Jake Patterson, Frank Malcewicz beat Leo Narberes, Casey Kazanjian beat Brother Jonathan, Hugo De Collelmo beat Harry Jacobs
Sacramento -- July 27, 1936
Ray Steele beat Hugo De Collelmo, Hardy Kruskamp beat Tony Catalino, Frank Malcewicz beat Ed Helwig, Lou Thesz beat Benny Ginsberg, Bill Sledge beat Bronco Valdez
Sacramento -- August 3, 1936
Vincent Lopez beat Hardy Kruskamp, Ray Steele beat Benny Ginsberg, Bill Sledge beat Frank Malcewicz, Lou Thesz drew Hank Metheny, Jake Patterson drew Joe Malcewicz
Sacramento -- August 10, 1936
Frank Malcewicz beat Hardy Kruskamp, Ray Steele beat Brother Jonathan, Hugo De Collelmo drew Fred Meyers, Lou Thesz drew Mike Mazurki, Bill Sledge beat Jack Washburn
Sacramento -- August 17, 1936
Dean Detton beat Fred Meyers, Hans Steinke beat Jake Patterson, Hardy Kruskamp beat Frank Malcewicz, Jack Washburn beat Jack Wagner, Lou Thesz beat Benny Ginsberg
Sacramento -- August 24, 1936
Ted Cox beat Hugo De Collelmo, Hans Steinke beat Mike Mazurki, Lou Thesz beat Bill Beth, Frank Malcewicz beat Tony Catalino, Jake Patterson drew Pat Meehan
Sacramento -- August 31, 1936
Vincent Lopez beat Frank Malcewicz, Fred Meyers
beat Mike Mazurki, Hans Steinke beat Harry Jacobs, Gus Sonnenberg beat Ted Cox,
Pat Meehan beat Jake Patterson
Sacramento -- September 14, 1936
Dave Levin beat Ted Cox, Gus Sonnenberg beat Bill Sledge, Ray Steele drew Hank Metheny, Frank Malcewicz beat Ted Sarris, Lou Thesz drew Hugo De Collelmo
Sacramento -- September 21, 1936
Vincent Lopez beat Frank Malcewicz, Hans Steinke beat Mike Bouskos-Paul Nelson (handicap), Hal Rumberg beat Jake Patterson, Nick Lutze drew Hank Metheny, Bill Sledge drew Tony Catalino
Sacramento -- September 28, 1936
Hans Steinke beat Joe Malcewicz, Gus Sonnenberg beat Jake Patterson, Ted Cox beat Mike Bouskos, Nick Lutze beat Hank Metheny, Pat Meehan beat Tony Catalino
Sacramento -- October 5, 1936
Dave Levin beat Ted Cox, Frank Malcewicz drew Nick Lutze, Hal Rumberg beat Jake
Patterson, Pat Meehan drew Herb Freeman, Lou Thesz beat Mike Bouskos
Sacramento -- October 12, 1936
Nick Lutze beat Frank Malcewicz, Gus Sonnenberg beat Herb Freeman, Pat Meehan beat Tony Catalino, Ted Cox drew Lou Thesz, Vic Christy beat Jake Patterson
Sacramento -- October 19, 1936
Dean Detton beat Vic Christy, Gus Sonnenberg drew Nick Lutze, Hal Rumberg beat Joe Malcewicz, Rudy Strongberg beat Herb Freeman, Frank Malcewicz beat Bill Marsh
(perhaps Tiger Joe Marsh)
Sacramento -- October 26, 1936
Gus Sonnenberg beat Nick Lutze, Vic Christy beat Herb Freeman, Hal Rumberg beat Jake Patterson, Jack McArthur beat Leo Narbares, Jake Patterson drew Rudy Strongberg
Sacramento -- November 2, 1936
Vic Christy beat Hal Rumberg, John Spellman beat Lou Thesz, Ted Cox beat Nick Lutze, Pat Meehan drew Rudy Strongberg, Billy Hansen beat Tony Catalino
Sacramento -- November 9, 1936
Billy Hansen beat Ted Cox, Al Pereira beat Joe Malcewicz, Pat Meehan beat John Spellman, Casey Kazanjian drew Rudy Strongberg, Jack McArthur beat Vic Christy
Sacramento -- November 16, 1936
(results incomplete) Bill Longson beat Lou Thesz
Sacramento -- November 23, 1936
Billy Hansen beat Jack McArthur, Sandor Szabo beat Hank Metheny, Pat Meehan drew Bill Longson, Sammy Stein beat Tiger Joe Marsh, Vic Christy drew Ted Cox
Sacramento -- December 7, 1936
Chief Little Wolf beat Nick Lutze, Gino Vagnone beat Frank Malcewicz, Hal Rumberg beat Bob Jessen, Tommy Marvin beat Lou Thesz, Bill Longson beat Hank Metheny
Sacramento -- December 14, 1936
Gino Vagnone beat Frank Malcewicz, Tommy Marvin beat Tony Catalino, Nick Lutze beat Jack McArthur, Bill Longson beat Herb Freeman, John Spellman drew Rudy Strongberg
Sacramento -- December 21, 1936
Man Mountain Dean drew Nick Lutze, Rudy Strongberg beat Ted Cox, Frank Malcewicz drew Ernie Peterson, Jake Patterson drew Hal Rumberg, Sailor Davis drew Merwin Cox
Sacramento -- December 28, 1936
Gino Vagnone beat Chief Little Wolf dq, Kimon Kudo beat Bronco Valdez, Nick Lutze drew Bill Longson, Ted Cox drew Pat Meehan
JESSE THE REF: A MILLION BUCKS?
(St. Paul Pioneer-Press, July 15, 1999)
By Patrick Sweeney
Gov. Jesse Ventura will return to the wrestling ring as a referee next month for a payday that will allow him to donate $100,000 to charity and perhaps pocket $1 million more in fees and royalties.
Ventura joined officials of the World Wrestling Federation on Wednesday at Target Center to announce that Ventura will be the guest referee Aug. 22 in the SummerSlam, a pay-per-view event that will decide who is the WWF's latest champion.
Ventura has suggested recently that he could be the guy to clean up professional wrestling. For years, wrestling has marketed its scripted image of almost-anything-goes violence; recently it has added raw language and sexual innuendo to the mix.
At Wednesday's news conference, Ventura hinted at the role he'll play in one night of wrestling theater.
"Rest assured, the wrestlers are going to find it very interesting dealing with me,'' Ventura said. "I will enforce the rules of professional wrestling, or the lack thereof.''
After the news conference Tuesday, Ventura urged people to take pro wrestling "with a grain of salt and a gleam in your eye.''
But Ron Eibensteiner, chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota, said Ventura's participation in the wrestling show will diminish the prestige of the governor's office.
Ventura expressed surprise at the criticism. Few people, he said, would complain if he were a retired National Basketball Association player taking part in an exhibition game for pay and pleasure.
Ventura, who was known as "The Body'' during an 11-year pro wrestling career, sometimes has complained that the media are too interested in his background as a wrestler and not sufficiently interested enough in his government experience as a one-term mayor of Brooklyn Park. But he was all wrestling Wednesday.
The 48-year-old governor wore a green business suit but allowed Chyna, a lavishly chesty female wrestler in a leather tank top, to deck him out in sequined glasses and feather boas.
He also joined the mock-drama of arched eyebrows, glares and veiled threats by which the wrestlers at the event showed their distaste for each other.
"As long as you're in this state, you hold no power,'' he growled at Vince McMahon, the WWF owner and Ventura's former boss, whom Ventura once successfully sued for $1 million worth of video royalties. "It's very simple: The Body rules. It's my rules or the highway.''
Ventura seemed to enjoy the hoopla of the hour-long news conference, which took place in front of about 1,000 cheering wrestling fans, many of them children. Taking their cue from the wrestlers, members of the crowd occasionally chanted sexually suggestive comments and denounced McMahon in scatological terms.
Ventura said he will receive a direct fee from the WWF of $100,000. He will donate half to a new foundation that his wife, Terry, has established to benefit disabled youngsters, Ventura said. The other half will go to benefit Minneapolis Roosevelt High School, his alma mater.
But Ventura said he also will receive payments for the use of his trademarked name -- the Aug. 22 show is being billed as an "out of Body experience'' -- and future royalties from a video of the event.
He refused to say how much the licensing fee and royalties will total, or how they will be spent. David Bradley Olson, Ventura's personal attorney, said the money will go to Ventura.
Two analysts who follow professional wrestling said they assumed Ventura will receive at least $1 million.
"If he's getting less than $1 million, he needs to fire his agent,'' wrestling analyst Bob Ryder said of Ventura. Ryder, who lives in Baton Rouge, La., operates an Internet audio wrestling show affiliated with the WWF's industry rival, World Championship Wrestling.
Wade Keller of Bloomington, who publishes "Pro Wrestling Torch,'' a wrestling newsletter, estimated that the governor's involvement in the $29.95 pay-for-view wrestling show should be worth at least $2 million in sales to the WWF. "Jesse is too smart of a negotiator to let Vince McMahon make more money off him than he gets in return,'' Keller said.
Ventura said he was taking vacation time to attend Wednesday's announcement, but he was accompanied by his two regular security guards, a State Patrol captain and an assistant media spokesman from the governor's office. All four were there at state expense.
Ventura bristled when questioned by a Pioneer Press reporter about the propriety of taxpayers paying for his security at the news conference. He noted that Attorney General Mike Hatch ruled that it was permissible for the state to pay for three staff members to accompany the governor on a book-promotion tour.
Ventura also accused the Pioneer Press of downplaying St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman's plan to augment his $83,600 annual salary by moonlighting as a talk-radio host. Coleman has refused to say how much he will be paid.
Eibensteiner, the Republican Party chairman, called Ventura's participation in the wrestling show outrageous. "Jesse's actions contribute to the cynical opinion that people have of politicians today: that politicians are only looking out for themselves, lining their own pockets and not doing the public's business.''
Eibensteiner called on Ventura to disclose full details of the fees he will receive. Later, in response to questions, Eibensteiner made a milder plea for Coleman, a Republican, to reveal how much he will be paid for a weekly radio program.
"That's less bothersome than this blatant example of using the governor's office to really line his pockets in big way,'' Eibensteiner said.
BODY'S BACK . . . WHERE HE BELONGS
(St. Paul Pioneer-Press, July 15, 1999)
By Bob Sansavere
As he approached the stage, Jesse Ventura walked slowly and appeared to be biting his lip. He seemed nervous, even sheepish.
Could it be common sense finally had whacked him upside the head, and he was realizing he was about to embarrass himself as well as his state?
No such luck.
When our governor got onstage, a chant exploded from a crowd of about 2,000 rowdy wrestling fans.
"JESSE! JESSE! JESSE!''
All signs of nervousness and apprehension disappeared. Jesse Ventura was back in his element.
He became a rude, swaggering tough guy, which, come to think of it, is not much different from how he governs.
"In light of where wrestling is today, it is time to bring back some law and order,'' Ventura barked.
Then he turned to Vince McMahon, the lord and master of the World Wrestling Federation and a man Ventura once sued.
"I'm more powerful than you,'' Ventura said, giving McMahon the wrestler's glare. "I am more powerful than the WWF.''
McMahon bulged his eyes and contorted his face. Either he was trying to act shocked or he was in dire need of a gallon jug of Metamucil.
Ventura was at Target Center on Wednesday with McMahon and several wrestlers from the WWF stable to announce that our governor would referee the main event of SummerSlam, a pay-per-view extravaganza that will take place Aug. 22 at Target Center.
"It's my rules or the highway,'' Ventura bellowed at McMahon. "You better not come anywhere near the ring. I have security, and my security means business.''
It was either the weirdest news conference ever by a governor, or it was a sign of the Apocalypse.
Perhaps it was both.
Ventura is certainly the only governor ever to hold a news conference where you could buy nachos at a concession stand, see a boy of about 12 give a TV camera the double bird and watch a well-endowed woman unbutton her bustier as she walked offstage.
Other, uh, highlights of the news conference included a wrestler who scolded critics of our governor by saying, "If you ain't down with Jesse 'The Body' Ventura (taking part in SummerSlam), I got just two words . . .''
Let's just say they weren't "Happy Hanukkah.''
In the course of the news conference, Ventura was presented with several articles similar to what he used to wear when he was a pro wrestler. A WWF sidekick who calls herself Chyna wrapped a yellow feather boa around Ventura's neck. Then she wrapped a black boa around his neck. Then she gave him glitzy sunglasses.
Ventura removed the sunglasses after a minute or two, but left the feather boas around his neck a while longer.
How could anyone suggest he's making a mockery of the office of governor?
He's just having fun. Anyway, that's what he calls it.
Later on, "Stone Cold'' Steve Austin, the reigning WWF champ, came onstage carrying a championship belt he gave to Ventura.
"I'm presenting a WWF belt to Jesse because this crooked- --- promoter never gave him the shot he deserved,'' Austin said, giving McMahon the wrestler's glare. Every wrestler must have a clause in his contract that he has to glare at McMahon.
Anyhow, our governor held up the belt, and you almost could see mist building in his eyes. What a Kodak moment.
When he sat down, Ventura tapped his index finger on the belt and said to McMahon, ``You never gave me a shot at this.''
This was not for the benefit of the microphones or TV cameras. It was just Ventura talking to McMahon. He seemed serious, not that any of us ever truly know when Ventura is serious.
He had a chance to be serious the other day when he went to tour the destruction of millions of trees in the Boundary Waters. It could have been an important, worthwhile trip. But instead of keeping the focus on the devastation, our governor shifted it to himself and made his first announcement about taking part in SummerSlam.
This probably wouldn't be as offensive to some people, this involvement with SummerSlam, if it was a once-in-a-while thing, a novelty. Unfortunately, with all the time he has devoted to his book signings and his appearances on late-night TV and his radio show and his action figures and his whining about how the media treats him, the novelty is when Ventura behaves like a governor.
He says all the extra-curricular things he does helps keep Minnesota in the spotlight.
There's only one thing to say to that:
Hey, Jesse, get off our side.
VENTURA BODY SLAMS HIS CRITICS
(New York Post, Thursday, July 15, 1999)
By Gersh Kuntzman
Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura says he didn't have to wrestle with his conscience before deciding to go back into the ring - and slammed his critics as a bunch of spoilsports.
"There's no rule that says a governor can't have fun," the former pro wrestler said, defending his planned appearance as a referee in the World Wrestling Federation SummerSlam event on Aug. 22 in Minneapolis.
He told a press conference that his $100,000 appearance fee will go to two charities, but critics estimate he would make more than $1 million from royalties and other payments.
"He's not earning a million dollars because he's a former wrestler, but because he's a former wrestler who's now a governor," said Democratic state senator John Marty.
"The people of Minnesota, by electing Jesse Ventura, have added to his market value, so the people have a right to ask whether he's in this for the money or for the people."
Minnesota state GOP Chairman Ron Eibensteiner called the actions of the third-party governor "an absolute outrage ... It's so obvious, so transparent, that he is using the office of governor to promote his own personal enrichment."
Ventura fired back that the Sunday-night, pay-per-view event - at $29.95 a pop - will take no time away from his public duties.
And he rejected criticism that he had violated his campaign pledge to maintain the dignity of the governor's office.
"If I were a nightclub singer in Caesars Palace, would you ask the same question?" he asked.
Ventura's return to the squared circle marks the end of his long-running feud with the WWF and its chairman, Vince McMahon.
The governor - who battled under the nickname "The Body" in his 10-year wrestling career, but now prefers to be called "The Mind" - barely alluded to the feud, which began when Ventura successfully sued McMahon for $800,000 in back royalties a decade ago.
"I never thought I would ever see the day that my name would be next to the World Wrestling Federation again," said Ventura.
Returning to the vernacular of wrestling hype, he added: "It is time to bring back some law and order [to wrestling]. And that will be my job at SummerSlam ... because I rule here. I'm bigger than you, McMahon ... As long as you're in this state, you hold no power here. It's very simple. It's The Body rules. It's my rules, or the highway."
Ventura started the press conference in a business suit, but ended bedecked in feather boas and sequin-covered sunglasses - his trademark wrestling costume.
Wrestling insiders were surprised at the sudden end to the feud.
"In 28 years in this business, I've learned
to never say never," said Bill Apter, editor-in-chief of World of Wrestling
magazine. "Obviously, money has stopped this feud."
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The New WAWLI Papers (Wrestling As We Liked It) No. 550
LONDOS IS THE CLEVEREST -- PAUL JONES
(Ring Magazine, January, 1934)
By Harry Hooper
Andrew Lutze -- ever heard of him? No, he's not a brother of Nick, the famed matman who recently thrilled 12,000 wrestling fans with his superb exhibition against Don George in Madison Square Garden. He's not even related to Nick, the bronze-skinned, handsomely built wrestler who hails from California. I'll give you another guess. Wrong again! Well, here goes . . .
Andrew Lutze is none other than Paul Jones, Houston, Texas, mat star who operates throughout the country under the Jim Londos banner. How come that Paul and Andrew are one and the same person? It's a long tale, mates, but if you bear with me, I'll record it here for your benefit.
About forty years ago there emigrated from Germany to this country a young man, who, deciding that the new world offered greater prospects than the old, made the trip across in steerage, went to Texas, and there settled down with his wife to ply his trade, that of carpenter. he realized his shortcomings and when he became the father of a sturdy boy, he decided that the lad, Jacob, Jr., should fare better than did his dad, as far as education was concerned.
But when a second son, named Andrew, was brought into the world, dad Lutze found the going too tough, and, after Jacob, Jr., had passed his freshman year in college, Andrew was forced to quit grammar school to enable his brother to complete his course. Andrew became a carpenter's apprentice and worked with dad and today he thanks his lucky stars for having been tossed into that situation, for while brother Jacob received his diploma and is a mail clerk in Houston, Andrew, listed in the sports world as Paul Jones, has amassed a fortune of more than $100,000 as a grappler.
"Yes, Junior got the brains," Jones laughed when telling his story, "but I strengthened my back and leg and arm muscles and now I've got the sugar.
"I never dreamt that some day my name would be spread over the sports pages as a headliner in wrestling. When Junior had gone part way through college, I had an idea that I also would like to go back to school, and I was fully prepared to quit work and matriculate at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis to study for the Lutheran ministry. But one day I was in Lincoln, Nebr., and I attended a wrestling match at which a young fellow called Peter Sauer was performing, and I took a fancy to the sport. Pete was billed against Clarence Eklund, then world's light-heavyweight champion, and won the title and with it a purse of $250. When I heard that Sauer, who now wrestles under the name of Ray Steele, had received that sum for the fun of beating his man, I wondered how long that had been going on and immediately I changed my mind and decided I, too, would try to earn such easy money.
I say fun, because I always loved to wrestle. I had a powerful back and strong arms and legs and from my youth I was always proficient in the grappling art. Then and there, I decided that wrestling would be my future vocation. I was then working in the stock room of the Burlington Railroad and later as the chief storekeeper of the road. During my spare time, I visited the gym and worked hard to develop my body.
"I forgot all about the ambition to become a preacher and set out to win my spurs as a mat star. I trained at the Y.M.C.A., entered the A.A.U. state and national championship meets, and carried off many prizes for the 'Y,' including the light-heavyweight championship of Lincoln. For three successive years, I carried off the state title in both the heavyweight sections. That made me feel that I was all set for the pro ranks, and, with the third victory, I decided to give up my amateur status and try the money ranks.
"I broke into the pro game in a match with a barber named Ralph Ferris, a war veteran who had been cleaning up in our section. It was on a Christmas Eve that I faced him, and it was the first Christmas Eve I had ever been away from home, and, naturally, I went into the ring a scared man. The promoter, seeing my condition, said in a loud voice, so that all the boys could hear him: 'Now, Ralph, don't hurt this boy. Take it easy with him.' That made me so mad I went into the ring with fire in my eyes. It took me less than twenty-five minutes to toss that bird, both times with a scissors hold, my favorite to this day.
"During the winter of 1921 I met Eklund, personally, for the first time and he advised me to come out to his ranch at Buffalo, Wyo., and let him train me. It was a grand idea -- for Eklund! He got a free cowhand, and in turn taught me a few leverages, but after ten months I quit and returned home and resumed wrestling. I beat twenty or thirty men in unimportant matches and finally was offered a match with Charles Rentrop, heavyweight champion of the South, in Houston, Texas. St. Louis fans know him as a referee.
"The match was made over long-distance telephone, and marked the first time I ever talked over long distance. The promoter said he did not like the name of Andrew Lutze. 'You're coming down South and should have a good American name,' he said. The only American names I could think of on the instant were George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and John Paul Jones, so I said, 'Call me Paul Jones,' and I've been Paul Jones ever since.
"I beat Rentrop and was paid $300. I bought a city lot in Houston with $275 of my first $300, and I've been buying real estate there ever since. Recently I engaged in the floral business in Houston, where I make my home, but that venture cost me about $20,000.
"I remained in the South for the next two years, wrestling in Houston, Dallas and other Texas cities, and never lost a match until I met Ed Lewis in a championship battle in 1924. After he beat me I went to the Pacific Coast and among my victims out there were George Kotsonaros, Nick Lutze, and John Pesek.
"I am one of the few men who have defeated Pesek, others being Lewis, Londos, and Stecher.
"When I was in Los Angeles, a St. Louis promoter, Tom Packs, saw me wrestle and invited me to come to the Mound City. In my first match there, back in 1927, I beat Ray Steele in thirty-two minutes with a hook scissors. Then I defeated Allen Eustace, Dick Daviscourt, and Rudy Dusek in St. Louis and was matched with Stecher in a championship bout.
"It was a thrilling match and the crowd was wild. Stecher won the first fall and I won the second. During the third fall I had him in a scissors and he was groaning in agony -- a beaten man. Then, with the championship in my grasp Stecher worked his way to the ropes and dragged me from the ring. He fell on top of me, and I hit the concrete so hard I was badly injured. He defeated me with ease in the next few minutes and retained his title.
"Since that time I have traveled from coast to coast dozens of times, meeting the best men in the business. I have wrestled Londos six times and the nearest I ever came to beating him was in Los Angeles when we wrestled two hours and fifteen minutes to a draw. The newspaper writers gave me the decision.
"I have never been seriously injured, although I've had my knees pulled out of joint, have suffered black eyes a dozen times, and have had a total of eighteen stitches taken in my lips. The longest I ever was incapacitated was four or five days when I suffered an infection resulting from friction on the mat that caused a burn. Blackened eyes mean nothing in these days of rough-and-tumble wrestling."
Jim Londos, according to Jones, is by far the cleverest wrestler in the business today. Jones declares that there isn't a man in wrestling who possesses the bag of tricks of the Greek idol, although Everett Marshall, he thinks, is close behind in that respect.
To Strangler Lewis he attributes the greatest strength. "Lewis," says Jones, "is so powerful that when he gets a firm head-lock on you, your head swims and the pain is terrific."
For the roughest man in the ring, he selects Rudy Dusek and George Zaharias, with the latter placed in a class by himself. According to Jones, it is far safer to wrestle a "bad" man than it is to face a man of science, and he would rather tackle Dusek or Zaharias every night in a week than to wrestle Londos twice a month.
"If I had my way, I would eliminate all this rough stuff. It is not part of wrestling and, other than a showmanship ruse, it means nothing. Unfortunately, the crowd has become accustomed to seeing the roughnecks choke an opponent, batter him with butting, kick him in the stomach with the knees, use the illegal strangle hold, slap, and punch, and use the flying tackle to pin their man."
NEWS OF THE MAT
(Ring Magazine, January, 1934)
By Tex Austin
In the last issue of The RING, we gave our readers the first annual ranking of wrestlers, something never before attempted by any publication, and judging by the number of letters we received from all over the world, particularly from members of boxing commissions, The RING is to be complimented on its fine selections. For example, our readers will recall that we chose Jim Browning first, Jim Londos second, and Don George third, in our list, and although we did not consider the status of these three wrestlers as far as championship recognition was concerned in the various states, were were elated to find that our rating met with world-wide approval.
A letter from Canada shows that Jim Browning has been honored in that territory by being given first ranking, and messages from various states in our country show that twenty-two states have acclaimed Browning the kingpin.
Jim Londos received the nomination in only nine states, and Don George in six. Thus, The RING's rating for 1933 stands out.
Browning came through a stiff month's campaign with colors flying. The Missouri gentleman-farmer makes the rounds of the U.S. and Canada without a loss to mar his record since ascending the throne through his win over Strangler Lewis. Regardless of whatever else may be said about Browning, no one will deny that he is a skilled and clever grappler and fearless. He'll meet any one. He may not possess as much color as some of the others, but what he lacks along those lines, he more than makes up for in ability and willingness.
Londos, recipient of second honors in our ranking, has started off on another country-wide tour of victories after defeating Kola Kwariani before his countrymen in Greece. He and Browning will meet soon as the Londos and Curley groups have combined.
Don George, who captured third honors, invaded New York and showed plenty of class and skill in time-limit affairs. George is a fast, clever, and clean matman, and will probably meet Browning in a finish match before the summer's over.
Here is the way the various commissions answered when asked whom they recognized as world champion in their locality:
Browning is recognized as champion in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbua, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and all of Canada, including the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia.
The National Wrestling Association claims support in Mississippi, but there is no mat competition in that state. Mississippi falls into line because Harry J. Landry, president of the N.W.A., resides at Friar's Point, Miss. Other N.W.A. states which recognize Londos are Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Pennsylvania.
George is the champion in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
The following states regulate the sport through athletic commissions: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington, plus Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia in Canada.
No recognition is given in thirteen states as follows: Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, and West Virginia.
------------------
Chief Chewacki pulled a funny one in his bout with Pat O'Shocker recently and wound up with a suspension in Indiana.
Chewacki had won the first fall and O'Shocker the second. When they came out for the third fall, the Chief clamped on a leg scissors. Pat writhed as if touched with a hot iron, broke the hold, and jumped out of the ring and tried to let the referee in on the secret. The latter quit counting and yanked Chewacki's trunks down, only to find that the Indian had placed tacks through cardboard and sandpaper under his trunks. It took a police escort to safely convey Chewacki to his dressing room, the fans yelping for the redskin's scalp.
-----------------------------
That never-ending controversy of boxer vs. wrestler remains as complicated as ever. In the latest edition, the wrestler came out on top. Dorv Roche, barrel-chested Pennsylvania miner took on Jack League, the man who had Primo Carnera on the floor seven times, and pinned him in the second round of their mixed bout.
----------------------------
Thanksgiving Day saw the advent of professional football in Canada when Toronto faced the Chiefs. Playing for the Toronto team were the well-known Joe Savoldi, Lionel Conacher and Mayes McLain. Thirteen thousand fans saw these grappling grid stars tote the pigskin.
McLain was one of the greatest football stars ever turned out in the Mid-West, when fighting for dear old Iowa. Conacher is the greatest all-around athlete ever turned out in Canada, while Savoldi and Notre Dame are synonymous.
--------------------------------
Jack Kennedy, young Chicago light-heavyweight, scored two wins over Gus Kallio, recognized middleweight champ, in Benton Harbor bouts, the first when Kallio was disqualified for slugging.
All the dentists in Benton Harbor attended the return match.
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One of the easiest holds to apply, but one of the hardest to break, is the short-arm scissors. Few holds are as punishing as this one. Not only is the victim of the hold in a position where it is next to impossible to counter with another grip, but he also has the strength in his arm considerably lowered by having the flow of blood cut off, leaving his hand and wrist white and very weak when he finally does escape that tortuous viselike grip.
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Many wrestlers are afflicted with the dreaded scourge of the mat -- that horrible eye disease known as trachoma. It's a pity to see these athletes with fine bodies groping their way around the mat because they have been unfortunate enough to catch this foreign affliction. Isn't there some way in which these cases can be cured, or at least be kept from spreading to other grapplers?
How about a little cooperation from the various state athletic commissions?
--------------------------------
Although the attendances are decreasing in Boston, the Don George-Leo Numa bout attracted 10,000 fans. This was a return match and ended with Numa in a hospital. The Seattle blond had taken the first fall and was launching a series of flying tackles when he missed his adversary and crashed into one of the steel turnbuckles in one of the ring corners and was rendered hors de combat. At the hospital it was said that he was suffering from a slight brain concussion. Numa was able to leave the institution three days later.
---------------------------------
Paul Bowser lost one of his right-hand men when Frank Smith, manager of Jim Browning, the heavyweight champion, dropped dead in the Queensberry Sporting Club of Toronto after handling Browning in a match with Joe Savoldi. Heart disease was the cause.
Smith, a native of Joplin, Mo., was decorated for bravery in the World War after being wounded in action.
Prior to coming to Boston enter the employ of Bowser, Smith for twenty-one years was a member of the sports staff of the Chicago Tribune. His many friends and acquaintances will miss him no end.
-----------------------------
Rudy Dusek lost and then won from Joe Malcewicz in Toronto matches. Dusek is a throwback to the days of Fred Beell, Dan McLeod, George Bothner, and Charley Olson. He grapples along the lines of Beell more than any matman now appearing before the public. In fact, he greatly resembles the late Wisconsin marvel, and old-timers who recall Beell's matches with Tom Jenkins, McLeod, and Frank Gotch admit that Rudy has much of the giant killer in his make-up.
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Leon Balkin, who made a big name for himself as a matchmaker for Tom Packs in St. Louis, is now acting as matchmaker for the numerous clubs around the country booked by Jack Curley. Balkin, a Philadelphia product, had to go to St. Louis to make good, building up the receipts in that city from a mere $1,600 to the huge sum of $310,000 for twenty-nine matches.
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We have received innumerable letters from Australia and New Zealand, praising George Walker, claimant of the British Empire championship, and asking for an article on him.
Walker is an ex-Canadian who has been beaten only six times in five seasons Down Under. John Pesek, Stanley Pinto, Kara Pasha, Tom Alley, Joe Varga, and Al Karasick were his conquerers. Pesek was the only one to take two falls from Walker. Karasick won on points, and the others on disqualifications. Walker's favorite winning hold is the back-flip. He has garnered close to $50,000 for his efforts this season.
---------------------------------
Stanley Sokolis, who recently made his debut in big-time grappling circles, plays "pro" football with the Philadelphia Eagles. Stan was captain and star tackle of the University of Pennsylvania football team in 1932 and weighs 210 pounds. For the past seven summers he has been a life guard at Wildwood, N.J., and has 252 rescues to his credit.
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DO YOU KNOW THAT . . .
George Hagen, the ex-Marine, is playing in Maurice Chevalier's next picture? . . . George Sauer, Ray Steele's brother, and his wife, Bernice, were married in the ring at Oklahoma City? . . . Marshall Blackstock is the sponsor of an autograph society? . . . Marsh once tossed a whole football team out of a restaurant because they flirted with pretty li'l Mrs. Blackstock? . . . Ernie Dusek demands a long list of references before he gives his autographs to femmes? . . . Ray Steele has been married for the past fifteen years to a Houston girl? . . . The Steeles have a cute little Spanish place in Glendale, Calif.? . . . Ray loves to play tricks on his wrestler pals, his favorite being to smear limburger cheese on their belongings? . . . They got even by taking all of his clothes out of the locker one night while he wrestled, making it necessary for Ray to go to the hotel in an old dilapidated raincoat? . . . George Cochran, a twenty-six-year-old comer from Washington, D.C., has been barred from "pro" football because he is too rough? . . . Jim Coffield used to play football, basketball, and baseball? . . .
Glenn Munn, brother of the late Wayne (Big) Munn,
former world's heavyweight mat king, once worked as a tire salesman? . . . Dutch
Hefner was a bookie at the race tracks? . . . Marsh Blackstock pulled a good one
when he untied Dorv Roche's shoe laces, and then tied them together, causing
Dorv to spill on his face when he attempted to lunge at Marsh? . . . Sammy Stein
played in the flicker, "The Lost Patrol"? . . . Bald-headed Pete Schuh
carries a birth certificate around with him to prove that he is only
twenty-seven? . . . Gino Garibaldi gets a great kick out of filling his mouth
with BB's and shooting them at people, then looking innocently away? . . . Lou
Plummer at one time was cross-eyed, but saved his money and had an operation
performed which proved most successful? . . . Bernice and Bette thank Joe
Savoldi for the nice autographs? . . . Strangler Lewis has only one eye, having
lost the other in an accident outside the ring? . . . Lewis also was a victim of
trachoma at one time but an operation saved the sight of his lone orb? . . . Jim
Londos drinks temperately of wines and plays the mandolin? . . . His pet
ambition is to be a concert vocalist, of all things? . . .
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The New WAWLI Papers (Wrestling As We Liked It) No. 551
1950 NEW YORK-AREA SCRAPBOOK
(ED. NOTE -- The following material comes from a scrapbook in the vaunted collection of Mr. Fred Hornby, Port Washington, N.Y., wrestling historian and archivist par excellence.)
January 3
EASTERN PARKWAY ARENA -- Don Evans vs. Sammy Berg, Rocco Colombo vs. George Becker, Antone Leone vs. Al Alexander, Ray Schwartz (Bobby Becker) vs. Fritz Wallick, Gene Dubuque (Magnificent Maurice) vs. John Heideman
January 5
RIDGEWOOD GROVE -- Hans Hermann beat Laverne Baxter, George Becker-Rene Florent (Mr. Paris) drew Dutch Schweigert (Great Scott)-Tony Martinelli
January 6
JAMAICA ARENA -- Jim Mitchell vs. Ivan Kameroff, Miguel Torres vs. Chick Garibaldi, Hans Hermann vs. Harry Finkelstein (Harry Lewis), Dutch Schweigert vs. Ace Freeman, Pat O'Hara vs. Jesse James
January 7
BROADWAY ARENA -- George Becker beat Lord Carlton
January 9
BRONX WINTER GARDEN -- Tony Martinelli vs. Hans Kampfer, Ace Freeman vs. Miguel Torres, Lou Bertucci vs. Dick Trout, Pedro Ortega vs. Jack Curry, Bob Kerr vs. Harry Finkelstein
SUNNYSIDE GARDEN -- Ali Baba vs. Al Alexander, Sammy Berg vs. Tarzan Hewitt, Gene Dubuque vs. Joe Ludlum, Fritz Wallick vs. George Babich, Alvino Lucenti vs. John Heideman
January 10
ST. NICK'S ARENA -- Antonino Rocca beat Sandor Kovacs, Ali Baba beat Joe Kameroff, Jim Mitchell drew Chick Garibaldi, Polo Cordova beat Kola Kwariani, Dutch Schweigert drew Pedro Ortega
January 11
HEMPSTEAD GARDEN -- Antonino Rocca vs. Jim Mitchell, Hans Hermann vs. Kola Kwariani, Polo Cordova vs. Henry Piers, Jack Steele vs. John Melas, Bill Kerr vs. Deacon Kimball
January 12
RIDGEWOOD GROVE -- Antonino Rocca vs. George Macricostas, George Becker vs. Jack Kelly, Polo Cordova vs. Chick Garibaldi, Kola Kwariani vs. Dick Trout, Hans Hermann vs. Barney Bernard (Darna Ostapovich)
January 13
JAMAICA ARENA -- Jim Mitchell vs. Hans Kampfer, Ali Baba vs. Steve Gob, Miguel Torres vs. Dick Trout, Tiny Mills vs. Bill Klein, Ace Freeman vs. Harry Finkelstein
January 14
BROADWAY ARENA -- George Becker vs. Tarzan Hewitt, The Wolfman (Soldat Gorky) vs. Lord Carlton
January 16
SUNNYSIDE GARDEN -- Lord Carlton beat Tarzan Hewitt, Murray Rothenberg drew Mike Clancy
RENAISSANCE CASINO -- Gene Stanlee beat Joe Kameroff, Jim Mitchell beat Henry Piers
January 17
EASTERN PARKWAY ARENA -- Lord Carlton vs. Babe Sharkey, George Becker vs. Mike Clancy, The Wolfman vs. Ray Schwartz, Rube Wright vs. Jack Steele, Lou Bertucci vs. Gene Dubuque
ST. NICK'S ARENA -- Ali Baba beat Rocco Colombo, Polo Cordova beat Francois Miquet, Jim Mitchell beat Tony Cosenza, Dutch Schweigert beat Kola Kwariani
January 19
RIDGEWOOD GROVE -- Great Togo vs. Dutch Schweigert, Jim Mitchell vs. Natie Brown, Hans Hermann vs. Jack Kelly, Polo Cordova vs. Tony Morelli, Dick Trout vs. Tony Cosenza
January 20
JAMAICA ARENA -- Antonino Rocca vs. Jim Mitchell, Marvin Mercer vs. Tony Cosenza, Dutch Schweigert vs. Tiny Mills, Miguel Torres vs. Pat O'Hara, Deacon Kimball vs. Kola Kwariani
January 23
BRONX WINTER GARDEN -- Gene Stanlee vs. Ace Freeman, Tony Morelli vs. Pat O'Hara, Polo Cordova vs. Harry Finkelstein, George Bruckman vs. Frank Schofro, Jack Curry vs. Steve Gob
SUNNYSIDE GARDEN -- Antonino Rocca vs. Rube Wright, George Becker vs. Kola Kwariani, Gene Dubuque vs. John Heideman, George Babich vs. Joe Ludlum, Mike Clancy vs. Mickey Cortolano
January 24
ST. NICK'S ARENA -- Gene Stanlee vs. Jim Mitchell (Black Panther), Lord Carlton vs. Mike Clancy, Ali Baba vs. Jack Kelly, Miguel Torres vs. Dutch Schweigert, Kenny Ackles vs. Jesse James
EASTERN PARKWAY ARENA -- Great Togo vs. Natie Brown, Hank Daly vs. Rube Wright, Dick Trout vs. Tony Cosenza, Ray Schwartz vs. Joe Kameroff, Pat O'Hara vs. Al Alexander
January 25
HEMPSTEAD GARDEN -- Gorgeous George vs. Dutch Schweigert, Chick Garibaldi vs. Kenny Ackles, Howard Cantonwine vs. Polo Cordova, Jack Kelly vs. Deacon Kimball, Ace Freeman vs. George Bruckman
January 27
JAMAICA ARENA -- Gorgeous George vs. Kenny Ackles, Francois Miquet vs. Jack Kelly, Howard Cantonwine vs. Dutch Schweigert, Ace Freeman vs. Miguel Torres, Ivan Kameroff vs. Steve Gob
January 30
BRONX WINTER GARDEN -- Great Togo vs. Polo Cordova, Sandor Kovacs vs. Dick Trout, Francois Miquet vs. Tony Morelli, Ivan Kameroff vs. Jack Curry, Ace Freeman vs. Jesse James
RENAISSANCE CASINO -- Gorgeous George vs. Pedro Ortega, Jim Mitchell vs. Howard Cantonwine, Joe Kameroff vs. Tony Cosenza, Don Blackman vs. Harry Finkelstein, Steve Gob vs. Jim Austeri
SUNNYSIDE GARDEN -- George Becker vs. The Wolfman, Tarzan Hewitt vs. Al Alexander, Babe Sharkey vs. Pat O'Hara, Fritz Wallick vs. Mickey Cortolano, George Bruckman vs. Fritz Ziegfried
January 31
ST. NICK'S ARENA -- Antonino Rocca vs. Ali Baba, Lord Carlton vs. Babe Sharkey, Sandor Kovacs vs. Pat O'Hara, Kenny Ackles vs. Kola Kwariani, Tony Morelli vs. Polo Cordova
EASTERN PARKWAY ARENA -- Gorgeous George vs. George Becker, The Wolfman vs. Ray Schwartz, Howard Cantonwine vs. Rube Wright, Al Alexander vs. Abe Coleman, George Babich vs. Rocco Colombo
February 1
HEMPSTEAD GARDEN -- Great Togo beat Jim Mitchell
February 2
RIDGEWOOD GROVE -- Gene Stanlee beat Hans Hermann, Tor Johnson (Super Swedish Angel) beat Tony Morelli
February 3
JAMAICA ARENA -- Great Togo vs. Tony Cosenza, Golden Superman (Walter Podolak) vs. Miguel Torres, Sandor Kovacs vs. Jack Kelly, Kenny Ackles vs. Tiny Mills, Jesse James vs. Joe Corbett
February 4
BROADWAY ARENA -- Ali Baba beat The Wolfman
February 6
BRONX WINTER GARDEN -- Gene Stanlee vs. Sandor Kovacs, Polo Cordova vs. Tony Morelli, Ivan Kameroff vs. Frank Schafro, Walter Kameroff vs. Steve Gob, Chick Garibaldi vs. Harry Finkelstein
SUNNYSIDE GARDEN -- George Becker vs. Tarzan Hewitt, Frank Milano vs. Rube Wright, George Babich vs. Natie Brown, Joe Ludlum vs. Johnny Pags, Rocco Colombo vs. Red Kirkpatrick
COLUMBIA PARK (North Bergen, N.J.) -- Dutch Rhode (Buddy Rogers) beat Super Swedish Angel
February 7
EASTERN PARKWAY ARENA -- Lord Carlton vs. Ray Schwartz
ST. NICK'S ARENA -- Buddy Rogers beat Tony Morelli, Super Swedish Angel beat Jack Curry, Sandor Kovacs drew Kenny Ackles, Marvin Mercer beat Dutch Schweigert, Steve Gob beat Jesse James
February 9
RIDGEWOOD GROVE -- Antonino Rocca beat Super Swedish Angel, Dutch Rhode beat Tony Martinelli
February 10
JAMAICA ARENA -- Antonino Rocca beat Tony Cosenza, Golden Superman drew Jim Mitchell, Steve Gob beat Joe Corbett, Marvin Mercer drew Kenny Ackles, Sandor Kovacs beat Kola Kwariani
February 11
BROADWAY ARENA -- Lord Carlton vs. Tarzan Hewitt (Frank Hewitt), Ray Schwartz vs. Babe Sharkey, George Becker vs. Francois Miquet, Al Alexander vs. Natie Brown, Rocco Colombo vs. Mayes McLain
February 13
BRONX WINTER GARDEN -- Mike Mazurki beat Tony Martinelli, Super Swedish Angel beat Pat O'Hara
SUNNYSIDE GARDEN -- Lord Carlton beat Rube Wright
February 14
ST. NICK'S ARENA -- Gene Stanlee beat Ali Baba, Golden Superman vs. Steve Gob, Mike Mazurki vs. Ivan Kameroff, Lord Carlton vs. Dutch Schweigert, Sandor Kovacs vs. Jack Kelly
EASTERN PARKWAY ARENA -- Antonino Rocca beat Abe Coleman
February 15
HEMPSTEAD GARDEN -- Babe Sharkey vs. George Becker, Sandor Kovacs vs. John Melas, Steve Gob vs. Abe Coleman, Chick Garibaldi vs. Dave Weinstein, Mike Lordi vs. Al Alexander
WHITE PLAINS -- Antonino Rocca beat Golden Superman, Mike Clancy beat Henry Piers, Jim Austeri beat Mano Melas, Ivan Kameroff beat Jack Curry, Kola Kwariani drew Pat O'Hara
February 16
RIDGEWOOD GROVE -- Buddy Rogers beat Golden Superman, Mike Mazurki beat Hans Kampfer, Tony Martinelli vs. Jack Kelly, Tony Morelli vs. Francois Miquet, Tony Cosenza beat Jack Curry
February 17
JAMAICA ARENA -- Mike Mazurki vs. Joe Corbett, Golden Superman vs. Tony Morelli, Sandor Kovacs vs. Jack Curry, Hans Hermann vs. Joe Kameroff, Francois Miquet vs. George Bruckman
February 18
BROADWAY ARENA -- Ali Baba beat George Becker, Lord Carlton beat Natie Brown
February 20
BRONX WINTER GARDEN -- Ali Baba vs. Polo Cordova, Sandor Kovacs vs. Joe Corbett, Hans Kampfer vs. Jack Steele, Mahmud Yousof II vs. Henry Piers, Mike Lordi vs. Mano Melas
SUNNYSIDE GARDEN -- Antonino Rocca vs. Tarzan Hewitt, Gene Dubuque vs. Natie Brown, Babe Sharkey vs. Kola Kwariani, Wally Dusek vs. Mickey Cortolano, Abe Coleman vs. Al Alexander
February 21
ST. NICK'S ARENA -- Antonino Rocca beat Mike Mazurki, Buddy Rogers beat Polo Cordova, Golden Superman beat Miguel Torres, Sandor Kovacs vs. Ivan Kameroff, Kola Kwariani beat Mahmud Yousof II cnc
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WRESTLER THROWN FOR LOSS
Mahmud Yusof, 28, suffered a fracture of the left collarbone last night in a wrestling match with an opponent known as Kola Kwariani at St. Nicholas Arena. He was taken to Roosevelt Hospital.
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EASTERN PARKWAY ARENA -- Ali Baba beat Wally Dusek
February 22
HEMPSTEAD GARDEN -- Gene Stanlee vs. Sandor Kovacs, Mike Mazurki vs. Chick Garibaldi, Tony Martinelli vs. Francois Miquet, Marvin Mercer vs. Ivan Vakturoff, Tony Cosenza vs. Tiny Mills
February 23
RIDGEWOOD GROVE -- Buddy Rogers vs. Gene Stanlee, Mike Mazurki vs. Miguel Torres, Super Swedish Angel vs. Polo Cordova, Tony Cosenza vs. Tony Martinelli, Marvin Mercer vs. Harry Finkelstein
February 24
JAMAICA ARENA -- Antonino Rocca vs. Dutch Schweigert, Sandor Kovacs vs. Tony Morelli, Super Swedish Angel vs. Kola Kwariani, Mahmud Yousof II vs. Tiny Mills, Tony Cosenza vs. Jack Kelly
February 25
BROADWAY ARENA -- Mike Mazurki beat Babe Sharkey, Lord Carlton beat Rube Wright, Wally Dusek beat Al Alexander, Red Kirkpatrick beat Angelo Savoldi, Gene Dubuque beat The Wolfman
February 27
BRONX WINTER GARDEN -- Golden Superman vs. Sandor Kovacs, Ace Freeman vs. Tony Morelli, Pat O'Hara vs. Mahmud Yousof II, Tiny Mills vs. Hardy Kruskamp, Mike Paidousis vs. Jack Curry
RENAISSANCE CASINO -- Tony Galento vs. Miguel Torres, Jim Austeri vs. Dutch Schweigert, Frank Veney vs. Francois Miquet, Jesse James vs. Polo Cordova, George Bruckman vs. Johnny Kane
SUNNYSIDE GARDEN -- Ali Baba vs. The Wolfman, Rube Wright vs. Jack Steele, Angelo Savoldi vs. Alvino Lucenti, Natie Brown vs. Mickey Cortolano, Frank Milano vs. Fritz Wallick
February 28
ST. NICK'S ARENA -- Buddy Rogers beat Sandor Kovacs, Golden Superman vs. Joe Corbett, Ivan Kameroff vs. Francois Miquet, Miguel Torres vs. Tiny Mills, Chick Garibaldi vs. Kenny Ackles
EASTERN PARKWAY ARENA -- Mike Mazurki beat The Wolfman, Wally Dusek vs. Ray Schwartz, Abe Coleman vs. Angelo Savoldi, Red Kirkpatrick vs. Ovila Asselin, George Babich vs. Eddie King
March 1
HEMPSTEAD GARDEN -- Antonino Rocca vs. Kenny Ackles, Tony Martinelli vs. Joe Corbett, Chick Garibaldi vs. Kola Kwariani, Mike Lordi vs. Jack Curry, George Bruckman vs. Mike Paidousis
March 2
RIDGEWOOD GROVE -- Buddy Rogers beat Billy Darnell, Mike Mazurki beat Hans Hermann
March 3
JAMAICA ARENA -- Buddy Rogers beat Kenny Ackles, Mike Mazurki beat Ivan Kameroff, Golden Superman vs. Marvin Mercer, Sandor Kovacs vs. Francois Miquet, Tony Morelli vs. Steve Gob
March 4
BROADWAY ARENA -- Emil Dusek beat Tarzan Hewitt, Ali Baba beat Angelo Savoldi, The Wolfman vs. Ovila Asselin, Abe Coleman vs. Wally Dusek, Gene Dubuque vs. Rube Wright
TEANECK ARMORY -- Gene Stanlee beat Lord Carlton, George Becker-Bobby Becker vs. George Lenihan-Rocco Colombo
----------------------------
ROCCA, STANLEE STRUGGLE TO DRAW
(New York Daily News, Mar. 7, 1950)
By Hy Turkin
Antonino Rocca, who shelved his university degree to enter professional wrestling, made more money in three-quarters of an hour at the Garden last night than many college professors do in a year. For kicking and embracing and twisting and tumbling to a draw with Gene Stanlee, Rocca collected exactly $6,161.26.
Fluent in six languages, the native Italian muscleman started yelling, "We wuz robbed!" in all of them when the officials voted the main event a standoff. Rocca didn't draw much sympathy from the near-capacity house of 16,979, however, because his foe is a popular fellow who goes under the pseudonym of Mr. America . . . and how un-American can one dare to be?
Statuesque Stanlee, who had bowed to Rocca in two earlier "exhibitions," literally was saved by the bell. In the last minute leading up to the 11 p.m. curfew, Rocca had sent Gene reeling with a series of six flying kicks (barefoot) to the head and chest. Then Rocca picked up his 225-pound foe -- now lying limp across Tony's shoulder -- and proudly paraded around the ring with his trophy. But the bell clanged just before Rocca could dump his man into the resin.
On our scorecard, Rocca had the edge and should have been given the verdict. He had his man down 44 times and was knocked to the canvas only 37 times. But the judges saw it differently, and thereby interrupted a winning streak that had gone past the 250 mark. The last time Rocca had failed to win was Nov. 12, 1949, when he also drew with former world heavyweight boxing champ Primo Carnera.
In a house scaled up to $5, the rabid fans poured $51,962.81 into the till ($41,075.05 net) for the untelevised. They saw . . . in addition to the Rocca-Stanlee workout of 46 minutes, 21 seconds . . . a colorful prelim card in which Marvin Mercer threw Francois Miquet (11:29), Frederic Von Schacht slammed Kola Kwariani (7:38), George Becker decisioned Mike Mazurki (20 minutes), Johnny Barend downed Rocco Colombo (9:18), Lord Carlton stomped on Wally Dusek (17:01) and Chief Don Eagle felled Tony Martinelli (14:11). P.S.: No one was hoited.
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March 8
SUNNYSIDE GARDEN -- Chick Garibaldi beat Johnny Barend, Ali Baba beat Tony Martinelli, Mike Lordi vs. Frank James, Mike Paidousis beat Joe Kameroff, Mano Melas vs. Ivan Vakturoff
March 9
RIDGEWOOD GROVE -- Gene Stanlee beat Super Swedish Angel, Tony Cosenza vs. Billy Darnell
March 10
JAMAICA ARENA -- Antonino Rocca beat Marvin Mercer, Johhhy Barend beat Miguel Torres, Sandor Kovacs vs. Kola Kwariani, Tony Martinelli vs. Dutch Schweigert, Kenny Ackles vs. Jim Austeri
March 11
BROADWAY ARENA -- George Becker beat Emil Dusek, Gene Dubuque beat Rocco Colombo, Ovila Asselin beat Natie Brown, Wally Dusek beat George Babich, Ray Schwartz beat Angelo Savoldi
(to be continued in New WAWLI No. 552)
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The New WAWLI Papers (Wrestling As We Liked It) No. 552
(1950 NEW YORK-AREA SCAN, CONTINUED)
March 13
BRONX WINTER GARDEN -- Tony Cosenza vs. Tony Morelli, Super Swedish Angel vs. John Melas, Johnny Barend beat Jack Steele, Mano Melas vs. Walter Kameroff
SUNNYSIDE GARDEN -- Lord Carlton vs. Gene Dubuque, Abe Coleman vs. John Heideman, Hans Kampfer vs. Murray Rothenberg, Mickey Cortolano vs. Red Kirkpatrick, Johnny Pags vs. Fritz Ziegfried
RENAISSANCE CASINO -- Golden Superman vs. Tarzan Hewitt, Chick Garibaldi vs. Steve Gob, Frank James vs. Jack Curry, Mike Lordi vs. Harry Finkelstein, Don Blackman vs. Mike Lordi
March 14
ST. NICK'S ARENA -- Mike Mazurki vs. Tony Martinelli, Johnny Barend vs. Hardy Kruskamp, Tarzan Hewitt vs. Wally Dusek, Frank James vs. George Becker, Sandor Kovacs vs. Miguel Torres
EASTERN PARKWAY ARENA -- Lord Carlton vs. Rocco Colombo, Emil Dusek vs. Al Alexander, Abe Coleman vs. Mike Clancy, Ovila Asselin vs. George Harben, Red Kirkpatrick vs. Angelo Savoldi
March 15
HEMPSTEAD GARDEN -- Johnny Barend vs. Tony Martinelli, Lord Carlton vs. Hans Hermann, Walter Kameroff vs. Sandor Kovacs, Ivan Vakturoff vs. Mike Paidousis, Mike Lordi vs. Mano Melas
WHITE PLAINS -- Gene Stanlee vs. George Becker, Mike Clancy vs. Wally Dusek, Babe Sharkey vs. Joe Corbett, Francois Miquet vs. Jesse James, Ray Schwartz vs. George Bruckman
March 16
RIDGEWOOD GROVE -- Billy Darnell vs. Tony Morelli, Golden Superman vs. Tony Martinelli, Super Swedish Angel vs. Hans Hermann, Sammy Berg vs. Joe Corbett, Johnny Barend vs. Hardy Kruskamp
March 17
JAMAICA ARENA -- Sandor Kovacs beat Golden Superman, Sammy Kohen drew Polo Cordova, Ace Freeman drew Jesse James, Kenny Ackles beat Tony Morelli, Johnny Barend beat Tiny Mills
March 18
BROADWAY ARENA -- Mike Mazurki beat Emil Dusek, Sammy Berg beat The Wolfman, Ovila Asselin drew Rocco Colombo
TEANECK ARMORY -- Mildred Burke beat Therese Theis, Lord Carlton-George Becker vs. Tarzan Hewitt-George Lenihan
March 20
RENAISSANCE CASINO -- Golden Superman beat Super Swedish Angel
SUNNYSIDE GARDEN -- Wally Dusek beat Angelo Savoldi, Abe Coleman beat Red Kirkpatrick, Hans Kampfer beat Natie Brown
March 21
ST. NICK'S ARENA -- Emil Dusek vs. Sammy Berg, Sandor Kovacs vs. Babe Sharkey, Sammy Kohen vs. Joe Corbett, Miguel Torres vs. Tony Martinelli, Mike Paidousis vs. Ivan Vakturoff
EASTERN PARKWAY ARENA -- Wally Dusek beat Natie Brown, Tarzan Hewitt vs. Mickey Cortolano, Hans Kampfer vs. George Harben, Angelo Savoldi vs. Mike Clancy, Abe Coleman vs. Tony Milano
March 22
HEMPSTEAD GARDEN -- Tony Martinelli beat Super Swedish Angel
March 23
RIDGEWOOD GROVE -- Billy Darnell beat Tony Martinelli, Hans Hermann beat Babe Sharkey, Golden Superman beat Tony Morelli, Wally Dusek vs. Sammy Berg, Joe Corbett vs. Tony Cosenza
March 24
JAMAICA ARENA -- Sandor Kovacs beat Dutch Schweigert, Tony Martinelli beat Tony Morelli, Super Swedish Angel beat Joe Corbett, Pat O'Hara vs. Sammy Kohen, Tony Cosenza vs. Ace Freeman
March 25
BROADWAY ARENA -- Antonino Rocca beat Emil Dusek
March 27
BRONX WINTER GARDEN -- Kenny Ackles beat Miguel Torres, Chick Garibaldi vs. John Melas, Fritz Ziegfried vs. John Heideman, Sammy Kohen vs. Henry Piers
SUNNYSIDE GARDEN -- Tarzan Hewitt vs. Wally Dusek, Babe Sharkey vs. Hans Kampfer, Sammy Berg vs. George Harben, Eddie King vs. Murray Rothenberg, Mickey Cortolano vs. Alvino Lucenti
March 28
ST. NICK'S ARENA -- Antonino Rocca beat Golden Superman, Buddy Rogers beat Super Swedish Angel, Sandor Kovacs vs. Dutch Schweigert, Tony Martinelli vs. Kola Kwariani, Marvin Mercer vs. Steve Gob
EASTERN PARKWAY ARENA -- Goerge Becker beat Babe Sharkey, Ray Schwartz beat The Wolfman, Sammy Berg vs. Rocco Colombo, Ovila Asselin vs. Angelo Savoldi, Red Kirkpatrick vs. Al Alexander
March 29
HEMPSTEAD GARDEN -- Antonino Rocca beat Tony Martinelli, Golden Superman vs. Chick Garibaldi, Super Swedish Angel vs. Tiny Mills, Hans Hermann vs. Miguel Torres, Kola Kwariani vs. Mike Paidousis
March 30
RIDGEWOOD GROVE -- Antonino Rocca vs. Ali Baba, Hans Hermann vs. Tony Cosenza, Marvin Mercer vs. Tony Morelli, Golden Superman vs. Billy Darnell, Kola Kwariani vs. Jesse James
March 31
JAMAICA ARENA -- Primo Carnera vs. Sandor Kovacs, Dutch Rhode vs. Francois Miquet, Chick Garibaldi vs. Ivan Vakturoff, Ali Baba vs. Steve Gob, Ace Freeman vs. Harry Finkelstein
April 1
TEANECK ARMORY -- Buddy Rogers beat George Lenihan, Emil Dusek-Wally Dusek, Abe Coleman-Sammy Berg, Gene Dubuque-Ovila Asselin, Rocco Colombo-Angelo Savoldi (tag team tourney entrants)
BROADWAY ARENA -- Lord Carlton vs. George Becker, George Babich vs. Frank Hewitt, Ray Schwartz vs. Babe Sharkey, Al Alexander vs. Mike Clancy, The Wolfman vs. Ed Lusenoff
April 3
RENAISSANCE CASINO -- Gene Stanlee vs. Super Swedish Angel, Ivan Kameroff vs. Tiny Mills, Jesse James vs. Les Ruffin, Wally Dern vs. Mano Melas, Harry Finkelstein vs. Mike Kilroy
SUNNYSIDE GARDEN -- Lord Carlton beat Hans Kampfer, Sammy Berg beat George Babich
April 4
ST. NICK'S ARENA -- Antonino Rocca vs. Juan Hernandez, Gene Stanlee vs. Tony Martinelli, Ali Baba vs. Tony Morelli, Dutch Schweigert vs. Kenny Ackles, Sandor Kovacs vs. Kola Kwariani
EASTERN PARKWAY ARENA -- Emil Dusek vs. Ovila Asselin, Wally Dusek vs. Mike Clancy, Super Swedish Angel vs. Tiny Mills, Gene Dubuque vs. Tony Milano, George Babich vs. George Harben
April 5
BRONX WINTER GARDEN -- Billy Darnell vs. Super Swedish Angel, Marvin Mercer vs. Tony Martinelli, Juan Hernandez vs. Tiny Mills, Mike Paidousis vs. Jesse James
HEMPSTEAD GARDEN -- Antonino Rocca vs. Sandor Kovacs, Ali Baba vs. Kola Kwariani, Hans Hermann vs. Joe Montana, Jack Steele vs. John Melas, Les Ruffin vs. Jack Curry
April 6
RIDGEWOOD GROVE -- Antonino Rocca vs. Emil Dusek, Tony Martinelli vs. Tony Morelli, Ali Baba vs. Jim Austeri, Hans Hermann vs. Kola Kwariani, Billy Darnell vs. Dutch Schweigert
April 7
JAMAICA ARENA -- Antonino Rocca vs. Marvin Mercer, Dutch Rhode vs. Ivan Kameroff, Ali Baba vs. Tony Morelli, Billy Darnell vs. Sandor Kovacs, Super Swedish Angel vs. Kola Kwariani
April 8
BROADWAY ARENA -- Lord Carlton beat Wally Dusek, Emil Dusek beat Natie Brown, George Becker beat George Harben, Sammy Berg veat Ray Schwartz, Tarzan Hewitt drew Ovila Asselin
April 10
SUNNYSIDE GARDEN -- Tarzan Hewitt beat Red Kirkpatrick
April 11
ST. NICK'S ARENA -- Mike Mazurki vs. Sandor Kovacs, Lord Carlton vs. Sammy Berg, Ali Baba vs. Tiny Mills, Mahmud Yousof II vs. George Harben, Tony Cosenza vs. Ace Freeman
EASTERN PARKWAY ARENA -- Wally Dusek vs. Gene Dubuque, Dutch Schweigert vs. Al Alexander, Ovila Asselin vs. Eddie King, Natie Brown vs. Hans Kampfer, Red Kirkpatrick vs. Abe Coleman
April 12
BRONX WINTER GARDEN -- Billy Darnell beat Golden Superman, Marvin Mercer vs. Tony Cosenza, Al Calza vs. Walter Kameroff, Mike Kilroy vs. Len Montana
HEMPSTEAD GARDEN -- Mike Mazurki vs. Dutch Schweigert, Ali Baba vs. Sandor Kovacs, Mike Dillon vs. Jack Steele, Mahmud Yousof II vs. Tiny Mills, Wally Dern vs. Mike Paidousis
April 13
RIDGEWOOD GROVE -- Buddy Rogers beat Hans Hermann, Billy Darnell beat Juan Hernandez
April 14
JAMAICA ARENA -- Gene Stanlee beat Sandor Kovacs, Ali Baba vs. Dutch Schweigert, Billy Darnell vs. Tiny Mills, Kenny Ackles vs. Juan Hernandez, Natie Brown vs. Harry Finkelstein
April 15
BROADWAY ARENA -- Antonino Rocca beat Ovila Asselin
April 17
SUNNYSIDE GARDEN -- Tarzan Hewitt vs. Sammy Berg, Hans Kampfer vs. George Harben, Gene Dubuque vs. Abe Coleman, Richard Dusek vs. Fritz Wallick, Red Kirkpatrick vs. Jack Steele
April 18
ST. NICK'S ARENA -- Gene Stanlee beat Mike Mazurki, Emil Dusek vs. Tony Martinelli, Ali Baba vs. Les Ruffin, Jack Dillon vs. Dutch Schweigert, Natie Brown vs. Mike Kilroy
EASTERN PARKWAY ARENA -- Antonino Rocca vs. Golden Superman, Billy Darnell beat Kola Kwariani, Wally Dusek vs. Sammy Berg, Tony Milano vs. Abe Coleman, John Heideman vs. Richard Dusek
April 19
BRONX WINTER GARDEN -- Billy Darnell beat Juan Hernandez, Marvin Mercer beat Wally Dern, Dutch Schweigert beat Jack Dillon, Tiny Mills vs. Al Calza
April 20
RIDGEWOOD GROVE -- Dutch Rhode vs. Mike Mazurki, Hans Hermann vs. Dutch Schweigert, Golden Superman vs. Wally Dusek, Marvin Mercer vs. Miguel Torres, Tiny Mills vs. Juan Hernandez
April 21
JAMAICA ARENA -- Antonino Rocca vs. Mike Mazurki, Kenny Ackles vs. Marvin Mercer, Ali Baba vs. Ace Freeman, Jim Austeri vs. Juan Hernandez, Miguel Torres vs. Kola Kwariani
April 22
TEANECK ARMORY -- Antonino Rocca vs. Wally Dusek, Sky Low Low vs. Tiny Roe, Emil Dusek vs. Angelo Savoldi, Tarzan Hewitt vs. Dutch Schweigert, Ovila Asselin vs. Kola Kwariani
April 24
SUNNYSIDE GARDEN -- Tarzan Hewitt vs. Red Kirkpatrick, Wally Dusek vs. Jack Steele, Abe Coleman vs. Murray Rothenberg, Richard Dusek vs. Alvino Lucenti, Wally Dern vs. Mickey Cortolano
April 25
EASTERN PARKWAY ARENA -- Ovila Asselin beat Tony Martinelli
ST. NICK'S ARENA -- Antonino Rocca beat Jack Dillon, Dutch Rhode vs. Natie Brown, Billy Darnell beat Kola Kwariani, Kenny Ackles vs. Miguel Torres, Wally Dern vs. Mike Paidousis
April 26
BRONX WINTER GARDEN -- Mike Mazurki vs. Jack Dillon, Ace Freeman vs. Billy Darnell, Harry Finkelstein vs. Al Calza, Les Ruffin vs. Mike Paidousis
HEMPSTEAD GARDEN -- Antonino Rocca vs. Ali Baba, Golden Superman vs. Tony Martinelli, Jack Steele vs. Kola Kwariani, Tony Cosenza vs. Natie Brown, Mike Dillon vs. Lou Bertucci
April 27
RIDGEWOOD GROVE -- Dutch Rhode vs. Mike Mazurki, Juan Hernandez vs. Dutch Schweigert, Ali Baba vs. Tony Martinelli, Billy Darnell vs. Jack Dillon, Kenny Ackles vs. Les Ruffin
April 28
JAMAICA ARENA -- Dutch Rhode beat Kenny Ackles, Billy Dar