Albuquerque Wrestling Territory

Brief History:

Background:

Profesional wrestling returned to Tucumcari, New Mexico on Wednesday, January 15, 1941 under the promotional auspices of Fred Tipton.  The show was held at the Jacobs Skating rink and featured Ray Ryan and Joaquin Murrieta in the main event.  Jack LaRue and Don Hill met in the semi-final and Jack Nazworthy of Oklahoma battled Tarzan Gaona in the prelim.


In early August 1953, former wrestler Don Sebastian took over the wrestling promotion in Santa Fe in-conjunction with promoter Mike London.  Sebastian now lived in town.  He reportedly quit grappling in 1943, and promoted in California.

The Albuquerque Tribune reported on August 11, 1954 that Tony Bernardi had purchased the rights to promote wrestling for the 20-30 Club at the Armory.  Bernardi reportedly had 30 years of wrestling experience behind him.  He began his wrestling promotional career in Little Rock a few years earlier, and also promoted at Huntington Park, California.  In the last year, he staged shows in Littlefield, Texas and Clovis, New Mexico.  The 20-30 Club held wrestling shows in Albuquerque for more than 10 years.

Promoter Mike London made his promotional debut at the new Ice Arena in Albuquerque on Monday, November 8, 1954 and drew 2,500 fans.  In attendance was Governor-elect John Simms Jr. and City Commission Chairman Maurice Sanchez.  His effort was praised by the Albuquerque Journal.

The Albuquerque City Boxing and Wrestling Commission issued a promoter's license to Ice Arena manager Gary Richardson and Bill Wagner to promote wrestling at the facility beginning on September 15, 1955.  The duo would receive wrestlers from NWA booker Dory Detton of Amarillo, and planned run steadily on Thursday nights.  The year before, the license to promote at the Arena was held by Gorilla Poggi.  Mike London held a second license for wrestling in the city, and he ran on Mondays at the Armory.  London had previously held shows at the Ice Arena for eight months before his lease was cancelled in July 1955.  Detton planned to bring in talent from Texas and California.

On Monday, April 29, 1957, promoter Mike London began his year's lease at the "new" Civic Auditorium in Albuquerque.  London had paid $10,000 to Auditorium manager C.W. "Chuck" Swan to lease the facility, the "largest rental charge for an athletic event in New Mexico's history," according to the Albuquerque Tribune.  London planned a minimum of 48 wrestling shows, and also planned to run boxing events.  He was said to be the matchmaker for boxing promoter Julian Chavez.  London also moved his wrestling office from the Armory, where he head been paying $750 a month rent to the New Mexico National Guard for the previous 21 months, to the lobby of the Auditorium.  A photo of the check presentation and of the check itself appeared in the April 24 newspaper.


Wrestlers from Albuquerque: