In the middle of April, talks sparked about a possible boxer vs. wrestling match between
Buddy Rogers and Cassius Clay for the Cleveland Stadium during the summer.  
Promoter Larry Atkins came up with the plan and wired his idea to “Toots” Mondt, who
was billed by the Cleveland Plain Dealer as a promoter out of Boston.  Mondt and Atkins
were the “top men” of the Buckeye Sports Enterprises group.

Cleveland, Ohio:  Thursday, April 18, 1963
(The Arena) … WWWA World Heavyweight Champion Dory Dixon b. Karl Von Hess (DQ)
(Von Hess was accompanied by his “brother” Adolph Von Hess) (Von Hess was a
substitute for Buddy Rogers) … Bobo Brazil b. Tommy O’Toole … Ace Freeman b. Frank
Marconi … Argentina Apollo and Bruno Sammartino b. The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al
Costello and Ray Heffernan) to capture the WWWA "American" Tag Team Title (The
Kangaroos were subsitutes for the Tolos Brothers, who were called home due to the
death of their father) … (promoter:  Larry Atkins) … (matchmaker:  Joe “Toots” Mondt)
Note:  Buddy Rogers was unable to compete in the main event of the show because of
illness.  He did appear before the crowd and was booed.

On Sunday, April 21, 1963, the Cleveland Plain Dealer stated that the “championship
belt, which Dixon lifted from Buddy Rogers and has been completed by a New York
jewelry firm, will be at stake.” Dixon would be defending the title against Karl Von Hess on
May 2 in Cleveland.

Cleveland, Ohio:  Thursday, May 2, 1963
(The Arena) … Karl Von Hess b. Dory Dixon to capture the WWWA World Heavyweight
Title (Bobo Brazil's attempt to help Dixon backfired and assisted in Von Hess's win) ...
Bobo Brazil b. Buddy Austin ... Ace Freeman b. Gypsy Joe ... Billy Fox b. Bull Johnson ...
TNT Tony b. Leon Smith ... (promoter:  Larry Atkins) … (matchmaker:  Joe “Toots” Mondt)
Notes:  The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that the main event was for the "World
Wrestling Association championship." Prior to the bout, Von Hess had to post a $5,000
check for a title match with Dixon.






Research by Tim Hornbaker
November 3, 2010
Cleveland Wrestling Results - 1963