Detroit, Michigan:  January 6, 1936
( ) … Ivan Rasputin … (promoter:  Adam Weissmuller) … (3,896 fans) … (gate:  $3,199)



*In the Wednesday, April 1, 1936 edition of the Detroit News, it was stated that Michigan
Wrestling and Boxing Commission Chairman James M. “Bingo” Brown suspended the new
heavyweight champion Dick Shikat “from appearing in this state for his failure to appear for
scheduled matches in Tennessee and Indiana.” Michigan had a working agreement with the two
states.  Shikat was “scheudled to make an appearance in Detroit Monday but because of his
‘runouts’ will not be allowed to wrestle there.  He is under contract of promoter Adam Weismueller
for Michigan.” Shikat was scheduled to wrestle John Leon Grandovitch at the Arena Gardens on
Monday.

*The paper also indicated that there was a “Battle Between Promoters.” The suspension of
Shikat “was interpreted in wrestling circles as an exchange of blows between two rival Detroit
wrestling promoters.  Weissmuller and Nick Londes, as well as a wsap of punches between the
group known as the ‘the wrestling trust’ and a lesser band of performers controlled by Al Haft of
Columbus, O., and Weissmuller of Detroit.”

*Shikat “jumped to the Haft-Weissmuller booking agency, a minor-league-trust, after Danno O’
Mahoney quit to him in New York.  Until the O’Mahoney match, Shikat’s appearances were
handled through the booking agencies controlled by Jack Curley in New York, Paul Bowser in
Boston, Ed White in Chicago, Tom Packs in St. Louis and Londes in Detroit.” Londes was a
member of the “Trust.”

Pontiac, Michigan:  Wednesday, April 1, 1936
( ) … Alex Kasaboski vs. Bert Rubi … (promoters:  Stanley Thorn, Adam Weissmuller)

Detroit, Michigan:  Thursday, April 2, 1936
(Naval Armory) … Doug Marcell b. Paul Bozzell … Buck Weaver b. Sailor Watkins … Andy
Tremaine b. Jack Carson (Carson was a substitute for Yaqui Joe) … Art Perkins b. George
Martin … (promoter:  Glenn Jacobs)

*On Thursday, April 2, 1936, the Michigan State Boxing and Wrestling Commission ruled that
Dick Shikat could fulfill his contract obligation in Detroit on Monday.

*On Saturday, April 4, 1936, Nick Londes “declared himself for gymnasium tournaments to
restore the grunt and groan profession ‘to its former high standard’ by eliminating ‘gorillas,
mustachioed fakers, bearded beasts and small fry wrestlers,’” according to he Detroit News.  
Londes lashed out at his rivals viciously.  He “said he had requested the National Wrestling
Association to sanction a professional tournament to be held in Detroit ‘from now until we clean
out the fakers.’ Londes said he had suggested a tournament with matches held weekly (in
necessary) among wrestlers who think they can last 10 minutes in a gym workout with some of
the present-day chieftains.” He believed the tournament would “push aside these man-eating
monsters – the type that is disgusting the fans.” Instead of naming names, he mentioned the
“chair-smashing, eye-poking palookas whose crowd appeal depends on such stunts as eating
spectators’ straw hats and slugging referees.”

Among the wrestlers Londes named as being those who could make “any of the riff-raff class say
uncle” were O’Mahoney, Jim Londos, Ray Steele, Strangler Lewis, Gus Sonnenberg, Jim
McMillen, Man Mountain Dean, the Dusek brothers, Hans Kampfer, Hans Steinke, Ray Richards,
Fred Grubmier, Leo Numa, Vincent Lopez, George Zaharias, Cliff Olsen, and Everette Marshall.

Weissmuller was called for comment, and said to “thank him for me for the blast.” He added that it
was great publicity for his Monday show, actually hoping that he’d do it again before press time.

*On April 4, 1936, the Michigan State Boxing Commission suspended four “Toledo wrestlers.”
Among them were Danny McShain, Martino Angelo, Sailor Watkins and Ernie Dugan.  McShain
was given an indefinite suspension for punching referee Ester Philibin in Detroit as was Angelo
for attacking referee John Staffen.  Watkins was suspended indefinitely for spitting on a fan.  
Dugan was given a 30-day ban for bickering with referee Charle Sutherland in Battle Creek.

Detroit, Michigan:  Monday, April 6, 1936
(Arena Gardens) … World Heavyweight Champion Dick Shikat b. John Leon Grandovitch (22:00)
… Ali Baba b. Al George (3:30) … Ivan Rasputina nd Hans Schnabel drew (30:00) … Walter
Podolak b. Frank Malcewicz (DQ) … Baby Face Nelson b. Muri Worham … Jose Manuel b. Mike
Kilonis … (promoter:  Adam Weissmuller) … (referee:  Verne Clark) … (3,543 fans) … (gate:  
$4,419.65)
Notes:  It was said to be the “second largest crowd in Weissmuller’s experience as a promoter
here.” The local record was Jim Londos-Orville Brown, of which $21,168 was paid to see the
match.  Weissmuller claimed that Londes hired hecklers for the crowd.  The promoter was also
planning to pit Shikat with Ali Baba.  George was from Boston.

Detroit, Michigan:  Thursday, April 9, 1936
(Naval Armory) … The Great Mephisto b. Frank Malcewicz … Stanley Buresh b. Jerry Meeker …
Jim Parker b. Nick Kilonis … Rudy Kay and Frank Schroll drew … (promoter:  Glenn Jacobs)

Dearborn, Michigan:  Friday, April 10, 1936
(Dearborn Arena) … Ivan Rasputin b. Hans Schnabel … Red Kimball b. Jack Schmeling … Jim
Parker b. Bill Thornton

Detroit, Michigan:  Monday, April 13, 1936
(Arena Gardens) … Ali Baba b. Ivan Rasputin (22:55) … Walter Podolak b. Alex Kasaboski (16:
30) … Johnny Swenski b. Lefty Pacer (14:40) … Frenchy LaRue and Red Vagnone drew …
(promoter:  Adam Weissmuller) … (3,875 fans)
Notes:  The winner of the Baba-Rasputin bout was going to wrestle Dick Shikat at the Olympia on
April 24.  The newspaper noted that there were 300 more fans to see Baba headline than to see
the heavyweight champion Shikat.

Detroit, Michigan:  Thursday, April 16, 1936
(Naval Armory) … The Great Mephisto b. Stanley Buresh (2/3) (third fall by DQ) (Mephisto
suffered a broken rib) … Jim Parker b. Frankie Schroll … Jose Emanuel and Walter Sirois drew
… Fred Kimball and Lefty Pacer drew ... (promoter:  Glenn Jacobs) … (referee:  Jack Mason)
Notes:  A 17 year old fan named James Buckley suffered a cut forehead from a flying chair and
police were needed to calm the wild audience.

Detroit, Michigan:  Friday, April 17, 1936
(The Olympia) … Gus Sonnenberg b. Orville Brown (the referee was knocked from the ring, and
during the time, Brown pinned Sonnenberg) (when the referee rendered a decision he gave the
bout to Sonnenberg) … Jim McMillen b. Abe Coleman … Bobby Bruns and Ray Steele drew …
Ernie Zeller b. Pat Murphy … Andy Rasher b. Buckets Goldenberg … (promoter:  Nick Londes)
… (referee:  Jack Mason) … (2,100 fans)
Notes:  Bruns “claims he has never been beaten in his professional or amateur career.  Buckets
Goldenberg was said to be a “Green Bay Packers fullback.” The winner of the Brown-
Sonnenberg bout was going to meet “champion” Danno O’Mahoney.  The Detroit News said that
O’Mahoney “is still recognized by the wrestling association as champion.” The wrestling
association mentioned was reportedly, the National Wrestling Association.  Zeller was a “one time
Indiana University football player and track athlete.” Londes invited members of the Chicago
White Sox and the Detroit Tigers to see the matches.

Detroit, Michigan:  Monday, April 20, 1936
(Arena Gardens) … Jose Manuel vs. Nanjo Singh (2/3) … Bad Man Lewis vs. Walter Podolak …
“Frenchy” LaRue vs. Johnny Swenski … Al George vs. Whitey Wahlberg … (promoter:  Adam
Weissmuller)
Note:  “Bad Man” Lewis was said to be from Denver.

Windsor, Ontario:  Tuesday, April 21, 1936
( ) … Alex Kasaboski b. Ivan Rasputin (2/3) … Ernie Peterson b. Baby Face Nelson (DQ)
(referee:  Danny Banks)  … (2,300 fans)
Notes:  Fans chased Kasaboski to his dressing room for his tactics versus Rasputin.  Earlier in
the night, fans nearly rioted when Nelson was disqualified for using a stranglehold.  A report said
that it took “about five minutes to end each demonstration.”

Detroit, Michigan:  Thursday, April 23, 1936
(Naval Armory) … Rudy Kay b. Nuri Worham … Baby Face Nelson and Bill Kief wrestled to a no
decision (Nelson used a six foot rope on his opponent, drawing the ire of fans) … Jim Heffner b.
Bad Boy Brown … Bull Curry b. Jim Parker (2/3) … (promoter:  Glenn Jacobs) … (referee:  Verne
Clark) … (2,000+ fans)
Notes:  Parker was said to be a light heavyweight from St. Louis, reportedly 180 pounds.  He
worked as the heel in his bout with Curry.  Brown was from Louisiana, Worham from Oklahoma
and Kief from Ohio.  Nelson was from Eagle Pass, Texas.

Detroit, Michigan:  Friday, April 24, 1936
(Olympia Sports Arena) … Ali Baba b. Dick Shikat to capture the World Heavyweight Title (46:40)
… John Swenski b. Alex Kasaboski … Jim Heffner and Bill Kief drew … Frank Sexton b. Pat
McCleary … Frank Malcewicz and Ernie Petersen drew … (promoter:  Adam Weissmuller) …
(referee:  Verne Clark) … (physician:  Dr. C.L. Tonsu) … (8,235 fans) … (gate:  $7,405.90)
Notes:  Weissmuller thought that the Arena Gardens was too smal of a venue to stage the Shikat-
Baba affair and rented the Olympia.  Shikat was carried from the ring on the shoulders of four
individuals, and later said that he was taken to Fort Hospital suffereing from a back injury.  The
Detroit News indicated that Baba was “an immense drawing card here” and that he “even outdrew
Shikat at the Arena Gardens recently.” There was biographical information on Baba in the
newspaper.  There was speculation that Baba didn’t weigh as much as 175 pounds, but it was
announced that he was 201.  The May 1, 1936 edition of the Detroit News stated that Adam
Weissmuller was of the “firm of Pfeffer, Haft, Sandow and Weissmuller.”

*An Associated Press report, printed in the Sunday, April 26, 1936 edition of the Detroit News
stated that Ali Baba’s real name was Harry K. Ekezian and that he was from Oakland.  He
wrestled previously in California as “Ali Yumed.”

Detroit, Michigan:  Monday, April 27, 1936
(Arena Gardens) … John Swenski b. Walter Roxy (2/3) … Stanley Buresh b. Whitey Wahlberg …
Bill Kief b. Jack Kogut … Rudy Kay b. Babe Kasaboski … (promoter:  Adam Weissmuller)

Lansing, Michigan:  Tuesday, April 28, 1936
( ) … World Heavyweight Champion Ali Baba b. Bull Curry (7:00)

Pontiac, Michigan:  Wednesday, April 29, 1936
(Armory) … World Heavyweight Champion Ali Baba vs. Frenchy LaRue … Baby Face Nelson vs.
Lefty Pacer … Bill Brooks vs. Ernie Petersen … (promoter:  Adam Weissmuller)
Notes:  Expecting a large crowd, Weissmuller ordered 500 extra seats.  Nelson was from
Sherman, Texas.

*On April 30, 1936, the Michigan State Boxing Commisison announced that it was going to be
cracking down on wrestlers who foul their opponents.  Officials would fine the wrestler and the
money would be taken directly from the evening’s purse.  Each different foul in a bout would be
taken separately, and fines levied for each.

Detroit, Michigan:  Thursday, April 30, 1936
(Naval Armory) … Stanley Buresh b. Bull Curry (2/3) … Rudy Kay b. Jack Schmeling … Bill
Brooks and Lefty Pacer drew (30:00) … Jim Heffner and Jose Manuel drew … (promoter:  Glenn
Jacobs) … (2,452 fans)
Notes:  A 51 year old woman, Mrs. Edward G. Fuhry, was injured by a flying projectile.  The
object was intended for Buresh, who worked as a heel versus Curry.

Detroit, Michigan:  Friday, May 1, 1936
(Olympia Arena) … Danno O’Mahoney b. Gus Sonnenberg (38:00) … Ed “Strangler” Lewis and
Jim McMillen drew (30:00) … Orville Brown b. Ernie Zeller (44 seconds) … Sam Cordovano b.
Mike Romano (13:00) … Nick Lutze b. Lou Sun Jennings (14:00) … (promoter:  Nick Londes) …
(referee:  Ted Gries) … (announcer:  George Wise)
Notes:  Londes was said to be the Detroit representative of the “Trust.” An article by Sam Greene
in the Detroit News on May 2 indicated that “Strangler” Lewis had given up his dignity to become
a “comedian” of the wrestling mat.  He wrote, “It was obvious from the moment he emerged from
the wings that this was a different Lewis.  Gone were the solemn demeanor, the attitude of
disdain toward wrestlers half his age.  Instead, the Strangler wore a gay smile.  Levity was in his
every gesture.” The Brown-Zeller match was called “the shorest wrestling event ever staged at
Olympia.” According to one source (5/9/36, Detroit News), Wise announced O’Mahoney as a
claimant to the heavyweight championship.

Detroit, Michigan:  Monday, May 4, 1936
(Arena Gardens) … John Swenski b. Stanley Buresh (2-0) (second fall by DQ) … Ray Ryan b.
Fred Kimball … Billy Weidner b. Cleve Welch … The Great Mephisto b. Frenchy LaRue …
(promoter:  Adam Weissmuller) … (1,600 fans)

Detroit, Michigan:  Thursday, May 7, 1936
(Naval Armory) … Baby Face Nelson b. Jim Heffner (2/3) … Frank Malcewicz b. Paul Miller …
Frenchy LaRue and Billy Weidner drew … Al George and Whitey Wahlberg drew … (promoter:  
Glenn Jacobs)

*On Friday, May 8, 1936, James M. “Bingo” Brown, chairman of the Michigan State Boxing
Commission, announed a plan to further regulate professional wrestling.  He was going to
establish a new set of rules in the coming week.

Detroit, Michigan:  Friday, May 8, 1936
(Olympia Arena) … World Heavyweight Champion Ali Baba b. Nanjo Singh (13:30) … John
Swenski b. Jim Parker … Frank Sexton b. Nick Condes … The Great Mephisto b. Cleve Welch …
Whitey Wahlberg b. Bill Brooks … (promoter:  Adam Weissmuller) … (referee:  John Mason) …
(announcer:  George Wise) … (4,975 fans) … (gate:  $3,793)

Detroit, Michigan:  Monday, May 11, 1936
(Arena Gardens) … John Swenski b. Bert Rubi (1:09:20) … Jim Heffner b. Frank Malcewicz (13:
30) … Frenchy LaRue b. “Red” Vagnone (18:00) … Des Anderson and Bill Brooks drew (20:00)
… (promoter:  Adam Weissmuller)
Notes:  Heffner was from Sherman, Texas and Swenski was said to be from Minneapolis.  
Reportedly Swenski’s eighth victory in a row at the Gardens.

Detroit, Michigan:  Thursday, May 14, 1936
(Naval Armory) … Baby Face Nelson b. Frank Malcewicz (2/3) … Frenchy LaRue and Walter
Sirois drew … Al George b. Fred Kimball … Dennis Lentz and Ernie Petersen drew … (promoter:  
Glenn Jacobs)

Detroit, Michigan:  Friday, May 15, 1936
(Olympia Arena) … Orville Brown b. Gus Sonnenberg (21:00) (Indian deathlock) … Jim McMillen
b. Howard Blazer … Bobby Bruns b. Jay Ross … Marin Plestina b. Tom Jenkins … Alex Hedlund
b. Pete Kosar … (promoter:  Nick Londes) … (872 fans) … (gate:  $931) (net amount:  $777.05)
Notes:  Peter Kosar was called an “All-State tackle Hamtramck High in 1933,” and he was making
his professional debut.  Tom Jenkins was from Newaygo, Upper Peninsula, Michigan.  Blazer was
said to be a Wisconsin lumberjack and Ross was from Gary, Indiana.  The “actual wrestling time”
for this show was 1:12:01.  The Detroit News called this show the “top flop of the rassling
season.” A caption for a photo of Orville Brown in the same newspaper said, “Orville Brown is not
being hurt, he only pretends that he is.  After many emotional outbursts, Mr. Brown tossed Gus
Sonnenberg.”

Detroit, Michigan:  Monday, May 18, 1936
(Arena Gardens) … World Light Heavyweight Champion George Dusette b. Jim Heffner … The
Great Mephisto and Billy Weidner drew … Whitey Wahlberg b. Mike Kilonis … Walter Sirois b.
Frankie Schroll … (promoter:  Adam Weissmuller)

Detroit, Michigan:  Thursday, May 21, 1936
(Naval Armory) … Baby Face Nelson and The Great Mephisto drew (90:00) (1-1) … Walter Sirois
b. Al George (25:40) … Ray Ryan b. Ernie Petersen (12:15) … Dennis Lentz and Frankie Schroll
drew (20:00) … (promoter:  Glenn Jacobs)

Flint, Michigan:  Friday, May 22, 1936
(Atwood Stadium) … World Heavyweight Champion Ali Baba vs. Stanley Buresh … (promoter:  
Leo Donoghue)
Note:  Donoghue made arrangements for 8,000 seats as the outdoor season opens.

*In the Sunday, May 24, 1936 edition of the Detroit News, it was revealed that promoter Adam
Weissmuller wanted to book World Champion Ali Baba versus Man Mountain Dean at Detroit’s
outdoor Navin Field.  Dean had been, reportedly, working for a rival group of promoters.

Detroit, Michigan:  Monday, May 25, 1936
(Arena Gardens) … World Light Heavyweight Champion George Dusette b. Billy Weidner (2/3) …
Frank Sexton b. Walter Sirois … Frenchy LaRue b. Lefty Pacer … Mike Kilonis b. Paul Miller …
(promoter:  Adam Weissmuller)

Detroit, Michigan:  Thursday, May 28, 1936
(Naval Armory) … Walter Sirois b. Stanley Buresh (2/3) … Ray Ryan b. Robbie Meeker … Bad
Boy Brown and Frank Schroll drew … Jack O’Dell and Cleve Welch drew … (promoter:  Glenn
Jacobs)
Notes:  Bad Boy Brown was called “Boy Brown” in the small report in the Detroit News.  “Robbie”
Meeker is likely Roland Meeker or Jerry Meeker.

Detroit, Michigan:  Monday, June 1, 1936
(Arena Gardens Bowl) … World Heavyweight Champion Ali Baba vs. Frank Sexton … (promoter:  
Adam Weissmuller)
Notes:  The facility was at Woodward and Piquette.  Baba had recently wrestled in Toronto, New
York City, Chicago, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Brooklyn.  Sexton was from Sedalia,
Ohio and had a 25 pound weight advantage over the champion.

Detroit, Michigan:  Tuesday, June 2, 1936
(Mack Park) … World Heavyweight Champion Everette Marshall vs. Stanley Buresh … Baby
Face Nelson vs. Red Vagnone … Al George vs. Jack O’Dell

Detroit, Michigan:  Thursday, June 4, 1936
(Naval Armory) … Stanley Buresh vs. Walter Sirois (2/3) … (promoter:  Glenn Jacobs)



Detroit, Michigan:  Monday, July 6, 1936
( ) … Billy Weidner b. George Dusette (2/3)



Lansing, Michigan:  December 15, 1936
(Prudden Auditorium) … Pat McCleary, The Great Mephisto, Tony Faletti, Bull Curry, Bill Brooks



Research by Tim Hornbaker
October 2, 2007
Detroit Wrestling Results - 1936