East Texas - Houston Territory
Brief History:
Background:
The first incarnation of the Gulf Athletic Club, which was the company behind the Houston wrestling promotion, was incorporated in the State of Texas in November 1926 by Julius Sigel, R.R. Myers, and Bud Burmeister. Seven years later, the organization was reorganized by Julius's brother Morris, Frank J. Burke, and Russel A. Bonham. There was $1,000 of capital stock with Morris holding $800, and the two others holding $100 each. Operating out of the Milam Building, Morris planned on staging wrestling and boxing programs in Houston.
The Galveston Daily News reported on February 10, 1938 that Jerry Schultz was bringing professional wrestling back to Galveston "next week." Schultz, who had already promoted in the city, was affiliated with Sigel of Houston, and it was expected that the same sort of top talent would appear locally.
Wrestlers from Eastern Texas:
Gorgeous George
Television Milestones and Commentators:
Miscellaneous Notes and Milestones:
On Friday, January 16, 1942 at Houston's City Auditorium, Paul Boesch made his local debut and beat Louis Reynheer in 53-seconds for promoter Morris Sigel.
Obituaries:
Former wrestler and promoter, Arthur "Art" Mondt died on August 29, 1944 in Beaumont, Texas after suffering a heart attack several days before in his Gilchrist cafe. He was the brother of "Toots" and Ralph Mondt, and, according to his obit, was instrumental in running wrestling in Beaumont between 1928 and 1934. He was 52 years old.
M.B. Morgan was the Texas State Labor Commissioner from 1947 to Thursday, June 19, 1958 in Fort Worth, Texas. As the Labor Commissioner, Morgan was responsible with the regulation of professional wrestling, and presided over many controversial issues - including the wrestling war of 1953-54 and claims of "monopoly" surrounding the Houston promotion run by Morris Sigel. He was a former lawyer and when he passed, his wife took over his position. Morgan was 58 years of age.
Ellis Bashara (Ellis Kalil Bashara), an amateur and professional wrestling success, died on May 27, 1960 in Harris County, Texas.
Former member of the Texas State Boxing and Wrestling Commission, inspector, referee, and promoter, John Galiano of Beaumont, died on Wednesday, March 2, 1966. Galiano, 65, was the owner and operator of the Beaumont Sportatorium and an associate member of the National Wrestling Association during the early 1960s. He was surived by his wife and two daughers and buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Morris Sigel, the legendary Houston promoter, died on Tuesday, December 27, 1966.
Ten days after Morris Sigel, "man who made him great," according to a Houston program, died, Leo Savage died of a heart attack on Saturday, January 7, 1967 in Florida. Savage was known as "Whiskers," and was a heavyweight title claimant during the 1930s. He was one of the biggest names in Texas wrestling history.
Longtime member of the Houston wrestling office and brother-in-law of Morris Sigel, Frank Burke died in January 1983.
Paul Boesch (Paul Max Boesch), a former wrestler who promoted in Houston for many years and established one of the finest organizations in the industry, died on March 7, 1989. Boesch was born in Brooklyn in 1912.
Legendary grappler Wahoo McDaniel (Edward H. McDaniel) died on April 18, 2002 in Houston, Texas at the age of 63.
On March 13, 2004 in Houston, Ruth Sigel Burke died at the age of 95. Burke was the sister of Morris and Julius Sigel, and the wife of Frank Burke, each members of the wrestling community for years. Ruth and Frank were married for 58 years.
Area Promoters:
Ralph Hammonds Beaumont
Dave Schlesinger Beaumont
Jerry Schultz Beaumont 1937
Jerry Schultz Beaumont 1938-
Barney Myers Corpus Christi 1938-1960
Jerry Schultz Galveston 1938-1947
Paul Bersch Galveston 1947-
Morris Sigel Houston 1933-1966
Paul Boesch Houston
Texas Wrestling Titles:
World Heavyweight Title
Texas State Heavyweight Title
Eastern Texas Wrestling Results:
Houston Wrestling Results - 1942
Houston Wrestling Results - 1959
Houston Wrestling Results - 1960
Houston Wrestling Results - 1961
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