
*The Friday, March 3, 1950 edition of the Houston Post stated: “Irish Danny McShane and Wild Red Berry, two of the roughest wrestlers local fans have ever seen in action, make a bid to become the first tag team match champions of the state of Texas when they battle Black Guzman and Rito Romero in the two-out-of three fall main event at the City Auditorium Friday night. Promoter Morris Sigel is offering a trophy to the winning team and they will be declared the tag team champions. The trophy will be a challenge award and the winners will have to put it on the block soon.” Houston, Texas: Friday, March 3, 1950 (City Auditorium) … Miguel “Black” Guzman and Rito Romero b. Red Berry and Danny McShain to capture the initial Texas State Tag Team Trophy (2/3) (Berry and McShain won the first fall, Guzman and Romero won the second, Guzman and Romero won the final) … Jackie Nichols and Ruffy Silverstein drew … Timmy Geohagen b. Frank Jares (DQ) … Al Lovelock b. Verne Gagne … Jack Terry b. Orville Carlson … (promoter: Morris Sigel) … (referee: Leo Voss) Note: Jares was from Ogden, Utah. Houston, Texas: Friday, March 10, 1950 (City Auditorium) … NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz b. Danny McShain (2/3) (McShain won the first fall in 13:00, Thesz won the second in 8:00, Thesz won the third in 7:00) … Texas State Tag Team Champions Black Guzman and Rito Romero b. Red Berry and Jack Terry … Timmy Geohagen and Ruffy Silverstein drew … Verne Gagne b. Frank Jares … Johnny Demchuck b. Ivan Kalmikoff … (promoter: Morris Sigel) … (capacity crowd) Notes: The newspaper said that this was McShain’s “first chance at the world’s crown.” *The Friday, March 17, 1950 edition of the Houston Post stated: “Danny McShane faces the powerhouse tactics of Timmy Geohagen in the two out of three fall top bout with the winner due to be recognized by the Texas State Athletic Commission as Lone Star champion. The match has been ordered to fill the now vacant crown, a vacancy that occurred when the last melee between the two Irishman ended in an uproar and although Timmy was awarded the decision, he was not given the title.” This match happened “several weeks ago.” Houston, Texas: Friday, March 17, 1950 (City Auditorium) … Danny McShain b. Timmy Geohagen to capture the vacant Texas State Heavyweight Title (2-0) … Nell Stewart b. Celia Blevins (16:00) … Mae Young b. Ellen Olsen (12:00) … Black Guzman b. Ivan Kalmikoff … Red Berry and Johnny Demchuck drew … Rito Romero b. Jack Terry (DQ) … (promoter: Morris Sigel) Notes: The Geohagen-McShain bout was “ordered to fill the now vacant crown, a vacancy that occurred when the last melee between the two Irishmen ended in an uproar and although Timmy was awarded the decision, he was not given the title.” Blevins was from Tulsa. Houston, Texas: Wednesday, March 22, 1950 (Olympiad Arena) (initial wrestling show) … Sterling “Dizzy” Davis b. “Lumberjack” McDonald (2-0) (Davis won the first fall in 18-minutes, Davis won the second by DQ in 1- minute) (McDonald was a replacement for Gorgeous George, who failed to show up) … The Farmer b. Chale Martinez (2-0) … Juanita Coffman b. Joan Greene (DQ) … Juan Humberto b. Johnny Gallagher (12:00) … (promoter: Joseph F. Meyer Jr.) … (matchmaker: Sterling “Dizzy” Davis) … (referee: Shadow Harmon) … (in attendance: Mrs. Louis Krakower) (never misses a Houston show) … (1,000+ fans) Notes: Meyer threatned, prior to the show, to have Gorgeous George suspended in Texas rings through the Labor Commission, if he failed to appear. George was said to have been signed to appear through his manager Johnny Doyle. In an advertising piece, it was said that “The Olympiad Sporting Club has promised to give Houston wrestling fans the top stars in the business. We intend to keep that promise.” The facility was at 2418 Center, one block north of 2400 Washington. Houston, Texas: Friday, March 24, 1950 (City Auditorium) … Bill Longson b. Danny McShain (2/3) (McShain won the first fall in 11- minutes, Longson won the second in 8-minutes, Longson won by DQ) (The newspaper stated that the “ending left the Texas title in another muddle.”) … Ernie Dusek b. Miguel “Black” Guzman … Nell Stewart b. Mae Young (13:00) … Red Berry and Frank Jares drew … Johnny Demchuck b. Jack Terry … (promoter: Morris Sigel) … (referees: Dr. Karl Sarpolis, Leo Voss) … (3,500 fans) Houston, Texas: Wednesday, March 29, 1950 (Olympiad Arena) … Sterling “Dizzy” Davis b. “Lumberjack” McDonald (2/3) … Juanita Coffman b. Joan Greene … The Farmer b. Juan Humberto … Johnny Gallagher b. Chale Martinez … (promoter: Joseph F. Meyer Jr.) … (matchmaker: Sterling “Dizzy” Davis) Houston, Texas: Friday, March 31, 1950 (City Auditorium) … Miguel “Black” Guzman b. Ernie Dusek (2/3) (Guzman won the third fall by DQ) … Danny McShain and Rito Romero wrestled to a no contest … Nell Stewart b. Ellen Olsen … Red Berry b. Johnny Demchuck … Al Lovelock and Jackie Nichols drew … Joe Pazandak b. Ivan Kalmikoff … (promoter: Morris Sigel) … (referees: Paul Boesch, Leo Voss) … (3,700 fans) Houston, Texas: Wednesday, April 5, 1950 (Olympiad Arena) … The Farmer b. The Zebra Kid (DQ in the third fall) … Sterling “Dizzy” Davis and Juan Humberto drew (30:00) … “Lumberjack” McDonald b. Johnny Gallagher … Juanita Coffman b. Dorothy Lamar … Red Lyons b. Johnny Jones … (promoter: Joseph F. Meyer Jr.) … (matchmaker: Sterling “Dizzy” Davis) … (1,500 fans) Houston, Texas: Friday, April 7, 1950 (City Auditorium) … Danny McShain b. Rito Romero (2/3) (Romero was accompanied by Miguel Guzman) (Bashara entered the ring before the third fall to make a challenge) (Bashara brawled with Romero, leading up to McShain’s victory) … Miguel “Black” Guzman and Charlos Moreno b. Red Berry and Ernie Dusek … Timmy Geohagen and Joe Pazandak drew … George Penchoff b. Al Lovelock … Jack Terry b. Jackie Nichols … (promoter: Morris Sigel) … (referee: Leo Voss) … (3,700 fans) Houston, Texas: Wednesday, April 12, 1950 (Olympiad Arena) … “Lumberjack” McDonald and The Zebra Kid b. Sterling “Dizzy” Davis and The Farmer (2/3) … Ivan Kameroff b. Juan Humberto (one fall in the time-limit) … Steve Gob and Red Lyons drew (20:00) … Bill Steddum b. Buddy Evans (12:20) … (promoter: Joseph F. Meyer Jr.) … (matchmaker: Sterling “Dizzy” Davis) Note: It was reported that under the new Ray Fabiani-Olympiad alliance, Buddy Rogers would appear on Wednesday, April 19, 1950. Fabiani also had plans to bring Antonino Rocca, Jim Londos, and Primo Carnera into Houston. He was the new “General Manager” for wrestling at the Olympiad. He told the newspaper “Houston is due to see the greats of the business.” Houston, Texas: Friday, April 14, 1950 (City Auditorium) … Danny McShain b. Rito Romero (2/3) … George Penchoff b. Ernie Dusek … Texas State Heavyweight Champion Miguel “Black” Guzman b. Jack Terry … Benny Trudell and Whitey Whittler b. Leo Newman and Joe Pazandak … Carlos Moreno b. Ray “Cowboy” Clements … (promoter: Morris Sigel) … (referees: Dr. Karl Sarpolis, Leo Voss) … (3,700 fans) Note: It was said that Guzman had regained the Texas Title, apparently going over Danny McShain elsewhere in the state. Houston, Texas: Wednesday, April 19, 1950 (Olympiad Arena) … Jim Londos b. “Lumberjack” McDonald (1-0) (24:15) (A doctor refused to let McDonald go further after he lost the first fall) … Juan Humberto b. Steve Gob (DQ in 15:30) … Ivan Kameroff and The Zebra Kid drew (20:00) … Sterling “Dizzy” Davis wrestled Red Lyons to a no contest (Zeba Kid attacked Davis before the latter’s match with Lyons, leaving Davis in need of medical attention) (the referee, after 15 minutes, stopped the match due to a cut over’s Dizzy’s eye) … The Farmer b. Bill Steddum (14:45) … (promoter: Joseph F. Meyer Jr.) … (matchmaker: Ray Fabiani) … (2,600 fans) Notes: Londos was billed as the “Greatest Champion of Them All.” The newspaper stated that “they tagged him the ‘Golden Greek’ not only because he always has a golden sun tan, but because he made more than $1,000,000 in the wrestling game.” Houston, Texas: Friday, April 21, 1950 (City Auditorium) … Killer Kowalski b. Timmy Geohagen … Danny McShain b. George Penchoff (2/3) … Miguel Guzman and Carlos Moreno b. Benny Trudell and Whitey Whittler … Otto Kuss and Joe Pazandak drew … Al Lovelock b. Marvin Jones … (promoter: Morris Sigel) Houston, Texas: Wednesday, April 26, 1950 (Olympiad Arena) … Sterling “Dizzy” Davis and Ivan Kameroff b. Red Lyons and The Zebra Kid … Juan Humberto b. Bill Stadey … Steve Gob b. Bill Steddum … The Farmer and “Lumberjack” McDonald drew (1-1) … (promoter: Joseph F. Meyer Jr.) … (matchmaker: Ray Fabiani) Note: The “Farmer” was from Waxahachie. Houston, Texas: Friday, April 28, 1950 (City Auditorium) … Killer Kowalski b. Danny McShain when the latter was unable to return for the second (After the match, Kowalski pummeled Al Lovelock and Whitey Whittler, earning a shot at NWA World Champion Lou Thesz) (10:00) … George Penchoff and Ruffy Silverstein drew (20:00) … Miguel Guzman b. Whitey Whittler (DQ) … Carlos Moreno b. Leo Newman … Al Lovelock b. Jack Bloomfield … (promoter: Morris Sigel) … (3,500 fans) Houston, Texas: Wednesday, May 3, 1950 (Olympiad Arena) … Gene Stanlee b. The Zebra Kid (2-0) (3:30, 14:00) (Stanlee was originally booked to wrestle Dizzy Davis, but the latter was knocked out by the Zebra Kid as he entered the ring) … The Farmer b. The Zebra Kid (DQ) (Zebra Kid threw Farmer over the top rope) … Steve Gob and Ivan Kameroff b. Juan Humberto and Lumberjack McDonald (Zebra Kid challenged both Kameroff and McDonald to a match and beat them both) … Red Lyons b. Bill Steddum (11:45) … (promoter: Joseph F. Meyer Jr.) … (matchmaker: Ray Fabiani) Houston, Texas: Friday, May 5, 1950 (Sam Houston Coliseum) … Parade of Champions Show… NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz b. Killer Kowalski (2/3) (Thesz won the first fall in 11:10, Kowalski won the second in 2:10, Thesz won the third by DQ) (Kowalski threw referee Ed “Strangler” Lewis) … Danny McShain b. Miguel Guzman to capture the Texas Heavyweight Title … Texas Women’s Champion Nell Stewart b. Carol Cook (15:00) (referee: Clyde LaMotte, the Houston Post Sporst Editor) (Stewart tore LaMotte’s shirt) (LaMotte donated his earnings to the Houston Cancer Fund) … Texas Tag Team Champions Carlos Moreno and Rito Romero b. Timmy Geohagen and Ruffy Silverstein … Negro Championship – Don Blackman b. Don Kindred … (promoter: Morris Sigel) … (referees: Ed “Strangler” Lewis, Clyde LaMotte) … (10,000+ fans) Notes: Reportedly, the advance sale of tickets was the largest in Sigel’s history as a promoter in Houston. Said to be the Houston Post as the “largest crowd in the history of wrestling in Texas.” Blackman was from New Hope, Pennsylvania and Kindred from New York. Championships were on the line in every match. Houston, Texas: Wednesday, May 10, 1950 (Olympiad Arena) … Ivan Kameroff b. Joe Carney (2/3) … Lumberjack McDonald b. Bill Sledge (16:43) … Juan Humberto and Red Lyons drew (20:00) … The Zebra Kid b. Bill Steddum (17:30) … Steve Gob b. George Brooks (17:45) … (promoter: Joseph F. Meyer Jr.) … (matchmaker: Ray Fabiani) Notes: Carney was from the Bronx and Brooks from Washington D.C. Gob was the “former weight-lifting champ.” Houston, Texas: Friday, May 12, 1950 (City Auditorium) … Miguel Guzman, Carlos Moreno and Rito Romero b. Al Lovelock, Danny McShain and Whitey Whitler … Danny McShain b. Miguel Guzman (DQ) … Carlos Moreno b. Whitey Whitler … Rito Romero b. Al Lovelock … Nell Stewart b. Beverly Lehmer (12:00) … Ruffy Silverstein b. Jack Terry … George Penchoff b. Ellis Bashara … (promoter: Morris Sigel) … (referee: Leo Voss) … (television was on KLEE-TV, the only station in Houston) (8:30 p.m.) Houston, Texas: Friday, May 19, 1950 (City Auditorium) … NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz b. Killer Kowalski (2/3) (Kowalski won the first fall in 12:00, Thesz won the second by DQ when he was tossed over the top rope, Thesz won the third) … Carlos Moreno b. Danny McShain (DQ) (McShain was confronted by Dizzy Davis before the match) … Texas Women’s Champion Nell Stewart b. Dot Dotson … Texas Junior Heavyweight Champion Wayne Martin and Rito Romero drew … Ruffy Silverstein b. Whitey Whitler … Al Lovelock and George Penchoff drew … (promoter: Morris Sigel) … (referee: Dr. Karl Sarpolis) Houston, Texas: Friday, May 26, 1950 (City Auditorium) … Texas Heavyweight Champion Danny McShain b. Dizzy Davis (2/3) (McShain won the first fall in 16:00, Davis won the second in 55 seconds, McShain won the third) (billed as the “roughest, bloodiest brawl ever staged in a wrestling ring) (a bloody match) … Armando Gonzales and Carlos Moreno b. Ellis Bashara and Leo Newman … Cowboy Carlson and Lee Savoldi drew … Timmy Geohagen b. Jack Terry … Kayo Hall b. Jack Bloomfield … (promoter: Morris Sigel) … (referee: Leo Voss) … (4,000 fans) Note: In a Sunday, May 21, 1950 advertisement in the Houston Post, the following was printed regarding Dizzy Davis: “Who says he has been frozen out of Houston wrestling.” Savoldi was from New Jersey and Hall from East St. Louis. Houston, Texas: Friday, June 2, 1950 (City Auditorium) … Texas Heavyweight Champion Danny McShain b. Dizzy Davis (2/3) (Davis won the first fall in 17:00 with a backbreaker, McShain won the second by DQ in 9: 20 after being thrown over the top rope, McShain won the third when the referee stopped the match) (Davis was bleeding from the mouth) … Al Galento and The Zebra Kid b. Carlos Moreno and Rito Romero … The Zebra Kid b. Leo Newman (Kid was a substitute for the sick Cowboy Carlson) … Danny Plechas b. George Penchoff … Al Lovelock and Jack Steele drew … (promoter: Morris Sigel) … (referee: Dr. Karl Sarpolis) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, June 6, 1950 ( ) … Rito Romero b. Danny McShain to capture the Texas Heavyweight Title Houston, Texas: Friday, June 9, 1950 (City Auditorium) … Danny McShain b. The Zebra Kid (2/3) (third fall reverse decision) … Carlos Moreno and Rito Romero b. Dizzy Davis and Al Lovelock … Bull Hefner and Danny Plechas drew … George Penchoff b. Whitey Whitler … Armando Gonzales b. Al Galento … (promoter: Morris Sigel) … (referee: Leo Voss) Houston, Texas: Friday, June 16, 1950 (City Auditorium) … Texas Heavyweight Champion Rito Romero b. Sonny Myers (2/3) … The Zebra Kid b. Dick Raines … Carlos Moreno and Danny Plechas drew … Pete Peterson b. Leo Newman and Whitey Whitler … Dutch Hefner b. Lee Savoldi … (promoter: Morris Sigel) … (referee: Leo Voss) … (3,500 fans) Houston, Texas: Friday, June 23, 1950 (City Auditorium) … Sonny Myers b. Carlos Moreno (2/3) … The Zebra Kid b. Pat O’ Shocker (2-0) (second by DQ) … Rito Romero b. “Pistol” Pete Peterson (DQ) … Dizzy Davis and Angelo Martinelli drew … Tommy O’Toole b. Bull Hefner … (promoter: Morris Sigel) Note: Martinelli “held the world’s light heavyweight title before outgrowing the division.” Houston, Texas: Friday, June 30, 1950 (City Auditorium) … Texas Heavyweight Champion Rito Romero vs. Sonny Myers … Tommy O’Toole vs. The Zebra Kid … Carlos Moreno vs. Pete Peterson … Al Lovelock vs. George Penchoff … Al Galento vs. Angelo Martinelli … (promoter: Morris Sigel) … (referee: Paul Boesch) Houston, Texas: Friday, August 4, 1950 (City Auditorium) ... NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz b. Buddy Rogers (2/3) (Rogers won the first fall in less than a minute with a dropkick and atomic drop, Thesz took the second in 20:00, Rogers was disqualified in the third) ... Black Guzman and Carlos Moreno b. George Bollas and Bill Canny ... Bobby Bruns b. Sonny Myers ... Billy Darnell b. Tommy O'Toole ... Al Lovelock b. Angelo Martinelli ... (promoter: Morris Sigel) ... (referee: Bobby Managoff -main event) Notes: The Houston Post stated that the way Rogers "tore into the titleholder bounced him right back into favor with Houston's wrestling fans." The paper also indicated that there was a "demonstration" by fans after the DQ. Bruns victory over Myers was said to be an "upset." Houston, Texas: Friday, August 11, 1950 (City Auditorium) ... Buddy Rogers b. Bobby Bruns (2-0) (22:00, 40 seconds) (piledriver, dropkick) ... Texas State Tag Team Champions Black Guzman and Rito Romero b. Billy Darnell and Sonny Myers ... Verne Gagne b. Red McIntyre ... "Cyclone" Johnny Cobb b. Tex Grady ... Al Lovelock b. Antone Leone (DQ) ... (promoter: Morris Sigel) ... (referee: Leo Voss) Notes: The tag team championship was represented by a trophy. Gagne was returning "from a training siege in Minneapolis." Cobb was from Chicago. The winner of the main event was going to receive a shot at the Texas state title. Where it seemed that Rogers was getting some fan favorite treatment in his bout with Thesz, he drew the ire here against Bruns with his "spectacular cape," and other heel mannerisms. Houston, Texas: Friday, August 18, 1950 (City Auditorium) ... Texas State Heavyweight Champion Black Guzman b. Buddy Rogers (2/3) (third fall by countout) ... Verne Gagne b. Rito Romero ... Paul Boesch and Bob Wagner drew ... George Bollas b. Bobby Bruns ... Dick Raines b. Pat O'Shocker ... (promoter: Morris Sigel) ... (referee: Paul Boesch) Notes: Rogers' "arrogant attitude and rough treatment of his opponent" earned a negative reaction from the crowd, according to the Houston Post. Gagne and Rito wrestled a clean match and the fans reacted positively, and "every hold in the book" was used. Boesch was the wrestling commentator on KPRC-TV. He wrestled on the show and refereed the main event. Bollas earned a bout with Killer Kowalski next week. Houston, Texas: Friday, August 25, 1950 (City Auditorium) ... George Bollas b. Killer Kowalski (2/3) ... Verne Gagne and Buddy Rogers drew ... Black Guzman b. Tommy Martindale ... Carlos Moreno b. Bob Wagner (reverse decision DQ after Wagner initially won) ... Sonny Myers b. Bill Canny ... (promoter: Morris Sigel) ... (referee: Dr. Karl Sarpolis) Notes: Bollas-Kowalski was called "Battle of the Behemoths." Sarpolis gave a fast count during the third fall of the main event, which had the fans upset. The main event winner was going to wrestle Lou Thesz next week. Houston, Texas: Friday, September 1, 1950 (City Auditorium) ... NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz b. George Bollas (2- 0) ... Killer Kowalski b. Al Lovelock and Sonny Myers (handicap match) (Kowalski had to beat both in 30:00) ... Verne Gagne b. Black Guzman ... Billy Varga b. Bob Wagner (DQ) ... Rito Romero b. Balk Estes (decision) ... (promoter: Morris Sigel) ... (referee: Paul Boesch - main event) Notes: Varga was making his return. He has been on the West Coast making movies, "his latest being with Bob Hope in the Lemon Drop Kid." Bollas was a major heel at this point in Houston. Estes was said to be making his local debut. The Houston Post said "for once in his reign as champion [Thesz] was popular with the crowd." An overenthusiastic fan from the crowd tried to get at Bollas, delivering a "Sunday punch" on the wrestler. The Gagne-Guzman match stole the show, and Gagne's win was considered an upset. He was the "favorite throughout." Houston, Texas: Friday, September 8, 1950 (City Auditorium) ... Verne Gagne b. Black Guzman to capture the Texas State Heavyweight Title (2/3) (Guzman suffered a twisted ankle during the third fall and was unable to continue) ... Butch Monty b. Billy Curtiss (2/3) ... Killer Kowalski b. Bob Wagner ... Bobby Bruns and Dizzy Davis drew ... Billy Varga b. Dick Raines ... Sonny Myers b. Bobby Coleman ... (promoter: Morris Sigel) Notes: Davis was said to be returning after a tour of Oklahoma. Butch Monty claimed the paperweight championship. Gagne's first name was often spelled "Vern" in the local press. The main event was said to be "brilliant." Gagne initially refused to accept the championship on the injury. The Houston Post (9/9/50) noted that Gagne's actions was a "display of good sportsmanship never equaled in a wrestling bout here before." The Texas Wrestling Commission forced Gagne to accept the decision. (Houston Post, 9/24/50) The newspaper also stated that "fans had their first look at midget wrestlers" with the Monty-Curtiss bout. Houston, Texas: Friday, September 15, 1950 (Sam Houston Coliseum) ... Gorgeous George vs. "Whiskers" Leo Savage ... Texas State Heavyweight Champion Verne Gagne vs. Rito Romero ... Mars Bennett vs. Mae Young ... Black Guzman vs. Dizzy Davis ... Paul Boesch vs. Sheik Lawrence ... Howard Cantonwine vs. Billy Varga ... (promoter: Morris Sigel) Notes: Sigel shifted to the Coliseum "in order to accommodate one of the biggest crowds in many years." No television of the show. Bennett was a former circus performer. Houston, Texas: Friday, September 22, 1950 (Sam Houston Coliseum) ... Black Guzman b. Dizzy Davis (2-0) (first fall by DQ) ... Ann Laverne won a five-girl wrestle royal over Mae Young, Mars Bennett, Ellen Olsen and eva Lee ... Red Berry and "Whiskers" Leo Savage b. Sonny Myers and Sheik Lawrence (Savage pinned Myers) ... Billy Varga b. Hard Knox ... Balk Estes b. Emir Badui ... (promoter: Morris Sigel) ... (referee: Dr. Karl Sarpolis) ... (6,500+ fans) Notes: This was said to be the 35th anniversary show "under the promotional guidance of Morris Sigel." Every seat in the Coliseum was $1.00 called "Dollar Day." For the fan coming the show from the furthest distance, KPRC-TV was going to give them a 102- piece silver set. The largest family present was going to receive a 16" television set. The heaviest, youngest, and oldest fans were also going to receive prizes. Houston, Texas: Friday, September 29, 1950 (City Auditorium) ... Texas State Heavyweight Champion Verne Gagne b. Black Guzman (2/3) ... Red Berry b. George Temple (10:00) ... Mars Bennett b. Ann LaVerne ... Billy Varga b. Sonny Myers ... Sheik Lawrence (Laurence) b. Bobby Coleman ... (promoter: Morris Sigel) Research by Tim Hornbaker November 23, 2010 |
| Houston Wrestling Results - 1950 |
