Brief History:
Indianapolis, the capital of Indiana, was "owned" by a number of individuals during the 1950s and '60s, and was a regular point of contention.
Background:
According to the Indiana State Athletic Commission wrestling report, 640,968 fans paid $1,054,441.06 for 868 shows in the state during 1960. The state had a population of 3.3 million. 14,647 paid for an outdoor program on August 18, 1960, which was the largest grappling crowd in the state for the year.
Wrestlers from Indiana:
Wilson, Dr. Ralph:
Wilson was from Evansville, where he attended Central High School. He later went to Indiana University and was coached by legendary pro Jack Reynolds.
Wilson, as a light heavyweight (175 pounds), won a Western Conference wrestling title and captained the Indiana squad in 1927. The year before, he was reportedly a runner-up in the national wrestling finals.
He made his professional debut on September 5, 1928 in Columbus against Ray Carpenter. That bout ended in a 30-minute draw.
On February 23, 1933, Wilson suffered an "intracranial hemorrhage and concussion" in a bout with "Wee" Willie Davis in Muncie, Indiana. The match was refereed by Walter Fisher, Ralph's former teammate at Indiana. "It was Wilson's first bout since Jan. 5, when he suffered an injury in a bout with Tommy Marvin at Indianapolis," according to the February 24, 1933 Ironwood (Mich.) Daily Globe.
Wilson was inducted into the Evansville Sports Hall of Fame.
Miscellaneous Notes and Milestones:
On August 29, 1955, Indiana Wrestling, Inc. was incorporated. Dick Patton was the general manager.
Shirley Strimple beat Cora Combs with two-of-three-falls on October 11, 1955 in what was said to be the first ever woman's match at the Indianapolis Armory.
Television made its debut from the Armory in Indianapolis on Thursday, November 1, 1956 on channel 4, WTTV. The program was sponsored by Champagne Velvet Beer, and began at 10:15 p.m.
The Texas Death Match between Buddy Rogers and Fritz Von Erich on May 9, 1957 at the Indianapolis Armory was said to be the first of its kind in the State of Indiana.
Rose Roman won the first five-girl wrestle royal in Indianapolis history on November 28, 1957 at the Armory.
On January 23, 1958, African American wrestlers appeared for the first time on an Indianapolis mat when Babs Wingo went over Ethel Johnson in two-of-three-falls at the Armory.
The Associated Press, on September 21, 1958, reported that Indianapolis wrestling promoter Dick Patton (Richard W. Patton) denied being part of a conspiracy to rob a Chinese restaurant with two armed men. He was released on $5,000 bond.
On Tuesday, November 4, 1958, Balk Estes made his debut as the licensed promoter in Indianapolis, replacing Dick Patton. Estes also promoted matches in Hammond, and utilized wrestlers from the local booking office of Jim Barnett.
Dick Patton, according to an Associated Press report on January 4, 1960, the "former" wrestling promoter in Indianapolis, was arrested again in connection with a robbery of the Hawthorn Room, a restaurant. Patton was free on appeal bond at the time, stemming from an earlier conviction of a conspiracy to rob an Indianapolis Chinese restaurant.
According to Wrestling Life, when Bobo Brazil wrestled Hans Hermann at the Armory in Indianapolis on December 6, 1960, it marked the first time an African-American wrestler faced off with a white wrestler in the State of Indiana.
Indiana Promoters:
Jim Barnett
Obituaries:
W.H. Barton, a well known manager and promoter of wrestling, died on Friday, January 26, 1923 in Indianapolis. Some credit Barton with the "discovery" of Ed "Strangler" Lewis and he also managed Charles Olson.
The oldest member of the American Association Chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association and Indianapolis News sports editor Ray Thompson died on May 21, 1939 at his home in Indianapolis. He was 68.
In the basement of her parents home in Michigan City, Indiana, Geraldine Eastman was murdered by her husband, Charles, who was known as wrestler Gorilla Grubmyer, on May 20, 1944. Eastman then killed himself.
A former wrestling champion in the welterweight division, matchmaker, and influential member of the Indiana State Athletic Commission for years, Sam Murbarger (Samuel Leroy Murbarger) died on December 12, 1944. He was 69 years of age. Murbarger was also affiliated with the National Wrestling Association.
Welterweight champion of the world for many years, Jack Reynolds died on January 9, 1945 in Covington, Kentucky. A product of Iowa, Reynolds made his headquarters in Indianapolis.
A former wrestler and referee, Harry Burris died on Saturday, March 12, 1966 near Batesville. In recent years, he worked as a grappling referee throughout Indiana. He was 56 years old.
Former wrestling and boxing promoter Charles E. Johnson of Kokomo, Indiana, died on Thursday, June 5, 1975 in Indianapolis. He was 63 years old.
John A. Zawadzki, a former wrestler, boxer, and promoter, passed away on Friday, May 28, 1976 in Valparaiso, Indiana. Zawadzki, a product of Chicago, was also a printer for the Pennsylvania Railroad. He was affiliated with Chicago booker Fred Kohler in the promotion of towns like Valparaiso, Knox, Peru, Rensselaer, Niles, Michigan, and Sandwich, Illinois. His career as a promoter lasted over 20 years. As a hobby, Zawadzki enjoyed bowling, and was a resident of Valparaiso for more than 40 years. He was survived by his wife Agnes.
The famed Dick the Bruiser (Richard Afflis) died on Sunday, November 10, 1991 of internal bleeding at the age of 62 in Largo, Florida.
Indiana Wrestling Titles:
United States (American) Tag Team Title - recognized in Indiana
World Tag Team Title - recognized in Indiana
Indiana Wrestling Results:
Gary Wrestling Results - 1919
Indianapolis Wrestling Results - 1955
Indianapolis Wrestling Results - 1956
Indianapolis Wrestling Results - 1957
Arena Addresses:
Indianapolis Armory - 711 North Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, Indiana
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