Brief History:
Chicago has been a centerpiece for professional wrestling for more than a century. While sports fans have always been animated for their White Sox, Cubs, Bears, and Black Hawks, the city's citizens remained loyal to the grappling sport from the days of Frank Gotch to a time in which Bob Luce ran colorful programs at the International Amphitheater. Wrestling has had it's time in the spotlight and it was because of the labor of Luce or his predecessor Fred Kohler working overtime to publize the finer points of the mat business. Kohler, an early member of the National Wrestling Alliance, was a pioneer in the development of wrestling on television, and nearly single-handedly sparked wrestling's rebirth in the 1950s with his national program on the Dumont Network. A major figure in wrestling history, Kohler's presence at annual gatherings always kept things lively and there rarely a dull moment or a time in which promotional wars or backstabbing wasn't at the forefront of all member's minds.
Background:
Wrestling has always been a staple of athletics in Illinois from amateur wrestling in city parks to the competitive collegiate warfare known in Urbana. Going back to the days of Abraham Lincoln, who was a reputed grappler, wrestling thrived in cities big and small. Rings and ropes were not needed for wrestling in those days, as all it took was some skill and a big heart, and preferably a grassy corner to duel. If grass was unavailable, the wrestlers took it to the streets, and battled on asphalt. These matches were done for pride, and for little money, if any, and were not held under the Barnum code of shifting crowds. The system of working matches (predetermining outcomes) and taking “suckers” for their hard earned cash evolved right through to the heart of professional wrestling in Illinois, as it was doing everywhere else in the world. There was no getting away from it.
From the old style Graeco Roman contests of the 1800s, to the rasslin’ of the 1960s, to the dramtic, and often poluted brands now seen on television, wrestling in Illinois and specifically Chicago, has seen it all. In the 1880s, an internationally known sportsman and gambler named Charles Edward “Parson” Davies (1851-1920) helped bring big-time wrestling to Chicago for the first time on a consistnent basis. Davies was born in County Antrim, Ireland and immigrated to the United States when he was 12. An entrepreneaur, Davies found his way into the world of boxing, managing fighters Peter Jackson, Jim Barry, Joe Choynski, Jim Goode, and leading the “Parson Davies Specialty and Athletic Combination” tour in 1888 with wrestlers Evan Lewis and William Muldoon.
Davies managed athletics in several theatres and sports-friendly buildings in Chicago, and helped draw important contests into the city. At times, he acted as manager, promoter, and financial backer in gambling situations, and was very respected among sports enthusiasts. Besides Lewis, Parson managed wrestling champion Dan McLeod, and was often heralded by the Police Gazette publication.
During the first half of 1915, professional wrestling in Chicago took a major blow when a group of wrestlers "confessed" to have participated in fixed matches. This all came to light after a much ballyhooed masked wrestler known as the "Masked Mystery" was thrown on the mat in quick time, and the latter's manager Ed White came forward to blast the industry. Charlie Cutler, however, claimed that he was involved in fixed bouts early in his career, but was competing honestly at this point, stating that many people had turned against him because of it.
The Illinois State Athletic Commission opened an investigation into wrestling and the reported "trust" that controlled the business in June 1927. William Demetral testified that he had been involved in fixed matches, although his words were dragged through the mud by Billy Sandow. Plestina had claimed that he was forced to put up $5,000 cash and the deed to his home as a forfeit that he wouldn't go against the script and beat Ed "Strangler" Lewis.
Kohler hired bright Jim Barnett out of college and sent him on the road with young Verne Gagne. Around August of 1950, the duo were in Texas.
According to the August 18, 1954 Chicago Daily Tribune, promoter Leonard Schwartz suffered a heart attack and was recovering.
Wrestlers from Illinois:
Goelz, Billy:
William C. Goelz was born on January 3, 1918 in Chicago, IL, the son of Leroy, a fireman, and Anna Lubner Goelz. He attended Senn High School (IL) and spent six years in the United States Army during World War II. In the 1930s, he began wrestling in the Chicago Parks system and was trained by the former light heavyweight champion Lou Talaber. Goelz also used the name "Stan Pesek," and was apart of the tag team The G-Men w/ Johnny Gilbert. He became an employee of promoter Fred Kohler, working as a matchmaker and held a percentage of the office.
Goelz died on November 20, 2002 in Port Charlotte, Florida.
Marsh, "Tiger" Joe:
Joseph Samuel Marusich was born on August 25, 1911, and was of Yugoslavian descent. He served in the United States Navy during WW II, and was known as "Tiger Marsh."
Marsh claimed the World Heavyweight Title, reportedly in 1933 after a disputed victory over Jim Browning somewhere in New York. Another source stated that his championship claim occurred not in 1933, but in 1937 after a controversial match with Danno O'Mahoney.
An actor, first performing in the film "Pinky."
Marsh died on May 9, 1989 in Chicago.
Stanlee Family, The:
Gene Stanlee was born Eugene Stanley Zygowicz on January 1, 1922 in Chicago.
According to the 1930 United States Federal Census, Eugene Zygowicz was the eighth child of Paul and Victoria, Polish immigrants who both migrated to America in the early 1890s. Paul worked in a steel factory to support his large and growing family. Eugene was two years younger than his brother Paul, who would wrestle under the guise "Steve Stanlee." Paul Zygowicz Sr. died in November 1965.
Gene served in the United States Navy for 22 months during World War II. The August 1953 edition of NWA Official Wrestling, he "wrestled on 34 South Pacific Islands during the war and appeared in 134 contests before over 1,000,000 service men." Stanlee made his professional wrestling debut in April 1946 on the booking trails of Fred Kohler. The colorful fan favorite was a national superstar by the end of the decade. By 1949, his contract was owned by Joe "Toots" Mondt of the Manhattan Booking Agency.
Gene was a businessman and owned a lounge in Jamaica, Queens in the early 1950s. He also reportedly had a home in Oak Park, Illinois.
Gene died on September 22, 2005 in Redondo, California.
Steve Stanlee was born in 1919
Loretta "Lee" Stanlee (Loretta Zygowicz) was born in 1923 and attended Wright Junior College prior to DePaul University. She worked a lifeguard.
A profile of "Lee, the Lifter" was printed on page 28 of the January 1953 edition of NWA Official Wrestling. She was billed as the "Strongest Woman in the World," a "championship crown she won in 1945." According to the article, she wrestled briefly in 1951 during a tour of Mexico.
Whittler, Whitey:
Eldon Lee "Whitey" Whittler was born on September 7, 1913. He claimed Roxanna and Wood River as his hometowns.
Whittler's real name, according to Florida Marriage Index was Eldon "Lee" Whittler. Other sources state his middle name was "Larue." A good percentage of newspapers claim his hometown was St. Louis, which was the biggest town near his actual hometown - in the Illinois suburbs.
On March 31, 1954, Whitey topped "Wild" Red Berry in a tournament final to capture the Tri-State Heavyweight Title in Joplin, Missouri.
Legend has it that Whittler was blinded in one eye after a fight with wrestler Ike Eakins. Whitey was a tough grappler on the mat, and his rough style was handed down to his son Eldon L. Whittler Jr, who was born on July 7, 1935 and wrestled all over the country as "Don Whittler" and "Smasher Sloan."
Whittler Senior passed away on June 17, 1983 in Tampa and his son died on January 29, 2001, also in Tampa. On page 16 of the August 1953 edition of NWA Official Wrestling, the Whittlers were pictured next to each other among a gathering of grapplers watching an amateur grappling program in West Texas.
Television Milestones and Commentators:
Jack Brickhouse
Real Name: John Beasley Brickhouse
*A profile of Brickhouse appeared in the April 28, 1949 edition of Wrestling As You Like It: Brickhouse was the voice behind the Thursday evening television wrestling program from Madison Arena over WGN-TV. He began as a radio announcer in Peoria in 1934, at WMBD, and made $17 per week as a part time announcer. In 1934, he was 18 years old. He entered “an announcing contest in an effort to win the first prize wrist watch. Unable to ad-lib a required three minutes of an article which he couldn’t identify (he later learned it was a shoemaker’s awl), Jack lost the contest and his chance for the watch. He gave up radio and prepared for a trip to the West Coast, until the station called him 24 hours later to him as combination announcer and switch-board operator. Jack appeared on approximately 20,000 broadcasts in his six years at WMBD and laid the ground-work fo rhis present reputation as the Midwest’s outstanding sports reporter. His persuasive powers of salesmanship enabled him to convince station executives that they should cover the complete Bradley Tech coast-to-coast- basketball schedule, a satisfying accomplishment for Jack, since that sport is his favorite from both the playing and describing standpoints. This piece of promotion also lead to one of his big moments in radio – his first broadcast from Madison Square Garden. The big city beckoned to Jack in 1940, and he left Peoira to join WGN in Chicago. For the next five years, in addition to studio and staff duties, he covered baseball collegiate and professional football, basketball, boxing, hockey, political conventions and a variety of special events for WGN and Mutual. His coverage of the National Convention in 1944 won him national prominence and trade magazine raves.”
Russ Davis
Career Span: -1948-’61-
Various Career Notes: Davis was the host for “Wrestling from Rainbo” for Fred Kohler on WBKB (channel 4) at 8:30 on Wednesdays, -1948- ; Davis was the host for “Wrestling from Midway Arena,” joined by Bill Evans for Fred Kohler on WBKB (channel 4) on Mondays, -1949- ; Davis was the host for “Wrestling” tapes from the International Amphitheater for Fred Kohler on Thursdays on WGN-TV (channel 9) at 7:30, -1957- .
Wayne Griffin
Born: 1916
College: Stout Institute (Menomonee, Wisconsin) Career Span: 1936-’51- Various Career Notes: Griffin began as a radio host in Minneapolis. He joined the American Broadcasting Company in 1942. Griffin passed away following surgery at St. Francis Hospital. Died: April 1966, Evanston, Illinois 50 years old
George Brenard
Various Career Notes: Brenard was known for a long time as “Milwaukee’s Voice of Wrestling.” He covered the action on WISN-TV from the Southside Armory in Milwaukee every Thursday evening. Wrestling Life magazine did several pieces on Brenard, including a range of candid shots of him and his family in the February 1957 issue. He had several kids, including Marc, Jon, Craig, and Kris, who were included in the photos. During the early 1960s, after establishing a great relationship with promoter Fred Kohler of Chicago, Brenard took over as lead commentator for “Wrestling Champions,” a popular Saturday night program. Brenard was the commentator for the famed Rogers-O’Connor match, a bout that was seen in recent years on ESPN Classics. Thanks to John T. "Red" Ryan for clarifying that it was indeed Mr. Brenard doing the TV announcing for “Wrestling Champions,” and not Russ Davis.
Miscellaneous Notes and Milestones:
On May 5, 1926, the Illinois State Boxing Commission was formed in Springfield, Illinois. The three-member panel included former wrestler Paul Prehn, John Righeimer and Oswald W. Huncke.
After going undefeated locally for two years, Walter Palmer was presented a trophy on September 9, 1942 at the Rainbo Fronton.
The nine year partnership of Ed White and Fred Kohler ended on September 20, 1942.
On April 28, 1943, Kohler celebrated his 1,000 show at the Rainbo Fronton in Chicago, a program headlined by Bert Rubi and Frankie Hart.
At the Marigold in Chicago on January 4, 1958, NFL football player Bob Konovsky made his professional wrestling debut with a win over Ned Taylor.
Kohler's March 7, 1958 program at the International Amphitheater was supposed to be a festive affair celebrating the promotion of his 10,000 wrestling match, but instead, it was a financial disapointment - with only 4,150 in attendance.
Obituaries:
A wrestler, Richard Paiser of Chicago, died on April 17, 1919 of a broken neck sustained in a bout with Young Caeser at a theater in Richmond, Virginia.
One-time manager of Joe Rogers, John Pesek, and scores of boxers over his 30-plus year career, Larney Lichtenstein died at the age of 59 on January 16, 1929 in Hollywood, California. Litchtenstein promoted boxing in Chicago.
Longtime promoter John "Doc" Krone died on February 8, 1935 in Chicago at the age of 65.
Sports writer and referee for some of the biggest matches in professional wrestling history, Ed Smith (Edward W. Smith) died on February 23, 1936 in Hollywood, California at the age of 67. Smith refereed the first Gotch-Hackenschmidt bout and the infamous five-hour bout between Joe Stecher and Ed "Strangler" Lewis in 1916, among others. He was also well known for writing for the Chicago American newspaper.
Former policeman, wrestler, promoter, and manager of World Champion Frank Gotch, Emil Klank died at Hot Springs, Arkansas on Thursday, June 27, 1940. Klank was a longtime resident of Chicago.
A pioneering promter in the Chicago wrestling scene, Joe Coffey passed away on the evening of December 10, 1941 at his home in Chicago. He was 70 years old. Once the matchmaker for the Chicago Athletic Association, Coffey ran a vaudeville booking agency up until his sudden death.
The infamous referee for the 1933 Jim Londos-Joe Savoldi double-cross was Bobby Managoff Sr. (Robert Manoogian). Managoff passed away in Chicago on September 14, 1944. He was the father of NWA World Champion Bobby Managoff Jr. Incidentally, Managoff was also known, infamously, for being involved in the match that broke the leg of the legendary Frank Gotch in 1916. Managoff was a longtime friend and ally of Joe "Toots" Mondt.
Near Homestead, Iowa, Ted Tonneman (Heinrich Theodore Tonneman) died on January 15, 1945 at the age of 64. Tonneman was a former wrestling champion and well known referee. He died of a heart attack while on a rabbit hunt.
Benny Reuben was the commander of a USO troupe of professional wrestlers that were involved in a plane crash on March 3, 1945 in France. Besides Reuben, others deceased in the accident were George Mack (Matkovich), Gaius "Gay" Young, Lester "Kid" Chapman, Harold "Al" Sabath, and George "Jack" Ross. Al Williams had been scheduled to be apart of the clique, but was stepped out of the role because they needed room for a wrestling mat on the plane. Pete Schuh, according to the Chicago Daily Tribune, had also "considered making the trip, but decided against it."
Ross, a resident of 6008 Morgan Street in Chicago, was the former Florida State Heavyweight Champion and was 36 years old.
A product of Yugoslavia, Marin Plestina was a famed trustbuster until he crossed over and sided with the syndicates. He died on December 26, 1945 in Chicago.
On August 6, 1949, wrestling referee John M. Holda passed away at Oak Park Hospital at the age of 42. He was surivived by his wife Julia and son Henry.
Charlie Cutler (Charles Leroy Cutler) was, at one time, a claimant to the World Heavyweight Title upon one of the retirements of Frank Gotch. Cutler's claim started a new lineage that continued with the likes of Joe Stecher, Earl Caddock, and Ed "Strangler" Lewis. Cutler, who spent most of his pro career working out of Chicago, died on December 25, 1952 in Paw Paw, Michigan. He was 69.
Former wrestling champion Ernest Kartje died in Ashland, Wisconsin on Saturday, April 24, 1954 at the age of 72. Kartje was a longtime Chicago wrestling instructor and had an early influence on the pro career of Earl Caddock.
On January 11, 1956, famous sports publicist Arthur John "Jack" Ripple passed away in West Chicago. He was 64 years old. In recent years, Ripple worked for Leonard Schwartz at the Rainbo Arena, promoting grappling programs.
Two years after a car accident changed his life, Livingston Osborne (Livinston Eugen Osborne) passed away on May 8, 1956 at St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago at the age of 71. Osborne was named chairman of the Illinois State Athletic Commission in 1952, but his health began to decline after an auto accident in Florida. He was originally from Booneville, Indiana, and resided in Forest Lake, Illinois. Osborne was a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis.
Known as a combination man, Marty Cutler (Martin Walter Cutler) was a professional boxer and wrestler. He worked as Jack Johnson's sparring partner, at times, prior to 1913. Marty was brother of Charles Cutler, the heavyweight wrestling champion. He passed away in April 1960 in Chicago.
Zack Malkov, ex-policeman and contender to the light heavyweight and world heavyweight wrestling championships, died in Oklahoma City on November 26, 1964.
One of the biggest stars in Chicago under the auspices of promoter Fred Kohler in the late 1940s, "Chief" Don Eagle died at the age of 40 on March 17, 1966. His obit stated that a ".32 calibre revolver was found near the body." Eagle was 40 years old.
Former World Light Heavyweight and American Heavyweight champion, William Demetral died on Tuesday, August 13, 1968 in Cook County, Illinois. According to his obituary, he wrestled professionally from 1904 to 1940. Demetral was 82.
Fred Kohler was a legendary promoter and booker, having made his mark on the history of professional wrestling in Chicago. He was an influence on the growth of television in the United States via his colorful wrestling telecasts and on the budding National Wrestling Alliance. He died on August 24, 1969 in Arizona at the age of 66.
The famed publicist for Kohler's massive enterprises, Dick Axman (Richard Axman) died in December 1969. Axman was also an early influence on future wrestling promoter extrodonaire Jim Barnett.
At one time a claimant to the World Heavyweight championship and known as one of the sport's real tough guys, Hans Steinke passed away on June 26, 1971 in Chicago of lung cancer. He was 78 years old.
Lou Talaber (Louis Talaber), a former wrestling champion and trainer, passed away on June 15, 1973 in Chicago, Illinois. Lou was the father of wrestler Frankie Talaber.
Former wrestler and retired Chicago policeman, Tony Hajdich died in April 1974. Hajdich was born on November 26, 1897.
Billy Cepak (William Cepak) was a flyweight boxer from 1917 to 1921, and later was a promoter of boxing and wrestling in his hometown of Cicero, Illinois. Cepak, who staged shows with many top grapplers at the Cicero Stadium, died in October 1979.
A multi-sport athlete and champion, Robert "Bob" Konovsky, passed away on Saturday, March 6, 1982. Konovsky was the son of the Cicero Police Chief and was a star athlete in high school and college. He was courted into the pro ranks by promoter Fred Kohler in the late 1950s. Later, he worked as an insurance broker. He was survived by his wife Joan and two sons. Konovsky was 47 years of age.
James W. "Jim" McMillen, a headliner across the country and challenger to Jim Londos' heavyweight title in the 1930s, passed away on January 27, 1984 at Lake Forest Hospital in Lake Forest, Illinois. McMillen was also an All-American football player at the University of Illinois and a member of the Chicago Bears.
On July 16, 1992, "Baron" George J. Arena died in Boca Raton, Florida at the age of 84. His obituary in the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel claimed that he was known as "Gorgeous George Arena," and "one of the celebrities of the early televised wrestling," confusing his journeyman role in the wrestling business with the legendary "Gorgeous George" Wagner, who was a revolutionary character in the sport's history. Arena was born in Chicago and raised in Racine, Wisconsin.
Known throughout the Midwest as a professional wrestler for more than 20 years, Johnny Kace (John Kakacek) passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 1992 in Antioch. Kace was the son-in-law of wrestler Jim McMillen.
On April 3, 2002, former National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Managoff (Robert Manoogian) died at the age of 84 in Chicago.
Former IWA and WWA World Heavyweight wrestling champion, Edward "Moose" Cholak died Thursday, October 31, 2002 in Hammond, Indiana.
Once a claimant to the National Wrestling Alliance World Junior Heavyweight Title, Billy Goelz died on November 20, 2002 in Port Charlotte, Florida. He was 84 years old.
Illinois State Athletic Commission Milestones and Notes:
1953
After receiving complaints from German-American citizens and groups regarding wrestler Hans Schmidt and his recent appearances on television, the Illinois State Athletic Commission decided to hold a hearing to determine his true identity and nationality. On Tuesday, October 20, 1953, the commission announced that Schmidt could continue using that name for matches in the state, but could not be billed as being from Germany. Commissioner Livingston Osborne stated that during their hearing, Schmidt revealed that he was French-Canadian, born in Montreal, and his real name was "Guy Lahse," according to the Associated Press report. His gimmick "Hans Schmidt" was made up by a promoter, and he reportedly came to the U.S. on an immigration visa in 1952 and would be eligible for citizenship in 1957.
Illinois Wrestling Titles:
World Heavyweight Title - recognized by Kohler
Chicago Wrestling Results:
Chicago Wrestling Results - 1907
Chicago Wrestling Results - 1908
Chicago Wrestling Results - 1934 - research by Don Luce
Chicago Wrestling Results - 1942 - research by Don Luce
Chicago Wrestling Results - 1943 - research by Don Luce
Chicago Wrestling Results - 1944 - research by Don Luce
Chicago Wrestling Results - 1950
Chicago Wrestling Results - 1951
Chicago Wrestling Results - 1960
Chicago Wrestling Results - 1961
Chicago Wrestling Results - 1962
Eddie Quinn's Invasion of Chicago
Illinois (non Chicago) Results:
Rockford Wrestling Results - 1944
Arena Addresses:
Rainbow Arena (Gardens) - 4812-36 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois
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