Minneapolis Wrestling Territory
Brief History:
Wrestling in Minneapolis has flourished going back to the early part of the 20th Century and enthusiasts have been rewarded with a high class of athletic and entertaining superstars to enjoy. The performances of pioneers like Frank Gotch, Joe Stecher, and Ed "Strangler" Lewis set the stage for the antics of Gorgeous George and eventually Hulk Hogan, putting forth a broad spectrum of skill and histroinics on Minneapolis mats before thousands of vocal Minnesotans. One of the National Wrestling Alliance's founders, Tony Stecher, booked Minneapolis and the surrounding area, and high esteem from the local press and sporting communities. Stecher had earned it, and his no nonsense attitude toward wrestling lingered with fans well after his demise. Professional wrestling was a brand of entertainment to behold and, in Minnesota, it was apart of the culture for decades.
Background:
Wrestlers from Minnesota:
Verne Gagne
Cliff Gustafson
Henry Kolln
Otto Selin - Swedish wrestler from St. Paul
AWA Superstars:
Bockwinkel, Nick:
The Minneapolis Tribune, on March 4, 1979, ran a lengthy article on Bockwinkel, written by Larry Batson. It was a great article on a living wrestling legend, explaining how he was born into wrestling, son of grappler Warren Bockwinkel. It stated that he traveled with Eric Holmback (Yukon Eric) when he was 15, and Nick called him a "sweet, quiet, decent man." According to the article, Bockwinkel debut at the age of 16, wrestling under a hood, while in high school. His jaunt into the pro ranks continued under a hood while playing football, on a scholarship, at Oklahoma. Nick suffered a knee injury, and lost his ride. He then attended UCLA, paying the bills by wrestling professionally throughout Southern California.
Obituaries:
Former light heavyweight wrestling champion Theodore Peter, died on April 6, 1941 in St. Paul. He was 67 years old.
Helmer Myre (Helmer Otte Myre), a claimant to the World Light Heavyweight Title at one time, and a Minnesota State Senator, died on October 6, 1951 in Olmsted County, Minnesota. He was survived by his wife Ethel. Myre also called Forest City, Iowa his home.
The Swedish grappler who wrestled barefoot, John Freberg (John M. Freberg) died on May 3, 1956 in Hennepin County, Minnesota. Freberg's career lasted several decades and later became a referee for Tony Stecher. He wrestled all the greats, from Ed "Strangler" Lewis to Joe Stecher.
Bill Kuusisto (William Kuusisto), a former heavyweight title claimant during the 1940s, died on Tuesday, May 29, 1973 at the age of 55. Kuusisto was a successful professional football player and was associated with wrestling until a head injury suffered in Australia, ended his active grappling career. He was involved with the Minneapolis Boxing and Wrestling Club for more than 25 years and an assistant matchmaker when he passed away. Maurice Smith in the Winnipeg Free Press commented that Kuusisto was "likeable and quiet-spoken."
Son of Tony Stecher, promoter, and part-owner of the Minnesota wrestling business, Dennis Stecher (Dennis G. Stecher) died on March 27, 1977.
An amateur and professional champion, Otto Kuss died in March 1980. Kuss, who was from Pine City, Minnesota, became a referee of wrestling matches in Texas after retirement, and lived in Houston.
Longtime wrestler from Fergus Falls, Andy Moen (Andrew Moen) died on June 1, 1986 in Otter Tail County, Minnesota.
Bronko Nagurski, former wrestling champion and legendary professional football player, died on Sunday, January 7, 1990 in International Falls, Minnesota.
Walter "Wally" Karbo, for decades apart of wrestling's behind-the-scenes operations in Minneapolis, passed away on March 25, 1993.
Tony Stecher's National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Champion in the late 1940s and an amateur grappling great, Cliff Gustafson (Clifton L. Gustafson) died on July 19, 2000 in Bemidji, Minnesota. A former school teacher, Gustafson grew up in Clearwater County, Minnesota and attended Gonvick High School.
Minnesota Wrestling Titles:
Minnesota Wrestling Results:
Twin Cities Wrestling Results - 1933
Twin Cities Wrestling Results - 1943 | |
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