Brief History:
Background:
In late February 1933, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission banned all usage of the popular "flying tackle" in the state. The flashy maneuver was a common finishing maneuver, used by former football players and even former amateur grapplers. Suspensions and fines were going to be handed down if wrestlers went ahead and used the move.
Philadelphia's well known ring announcer at the Spectrum and Arena was Buddy Wagner, whose real name may have been "Charles" Wagner. Wagner started his career with longtime promoter Ray Fabiani as an assistant matchmaker and TV commentator. On the side, he owned an international auto daredevils troupe that toured the country between the 1940s and 60s, and reportedly did work for the local opera. Wagner died around June 1976, and his death was mentioned in eastern WWWF arena programs in July. His successor at the Philadelphia Arena was Gary Michael Cappetta.
Obituaries:
One of the more well known boxing promoters, Bob Gunnis (Robert Henderson Gunnis) died on Sunday, September 13, 1936 in Philadelphia. He was 50 years of age. Gunnis was a longtime busness partner of Herman Taylor, and the duo brought many big-time fights to the Philadelphia area.
A promoter of boxing and wrestling matches throughout the northeast, including Philadelphia, Dick Curley died on November 21, 1949 in Trenton, New Jersey. Curley held boxing events at the Trenton Arena, more recently, and during his career, managed many talented fighters. Curley was 73. He had no relation to Jack Curley of New York.
For a number of decades, Italian-born Alfred Aceto was affiliated with the Metropolian Opera House in Philadelphia, working in various capacities between the late 1910s and 1940s. Aceto, in addition to working as a treasurer for a finance corporation, was heavily involved in professional wrestling, affiliating himself with the likes of Ray Fabiani and "Toots" Mondt in the 1930s, then importing the colorful grapplers of Jack Pfefer while running shows at the Met or the Broadwood Athletic Club. Aceto also promotered shows in places like Chester, Pennsylvania. He passed away in September 1969.
Ray Fabiani (Aurelio Ray Fabiani), the legendary Philadelphia wrestling promoter, died on Thursday, April 26, 1973 at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Fabiani was one of the most prolific grappling promoters in history, having run successfully in Philadelphia, Boston, Los Angeles, and Chicago during his career. He was 82 years old.
Having taken over the Philadelphia wrestling promotion from Ray Fabiani during the 1940s, Eddie Gottlieb maintained the same level of top-notch operations. In addition, Gottlieb became affiliated with the Philadelphia Warriors of the NBA professional basketball league and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He died in December 1979 at the age of 81.
Philadelphia Wrestling Results:
International Wrestling Tournament (1935-1936)
Philadelphia Wrestling Results - 1943
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