Recent Research Finds

The research of professional wrestling history is an ongoing chore that often turns up special tidbits of information.  This page will highlight certain recent items found from a variety of sources.  It should be noted that sometimes the location of a new piece of the puzzle will only inspire more questions, and send the researcher in a completely new direction.  If anyone has anything to contribute to this page or to any of the various topics, please send me an e-mail at Tim@legacyofwrestling.com.

1)  Fifth Garibaldi Brother Involved in Professional Wrestling? - 9/18/07

St. Louis, Missouri:  Thursday, March 31, 1938
(The Coliseum) … Young Frank Gotch b. Abe Coleman (21:32) … Dorv Roche b. Alex Barnoff (22:39) (submission to a toehold) … Warren Bockwinkel b. Cal Reese (11:56) … Ray Villmer b. Joe Rinaldi (10:12) … Frank Burman and Herb Lowrey drew (30:00) … (promoter:  Bill Schwabe) … (referee:  Fred Voepel) … (2,186 fans)
Notes:  Gotch had reportedly “recorded 12 victories here this season.” Rinaldi, 200 pounds, was from DuQuoin, Illinois, the hometown of the Garibaldis.  Joe Rinaldi may be Joseph Curcuru, one of the legitimate siblings along with Gino (Sam), Ralph, Chick (Charles), and Tony.  It should be noted that early in the career of Gino, he used the name Vito Rinaldi (Rinoldi).

2)  Decades before the various NWO-WCW and WWF-WCW interpromotional wars, there was the "Trust" vs. the "Independents" in Kansas City in 1936. - 9/18/07

Chattanooga, Tennessee:  Monday, June 7, 1943

(Memorial Auditorium) … Tony Galento b. The Golden Terror (TKO in the third round) (10 round boxing exhibition) (referee stopped the fight) … Owen Gilpin b. Lloyd Barnett (1:59) (second round) (boxing) … James Pierce b. Rufus Armour (1:30) (fourth round) (boxing) … George Drake b. Kid Lightning (45 seconds) (fourth round) (boxing) … Hugh Gordon b. Bubbie Walker (four rounds) (boxing) … Frank Smith b. Erwin Tennyson (four rounds) (boxing) … (promoter:  Tom Humphreys) … (referees:  Jimmy Grunet, Troy Wilson)

Notes:  The Golden Terror was said to have never been knocked out in either boxing or wrestling.  After losing the match, Terror said that he was able to continue when the referee halted the fight.  In the June 8 edition of the Chattanooga News-Free Press, E.T. Bales, in his column “Sideline Slants,” slammed the show, saying that the Galento-Terror “was no fight.” He said that it was a “farce,” calling it “a plain unadulterated exhibition in which one guy chased in on his reputation as an alleged fighter and other grasped the opportunity to make a few dollars.” Bales went on to say “To our way of thinking, and this is strictly personal, the build-up of Tony Galento is a charge against the sports writers of this nation.  The manner in which many of the writers, especially those throughout the east, have been taken in by this guy who calls himself a bum, and likes it, is a disgrace, not only to the profession of sports writing, but to professional boxing.  They should hang their heads in shame, if they have any conscience whatsoever.  Maybe these occasional faces do us some good after all.  At least it makes us appreciate the efforts of some who try to conduct sports on a legitimate scale.”

7)  Brother versus Brother at an Iowa Festival in 1916 - 9/30/07

The Stecher Brothers, Joe and Tony, traveled the U.S. many times together.  Joe was the peerless heavyweight champion and Tony acted as his chief trainer and manager.  In 1916, a few months after his infamous five hour draw with Ed "Strangler" Lewis, Joe wrestled Tony in a public exhibition for several thousand lucky spectators.

Red Oak, Iowa:  Thursday, September 7, 1916

(Chautauqua Pavilion) … World Heavyweight Champion Joe Stecher b. Anton "Tony" Stecher (2-0) (first fall in 10:00 and second in 11:00) … Young Gotch failed to throw Ives Boyington twice in 40:00 (Gotch lost the purse of $100) … (promoter:  George E. Clark) … (thousands in attendance)

Notes:  The match was part of the third annual festival of Montre Festo.  The day was proclaimed “Stecher Day.” Gotch was from Omaha and Boyington was from Red Oak.

8)  In 1966, Tim Woods momentarily wins the AWA World Heavyweight Title at Omaha - 10/13/07

This is another longstanding fable in wrestling, and one that has been misreported dozens of times.  The tale went that Mr. Wrestling...aka...Tim Woods dethroned "Mad Dog" Maurice Vachon and annexed the AWA Title, but was never officially recognized as titleholder.  The complete story is as follows:

Omaha, Nebraska:  Saturday, January 8, 1966

(City Auditorium Arena) … Tim Woods b. Maurice Vachon to capture the AWA World Heavyweight Title (2/3) (before the match, Mr. Wrestling unmasked to reveal “Tim Woods of Michigan State.”) (during the final fall, Woods had both of his feet on the top ring ropes while pinning Vachon for the championship) (Woods won the first fall in 7:42, Vachon won the second at 24:35, Woods won the third at 33:57) … Reggie Parks and Haru Sasaki drew … Mitsu Arakawa b. Jack Pesek (13:30) … Billy Red Cloud b. Jim Wehba (12:35) … (promoter:  Joe Dusek) … (referee:  Ernie Dusek) … (4,581 fans)

Notes:  Mr. Wrestling was going to unmask before his match with Vachon, and promoter Dusek indicated that the man was a “former Big Ten and Pan-American Games heavyweight titlist.” The Omaha World Herald’s article stated “Mr. Wrestling Lifts Mask, Then Whips Dog for Title.” He would no longer wear his mask for local bouts.

*The Tuesday, January 11, 1966 promotional piece in the Omaha World Herald said that “Mr. Wrestling lifted the Mad Dog’s title” last Saturday.

*The Friday, January 14, 1966 edition of the Omaha World Herald reported that American Wrestling Association President Stanley Blackburn reviewed the match between Vachon and Woods and “ruled that bout ‘no contest’ after evidence was presented that the ex-masked man got the decisive third fall with both feet braced in the top ring ropes.” Thus, Vachon was still the heavyweight champion of the world.

Omaha, Nebraska:  Friday, January 14, 1966

(City Auditorium Arena) … AWA World Heavyweight Champion Maurice Vachon b. Tim Woods (1-0) (60:00) (after the match, Woods tore the referee’s shirt in anger) … AWA World Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig and Harley Race b. Reggie Parks and Igor Vodik (2/3) … Haru Sasaki b. Ivan Kalmikoff (15:20) … Mitsu Arakawa and Billy Red Cloud drew … (promoter:  Joe Dusek) … (referee:  Charley Triggs) … (4,743 fans)

Notes:  The article in the Omaha World Herald stated “Title Returns to Mad Dog,” even though in the article it indicated that Vachon was “the champ.” Next show on January 21.

So, Tim Woods did gain a tainted victory, and may have claimed the championship for a few days, but Blackburn voided out the switch and Vachon remained the official titleholder.

9)  Wrestling researcher Don Luce uncovers another new Jim Londos result from 1914 - 10/13/07

Hayward, CA: June 19, 1914
(Armory Hall) ... Tony Ajax beat Jim Londos (as Theopolis)
Notes:  According to the report in the Oakland Tribune on Saturday, June 20, 1914, "Ajax threw Theopolis, the Greek wrestler, in two hours and four minutes at the program given by the Hayward Athletic Club last night at Armory Hall. The long struggle with a hammerlock eventually ending it, was such a strain on the men that a second fall was not tried. A large attendance was pleased with the bout, and the receipts will go for the purchase of gymnasium apparatus for the club."

10) Origins of the Southern Junior Heavyweight Title - 11/1/07

The beginning of this championship has long been in question.  If you look at a title history of this particular belt, you will see that it was active in one shape or form for decades - and even today there is a version out on the trail.  When it was created in 1938, the championship was going to be a major staple on the Southern circuit of Chris Jordan.  When the latter died, it continued to be pushed to the forefront in many cities by Joe Gunther himself, and promoters like Marty Burke.  The belt was defended in Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi.

New Orleans, Louisiana:  Thursday, December 8, 1938

(Coliseum Arena) … Joe Gunther b. Art O’Mahoney in the finals of a tournament to capture the Southern Junior Heavyweight Title … Charley Keene vs. Len Stecklin … Flash Clifford vs. Bob Corby … (matchmaker:  Martin Burke) … (in attendance:  NWA President Col. Harry J. Landry)

Notes:  This show was going to feature the final match of the long-running Southern Junior Heavyweight Wrestling Tournament that began at the Coliseum Arena last April.  The finalists were Joe Gunther and Art O’Mahoney.  Burke announced on Saturday, December 3, that National Wrestling Association President Harry J. Landry was going to be at the program to “present the winner with a gold belt buckle as an emblem of the championship.” Another report stated that Landry was going to present the victor with a “belt offered by Martin Burke and Chris Jordan emblematic of the Southern Junior Heavyweight Title.” While talking to reporters, Landry said that Everette Marshall was the recognized heavyweight titleholder.

11)  Notes on World Heavyweight Champion Jim Browning - 11/8/07

For a long while, I've been meaning to type up some sort of biography on Jim Browning.  He is, without a doubt, one of the lesser-known heavyweight champions, and more capable shooters to ever wear the crown.  He's got a good story, and should be looked at seriously by voters for any of the wrestling Halls of Fame.  Here are two notes on Browning's reign as titleholder.

In most title histories I've seen, Ed Don George was recognized by the American Wrestling Association as World champion from 1933 to 1935, uninterrupted.  This is now somewhat in dispute.  An article in the New York American from March 5, 1933 stated that Browning was recognized as titleholder in 17 states, Cuba, parts of Canada, and by the American Wrestling Association.  An Associated Press report on April 12, following Joe Savoldi's tainted win over Jim Londos, stated that the AWA was going to accept the winner of a George-Savoldi match as World Champion.  George, ultimately, regained AWA championship status, but there was a gap in his reign and should be indicated on any AWA Title lineage.  Maybe in the end, this will turn out to just be a typo or the idea of a confused sports writer, but it seems to me that this situation needs to be analyzed further to get a better understanding of what happened.

Part two is about an event involving Browning in Kansas City.  As many of you already know, Billy Sandow was a shrewd figure in the world of professional wrestling.  In 1934, he was touting his talented protege, Everette Marshall, around every corner, and on March 7 in Kansas City, the manager planned to interfere with Browning's main event appearance against Frank Speers.  After the champion and his rival had arrived in the ring, Sandow and Marshall stormed the squared circle.  The latter pulled off his street clothes, revealing his wrestling attire, and he challenged Browning with a $1,500 forfeit.  This move has been pulled off before, particuarly in Boston in 1926 when Joe Malcewicz did it to Joe Stecher.  Browning and Speers both left the ring "in disgust," according to the United Press report, and wouldn't return until police had rid the ring of Sandow and Marshall.  In the end, Browning retained his championship over Speers and Sandow claimed the heavyweight championship on behalf of Marshall because Browning backed down from him.  It was just like Sandow to pull such a move, but Browning returned east again with nothing really lost, nor gained for that matter.

12)  Everette Marshall Becomes Undisputed Colorado Heavyweight Champion - 11/8/07

Everette Marshall proved that he was the top heavyweight wrestler from Colorado early on in the 1930s, and claimed the state championship.  That was on top of his claim to the Rocky Mountain Title, which was actually won in the ring.  But in 1934, George Zaharias entered Denver and remembered that he was also from Colorado, and instinctively laid claim to the state title. He said if Marshall could call himself such, he could too, thus setting the table for their match.

Denver, Colorado:  Wednesday, January 3, 1934

(City Auditorium) … Everette Marshall b. George Zaharias to capture a full claim to the Colorado State Heavyweight Title (1-0) (two hours) (Marshall won the only fall in 1:35:00) … Johnny Atkins b. Billy Evans (27:00) (dropkick) … (promoter:  Jack Kanner) … (referee:  Joe Severini) … (2,000 fans) … (gate:  $2,032)

Notes:  Prior to the match between Marshall and Zaharias, the two wrestlers were threatened with suspension by the Coloraedo State Commission if they didn’t adhere to the rules and regulations.  Zaharias was reportedly making his Denver wrestling debut here.  Marshall beat Billy Evans at La Junta on Monday, and stayed at his father’s ranch.  The winner of the bout would be recognized as the Colorado Heavyweight Champion.  Marshall had previously claimed the title, but Zaharias said the championship was as much his as it was Marshall’s.  The Denver Post stated that “Everette has been patterning his style after Ed (Strangler) Lewis, who as champion was always the villain of the piece.” The paper indicated that Marshall was once a “gentlemanly grappler,” but he was no longer such.  Zaharias claimed he lost 15 pounds in the bout and Marshall ten, which the latter claimed was customary for any bout lasting more than an hour.  The gate was reportedly the largest in two years and “hundreds” of fans from other parts of Colorado, particularly Southern Colorado, attended the program.  Atkins was said to have introduced “Joe Savoldi’s dropkick for the first time to a local crowd.”

13)  Thumbnail Sketch of John Grandovich - 11/8/07

For 28 years, at least, John Grandovich was a journeyman professional wrestler.  Born on the Island of Olib, Yugoslavia, on February 10, 1897, he immigrated to the United States, and was living in Manhattan in 1918 when he answered the call for soldiers during World War I.  That was the same year he began receiving press for work as a wrestler, and by 1920, he had competed against numerous top tier athletes, including Ed "Strangler" Lewis, Stanislaus Zbyszko, and Renato Gardini.  Although he wasn't getting a push over such caliber grapplers, John was proving to promoters that he was an exciting and durable performer.  He traveled across North America from British Columbia to Miami Beach, and used a variety of different names and masks, from Ivan or Leon Grandovitch to Superman or the Red Wolf.  Often, he was dubbed the "Russian Bear." During the summer of 1934, he captured the Florida State Heavyweight Title from Babe Caddock in Tampa.  Grandovich was even a claimant to the National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Title (Sandow version), going over Ed Virag on August 12, 1942 in Topeka.  He lost the title back to Virag on October 26 at Wichita.  Four years later, he reportedly was injured in a match in Baltimore, then died several days later in Providence.  Aside from a few promoters remembering his longevity and dedication to the sport, there was little said about his demise.  Grandovich was certainly a colorful wrestler and his contributions to professional wrestling are something to be respected.

If anyone knows more about his death, such as a date, or details about the injury that took his life, please drop me an e-mail.

14)  The Lost Lou Thesz vs. Buddy Rogers Match - 11/12/07

Recent research of Indianapolis turned up an undocumented bout between NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz and "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, held at the Armory on April 11, 1957 under the auspices of Indiana Wrestling, Inc. and matchmaker Dick Patton.

Indianapolis, Indiana:  Thursday, April 11, 1957

(The Armory) … NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz and Buddy Rogers wrestled to a double countout in the third fall (1-1) (Thesz won the first fall and Rogers took the second) … The Golden Terror and The Zebra Kid b. Billy Darnell and Red Lyons (DQ) … Ian Campbell and Lou Plummer drew (15:00) … Fritz Von Erich b. Bob McCune (11:00) … (matchmaker:  Dick Patton) … (referee:  Harry Burris) … (2,600 fans)

Note:  Rogers was called a “dropkick expert.”

This match was not included in the most recent Buddy Rogers Record Book.

15)  Future Hollywood staple Woody Strode Makes His Professional Wrestling Debut - 11/17/07

By 1940, wrestling under the promotion of the Daros in Los Angeles was on the decline, in fact, it was on its last legs.  One of Jack Daro's final moves was lure UCLA football standout Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Strode (1914-1994) to the Olympic Auditorium gymnasium for a training session with several of his veteran grapplers.  Strode was impressive in his workouts, picking up on the basics of pro wrestling almost instinctively.  On February 8, 1940, the African American athlete signed a contract with Daro to turn pro wrestler, and made his debut six nights later at the Olympic versus Vic Bruel.  Standing 6'4" and weighing around 200 pounds, Strode carried a measure of popularity in Southern California and was well respected for his athleticism.  At the Olympic on February 14, Strode beat Bruel in 10:00, using a range of football-like maneuvers, and became a professional grappler.  In the years following, while entering the motion pictures business and appearing in 90 films between 1941 and 1995, Strode appeared as a wrestler and always gave the sport credibility with his performances in the squared circle.

16)  Ted Christy Wins World Light Heavyweight Title - Or Does He? - 11/17/07

Well, if you read the Los Angeles Times report in the January 14, 1936 paper, you'd think he did.  The night before at the Legion Stadium in Hollywood, Christy beat champion Leroy McGuirk in three falls and "Cops Crown," like the newspaper said.  "Leroy McGuirk was deposed as light heavyweight mat king." Wow!  The title changed hands and Ted Christy was the new titleholder.

Wait just a minute.  Let's take a look at this situation a little closer.  For one, Christy was not acknowledged by the Los Angeles Times or any other paper that I've seen as the World Light Heavyweight Champion following the January 13 match.  The Times did acknowledge that Christy beat McGuirk, but didn't say there was a title switch in any report after the January 14 edition.  That was suspicious in itself, especially with Christy wrestling matches in Hollywood.  You'd think they would have played up the title switch to build interest.  That leads to the question - is there any evidence that Christy was ever booked or billed as the titleholder following the McGuirk bout?  Maybe Christy did lay claim in some territory, but it wasn't hyped in Hollywood.

Then comes the United Press report, which was found in the Nevada State Journal (1/14/36), a Reno newspaper.  It said that Christy beat McGuirk in three falls in an "overweight wrestling match," indicating that the title was not on the line because they were not abiding by the specific weight limits, and that Christy did NOT win the championship.  The Los Angeles paper was seemingly incorrect.

Many times, the junior and light heavyweight champions wrestled outside of their division weight limits and were defeated.  This seems to be another case, and McGuirk remained titleholder despite the loss in Hollywood.  That would jive with all other reports.  If someone has more information backing Christy's claim as champ, please let me know.

17)  Japanese Wrestler Pulls Out of Show Because of Attack on Pearl Harbor - 11/25/07

On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor sending the U.S. into war.  Shortly thereafter, Oklahoma City's Daily Oklahoman newspaper announced that there was a change in the upcoming wrestling program, scheduled for three nights after the attack, at the Municipal Auditorium.  A Japanese wrestler by the name of Sugy Hayamaka dropped out of his scheduled match with Charley Lay, saying that it would be best for him not to make any public appearances in light of what had occurred.  The paper stated that he was an American citizen, and a "loyal one."

The show went on:

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma:  Wednesday, December 10, 1941

(Municipal Auditorium) … NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Leroy McGuirk b. George Dusette (2-0) … Charley Lay vs. Jimmy Lott … Bob Keneston vs. Danny Savich … Dutch Schultz vs. Dick Trout … (promoter:  Sam Avey)

Notes:  Charley Lay’s original opponent was scheduled to be Sugy Hayamaka.

18)  Billy Sandow's Troupe Marches Into Oklahoma City in 1943 - 11/25/07

Sam Avey, due to financial reasons, closed up his Oklahoma City operations in 1942, leaving it an open market.  Billy Sandow, the famous ex-manager of Ed "Strangler" Lewis, was running the National Wrestling Alliance out of Kansas at the time, and after the first of the year, decided to expand to Oklahoma City.  It was a natural progression, and planned his initial event around his champion Ed Virag, John Grandovitch, and former heavyweight titleholder Wladek Zbyszko.  Instead, the following occurred:

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma:  Tuesday, January 26, 1943

(Municipal Auditorium) … National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Champion Ed Virag b. Tommy Milton (2-0) (10:55) … Pete Sherman b. Jack Toone (2-0) … Bob Hayford b. Ted Fanning … (matchmakers:  Jim Boyle, G.M. Byerley) … (referee:  Buddy Seigel) … (sponsored by:  American Legion, Post 35) … (1,200 fans)

Notes:  This marked the return of wrestling to Oklahoma City and the debut of the Billy Sandow troupe, based out of Wichita, in the area.  Virag was called a 28 year old Hungarian, and the newspaper called him both the “National Wrestling Association” and the “National Wrestling Alliance” heavyweight champion.  He was the champion of the latter organization.  He won the championship last April from Roy Dunn of Alva, the newspaper indicated.  The originally announced show, which was promoted through the day of the event, was quite different than what ended up happening.  Virag was originally booked against Jack Suzek, Wladek Zbyszko was to have taken on Ivan Risovich, Al Don George against John Grandovich, and Pete Sherman against Tom Cox.  Only two of those performers was on the actual program.

Such a dramatic difference in matches didn't bode well for the future of Sandow's promotions in Oklahoma CIty, but he kept with it, and even built up a decent audience through May 1943.

19)  The Night Boston Promoter Paul Bowser Got a Boot to his Face - 12/7/07

Usually the promoter of a wrestling show observes the action from outside the ring, sits comfortably, and leaves unscathed.  On the night of Novemer 1, 1939 at the Boston Arena, legendary promoter Paul Bowser sat ringside to see champion "Crusher" Steve Casey and Marvin Westenberg.  During the bout, both competitors fell from the ring, and Casey's boot smashed Bowser in the face, cutting his face and breaking his glasses.  Bowser was indeed a former wrestler himself and used to the spectacle of the business, but on this night, he unexpectedly became a casualty of the mayhem.

Boston, Massachusetts:  Wednesday, November 1, 1939

(Boston Arena) … World Heavyweight Champion Steve Casey b. Marvin Westenberg (2/3) (Casey won the second fall by DQ) (during the match, both Casey and Westenberg fell from the ring and landed on promoter Paul Bowser.  Casey accidently smashed Bowser in the face with a boot, cutting the latter’s right eye.  Bowser’s glasses were broken and cut his face) … Yvon Robert b. Frank Judson (10:08) … Ben Shalom b. Ed Neuman (10:53) … Bobby Managoff b. Ed Cook (13:20) … Danno O’Mahoney b. Lord Albert Mills (22:31) … (promoter:  Paul Bowser) … (referee:  Sam Smith) … (2,500 fans)

20)  New Champion Bronko Naguski Unimpressive in San Francisco - 12/7/07

During the semifinal contest between Gino Garibaldi and Abe Yourist, the ring rope at the Dreamland Auditorium, on the night of August 17, 1937, snapped.  Officials rushed to the scene and tried to quickly remedy the situation prior to the big main event, while World Heavyweight Champion Bronko Nagurski and Pat Fraley waited patiently in the ring.  Several members of the audience became too intolerant of the lull, and a fight broke out, drawing the attention of the audience.  Nagurski was particularly affected by the brawl, and Will Connolly of the San Francisco Chronicle stated that “Bronko’s exhibition was spiritless and unworthy of a champion, but, as I say, the young fellow was unnerved by the rudeness of the amateur boxers, who crabbed his act.” Connolly also said that “Don McDonald of Los Angeles referred the match to protect the champion from any untoward happening.”

San Francisco, California:  Tuesday, August 17, 1937

(Dreamland Auditorium) … World Heavyweight Champion Bronko Nagurski b. Pat Fraley (2-0) … Gino Gariabldi b. Abe Yourist (10:00) … Pierre Dusette and Rudy LaDitzi drew (30:00) … Harry Jacobs b. Jack Holland … Jack Grandovich b. Ray Mallott … Marshall Blackstone b. Jack Gacek (12:13) … (promoter:  Joe Malcewicz)

Notes:  Nagurski was said to be accompanied by his manager Tony Stecher and “trainer, George Sauer.” Gino Garibaldi attempted to tell the crowd why he should be wrestling Nagurski for the championship, but his microphone was turned off.

21)  The Funk Family Enters Amarillo for the First Time - 12/13/07

On February 22, 2002, Terry Funk defeated Greg Valentine in Amarillo, Texas.  54 years earlier, his father Dory Sr. made his debut in Amarillo, which would become the homebase for the Funk Family for decades.  Shortly after his first local appearance, Dory Sr. climbed the ladder of the Dory Detton booking circuit in West Texas, and before the end of 1948, he annexed the Southwest Junior Heavyweight Title.  He later owned a piece of the territory and helped establish Amarillo as one of the most violent ad successful territories in the country.  This marked the first appearance of a Funk family member in Amarillo:

Amarillo, Texas:  Thursday, January 22, 1948
(Fairgrounds Arena) … Rod Fenton b. Gordon Hessell (2/3) (third fall by countout) … Pat O’Dowdy b. Leon Kirilenko (2/3) … Dory Funk b. George Lopez (rolling short arm scissors) … (promoter:  Dory Funk) … (referee:  Billy McCune)
Note:  Funk was called a “handsome newcomer from Hammond, Ind.”

22)  World Welterweight Title Changes Hands in Salem, Oregon - 12/26/07

Researcher Steve Yohe found that Robin Reed lost to Henry Jones via decision in a two-of-three-falls match on July 20, 1932 in Salem, Oregon, thus, dropping his claim to the World Welterweight Title.

23)  During Match in Utica, World Heavyweight Title claimant Has Car Stolen - 12/26/07

Ed Don George, a former Olympian and claimant to the World Heavyweight Title, was in Utica in October 1933 for a defense of his championship against Joe Malcewicz.  The bout went more than an hour, and was declared a draw, but when George left the facility to return to the spot where he'd left his automobile, he found that it was gone.  Someone had made off with his car.  Police were called and they were able to locate his vehicle several hours later, allowing the distraught wrestler to depart for the next stop on his tour.

24)  Lou Thesz speaks to Reporters while in Albuquerque and Amarillo in January 1963 - 1/05/08

In an article printed in the Albuquerque Tribune on January 6, 1965, the following was printed:

"Thesz said that he was lured from retirement two years ago by Asian promoters and by a group of U.S. wrestlers headed by Danny Plechas who make the Tokyo trip a great tournament."  Thesz said “I was offered a title bout with Buddy Rogers after beating him in Tokyo – and I won the title back.  I think that Dick Hutton has the best equipment, physically, to be the champion, but he lacks desire for travel … and in this sport, travel is your middle name."

In an Amarillo Globe-Times article on January 6, 1965, he was quoted as saying:  "When I lose the world championship, I hope it's to a fine young chap like Don Curtis but I'm not ready to lose it yet.  I'll never forget the first day I saw Don working out at the University of Buffalo.  I encouraged him to turn pro and he has done very well."

25)  The Risko Family - 1/13/08

In recent months, I've corresponded with many people who've enjoyed my growing website, and appreciated the diverse content.  Thanks to them for stopping by.  I plan to continue  adding information pertaining to wrestling (professional and amateur), boxing, and various other relevant topics.  This evening I was looking at the career of Vince Risko, who, at times, had his hands in the promotions of Canton, Akron and even Pittsburgh, staging wrestling and boxing shows.  He was a promoter for more than 20 years and was quite successful.  Vince was said to be the brother of Babe Risko, boxing middleweight champion of the world in 1935-'36.  Taking that information, and knowing little else at the time, I decided to delve a little deeper into their history to find out if they were really brothers - and learn what their true history was.

It's true, they were siblings from Syracuse, New York.  Henry "Babe" and Vincent were the sons of Thomas and Lena, born in 1910 and 1912, respectively.  Their real last name, according to Wikipedia, boxrec.com and other internet sources was "Pylkowski." This information is incorrect.  The last name of the Risko Brothers was actually "Pelkowski." Henry L. "Babe Risko" Pelkowski passed away on March 7, 1957 at the age of 46.  He was the only Syracusan, to that time, to win a world boxing title, and I'm not sure if that has ever been equlled.  If someone knows, please let me know.  Vincent "Vince Risko" Pelkowski died in October 2002 in his adopted home of Ohio.  Their younger brother Carl Pelkowski passed away as recently as November 2007.

26)  The Albuquerque "World Wrestling Association" World Heavyweight Title lineage - 1/17/08

The fact that Moose Cholak was billed as a World Title claimant in a far away place like Albuquerque always mystified me.  He was a Chicago guy, in my mind, and finding him going over Fred Blassie in 1963 in New Mexico led me to believe initially that it was a fabled switch to give Cholak a title claim.  How wrong I was.  There was indeed a World championship floating around New Mexico between 1962 and 1965 - the "World Wrestling Association" title.  This shouldn't be confused with the Los Angeles title or anything going on anywhere else - it was an Albuquerque championship only.  It was an entity that several men held, and finally, in 1965, probably with National Wrestling Alliance prodding, ended up merging with the main line of the NWA heavyweight title.  Here is the title lineage for the WWA World Title in Albuquerque:

WWA World Heavyweight Title - Albuquerque

27)  American-Style Professional Wrestling Succeeds in Japan - 2/02/08

In 1951, a Japanese organization, with the intent of helping spike a charitible fund, called upon American-style professional wrestling, and members of the National Wrestling Alliance were more than excited about the possibilities.  Al Karasick of Honolulu and Joe Malcewicz of San Francisco worked with their counterparts in Japan to send a contingent of athletes to perform at public and private events in the Far East.  Read more about it here:

1951 tour of Japan

28)  Professional Wrestling in Alaska - 2/14/08

I've added a page representing the Alaskan Wrestling Territory to the website, including information about several tours of professional wrestlers in the 1955-'58 time-frame.  This includes an appearance by NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz against Sandor Szabo during the summer of 1957.  Also uncovered is info about the Alaska Heavyweight championship.  More details about this unknown territory will be added to this page in the near future.  Read about this territory and the regional championship here:

Alaska Wrestling Territory

29)  Nick Gulas - the professional wrestler? - 2/16/08

In his column "Sport-ana" on May 17, 1937, Marshall Johnson of the Anniston Star (Anniston, Alabama) wrote that Nick Gulas was a lieutenant for promoter Chris Jordan, and represented the latter when local wrestling programs were presented.  He stated that Nick "has been working out with the grapplers at the Birmingham gym" and "is turning wrestler." Johnson wrote that Gulas "finds that he'll be able to make a go of it."

As far as I know, no actual results of Gulas appearing as a professional have been uncovered, however, if they are, I'll update this report.

30)  The Jim Barnett-Johnny Doyle Syndicate - 2/22/08

A recent poster at Kayfabe Memories mentioned a topic recently that motivated me to start on something I've wanted to do for a long time, and that is build a timeline documenting the growth and success of the Jim Barnett-Johnny Doyle Empire in the U.S. between 1959 and 1964.  I've started this project, including information on Barnett's early career in Chicago and Indianapolis.  I also plan to do a timeline for Doyle, as his time in wrestling took him from coast-to-coast over a several decade span.  Most promoters were known to stay in a single region, while Barnett and Doyle traveled and expanded to cities far and wide.  You'd be hard pressed to find two individuals who were successful in more different territories than this duo.  Anyone who'd like to add to this project, drop me an e-mail.

Jim Barnett-Johnny Doyle Timeline

31)  Three newly found World Junior Heavyweight Title switches in Toledo - 2/22/08

Research of Toledo, Ohio for 1938 and '39 has turned up three new title switches of the World Junior Heavyweight championship.  Bob Kenaston, a well known wrestler and a veteran of the Marine Corps, entered the town billed as Sergeant "George" Kenaston, and it wasn't a newspaper mistake.  He was known as George throughout his local tenure.  In the middle of December 1938, he was stripped of his junior heavyweight title by Danny Savich of Utah.  A week later, Paul Bozzell beat Savich for the championship in Toledo, winning two-straight falls.  In his first defense on January 5, 1939, Bozzell lost his title back to Kenaston.

Toledo, Ohio:  Thursday, December 15, 1938
(Civic Auditorium) … Dan Savich b. Sergeant “George” Kenaston to capture the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title (2/3) … (promoter:  Cliff Maupin) … (referee:  Marshall Carter)

Toledo, Ohio:  Thursday, December 22, 1938
(Civic Auditorium) … Paul Bozzell b. Dan Savich to capture the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title (Bozzell won the first fall in 17:00 with a crabhold and the second in 12:00) (Bozzell bled after punches to the head) … (promoters:  Cliff Maupin, Clarence Thacher)

Toledo, Ohio:  Thursday, January 5, 1939
(Civic Auditorium) … Sergeant “George” Kenaston b. Paul Bozzell to capture the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title (2/3) (Bozell won the first fall in 20:00 with a crabhold, Keneston won the second in 11:00 and then the third with a rolling leg split and half jack knife in 9:00) … (promoter:  Cliff Maupin) … (referee:  Charley Van Wormer)

32)  Odd "ice cream" match in New Orleans in 1940 - 3/27/08

Matchmaker Marty Burke staged a match between Art O'Mahoney and Rex Mobley, held in more than 100 gallons of ice cream in New Orleans on June 6, 1940.  The strange bout went 60-minutes to a draw.  Here is the entire show:

New Orleans, Louisiana:  Thursday, June 6, 1940
(Coliseum Arena) … Rex Mobley and Art O’Mahoney drew (60:00) (ice cream match) … Jack Curtis b. Otto Ludwig (2/3) … Count Von Zuppe b. Jack Purdin (2/3) … (matchmaker:  Marty Burke)Notes:  The main event was held in more than 100 gallons of ice cream.  The newspaper indicated that “this will be the first time an ice cream tussle has been staged in the South.” The flavors were chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.

Research by Tim Hornbaker unless otherwise indicated.