Tulsa Wrestling Results

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, March 2, 1942
(The Coliseum) … World Junior Heavyweight Champion Leroy McGuirk b. Johnny Swenski
(2/3) … Danny Savich b. Pete Sherman (19:00) (Sherman was a substitute for Kenny
Ackles) … Dutch Schultz b. Jack Nazworthy (16:00) (Nazworthy was a substitute for Gust
Johnson) … Dick Trout b. Bobby Coleman (15:00) … Paavo Katonen b. Ted Tourtas (18:
00) … (promoter: Sam Avey) … (referee: Red Andrews)
Notes: This was said to be Swenski’s “farewell appearance.” He was from Lynn,
Massachusetts. Ackles was a newcomer from Canada and Schultz was from Brooklyn.
Tourtas was “Red Berry’s protégé,” and from Sacramento. He was also called the “ex-
masked grappler.” McGuirk’s abdominal stretch was said to be a “punishing hold he
developed while winning collegiate championships at Oklahoma A&M college.” Ackles
failed to appear, when his train was delayed in Oklahoma City from San Antonio. Savich
was fined $15 for his tactics against Sherman of Kansas City. Johnson failed to appear
because he was caught in a snowstorm.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, March 9, 1942
(The Coliseum) … Kenny Ackles b. Danny Savich (2-0) … Paavo Katonen b. Dick Trout
(19:00) … Tommy Leon b. Pete Sherman (16:00) … Gust Johnson b. Dutch Schultz (13:
00) … Mike Nazarian b. Ted Tourtas (17:00) … (promoter: Sam Avey)
Notes: Ackles was called the Canadian Junior Heavyweight champion. Leon was from
Montpelier, Vermont. Nazarian was said to be from Brooklyn and Tourtas was the former
“Mask.” Johnson weighed 188 and was from Minneapolis. The Tulsa City Athletic
Commission Chairman Ray Whittaker told Avey to hold up the purses for both Ackles and
Savich for failing to adhere to the referee’s instructions.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, March 16, 1942
(The Coliseum) … Paavo Katonen and Johnny Swenski b. Bobby Coleman and Leroy
McGuirk (2-0) (team match) … Kenny Ackles b. Danny Savich (2-0) … Mike Nazarian b.
Pete Sherman (17:00) … Gust Johnson b. Jack Nazworthy (17:00) (rolling key lock) ...
(promoter: Sam Avey) … (referees: Red Andrews, Tommy Leon)
Notes: Johnson was said to be an amateur star “on a number of Swedish athletic clubs
before turning professional.” Nazarian was from Buffalo and Nazworthy from Stillwater,
Oklahoma. Nazarian was fined $15 for pushing referee Andrews.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, March 23, 1942
(The Coliseum) … Gust Johnson and Leroy McGuirk b. Paavo Katonen and Johnny
Swenski (2/3) (team match) … Kenny Ackles b. Mike Nazarian (2-0) … Danny Savich b.
Tommy Leon (16:00) … Pete Sherman b. Bobby Coleman (15:00) … (promoter: Sam
Avey)
Notes: Johnson was said to be “highly respected by all wrestling opponents.” McGuirk
said that he was a “bear for condition and there is no wearing him down.” Coleman was
said to be a Jewish-American. Katonen and Nazarian were foreign born. Swenski and
Leon spoke several languages. Savich was “slated to report for an army examination
Tuesday.”

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, April 6, 1942
(The Coliseum) … World Junior Heavyweight Champion Leroy McGuirk b. Kenny Ackles
(25:00) … Johnny Swenski b. Danny Savich (16:00) … Paavo Katonen b. Tommy Leon
(10:00) … Billy Raburn b. Mike Nazarian (14:00) … Women’s World Champion Mildred
Burke b. Rosie Evans (8:00) (aligator clutch) … (promoter: Sam Avey) … (benefit for the
Tulsa Babies Free Milk Fund, seventh annual) … (6,000 fans) … (net gate: $3,377.34) …
($647.43 was given to the benefit)
Notes: The April 1, 1942 edition of the Tulsa Daily World called Billy Raburn the
“personality kid and wrestling streak of lightning.” He was also called “once the most
popular of all wrestlers here.” Mildred Burke was said to be a huge booster for the milk
fund, and cancelled appearances in Florida last year to appear at the show. Rosie Evans
was from Detroit. During the show, the Lou Miller Dance studio was going to present
vaudeville acts, the singing of Beverly Stolba and Mary Rose Larken, the dancer Ford
Jarrell, and harmonica “wizard” Ed Coatwill. Also in attendance was the Oklahoma Military
Academy band from Claremore. Despite rain, a big crowd turned out for the show.
Everyone on the show, including the different acts, and the promoter, donated their
services for free.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, April 13, 1942
(The Coliseum) … Johnny Swenski b. Kenny Ackles (2/3) (Swenski earned a bout with
Leroy McGuirk) … Danny Savich b. Mike Nazarian … Billy Raborn b. Tommy Leon …
Paavo Katonen b. Charley Laye … Don Sebastian b. George Saleem … (promoter: Sam
Avey) … (referee: Red Andrews) … (in attendance: Ed “Strangler” Lewis)
Notes: The newspaper stated that Billy Raborn would be a headliner on every show “if a
lot of the fans were consulted about it.” Don Sebastian was a Spanish newcomer “who is a
top hand south of the Rio Grande.” He was said to be the biggest man on the show and
was from El Paso. Saleem was a former footballer at Centenary College. Lewis was said
to be in town to have a doctor “work on his injured hand.” He was introduced before the
main event and was given a “great ovation.”

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, April 20, 1942
(The Coliseum) … World Junior Heavyweight Champion Leroy McGuirk b. Johnny Swenski
(2-0) … Billy Raborn b. Charley Laye (21:00) … Danny Savich b. Don Sebastian … Paavo
Katonen b. Dutch Schultz (16:00) … Gust Johnson b. George Saleem … (promoter: Sam
Avey) … (referee: Danny Savich)
Note: Savich was a substitute referee for Red Andrews in the main event.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, April 27, 1942
(The Coliseum) … Kenny Ackles b. Johnny Swenski (2/3) … Leroy McGuirk b. Danny
Savich (one-fall match) … Billy Raborn b. Paavo Katonen … Don Sebastian b. Pete
Sherman … Charley Laye b. George Saleem … (promoter: Sam Avey)
Notes: Avey did a gimmick offering a $25 war bond to anyone whose birthday matched
the date pulled out of a box On this show, November 5 was pulled, but no one received it.
It was going to be $50 next week. Ackles became the top contender to McGuirk’s
championship with the win here. Savich wanted to wrestle McGuirk before entering the
Army, and they wrestled in the one-fall semifinal, which was rare for the 190-pound titlist.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, May 4, 1942
(The Coliseum) … Paavo Katonen b. Billy Raborn (2/3) (match was stopped during the
third fall and given to Katonen) … Steve Nenoff and Danny Savich b. Charley Lay and
Johnny Swenski (2-0) (team match) … Don Sebastian b. Dutch Schultz (DQ) … Kenny
Ackles b. Gust Johnson (20:00) … (promoter: Sam Avey) … (referee: Red Andrews)
Notes: Raborn was said to be living an a farm near Keystone. The winner of the Raborn-
Katonen match was going to wrestle Red Berry for the light heavyweight title next week.
Katonen, reportedly, “has been bitten by the golfing bug at this late date,” and “practically
lives on the links now and the walking and other exercise he gets should give him added
endurance.” According to the Tulsa Daily World on May 3, 1942, “Katonan lived for a time
in Scotland and was in England long enough to acquire a London girl for a wife, but he
never took up golf until recently. He hasn’t set any course records – except, perhaps, for
persistence – but he keeps trying with the same dogged stubborness which has made him
a dangerous wrestling rival.” Raborn “often follows a plow on the farm, and the other
chores, such as milking and spading vegetables” would keep him fit. The $50 war bond in
the birthday drawing was won by four people and divided up.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, May 11, 1942
(The Coliseum) … World Light Heavyweight Champion “Wild” Red Berry b. Paavo Katonen
(2/3) (after the loss, Katonen fought with officials) … Kenny Ackles and Johnny Swenski b.
Steve Nenoff and Danny Savich (2-0) … Billy Raborn b. Charley Lay … Don Sebastian b.
Dutch Schultz … (promoter: Sam Avey) … (referee: Red Andrews)
Notes: Berry was “practically raised in the coal mines around Pittsburg, Kan.,” according
to the Tulsa Daily World. A report in the May 11 newspaper stated that he “started
working in a mine at Pittsburg, Kan., when he was so small his dinner pail often dragged
on the rail ties as he went into the gloomy caverns to dig for coal.” He “added to his
earnings by cleaning up a small gymnasium, and it was there that he naturally took to
boxing and wrestling. He had about 50 professional fights before he decided that , as a
boxer, he was a corking good wrestler.”

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, May 18, 1942
(The Coliseum) … Paavo Katonen b. Red Berry to capture the World Light Heavyweight
Title (2/3) (Katonen won the first fall, then took the second fall by disqualification) (after
the match, Tulsa City Athletic Commission secretary C.C. McCrary presented the
championship belt to Katonen) … Kenny Ackles b. Steve Nenoff (2-0) … Billy Raborn b.
Tuffy Truesdale … Charley Lay b. Don Sebastian (18:00) … (promoter: Sam Avey)
Notes: The Tulsa Daily World, on May 17, 1942, stated: Steve Nenoff “wrestled here 10
years ago when he was 22 years old and, to may fans, looked 30 then. He weighed only
145 pounds and his face was drawn and wrinkled, which made him look older than he
was. He scales over 190 pounds now and his cheeks are rosy and full; he looks good,
and feels good.” After the main event loss, Berry told the press that he was going to call
NWA President Col. Harry J. Landry to see if he could lose his title by DQ. He said that he
could not. According to the newspaper, Ray Whittaker of the Athletic Commission “said in
his opinion Berry had realized he was losing and had deliberately fouled in an effort to
avoid loss of the title along with loss of the match.” Nenoff drew a $5 fine for illegal tactics.

*The Wednesday, May 20, 1942 edition of the Tulsa Daily World stated that the Tulsa City
Athletic Commission was informed on Tuesday that Red Berry’s World Light Heavyweight
championship could not be lost on a foul to Paavo Katonen. However, the “commissioners
flatly refused to return Berry’s diamond-studded belt. C.C. McCrary, commission
secretary, talked by long-distance telephone with Harry J. Landry of Friars Point, Miss.,
president of the National Wrestling Association. Landry, when informed that it looked like
Berry ‘fouled out’ deliberately to avoid defeat, suggested that the belt be held up. He
advised the Tulsa commissioners to use their own judgment in settling the affair, and they
promptly locked up the belt and said there will be no recognized champion until Berry and
Katonan agree on some kind of a settlement.”

*The Thursday, May 21, 1942 edition of the Tulsa Daily World stated that while Berry was
still the World Light Heavyweight champion, he was “no longer listed” as the owner of the
diamond-studded belt, which was “held up by the city athletic commission.” Katonen
claimed to be the new light heavyweight champion.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, May 25, 1942
(The Coliseum) … World Light Heavyweight Champion Leroy McGuirk b. Ray Steele (2/3)
(non-title match) (Steele weighed 217 pounds, 23 more than his opponent) (Steele was
accompanied by Bill Longson) … Red Berry b. Tuffy Truesdel (12:00) … Johnny Swenski
b. Billy Raborn (22:00) (said to be a “real wrestling match, without any slugging or other
rough tactics”) … Steve Nenoff b. Don Sebastian (13:00) … Dutch Schultz b. George
Saleem (11:00) … (promoter: Sam Avey) … (referee: Jack Gott)
Notes: Tuffy Truesdale, spelled “Truesdel” by the newspaper, was said to be five foot tall
and 170 pounds. Ray Steele was going to have NWA World Champion Bill Longson in his
corner. The Friday, May 22, 1942 edition of the Tulsa Daily World stated that “McGuirk,
when informed that Longson would act as second for Steele, commented that this was
‘very unusual.’ Steele is supposed to be the ‘brains’ of the two and should stay outside the
ring where it is safe, McGuirk said.” Longson was called Steele’s “pal, pupil and protégé.”
George Saleem “has been ordered to report for his army physical examination June 1 at
Shreveport, so tonight’s match will probbaly (sic) be his last.” Steele, after his bout with
McGuirk, complained about local referee Red Andrews.

*The Wednesday, May 27, 1942 edition of the Tulsa Daily World stated that promoter Sam
Avey was trying to get in touch with NWA President Col. Harry J. Landry to settle the
dispute between Paavo Katonen and Red Berry over the World Light Heavyweight
championship.

*The Thursday, May 28, 1942 edition of the Tulsa Daily World stated that a rematch
between Katonen and Berry had been signed, and NWA President Col. Harry J. Landry
was going to be in attendance to see that the matter is straightened out. Landry was a
“banker and a judge in Mississippi.” He was going to “judge the battle and, when it is over,
dispose of the diamond-studded belt, which at present is in the custody of the City Athletic
commission.” Landry, “in his younger days he was a pretty fair boxer.”

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, June 1, 1942
(The Coliseum) … World Light Heavyweight Champion Red Berry b. Paavo Katonen to
regain local recognition and his championship belt (2-0) … Kenny Ackles b. Johnny
Swenski (22:00) … Sailor Thomas b. Charley Lay (20:00) … Steve Nenoff b. Dutch Schultz
(14:00) … (promoter: Sam Avey) … (referee: Red Andrews) … (in attendance: Col.
Harry J. Landry)
Notes: Soldier Brooks was a “newcomer from Little Rock.” After the main event bout,
Landry presented the championship belt to Berry. The newspaper stated that Berry
“regained his light-heavyweight wrestling championship – and the coveted belt.” Thomas
weighed 185-pounds and was from Portland. He used an alligator clutch to win his bout.
Red Andrews fined Thomas $5 for eye gouging during the bout. Thomas also kicked over
the timekeepers table.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, June 8, 1942
(The Coliseum) … World Light Heavyweight Champion Leroy McGuirk b. Ray Steele (2/3)
(Berry refereed the bout) … Kenny Ackles b. Speedy LaRance (LaRance was said to have
pinned himself) … Soldier Thomas b. Steve Nenoff (19:00) … Johnny Swenski b. Paavo
Katonen (15:00) … (promoter: Sam Avey) … (referees: Red Andrews, Red Berry)
Notes: The Sunday, June 7, 1942 edition of the Tulsa Daily World stated that Ray Steele
“was just a muscular, arrogant young roughneck – by his own description – 15 years ago,
started his colorful career as a professional wrestler in order to get a well-paid trip to
Australia.” He “had done considerable wrestling for fun, but he was a mechanic’s helper
when he accepted the offer to go to Australia.” He said “I figured that it would be a breeze
for me – that there couldn’t be much opposition in Australia. But I soon learned a lot
different than that; I learned it when I got mixed up in Sydney with a big Swede, who
somehow cracked a couple of my ribs while I was trying to tie his arm in a knot with a
double wristlock.” The paper stated “Outside the ring, he is a gruff but friendly giant, still
as full of mischief as a schoolboy and always ready for any kind of action.” McGuirk
wanted to wrestle Bill Longson, and had to beat Steele again to get the bout. Steele
recommended that Lou Spandle of Kansas City referee their bout, but McGuirk protested,
as Steele protested the recommendation of Red Andrews. Steele said that McGuirk
“knows what time it is” in the ring, and that he was a “pretty bright boy.” In the Monday,
June 8, 1942 edition of the Tulsa Daily World, McGuirk was quoted as saying “Frank
Gotch was about my size and Farmer Burns wasn’t as heavy as I am, but they were two of
the greatest wrestlers who ever lived. I don’t know whether either of them could have
beaten Strangler Lewis in his prime, if they had come along at the same time, but either
one would certainly have made him hustle to win. I realize that a man has to have certain
physical powers to be a wrestler – and I mean a ‘top hand’ – but it’s the old savvy that
counts most. That’s why you usually reach your peak when you get around 30 years old;
for you’ve been under fire long enough to get smart, and you’re still young enough to
move fast and have plenty of endurance.” The newspaper stated “Steele is among the few
mat stars left who came along in time to get a ‘post graduate course’ from Farmer Burns.
He is a former Nebraskan, having lived in the neighborhood which spawned numerous
(sic) mat headliners, most of whom studied either under the old Farmer himself, or some of
his pupils. Jack Reynolds, former welterweight champ, and Hugh Nichols, the old kingpin
of the 175-pounders, were pupils of the Farmer.” Thomas was billed as being from
Newark, Newport, and Little Rock, Arkansas.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, June 15, 1942
(The Coliseum) … Kenny Ackles b. Speedy LaRance (2-0) … The Purple Mask b. Mae
Young (14:00) … Johnny Swenski b. Charley Lay (24:00) … Soldier Thomas b. Tuffy
Truesdale (15:00) (alligator clutch) (Truesdale could have won the match on a foul when
Thomas refused to let up on a chokehold, but refused the victory – a similar thing
happened in Thomas’s match the week before) … (promoter: Sam Avey) … (referee:
Red Andrews)
Notes: The Sunday, June 14, 1942 edition of the Tulsa Daily World stated that Speedy
LaRance “thought seriously about quitting the wrestling game several years ago when an
attack of yellow jaundice laid him low – and then the after effects continued to sap his
strength.” He “left Tulsa and went back north, wrestling mostly in Canada and Michigan,
and the frigid weather – or perhaps it was just the passing of time – cleared up his system
and he became the same sharp, snappy wrestler he had been.” LaRance was a “boxer
even before he wrestled professionally.” In one report, Mae Young was billed as “Billy
Young” and called a “buxom Sand Springs girl.” The Ackles-LaRance bout was said to be
between two claimants to the Canadian junior heavyweight crown. Purple Mask was from
Louisville.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, June 22, 1942
(The Coliseum) … World Junior Heavyweight Champion Leroy McGuirk b. Kenny Ackles (2-
0) (second fall by countout) … Soldier Thomas b. World Light Heavyweight Champion Red
Berry (28:00) (one-fall, non-title match) … The Purple Mask b. Mae Weston (15:00) …
Billy Raborn b. Steve Nenoff (18:00) … (promoter: Sam Avey) … (referee: Red Andrews)
Notes: The newspaper stated that McGuirk spends most of his time working as a Tulsa
policeman and worked out often at the police station gymnasium before he became an
officer. “Several of his fellow-officers are better than fair grapplers, and give him
interesting and beneficial workouts.” Ackles “started wrestling as a 147-pounder and has
been in action consistenly since that time.” Mae Weston was called “Billy Weston.”

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, June 29, 1942
(The Coliseum) … World Light Heavyweight Champion Red Berry b. Soldier Thomas (2/3)
(non-title match) … Women’s World Champion Mildred Burke b. The Purple Mask (DQ) …
Billy Raborn b. Benny Bolt (17:00) … Charley Lay b. Dutch Schultz (DQ) … (promoter:
Sam Avey) … (referee: Red Andrews)
Notes: The Sunday, June 28, 1942 edition of the Tulsa Daily World stated that Soldier
Thomas “began his athletic career when he was a ‘kid’ in the army and later played
professional football before gaining recognition as a wrestler.” He said “I beat [Red Berry]
once – and gave him a good pasting – so naturally I think I can do it again. The guy acts
screwy as a cocoanut (sic) to me and I intend to later his whiskers with knuckles the first
time he steps out of line, for I don’t want any of those dummies taking a ‘Sunday’ shot
while I’m trying to wrestle.” Thomas was said to have a wife and kids. The June 29
newspaper stated that Thomas “had all-America blocks and tackles tossed at him during
the days he was playing professional football.” Bolt was said to be an Indian from Tacoma,
Washington.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, July 6, 1942
(The Coliseum) … Kenny Ackles and Chief Little Wolf b. Red Berry and Leroy McGuirk
(2/3) (team match) … Jack Nazworthy b. Benny Bolt (16:00) … Billy Raburn b. Soldier
Thomas (21:00) … (promoter: Sam Avey) … (referees: Red Andrews, Charley Lay)
Notes: Wolf was from Taos, New Mexico. Fans booed Nazworthy despite him being a
former Oklahoma A&M star. He “employed dirty tactics throughout.” Thomas was from
Newport, Arkansas and Raburn from Atlanta. Bolt was an Indian from Tacoma.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, July 13, 1942
(The Coliseum) … World Junior Heavyweight Champion Leroy McGuirk b. Kenny Ackles (2-
0) … Kenny Williams b. Jack Nazworthy … Charley Lay and Billy Raburn b. Benny Bolt and
Soldier Thomas (team match) (2/3) … (promoter: Sam Avey) … (referees: Red Andrews,
Jack Gott)
Notes: Williams was from Topeka. Thomas refused to enter the ring during the second
fall of the team match, angering his partner.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, July 20, 1942
(The Coliseum) … Billy Raburn b. Red Berry (2-0) … Buddy Knox b. Soldier Thomas (14:
00) … Charley Lay b. Dutch Schultz (14:00) … Nick Urros b. Steve Nenoff (13:00) …
(promoter: Sam Avey) … (referee: Leroy McGuirk)
Notes: Berry was the 175-pound wrestling champion. This was a non-title match. Berry
claimed referee Red Andrews was protecting Raburn and chose McGuirk to referee their
match instead. Thomas billed as a 184-pounder from Portland.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, July 27, 1942
(The Coliseum) … Billy Raburn b. Red Berry (2/3) (non-title match) … Leroy McGuirk b.
Buddy Knox (21:00) … The Red Mask b. Steve Nenoff … Charley Lay b. Nick Urros (13:
00) … (promoter: Sam Avey) … (referees: Red Andrews, Leroy McGuirk)
Notes: The Tulsa Daily World stated that Andrews “may be making his last appearance
here for a long time when he referees the McGuirk-Knox bout. He is scheduled to go to
Oklahoma City to be examined for the U.S. Marines on Wednesday.” A masked wrestler
was being brought to Tulsa by Ed “Pappy” Stein, a “veteran boxing and wrestling
manager” from Memphis. McGuirk refereed the main event. For his “methods” were
“unpopular” with Andrews, McGuirk was fined $5 for his semifinal match. Urros was from
New York.

*No show on Monday, August 3, 1942 because the “biggest card of the year” was being
anticipated the next week. Promoter Sam Avey said “the fans wouldn’t be interested in
any other bout – not with the Longson-McGuirk match coming up.”

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, August 10, 1942
(The Coliseum) … World Heavyweight Champion Bill Longson b. Leroy McGuirk (2/3)
(Longson used his piledriver to win the third fall) (McGuirk fought with Ray Steele,
Longson’s manager, after the match) … Ray Steele b. Joe Millich (18:00) … Billy Raburn
b. Joe Ferona … The Red Mask b. Soldier Thomas (22:00) … (promoter: Sam Avey) …
(referee: Red Andrews) … (5,500+ fans)
Notes: Avey guaranteed Longson $1,500 for the match with the privilege of 50 per cent of
the net receipts. Longson was managed by Ray Steele. McGurik had held the 175-pound
title and was currently the 190-pound champion, and wanted to be the first man in history
to capture three division world championships after winning the world heavyweight title
from Longson. Longson weighed more than 230 compared to McGuirk’s 195. Both
McGuirk and Longson were 30 years old. McGuirk had a small daughter, and Longson
had two children, according to the pre-match press report. Longson’s father raised him to
be a plumber and metalsmith.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, August 17, 1942
(The Coliseum) … Billy Raburn b. Dick Trout in the finals of the Wrestle Royal (19:00)
(others involved in the match were Soldier Thomas, Red Berry, The Red Mask, Buddy
Knox, Joe Ferona) … The Red Mask b. Joe Ferona (16:00) … Mae Weston b. Billie Young
… Buddy Knox b. Soldier Thomas (22:00) … (promoter: Sam Avey) … (referee: Red
Andrews)
Notes: Ernest R. “Red” Andrews’ last appearance before taking a train to the U.S. Marine
Base at San Diego. Major T.E. Kendrick of the Marine office at Oklahoma City gave
Andrews the oath in the ring to swear him in. Berry had reportedly been banned from
appearing in Tulsa by the City Athletic Commission and had to get special permission to
appear on this show. Billy Young (Mae Young) was from Sand Springs. Glen Condon
acted as the master of ceremonies for the in-ring ceremony and the Joe Carson post
Legion band played throughout the event. Major Kendrick planned to swear in 100 Tulsa
Marines on September 7. Hugh Nichols from Hollywood sent a telegram to Andrews, which
was read in the ring: “This is the biggest fight of them all. Don’t pull any punches.”

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, August 24, 1942
(The Coliseum) … Billy Raburn b. Red Berry to capture the World Light Heavyweight Title
(2-0) (Raburn took the first fall by disqualification in 19:00 when Berry knocked referee
Trout down, Raburn won the second in 13:00) … The Red Mask b. Corp. Karl Gray (24:
00) … Farmer Jones b. Lefty Williams (9:00) (bearhug) … Red Roberts b. Buddy Knox (16:
00) … (promoter: Sam Avey) … (referee: Dick Trout)
Notes: Gray was a soldier from Camp Wallace on furlough. He trained soldiers and
civilian police officers self-defense. Gray was a protégé of Hugh Nichols and from
Milwaukee. Raburn was very popular and lived on a farm near Keystone. Berry claimed
he couldn’t lose the title on a foul, but Raburn left with the belt. Raburn weighed 172 and
Berry 173. Jones was making his local debut, wrestling without shoes and in overalls.
Williams was from Kansas City. Roberts was from Dyersburg, TN.

*No show next week because Sam Avey couldn’t line up the wrestlers he wanted.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, September 7, 1942
(The Coliseum) … Ray Eckert b. Ellis Bashara (2-0) … Red Berry and Jack Steel b. Billy
Raburn and The Red Mask (tag team match) (Mask was unmasked to reveal Les Wolfe of
Little Rock) (2/3) … Red Roberts b. Stocky Neilson (14:00) … (promoter: Sam Avey) …
(referee: Dick Trout)
Notes: Bashara was from Norman, Oklahoma and played football on Snorter Luster’s high
school team and later for the University of Oklahoma. With the win, Eckert earned a match
with World Champion Bill Longson. Neilson was from New Orleans.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, September 14, 1942
(Convention Hall) … World Heavyweight Champion Bill Longson b. Ray Eckert (2-0) …
Ray Steele failed to throw Les Wolfe in a handicap match, needing two falls in 45-minutes
(Steele captured the initial in 16, but then Wolfe pinned Steele 10-minutes later) … Dick
Trout b. Stocky Neilson (15:00) (Trout was a substitute for Pete Sherman, who was
“detained at the border by immigration authorities) … Jack Steele b. Red Roberts (23:00)
(crabhold) … (promoter: Sam Avey)
Notes: Eckert was redheaded and was 25 years old. He had a baby girl. After he’d won
the match using “deliberate crowd-baiting tactics,” Longson was the target of a glass bottle
barrage from the audience. No one was injured. Longson ignored the referee Billy
Raburn, and pushed him several times. This irked the City Athletic Commission, which
held up Longson’s purse. The commission served notice on the champion that he’d be
suspended in the 32 states supervised by the National Wrestling Association unless he
agreed to wrestle Eckert again and “show some respect for the rules and the referee.”
Steele was from Centerville, Iowa.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, September 21, 1942
(The Coliseum) … World Heavyweight Champion Bill Longson b. Ray Eckert (2-0) … Ed
“Strangler” Lewis b. Ray Steele (headlock) … Les Wolfe b. World Light Heavyweight
Champion Billy Raburn by forfeit (Raburn suffered a dislocated shoulder) (non-title match)
… Les Wolfe b. Jack Steele (DQ) (15:00) (Wolfe was a substitute for Lefty Williams, who
had car problems) … (promoter: Sam Avey) … (referee: Dick Trout) … (3,500 fans)
Notes: The main event was said to be a “good match.” Lewis was “bulging with fat about
the middle but said he had taken off 80 pounds since he started a ‘come back’ in the
spring and expects to lose 20 more.” He “handles it well and still has his old power,”
according to the newspaper report.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Monday, September 28, 1942
(The Coliseum) … Les Wolfe b. Jack Steele (2/3) … World Light Heavyweight Champion
Billy Raburn b. Pete Sherman (2-0) … Dick Trout b. Red Roberts … Jack Montgomery b.
Lefty Williams … (promoter: Sam Avey)
Notes: Sherman was said to be the “light heavyweight ruler of Mexico.” Williams was from
Lonoke, Arkansas and Montgomery was from Stillwater. Trout lived in Tulsa.

Research by Tim Hornbaker
October 15, 2010

Tulsa Wrestling Results - 1942