Indianapolis Wrestling Results

*Matchmaker Dick Patton announced in the Thursday, January 2, 1958 edition of the
Indianapolis Star that the scheduled show for that evening was cancelled because of a “lack
of situable (sic) talent during the holidays.” The next wrestling program would be staged on
January 16.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Thursday, January 16, 1958
(The Armory) … Gene Kiniski b. Carl Engstrom … Bobby Managoff vs. Angelo Poffo … El
Chivo and Gypsy Joe vs. Johnny Gilbert and Tony Silipini … (matchmaker: Dick Patton) …
(referee: Ralph Hamilton)
Note: Gene Kiniski was said to hold the British Empire Heavyweight Title.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Thursday, January 23, 1958
(The Armory) … Angelo Poffo and Hans Schmidt were both disqualified in the third fall (1-1)
(match was halted by Stan Goldberg of the athletic commission) … Bobby Managoff b.
Bronko Lubich (2-0) (first fall by countout) (this match replaced the scheduled Wilbur Snyder-
Jack Wilson affair) … Babs Wingo b. Ethel Johnson (2/3) … (matchmaker: Dick Patton) …
(referee: Lou Thomas) … (in attendance: Indiana State Athletic Commission Chairman Stan
Goldberg) … (near capacity crowd)
Notes: The Indianapolis Star reported on Sunday, January 19, 1958 that “A special feature
on the card signed by matchmaker Dick Patton will mark the first time Negro wrestlers ever
have appeared in Indianapolis when two feminine stars clash for two falls out of three.” Babs
Wingo of New Orleans was going to face Ethel Johnson of Atlanta. Goldberg and Harry
Geisel, executive secretary of the commission, spoke with the Star following the program,
and said: “The bout advertised between Wilbur Snyder and Jack Wilson didn’t take place for
the simple reason they didn’t show up. A Chicago booking office had taken it upon itself to
send in a substitute match pitting El Chivo against Bobby Managoff. El Chivo is not in the
same class with Managoff, so I would not allow it to take place. Instead, I sanctioned a match
between Managoff and Bronko Lubich.” He added, “Snyder and Wilson probably will be
suspended at the next meeting of the commission,” and said that Dick Patton was “in the
clear” because he didn’t know the wrestlers were not going to appear. He said “the
commission intends to see wrestling is conducted on a high plane and will tolerate no more
of this.” Goldberg was impressed with the women’s wrestling match.

*By the Sunday, January 26, 1958 edition report in the Indianapolis Star, Wilbur Snyder was
said to be currently under suspension by the Indiana State Athletic Commission. He was
scheduled to appear on the next show against Stan Lisowski. “Snyder was benched by the
commission after he failed to show up at the Armory last Thursday night for an engagement
with Jack Wilson, who also failed to put in an appearance. Both are reported suffering flu
attacks by a Chicago booking office.”

Indianapolis, Indiana: Thursday, January 30, 1958
(The Armory) … Gene Kiniski b. Angelo Poffo (2/3) (Poffo won the second by DQ) … Bobby
Managoff b. Stan Lisowski (2/3) (Managoff won the second fall in 35 seconds) … Carl
Engstrom b. Tony Silipini (25:00) … (matchmaker: Dick Patton) … (referee: Harry Burris) …
(1,200 fans)
Notes: The paper said that Kiniski was the “Canadian heavyweight mat champion,” and “in
two appearances in Indianapolis, Kiniski was in the ring less than 20 minutes in disposing of
two opponents.”

Indianapolis, Indiana: Thursday, February 6, 1958
(The Armory) … Bobby Managoff and Wilbur Snyder drew (60:00) (1-1) … Ethel Johnson b.
Babs Wingo (2/3) (third fall by DQ) … Angelo Poffo b. Stan Lisowski (2/3) (Poffo won the
second and third falls by countout after Lisowski suffered a back injury) … (matchmaker:
Dick Patton) … (referee: Paul Mullin) … (2,500 fans)
Note: Both Managoff and Snyder were looking for a match with NWA World Champion Dick
Hutton on February 27.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Thursday, February 13, 1958
(The Armory) … Bobby Managoff b. Reggie Lisowski (2/3) (Managoff won the second and
third falls) … Doug Lindsey b. Jim Siskay (14:00) … Lord Littlebrook and Tiny Tim b. Irish
Jackie and Ivan the Terrible (2/3) (third fall by DQ) … (matchmaker: Dick Patton) …
(referee: Connie Marker)
Notes: Ruffy Silverstein was originally scheduled to appear and wrestle Jimmy Siksay, but
was replaced by Johnny Gilbert due to an injury. The February 13, 1958 edition of the
Indianapolis Star said that Johnny Gilbert was also injured, and needed to be replaced by
Doug Lindsey.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Thursday, February 20, 1958
(The Armory) … Bobby Managoff b. Wilbur Snyder (2/3) … Marva Scott and Babs Wingo b.
Ethel Johnson and Lula Mae Provo (2/3) … Bob Konovsky b. Gypsy Joe (15:00) (flying
tackle) … (matchmaker: Dick Patton) … (referee: Lou Thomas) … (2,500 fans)
Note: It was announced that Gene Kiniski would challenge Dick Hutton for the World Title
next week.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Thursday, February 27, 1958
(The Armory) … NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dick Hutton b. Gene Kiniski (2/3) …
Hans Schmidt b. Bobby Managoff (2/3) … The Volkoffs (Boris and Nicoli Volkoff) b. Carl
Engstrom and Bob Konovsky … (matchmaker: Dick Patton) … (2,000 fans)
Notes: In the promotion for Hutton’s arrival, the local paper said that he was a former
Oklahoma A&M and “1948 United States Olympic team star.” Hutton “won the crown by
beating Lou Thesz, at Toronto Nov. 14, and repeated over Thesz a short time later at St.
Louis.” It was also reported that last time the “global crown” was defended at the Armory,
Thesz beat George Bollas before 4,200 fans. “Since then, Thesz dropped the title to
“Whipper Billy” Watson, regained it from Watson and was toppled by Hutton at Toronto on
Nov. 14.” Kiniski was said to be from Montreal.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Thursday, March 6, 1958
(The Armory) … Bobby Managoff b. Hans Schmidt (2-0) (second fall by DQ) … Betty White
and Babs Wingo b. Ethel Johnson and Lula Mae Provo (2/3) (second and third falls by DQ,
both times Johnson was disqualified) … Boris Volkoff b. Bob Konovsky (countout) …
(matchmaker: Dick Patton) … (referee: Harry Burris) … (2,000 fans)
Notes: Konovsky was a “popular young former grid ace with the pro Chicago Cards.” Wingo
was from New Orleans, White from Detroit, Provo from Baltimore, and Johnson from Atlanta.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Thursday, March 13, 1958
(The Armory) … Bobby Managoff b. Nicoli Volkoff (2/3) … Boris Volkoff b. Johnny Kace (18:
00) (neckbreaker) … Ethel Johnson b. Betty White (10:00) … Princess Tona Tomah b. Mae
Weston (2/3) … (matchmaker: Dick Patton) … (2,000 fans)

Indianapolis, Indiana: Thursday, March 20, 1958
(The Armory) … Bobby Managoff b. Boris Volkoff (2/3) … Dick “Bruiser” Afflis b. Jack Wilson
(11:00) (upside down bearhug) … Albert Godoy b. Nicoli Volkoff (DQ) (9:00) (Volkoff used a
piledriver, which was banned in Indiana) … Sharon Lass b. Ramona TeSelle (19:00)
(airplane spin) … (matchmaker: Dick Patton)
Notes: Lass was said to be from Tulsa. Wilson was from Chicago. Godoy was billed as
being from South America.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Thursday, March 27, 1958
(The Armory) … Dick “Bruiser” Afflis and Bobby Managoff were both counted out in the third
fall (1-1) … Rose Roman b. The Lady Angel (DQ) (11:00) … Bob Konovsky b. Ray
Schaeffer (25:00) … Gypsy Joe b. Alberto Godoy (17:00) … (matchmaker: Dick Patton) …
(referee: Ralph Hamilton) … (2,300 fans)
Notes: Affis was a late substitute for Hans Schmidt. According to the Indianapolis Star,
Schmidt “had been sidelined by a severe attack of boils, an occupational hazard in the pro
wrestling.”

Indianapolis, Indiana: Thursday, April 3, 1958
(The Armory) … Bobby Managoff b. Boris Volkoff (2/3) (Volkoff was forced to ride a jackass
around the ring according to the pre-match stipulations. The rule was only in effect if he’s
still physically able to climb aboard the animal,” which Volkoff was) … Elaine Ellis and
Princess Tona Tomah b. Joanne Mullinix and Mae Weston (2/3) (third fall by DQ) … Nicoli
Volkoff b. Doug Lindsey (10:00) … (matchmaker: Dick Patton)
Note: Doug Lindsey was said to be from Mishawaka, Indiana. Tomah was from Minnesota,
Ellis from Baltimore, Mullinix from St. Louis and Weston from Columbus, Ohio.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Thursday, April 10, 1958
(The Armory) … Dick “The Bruiser” Afflis b. Bill Longson (2/3) (third fall by countout) … Nicoli
Volkoff b. Johnny Gilbert (19:00) … Ada Ash b. Ramona TeSelle (DQ) (12:00) … Boris
Volkoff b. Doug Lindsey (16:00) … (matchmaker: Dick Patton) … (referee: Lou Thomas)
Note: Gilbert was said to be from Atlanta.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Thursday, April 17, 1958
(The Armory) … Verne Gagne b. Hans Schmidt (2-0) (second fall by DQ) … Julie Brynner
(Lady Angel) b. Ramona TeSelle (5:00) … Bob Kappel b. Gypsy Joe (DQ) … Bob Konovsky
b. Don DeCortez (12:00) … (matchmaker: Dick Patton) … (referee: Paul Mullin)
Notes: The local newspaper said that Gagne “stands No. 2 in the National Wrestling Alliance
rankings and Schmidt is rated fifth.” Kappel was from Chicago and weighed 185 pounds.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Thursday, April 24, 1958
(The Armory) … Angelo Poffo b. Bob Konovsky (2/3) (third fall by Poffo in 30 seconds) …
Jackie Nichols b. Bronko Lubich (15:00) … Pee Wee James b. Beau Brummell (2-0) … Bob
Kappel b. Jimmy Sixsay (19:00) … (matchmaker: Dick Patton) … (referee: Harry Burris)
Note: Sixsay was 214 pounds from Detroit.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Thursday, May 1, 1958
(The Armory) … Antonino Rocca b. Nicoli Volkoff (2/3) … The Lady Angel b. Sharon Lass
(10:00) … Bob Konovsky and Jackie Nichols b. Don DeCortez and Harry Lewis (2-0) (second
fall by DQ) … (matchmaker: Dick Patton) … (1,500 fans)
Notes: Lewis, Rocca’s agent, was from Brooklyn and DeCortez was billed as being from
Valencia, Spain. Lass was from Tulsa.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Thursday, May 8, 1958
(The Armory) … Bob Konovsky and Jackie Nichols b. Bronko Lubich and Angelo Poffo (2/3)
… Sharon Lass won a five-woman battle royal, last beating Lady Angel (others involved were
Ada Ash, Rose Roman and Ramona TeSelle) … (matchmaker: Dick Patton) … (referee:
Ralph Hamilton)
Notes: The “last indoor wrestling card for fans of this area, with wrestling slated to resume
here indoors next September.” Referee Hamilton was from Terre Haute.

*There was no return for wrestling in September 1958. The Sunday, October 26, 1958
edition of the Indianapolis Star stated that the sport was being brought back under the
promotional auspices of Balk Estes, who was approved by the Indiana State Athletic
Commission. “Estes has promoted bouts at Hammond Civic Center for a decade and will
continue to handle the cards there, in addition to being in charge here.” Estes, representing
Indiana Wrestling, Inc., was going to hold his first show on Tuesday, November 4. Jim
Barnett and Johnny Doyle was the booking squad in charge of Indianapolis.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Tuesday, November 4, 1958
(The Armory) … Angelo Poffo b. Bobby Managoff (2/3) … Dick the Bruiser b. Bill Longson …
Wilbur Snyder b. Johnny Ace … Corrine Cordero b. Peggy King … (promoter: Balk Estes)
… (referee: Paul Mullin) … (3,300 fans) (capacity)
Notes: Season Opener. The facility was at 711 North Pennsylvania Street. According to the
press report, “election returns will be announced between bouts,” during this show. Referee
Mullin was from Richmond. Ace was said to be from St. Joseph and King from Nashville.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Thursday, November 27, 1958
(Fairgrounds Coliseum) … Dick the Bruiser and Yukon Eric were both disqualified … Bobby
Managoff b. Angelo Poffo (2/3) … Johnny Weaver b. Bozo Brown (4:45) … Ray Gunkel b.
Gino Angelo (9:45) … Corrine Cordero b. Ramona TeSelle … Wilbur Snyder b. Bill Longson
(DQ) (9:25) … (promoter: Balk Estes) … (8,530 fans) … (gate: $20,293.40)

*On Saturday, December 6, 1958, wrestling was featured on WFBM, channel 6, at 5:00 p.m.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Saturday, December 13, 1958
(Fairgrounds Coliseum) … Dick the Bruiser and Angelo Poffo b. Bobby Managoff and Yukon
Eric (2/3) … Paul Anderson b. Hans Hermann … Johnny Weaver b. Jimmy Sixsay … Bronko
Lubich b. Carl Engstrom … Cowboy Bradley b. Tiny Roe … (promoter: Balk Estes) …
(referee: Wayne Payt) … (7,621 fans) … (gate: $17,261)
Notes: Anderson, of Toccoa, Georgia, was going to make his local debut. He was a 1956
Olympic weightlifting champion. He weighed 355-pounds, and “played football at Furman
University and began lifting weights in 1952 as an 18-year-old. He won the ’56 Olympics by
lifting a combined total of 1,102 pounds in three events. His records are 408 pounds in the
two hand press; 335 pounds in the snatch and 440 pound sin the clean and jerk.” He also
appeared in the movie “Once Upon A Horse,” as a blacksmith, and was said to have a “mail-
order muscle-building course.” Weaver was from Indianapolis. There was controversy
during the third fall of the main event, and fans “manhandled” the referee after the show
“before order was restored.”

Research by Tim Hornbaker
October 14, 2010

Indianapolis Wrestling Results - 1958