mr_luck07
Member
Are there any wrasslin' fans here? Who remembers Antonino Rocca, Buddy Rogers or Johnny Valentine?
Wrasslin'
- Thread starter mr_luck07
- Start date
No, but I remember Sandor Szabo, Gorgeous George, and the-always-popular-with-the-post-WW II-fans, Mr. Tojo.
Here in Portland in the old days I watched Roddy Piper, Jimmy Snuka, Playboy Buddy Rose, Rip The Crippler Oliver and Stan the Man Staziak.
wood714
Member
Can't forget The Sheik, and Bo Bo Brazil.
Yep. As Kev knows, in '69-'70 I worked part-time at the old Cincinnati Gardens. Setting up and tearing down for wrestling was part of the job.
Wrestling was big stuff back then and packed the arena. I met a boatload of wrestlers. Almost all were friendly and approachable. A few weren't.
I miss the Gardens.
If you care to watch there are 2 great shows on. Dark side of the ring and History channel is doing biography’s on the old guys.
Jackie Fargo ,Tojo are the earliest Memphis locals I remember . Sometimes Gorgeous George , Shiek and others . Later Jerry Lawler ,Kumala , Moon Dawgs. I went to a match 1980's and was ripoff half the wrestlers didn't show
Old_Cop
Member
Killer Kowalski and the "CLAW" hold, a man who delivered ice in Boston. Saw him in person at Jack Whichi's Arena on Rt.1 in Attleboro, MA. Went with my Pop a long time ago, got to be over 60 years ago.
Great slap- stick comedy! I used to love watching the Honky Tonk Man bash his opponents with his guitar back in the good old days.
The Last Standing Knight
Member
When I was growing up, it was good family fun.
Now, not so much so. At least the wrestlers TRIED to make it believeable. Nowdays it is more cartoony and borders on x-rated a lot of times.
If you can get past his many issues, Jim Cornette....once a "manager" and now a wrestling historian is on Youtube and his stories from behind the scenes..while riskque (sic) to say the least, are downright hilarious. So are the books written by Mick Foley.
Now, not so much so. At least the wrestlers TRIED to make it believeable. Nowdays it is more cartoony and borders on x-rated a lot of times.
If you can get past his many issues, Jim Cornette....once a "manager" and now a wrestling historian is on Youtube and his stories from behind the scenes..while riskque (sic) to say the least, are downright hilarious. So are the books written by Mick Foley.
quikdraw67
Member
Chief Jay Strongbow and Bob Backlund.
I remember going to the Scranton CYC to see them back in the 70's with some neighbor kids and their dads (my Dad was not a fan).
The midgets were hilarious to watch.
The movie "The Wrestler " is pretty good. Gives some insight to the trade. It's a sad story overall, not for kids (nudity, sex scene, etc. ) but Mickey Rourke did a fine acting job IMHO.
I remember going to the Scranton CYC to see them back in the 70's with some neighbor kids and their dads (my Dad was not a fan).
The midgets were hilarious to watch.
The movie "The Wrestler " is pretty good. Gives some insight to the trade. It's a sad story overall, not for kids (nudity, sex scene, etc. ) but Mickey Rourke did a fine acting job IMHO.
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- City & State/Province
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Rip Hawk and Swede Hanson? Is that right? And the Bolo Brothers. I remember them, and think I have the names right. The Bolo's were the "bad" guys. It seems they bragged they had never been unmasked.
That was a LONG time ago. 19" black and white TV, with three channels.
That was a LONG time ago. 19" black and white TV, with three channels.
Eric300
Member
From parts unknown, the 8th wonder of the world....Pompero Furpo! His signature move was 'The Elgarpheo' sleeper hold. I think Eddie 'The Weasel' Creechman was his manager. And what ever happened the 'The Foreign Object' that they were always pulling out of their trunks?
Chief J. Strongbow
Iron Sheik
George 'The Animal' Steele
Hillbilly Jim
Kamalah
Junk Yard Dog
Koko B. Ware
Big Boss Man
Sgt. Slaughter
Jimmy Super Fly' Snuka
Randy 'Macho Man' Savage
The Nature Boy, Rick Flair
Jesse 'The Body' Ventura
Just to name a few. The list goes on.......
Chief J. Strongbow
Iron Sheik
George 'The Animal' Steele
Hillbilly Jim
Kamalah
Junk Yard Dog
Koko B. Ware
Big Boss Man
Sgt. Slaughter
Jimmy Super Fly' Snuka
Randy 'Macho Man' Savage
The Nature Boy, Rick Flair
Jesse 'The Body' Ventura
Just to name a few. The list goes on.......
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Lemme look...yep, my shoes cost more than your house! Lots of money to be made now compared to when we were kids. My friend's (RIP, John) little brother was a pro wrestler; stage name is Shane Douglass. Never saw him wrestle, but I did drink with him in John's bar about 25 years ago. Not tall, but muscles on top of muscles. Not a real nice personality when drunk.
Pig Hunter
Member
Baron Von Rasky and the iron claw. Andre the giant. Bulldog Bob Brown.
I used to see and talk to the Big Boss Man (Ray Traylor) most mornings at a little breakfast spot in my hometown of Dallas, GA. I even got to know his wife and daughters a little. He also worked at the Dairy Queen that my grandfather owned in Dallas when he was a teenager. Great guy who died much too young.
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The biggest draws and some highlights of 1969 from the WWWF archives:
1969 saw 2 new faces that would become big names in the 1970's, namely Ernie Ladd & Ivan Koloff. Ernie Ladd was unstoppable in 1969.
Some well known veterans departed the WWWF in 1969 including Hans Mortier & Ed Carpentier.
The Top Challengers for Bruno's belt in 1969 were Killer Kowalski, Professor Tanaka, Waldo Von Erich, The Sheik, George Steele, Baron Scicluna & Luke Graham.
Tag Teams
The year started with Professor Tanaka & Mitsu Arakawa as the Tag team Champions however they were not recognized in all the WWWF until June of 1969.
Tanaka & Arakawa beat some top teams such as Victor Rivera & Haystacks Calhoun, Dr. Bill Miller & Battman & Victor Rivera & Antonio Pugliese.
Tanaka & Arakawa were defeated by Victor Rivera & Tony Marino in December of 1969 but Pittsburgh did not recognize the title. Bruno Sammartino & Battman defeated Tanaka & Arakawa to claim the titles.
Top 10 WWWF Wrestlers of 1969
1. Bruno Sammartino
2. Ernie Ladd
3. Gorilla Monsoon
4. Killer Kowalski
5. Dom DeNucci
6. Waldo Von Erich
7. Bobo Brazil
8. Professor Tanaka
9. Victor Rivera
10. Ivan Koloff
WWWF Fantasy card from 1969
(All matches did take place but not in the same evening)
Eric The Red vs Baron Scicluna
Lou Albano & Tony Altimore vs Battman & Antonio Pugliese
Gene Kiniski vs Dan Miller
Bulldog Brower vs Luke Graham
Dom Denucci vs Ivan Koloff
Bobo Brazil vs Ernie Ladd
Sheik vs Haystacks Calhoun
Gorilla Monsoon vs Spiros Arion
Killer Kowalski vs Victor Rivera
Bruno Sammartino vs Waldo Von Erich
Misc 1969 WWWF
Gorilla Monsoon turned babyface after a vicious attack by The Sheik. Bruno Sammartino made the save & Monsoon then had a big feud with former partner Killer Kowalski.
Ivan Koloff made his WWWF debut and was quite impressive. Tony Angelo started out as his manager.
A young Johnny Valiant going by the name of John L Sullivan picks up wins against Bull Ortega, Johnny Rodz & Angel Savoldi.
1969 saw 2 new faces that would become big names in the 1970's, namely Ernie Ladd & Ivan Koloff. Ernie Ladd was unstoppable in 1969.
Some well known veterans departed the WWWF in 1969 including Hans Mortier & Ed Carpentier.
The Top Challengers for Bruno's belt in 1969 were Killer Kowalski, Professor Tanaka, Waldo Von Erich, The Sheik, George Steele, Baron Scicluna & Luke Graham.
Tag Teams
The year started with Professor Tanaka & Mitsu Arakawa as the Tag team Champions however they were not recognized in all the WWWF until June of 1969.
Tanaka & Arakawa beat some top teams such as Victor Rivera & Haystacks Calhoun, Dr. Bill Miller & Battman & Victor Rivera & Antonio Pugliese.
Tanaka & Arakawa were defeated by Victor Rivera & Tony Marino in December of 1969 but Pittsburgh did not recognize the title. Bruno Sammartino & Battman defeated Tanaka & Arakawa to claim the titles.
Top 10 WWWF Wrestlers of 1969
1. Bruno Sammartino
2. Ernie Ladd
3. Gorilla Monsoon
4. Killer Kowalski
5. Dom DeNucci
6. Waldo Von Erich
7. Bobo Brazil
8. Professor Tanaka
9. Victor Rivera
10. Ivan Koloff
WWWF Fantasy card from 1969
(All matches did take place but not in the same evening)
Eric The Red vs Baron Scicluna
Lou Albano & Tony Altimore vs Battman & Antonio Pugliese
Gene Kiniski vs Dan Miller
Bulldog Brower vs Luke Graham
Dom Denucci vs Ivan Koloff
Bobo Brazil vs Ernie Ladd
Sheik vs Haystacks Calhoun
Gorilla Monsoon vs Spiros Arion
Killer Kowalski vs Victor Rivera
Bruno Sammartino vs Waldo Von Erich
Misc 1969 WWWF
Gorilla Monsoon turned babyface after a vicious attack by The Sheik. Bruno Sammartino made the save & Monsoon then had a big feud with former partner Killer Kowalski.
Ivan Koloff made his WWWF debut and was quite impressive. Tony Angelo started out as his manager.
A young Johnny Valiant going by the name of John L Sullivan picks up wins against Bull Ortega, Johnny Rodz & Angel Savoldi.
Dick the Bruser and the Crusher were the bad guys we loved to hate in the early’60’s.
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ZGrand
Member
When I was a kid, there was a local show called "Live Atlanta Wrestling" that came on every Friday night. We watched it on a small black and white TV at my grandparent's house every week. One of the "bad guy" characters we loved to hate was "The Masked Assassin". He always fought dirty and was always booed when he won.
Years later at my wife's Christmas party where she worked, I was talking to the husband of one of her co-workers. He was a super nice guy, about 5'-11", weighed probably 250, and had tremendously wide shoulders. He told me that for quite a few years, he wrestled professionally under the name The Masked Assassin. I told him how we all hated him for years, for which he thanked me. He said that meant he had played his role well. He told me some really interesting stories about professional wrestling.
Years later at my wife's Christmas party where she worked, I was talking to the husband of one of her co-workers. He was a super nice guy, about 5'-11", weighed probably 250, and had tremendously wide shoulders. He told me that for quite a few years, he wrestled professionally under the name The Masked Assassin. I told him how we all hated him for years, for which he thanked me. He said that meant he had played his role well. He told me some really interesting stories about professional wrestling.
cherrypointmarine
Member
ZGrand , how about " Live From the Peach State of Georgia " on Saturday nights if I remember right . I'm trying to remember the announcers name , he was around for many years . I think it was the NWA .
I was 16 when I shook hands with the Fabulous Moolah.
She scared me.
She scared me.
dave1918a2
US Veteran
I waited tables in 69 for maybe 6 months. Worked the lounge on Sat. nites. Had The Crusher, Dick the Bruiser, Verne Gagne, and Baron Von Raschke at one table. Very friendly guys. Ate enough to feed 10 familys and the beer almost ran out. Left a great tip. Always liked the Crusher and Ivan Putski.
Old Arkansawyer
Member
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When I was a kid in NW Arkansas the local wrasslers out of Tulsa, Ok
would make the rounds of small towns and put on matches in the
school gyms. They would show up with 4 wrasslers and the ref, usually
in a station wagon pulling a trailer with the ring.
Always 2 bad guys and 2 good guys, 2 prelim matches then a tag team.
In the ring they tried to kill one another and after the matches were over
and everyone had gone home, they all loaded up in the station wagon
and drove home.
I noticed someone mentioned Wild Red Berry, a guy that was one of the
local favorites out of Tulsa was actually a NCAA champion wrestling for
Okla. State/A&M by the name of Danny Hodge, just a big muscular farm
boy. He told a story about wrasslin Wild Red, said even though the
matches were predetermined Wild Red at times if his opponent hurt him,
he would go crazy mad and all bets were off.
If I remember correctly Wild Red was mayor of some town in Missouri or
Kansas and used words I still don't know the meaning.
would make the rounds of small towns and put on matches in the
school gyms. They would show up with 4 wrasslers and the ref, usually
in a station wagon pulling a trailer with the ring.
Always 2 bad guys and 2 good guys, 2 prelim matches then a tag team.
In the ring they tried to kill one another and after the matches were over
and everyone had gone home, they all loaded up in the station wagon
and drove home.
I noticed someone mentioned Wild Red Berry, a guy that was one of the
local favorites out of Tulsa was actually a NCAA champion wrestling for
Okla. State/A&M by the name of Danny Hodge, just a big muscular farm
boy. He told a story about wrasslin Wild Red, said even though the
matches were predetermined Wild Red at times if his opponent hurt him,
he would go crazy mad and all bets were off.
If I remember correctly Wild Red was mayor of some town in Missouri or
Kansas and used words I still don't know the meaning.
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Dory Funk Sr. (the spinning toe hold) and rapid Ricky Romero , (what ever it took) both West Texas legends .
