Red Letter Day
Chapter Two: Founding of the NWA
#PWHS #Article #RedLetterDay #NationalWrestlingAlliance #NWA
April 22, 1952 - Los Angeles Times
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On July 18, 1948 the National Wrestling Alliance, not to be confused with the National Wrestling Association, was founded in Waterloo, Iowa. Prior to this Red Letter Day for Professional Wrestling fans, Waterloo was known for two events in local history:
1. The closing of the Maytag-Mason automobile company after five-plus years.
2. Bank robber Tommy Carroll had a shoot-out with the FBI that left him dead.
There were nine commandments that were agreed on that included electing Pinkie George as Temporary Chairman-President:
Paul L. "Pinkie" George; Des Moines, Iowa - President.
Orville Brown; Kansas City, Kansas - Officially representing George Simpson and Merle Christy.
Max Clayton; Omaha, Nebraska.
Anton "Tony" Stecher; Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Fred Kohler; Chicago, Illinois - Agreed via telegram.
Sam Muchnick; St. Louis, Missouri.
This was followed up with what became their annual convention. The date was September 25, 1948 and met at the Dyckman Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota. There was some fine-tuning done, which included eleven points in their minutes. Among the more important decisions, Orville Brown was to be recognized as their World Heavyweight Champion. They agreed they would recognize two champions only: a World Heavyweight Champion, and a World Junior Heavyweight Champion. Upon leaving, there were eight gentlemen that were seen as the Charter Members of the NWA:
Paul L. "Pinkie" George; Des Moines, Iowa - President.
Al Haft; Colubus, Ohio - Vice President - Represented by Frankie Talaber.
Sam Muchnick; St. Louis, Iowa - Secretary-Treasurer.
Orville Brown; Kansas City, Kansas - Officially representing George Simpson and Merle Christy.
Fred Kohler; Chicago Illinois - Not present at the meeting.
Aonton "Tony" Stecher; Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Harry Light; Detroit, Michigan - Represented by Bert Ruby.
Max Clayton; Omaha, Nebraska.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Red Letter Day: Chapter Two.
Author: Terry Kent.
Published: July 2014.
Article: #42.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Red Letter Day: Chapter Two.
Author: Terry Kent.
Published: July 2014.
Article: #42.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Kohler was erased from the original register for lack of attendance. Also, Max Clayton was considered among the founders but did not sign out of respect he held for the Dusek Brothers, who were tightly connected to the Association’s competitor. For all you trivia fans, Cliff Gustafson and “Ruffy” Silverstein had limited support to be chosen to become the first Heavyweight Champion.
Each part of the story could easily merge into a tangent article. I highly recommend the book, “NATIONAL WRESTLING ALIIANCE: The Untold Story of the Monopoly That Strangled Pro Wrestling” by Tim Hornbaker. In addition, I recommend: “History & Tradition: Story of the National Wrestling Alliance” which is a documentary DVD by Mike Elliot.
Each part of the story could easily merge into a tangent article. I highly recommend the book, “NATIONAL WRESTLING ALIIANCE: The Untold Story of the Monopoly That Strangled Pro Wrestling” by Tim Hornbaker. In addition, I recommend: “History & Tradition: Story of the National Wrestling Alliance” which is a documentary DVD by Mike Elliot.
Red Letter Day: Chapter One - Read Here.
Other articles by Terry can be Read Here.