A Night 2 Remember
Chapter Two: The Most Wanted Boot In the Mid-Atlantic Region
#PWHS #Article #Night2Remember #N2R #MostWantedBoot #Infernos #MidAtlantic #MACW
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It was Spring of ’67 and possibly the greatest masked tag team of all time was creating havoc in the Mid-Atlantic region. A red-headed, former referee JC Dykes had formed a European (usually masked teams were from “parts unknown) masked team called the Infernos, and they were seemingly a “large fire that was dangerously out of control”. Some teams they just destroyed after a quick work-out, while others were within an eyelash of victory until one of the Infernos’ many weapons snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Team after team fell before them, and most of them were because of an orthopedic wrestling boot that everyone knew was loaded with lead or some heavy metal. Enter the Mid-Atlantic heroes: George Becker & Johnny Weaver. They had been partners since 1962 when Johnny was signed by Jim Crockett Sr. They had become household names to all Mid-Atlantic fans as many times it seemed like it was “THEM VS. ALL THE VILLAINS."
Back to the important night. It was July 1, 1967 in the Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum. Becker had made a promise to the fans on Championship Wrestling that he and Weaver had a surprise for these Infernos. The Coliseum filled to the rafters to see the fulfillment of Becker’s promise. Tension, anxiety, anticipation filled the air when the time had arrived for the Main Event. The first fall was won by the Infernos as Inferno #2 used the loaded boot on Johnny Weaver and got the pinfall. Was it going to happen again? Were the villains going to continue using that loaded boot to win unfairly?
The first hand testimony of Carroll Hall recalls the rest of the match:
“In the second fall Johnny Weaver used his rollup on Inferno 1 and Inferno 2 came in and started tapping the toe of his boot to the mat. Of course the referee had his back turned while pushing George Becker back to his corner. Just as Inferno 2 went to kick Johnny, Weaver caught his foot and took him down. Becker then knocked the referee down so he could join Johnny. Of course George and Johnny got disqualified which resulted in them losing two straight falls to the Infernos. No matter, they were going to remove that loaded boot at all costs. After they got the boot off, Johnny loaded it and started swinging it, clearing the ring of J.C. Dykes and the Infernos.”
I remember the excitement of the studio audience and in my den when Becker & Weaver appeared on TV the following Saturday with the Inferno boot trophy. They shook the boot and you could hear some type of metal clanking from the heel of the boot. Things heated up even more as Becker started wearing the stolen boot (see picture) in all their matches against the masked team, who also started wearing another loaded boot. Not only that, to help rid the Mid Atlantic of the Infernos, Becker loaned the loaded boot to the team of the Flying Scotts (Sandy wore it), and to the tag team of Tex Mc Kenzie & Nelson Royal (Nelson wore it).
Four different wrestlers wore that one boot that summer. It was: “The Most Wanted Boot in the Mid-Atlantic Region!”
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
A Night 2 Remember: Chapter Two.
Author: Terry Kent.
Published: August 6, 2014.
Article: #44.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
A Night 2 Remember: Chapter Two.
Author: Terry Kent.
Published: August 6, 2014.
Article: #44.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
A Night 2 Remember: Chapter Three - Read Here.
A Night 2 Remember: Chapter One - Read Here.
Other articles by Terry can be Read Here.