The Television Era
Change Is In The Airwaves...
#PWHS #Article #ChangeIsInTheAirwaves #GorgeousGeorge
When television broadcasting was popularized in the 1940s, it would revolutionize the world of professional wrestling. Since wrestling programs were inexpensive to produce, they were picked up by the networks to fill airtime, and they were now able to reach a broader audience.(1) The popularity of wrestling took the country by storm, pretty much as it did in the days of Gotch. The business would evolve to accomodate the new media as well: it would become flashier, gaudier, and new personalities would emerge to steal the spotlight.
Gorgeous George
Nobody was able to exploit the power of television more than George Wagner, otherwise known as "Gorgeous George". Wagner started his career during the 1930s, but "had not progressed past the level of mid-card heel."(2) Eventually he would begin to develop the in-ring persona he was known for: he would bleach his hair with peroxide and start wearing elaborate robes.(3) He would also utilize a dramatic entrance: his valet would precede him, laying out a rug on the mat "for George to clean his feet", then spraying "Chanel No. 10" from a large atomizer, to purify the ring.(4). Only then would George emerge, to his entrance music, "Pomp and Circumstance", and he would refuse to begin his match until the valet removed his hairnet and robe.(5) It was obviously an extravagant performance, one that was tailor-made to turn a working-class, male-oriented crowd against him, even apart from the "heel" tactics he would utilize in the ring and in his "promos", in which he would insult his opponents and wrestling fans.(6)
This video from his WWE Hall of Fame induction will give you a better idea:
Gorgeous George
Nobody was able to exploit the power of television more than George Wagner, otherwise known as "Gorgeous George". Wagner started his career during the 1930s, but "had not progressed past the level of mid-card heel."(2) Eventually he would begin to develop the in-ring persona he was known for: he would bleach his hair with peroxide and start wearing elaborate robes.(3) He would also utilize a dramatic entrance: his valet would precede him, laying out a rug on the mat "for George to clean his feet", then spraying "Chanel No. 10" from a large atomizer, to purify the ring.(4). Only then would George emerge, to his entrance music, "Pomp and Circumstance", and he would refuse to begin his match until the valet removed his hairnet and robe.(5) It was obviously an extravagant performance, one that was tailor-made to turn a working-class, male-oriented crowd against him, even apart from the "heel" tactics he would utilize in the ring and in his "promos", in which he would insult his opponents and wrestling fans.(6)
This video from his WWE Hall of Fame induction will give you a better idea:
Wagner's style was highly influential--many other cultural figures, such as Muhammed Ali, would go on to copy it.(7) He let his celebrity consume him, though, and as his career declined in the late 1950s, he would give way to alcoholism.(8) When he died in 1963, he had nothing left.(9) He lived his life to excess, both inside and outside of the ring, and he defined the modern pro wrestler as entertainer first and wrestler second.(10)
In The Wake...
Meanwhile, "the remarkable success of Gorgeous George led wrestlers to the development of increasingly elaborate characters, as others sought to emulate his achievements. It also pushed promoters to search the globe for wrestlers they could build into similar stars for their promotions."(11) Primo Carnera, a former boxing heavyweight champion, "became one of wrestling's biggest attractions in 1947" when Capitol Wrestling brought him to the United States from Italy.(12) However, "Carnera's lack of wrestling skills, poor command of the English language, and taint of underworld connections from his boxing days soon combined to limit his success."(13) Antonino Rocca of Argentina would prove to be a bigger find for Capitol.(14) He would attract Italian and Hispanic audiences, and his high-flying maneuvers would "captivate audiences".(15) A landmark attraction during the television era, his career would last until 1976.(16) The careers of other wrestlers such as "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, "Classy" Freddy Blassie and Verne Gagne would start to flourish at this time, but their greatest moments would not occur until later. I will talk about them at another time.
Lou Thesz
The best pure wrestler, and "shooter", of the era was Lou Thesz. He would start his career in the 1930s, winning his first title in 1937.(17) He would go on to win the title five more times during his long career, mostly in the NWA.(18)
Thesz did not allow promoters to dictate his destiny, and by the nature of his reputation, he had a lot of clout in the business. He would take control of the NWA championship from the promoters in 1948, upon the retirement of promoter Tom Packs, and his subsequent winning of the belt from Bill Longson.(19) In November 1949, the NWA gave Thesz their endorsement, allowing him to hold the title for the next eight years.(20) Not since Ed "Strangler" Lewis had a wrestler exercised so much power.
I will discuss Thesz in more detail at another time. There is no question that his contributions to the business, and his influence, were immense. He was very much a part of the television era, although he rejected the flash and pagentry that came with it--he just wanted to wrestle.
In The Wake...
Meanwhile, "the remarkable success of Gorgeous George led wrestlers to the development of increasingly elaborate characters, as others sought to emulate his achievements. It also pushed promoters to search the globe for wrestlers they could build into similar stars for their promotions."(11) Primo Carnera, a former boxing heavyweight champion, "became one of wrestling's biggest attractions in 1947" when Capitol Wrestling brought him to the United States from Italy.(12) However, "Carnera's lack of wrestling skills, poor command of the English language, and taint of underworld connections from his boxing days soon combined to limit his success."(13) Antonino Rocca of Argentina would prove to be a bigger find for Capitol.(14) He would attract Italian and Hispanic audiences, and his high-flying maneuvers would "captivate audiences".(15) A landmark attraction during the television era, his career would last until 1976.(16) The careers of other wrestlers such as "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, "Classy" Freddy Blassie and Verne Gagne would start to flourish at this time, but their greatest moments would not occur until later. I will talk about them at another time.
Lou Thesz
The best pure wrestler, and "shooter", of the era was Lou Thesz. He would start his career in the 1930s, winning his first title in 1937.(17) He would go on to win the title five more times during his long career, mostly in the NWA.(18)
Thesz did not allow promoters to dictate his destiny, and by the nature of his reputation, he had a lot of clout in the business. He would take control of the NWA championship from the promoters in 1948, upon the retirement of promoter Tom Packs, and his subsequent winning of the belt from Bill Longson.(19) In November 1949, the NWA gave Thesz their endorsement, allowing him to hold the title for the next eight years.(20) Not since Ed "Strangler" Lewis had a wrestler exercised so much power.
I will discuss Thesz in more detail at another time. There is no question that his contributions to the business, and his influence, were immense. He was very much a part of the television era, although he rejected the flash and pagentry that came with it--he just wanted to wrestle.
Announcers
Another development brought on by the television era was a "new occupation for the wrestling industry--ringside announcers...Ringside announcers became an essential aspect of wrestling programs. They functioned as mediators, interpreters, and interviewers, ensuring that the program flowed smoothly and understandably."(21) Their job was not only to announce the match, but to build excitement for it and generate interest in future matches.(22) Dick Lane was the first announcer to achieve prominence, but Dennis James would become more successful by accenting his announcing with props such as "bones, blocks of wood, and balloons to accenuate the authentic match sounds emanating from the ring."(23) In this overdramatization, the illusion would be created that what was going on in the ring was more dangerous than it really was. Such was the power of a good storyteller, which was, in essence, what these announcers were. More recent ones of distinction include Francis Jonard Lobiak (otherwise known as Gordon Solie)(24), "Mean" Gene Okerlund, Robert James Marella (otherwise known as "Gorilla Monsoon")(25), Raymond Louis (Bobby "The Brain") Heenan(26), James George Janos (otherwise known as Jesse "The Body" Ventura)(27), Noah Anthony (Tony) Schiavone(28), Jim Ross, Jerry "The King" Lawler, Michael Sean Coulthard (otherwise known as Michael Cole)(29), Joseph Carmine Bonsignore (otherwise known as Joey Styles)(30), Peter Senercia (otherwise known as "Tazz")(31), Matthew Kaye (otherwise known as Matt Striker)(32), and John Layfield (otherwise known as John Bradshaw Layfield)(33)--all masters of their craft.
The Legacy
Throughout the process, professional wrestling would extend its evolution from sport to show, on a grand scale. Looks, charisma and "mic skills" became more important than in-ring talent. One of the most important inventions of the twentieth century brought radical change to the wrestling industry, but ultimately, it may have done more harm than good.
Another development brought on by the television era was a "new occupation for the wrestling industry--ringside announcers...Ringside announcers became an essential aspect of wrestling programs. They functioned as mediators, interpreters, and interviewers, ensuring that the program flowed smoothly and understandably."(21) Their job was not only to announce the match, but to build excitement for it and generate interest in future matches.(22) Dick Lane was the first announcer to achieve prominence, but Dennis James would become more successful by accenting his announcing with props such as "bones, blocks of wood, and balloons to accenuate the authentic match sounds emanating from the ring."(23) In this overdramatization, the illusion would be created that what was going on in the ring was more dangerous than it really was. Such was the power of a good storyteller, which was, in essence, what these announcers were. More recent ones of distinction include Francis Jonard Lobiak (otherwise known as Gordon Solie)(24), "Mean" Gene Okerlund, Robert James Marella (otherwise known as "Gorilla Monsoon")(25), Raymond Louis (Bobby "The Brain") Heenan(26), James George Janos (otherwise known as Jesse "The Body" Ventura)(27), Noah Anthony (Tony) Schiavone(28), Jim Ross, Jerry "The King" Lawler, Michael Sean Coulthard (otherwise known as Michael Cole)(29), Joseph Carmine Bonsignore (otherwise known as Joey Styles)(30), Peter Senercia (otherwise known as "Tazz")(31), Matthew Kaye (otherwise known as Matt Striker)(32), and John Layfield (otherwise known as John Bradshaw Layfield)(33)--all masters of their craft.
The Legacy
Throughout the process, professional wrestling would extend its evolution from sport to show, on a grand scale. Looks, charisma and "mic skills" became more important than in-ring talent. One of the most important inventions of the twentieth century brought radical change to the wrestling industry, but ultimately, it may have done more harm than good.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
The Television Era.
Author: Julie Hankinson.
Published: August 7, 2015.
Article: #98.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
The Television Era.
Author: Julie Hankinson.
Published: August 7, 2015.
Article: #98.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Image Sources
1. Public domain.
2. Received permission from Duff Johnson of House of Deception.
3. Received permission from Tim Hornbaker of Legacy of Wrestling.
4.Received permission from David Buckler of Online World of Wrestling.
Information Sources
1. Beekman, Scott. Ringside. pg. 81.
2. Beekman, pg. 86.
3. Beekman, pg. 86.
4. Beekman, pg. 86.
5. Beekman, pg. 86-87.
6. Beekman, pg. 87.
7. Beekman, pg. 87.
8. Beekman, pg. 88.
9. Beekman, pg. 88.
10. Beekman, pg. 88.
11. Beekman, pg. 88.
12. Beekman, pg. 89.
13. Beekman, pg. 90.
14. Beekman, pg. 90.
15. Beekman, pg. 90.
16. Hornbaker, Tim. Legends Of Wrestling. pg. 149.
17. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 175.
18. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 175.
19. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 175.
20. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 175.
21. Beekman, pg. 83.
22. Beekman, pg. 83.
23. Beekman, pg. 83.
24. Wikipedia. "Gordon Solie".
25. Wikipedia. "Gorilla Monsoon".
26. Wikipedia. "Bobby The Brain Heenan".
27. Wikipedia. "Jesse The Body Ventura".
28. Wikipedia. "Tony Schiavone".
29. Wikipedia. "Michael Cole".
30. Wikipedia. "Joey Styles".
31. Wikipedia. "Tazz".
32. Wikipedia. "Matt Striker".
33. Wikipedia. "John Bradshaw Layfield".
1. Public domain.
2. Received permission from Duff Johnson of House of Deception.
3. Received permission from Tim Hornbaker of Legacy of Wrestling.
4.Received permission from David Buckler of Online World of Wrestling.
Information Sources
1. Beekman, Scott. Ringside. pg. 81.
2. Beekman, pg. 86.
3. Beekman, pg. 86.
4. Beekman, pg. 86.
5. Beekman, pg. 86-87.
6. Beekman, pg. 87.
7. Beekman, pg. 87.
8. Beekman, pg. 88.
9. Beekman, pg. 88.
10. Beekman, pg. 88.
11. Beekman, pg. 88.
12. Beekman, pg. 89.
13. Beekman, pg. 90.
14. Beekman, pg. 90.
15. Beekman, pg. 90.
16. Hornbaker, Tim. Legends Of Wrestling. pg. 149.
17. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 175.
18. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 175.
19. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 175.
20. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 175.
21. Beekman, pg. 83.
22. Beekman, pg. 83.
23. Beekman, pg. 83.
24. Wikipedia. "Gordon Solie".
25. Wikipedia. "Gorilla Monsoon".
26. Wikipedia. "Bobby The Brain Heenan".
27. Wikipedia. "Jesse The Body Ventura".
28. Wikipedia. "Tony Schiavone".
29. Wikipedia. "Michael Cole".
30. Wikipedia. "Joey Styles".
31. Wikipedia. "Tazz".
32. Wikipedia. "Matt Striker".
33. Wikipedia. "John Bradshaw Layfield".
Other articles by Julie can be Read Here.