Christmas Cards

Christmas Day Wrestling, Novelties and Special Features

#PWHS #Article #ChristmasCards #Results

​Back when we first started the Pro-Wrestling Historical Society group on Facebook I used to post matches that happened on each day in history. After a while I took a break from it and have completed way more research since then. So, I figured this year I'd share a good selection of Christmas Day cards from around the world, with some additional happenings on December 25 through-out pro-wrestling history. There is at least one entry for every decade from the 1860s to the 1990s. Now, without any further ado, here they are:
​

1830s

1938 

Washington, D.C. Madisonian

1840s

​ 1843

Get Out of the Way, Old Dan Tucker! Get out of the Way, All Ellser Brothers! Dan Ric Against the World: Morning Show
Museum (Lecture Room), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Tickets: $0.12.5
1 - "Dan Rice Performs the following appalling feat:" The Fireman's Ladder
2 - "Dan Rice Performs the following appalling feat:" The Roman Chain
3 - "Dan Rice Performs the following appalling feat:" The Pyramid of Bacchus
4 - "Dan Rice Performs the following appalling feat:" Sampson's Strength of Hair (lifts fifty-sixes (224lbs) by his hair)
5 - "Dan Rice Performs the following appalling feat:" La Valse Comigue
6 - Dan Rice Performs Several of His Original Songs

Notes:
"No living man, within five years of his age, is as strong as he, or can perform the feats of strength which Dan Rice can, and to this he challenges the world! And now, hurrah! for the most unique and attractive exhibition in Philadelphia, on Christmas Day and evening."

This show starts at 11:00.

Also featured Mr. D.T. and Miss Shaw, and Mr. Harrison, the improvisatore.


Get Out of the Way, Old Dan Tucker! Get out of the Way, All Ellser Brothers! Dan Ric Against the World: Afternoon Show
Museum (Lecture Room), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Tickets: $0.12.5 (more than)
1 - "Dan Rice Performs the following appalling feat:" The Fireman's Ladder
2 - "Dan Rice Performs the following appalling feat:" The Roman Chain
3 - "Dan Rice Performs the following appalling feat:" The Pyramid of Bacchus
4 - "Dan Rice Performs the following appalling feat:" Sampson's Strength of Hair (lifts fifty-sixes (224lbs) by his hair)
5 - "Dan Rice Performs the following appalling feat:" La Valse Comigue
6 - Dan Rice Performs Several of His Original Songs

Notes:
"No living man, within five years of his age, is as strong as he, or can perform the feats of strength which Dan Rice can, and to this he challenges the world! And now, hurrah! for the most unique and attractive exhibition in Philadelphia, on Christmas Day and evening."

This show starts at 15:00.

Also featured Mr. D.T. and Miss Shaw, and Mr. Harrison, the improvisatore.


Afternoon Show
National Theatre
1 - Tragedy of George Barnwell - Mrs. Lewis, G. Barnwell
2 - The Original Virginia Minstreal
3 - King of the Mist

Note:
Show starts at 14:00.


Get Out of the Way, Old Dan Tucker! Get out of the Way, All Ellser Brothers! Dan Ric Against the World: Evening Show
Museum (Lecture Room), Philadelphia, Pennsylvani
Tickets: $0.12.5 (more than)
1 - "Dan Rice Performs the following appalling feat:" The Fireman's Ladder
2 - "Dan Rice Performs the following appalling feat:" The Roman Chain
3 - "Dan Rice Performs the following appalling feat:" The Pyramid of Bacchus
4 - "Dan Rice Performs the following appalling feat:" Sampson's Strength of Hair (lifts fifty-sixes (224lbs) by his hair)
5 - "Dan Rice Performs the following appalling feat:" La Valse Comigue
6 - Dan Rice Performs Several of His Original Songs

Notes:
"No living man, within five years of his age, is as strong as he, or can perform the feats of strength which Dan Rice can, and to this he challenges the world! And now, hurrah! for the most unique and attractive exhibition in Philadelphia, on Christmas Day and evening."

This show starts at 191:00.

Also featured Mr. D.T. and Miss Shaw, and Mr. Harrison, the improvisatore.


Evening Show
National Theatre, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1 - The Grand Drama of the Hercules of Brittany - The Essler Brothers, Lionards; Mrs. Knight, Princes Isabeau
2 - The Virginia Minstrel
3 - Sante Claus - Mr. Winans, Old Krisskringle

1860s

1867
​
​Arena Athletique, Paris, Ile-de-France, France
"The chief feature of the evening, however, was the appearance of a man in a mask, who was unknown to the managers of the establishment, and who had come here to-night in pursuance of a challenge which he had sent eu amateur to the champions of the arena. I was not made aware of this feature of the entertainment until during the progress of the second battle. The theory of the person who communicated it was, that the masked man was some gentleman, or perhaps even a nobleman, who, having a passion for athletic sports, had taken this singular method of enjoying his superiority incog. My notion was, however, that it was a trick of business to which the managers were parties, and I therefore did not anticipate any great exploit. But the audience evidently had a different estimation of the matter. I heard frequent allusions to l'homme masque all through the evening; and, finally, when the master of ceremonies announced that he had arrived, the amphitheatre was started with unmistakable evidences of excitement. The two gladiators who were then in the ring, and in the very climax of a tremendous struggle, at once left off, in concession to the superior demans of the mysterious amateur. No sooner had they retired, however, than a young giant who was announced as Monsieur Fouet, stepped forth, and commenced slouching leisurely around the circle. This formidable fellow stood at least six feet three, and, though there was no waste flesh about him, he must have weighed two hundred and twenty or thirty pounds. The muscle bunched all over him in great clots of power, and his broad shoulder blades, exceeding all usual developments, seemed to have been cast in some iron foundry for a man-of-war. He was a feaful atagonist to look at, and the spectators winced concern for his opponent by expressions of fearful admiration. After he had been in the ring about two minutes, there was a stir in one of th epassages, opposite that which gave ingress to the professionals, and the crowd being parted by the efforts of a gendarme, a figure emerged from it shrouded in complete black, and lightly stepped into the arena. His first act was to sit down on the edge of the ring and slip off his shoes. He then rose, took off his cloak, and, handing it to a female attendant, appeared in complete white hose, with the exception of his head and face, which were covered by a black hood and cowl. Not even the color of his hair was to be seen under this disguise, and the only thing naked was his hands. As he stepped forward to the centre of the ring, I scrutinized him very closely. He stood over six feet high, on, as I guesses, about six feet and an inch. Though not so large as Fouet, he was more round in body, and there was a general look of thickness, allied to symmetry, which betokened a world of hidden strength. He probably would not scale within twenty pounds of the professional, but his weight lay upon his points, and being thus happily disposed, it represented a strength that belonged to a man of twenty of thirty pounds more. His limbs were graceful, but his loins, instead of showing the Apollonian delicacy which is noticeable in Heenan, and which had been so admired this evening in Monsieur James, were braced up with broad bands of muscle, which would obviously enable him to stand the wear and tear of a protracted struggle. I particularly noticed that his feet were small, with a high arching step, and that his hands, though neither small nor large, were very white.

I was impressed by the man at once, and as he palced his left hand into the great rough paw of Fauet, I insensibly took sides with him. But he did not not need any aid. Fouet rushed upon him with a terrible impetousity, with an evident doubt of his own ultimate and resources, endeavored to carr him off his feet by a coup de main. Grasping him around the neck with one brawny arm, and nailing his right hand with the other, the giant rallied him by rapid bounds across the ring, until he had him nearly capsized among the audience; but just at this critical moment Fouet's body happened to be a shadow out of line, and this being felt by the masque, he whirled the giant off his feet, and in the next moment the two men landed beside each other on the floor. But the masque, in his new situation, was too quick for his antagonist; he succeeded in getting himself partly up and over him, next he wound his arms around Fouet's body, and then, by a deadly, unremitting pressure, which the giant vainly endeavored to resist, he forced him slowly over and over, until, by a final wrench, he laid him on his back. There was a great applause at the result, but, the masque, not paying any heed to it, merely paused to have his cload thrown over his shoulders by the female in attendance, and then hurried out, protected from any intrusive following by the officers in attendance.

I have seenn this man at the arena on five occasions since, but each of these subsequent combats were attended with the same results. I have been convinced, moreover, by the manner of them, that they were all bona fide battles; and I consider that this opinion of mine ought to be better than the mere surmises of any one who was not there to see. I venture no idea upon the question as to who the man may be, but the fact that his contests have been scrutinized by the shrewedest men in Paris, who had paid their five francs to the management for the privilege of looking on, is a pretty conclusive evidence that there is no humbug in the matter. I have seen editors, actors, members of the Jockey Club, and the leading wits of Paris largely present, and it is ridiculous to suppose that such a set of persons would assist, night after night in gross imposture, or permit themselves to constantly be deceived. Another proof of the integrity of the proceeding is, that, though the management of the arena was coining money by the masked man's contests, he refuses any longer to appear, unless some champion shall be produced who has 'gone through' the experts like himself. He retires, because, like Alexander, he has no more worlds to conquer. The masked wrestler therefore, takes established rank with many other of the world's mysteries, and a new counterpart is added to the question of, 'Who is Junius?'" - Hagerstown Herald & Torch Light.

1870s

1872

Harry Hill's Varieties, New York, New York
1 - Two out of Three Falls
Harry Grace def. Homer Lane 
Two Falls to One (01:10:00)

Notes:
Also featured boxing and dancing.

After the first two rounds of wrestling a man in the audience offered $20 that his favorite, Grace, would throw Lane.

1874

San Francisco Daily Alta

Promoter & Producer: John McCullough
California Theatre, San Francisco, California
Attendance: "The Largest Audience That Has Assembled In This Theatre For Many A Day"
The Gladiator, a play, features tonight. William Miller in the part of "The Fighting Gaul," in the "great Arena Scene."

Notes:
This is billed as the first of just two nights when the play will be on stage.

The play was written by Dr. [Robert Montgomery] Bird in 1831.

It is a part of McCullough's second week at the theatre showcasing different plays.

Regarding the attendance it is said that there was "Standing Room Only" and, "Enough people were turned away to fill the other places of amusement."

The play was deemed a huge success, however, no mention of Miller is made.

1875

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

​​Brooklyn Rink, New York, New York
Referee: Capt. Frank M. Clark
Judges: W.C. McClellan (Miller) & Prof. De turk (Carteron)
1 - Graeco-Roman - Three out of Five Falls
Prof. William Miller (of Australia) def. M. Louis Carteron (of France), 
Three Falls to Two (F1 00:08:00 - F2 00:05:00 - F3 00:05:00 - F4 00:02:00 - F5 ??:??:?? - C 00:20:00+)

1877

NY Daily Herald

​Afternoon Show
Central Park Garden, New York, New York
"Two celebrated bears 'Leni' and 'Marion' will wrestle with Emile Regnier and Thiebaud Bauer respectively. A special purse of $100 is offered to William Miller to win a single fall from 'Marion.' Included in the programme are Graeco-Roman wrestling, boxing and fencing matches", this took place across the afternoon and evening shows.


Evening Show
Central Park Garden, New York, New York
Attendance: 150-200
1 - "One Slim Young Man" def. "One Slim Young Man"
(00:15:00+)
2 - "One Older Larger Much Better Wrestler Unknown to Fame" Vs. "One Older Larger Much Better Wrestler Unknown to Fame",
Result Unknown
3 - Two out of Three Falls
Emil Regnier def. Leni the Wrestling Bear,
Two Falls to One

Notes:
Also featured Indian club swinging, a cannon ball routine,

It's said Leni is about to start a tour of the Provinces following this show. 

1880s

1880

​Benefit for the Family of Michael (Patrick) Cavanagh
Lion Brewery Hotel Hall, New York, New York
Attendance: 400+
Benefit: $300+
Referee: James Magowan
1 - William Muldoon def. Louis De Bau 
(00:03:00)
2 - William Muldoon def. Martin Muldoon 
(00:10:00)
3 - William Muldoon def. Otto Brinckerhoff
4 - William Muldoon def. Louis De Bau 
(00:05:00)
5 - William Muldoon def. Martin Muldoon 
(00:04:00)

Notes:
Muldoon is listed as American Graeco-Roman Champion.

Cavanagh died in a tragic accident, Muldoon did not know the man, but the police department wanted to organize a benefit for the family. Muldoon volunteered to wrestle to raise money and he even took presents round to the family on Christmas Eve. 

Originally he wanted to face amateurs, however, the amateurs were warned that if they took part in a match with a professional it could stop them from competing as an amateur again.

Muldoon offered an open challenge to all comers. Bau & Martin wrestled twice as no-one was willing to challenge Muldoon.

Martin Muldoon was the younger brother of William.

1882

NY Times

1885

Grass Valley, California
1 - Collar & Elbow - Two out of Three Falls
James Carkeek def. Wm. Henderson, 
Two Falls to None (F1 00:03:00- - F2 00:03:00- - C 00:06:00-)


Capitol Hill, Bismarck, North Dakota
1 - John A. Rea Vs. R.L. Durant, 
Result Unknown

​Schieffelin Hall, Tombstone, Arizona
Tickets: $1.00
Referee: Dr. Goodfellow
1 - Graeco-Roman - Two out of Three Falls
Peter Schumaker (of Tombstone) def. Lucien Marc Christol,
Two Falls to None (F1 00:11:01 - F2 00:01:03 - C 00:12:04)

Notes:
Going into the match Shucmacher is listed as 'well-known local athlete' and Christol is listed as 'Champion Light Weight of the World.' 

Also going into the match the show is billed as 'The greatest exhibition of Greco-Roman science ever witnessed by people of Tombstone.'

In the review of the show it's listed that Schumacher was actually the Arizona State Champion. 

Christol's title is never mentioned as being on the line. 

Following the contest Christol announces he is retiring from wrestling and that Schumacker is one of the best in the country comparing him to people such as William Muldoon.

A paper in February 1886 states it was Andrew Christol who wrestled.

1890s

1890

Annual Kaitangata Caledonian Gathering
Kaitangata, Otago, New Zealand
Attendance: "Unusually Large"

Notes:
Also featured other Highland Games and events.

Platzierung / Placement:

Wrestling All Comers
1. H. Dunn.
2. M. Powley.

Youths Wrestling - Under 10 Stone
1. R. Lattimer.
2. W. Reid.

Boys Wrestling - Under Fourteen Years
1. W. Morrison.
2. W. Smith.

Teilnehmer / Participants:

Wrestling All Comers
H. Dunn,
M. Powley,
Plus Two Other Wrestlers.

Youths Wrestling - Under 10 Stone
R. Lattimer,
W. Reid,
Plus Eight Other Wrestlers.

Boys Wrestling - Under Fourteen Years
W. Morrison,
W. Smith,
Plus Seven Other Wrestlers.

1896

Macedonia, Greece
Vangel Balam was born here.

Balam wrestled for the majority of his life. 

He had his first child, William Vangel Balam with his wife Alexandra (Callioras Balam) in 1917.

For over years they lived in the Nashua/Manchester area of New Hampshire.

He was a professional wrestler and has some documented matches in the MidWest.

Balam also wrestled in the New England area though.

He promoted wrestling shows in Nashua, New Hampshire at least.

However, it seems much of his life was spent wrestling, or otherwise, on the carnival circuit.

It's known he loved the carnival way of life.

As late as 1967 he was still touring with a "big carnival operation" across the country.

Balam moved to Florida somewhere toward the final years of his life.

Vangel Balam passed away on February 14, 1972 in Englewood, Florida.

His son also wrestled professionally in the New England area.

1899

​Parisiana, Paris, Ile-de-France, France 
1 - Nourlah Vs. Dirk van den Berg,
Result Unknown

1900s

1902

Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts
Attendance: 1,100
1 - American Heavyweight Championship - Two out of Three Falls
Dan McLeod def. Tom Jenkins (c), 
Two Falls to One - Forfeit (F1 00:59:00 - F2 00:24:00 - C 01:23:00) - NEW CHAMPION

Notes:
Jenkins claimed claimed he had blood poisoning.

He had to wear a brass buckle to hold on a bandage and steel strip on his shin.

The points of the buckle he said were digging into his skin which forced him to quit the third.

1904

“La Ceinture d’Or” / Gold Belt Graeco-Roman Tournament: Final Day
Promoter: Newspaper „L'Auto“ & Auguste Robinet
Folies-Bergére Theatre, Paris, Ile-de-France, France
Referee: Auguste Robinet
1 - Gold Belt Final
Paul Pons def. Raoul le Boucher
2 - Turkish Championat
Ahmed Madrali def. Redjeb Pengal

Final Placement:
1. Paul Pons.
2. Reoul le Boucher.
3. Ahmed Madrali.
4. Redjeb Pengal.

Turkish Championat:
1. Ahmed Madrali.

The full list of participants were:
Paul Pons, 
Raoul le Boucher, 
Ahmed Madrali, 
Ernst Siegfried, 
Redjeb Pengal, 
Simon Antonitch, 
Emile Deriaz, 
Charles Fengler, 
John Balkmann, 
Giovanni Bartoletti, 
Bassi, 
Emil Bau, 
Giuseppe Buisson, 
Jean Calvet, 
Cazeaux de la Bastide,
Iwan Chemjakin, 
Hermann Dangers, 
Juan Pedro Darrigol, 
Jean de Vriendt, 
Maurice Gambier, 
Mehmed Hassanof, 
Hans Lang, 
Emile Limousin, 
Ludvik, 
Ahmed Madrali, 
Mustapha Mehmedof, 
Milo, Nicotera, 
Bernhard Paxon, 
Peyret, 
Rancati, 
Raoul le Montagne, 
Raoul de Rouen, 
Romondi,
​Schackmann, 
Max Schwarz, 
Soyer, 
Alphonse Steurs, 
Vogel, 
Heinrich Winzer, 
Wonders,
Laurent le Beaucairois.

1907

​London, Greater London, England
Ernst Siegfried challenged Stanislaus Zbyszko.


​Graeco-Roman Tournament: Opening Day
New Naples Varieté & New American Theatre-Garden, Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria
1 - Josef Winzer def. Pishta
2. Christensen def. Tsiner
3 - Final
Alexander Dobricz def. Hans Kawan

The final placement on January 7, 1908 was:
1. Alexander Dobricz.
2. Hans Kawan.
3. Christensen.
4. Josef Winzer.

Here is a list of known participants:
Alexander Dobricz,
Hans Kawan,
Christensen,
Josef Winter,
Emilios,
Tsiner,
Phista.

1908

​Graeco-Roman Tournament: Day 4
Circus Rancy, Geneva, Switzerland
1 - Francois Fournier def. James le Carougeois
2 - Anastace Anglio def. Corrado Carpini
3 - Redjeb Pengal def. Imhof
4 - Josef Hansen-Esch def. Charles Poirée
5 - Jean Schackmann Vs. Noel le Bordelais,
Draw
6 - Ivan Poddubny def. Akitaro Ono
7 - Aimable de la Calmette (Ainé) def. Raasim

1909

​Graeco-Roman Tournament: Day ??
Promoter: Hermann Metzner
Eden-Theatre, Hamburg, Germany
1 - Jakob Koch def. Peter Debie

1910s

1915

​2nd International Graeco-Roman Championship Tournament: Biggest Competition Ever Held - Day 42
Promoters: Samuel Rachmann (of Berlin)
Manhattan Opera House, Manhattan, New York
Tickets: $0.25 to $2.00
Announcer: Joseph Humphries
Timekeeper: Johnnie Fleeson
Referee: George Bothner
1 - George Bayley Vs. Karl Sanderson
(00:17:11)
2 - Hans Fuerst def. Robert Dohm
(00:10:40)
3 - Ivan Linow def. Albert Miller
(00:08:10)
4 - Georg Lurich def. Karl Vogel
(00:06:26)
5 - Dimitrius Tofalos Vs. Renard Gardini,
Time-Limit Draw (00:30:00)
6 - Alex Aberg def. Paul Alvarez
(00:06:48)
7 - "Strangler" Lewis Vs. Jack McGrath,
Curfew Draw(?)

1920s

1922

​Christmas Wrestling Show
Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts
1 - Frank Judson "Harvard Wrestling Coach) def. John Prindles (of Indiana)
2 - Wladek Zbyszko (of Poland) def. Henri Lobmayer (of Bavaria)
2 - Two out of Three Falls
Renato Gardini (of Italy) def. Andreas Castano (of Spain),
Two Falls to None

1930s

1930

Newark Advocate

1934

Palm Beach Post

​Wrestling: Big Holiday Show
American Legion Area, Lake Worth, Florida
Tickets: $0.50, $1.00 & $2.00
1 - Twenty Minute Time-Limit
Rune Lillquist (of Scocia, NY) Vs. "Rowdy" Jim Watts (of Lake Worth),
Result Unknown
2 - Thirty Minute Time-Limit
"Whitie" Nielson (of Cambridge, Mass.) Vs. "Gorilla" Bartell (of Cleveland),
Result Unknown
3 - Sixty Minute - Time-Limit
Abe Marshall (of Utica, NY) Vs. Jack Bennett (of Vancouver, B.C.),
Result Unknown
4 - Sixty Minute - Time-Limit
Bobby Mainfort (of Palm Beach) Vs. Teddy Taylor "Rugged Light-Heavy" (of Lake Worth),
Result unknown
5 - Special! Winner Take All - Finish Match - No Holds Barred
Tiger Long "Crack Florida Heavyweight" Vs. Mike Miller "The Terrible Turk",
Result unknown

1938

Santa Cruz Sentinel

1940s

1946

Great Falls Tribune

1948

Fresno Bee-Republican

1950s

1951

Minneapolis Star

1957
​

Anniston Star

​Wrestling: Christmas Special
Promoter: Nick Gulas
Anniston Wrestling Arena, Anniston, Alabama
Attendance: "One of the Largest Crowds of the Season" / "Capacity House"
1 - Rube Wright (of Mobile) def. Bill Lawley (of Anniston)
2 - Sixty(?) Minute Time-Limit
Rube Wright Vs. Dick/Bob Boyer,
Time-Limit Draw (01:00:00)
3 - Australian Tag Team Match - Two out of Three Falls - Sixty Minute Time-Limit
Nick Carter (of Oneonta) & Reggie Parks (of Mobile) def. Tor "the Great" Yamato & Mr. Moto Jr. (Both of Japan),
Two Falls to None

Notes:
The show starts at 20:15.

About five days before the show the following match is advertised, but it does not appear to have taken place:
1 - Thirty Minute Time-Limit
Reggie Parks Vs. Mr. Moto Jr.

This is said to be Wright's debut here.

Boyer is billed as a former football player from Syracuse University, a member of the team that "got slaughtered" in the 1953 Orange Bowl "classic."

​Boyer is better known as the The Masked Destroyer and Dr. X.

Match 2 is originally advertised as two out of three falls, but it ends up being a one fall match.

It is said in the local Star newspaper of the main event that it was, "one of the wildest finishes ever witnessed at the Wrestling Arena."

1960s

1964

Arizona Star (Tucson)

​TSC Wrestling
Tucson Sports Center, Tucson, Arizona
Tickets: "Ladies Admitted Free if Escorted by Men"
1 - Gorgeous George Jr. def. Willie Love
2 - Ali Bey def. Sonny Moore
3 - Two out of Three Falls
"Iron" Mike Dibiase def. "Big" Jim Dalton,
Two Falls to One - Disqualification

Notes:
This was originally scheduled for Christmas Eve, but changed to today.

The first two bouts were advertised on the day to be:
1 - Gorgeous George Jr. Vs. Phil Melby,
Result Unknown
2 - Mixed Tag-Team (Men & Women)
Virginia Benson & Willie Love Vs. Ali Bey & Tona Tomah,
Result Unknown

1967

​Freestyle Tournament
Promoter: Edmund Schober
Hamburg, Germany

Notes:
This tournament started on September 15, 1967.

On October 18, 1967 the tournament was stopped.

On this day the tournament was restarted.

It finished on January 6, 1968 with Hans-Richard Behrens winning.

1970s

1973

​Christmas Wrestling Card
Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, South Carolina
1 - Special Tag-Teamer
Amazing Zuma & Pedro Colombo Vs. Tony Romano & Frank Cochran,
Result Unknown
2 - Mixed Midget Tag-Team
Peggy Downs & Billy "the Kidd" Vs. Donna Christian & Little Love,
Result Unknown
3 - Demand Return Bout
Jerry Brisco Vs. The Destroyer,
Result Unknown
4 - Lights Out Special - Anything Goes
Sandy Scott Vs. Beauregarde,
Result Unknown

1978

​Promotion: World Class Championship Wrestling
Promoter: Fritz Von Erich
Fort Worth, Texas
1 - Gary Hart def. T. John Tibbedeux
2 - Bull Ramos def. Bill White
3 - Tiger Conway Jr. def. Colosso Colosetti
4 - David & Kerry Von Erich def. Mark Lewin & Gino Hernandez
5 - NWA (WCCW) American Championship - No Disqualification
Kevin Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody (c)
NEW CHAMPION

1979

Minneapolis Star Tribune

​All-Star Wrestling: Christmas Day Special!
Promotion: American Wrestling Association
Promoters: Verne Gagne & Wally Karbo
Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
1 - Farmer Blackwell def. Ricky Hunter
2 - Steve Olsonoski Vs. Buddy Wolff,
Draw
3 - Mark III's Mask On the Line
Dino Bravo def. Super Destroyer Mark III
4 - Mad Dog Vachon Vs. Super Destroyer Mark II,
No Contest
5 - Greg Gagne Vs. Adrian Adonis,
Double Count-out
6 - Tag-Team Main Event
The Crusher & Lord Alfred Hayes def. Nick Bockwinkel & Bobby Heenan

​Notes:
Mark II was a substitute for Jesse "The Body" Ventura.

No mention is made of the mask being removed.

1980s

1981

Minneapolis Star Tribune

​All Star Wrestling
Promotion: American Wrestling Association
Promoters: Verne Gagne & Wally Karbo
St. Paul Civic Center, St. Paul, Minnesota
1 - Rene Goulet def. Kenny Jay
2 - Curt Hennig Vs. Evan Johnson,
Draw
3 - Buck Zumhofe def. Bobby Heenan
4 - Jerry Blackwell & Sheik Adnan El Kassie def. Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell
5 - Special Main Event - Tag-Team
Ken Patera & "Big Bad" Bobby Duncum def. "Incredible" Hulk Hogan & Tito Santana,
Disqualification
6 - [AWA] Worlds Championship
Nick Bockwinkel (c) def. Bill Robinson

Notes:
Robinson is billed as the British Empire Champion.

Jay is a substitute for Brad Rheingans.

1985​

Philadelphia Inquirer

1986

​Christmas Star Wars
Promotion: World Class Wrestling Association
Promoter: Fritz Von Erich
Reunion Arena, Dallas, Texas
1 - Mark Youngblood def. Tim Brooks
2 - Steve Simpson def. The Grappler
3 - Lance Von Erich def. Master Gee
4 - Dingo Warrior Vs. Bob Bradley,
Double Disqualification
5 - Candi Divine def. Lock
6 - Tony Atlas def. Matt Borne
7 - Loser Rides a Mule
Scott Casey def. Black Bart
8 - WCWA World Tag-Team Championship
Kevin & Mike Von Erich def. Brian Adias & Al Madril (c),
Disqualification
9 - Loser Leaves Town - Steel Cage
Abdullah "the Butcher" def. Bruiser Brody

Note:
The final match led to the birth of "Red River Jack."

Bruiser Brody's "Midnight Rider."

A young Mark Calaway, WWE's The Undertaker, is said to have appeared under the Red River Jack mask at least once.

It was also during this time that Calaway made his debut for WCWA as Texas Red.

His first match according to Paul Bearer was against Bruiser Brody, the booker at the time.

Bearer was working as Percy Pringle III at the time.

He managed Calaway in that debut match, and he said Calaway always said the following:

"I swear Brody only sent you out there with me because he knew I'd need help to the back." 

Christmas Star Wars was held by the Von Erichs from 1981 to 1987.


​Brawl in St. Paul
Promotion: American Wrestling Association
Promoters: Verne Gagne & Wally Karbo
Civic Center, St. Paul, Minnesota
1 - Buck Zumhoffe Vs. Buddy Wolfe,
Time-Limit Draw (00:20:00)
2 - Earthquake Ferris def. Brian Knobbs
3 - Steve O def. Boris Zhukov 
4 - Six-Man Tag-Team
Greg Gagne, Scott Hall & Leon White def. Larry Zbyszko, Mr. Saito & Super Ninja
5 - Jimmy Snuka def. Col. DeBeers,
Count-out
7 - Steel Cage
The Midnight Rockers def. Buddy Rose & Doug Somers

1987

​Knoxville, Tennessee
1 - NWA (CWA) Southeastern Heavyweight Championship
Lord Humongous def. Danny Davis (c)
NEW CHAMPION

1990s

1991

​Promotion: World Championship Wrestling
Promoter: Turner Broadcasting
The Omni, Atlana, Georgia
1 - Tom Zenk def. Larry Zbyszko
2 - Johnny B. Badd & PN News def. Diamond Dallas Page & Teddy Long
3 - WCW Television Championship
Steve Austin (c) Vs. Scott Steiner,
Time-Limit Draw (00:15:00)
4 - WCW United States Championship
Rick Rude (c) def. Sting,
Disqualification
5 - Abdullah "the Butcher" & Cactus Jack def. Van Hammer & El Gigante
6 - WCW World Light Heavyweight Championship
Jushin Liger def. Brian Pillman (c)
NEW CHAMPION
7 - WCW World Tag-Team Championship - Two out of Three Falls
Ricky Steamboat & Dusty Rhodes (c) def. Arn Anderson & Bobby Eaton,
Two Falls to One
8 - WCW World Heavyweight Championship
Lex Luger (c) def. Rick Steiner

​
1995

​Pre-Taped Television: Monday Nitro TNT (Episode 17)
Promotion: World Championship Wrestling
Promoter: Turner Broadcasting
Richmond County Civic Center, Augusta, Georgia
Announcer: Dave Penzar
Commentators: Eric Bischoff, Bobby Heenan & Steve McMichael
Referees: Randy Anderson & Nick Patrick
1 - Lex Luger (with Jimmy Hart) def. Scotty Riggs,
Submission
2 - Sting def. Big Bubba Rogers
3 - Dean Malenko def. Mr. J.L.,
Submission
4 - WCW World Heavyweight Championship
"Macho Man" Randy Savage (c) def. Ric Flair,
Disqualification

Note:
Flair was disqualified when Luger attacked Savage.

Of course, this is only a small sample of all of what has happened in history on December 25. I tried to put together a selection of varied and maybe not so commonly featured shows from Christmas night throughout the years. Guys like Strong Kobayashi, Chris Harris, Carl Farley, Mike Mazurki and Bronko Lubich were all born on December 25. While guys like Charles "Kid" Cutler, Wilbur Snyder and Mike Davis all died on that day. HUSTLE House have held Christmas specials. Mr. Gannosuke, Tetsuhiro Kuroda, Jimmy Garvin, and Ray Mendoza have all won titles and still I'm sure there is so much more out there with WWE adding to the annuals tonight with their Christmas Raw Christmas.

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Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.

​Christmas Day Cards.
Author: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: December 25, 2017.
Article: #184.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.

Other articles by Jimmy can be Read Here.