Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling
A Recap of July 1952
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July opened with four cards held on Tuesday the 1st. In Monroe a newcomer called Wild Bill Sledge made his debut as he faced Jack Kelly in the opening match. Kelly was disqualified by referee Bill Barney for fouling Sledge, giving the one fall victory to the newcomer.
Rex Mobley and Red Kirkpatrick fought to a 10 minute draw in the second match of the evening.
Sledge & Mobley teamed to face Kelly & Kirkpatrick in the main event tag team match. For this match two ringside judges, Bob Fuller and George Hibbard, were assigned to judge the match along with referee Bill Barney. Kelly & Kirkpatrick won the first fall after slugging their opponents around quite a bit. Sledge pinned Kelly after using what he called a Sledge Hammer to flatten him and win the second fall. In the third and deciding fall Mobley & Sledge tossed both Kelly & Kirkpatrick out of the ring and onto the arena floor. When referee Barney warned them about their tactics, they tossed him out as well, causing him to land on top of Kelly & Kirkpatrick. Barney disqualified Mobley & Sledge and awarded the fall and the match to Kelly & Kirkpatrick. Fuller and Hibbard, the ringside judges, overruled Barney and claimed that Kelly & Kirkpatrick had been outside of the ring long enough to have been counted out before Barney was tossed out with them. They declared Mobley & Sledge the winners of the fall and the match. Kelly, Kirkpatrick and Barney all protested the decision, but their ruling stood. To make matters worse for Red Kirkpatrick, his entrance to the dressing room was blocked by a fan wielding a chair. Kirkpatrick managed to relieve the man of the chair and chased him out of the building with it.
That same Tuesday evening in Baton Rouge, Joe Corbett faced the Baby Blimp in the first match of a double main event. Corbett used a sleeper to put the Blimp away to win the first fall. The Blimp used his considerable girth to wear down Corbett and pin him to take the second fall. Corbett was on the receiving end of some rough stuff by the Blimp in the third and deciding fall. Corbett began to fight back using the same tactics only to be stopped by referee Jimmy Kilshaw. Corbett punched Kilshaw which resulted in his disqualification, giving the fall and the match to the Blimp.
In the main event, Raoul Lopez faced Butch Boyette, making his first appearance in Louisiana. Neither man paid any particular attention to the rules, but Lopez managed to win two straight falls over Boyette to win the match.
Also on Tuesday in Huntsville Elmer Davis and Prince Omar met in the first half of a double main event. Davis was awarded the first fall on a disqualification when Omar refused to release a Boston Crab after Davis had submitted. The fall lasted 15 minutes. Davis used a rolling short arm scissors to pin Omar to win the second fall in 20 minutes, taking the match in straight falls.
In the main event, popular Nick Carter faced the Skull with the masked man’s mask at stake. The Skull won the first fall in 18 minutes when he pinned Carter. Carter evened things up when he pinned the Skull to win the second fall. After 10 minutes in the third and deciding fall, carter tore the mask off of the Skull and pinned him with a jackknife to win the fall and the match. The Skull left the ring without identifying himself, but once again it was Don Martin under the mask.
That same Tuesday evening wrestling in Mobile moved to a new night. Popular Tarzan White faced off with Pat Malone in the opening match of the evening. White took the first fall after stunning Malone with a flying head scissors. Malone came back with a shoulder slide to pin White in the second fall. The third fall saw White use a shoulder slide himself to pin Malone for the fall and the match.
Rugged Jack Steele finally found an opponent he couldn’t bully when he was matched with Ginger the wrestling bear in the semi-final match. Ginger toyed with Steele for a few minutes before pinning him simply by sitting on him. For his success, Ginger was rewarded with two bottles of orange juice.
Tiger Joe Marsh faced off with the Super Zebra Kid in the main event. The Kid took the first fall with a backbreaker but Marsh roared back and pinned the Kid for the second fall in just 60 seconds. Embarrassed at losing the second fall so quickly, the Kid really worked over Marsh in the third. Referee Jack Welch tried to control the huge 280 pounder but was slugged for his effort. Welch thus disqualified the Kid and awarded the match to Marsh.
On Wednesday in Alexandria Joe Corbett faced the Baby Blimp once again in the opening match of a double main event. Corbett took the first fall when he used a sleeper hold to put the Blimp out. The Blimp came back and wore Corbett down enough to pin him to take the second fall and even things up. In the third and deciding fall Corbett managed to get the sleeper hold on the Blimp twice, but the Blimp managed to make the ropes each time, forcing the break. After finally securing the hold a third time Corbett thought he was assured of a victory. But referee Phil Brummett felt that the hold was a choke hold and ordered Corbett to break. When Corbett refused Brummett disqualified him and awarded the fall and the match to the Baby Blimp.
In the second half of the double main event Raoul Lopez was matched once again with Butch Boyette. This match between the two was much more lackluster than the one they’d had the previous night in Baton Rouge. The fans booed both wrestlers as well as referee Brummett throughout the match. Lopez defeated Boyette in two straight falls to win the match.
That same Wednesday evening in Gulfport Pat Newman faced World Light-Heavyweight champion Sockeye Jack McDonald in the one fall opening match. McDonald’s title was not up for grabs in this match. Referee Jack Roberts disqualified McDonald for rough tactics and awarded the match to Newman.
In the second one fall match of the night, Wild Bill Sledge and Jack Kelly fought to a 15 minute draw.
The main event was a tag team match with Newman & Sledge facing McDonald & Kelly. Newman forced McDonald to submit to a stepover toehold to win the first fall in 20 minutes. Sledge used an arm stretch on Kelly to force him to submit to gain the second fall in 15 minutes, giving the match to Newman & Sledge in two straight falls.
The cross town cards in Pensacola also continued that same Wednesday night. The Speedway card featured a double main event, both matches scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 90 minute time limit. In the opening match Wally Dusek faced Paddy Mack. Both men were returning to the area after lengthy absences.
The second half of the double wind up was a women’s match between Therese Theis and Jo Ann Mullenniex. Theis was also returning to the area after an absence. This was the first appearance of Mullenniex.
No results are known for this card.
At the Sports Palace in Pensacola, George Curtis faced Red Kirkpatrick in the opening one fall match.
In the second one fall match of the night, Jack Curtis faced Rex Mobley.
The main event was a tag team match with Jack & George Curtis taking on Kirkpatrick & Mobley. This match was scheduled for best two out of three falls.
No results are known for this card either.
On Thursday night in New Orleans Tiger Joe Marsh defeated Pat Malone in the opening match.
In the second match of the night Jack Steele took on Ginger the bear. Ginger defeated Steele fairly easily.
The third match of the night was also a one fall match between Joe Corbett and the Super Zebra Kid. The Kid used his considerable weight advantage over Corbett to wear him down and pin him to win the match.
In the main event Tarzan White took on Raoul Lopez with the Baby Blimp assigned as the referee. The match was even going into the third and deciding fall, with each man having won each of the first two falls. The fans were so irate with the way the Blimp had been handling the referee’s chores that several of them punched him as he made his way back to the dressing room following the second fall. The Blimp sustained a cut lip as a result and refused to come back out for the final fall. Jack Steele volunteered to replace him and was the referee for the third and deciding fall. Steele, who rarely followed the rules as a wrestler, disqualified Lopez for foul tactics, awarding the fall and the match to White.
The Fourth of July was celebrated with two wrestling cards being held. In Jackson two Texans squared off in the opening match as Texas City’s Rex Mobley faced Wild Bill Sledge of Navasota. Mobley was awarded the one fall match on a disqualification when Sledge refused to follow the rules.
In the semi-final match bitter rivals Sockeye Jack McDonald and Pat Cronin met in a boxing match. There was no scheduled number of rounds and the two would continue until one man scored a knockout, Cronin, former heavyweight boxing champion for his home state of Mississippi, totally outclassed McDonald with the gloves. McDonald became frustrated and hit Cronin with a couple of low blows and then used his knees to knock Cronin from the ring. As Cronin struggled to regain his composure on the arena floor, McDonald removed his right glove. As Cronin made his way back into the ring, McDonald hit him with a taped fist, which drove a lower tooth through Cronin’s lip causing the blood to flow. McDonald was disqualified for his actions and the match was given to Cronin.
In the main event, Jack & George Curtis teamed to face Jack Kelly & Red Kirkpatrick in a tag team match. Kelly pinned George Curtis to win the first fall. Jack Curtis pinned Red Kirkpatrick to win the second fall and even the score. In the third and deciding fall the Curtis Brothers spent most of the fall giving Kelly a going over. Kelly wound up with a bloody cut over his eye but continued to fight back, despite nearly being out of his feet. Kelly, blinded by blood and rage began swinging wildly at anything that moved until referees Pat Willis and Jack Roberts stopped the match and awarded the final fall and the match to the Curtis Brothers.
That same Friday evening in Anniston Jack Steele met Big Ben Morgan in the opening match, scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 60 minute time limit. This was Morgan’s first appearance in Anniston after being unmasked as the Super Zebra Kid by Nick Carter there two weeks previously.
Nick Carter was after another mask that same evening as he faced the Skull in the main event, scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 90 minute time limit.
No results are known for this card.
Wrestling returned to Jasper on Saturday as Ginger the bear made an appearance. Ginger faced four wrestlers to open the card. The opponents were Prince Omar, Elmer Davis, Charley Keene & Nick Carter.
The main event was a tag team match with Charley Keene & Elmer Davis taking on Pat Malone & Prince Omar. The match was scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 60 minute time limit.
No results are known for this card.
The following Monday in Birmingham Prince Omar defeated Jim Champion in the opening match of the evening.
The second match of the night was a women’s match in which Cora Combs returned after a lengthy absence to face Ella Waldek. Combs was a former member of the Nashville Trail Riders hillbilly band who had made quite an impression in her previous appearances in the area. Waldek was a veteran wrestler and defeated Combs handily in this match.
Nick Carter defeated Joe Corbett in the third match of the night.
Tarzan White defeated Raoul Lopez in the main event.
Also on Monday in Shreveport Jack Curtis faced Wild Bill Sledge in the one fall opening match. Sledge was disqualified to give the match to Curtis.
Jack Curtis teamed with his younger brother George to take on Sledge & Red Kirkpatrick in the semi-final tag team match. The Curtis Brothers won two straight falls to win the match.
In the main event Rex Mobley finally got his chance at the World Light-Heavyweight title held by Sockeye Jack McDonald. McDonald won two out of three falls over Mobley to win the match and retain his title.
That same Monday evening in Huntsville Ginger the bear made another appearance. Ginger was matched with two men, Charley Keene & Rube Wright. Despite the odds, Ginger easily handled both men to win the match.
The semi-final match featured Pat Malone taking on Wight. The match was even at a fall apiece going into the third and deciding fall. The 60 minute time limit expired with neither man able to take the deciding fall and the match ended in a draw.
Keene was matched with the Baby Blimp in the main event. This match, too, was tied at a fall apiece going into the deciding fall. The Blimp was disqualified in the final fall to given the fall and the match to Keene.
On Tuesday in Monroe the evening was strange from the beginning. The only match scheduled was a return tag team match for the main event. The return was requested by Red Kirkpatrick & Irish Jack Kelly, who were not happy with losing the match to Rex Mobley & Wild Bill Sledge the previous week in Monroe. The lost the match by judges’ decision after the verdict of referee Bill Barney had been overturned. This week they were requesting the match with two Texans to be a best three out of five falls bout with a two hour time limit. Promoter Gus Kallio agreed and assigned a new referee as well, Pat Willis of Jackson. George Hibbard and T.E. McConelly would serve as the ringside judges.
The evening began with Kallio calling all four men out to the ring. Kallio said that he was going to allow the fans to decide how the two one fall 10 minute preliminary matches would be matched. The fans picked Rex Mobley to face Red Kirkpatrick and Wild Bill Sledge to face Irish Jack Kelly. Both matches ended in 10 minute draws.
In the first fall of the main event, Kirkpatrick had Sledge in an armlock and every time Sledge began to escape it, Kelly would distract referee Willis. With the referee looking the other way, Kirkpatrick hit Sledge with a kidney punch and reapplied the armlock. This happened several times until Kirkpatrick finally forced Sledge to submit after 15 minutes into the first fall. After all of the wrestlers returned to the dressing room between falls, referee Willis and the judges conferred on a decision. It was decided that since the judges saw the illegal kidney punches thrown by Kirkpatrick they would award the fall to Sledge & Mobley by default. When Kirkpatrick & Kelly were informed of the judges’ decision they were incensed but the match continued. Kelly forced Mobley to submit to a Boston Crab to win the second fall in 15 minutes. All four men spent much of the third fall in the ring at the same time. At one point Mobley was holding Kelly as Sledge was punching him. The blows floored Kelly and Mobley pinned him to win the fall in 2 minutes. All four men started in the ring at the same time at the beginning of the fourth fall. At one point Kirkpatrick & Kelly, still fuming over the loss of the first fall began arguing with referee Willis and then left the ring to argue with Commissioner Dave Silverstein, who was at ringside. As they were out of the ring arguing with Silverstein, Willis counted them out and awarded the fall and the match to Mobley & Sledge.
Also on Tuesday in Baton Rouge Elmer Davis faced Raoul Lopez in the first half of a double main event. Davis was disqualified in each of the first two falls by referee Jimmy Kilshaw, giving the match to Lopez in two straight falls.
The second half of the double main event featured Charley Keene taking on the Baby Blimp. The Blimp hit Keene with a series of body tackles and pinned him to win the first fall. In the second fall Keene managed to lift the massive Blimp up twice for bodyslams and pinned him to take the fall. Keene tried the same thing in the third and deciding fall, but he underestimated his strength. He got the Blimp up in the air but fell backwards with the Blimp on top of him. Keene was pinned, giving the fall and the match to the Baby Blimp.
That same Tuesday evening in Decatur, Rube Wright faced Prince Omar in the opening match, scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 60 minute time limit.
In the semi-final match, a one fall match with no time limit, Charley Keene & Rube Wright took on Ginger the bear.
In the main event, scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 60 minute time limit, Pat Malone faced Charley Keene.
No results are known for this card. But what is known is that although he was booked to appear on this card, Rube Wright was actually in wrestling in Mobile that same night. It is not known if he was replaced in Decatur and by whom.
Also on Tuesday in Mobile Tarzan White and Rube Wright met in the opening match of the night. Wright used a rolling headlock on White to pin him and win the first fall. White came back with a series of bodyslams in each of the final two falls to pin Wright and win the match.
Fans were treated to a rare scientific wrestling match during the semi-final match between Nick Carter and Joe Corbett. Corbett took the first fall with his sleeper hold. Carter took the final two fall, using a body press in each to secure a clean victory.
The main event was a women’s match with Cora Combs facing off against Ella Waldek. Combs proved to be too much for Ella as she took the match in two straight falls.
On Wednesday in Alexandria Elmer Davis and Raoul Lopez faced off in the first match of a double main event. Lopez spent most of the first fall illegally punching Davis out of sight of referee Phil Brummett. This weakened Davis enough for Lopez to pin him to win the fall. After Lopez pinned Davis he continued to kick and stomp Davis as he was prone on the mat. Davis dominated Lopez through most of the second fall until Lopez drove his knee into Davis’ stomach. Davis fell to the mat and Lopez pinned him to win the match in straight falls.
In the second half of the double main event, Charley Keene squared off with the Baby Blimp. The match was even with each man winning a fall apiece heading into the third and final fall. Keene attempted to apply a bodyslam on the Blimp put crumpled under the big man’s weight. Keene fell to the mat with the Blimp on top of him. Keene was pinned and the fall and the match went to the Blimp.
Also on Wednesday in Gulfport Pat Newman was scheduled to face Charlie Carr, a newcomer from Shreveport, in the opening match. It was scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 45 minute time limit.
The main event was due to have Wild Bill Sledge facing Irish Jack Kelly in a match scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 90 minute time limit.
The card was canceled due to a severe rain storm.
In Pensacola the same Wednesday night, the Speedway card featured tw matches, both best two out of three falls with a 90 minute time limit.
In the first match Al Massey faced George Harben, both men returning after lengthy absences.
The main event was a return match between Wally Dusek and Paddy Mack.
No results are known for this card.
Across town at the Sports Palace, the opening match was a return match between George Curtis and Red Kirkpatrick.
In the main event, World Light-Heavyweight champion Sockeye Jack McDonald put his title on the line against Jack Curtis, the man he’d taken the title from.
No results are known for this card either.
On the Thursday night card in New Orleans, Charley Keene and Elmer Davis went a full 30 minutes without either scoring the one fall scheduled. The match ended in a time limit draw.
Raoul Lopez scored a bit of an upset when he pinned Joe Corbett to win the second match of the night. Corbett disputed the decision, but it stood final.
In the semi-final match of the night, Tarzan White squared off with the Baby Blimp. The match went along an even keel until White tossed the Blimp through the ropes and onto the arena floor. The Blimp was unable to haul his heft back into the ring and was counted out by referee Bob Seely, giving the match to White.
In the main event Cora Combs and Ella Waldek met in a women’s match. Waldek scored two out of three falls over Combs to win the match.
On Friday in Jackson the card opened with a match between veteran Rex Mobley and Charlie Carr, making his first appearance in Jackson. Despite Mobley considerable experience, Carr stayed right with him. The time limit expired with neither man able to score a fall and the match ended in a draw.
In the semi-final match, Charlie Laye faced off with Red Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick was wrangling for a shot at the World’s Light-Heavyweight crown no in the possession of Sockeye Jack McDonald. Kirkpatrick claimed that he was the British Isles champion and had never suffered a loss (other than by disqualification) stateside. Laye was a former World Light-heavyweight champion and he, too, was interested in a shot at McDonald. Kirkpatrick used his Highland Special hold on Laye to force a submission to win the deciding fall and the match.
Sockeye McDonald was obviously watching Kirkpatrick/Laye match with great interest but he had other matters in the tag team match that made up the main event. McDonald teamed Irish jack Kelly to face the Curtis Brothers, Jack & George. The Curtis duo had given Kelly a severe beating the previous week in Jackson and McDonald had to be threatened with fines and suspension by promoter Billy Romanoff to keep him from entering the ring himself. Now he could legally help Kelly exact what they hope was revenge on the Curtis Brothers. The two teams split the first two falls with each winning a fall apiece. In the third and deciding fall Kelly made use of what appeared to be a small chain wrapped around his fist. Kelly knock George Curtis from the ring, followed by referees Pat Willis and Jack Roberts. He shoved McDonald aside and went to work on Jack Curtis with the chain. Curtis was knocked unconscious and when the referees and George got back into the ring, Kelly & McDonald had already left for the dressing room. Fans at ringside informed the officials of Kelly’s use of the chain and after a short conference they declared the Curtis Brothers the winners by disqualification. The chain was later found in the dressing room while Kelly was in the shower. Jack Curtis had to be carried to his dressing room and it was later learned that he suffered a mild concussion.
That same Friday night in Anniston the card opened with a match between Pat Malone and Rube Wright. The match was scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 60 minute time limit.
The second match of the night was also scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 60 minute time limit. Nick Carter took on Prince Omar in that bout.
In the main event, Ginger the bear was scheduled to face three opponents. Ginger had been having no trouble with two men in matches across the territory so it was decided to add a third opponent. Prince Omar, Rube Wright and Nick Carter were the bear’s opponents in this match.
No results are known for this card.
The following Monday in Birmingham Charley Keene and Elmer Davis met in the opening match, scheduled for one fall with a 30 minute time limit.
The semi-final match was a women’s match between Cora Combs and Ella Waldek. This match was also scheduled for one fall with a 30 minute time limit.
The main event featured a tag team match with the popular team of Tarzan White & Nick Carter taking on Raoul Lopez & Big Ben Morgan. This match was set for best two out of three falls and carried a 90 minute time limit.
No results are known for this card.
That same Monday evening in Shreveport, George Curtis and Charlie Carr fought to a 30 minute draw in the one fall opening match.
George Curtis and Carr returned for the semi-final match, a tag team match with George teaming with big brother Jack Curtis to face Carr & Charlie Laye. Carr & Laye were disqualified for rough tactics in the first fall. The Curtis Brothers flattened both of their foes with dropkicks and pinned them both to win the second fall, giving the match in straight falls.
In the main event, Red Kirkpatrick got his opportunity to take the World Light-Heavyweight title from Sockeye Jack McDonald. The champion flattened Kirkpatrick with flying tackles and pinned him to win the first fall. Kirkpatrick came back to win the second fall by forcing McDonald to submit to a Boston Crab. The third and final fall saw the advantage switch back and forth several times before Kirkpatrick upended McDonald and pinned him to win the fall and the match. Red (the Mighty Scot) Kirkpatrick was the new World Light-Heavyweight champion.
Also on Monday in Huntsville the card opened with a one fall preliminary match with a 10 minute time limit. Danny Novak faced the Baby Blimp in the opener.
The second preliminary was also scheduled for one fall and carried a 10 minute time limit. Joe Corbett and Rube Wright squared off in that one.
In the main event, a tag team match scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 90 minute time limit, Novak & Wright joined forces to face Corbett & the Blimp in a couple of odd pairings.
No results are known for this card.
On Tuesday in Monroe, George Curtis and Jack Kelly fought to a draw in the opening match of the night.
In the second match, the Might Scot, the newly crowned World Light-heavyweight champion, faced Rex Mobley, who had held the same title several times himself. This match also ended in a time limit draw,
Curtis & Mobley joined forces to face Kelly & Kirkpatrick in the main event tag team match. Curtis and Kirkpatrick started the first fall, which Curtis spent most of the time applying a Japanese arm wringer on the new champion. Kirkpatrick finally managed to tag in Kelly who immediately grabbed Curtis by the throat and began choking him. Curtis managed to break himself free by tossing Kelly into the ropes but was flattened by a shoulder tackle as Kelly rebounded. Kelly hit Curtis with two more shoulder tackles but when he tried it a fourth time Curtis countered with a kangaroo kick. This flattened Kelly, who most likely who have been pinned had Kirkpatrick not pulled him from the ring. Curtis then found himself trapped in a corner with Kelly & Kirkpatrick choking him. Mobley was able to come in and break things up but Kelly managed to get a Boston Crab on Curtis and forced him to submit to win the fall in 16 minutes. In the second fall Curtis & Mobley concentrated their attack on Red Kirkpatrick. They constantly tagged in and out while tossing Kirkpatrick with flying mares. Mobley finally rolled Kirkpatrick up in his rocking chair cradle and pinned him to take the second fall in 12 minutes. Curtis & Mobley attempted the same strategy in the third and deciding fall but Kirkpatrick managed to turn things around and forced Mobley to submit to a Boston Crab after 5 minutes to win the fall and the match for his team.
That same Tuesday evening in Baton Rouge the card featured a double main event. The first match Joe Corbett took on the Baby Blimp. The Blimp used his weight advantage over Corbett to wear him down long enough to pin him to win the first fall. Corbett came back and won the next two falls, each time with a sleeper hold, to win the match.
In the second half of the double main event, Cora Combs took on Ella Waldek in a women’s match. Waldek pinned Combs to win the first fall and gain an early advantage. Combs came back strong and pinned Waldek in the final two falls to take the match.
Also on Tuesday in Decatur the card opened with to one fall preliminary matches, both with a 10 minute time limit. Danny Novak faced Elmer Davis in one while Charley Keene faced Red Byrd in the other.
The main event was a tag team match, scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 90 minute time limit. In that one Novak and Keene teamed to take on the team of Davis & Byrd.
No results are known for this card.
On yet another Tuesday Card, this one in Mobile, Tarzan White and Raoul Lopez battled to a draw in the opening match.
Prince Omar proved to be a little too tough for Rube Wright and defeated him to win the semi-final match.
In the main event, Nick Carter & Tarzan White teamed to face the Super Zebra Kid & Raoul Lopez. The Kid & Lopez took the first fall after Lopez rammed White’s head into the Kid’s knee several times and pinned him. White gained the second fall for his team after flattening Lopez with a series of football tackles and a pin. In the third fall the Kid & Lopez got a little too rough with referee Bob O’Regan and were disqualified. Nick Carter and the Super Zebra Kid also got into a scuffle after the match.
On Wednesday in Alexandria the card featured a double main event. In the men’s half of the card Joe Corbett faced off with the Baby Blimp once again. The Blimp wore Corbett down long enough to pin him to take the first fall. Corbett managed to roll up his rotund opponent long enough to pin him to win the second fall and even the score. Corbett caught the Blimp in the sleeper hold to put him out to win the third fall and the match.
The second half of the double main event was a women’s match with Cora Combs and Ella Waldek facing off once again. Waldek used a series of bodyslams on Combs to knock the breathe out of her long enough to pin her and win the first fall. Combs came back with a bodyslam of her own as she caught Waldek coming off the ropes. After slamming Waldek, Combs pinned her to take the second fall. The third and final fall saw the advantage switch back and forth several times before Combs forced Waldek to submit to a backbreaker just before the time limit expired, giving the fall and the match to Combs.
Also on Wednesday in Gulfport Pat Newman was matched with Charlie Carr in the opening match. With each man having won a fall apiece, the match was even going into the third and final fall. Neither man could score the deciding fall before the 45 minute time limit expired. Referee Jack Roberts declared the match a draw, although Newman and Carr continued throwing punched for several minutes after the end of the match.
The main event featured Rex Mobley taking on Jack Kelly. Mobley used a rocking chair cradle on Kelly to win the first fall in 16 minutes. During the second fall, Kelly caught Mobley with a punch in the stomach and followed it up with a punch to the head. Mobley went down and was pinned to give the Kelly the fall in 12 minutes. Mobley continued to lay sprawled out on the canvas during the rest period and was unable to get to his feet at the start of the third and final fall. Referee Jack Roberts counted Mobley out and awarded the fall and the match to Kelly by forfeit.
That same Wednesday evening in Pensacola, the Speedway card opened with a women’s match with newcomer Irene Ratliff making her first appearance taking on Jo Ann Mullenniex. The match was scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 60 minute time limit.
In the main event Paddy Mack faced George Harben in a match scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 90 minute time limit.
No results are known for this card.
Across town in Pensacola, the Sports Palace card things opened with Charlie Laye facing Red Kirkpatrick in a match scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 45 minute time limit.
The second event was a return match between Jack Curtis and Sockeye Jack McDonald. Initially the match was to be for the World Light-Heavyweight title, but McDonald has lost the title earlier in the week to Red Kirkpatrick. This match was scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 60 minute time limit.
Following the two singles matches, all four men were to return to the ring for a 4 man Battle Royal.
No results are known for this card either.
These two cards were the final two cards held in Pensacola until early August. Neither John Morton nor Mal Tait would promote in Pensacola again. A new promoter was in place when wrestling resumed in August.
On Thursday in New Orleans the Baby Blimp defeated Prince Omar in the one fall opening match.
The second match of the evening was between Joe Corbett and the Super Zebra Kid. These two were quickly becoming bitter rivals and the Kid jumped Corbett before the opening bell. He battered Corbett around and tossed him through the ropes and onto the arena floor. Corbett injured his ankle in the fall and was unable to continue. Since the match had not formally started, it was declared a no contest.
In the semi-final match, Tarzan White faced Raoul Lopez. The match was even at a fall apiece going into the third and deciding fall. During the final fall the two men collided mid-air and were knocked to the mat. Referee Bob Seely counted both men out and the match ended in a draw.
The main event was a women’s match between Cora Combs and Ella Waldek. Combs scored two out of three falls over Waldek to win the match.
On Friday in Jackson Charlie Laye and Rex Mobley met in the one fall opening match. Mobley used a rocking chair cradle on Laye to pin him and win the match.
The semi-final match was a tag team match with Jack & George Curtis facing Jack Kelly & Charlie Carr. Each team won a fall apiece and the match was even going into the third and deciding fall. Action was wild and wooly throughout the final fall but neither team could score a decision. The 60 minute time limit expired and the match was declared a draw.
The main event was a World Light-heavyweight title match with new champion, Red Kirkpatrick, defending against the man he’d taken the title from earlier in the week, Sockeye Jack McDonald. Each man won each of the first two falls and the match was even at the start of the third fall. Referee Pat Willis had been injured during the second fall and Jack Roberts replaced him at the start of the final fall. During the final fall, McDonald lifted Kirkpatrick up to apply an airplane spin. After the third spin, Kirkpatrick managed to reach down and trip McDonald, causing him to fall. Kirkpatrick ended up on top of McDonald and pinned him to win the fall and the match to retain his title.
Also on Friday in Anniston Danny Novak faced Charley Keene in the opening match, scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 60 minute time limit.
The second event was also a best two out of three fall match with a 60 minute time limit. Rube Wright faced Elmer Davis in that match.
The main event was a women’s match between Cora Combs and Ella Waldek. It, too, was scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 60 minute time limit. Nick Carter was the special referee for the women’s match.
No results are known for this card.
That same Friday wrestling expanded in Northwest Florida despite a hiatus in Pensacola. Promoter Joe Gunther presented his first card in Fort Walton Beach at the Fort Walton Motor Speedway. The initial card opened with Joe Corbett facing the Super Zebra Kid in a match scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 60 minute time limit.
The main event was a tag team match scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 60 minute time limit. Tarzan White teamed with Prince Omar to take on Raoul Lopez & the Baby Blimp.
No results are known for this card.
The following Monday in Birmingham, Joe Corbett used a sleeper hold o Tiger Joe Marsh to put him out and win the opening match.
In the second match, newcomer Tom Bradley made his debut a successful on as he defeated the Baby Blimp.
Nick Carter defeated Big Ben Morgan in the first half of a double main event.
In the final match of the evening, Raoul Lopez defeated Tarzan White.
That same Monday night in Shreveport, Rex Mobley met Jack Kelly in the opening match. The match was scheduled for one fall with no time limit. At one point the two were fighting alongside the ring ropes and both fell from the ring. Neither was able to return to the ring before referee Conway Baker counted them out. The match was ruled a no contest.
In the second one fall match of the evening, Jack Curtis pinned Charlie Carr to win the match.
In the third one fall match, the Might Scot forced George Curtis to submit to a Boston Crab to win the match.
The main event was a 6 man Battle Royal, with participants made up of the same 6 wrestlers involved in the preliminary matches. Jack Curtis was the first man eliminated, followed by Jack Kelly. Next out was Rex Mobley, followed by Charlie Carr. That left George Curtis and Red Kirkpatrick as the final two men in the match. Curtis applied an Atomic Drop on Kirkpatrick and pinned him to win the match.
Also on Monday in Huntsville, newcomer Andy Nelson wrestled to a 15 minute draw with Elmer Davis in the opening match. Davis was a substitute for Danny Novak who was unable to appear.
Charley Keene used a Boston Crab on Prince Omar to force a submission and win the second match in 9 minutes.
In the main event, Keene & Nelson teamed to take on Davis & Omar in a tag team match. Davis pinned Nelson following a bodyslam to win the first fall. Keene evened things up when he pinned Davis to win the second fall. In the third and deciding fall, Davis & Omar resorted to some illegals tactics and attacked referee Walter Carver when he tried to warn them. This brought about a disqualification and the fall and the match were awarded to Keene & Nelson.
On Tuesday in Monroe George Curtis and Jack Kelly fought to a 10 minute draw in the opening match.
The second match of the night, between Jack Curtis and Red Kirkpatrick, also ended in a 10 minute draw.
The Curtis Brothers joined forces in the main event to face Kelly & Kirkpatrick in a tag team match. The first fall started with George Curtis and Kirkpatrick. Very little wrestling was shown as the two men mainly slugged away at each other. All four men were in the ring at the same time several times during the fall. Jack Curtis applied his neck twist on Kelly and pinned him to win the fall in 13 minutes. The second fall went much like the first with all four men throwing caution to the win and fighting it out. At one point when all four men were in the ring at the same time, referee Bill Barney was forcing George Curtis out when Kelly & Kirkpatrick teamed up on Jack Curtis. Kirkpatrick floored Curtis with a blow that sent him to the mat. Kirkpatrick then dropped his knee across Curtis’ throat several times and pinned him to win the fall in 13 minutes. During the third and final fall both teams were double-teaming by holding an opponent in a full nelson while their partner punched him. At one point Jack Curtis had Kirkpatrick in the hold with the intention of George punching him. Kelly entered the ring to hit Jack from behind and free Kirkpatrick but Curtis spun around at the last moment. Kelly’s punch hit Kirkpatrick instead and sent him to the mat. Jack Curtis quickly pinned the stunned Scot to win the fall and the match in 10 minutes.
That same Tuesday evening in Baton Rouge Charley Keene and Raoul Lopez fought to a draw in the opening match.
Tarzan White pinned Rube Wright to win the second match of the might.
White & Keene faced Lopez & Wright in a tag team match that made up the main event. Wright used a series of bodyslams on Keene and pinned him to win the first fall. White evened things up when he hit Lopez with flying tackles and pinned him to take the second fall. Lopez & Wright attacked referee Phil Brummett in the third fall which resulted in their disqualification. The fall and the match were awarded to White & Keene.
Also on Tuesday in Decatur, the card was made up of two matches, both scheduled for best two out of three falls with 60 minute time limits. Danny Novak faced Red Byrd in the first event.
Elmer Davis took on Prince Omar in the closing match of the evening.
No results are known for this card.
Also on Tuesday in Mobile, Tom Bradley and Elmer Davis met in the opening match of the night. The match was even at a fall apiece going into the third and deciding fall. The fans were pleasantly surprised as both falls were fought cleanly and the winner was congratulated by his opponent after each fall. The final fall was also fought scientifically but Bradley, a former standout at Syracuse, pinned Davis to win the fall and the match. The two men were given a tremendous ovation by an appreciative audience.
In the semi-final match, Joe Corbett faced Tiger Joe Marsh. Marsh pinned Corbett to win the first fall following a series of bodyslams. Corbett came back and applied a sleeper hold on Marsh and put him out to win the second fall. In the third and deciding fall both men fell from the ring and continued to battle at ringside. They were both counted out and the match ruled a draw.
In the main event, Nick Carter challenged the Super Zebra Kid to a fight to the finish. In this type of match there would be no disqualifications and falls would not count. There would be a 3 minute rest period between falls and the match would continue until one man could not answer the bell. The two men battered each other severely for 5 falls but slowly the Kid gained the advantage. The Kid took the final fall scored with his backbreaker. Carter had blood streaming from his forehead as he lay on the mat unable to continue. After the victorious Kid left the ring a doctor was summoned to examine Carter. Although badly hurt, Carter managed to make it to his feet, took the ring microphone and issued another challenge to the Kid.
On Wednesday in Alexandria Tarzan White and Rube Wright faced each other in the opening match. White used flying tackles to flatten Wright and pinned him to win the match in 9 minutes.
Charley Keene and Raoul Lopez were matched for the second match of the night. The two battled furiously but neither was able to score a fall and the match ended in a time limit draw.
In the main event, White & Keene faced Wright in Lopez in a tag team match. Lopez pinned Keene to win the first fall. White was a one man army throughout the second fall, taking on Lopez & Wright single handedly. At one point he grabbed a headlock on each of them and cracked their heads together. He then flattened both with flying tackles and pinned Lopez to win the fall. All four men spent much of the third and deciding fall jumping in and out of the ring. In the confusion Lopez managed to pin White, and referee Phil Brummett awarded the fall and the match to Lopez & Wright. A disgusted Keene left the ring followed shortly by White. The ringside fans were screaming at Brummett that Lopez was not the legal man in the ring when he pinned White. Brummett reversed his initial decision, giving the fall and the match to Keene & White. This made Lopez & Wright furious and they attacked Brummett again, just as they had done the night before in Baton Rouge. White rushed back into the ring and helped Brummett flatten Lopez & Wright. White and Brummett left the ring with Lopez & Wright still sprawled out on the canvas.
Also on Wednesday in Gulfport George Curtis made his first start of the year in that city as he faced Jack Kelly in the opening match. The match was even at a fall apiece going into the third and deciding fall. During the final fall Kelly tossed Curtis from the ring and onto the arena floor. Kelly kept preventing Curtis from getting back into the ring until Curtis grabbed him by the leg and pull him out also. The two had a brief slugfest before Kelly applied a piledriver to Curtis on the arena floor. The blow left Curtis dazed as Kelly climbed back into the ring. Referee Pat Wilson counted Curtis out and awarded the fall and the match to Kelly.
In the main event popular Pat Newman, who called Gulfport his home, faced Charlie Carr. Newman showed plenty of finesse as he escaped every hold Carr applied to him throughout the first fall. Finally Newman applied an arm wringer on Carr and forced him to submit to win the first fall in 18 minutes. Carr used a rolling leg scissors on Newman to pin him to take the second fall in 10 minutes. Newman felt that he’d gotten his shoulder up before the count of three but the fall went to Carr. Newman stormed back and pinned Carr following a series of bodyslams to win the third fall and the match.
On Thursday in New Orleans, Charley Keene came from behind to upset Rube Wright and win the opening match of the night.
Tiger Joe Marsh won over Tom Bradley in the semi-final match of the night.
In the main event Tarzan White teamed with Joe Corbett to take on the duo of Raoul Lopez & the Super Zebra Kid in a tag team match. White & Corbett won two out of three falls to take the match.
On Friday in Jackson, Charlie Laye and Charlie Carr faced each other in the one fall opening match. Carr forced Laye to submit to a Boston Crab to win the match.
In the semi-final match, George Curtis faced World Light-Heavyweight champion Red Kirkpatrick in a non-title match. The match was even at a fall apiece going into the third and deciding fall. At one point the two were slugging away so furiously along they ropes they both tumbled over the top rope and onto the arena floor. The slugfest continued at ringside until referee Pat Willis counted both men out and declared the match a no contest.
Big brother Jack Curtis took on Irish Jack Kelly in the main event. Curtis pinned Kelly after applying a neck twist on him to win the first fall. Curtis looked well on his way to winning the match in two straight falls until Kelly laid him low with a punch. The blow opened a cut on Curtis’ head so it appeared that Kelly had used some sort of object. Curtis was pinned and the second fall went to Kelly. In the third and deciding fall it was the two men trading punches with neither having a clear cut advantage. Just as the match reached the 70 minute mark, Red Kirkpatrick appeared at ringside. Kirkpatrick climbed onto the ring apron and swung wildly aiming to hit Curtis. The punch hit Kelly instead and he crumpled to the mat. Curtis quickly pinned Kelly as the stunned Scot looked on in horror. The fall and the match were awarded to Curtis. Kelly and Kirkpatrick looked on the verge of coming to blows until George Curtis made his way to the ring. The Curtis Brothers argued with Kelly & Kirkpatrick until all four men were forced to leave the ring. The argument continued in the dressing area and soon all four men came to blows. Kelly & Kirkpatrick forgot their differences and fought side by side until things were broken up and the wrestlers were separated.
Also on Friday in Anniston Nick Carter and Raoul Lopez fought to a draw in the opening match of the evening.
Tarzan White used a series of flying tackles on Prince Omar and pinned him to win the second match of the night.
In the main event, Carter & White teamed up to face Lopez & Omar in a tag team match. Lopez & Omar were disqualified in the first fall for illegal tactics. Carter pinned Omar to win the second fall to give the match to Carter & White in straight falls.
That same Friday in Fort Walton Beach Tom Bradley and Charley Keene met in the opening match, scheduled for one fall with a 30 minute time limit.
In the second match of the night, scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 60 minute time limit, Joe Corbett faced Raoul Lopez.
The main event featured Tiger Joe Marsh taking on the Super Zebra Kid in a match scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 60 minute time limit.
No results are known for this card.
The following Monday in Birmingham the card featured four matches. Tom Bradley met Tiger Joe Marsh in the opening match.
In the second match of the night Tarzan White wrestled Big Ben Morgan.
The third match of the night featured the debut of Chris Millssovas, billed as the heavyweight champion of Greece, meeting Paddy Mack.
In the main event of the night, Nick Carter squared off with Raoul Lopez.
No results are known for this card.
Also on Monday in Shreveport, Jack Kelly defeated Charlie Laye in the one fall opening match of the evening.
The semi-final match was scheduled to be a best two out of three falls match between Rex Mobley and Wild Bill Sledge. Sledge was warned for roughness so many times by referee Conway Baker in the first fall that Baker stopped the match and awarded it to Mobley.
The main event was a World Light-heavyweight title match with defending champion, Red Kirkpatrick, facing the challenge of George Curtis. Curtis used an Atomic Drop on Kirkpatrick and pinned him to win the first fall. Kirkpatrick came back to win the next two straight falls to win the match and retain his title.
Also on Monday Huntsville promoter Mike Miller cancelled the card there without ever announcing any scheduled matches. No more wrestling would be promoted in Huntsville for the remainder of the year.
On Tuesday in Monroe Jack Curtis and Jack Kelly met in the one fall 10 minute opening match. Kelly jumped Curtis before the bell rang and gave him a good pounding. Kelly wound up being disqualified for tying Curtis in the ropes and choking him.
George Curtis faced Charlie Carr in the second one fall match of the night. The two battled to a 10 minute draw.
The Curtis Brothers took on Kelly & Carr in a tag team match in the main event. Kelly forced George Curtis to submit to a hammerlock in 17 minutes to win the first fall. George came back and applied an Atomic Drop on Carr and pinned him to win the second fall in 8 minutes. During the third and deciding fall the Curtis Brothers opened a cut on Kelly’s head by repeatedly punching him with their fists. George then applied an Atomic Drop to Kelly and pinned him after 5 minutes of action to win the fall and the match for the Curtis Brothers.
Also on Tuesday in Baton Rouge Elmer Davis faced Rube Wright in the opening match. Each man had won a fall apiece and the match was even going into the third and deciding fall. Davis attempted to use a Texas Pin Wheel to roll Wright up for the pin but Wright grabbed the ropes and reversed things to pin Davis to win the fall and the match.
In the main event Tarzan White faced off with Raoul Lopez, who was quickly becoming White’s most bitter rival. White used a series of bodyslams on Lopez and pinned him to win the first fall. White had Lopez reeling with a series of flying tackles in the second fall until Lopez managed to sidestep one. White flew over the top rope and slammed onto the arena floor. The landing knocked the wind out of White and he was counted out to give the second fall to Lopez. White was still unable to continue in the third fall so the fall and the match were awarded to Lopez by default.
That same Tuesday evening in Decatur, Chris Millssovas faced Charley Keene in the opening match, scheduled for one fall with a 10 minute time limit.
The second match of the night was also a one fall match with a 10 minute time limit. Red Byrd faced Prince Omar in that match.
In the main event, a tag team match scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 60 minute time limit, Millssovas & Byrd teamed to take on the duo of Keene & Omar.
No results are known for this card.
On Tuesday in Mobile the card opened with a tag team match, with Tom Bradley & Joe Corbett teaming to take on Tiger Joe Marsh & Paddy Mack. Bradley & Corbett won the first and third falls to win the match.
In the main event was a return match between Nick Carter and the Super Zebra Kid. This match carried a hair vs. mask stipulation with Carter’s hair on the line against the mask of the Kid. Further there would be no referee in the ring, the referee outside only to enter the ring to count a fall. The match was another wild and bloody one and each man had scored a fall when referee Jake Guercio called a foul on Carter and awarded the match to the Kid. As White and the crowd were protesting the decision Harold Irby, associate Alabama boxing and wrestling commissioner entered the ring and reversed the decision. The Super Zebra Kid was forced to unmask and was revealed to be Ben Morgan. Irby also ordered a rematch to be held between Carter and Morgan for the following week, with two referees assigned.
On Wednesday in Alexandria, Elmer Davis was matched with Rube Wright in the opening match. Wright took two out of three falls from Davis to win the match.
The main event was another match between Tarzan White and Raoul Lopez. The match began at a furious place as Lopez jumped White at the opening bell and pinned him to win the fall before the house lights were even turned down. White came back in like manner and pinned Lopez in 30 seconds to win the second fall. During the third and deciding fall Lopez tossed White from the ring and was blocking him each to he tried to return. After this happened several times, White finally managed to grab a headlock on Lopez while still on the ring apron. Referee Phil Brummett told White to break the hold and began to count him out. White was expecting a count of 10 but Brummett stopped after five and awarded the fall and the match to Lopez.
Also on Wednesday in Gulfport Pat Newman faced Wild Bill Sledge in the opening match. Newman kept Sledge off kilter throughout the first fall with various leg holds. Finally Newman applied what he called a Singapore leg scissors on Sledge and forced him to submit, winning the fall in 23 minutes. Sledge applied a short arm scissors on Newman and kept it there for most of the second fall. Newman refused to submit and was still locked in the hold when the 45 minute time limit expired. The match ended in a draw.
George Curtis was matched with Jack Kelly in the main event. Kelly had no love for either of the Curtis Brothers and figured giving George a beating would be a good way to get at older brother Jack. Kelly used a Boston Crab to force Curtis to submit to win the first fall in 16 minutes. Curtis came back and pinned Kelly after knocking him senseless with punches to win the second fall. In the third and deciding fall Curtis had his arms around the waist of Kelly and was attempting to apply an Atomic Drop. Kelly blocked him and push backwards into the corner. This drove Curtis backwards and into referee Jack Roberts as all three men piled into the corner. Curtis received the worst of things and crumpled to the mat. Kelly then pinned him to win the fall and the match.
The final card of July was held on Thursday in New Orleans. Danny Novak scored a hometown victory over Elmer Davis in the opening match.
Paddy Mack defeated Tom Bradley in the second match of the night.
Bitter rivals Tarzan White and Raoul Lopez met in the third match of the evening, with White finally scoring a decisive victory over Lopez.
Joe Corbett defeated the Super Zebra Kid in the main event.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
All research has been completed by the Professional Wrestling Historical Society or by a trusted contributor.
Review of Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling: A Recap of July 1952.
Author: Michael Norris of Gulf Coast Wrestling History: 1950-1977.
Published: July 25, 2020.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
All research has been completed by the Professional Wrestling Historical Society or by a trusted contributor.
Review of Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling: A Recap of July 1952.
Author: Michael Norris of Gulf Coast Wrestling History: 1950-1977.
Published: July 25, 2020.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Click Here for a recap of January 1950.
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Click Here for a recap of October 1951.
Click Here for a recap of November 1951.
Click Here for a recap of December 19551.
