Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling
A Recap of May 1951
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The first day of May in Monroe Johnny James went against Al Perry in the opening match. The match began with both men following the rules until James’ superior speed gained him an edge. Perry started taking some shortcuts. Despite of that, however, James won the first in 30 minutes. James spent most of the second fall applying a leglock on Perry, but Perry kept crawling to the ropes to force a break. Perry finally pinned James to win the second fall in 10 minutes. The third and deciding fall was back and forth until the 60 minute time limit expired with neither man gaining the final fall. Referee was just about to declare the match a draw when Perry began arguing with him. The two traded punches and Barney disqualified Perry and awarded the third fall and the match to James.
The main event of the evening was a match between Henry Harrell and Balk Estes. Harrell won the first fall when he caught Estes in an alligator clutch, a hold Estes was known to use often, and pinned him. Estes came back with a series of bodyslams on Harrell and pinned him to win the second fall. In the third and deciding fall Estes threw Harrell from the ring. Several times Harrell attempted to get back in the ring, only to have Estes kick him back to the floor. As referee Bill Barney was attempting to push Estes back to the center of the ring, an enraged Harrell managed to back it back into the ring. Harrell punched Estes several times and then pinned him to win the fall and the match.
That same Tuesday evening in Baton Rouge Jack Kelly and George Cologne met in a best two out of three falls opening match. Cologne pinned Kelly to take the first fall, while Kelly roared back to win the next two straight falls to take the match.
The main event featured the first appearance of Babe Zaharias in the area. Zaharias, nephew of the famed Zaharias brothers called “The Crying Greeks from Cripple Creek”, faced Al Massey. Zaharias pinned Massey to take the opening fall. Massey came back and pinned Zaharias to take the second fall and tie the match. Zaharias took the third and deciding fall over Massey to win the match.
On Wednesday in Alexandria, Al Massey met George Cologne in the first half of a double main event. Cologne won the first fall when he forced Massey to submit to a corkscrew toehold. Massey came back to pin Cologne with a shoulder slide to win the second fall. In the third and deciding fall Cologne was using a series of bodyslams on Massey until Massey caught him with a flying headscissors and pinned him to win the fall and the match.
In the main event Babe Zaharias took on Irish Jack Kelly. Zaharias used a rolling face lock to pin Kelly to win the first fall. Kelly bodyslammed Zaharias several times and then forced him to submit to a cobra clutch to win the second fall. During the third fall Zaharias threw Kelly from the ring and followed him out. He grabbed Kelly by the hair and rammed him headfirst into the steel ringpost. Kelly was bleeding from the forehead when the two got back into the ring. Zaharias then rammed his knee into Kelly’s stomach and pinned him to win the fall and the match.
Also on Wednesday in Pensacola, the main event Balk Estes teamed with Johnny James to take on the veteran team of Rex Mobley & Al Perry. Two one fall 10 minute preliminaries were also scheduled while the main event was best two out of three falls with a 90 minute time limit.
No results are known for this card.
The same night in Gulfport, the main event was a tag team match with Pat Newman teaming with Henry Harrell to take on Buff Sirois & Charley Keene. Keene used an armlock on Harrell to force him to submit in 17 minutes and take the first fall for his team. Newman scored a pinfall on Keene after 9 minutes to win the second fall to even the match. The third and deciding fall was a melee as all four wrestlers battled it out. At one point Keene held Harrell in a full nelson and moved him into the corner for Sirois to land a punch. Harrell ducked at the last second and Sirois floored his own partner. Keene also tied a towel around the ropes and used it to choke Harrell with it. As referee Tony Everts tried to break that up, Newman grabbed the towel, wrapped it around the neck of Sirois and slammed him to the match. Everts turned his attention to this action and counted the pinfall on Sirois and awarded the fall and the match to Newman & Harrell.
Also on Wednesday in Decatur Nick Carter faced Wild Bill Steddum in a best two out of three fall match with a 60 minute time limit.
The main event featured Lucky Gilpin taking on Bill Cazzell in a best two out of three falls match with a 90 minute time limit.
No results are known for this card.
In the opening preliminaries, Newman and Sirois fought to a 15 minute draw, as did Harrell and Keene.
The following night in New Orleans the tournament to name a challenger for the World title moved into its next to last week.
Wild Bill Steddum defeated Bob Adessky in the first match of the night, moving on in the tournament.
In the second match George Cologne defeated Jack Kelly in an impressive showing, advancing in the tournament.
Nick Carter continued his winning streak when he defeated Lucky Gilpin in the third match of the evening, advancing in the tournament.
In the main event Babe Zaharias, billed as the Southern Heavyweight Champion defended his title against the challenge of Al Massey. Zaharias won two out of three falls to win the match and retain his title.
Also on Thursday in Hattiesburg, Pat Newman used a reverse leglock to force Charley Keene to submit to win the deciding fall in the opening match.
In the main event, Rex Mobley won two out of three falls to win the match with Al Perry. Mobley used a rolling rocking chair split to pin Keene to win the deciding fall.
On Friday in Jackson Al Perry defeated Johnny James in the one fall opening match of the evening.
In the second match, also a one fall bout, Henry Harrell and Rex Mobley battled to a 30 minute draw.
Balk Estes won over Charley Keene in the third one fall match of the evening.
The main event featured Jack Curtis getting his long awaited return match with Walt Sirois for the World Light-Heavyweight title. Sirois, the current champion, had taken the title from Curtis months before and Curtis wanted it back. Each man had scored a fall apiece going into the third and deciding fall. The 60 minute time limit expired before either man could take the deciding fall, referee Claude Skidmore declared the match a draw.
Immediately following the main event Balk Estes issued a challenge to Sirois to defend the title to him once again. Promoter Billy Romanoff promised that he would book the match the following week.
The next Monday in Shreveport Al Getz returned after many years’ absence and defeated Balk Estes in the one fall 30 minute opening match. Estes was a substitute for Johnny James in the match.
In the semi-final match, Henry Harrell took two straight falls over Al Perry to win the bout.
In the main event Walt Sirois made yet another defense of his World Light-Heavyweight title, proving to be the most active champion ever to appear in the area. His challenger in this match was Rex Mobley, a four time holder of that very title. Sirois pinned Mobley to win the first fall while Mobley came back to take the second. Sirois battered Mobley throughout the deciding fall and had him bleeding. The match became an all-out brawl with each wrestler tossing referee Conway Baker from the ring. Mobley then tossed Sirois from the ring and would not allow either Sirois or Baker to get back in. Baker finally called for the bell and declared the match a no contest. An enraged Mobley grabbed the title belt from the timekeeper and carried it back to the dressing room. The belt was later returned to Sirois.
On Tuesday in Monroe the main event was a best two out of three falls tag team match with a 90 minute time limit. Henry Harrell & Johnny James were teamed to take on the twosome of Balk Estes & Al Getz.
There were also two opening matches made up with these same four wrestlers.
No results are known for this card.
That same Tuesday night in Baton Rouge, Jack Kelly was scheduled to face Bill Cazzell in the opening match on the card.
The main event was a return match between Al Massey and Babe Zaharias.
No results are known for this card.
On Wednesday in Alexandria Jack Kelly and Bill Cazzell met in the opening match. Cazzell wore Kelly down with some rough tactics and pinned him to win the first fall. Kelly came back in the second fall with some rough stuff himself before wrapping Cazzell in a grapevine and pinned him to win the fall. Kelly used an abdominal stretch to force Cazzell to submit to win the third fall and the match.
In the main event Al Massey met Babe Zaharias with the winner of the match promised a World Heavyweight title match with champion Lou Thesz. Zaharias pinned Massey to win the first fall. Massey came back with a series of bodyslams and a body press to pin Zaharias to win the second fall. The expiration of the time limit was close in the third fall when Zaharias got into a dispute with referee Phil Brummett. He picked Brummett up as though he was going to bodyslam him, but Massey rammed into him with a flying body block. Zaharias went down and Brummett rolled to the side. Massey then pinned Zaharias to win the fall and the match to earn a title match with Thesz.
Also on Wednesday Pensacola, the main event of the evening was a tag team match with Rex Mobley teaming with Johnny James to take on the odd team of Buff Sirois & Balk Estes. Sirois won the first fall for his team when he forced Mobley to submit to a punishing hammerlock. Mobley evened the score when he pinned Estes to win the second fall. Sirois pinned Mobley in the third and deciding fall to win the match for his team.
That same night in Gulfport, Pat Newman won the opening match of the evening when his opponent, Al Getz, was disqualified for continually driving his knee into Newman’s throat..
In the second preliminary match, Henry Harrell and Al Perry wrestled to a 15 minute draw.
The main event saw Newman & Harrell team for the second week in a row as they faced Getz & Perry. Harrell took the first fall for his team when he forced Perry to submit to an armlock after 18 minutes. Getz came back to take the second fall when he forced Newman to submit to a leglock. Referee Claude Skidmore failed to see that Getz had placed his foot on the bottom ring rope to gain illegal leverage. Getz was so rough in the third and deciding fall that even Perry was pointing out his illegal tactics to referee Skidmore. At one point he was again using the bottom rope to add leverage to a leglock that he had on Newman when a ringside fan jumped up and struck him. Things continued to deteriorate between partners Perry & Getz throughout the fall. Getz was in trouble when Harrell had him down on the mat and just short of being able to reach Perry for a tag. Getz yelled for Perry to come into the ring anyway but Perry refused. A miffed Getz finally got close enough for the tag and Perry entered the ring. He and Harrell locked up in a collar and elbow hold and Perry pushed Harrell into the corner where Getz was standing. Getz slugged Harrell in the back of the head, which Perry took exception to. Perry shoved Getz from the ring apron. Harrell tagged in Newman who quickly had Perry in trouble. Twice Perry managed to tag Getz on the shoulder and twice Getz refused to enter the ring. Newman then took Perry down for the pin and as Skidmore was making the count Getz jumped into the ring to try and break it up. Fortunately Harrell also jumped into the ring and kept that from happening. Newman pinned Perry to win the fall and the match for his team. Perry then joined in with Newman & Harrell to chase Getz from the ring. Perry followed him out and the two got into a heated argument at ringside.
Also on Wednesday in Decatur the card opened with a match between Nick Carter and George Cologne.
Lucky Gilpin and Wild Bill Steddum met in the second event of the evening.
The main event was a tag team match featuring Carter & Gilpin taking on Cologne & Steddum.
No results are known for this card.
The next night in New Orleans was the final night to determine a challenger for Lou Thesz, who would be defending his NWA World Heavyweight title the following week.
Irish Jack Kelly defeated Bob Adessky in the opening match of the evening.
Nick Carter and Babe Zaharias were both disqualified in the second match.
The main event was a tag team match with Al Massey & Lucky Gilpin taking on Wild Bill Steddum & Bill Cazzell. The match was tied at a fall apiece going into the deciding fall, but Massey suffered an injured shoulder during the second fall. Rather than concede the match on a forfeit, Gilpin opted to face both Steddum & Cazzell in the third & deciding fall. Gilpin was dynamic as he pinned Steddum to win the match, which brought the fans to their feet with a standing ovation.
That same Thursday night in Hattiesburg, Pat Newman defeated Al Getz in the opening preliminary match.
Rex Mobley defeated Johnny James in the second prelim match.
In the main event, Newman & James teamed took two out of three falls to defeat the team of Mobley & Getz.
On Friday in Jackson, Johnny James faced Al Getz in the opening match of the evening. In the second preliminary bout, Henry Harrell met Rex Mobley.
The main event was a World Light-Heavyweight title match with Walt Sirois defending the title against his most persistent challenger, Balk Estes.
No results are known for this card but Sirois remained champion.
The following week in Shreveport veteran wrestler Dutch Schultz made his first appearance in the area and faced Johnny James in the one fall 30 minute opener. James was awarded the match when Schultz was disqualified.
In the semi-final match of the evening, Henry Harrell won two out of three falls over Al Getz to take the match.
The main event was a return match for the World Light-Heavyweight title between champion Walt Sirois and challenger Rex Mobley. Each man had scored a fall apiece heading into the final fall. Mobley had Sirois in a leglock and had him on the verge of giving up when Dutch Schultz appeared at ringside. He went to the ring apron and reached in and pushed Mobley to the mat. Sirois got to his feet and jumped on the prone Mobley and pinned him to apparently win the fall and the match to retain his title. Commissioner Tom Bird came out to ringside and declared Mobley the winner due to the interference of Schultz. He then collected up the title belt and held it pending a decision of the commission.
On Tuesday in Monroe the main event was a tag team match with Henry Harrell & Johnny James taking on Rex Mobley & Al Getz. The veterans, Mobley & Getz, won the first fall when Mobley pinned James. The second fall was a wild one with action taking place both in and out of the ring. Getz had James tied into the ropes when Mobley entered the ring without a tag. This brought Harrell to his partner’s aid. As all four men battled referee Bill Barney tried to get between them to restore order. Harrell and Mobley fought on one side of the ring until Getz grabbed Barney and tossed him into them. Getz then turned his attention back to James and began pounding on him. Harrell turned to help the fallen referee and Mobley left the ring and took up a ringside seat. Promoter Gus Kallio came out to try and restore some semblance of order but was confronted by Mobley. Harrell came out of the ring in an attempt to get at Mobley, but Mobley got back into the ring and helped Getz work over James. Harrell climbed back into the ring, climbing over Kallio to do so. Referee Barney had finally regained some of his senses and forced Mobley and James to their respective corners. Harrell then grabbed Getz and pinned him to win the second fall. In the third and deciding fall James tossed Getz from the ring. Getz climbed back in but instead of going after James he started an argument with Barney. The two went back and forth until Getz tossed Barney from the ring. At the same time Mobley had grabbed Harrell and tossed him from the ring. Barney and Harrell both climbed back into the ring but Harrell was trapped in the corner of Mobley & Getz. Mobley held him down for the pin to win the fall and the match for his team.
Also on Tuesday in Baton Rouge, Al Massey and Babe Zaharias met in yet another match in the city. Massey scored the first fall when he pinned Zaharias. Zaharias came back and battered Massey into submission to take the second fall to even the score. Massey was unable to continue in the third and deciding fall so the fall and the match were awarded to Zaharias by default.
The main event featured NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz defending his title against the challenge of Irish Jack Kelly. Thesz forced Kelly to submit to a Boston Crab in 15 minutes to score the first fall. Thesz took the second fall in 12 minutes when he pinned Kelly with a flying body press. Thesz won the match in two straight falls and retained his title.
On Wednesday in Alexandria Jack Kelly and Babe Zaharias faced each other in the opening match of the evening. It was a rough outing with neither man paying close attention to the rules but Zaharias won two out of three falls to take the match.
Following the opening match Ed (Strangler) Lewis, former World Champion and current manager of Lou Thesz, gave a speech to the crowd.
In the main event Lou Thesz, the NWA World Heavyweight Champion, put his title on the line against the challenge of Al Massey. Thesz pinned Massey to win the first fall in 12 minutes. Thesz used a flying scissors to pin Massey in 15 minutes to win the match in two straight falls.
Also on Wednesday in Pensacola, Johnny James and Al Getz battled to a 15 minute draw in the opening match as did Al Perry and Dutch Schultz in the second match of the evening.
The main event was a tag team match with Al Perry & Johnny James teaming to take on Al Getz & Dutch Schultz. Getz & Schultz scored two out of three falls to take the match.
That same evening in Gulfport, the opening match was between Henry Harrell and Rex Mobley. Mobley scored the first fall when he tied Harrell up in a rolling split cradle and pinned him after 16 minutes of action. Harrell came back and pinned Mobley using a jackknife to take the second fall. In the third and deciding fall Harrell and Mobley wound up outside the ring and fighting on the arena floor. Referee Claude Skidmore counted both me out and declared the match a draw.
In the main event, World Light-Heavyweight title holder, Walt Sirois, faced popular Pat Newman in a non-title match. Sirois won the first fall when he forced Newman to submit to a single leg Boston Crab after 30 minutes. Newman roared back with a series of flying tackles and pinned Sirois in 5 minutes to take the second fall. Newman tried a flying tackle again in the deciding fall, but Sirois managed to ram his knee into the head of Newman and pinned him to take the third fall and the match.
In Decatur on Wednesday night the card opened with a best two out of three falls match between Charley Keene and Bill Cazzell.
The main event was a grudge match between Nick Carter and Wild Bill Steddum, also best two out of three falls.
No results are known for this card.
The next night in New Orleans Charley Keene defeated Bob Adessky in the opening match.
The semi-final match was a tag team match with Nick Carter & Al Massey teaming to take on Babe Zaharias & Jack Kelly. Zaharias & Kelly took two out of three falls to win the match.
In the main event NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz, accompanied by his manager Ed (Strangler) Lewis, defended his title against Lucky Gilpin. Gilpin had earned the title match by defeating Bill Cazzell & Wild Bill Steddum in a handicap match the previous week in New Orleans. Thesz proved why he was champion as he took two straight falls over Gilpin to win the match and retain his title.
Also on Thursday in Hattiesburg, Johnny James and Al Getz wrestled to a 15 minute draw in the opening match.
In the main event, Johnny James teamed with Jack Roberts, who was substituting for an ailing Pat Newman. They took on the team of Al Getz & Al Perry. James & Roberts scored two out of three falls to win the match.
On Friday in Jackson the card opened with a tag team match with Henry Harrell & Johnny James taking on the troublesome twosome of Dutch Schultz & Al Getz. Schultz & Getz took two out of three falls to win the match.
In the main event Rex Mobley and Walt Sirois met in yet another match. The World Light-Heavyweight title, which had been held by Sirois, was still in the hands of the Louisiana wrestling commission pending a decision about the match the two had had earlier in the week in Shreveport. Even with no title on the line the two tore at each other with wild abandon. The match was tied at a fall apiece heading into the third and deciding fall. Mobley had Sirois on the verge of submitting with a Boston Crab until Dutch Schultz once again made his way to ringside. With referee Claude Skidmore’s attention diverted briefly from the action, Schultz once again climbed onto the ring apron and nailed Mobley with an uppercut. Sirois had Mobley pinned when Skidmore turned his attention back to the action. Skidmore tolled the count and awarded the fall and the match Sirois. Several ringside officials then informed Skidmore about Schultz’s actions so the referee reversed his decision and gave the fall and the match to Mobley on a disqualification.
That same Friday wrestling returned to Anniston after a three week absence. The card featured a double main event with Lucky Gilpin taking on Bill Cazzell in the first match.
Al Massey and Wild Bill Steddum faced off in the second event of the evening.
No results are known for this card. This would be the last card held in Anniston until the middle of November.
The following Monday in Shreveport Johnny James took on Al Perry in a one fall 30 minute opening match.
The double main event involved the two who considered themselves the World Light-Heavyweight kingpin, although the title itself was still in the hands of the state commission. In the first half of the double main event Walt Sirois took on Henry Harrell.
In the bottom half of the card Rex Mobley took on Dutch Schultz. Schultz had interfered in two of Mobley’s matches against Sirois and he was anxious to get his hands on him.
No results are known for this card.
On a special Monday night card in Decatur, the card opened with a match between Nick Carter and Irish Jack Kelly. The match was a best two out of three falls match with a 60 minute time limit.
The main event was a 5 woman Battle Royal featuring Ann Stanley, Beverly Lehmer, Betty Hawkins, Gloria Barattini and Mae Weston.
No results are known for this card.
On Tuesday night in Monroe the opening match featured Al Perry, who could go either way as far as the rules were concerned, took on Al Getz, who had no regards for the rules at all. Getz won two out of three falls to earn a highly disputed victory over Perry.
In the main event of the evening, the Louisiana state commission decided that the winner of the match between Rex Mobley and Walt Sirois would be given the World Light-Heavyweight title. Sirois won the first fall when he applied a backbreaker on Mobley and forced him to submit. Mobley evened the score when he pinned Sirois after applying his wagon wheel spin to win the second fall. In the third and deciding fall Sirois landed a heavy blow to Mobley’s head and sent him flying from the ring. Before referee pat Willis could count him out Mobley climbed up onto the ring apron. Sirois charged Mobley hoping to knock him back to the floor but Mobley rammed his head into Sirois’ stomach. Sirois went down and Mobley jumped through the ropes and pinned him. Willis made the count and awarded the fall and the match to Mobley. Mobley had won the World Light-Heavyweight title for the fifth time.
That same Tuesday evening in Baton Rouge the card opened with a women’s match that saw the return of popular Gloria Barattini, who had been so successful in the area several weeks earlier. Her opponent for this match was Mae Weston, making her first tour of the area. Weston won the first fall after 13 minutes of rough tactics and a pin on young Barattini. Barattini came back strong and won the next two falls straight to take the match from the veteran Weston.
The main event was a battle of bullies with Babe Zaharias taking on Wild Bill Steddum. The larger Zaharias forced Steddum to submit to a front chancery to win the first fall. Steddum came back and used a Boston Crab on Zaharias to force him to submit to take the second fall. In the third and deciding fall Zaharias used a series of body slams on Steddum but went to the well once too often. As Zaharias picked Steddum up for a final slam, Steddum shifted his weight and forced Zaharias to the mat. Steddum held the Greek down long enough to pin him to win the fall and the match.
On Wednesday in Alexandria Gloria Barattini faced Mae Weston once again in a women’s match. As an added attraction Ann Stanley, herself one of the top woman wrestlers in the nation, would serve as the referee. Weston used an arsenal of rough tactics on Barattini throughout the first fall and was close to finishing her off with a series of running head butts to the stomach. Weston missed one of her charges and rammed her head into the corner turnbuckle. Barattini pinned the stunned Weston to win the first fall. Barattini used a series of Irish whips to weaken Weston and pinned her to win the match in two straight falls.
Two ruffians faced off with each other in the main event as Wild Bill Steddum took on Babe Zaharias once again. In the first fall Zaharias kept ramming his knee into Steddum while holding him in a front face lock. This weakened Steddum enough to allow Zaharias to pin him to take the first fall. Steddum came back and used a series of Irish whips on Zaharias before pinning him with a body press to win the second fall. Zaharias had Steddum nearly out on his feet in the third fall, hitting him with a series of bodyblocks. Steddum finally caught Zaharias in a back bodydrop and pinned the stunned Greek to win the fall and the match.
Pensacola promoter Vic Kalfus announced that he was retiring from the wrestling promotional business to devote more time to his restaurant business. I would be nearly a year before wrestling returned to Pensacola under a new promoter.
Also on Wednesday In Gulfport, Pat Newman and Buff Sirois met once again in the opening match. Sirois took the first fall after 11 minutes when he forced Newman to submit to a single leg Boston Crab. Newman came back with a series of flying tackles to pin Sirois in 20 minutes to take the second fall. The third and deciding fall didn’t last long but was wild while it lasted. Both men tore into each other at the bell and despite the efforts of referee Al Getz, punched and kicked away to their hearts’ content. Finally Newman hit Sirois with a flying tackle and pinned him to score the fall and the match in just over 2 minutes.
The main event of the evening was a bout between Henry Harrell and Rex Mobley. Mobley used his rolling split cradle to pin Harrell to win the first fall in 10 minutes. Harrell came back and used a jackknife to pin Mobley after 9 minutes to win the second fall. Mobley worked quick in the deciding fall when he forced Harrell to submit to a single leg Boston Crab to win the fall and the match.
That same Wednesday in Decatur, the second card held this week Betty Hawkins met Beverly Lehmer in the opening match of the evening.
The main event featured Charley Keene facing off with Bill Cazzell.
No results are known for this card.
The next night in New Orleans Babe Zaharias defeated Wild Bill Steddum in the opening match to gain some revenge for his losses the previous two nights in Baton Rouge and Alexandria.
In the second match of the evening Charley Keene won over Bill Cazzell when Cazzell was disqualified.
In the semi-final match Al Massey won two out of three falls to win his match against Irish Jack Kelly.
The main event was a women’s match with Gloria Barattini once again taking on Mae Weston. Barattini won two out of three falls to win the match.
Also on Thursday in Hattiesburg, Jack Roberts met Al Getz in the opening match. Each man had won a fall apiece going into the third and deciding fall. Getz was disqualified in the third fall, giving the fall and the match to Roberts.
In the main event Walt Sirois faced Johnny James in what was billed as a World Light-Heavyweight title match. For whatever reason Sirois was still recognized as champion in the state of Mississippi although he had lost the title to Rex Mobley in Louisiana. Sirois won the first fall and James the second so the match was event going into the deciding fall. At one point James missed a flying tackle and went sailing from the ring. He managed to get back into the ring but fell easy prey to Sirois. The champion used a series of bodyslams on James and pinned him to win the fall and the match and retain his claim to the title.
On Friday in Jackson the opening match saw Johnny James and Al Getz battling to a draw.
Walt Sirois scored a win over Henry Harrell in the second match of the evening.
In the main event Rex Mobley and Dutch Schultz, quickly becoming bitter enemies, met in a grudge match. Schultz used a leglock to force Mobley to submit in taking the only fall that would be scored in the match. At first Schultz refused to break the hold even after Mobley had conceded. Referee Pat Willis finally forced him to let loose of the hold but then Schultz turned his ire towards Willis. Schultz was working Willis over when Claude Skidmore, another referee, climbed into the ring and tried to break things up. Schultz and Skidmore traded blows until Schultz turned his attention to Mobley, who was still writhing in pain on the match. Willis then got to his feet and went after Schultz but Skidmore stepped in once again. All of this brought promoter Billy Romanoff out to the ring but Schultz took a swing at him as well. While Willis, Romanoff and Mobley held Schultz in place, Skidmore punched him in the face. Schultz managed to break free and went after Skidmore, but he had left the ring followed by the others.
The following week in Shreveport the opening match was a one fall bout between Johnny James and Al Getz. James hit Getz with a series of flying dropkicks and pinned him to win the match in 14 minutes.
In the semi-final James teamed with Henry Harrell to take on Getz & Dutch Schultz in a tag team match. Schultz pinned Harrell to win the first fall for his team. Harrell gained some revenge as he came back and pinned Schultz to win the second fall for his team. In the third and deciding fall Getz threw James several time with a series of flying mares. Getz then stomped James in the throat and pinned him to take the fall and the match for his team.
The main event was yet another World Light-heavyweight title match between Rex Mobley and Walt Sirois. The time Mobley was the champion and Sirois the challenger, at least in the eyes of the Louisiana state commission. Sirois won the first fall when he used a backbreaker on Mobley and made him submit. In the second fall Sirois tossed Mobley from the ring and several times prevented his return. When Mobley did managed to bull his way back into the ring, he returned the favor and tossed Sirois out onto the floor. Mobley then followed Sirois out and rammed the former champion’s head into the ringpost. Mobley got back into the ring but Sirois remained on the arena floor as referee Conway Baker counted him out, giving the second fall to Mobley. Sirois was unable to continue at the start of the third and deciding fall, so the fall and the match were awarded to Mobley on a forfeit, thus allowing him to retain his share of the crown.
On Tuesday in Monroe Johnny James met Walt Sirois in a special challenge match for the opener. James had issued the challenged to Sirois to meet him in a match. Sirois balked at the idea claiming that James was too small and inexperienced to wrestle him. Sirois then relented and claimed he could beat James in 35 minutes or less. Promoter Gus Kallio made him prove his point and booked the match. Sirois had to pin James or make him submit before the 35 minute time limit expired. James could win the match in one of two ways, he could pin Sirois or make him submit, or he could simply outlast him for the full 35 minutes. At the 27 minute mark, James applied a leglock on Sirois and held him in it for the remaining 8 minutes. Since Sirois had failed to live up to his boast, James was declared the winner of the match.
In the main event Rex Mobley, recognized by the state of Louisiana as the World Light-Heavyweight champion, took on rugged Al Getz in a non-title match. Getz was disqualified by referee Bill Barney in the first fall. Mobley used his wagon wheel spin on Getz and pinned him to win the match in two straight falls.
That same evening in Baton Rouge, Beverly Lehmer defeated Betty Hawkins in an opening women’s match.
The second event of the evening saw Jack Kelly and Wild Bill Steddum battle to a 15 minute draw.
The main event had Kelly & Hawkins facing Steddum & Lehmer in a mixed tag team match. Steddum pinned Kelly to score the first fall for his team. Hawkins pinned Lehmer to win the second fall and even the match at a fall apiece. In the third and final fall, Kelly & Hawkins rammed their opponents’ heads together and Hawkins pinned Lehmer to score the fall and the match for her team.
On Wednesday in Alexandria the card opened with a women’s match between Betty Hawkins and Beverly Lehmer. Lehmer was disqualified for ignoring referee Phil Brummett’s warnings, giving the one fall match to Hawkins.
Irish Jack Kelly and Wild Bill Steddum battle to a draw in the second one fall match of the evening.
The main event featured a mixed tag team match with Kelly & Hawkins joining forces to take on Steddum & Lehmer. Kelly & Hawkins won two out of three falls to earn a popular victory.
Also on Wednesday in Gulfport, Henry Harrell and Al Perry battled to a 15 minute draw in the opening match.
Pat Newman and Dutch Schultz also fought to a 15 minute draw in the second match of the evening.
In the main event, Newman & Harrell, who were having quite a bit of success as a team, faced Perry & Schultz in a tag team match. Perry won the first fall for his team when he forced Harrell to submit to a leglock. During the second fall, Perry & Schultz were doubling up on Newman when Harrell entered the ring. As Harrell and Perry battled, Schultz threw Neman from the ring. He then grabbed Harrell and tossed him out as well. Just for good measure, Schultz tossed referee Claude Skidmore out of the ring too, when Skidmore tried to warn him about his tactics. Despite the infraction, Skidmore let the match continue and Perry pinned Newman to win the match in two straight falls for his team and hand Newman & Harrell their first loss as a team.
That same Wednesday evening in Decatur Gloria Barattini was matched with Mae Weston in the opening match while Al Massey and Babe Zaharias met in the second event.
In the main event of the evening Massey & Barattini faced Zaharias & Weston in a mixed tag team match.
No results are known for this card.
On Thursday, the final day of May two wrestling cards were presented.
In New Orleans Al Massey defeated Wild Bill Steddum in the opening match of the evening.
Irish Jack Kelly and Bill Cazzell were both disqualified in the second match of the night. Kelly wound up with cuts over both eyes.
In the third match Charley Keene defeated newcomer Luigi Martinelli.
The main event was a 5 woman Battle Royal. The participants were Mae Weston, Gloria Barattini, Ann Stanley, Beverly Lehmer and Betty Hawkins. After Hawkins, Weston and Stanley were eliminated in order, Barattini eliminated Lehmer and won the Battle Royal.
The same night in Hattiesburg, Jack Roberts took two out of three falls to defeat Al Perry in the opening match. Perry was a substitute for Paddy Mack, who was unable to appear.
The main event saw Mississippi’s recognized World Light-Heavyweight champion, Walt Sirois defending his title against Rex Mobley, who held Louisiana’s recognition as champion. Sirois scored two out of three falls over Mobley to win the match and retain his part of the title. Mobley, however, continued to be seen as champion In Louisiana.
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 May 1951.
Author: Michael Norris of Gulf Coast Wrestling History: 1950-1977.
Published: August 28, 2019.
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 May 1951.
Author: Michael Norris of Gulf Coast Wrestling History: 1950-1977.
Published: August 28, 2019.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Click Here for a recap of January 1950.
Click Here for a recap of February 1950.
Click Here for a recap of March 1950.
Click Here for a recap of April 1950.
Click Here for a recap of May 1950.
Click Here for a recap of June 1950.
Click Here for a recap of July 1950.
Click Here for a recap of August 1950.
Click Here for a recap of September 1950.
Click Here for a recap of October 1950.
Click Here for a recap of November 1950.
Click Here for a recap of December 1950.
Click Here for a recap of January 1951.
Click Here for a recap of February 1951.
Click Here for a recap of March 1951.
Click Here for a recap of April 1951.
Click Here for a recap of June 1951.
Click Here for a recap of July 1951.
Click Here for a recap of August 1951.
Click Here for a recap of September 1951.
Click Here for a recap of October 1951.
Click Here for a recap of November 1951.
Click Here for a recap of December 19551.
