Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling
A Recap of November 1950
#PWHS #Review #Recap #GCCW #GulfCoast #Wrestling #ProWrestling
November opened with three cards held on the first day of the month. In Alexandria the card featured a double main event. The first event was a women’s match with popular young Lilly Bitter taking on Mae Young. Young was a bit more experienced than Millie Stafford, who Bitter had recently scored victories over so Bitter would have quite a hill to climb. Despite the disadvantage, Bitter used her speed and agility to score two out of three falls to gain the victory over Young.
In the final event Miguel Torres squared off with rugged Jack Kelly. It was a rough match between the two and Kelly wound up bleeding from repeated blows to his forehead by Torres. Torres scored two straight falls over Kelly to win the match.
Also on that Wednesday in Gulfport was another double main event. In the first event Paddy Mack took on newcomer Bill France. France was a last minute substitution for Charlie Laye and proved to be no match for the veteran Mack. Mack won the first fall in 10 minutes with a rolling headlock. Mack caught France in an airplane spin and pinned him to take the second fall in 12 minutes, winning the match in straight falls.
In the main event popular Gulfport resident Pat Newman faced Sheik Ali Khan. Newman scored a pin after catching Khan in a backdrop to win the first fall in 12 minutes. Khan used the same maneuver to pin Newman to win the second fall, also in 12 minutes. Khan went for a backdrop again in the third and deciding fall but Newman caught him in a flying head scissors and pinned him to win the fall and the match.
This was the final card of 1950 in Gulfport.
Ladies made another appearance when Eva Lee met Millie Stafford in the opening match on a card in Mobile on that same Wednesday evening. Lee took two straight falls over Stafford to win the match.
In the main event Pat Malone defeated The Killer, a new masked man making his debut in the area, by taking two out of three falls. The Killer was disqualified in the third and deciding fall.
On Thursday in New Orleans the card opened with another match between Pat Malone and the Killer. Malone was victorious in the one fall bout as the Killer was once again disqualified.
The semi-final match was a ladies tag team match with Lilly Bitter & Eva Lee teaming to take on the duo of Millie Stafford & Mae Young. Bitter & Lee took two straight falls to win the match.
The main event had Miguel Torres taking on Angelo Austeri. The match was tied at a fall apiece heading into the third and deciding fall. Austeri used a hangman’s hold to force Torres to submit to win the third fall and the match.
On Friday in Montgomery, the card opened with a women’s match with Lilly Bitter taking on Mae Young.
The main event of the evening was a match between Miguel Torres and Irish Jack Kelly.
No results are known for this card.
Also on Friday in Jackson the card opened with a fast paced one fall match between Henry Harrell and Bill France. The two battled back and forth until the 30 minute time limit expired and the match was declared a draw.
The semi-final match featured Charlie Laye taking on Sheik Ali Khan in a best two out of three falls match. The match was even at a fall apiece going into the finale. The 60 minute time limit expired before either man could win the deciding fall.
The main event had Jack & George Curtis teaming to do battle with the fearsome duo of Paddy Mack & the Black Phantom. Mack seemed to have a real Jekyll & Hyde personality as he was a popular figure in his adopted hometown of Gulfport but was a hated villain everywhere else. He was determined to earn a title shot at World Light-Heavyweight champion Jack Curtis by any means necessary. In the tag team match George Curtis laid the Phantom low with dropkicks and pinned him to take the first fall for the brothers from Vicksburg. In the second fall, Mack took total control of the match. At one point he knocked Jack Curtis from the ring and followed him out. His flying fists sent Curtis sprawling among the ringside chairs. Mack got back into the ring and began smothering George Curtis with his hands over Curtis’ nose and mouth. Referee Claude Skidmore tried to break things up but Mack grabbed him and hurled him over the ropes and onto the arena floor alongside Jack Curtis. When Skidmore managed to get back to his feet he called for the bell. He disqualified Mack & the Phantom and awarded the match to the Curtis Brothers in two straight falls.
Also on Friday wrestling returned to Anniston with a new promoter and a new location. Promoter Al Bragg presented his first card at the VFW Hall featuring a double main event. In the first event Lilly Bitter took on Millie Stafford in a women’s match.
In the final event Angelo Austeri, World Jr. Heavyweight champion, faced off with Charley Keene in a non-title match.
No results are known for this card.
The following week in Shreveport, Charlie Laye wrestled Bill France in the opener. Laye used a swinging key lock to force France to submit to win the one fall match.
In the semi-final match George Curtis faced the Black Phantom. Curtis won the first fall as he pinned the Phantom with a cartwheel and spin into a cradle. The Phantom came back and worked over Curtis’ arm throughout the second fall, finally forcing Curtis to submit to a hammerlock to win the fall. The Phantom won the third and deciding fall when he forced Curtis to submit to a stepover toehold.
In the main event Paddy Mack got his long awaited shot at the World Light-Heavyweight title held by Jack Curtis. Curtis scored the first fall when pinned Mack with a body press. Mack came back and forced Curtis to submit to a swinging key lock to take the second fall. Mack received a deep cut on his forehead during the third and deciding fall. The cut was deemed too deep for Mack to continue by referee Conway Baker. Baker stopped the match and awarded the fall and the match to Curtis, allowing him to retain his title. Mack raged about the decision and it took a promise of a rematch from promoter Gladden Harrison to get him to calm down and leave the ring.
On Tuesday in Monroe the card featured a double main event. In the first event Henry Harrell took on Charlie Laye. At one point during the opening fall Harrell tossed Laye from the ring. Laye returned to the ring and spent the next several minutes dancing away from Harrell’s grasp. Harrell was so frustrated that Laye was able to surprise him with a pin to win the first fall. Laye seemed on the verge of winning the second fall as he was punishing Harrell with a series of body slams. Harrell managed to catch Laye in a cradle, however, and pinned him to win the fall and even the score. In the third and deciding fall Laye tossed Harrell out of the ring and then dragged him back in by the hair. Laye then tossed Harrel attempted to get back in Laye kicked him and sent him sprawling to the arena floor. Referee Rex Mobley quickly disqualified Laye and awarded the fall and the match to Harrell. The action didn’t end there, however, as Harrell grabbed the timekeeper’s hammer and chased Laye back to the dressing room.
The main event was a return match for the World Light-Heavyweight title between champion Jack Curtis and the Black Phantom. The Phantom had actually defeated Curtis for the title the previous week in Monroe but reneged on an agreement to unmask should he gain the title. The title was returned to Curtis and the rematch was signed with the same stipulations. Promoter Gus Kallio informed the crowd that the stipulation was in place, but the Phantom grabbed the microphone and stated that if they wanted to know who he was they would have to guess. Kallio then stated that win, lose or draw the Phantom would unmask following the match. The Phantom won the first fall when he pinned Curtis after 13 minutes. Curtis came back with a series of snap mares and pinned the Phantom to take the second fall. In the third and deciding fall Curtis trapped the Phantom in a corner and was butting him in the stomach with his head. The Phantom reversed the situation as he whipped Curtis into the opposite corner and twice rammed him in the stomach with his head. The Phantom tried it once more only to have Curtis leap over him, with the masked man slamming his head into the corner post. Curtis then bodyslammed the Phantom and pinned him to win the fall and the match to retain the title. Curtis then slid out of the ring and took up a seat and waited for the Black Phantom to finally reveal his identity. The Phantom hemmed and hawed until Kallio returned to the ring and forced the situation. The Phantom did remove his mask and turned to face all four sides of the ring so the audience could get a good look at him. He still refused to reveal his name and left the ring, maintaining at least a small amount of his mystery.
That same Tuesday evening in Baton Rouge Pat Malone and Charley Keene met in the opening match of the evening. Malone won the first fall with a series of flying mare and a shoulder slide. In the second fall referee Blackie Harrelson caught Keene using a bar of soap to rub into the eyes of Malone. Keene was disqualified and Malone awarded the match in two straight falls.
The main event featured a return match between Miguel Torres and Irish Jack Kelly. Kelly used a series of bodyslams on Torres and pinned him to win the first fall. Torres came back and forced Kelly to submit to an arm wringer to take the second fall and even the match. Torres won the second fall when he used a series of body slams on Kelly and pinned him with a shoulder slide.
On Wednesday in Alexandria the card opened with Pat Malone defeating Charley Keene by taking two out of three falls to win the match.
The main event matched Miguel Torres with Jack Kelly in a rematch that promised to be a wild one. Kelly took an early advantage when he took the first fall over Torres. Torres came back and scored the next two falls to win the match.
Also on Wednesday in Mobile, the card opened with Angelo Austeri defeating Chico Ortiz by winning two straight falls.
In the main event the Killer battled Hans Hermann, a giant German newcomer. Each man had won a fall apiece when the 60 minute time limit expired. The match was declared a draw.
In New Orleans on Thursday the opening match was a one fall match between Charley Keene and Pat Malone. The two battled back and forth until the 30 minute time limit expired and the match declared a draw.
The second preliminary match featured two ruffians squaring off as Chico Ortiz faced the Killer. The Killer proved to be a little rougher than Ortiz and pinned him to win the one fall bout.
Hans Hermann proved to be way too strong for Jack Kelly as he beat him two straight falls to win the semi-final match.
In the main event Miguel Torres faced a stiff test in Angelo Austeri. Torres scored two out of three falls to win the match and hand Austeri a rare loss in New Orleans.
On Friday in Montgomery Hans Hermann faced Irish Jack Kelly in the 60 minute opening match of the evening.
In the main event Miguel Torres and Pat Malone met in a 90 minute match.
No results are known for this card.
Also on Friday in Jackson the opening match was a one fall affair between George Curtis and Charlie Laye. It was a surprisingly clean and scientific match and ended in a 30 minute draw.
In the second event of the evening, Henry Harrell went up against the Black Phantom, the mystery man back behind his mask. The Phantom scored the pin over Harrell to win the one fall match.
The main event was another match between Jack Curtis, World Light-Heavyweight champion, and Paddy Mack with the title up for grabs. Curtis took the first fall in the wild match while Mack came back and evened things by winning the second fall. In the third and deciding fall Mack tossed Curtis from the ring which turned out to be a mistake. Curtis was seething when he made his way back into the ring. He tore into Mack and soon had him bleeding from the forehead once again.
Mack started to battle back and suddenly flattened Curtis and fell across him for the pin. Referee Claude Skidmore called for the bell and awarded the fall and the match to Mack.
As he raised the victor’s hand and handed him the championship bell, a small blackjack fell to the mat. Skidmore took one look at it, determined that he belonged to Mack and grabbed the belt back. He announced that he was throwing out the decision, calling the match a no contest and turning in the belt to the commission to be held up pending their decision. Mack flew into a rage. He took swings at both referee Skidmore and promoter Billy Romanoff but missed. He did manage to flatten Curtis once again and stormed from the ring, declaring himself the champion belt or no belt.
That same Friday evening in Anniston, the first event was a match between Chico Ortiz and the Killer. The masked man took the first fall in 18 minutes when he pinned Ortiz. Ortiz came back to pin the Killer in 16 minutes to win the second fall and even the score. The match went back and forth in the deciding fall, with neither man paying much attention to the rules. Finally at the 9 minute mark the Killer pinned Ortiz to win the fall and the match.
The main event featured George Thomas facing Angelo Austeri. Just had been the case in the previous event, neither man concerned themselves with wrestling by the rules. Austeri proved to be a little rougher as he won the first fall in 32 minutes. Austeri took the second fall in 23 minutes, winning the match in two straight falls with 5 minutes to spare before the time limit expired.
No matches were held in Shreveport the following Monday as the Auditorium was in use for another event.
On Tuesday in Monroe, both of the one fall preliminary matches ended in a stalemate as George Curtis and George Thomas drew as did Jack Curtis and Charlie Laye.
In the main event, the Curtis Brothers joined forces against Thomas & Laye in a tag team match. Thomas, who was making his first appearance in Monroe, dominated George Curtis throughout much of the first fall. George was finally able to tag in big brother Jack who entered the ring in a flurry. He had Thomas reeling with a series of snap mares until Thomas managed to scoot from the ring. Thomas motioned for Laye to take over for him, but Laye declined to do so. Thomas got back into the ring and managed to back Jack Curtis into the corner where Laye was perched. Laye punched Curtis in the back of the head, which brought George Curtis leaping over the ropes and into the ring. George flattened both Thomas and Laye and dragged Jack back into their corner. George Curtis and Laye were then tagged in legally but it didn’t take long before all four men were in the ring at the same time, slugging away. Finally George flattened Thomas with a dropkick and pinned him to win the first fall. In the second fall, Laye worked over George Curtis’ arm until he submitted to an arm twist to give the second fall to Laye & Thomas. In the third and deciding fall, George Curtis was getting his revenge by working over the arm of Laye. Thomas was leaning over the top rope hoping to reach his partner for a tag. Across the ring Jack Curtis jerked the top rope, which caused Thomas to catapult into the ring flat of his back. Laye scooted from the ring, leaving Thomas in as the legal man. George Curtis quickly slapped a hammerlock on Thomas and forced him to submit to win the fall and the match for the Curtis Brothers.
Also on Tuesday in Baton Rouge Pat Malone took on Chico Ortiz in the opening match. Malone pinned Ortiz following a backbreaker to win the first fall. Malone totally outwrestled Ortiz in the second fall and pinned him to take the match in two straight falls.
In the main event Miguel Torres was hoping to keep his winning streak in Baton Rouge alive as he took on Angelo Austeri. Things looked good as Torres pinned Austeri after a series of flying mares to win the first fall. Austeri used a series of flips on Torres and pinned him to win the second fall. Austeri used the same tactics in the deciding fall and pinned Torres to win the fall and the match.
The next evening in Alexandria the double main event opened with Pat Malone meeting Chico Ortiz in the first feature. Ortiz won the first fall when he pinned Malone after a series of bodyslams. Malone came back with bodyslams of his own after which he pinned Ortiz to win the second fall. The third and deciding fall was a blaze of action as Malone grabbed Ortiz and pinned him with a jackknife cradle in 30 seconds to win the fall and the match.
The feature event was another match between popular Miguel Torres and the unpopular Angelo Austeri. Austeri won the first fall in 30 minutes after slugging and kicking Torres and forcing him to submit to a leglock. In the second fall Torres hit Austeri with a series of bodyblocks. After one Austeri crashed into referee Phil Brummett and they both fell to the mat. Torres jumped on Austeri for the pin, but Brummett was dazed and unable to make the count. After what he felt was a long enough time covering Austeri to gain the pin, Torres got to his feet. Austeri recovered and gave Torres a vicious bodyslam and pinned him. Brummett regained his composure and counted Torres out, awarding the fall and the match to Austeri. Despite the protests of Torres and the ringside fans, the decision stood.
That same Wednesday evening in Mobile card had Charley Keene faced the Killer in the opening match. Once again the Killer found himself getting disqualified in the deciding fall to give Keene the match.
The main event saw Hans Hermann taking on Jack Kelly. Kelly scored two out of three falls to earn the victory over Hermann.
On Thursday in New Orleans the card opened with a tag team match as Chico Ortiz teamed with Jack Kelly to take on Angelo Austeri & the Killer. It was a rough match with neither team caring to much about the rules. Austeri & the Killer proved to be a bit too rough as they took the victory.
The semi-final was a return match between Charley Keene and Pat Malone. The two had battled to a 30 minute draw the previous week so this match had a 60 minute time limit. Malone won two out of three falls to gain an unpopular victory over Keene.
The main event had Miguel Torres facing Hans Hermann, the giant German. Hermann was just too large and too strong for Torres as he tossed Torres from the ring several times in the first fall. Torres was unable to get back into the ring before the count of 20 and was counted out, giving the fall to Hermann. Torres was unable to continue and the second fall and the match were awarded to Hermann by forfeit.
On Friday in Montgomery, the card opened with two one fall preliminary matches. In the first match of the evening Miguel Torres faced Chico Ortiz.
In the second event Hans Hermann met the Killer.
The main event was a tag team match with Miguel Torres & Han Hermann, who had wrestled each other the previous night in New Orleans, teaming to take on Chico Ortiz & the Killer.
No results are known for this card.
Also on Friday in Jackson George Curtis and George (Lefty) Thomas fought to a draw in the one fall opening match.
In the semi-final match Charlie Laye faced the Black Phantom. Laye spent most of the match preoccupied with removing the Phantom’s mask and it cost him. The Phantom scored two out of three falls to take the match.
The main event was a return match for the World Light-Heavyweight title which had been held up and in the hands of the state commission since the previous match between champion Jack Curtis and Paddy Mack the previous week in Jackson. Curtis gained an early edge when he pinned Mack after a series of snap mares to win the first fall. In the second fall Mack was dominant until Curtis floored him with a right hand. Curtis then went to apply a piledriver on Mack but was interrupted when George Thomas rushed into the ring to break it up. That brought George Curtis out to the ring as well and a melee ensued. Referee Claude Skidmore was knocked down in the fracas. When Skidmore regained his senses he disqualified Mack for due to the interference by Thomas and awarded the match to Jack Curtis in two straight falls. The World Light-Heavyweight title was returned to Curtis as well.
The same Friday evening in Anniston, now at the Municipal Auditorium, the card was scheduled to open with a best two out of three fall match with a 60 minute time limit between Pat Malone and Jack Kelly.
The main event was a 90 minute time limit match, also best two out of three falls, between Tarzan White and Angelo Austeri. Both men were now being billed as former World Jr. Heavyweight champions, but no further mention was made of the title and who the title holder currently was.
No results for this card are known.
Wrestling returned to Shreveport the following Monday after a week off. George Curtis defeated Bill France in the one fall opening match.
In the semi-final match the Black Phantom took two out of three falls to defeat Charlie Laye.
In the main event Jack Curtis put his World Light-Heavyweight title on the line once again against the challenge of Paddy Mack. Mack won the first fall when he forced Curtis to submit to a Boston Crab in 12 minutes. Curtis came back and applied a piledriver on Mack and pinned him in 14 minutes to win the second fall. The third and deciding fall was a wild and wooly one with a bloody Mack tossing referee Conway Baker from the ring in a fit of rage. Commissioner Charlie Oliver stepped in and stopped the match, awarding the fall and the match to Curtis on a disqualification.
On Tuesday in Monroe a double main event featuring both Curtis Brothers was staged. In the first event George Curtis took on Bill France, who was yet to win a match during his time in the area. Curtis continued France’s woes as he used a series of bodyslams on France and pinned him in 12 minutes to take the first fall. France, apparently frustrated with his lack of success had spent most of the opening fall clawing at Curtis’ eyes before Curtis scored the pin. Curtis hit France with a series of dropkicks and pinned him once again to win the second fall and the match. As Curtis was leaving the ring following his victory, a frustrated France aimed a well-placed kick at him. Curtis returned to the ring and started slugging France before referee Rex Mobley could calm things down. France finally left the ring and ran to the dressing room.
In the final event, Jack Curtis continued to be a fighting champion as he put his World Light-Heavyweight title on the line against Charlie Laye, who had held the same title in the past. Laye punished Curtis’ arm throughout much of the first fall before forcing him to submit to a hammerlock. Laye used some highly suspicious tactics in the second fall and he twisted Curtis’ fingers and punched him several times. Curtis fought back in a like manner with fists and elbows. Laye, sensing he was losing the fight, yelled to referee Mobley that he conceded and to give the fall to Curtis. The third and deciding fall was 8 minutes of wild action as the two men slugged away at each other with wild abandon. Finally Curtis got the edge when he opened a cut on Laye’s head and drove him to his knees. Mobley stepped in and stopped the bout due to Laye’s injury and awarded the fall and the match to Curtis. Laye refused to quit, however, and continued to fight until he was too weak to continue. Curtis left the ring still World Light-Heavyweight champion.
Also on Tuesday in Baton Rouge Hans Hermann took on Irish Jack Kelly in the opening match of the evening. Kelly used a piledriver on Hermann and pinned him to win the first fall. Hermann came back and won the next two falls to take the match. Afterwards Hermann issued a challenge to the winner of the main event to wrestle him the next week in Baton Rouge.
The main event was a return match between Miguel Torres and Angelo Austeri. Austeri was disqualified in the first fall by referee Blackie Harrelson. Austeri had Torres in a bad way during the second fall and came close to pinning him several times. Torres fought back and finally pinned Austeri to win the match in two straight falls.
In Alexandria on Wednesday, Hans Hermann made his debut in the city by taking on Jack Kelly in the opening match. Hermann’s winning streak continued as he was too large and strong for Kelly and defeated him in two straight falls to win the match.
The main event was a return match between Miguel Torres and Angelo Austeri. The first fall went back and forth for 30 minutes until Austeri was disqualified by referee Blondie Stracener. Torres took the second fall in 10 minutes when he ducked a bodyblock by Austeri, slammed him after an airplane spin and pinned him. Torres won the match in two straight falls just as Austeri had done in their previous encounter.
On that same Wednesday evening, the Mobile card began with Pat Malone taking two out of three falls to defeat Charley Keene in the opening match.
The main event saw the ladies return as Mars Bennett faced Ella Waldek. Bennett won two out of three falls to win the match.
The Thursday night card in New Orleans was the biggest of the year that had been presented in that city. Prior to the matches legendary wrestling champion Ed (Strangler) Lewis gave a talk about juvenile delinquency and took questions from the large audience. The opening wrestling event was a tag team match with Miguel Torres & Charlie Laye taking on Angelo Austeri & Pat Malone. Each team had one a fall apiece going into the deciding fall and Laye had been injured at the conclusion of the second fall. Torres valiantly tried to go it alone but Austeri & Malone were just too much for just one man. Austeri pinned him to win the final fall and the match.
The semi-final bout was a women’s match between Mars Bennett and Ella Waldek. Despite the rough tactics used by Waldek throughout the match, Bennett scored two out of three falls to win the bout.
The main event featured NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz, accompanied by his manager Ed (Strangler) Lewis, defending his title against the German giant Han Hermann, who was undefeated thus far in his campaign through the area. Despite the size difference between the two, Thesz used his vast experience to master Hermann, taking the victory in two straight falls and retained his title.
The following night in Montgomery, Mars Bennett and Ella Waldek met again in a 60 minute preliminary women’s match.
The main event was a match for the NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz, accompanied by Ed (Strangler) Lewis, once again defending his title against Hans Hermann in a 90 minute match.
No results are known for this card, but Lou Thesz remained NWA World Heavyweight Champion.
Also on Friday in Jackson Henry Harrell returned after a brief absence and battle Paddy Mack to a furious draw in the one fall opening match.
The Black Phantom continued his winning ways as he handedly defeated George Curtis by taking two out of three falls to win the semi-final match. Since word had not spread from Monroe, where the Phantom had been forced to unmask but refused to reveal his true name, speculation was running high in Jackson as to his true identity. Many were convinced that he was the famed George Becker, a wrestler who had once held the World Light-Heavyweight title.
That very title was up for grabs in the main event in Jackson. Jack Curtis, the current champion, was defending it against the challenge of George (Lefty) Thomas. Thomas had interfered in Curtis’ title defense against Paddy Mack the previous week and Curtis was wanting a little payback. Thomas and Mack had formed a cabal of sorts and Mack was at ringside to coach his new found friend. Curtis won the first fall when he forced Thomas to submit to an abdominal stretch in 20 minutes. In the second fall the desperate Thomas pulled a tape wrapped object from his wrestling trunks and slipped it brass knuckles style around his fist. Before he could use it, though, Curtis knocked it from his hand and it fell to the mat. The two struggled over the weapon but Curtis came up with it. He slugged Thomas, opening a deep cut across his forehead. Thomas sank to the mat and Curtis pinned him to take the fall and the match and thus retain his title. It was only the local police that kept Mack out of the ring and let the action play out without interference. Following the match, Curtis addressed the crowd and stated that he had made several successful title defenses lately and that if Mack or Thomas wanted another title shot it would cost them a large amount of money as an incentive.
The following Monday in Shreveport, the card opened with George Curtis and Charlie Laye battling to a draw in the one fall match.
In the semi-final, the Black Phantom continued his win streak as he beat George Thomas in two straight falls, forcing Thomas to submit to a leglock in both. With this victory, the Phantom moved into contention for a shot at the World Light-Heavyweight title held by Jack Curtis and was promised a match the following week in Shreveport.
Curtis, however, needed to get past arch-rival Paddy Mack who he was defending that very title against in the main event. Mack made it hard on Curtis when he won the first fall to get an early edge. In the second fall Mack tried to smother Curtis by placing his large hands over the champion’s nose and mouth. An enraged Curtis fought back and applied a piledriver on Mack and pinned him to win the second fall. The maneuver left Mack unconscious and he had to be carried back to the dressing room. Mack was still in dreamland at the start of the third and deciding fall and was unable to continue. Curtis was awarded the fall and the match on a forfeit and retained his title.
On Tuesday in Monroe things were scrambled a bit between what had been scheduled and what actually took place. The first event of the evening was to be a match between Henry Harrell and the Black Phantom. Prior to the matches, however, the masked man had gotten into a scuffle with George Curtis. So the main event was changed to Curtis and the Phantom meeting. The first event would see Harrell taking on Curtis’ originally scheduled opponent, Charlie Laye. Harrell scored two out of three falls over Laye to win the match.
At the start of the final event, George Curtis was pointing out the fact that the Black Phantom had lost his match to George’s brother Jack Curtis earlier in Monroe. This had been the source of the scrap they had had previous to the night’s activities. The Phantom began the match strong and kicked Curtis into submission in 5 minutes to win the first fall. Curtis did likewise in the second fall as he kicked the Phantom into submission in 5 minutes to win the fall and even the score. In the third and deciding fall the Phantom managed to catch Curtis in his deadly leglock. The agile Curtis was able to reach up and grab the mask of the Phantom and began unlacing it. The Phantom let go of his hold, but Curtis pulled the hood down across the masked man’s eyes where he was blinded. Curtis continued to try and remove the mask while the Phantom fought back. He backed Curtis into the ropes and continued to punch him. Referee Rex Mobley tried to break things up but the Phantom refused to break on the ropes. Mobley disqualified him and awarded the fall and the match to Curtis but the fight continued. Curtis managed to flatten the Phantom, but the masked man slid from the ring and got away with his mask intact.
That same Tuesday evening in Baton Rouge the opening match featured Charley Keene taking on the Killer. Keene won two out of three falls from the masked man to win the match. The Killer was then forced to remove his mask and it was revealed that he was veteran Chief Tommy Marvin. This came to a real surprise as Marvin had always been a popular favorite over his many years wrestling in the area.
In the main event Miguel Torres answered the challenge of Han Hermann. Torres used a single leg Boston Crab to force Hermann to submit to win the first fall. In the second fall Hermann used a bear hug to weaken Torres and pinned him to win the fall. In the third and deciding fall Hermann tossed Torres from the ring and onto the arena floor. Torres was unable to get back into the ring before the count of 20 and was counted out, giving the fall and the match to Hermann.
On Wednesday in Alexandria the first of a double main event featured Charley Keene battling the Killer, now back under the mask. Each man scored a fall apiece going into the third and deciding fall. The 60 minute time limit expired before either man could win the decisive fall. The match ended in a draw.
In the main event was a return match between Miguel Torres and Hans Hermann. Torres managed to win the first fall when he caught the huge German in a pinning combination. Hermann came back and applied a leg scissors around the waist of Torres and forced him to submit to win the second fall. The two men wound up outside the ring fighting on the arena floor in the third and deciding fall. Just before referee Phil Brummett reached the count of 20, Hermann made it back into the ring. Torres failed to return to the ring and was counted out. Herman was awarded the third fall and the match.
That same Wednesday evening in Mobile Angelo Austeri won two out of three falls to win the opening match from Pat Malone.
The main event was a match between two ruffians as Chico Ortiz scored a victory over Jack Kelly. Kelly was disqualified in the deciding fall to suffer the loss.
This was the final card of 1950 held in Mobile.
The final card of November was held on Thursday in New Orleans. In the one fall opening match, the Killer pinned Chico Ortiz to win the match.
The semi-final was a tag team match with Charley Keene & Hans Hermann teaming to face the team of Pat Malone & Jack Kelly. Keene & Hermann won two out of three falls to win the match.
The main event was another match between Miguel Torres and Angelo Austeri. The two had met in two matches earlier in the month with each man having a victory. It was a rough battle throughout but Torres captured two falls out of three to win the rubber match.
November opened with three cards held on the first day of the month. In Alexandria the card featured a double main event. The first event was a women’s match with popular young Lilly Bitter taking on Mae Young. Young was a bit more experienced than Millie Stafford, who Bitter had recently scored victories over so Bitter would have quite a hill to climb. Despite the disadvantage, Bitter used her speed and agility to score two out of three falls to gain the victory over Young.
In the final event Miguel Torres squared off with rugged Jack Kelly. It was a rough match between the two and Kelly wound up bleeding from repeated blows to his forehead by Torres. Torres scored two straight falls over Kelly to win the match.
Also on that Wednesday in Gulfport was another double main event. In the first event Paddy Mack took on newcomer Bill France. France was a last minute substitution for Charlie Laye and proved to be no match for the veteran Mack. Mack won the first fall in 10 minutes with a rolling headlock. Mack caught France in an airplane spin and pinned him to take the second fall in 12 minutes, winning the match in straight falls.
In the main event popular Gulfport resident Pat Newman faced Sheik Ali Khan. Newman scored a pin after catching Khan in a backdrop to win the first fall in 12 minutes. Khan used the same maneuver to pin Newman to win the second fall, also in 12 minutes. Khan went for a backdrop again in the third and deciding fall but Newman caught him in a flying head scissors and pinned him to win the fall and the match.
This was the final card of 1950 in Gulfport.
Ladies made another appearance when Eva Lee met Millie Stafford in the opening match on a card in Mobile on that same Wednesday evening. Lee took two straight falls over Stafford to win the match.
In the main event Pat Malone defeated The Killer, a new masked man making his debut in the area, by taking two out of three falls. The Killer was disqualified in the third and deciding fall.
On Thursday in New Orleans the card opened with another match between Pat Malone and the Killer. Malone was victorious in the one fall bout as the Killer was once again disqualified.
The semi-final match was a ladies tag team match with Lilly Bitter & Eva Lee teaming to take on the duo of Millie Stafford & Mae Young. Bitter & Lee took two straight falls to win the match.
The main event had Miguel Torres taking on Angelo Austeri. The match was tied at a fall apiece heading into the third and deciding fall. Austeri used a hangman’s hold to force Torres to submit to win the third fall and the match.
On Friday in Montgomery, the card opened with a women’s match with Lilly Bitter taking on Mae Young.
The main event of the evening was a match between Miguel Torres and Irish Jack Kelly.
No results are known for this card.
Also on Friday in Jackson the card opened with a fast paced one fall match between Henry Harrell and Bill France. The two battled back and forth until the 30 minute time limit expired and the match was declared a draw.
The semi-final match featured Charlie Laye taking on Sheik Ali Khan in a best two out of three falls match. The match was even at a fall apiece going into the finale. The 60 minute time limit expired before either man could win the deciding fall.
The main event had Jack & George Curtis teaming to do battle with the fearsome duo of Paddy Mack & the Black Phantom. Mack seemed to have a real Jekyll & Hyde personality as he was a popular figure in his adopted hometown of Gulfport but was a hated villain everywhere else. He was determined to earn a title shot at World Light-Heavyweight champion Jack Curtis by any means necessary. In the tag team match George Curtis laid the Phantom low with dropkicks and pinned him to take the first fall for the brothers from Vicksburg. In the second fall, Mack took total control of the match. At one point he knocked Jack Curtis from the ring and followed him out. His flying fists sent Curtis sprawling among the ringside chairs. Mack got back into the ring and began smothering George Curtis with his hands over Curtis’ nose and mouth. Referee Claude Skidmore tried to break things up but Mack grabbed him and hurled him over the ropes and onto the arena floor alongside Jack Curtis. When Skidmore managed to get back to his feet he called for the bell. He disqualified Mack & the Phantom and awarded the match to the Curtis Brothers in two straight falls.
Also on Friday wrestling returned to Anniston with a new promoter and a new location. Promoter Al Bragg presented his first card at the VFW Hall featuring a double main event. In the first event Lilly Bitter took on Millie Stafford in a women’s match.
In the final event Angelo Austeri, World Jr. Heavyweight champion, faced off with Charley Keene in a non-title match.
No results are known for this card.
The following week in Shreveport, Charlie Laye wrestled Bill France in the opener. Laye used a swinging key lock to force France to submit to win the one fall match.
In the semi-final match George Curtis faced the Black Phantom. Curtis won the first fall as he pinned the Phantom with a cartwheel and spin into a cradle. The Phantom came back and worked over Curtis’ arm throughout the second fall, finally forcing Curtis to submit to a hammerlock to win the fall. The Phantom won the third and deciding fall when he forced Curtis to submit to a stepover toehold.
In the main event Paddy Mack got his long awaited shot at the World Light-Heavyweight title held by Jack Curtis. Curtis scored the first fall when pinned Mack with a body press. Mack came back and forced Curtis to submit to a swinging key lock to take the second fall. Mack received a deep cut on his forehead during the third and deciding fall. The cut was deemed too deep for Mack to continue by referee Conway Baker. Baker stopped the match and awarded the fall and the match to Curtis, allowing him to retain his title. Mack raged about the decision and it took a promise of a rematch from promoter Gladden Harrison to get him to calm down and leave the ring.
On Tuesday in Monroe the card featured a double main event. In the first event Henry Harrell took on Charlie Laye. At one point during the opening fall Harrell tossed Laye from the ring. Laye returned to the ring and spent the next several minutes dancing away from Harrell’s grasp. Harrell was so frustrated that Laye was able to surprise him with a pin to win the first fall. Laye seemed on the verge of winning the second fall as he was punishing Harrell with a series of body slams. Harrell managed to catch Laye in a cradle, however, and pinned him to win the fall and even the score. In the third and deciding fall Laye tossed Harrell out of the ring and then dragged him back in by the hair. Laye then tossed Harrel attempted to get back in Laye kicked him and sent him sprawling to the arena floor. Referee Rex Mobley quickly disqualified Laye and awarded the fall and the match to Harrell. The action didn’t end there, however, as Harrell grabbed the timekeeper’s hammer and chased Laye back to the dressing room.
The main event was a return match for the World Light-Heavyweight title between champion Jack Curtis and the Black Phantom. The Phantom had actually defeated Curtis for the title the previous week in Monroe but reneged on an agreement to unmask should he gain the title. The title was returned to Curtis and the rematch was signed with the same stipulations. Promoter Gus Kallio informed the crowd that the stipulation was in place, but the Phantom grabbed the microphone and stated that if they wanted to know who he was they would have to guess. Kallio then stated that win, lose or draw the Phantom would unmask following the match. The Phantom won the first fall when he pinned Curtis after 13 minutes. Curtis came back with a series of snap mares and pinned the Phantom to take the second fall. In the third and deciding fall Curtis trapped the Phantom in a corner and was butting him in the stomach with his head. The Phantom reversed the situation as he whipped Curtis into the opposite corner and twice rammed him in the stomach with his head. The Phantom tried it once more only to have Curtis leap over him, with the masked man slamming his head into the corner post. Curtis then bodyslammed the Phantom and pinned him to win the fall and the match to retain the title. Curtis then slid out of the ring and took up a seat and waited for the Black Phantom to finally reveal his identity. The Phantom hemmed and hawed until Kallio returned to the ring and forced the situation. The Phantom did remove his mask and turned to face all four sides of the ring so the audience could get a good look at him. He still refused to reveal his name and left the ring, maintaining at least a small amount of his mystery.
That same Tuesday evening in Baton Rouge Pat Malone and Charley Keene met in the opening match of the evening. Malone won the first fall with a series of flying mare and a shoulder slide. In the second fall referee Blackie Harrelson caught Keene using a bar of soap to rub into the eyes of Malone. Keene was disqualified and Malone awarded the match in two straight falls.
The main event featured a return match between Miguel Torres and Irish Jack Kelly. Kelly used a series of bodyslams on Torres and pinned him to win the first fall. Torres came back and forced Kelly to submit to an arm wringer to take the second fall and even the match. Torres won the second fall when he used a series of body slams on Kelly and pinned him with a shoulder slide.
On Wednesday in Alexandria the card opened with Pat Malone defeating Charley Keene by taking two out of three falls to win the match.
The main event matched Miguel Torres with Jack Kelly in a rematch that promised to be a wild one. Kelly took an early advantage when he took the first fall over Torres. Torres came back and scored the next two falls to win the match.
Also on Wednesday in Mobile, the card opened with Angelo Austeri defeating Chico Ortiz by winning two straight falls.
In the main event the Killer battled Hans Hermann, a giant German newcomer. Each man had won a fall apiece when the 60 minute time limit expired. The match was declared a draw.
In New Orleans on Thursday the opening match was a one fall match between Charley Keene and Pat Malone. The two battled back and forth until the 30 minute time limit expired and the match declared a draw.
The second preliminary match featured two ruffians squaring off as Chico Ortiz faced the Killer. The Killer proved to be a little rougher than Ortiz and pinned him to win the one fall bout.
Hans Hermann proved to be way too strong for Jack Kelly as he beat him two straight falls to win the semi-final match.
In the main event Miguel Torres faced a stiff test in Angelo Austeri. Torres scored two out of three falls to win the match and hand Austeri a rare loss in New Orleans.
On Friday in Montgomery Hans Hermann faced Irish Jack Kelly in the 60 minute opening match of the evening.
In the main event Miguel Torres and Pat Malone met in a 90 minute match.
No results are known for this card.
Also on Friday in Jackson the opening match was a one fall affair between George Curtis and Charlie Laye. It was a surprisingly clean and scientific match and ended in a 30 minute draw.
In the second event of the evening, Henry Harrell went up against the Black Phantom, the mystery man back behind his mask. The Phantom scored the pin over Harrell to win the one fall match.
The main event was another match between Jack Curtis, World Light-Heavyweight champion, and Paddy Mack with the title up for grabs. Curtis took the first fall in the wild match while Mack came back and evened things by winning the second fall. In the third and deciding fall Mack tossed Curtis from the ring which turned out to be a mistake. Curtis was seething when he made his way back into the ring. He tore into Mack and soon had him bleeding from the forehead once again.
Mack started to battle back and suddenly flattened Curtis and fell across him for the pin. Referee Claude Skidmore called for the bell and awarded the fall and the match to Mack.
As he raised the victor’s hand and handed him the championship bell, a small blackjack fell to the mat. Skidmore took one look at it, determined that he belonged to Mack and grabbed the belt back. He announced that he was throwing out the decision, calling the match a no contest and turning in the belt to the commission to be held up pending their decision. Mack flew into a rage. He took swings at both referee Skidmore and promoter Billy Romanoff but missed. He did manage to flatten Curtis once again and stormed from the ring, declaring himself the champion belt or no belt.
That same Friday evening in Anniston, the first event was a match between Chico Ortiz and the Killer. The masked man took the first fall in 18 minutes when he pinned Ortiz. Ortiz came back to pin the Killer in 16 minutes to win the second fall and even the score. The match went back and forth in the deciding fall, with neither man paying much attention to the rules. Finally at the 9 minute mark the Killer pinned Ortiz to win the fall and the match.
The main event featured George Thomas facing Angelo Austeri. Just had been the case in the previous event, neither man concerned themselves with wrestling by the rules. Austeri proved to be a little rougher as he won the first fall in 32 minutes. Austeri took the second fall in 23 minutes, winning the match in two straight falls with 5 minutes to spare before the time limit expired.
No matches were held in Shreveport the following Monday as the Auditorium was in use for another event.
On Tuesday in Monroe, both of the one fall preliminary matches ended in a stalemate as George Curtis and George Thomas drew as did Jack Curtis and Charlie Laye.
In the main event, the Curtis Brothers joined forces against Thomas & Laye in a tag team match. Thomas, who was making his first appearance in Monroe, dominated George Curtis throughout much of the first fall. George was finally able to tag in big brother Jack who entered the ring in a flurry. He had Thomas reeling with a series of snap mares until Thomas managed to scoot from the ring. Thomas motioned for Laye to take over for him, but Laye declined to do so. Thomas got back into the ring and managed to back Jack Curtis into the corner where Laye was perched. Laye punched Curtis in the back of the head, which brought George Curtis leaping over the ropes and into the ring. George flattened both Thomas and Laye and dragged Jack back into their corner. George Curtis and Laye were then tagged in legally but it didn’t take long before all four men were in the ring at the same time, slugging away. Finally George flattened Thomas with a dropkick and pinned him to win the first fall. In the second fall, Laye worked over George Curtis’ arm until he submitted to an arm twist to give the second fall to Laye & Thomas. In the third and deciding fall, George Curtis was getting his revenge by working over the arm of Laye. Thomas was leaning over the top rope hoping to reach his partner for a tag. Across the ring Jack Curtis jerked the top rope, which caused Thomas to catapult into the ring flat of his back. Laye scooted from the ring, leaving Thomas in as the legal man. George Curtis quickly slapped a hammerlock on Thomas and forced him to submit to win the fall and the match for the Curtis Brothers.
Also on Tuesday in Baton Rouge Pat Malone took on Chico Ortiz in the opening match. Malone pinned Ortiz following a backbreaker to win the first fall. Malone totally outwrestled Ortiz in the second fall and pinned him to take the match in two straight falls.
In the main event Miguel Torres was hoping to keep his winning streak in Baton Rouge alive as he took on Angelo Austeri. Things looked good as Torres pinned Austeri after a series of flying mares to win the first fall. Austeri used a series of flips on Torres and pinned him to win the second fall. Austeri used the same tactics in the deciding fall and pinned Torres to win the fall and the match.
The next evening in Alexandria the double main event opened with Pat Malone meeting Chico Ortiz in the first feature. Ortiz won the first fall when he pinned Malone after a series of bodyslams. Malone came back with bodyslams of his own after which he pinned Ortiz to win the second fall. The third and deciding fall was a blaze of action as Malone grabbed Ortiz and pinned him with a jackknife cradle in 30 seconds to win the fall and the match.
The feature event was another match between popular Miguel Torres and the unpopular Angelo Austeri. Austeri won the first fall in 30 minutes after slugging and kicking Torres and forcing him to submit to a leglock. In the second fall Torres hit Austeri with a series of bodyblocks. After one Austeri crashed into referee Phil Brummett and they both fell to the mat. Torres jumped on Austeri for the pin, but Brummett was dazed and unable to make the count. After what he felt was a long enough time covering Austeri to gain the pin, Torres got to his feet. Austeri recovered and gave Torres a vicious bodyslam and pinned him. Brummett regained his composure and counted Torres out, awarding the fall and the match to Austeri. Despite the protests of Torres and the ringside fans, the decision stood.
That same Wednesday evening in Mobile card had Charley Keene faced the Killer in the opening match. Once again the Killer found himself getting disqualified in the deciding fall to give Keene the match.
The main event saw Hans Hermann taking on Jack Kelly. Kelly scored two out of three falls to earn the victory over Hermann.
On Thursday in New Orleans the card opened with a tag team match as Chico Ortiz teamed with Jack Kelly to take on Angelo Austeri & the Killer. It was a rough match with neither team caring to much about the rules. Austeri & the Killer proved to be a bit too rough as they took the victory.
The semi-final was a return match between Charley Keene and Pat Malone. The two had battled to a 30 minute draw the previous week so this match had a 60 minute time limit. Malone won two out of three falls to gain an unpopular victory over Keene.
The main event had Miguel Torres facing Hans Hermann, the giant German. Hermann was just too large and too strong for Torres as he tossed Torres from the ring several times in the first fall. Torres was unable to get back into the ring before the count of 20 and was counted out, giving the fall to Hermann. Torres was unable to continue and the second fall and the match were awarded to Hermann by forfeit.
On Friday in Montgomery, the card opened with two one fall preliminary matches. In the first match of the evening Miguel Torres faced Chico Ortiz.
In the second event Hans Hermann met the Killer.
The main event was a tag team match with Miguel Torres & Han Hermann, who had wrestled each other the previous night in New Orleans, teaming to take on Chico Ortiz & the Killer.
No results are known for this card.
Also on Friday in Jackson George Curtis and George (Lefty) Thomas fought to a draw in the one fall opening match.
In the semi-final match Charlie Laye faced the Black Phantom. Laye spent most of the match preoccupied with removing the Phantom’s mask and it cost him. The Phantom scored two out of three falls to take the match.
The main event was a return match for the World Light-Heavyweight title which had been held up and in the hands of the state commission since the previous match between champion Jack Curtis and Paddy Mack the previous week in Jackson. Curtis gained an early edge when he pinned Mack after a series of snap mares to win the first fall. In the second fall Mack was dominant until Curtis floored him with a right hand. Curtis then went to apply a piledriver on Mack but was interrupted when George Thomas rushed into the ring to break it up. That brought George Curtis out to the ring as well and a melee ensued. Referee Claude Skidmore was knocked down in the fracas. When Skidmore regained his senses he disqualified Mack for due to the interference by Thomas and awarded the match to Jack Curtis in two straight falls. The World Light-Heavyweight title was returned to Curtis as well.
The same Friday evening in Anniston, now at the Municipal Auditorium, the card was scheduled to open with a best two out of three fall match with a 60 minute time limit between Pat Malone and Jack Kelly.
The main event was a 90 minute time limit match, also best two out of three falls, between Tarzan White and Angelo Austeri. Both men were now being billed as former World Jr. Heavyweight champions, but no further mention was made of the title and who the title holder currently was.
No results for this card are known.
Wrestling returned to Shreveport the following Monday after a week off. George Curtis defeated Bill France in the one fall opening match.
In the semi-final match the Black Phantom took two out of three falls to defeat Charlie Laye.
In the main event Jack Curtis put his World Light-Heavyweight title on the line once again against the challenge of Paddy Mack. Mack won the first fall when he forced Curtis to submit to a Boston Crab in 12 minutes. Curtis came back and applied a piledriver on Mack and pinned him in 14 minutes to win the second fall. The third and deciding fall was a wild and wooly one with a bloody Mack tossing referee Conway Baker from the ring in a fit of rage. Commissioner Charlie Oliver stepped in and stopped the match, awarding the fall and the match to Curtis on a disqualification.
On Tuesday in Monroe a double main event featuring both Curtis Brothers was staged. In the first event George Curtis took on Bill France, who was yet to win a match during his time in the area. Curtis continued France’s woes as he used a series of bodyslams on France and pinned him in 12 minutes to take the first fall. France, apparently frustrated with his lack of success had spent most of the opening fall clawing at Curtis’ eyes before Curtis scored the pin. Curtis hit France with a series of dropkicks and pinned him once again to win the second fall and the match. As Curtis was leaving the ring following his victory, a frustrated France aimed a well-placed kick at him. Curtis returned to the ring and started slugging France before referee Rex Mobley could calm things down. France finally left the ring and ran to the dressing room.
In the final event, Jack Curtis continued to be a fighting champion as he put his World Light-Heavyweight title on the line against Charlie Laye, who had held the same title in the past. Laye punished Curtis’ arm throughout much of the first fall before forcing him to submit to a hammerlock. Laye used some highly suspicious tactics in the second fall and he twisted Curtis’ fingers and punched him several times. Curtis fought back in a like manner with fists and elbows. Laye, sensing he was losing the fight, yelled to referee Mobley that he conceded and to give the fall to Curtis. The third and deciding fall was 8 minutes of wild action as the two men slugged away at each other with wild abandon. Finally Curtis got the edge when he opened a cut on Laye’s head and drove him to his knees. Mobley stepped in and stopped the bout due to Laye’s injury and awarded the fall and the match to Curtis. Laye refused to quit, however, and continued to fight until he was too weak to continue. Curtis left the ring still World Light-Heavyweight champion.
Also on Tuesday in Baton Rouge Hans Hermann took on Irish Jack Kelly in the opening match of the evening. Kelly used a piledriver on Hermann and pinned him to win the first fall. Hermann came back and won the next two falls to take the match. Afterwards Hermann issued a challenge to the winner of the main event to wrestle him the next week in Baton Rouge.
The main event was a return match between Miguel Torres and Angelo Austeri. Austeri was disqualified in the first fall by referee Blackie Harrelson. Austeri had Torres in a bad way during the second fall and came close to pinning him several times. Torres fought back and finally pinned Austeri to win the match in two straight falls.
In Alexandria on Wednesday, Hans Hermann made his debut in the city by taking on Jack Kelly in the opening match. Hermann’s winning streak continued as he was too large and strong for Kelly and defeated him in two straight falls to win the match.
The main event was a return match between Miguel Torres and Angelo Austeri. The first fall went back and forth for 30 minutes until Austeri was disqualified by referee Blondie Stracener. Torres took the second fall in 10 minutes when he ducked a bodyblock by Austeri, slammed him after an airplane spin and pinned him. Torres won the match in two straight falls just as Austeri had done in their previous encounter.
On that same Wednesday evening, the Mobile card began with Pat Malone taking two out of three falls to defeat Charley Keene in the opening match.
The main event saw the ladies return as Mars Bennett faced Ella Waldek. Bennett won two out of three falls to win the match.
The Thursday night card in New Orleans was the biggest of the year that had been presented in that city. Prior to the matches legendary wrestling champion Ed (Strangler) Lewis gave a talk about juvenile delinquency and took questions from the large audience. The opening wrestling event was a tag team match with Miguel Torres & Charlie Laye taking on Angelo Austeri & Pat Malone. Each team had one a fall apiece going into the deciding fall and Laye had been injured at the conclusion of the second fall. Torres valiantly tried to go it alone but Austeri & Malone were just too much for just one man. Austeri pinned him to win the final fall and the match.
The semi-final bout was a women’s match between Mars Bennett and Ella Waldek. Despite the rough tactics used by Waldek throughout the match, Bennett scored two out of three falls to win the bout.
The main event featured NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz, accompanied by his manager Ed (Strangler) Lewis, defending his title against the German giant Han Hermann, who was undefeated thus far in his campaign through the area. Despite the size difference between the two, Thesz used his vast experience to master Hermann, taking the victory in two straight falls and retained his title.
The following night in Montgomery, Mars Bennett and Ella Waldek met again in a 60 minute preliminary women’s match.
The main event was a match for the NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz, accompanied by Ed (Strangler) Lewis, once again defending his title against Hans Hermann in a 90 minute match.
No results are known for this card, but Lou Thesz remained NWA World Heavyweight Champion.
Also on Friday in Jackson Henry Harrell returned after a brief absence and battle Paddy Mack to a furious draw in the one fall opening match.
The Black Phantom continued his winning ways as he handedly defeated George Curtis by taking two out of three falls to win the semi-final match. Since word had not spread from Monroe, where the Phantom had been forced to unmask but refused to reveal his true name, speculation was running high in Jackson as to his true identity. Many were convinced that he was the famed George Becker, a wrestler who had once held the World Light-Heavyweight title.
That very title was up for grabs in the main event in Jackson. Jack Curtis, the current champion, was defending it against the challenge of George (Lefty) Thomas. Thomas had interfered in Curtis’ title defense against Paddy Mack the previous week and Curtis was wanting a little payback. Thomas and Mack had formed a cabal of sorts and Mack was at ringside to coach his new found friend. Curtis won the first fall when he forced Thomas to submit to an abdominal stretch in 20 minutes. In the second fall the desperate Thomas pulled a tape wrapped object from his wrestling trunks and slipped it brass knuckles style around his fist. Before he could use it, though, Curtis knocked it from his hand and it fell to the mat. The two struggled over the weapon but Curtis came up with it. He slugged Thomas, opening a deep cut across his forehead. Thomas sank to the mat and Curtis pinned him to take the fall and the match and thus retain his title. It was only the local police that kept Mack out of the ring and let the action play out without interference. Following the match, Curtis addressed the crowd and stated that he had made several successful title defenses lately and that if Mack or Thomas wanted another title shot it would cost them a large amount of money as an incentive.
The following Monday in Shreveport, the card opened with George Curtis and Charlie Laye battling to a draw in the one fall match.
In the semi-final, the Black Phantom continued his win streak as he beat George Thomas in two straight falls, forcing Thomas to submit to a leglock in both. With this victory, the Phantom moved into contention for a shot at the World Light-Heavyweight title held by Jack Curtis and was promised a match the following week in Shreveport.
Curtis, however, needed to get past arch-rival Paddy Mack who he was defending that very title against in the main event. Mack made it hard on Curtis when he won the first fall to get an early edge. In the second fall Mack tried to smother Curtis by placing his large hands over the champion’s nose and mouth. An enraged Curtis fought back and applied a piledriver on Mack and pinned him to win the second fall. The maneuver left Mack unconscious and he had to be carried back to the dressing room. Mack was still in dreamland at the start of the third and deciding fall and was unable to continue. Curtis was awarded the fall and the match on a forfeit and retained his title.
On Tuesday in Monroe things were scrambled a bit between what had been scheduled and what actually took place. The first event of the evening was to be a match between Henry Harrell and the Black Phantom. Prior to the matches, however, the masked man had gotten into a scuffle with George Curtis. So the main event was changed to Curtis and the Phantom meeting. The first event would see Harrell taking on Curtis’ originally scheduled opponent, Charlie Laye. Harrell scored two out of three falls over Laye to win the match.
At the start of the final event, George Curtis was pointing out the fact that the Black Phantom had lost his match to George’s brother Jack Curtis earlier in Monroe. This had been the source of the scrap they had had previous to the night’s activities. The Phantom began the match strong and kicked Curtis into submission in 5 minutes to win the first fall. Curtis did likewise in the second fall as he kicked the Phantom into submission in 5 minutes to win the fall and even the score. In the third and deciding fall the Phantom managed to catch Curtis in his deadly leglock. The agile Curtis was able to reach up and grab the mask of the Phantom and began unlacing it. The Phantom let go of his hold, but Curtis pulled the hood down across the masked man’s eyes where he was blinded. Curtis continued to try and remove the mask while the Phantom fought back. He backed Curtis into the ropes and continued to punch him. Referee Rex Mobley tried to break things up but the Phantom refused to break on the ropes. Mobley disqualified him and awarded the fall and the match to Curtis but the fight continued. Curtis managed to flatten the Phantom, but the masked man slid from the ring and got away with his mask intact.
That same Tuesday evening in Baton Rouge the opening match featured Charley Keene taking on the Killer. Keene won two out of three falls from the masked man to win the match. The Killer was then forced to remove his mask and it was revealed that he was veteran Chief Tommy Marvin. This came to a real surprise as Marvin had always been a popular favorite over his many years wrestling in the area.
In the main event Miguel Torres answered the challenge of Han Hermann. Torres used a single leg Boston Crab to force Hermann to submit to win the first fall. In the second fall Hermann used a bear hug to weaken Torres and pinned him to win the fall. In the third and deciding fall Hermann tossed Torres from the ring and onto the arena floor. Torres was unable to get back into the ring before the count of 20 and was counted out, giving the fall and the match to Hermann.
On Wednesday in Alexandria the first of a double main event featured Charley Keene battling the Killer, now back under the mask. Each man scored a fall apiece going into the third and deciding fall. The 60 minute time limit expired before either man could win the decisive fall. The match ended in a draw.
In the main event was a return match between Miguel Torres and Hans Hermann. Torres managed to win the first fall when he caught the huge German in a pinning combination. Hermann came back and applied a leg scissors around the waist of Torres and forced him to submit to win the second fall. The two men wound up outside the ring fighting on the arena floor in the third and deciding fall. Just before referee Phil Brummett reached the count of 20, Hermann made it back into the ring. Torres failed to return to the ring and was counted out. Herman was awarded the third fall and the match.
That same Wednesday evening in Mobile Angelo Austeri won two out of three falls to win the opening match from Pat Malone.
The main event was a match between two ruffians as Chico Ortiz scored a victory over Jack Kelly. Kelly was disqualified in the deciding fall to suffer the loss.
This was the final card of 1950 held in Mobile.
The final card of November was held on Thursday in New Orleans. In the one fall opening match, the Killer pinned Chico Ortiz to win the match.
The semi-final was a tag team match with Charley Keene & Hans Hermann teaming to face the team of Pat Malone & Jack Kelly. Keene & Hermann won two out of three falls to win the match.
The main event was another match between Miguel Torres and Angelo Austeri. The two had met in two matches earlier in the month with each man having a victory. It was a rough battle throughout but Torres captured two falls out of three to win the rubber match.
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 November 1950.
Author: Michael Norris of Gulf Coast Wrestling History: 1950-1977.
Published: July 11, 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 November 1950.
Author: Michael Norris of Gulf Coast Wrestling History: 1950-1977.
Published: July 11, 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 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 May 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.
