Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling
A Recap of November 1951
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November started with on Thursday the 1st with cards in New Orleans and Hattiesburg. In New Orleans Nick Carter defeated George Harben in the opening match of the evening. With this win Carter began to regain the fans’ affection.
In the second match the Skull was awarded the match over Farmer Brown, who was disqualified by referee Charlie Cure.
In the main event Tarzan White & Al Getz formed a top notch team as they defeated Garza Lozano & Nacho Martinez in a tag team match. White & Getz won two out of three falls to win the match.
In Hattiesburg that same evening Eva Lee and Ruth Boatcallie met in a women’s match to open the card.
In the main event, World Light-Heavyweight champion Henry Harrell faced Sugy Hayamaka in a non-title match.
No results are known for this card.
On Friday in Jackson George Curtis and Jack (Stinger) Steele met in the opening match. No result is known for this match.
In the second match of the evening Sugy Hayamaka defeated Rex Mobley. With a win over Mobley, a former World Light-Heavyweight champion, Hayamaka moved to the top spot as a contender for current champion Henry Harrell.
The main event was a 6 person mixed tag team match with Eva Lee teaming with Jack & George Curtis to take on Ruth Boatcallie, Pat Cronin & Jack Steele. The match was even after each team won a fall apiece. In the third and deciding fall Cronin fell victim to Jack Curtis’ piledriver and was pinned, giving the fall and the match to Lee & the Curtis Brothers.
The following Monday in Shreveport, newcomer Red Lyons defeated Johnny Harmon in the opening match. Lyons won two out of three falls.
The second match of the night was a quick one. It was a one fall match between Jack Curtis and Jack Steele. Steele attacked Curtis at the opening bell but Curtis came back strong and flattened Steele and pinned him in just under a minute of action.
In the main event Jack & George Curtis took on Sugy Hayamaka & Jack Steele in a return tag team match. Steele & Hayamaka won the first fall while the Curtis duo took the second and the match was even going into the deciding fall. In the final fall Steele had Jack Curtis in a headlock mid-ring when he reached into his tights and pulled out what appeared to be a set of brass knuckles. Steele slugged Curtis with the object and knocked him unconscious. While Steele strutted around the ring, referee Conway Baker counted Curtis out and awarded the fall and the match to Steele & Hayamaka. After the decision, Commissioner W. R. Hudson entered the ring and told Baker that he saw Steele use the foreign object from his ringside seat. Baker turned and searched Steele but found no weapon so his decision stood. Still not convinced, Hudson requested another rematch be set and another commissioner, Charlie Oliver, assist Baker as referee. He also stated that in the upcoming match any use of a foreign object by either Steele or Hayamaka would result in a $100 fine and a suspension throughout the state of Louisiana.
On Tuesday in Monroe George Curtis and Jack Steele battled to a draw in the opening match of the evening.
Jack Curtis defeated Pat Cronin in the second match.
In the main event Jack & George Curtis faced Steele & Cronin in a tag team match. Jack Curtis pinned Steele to win the first fall after punching him in the face and knocking him down. Cronin took the second fall after he forced Jack Curtis to submit to an armlock after spending most of the fall stomping on the arm. At one point in the third and final fall, all four men were fighting it out. Suddenly George Curtis was sent flying across the ring and landed on the mat unconscious. Steele ran over and picked him up, body slammed him and pinned him. Referee Bill Barney counted Curtis out and awarded the fall and the match to Steele & Cronin. Confusion reigned as no one in the ring seemed to know what caused the reaction of George Curtis and what had knocked him out. The crowd was on the verge of rioting when several policemen entered the ring and searched Cronin. The “thing” was discovered in his trunks and it was determined that Cronin had hit George with it. Despite the finding of the weapon, the decision was allowed to stand since Barney did not see Cronin hit George with it. The police escorted Cronin & Steele to the dressing room while the crowd continued to voice their displeasure. Commissioner Dave Silverstein and promoter Gus Kallio came out and announced that Cronin was being fines $50 and that his pay for the evening was being held up.
Also on Tuesday in Baton Rouge the midget wrestlers returned to the area as Little Beaver faced Tom Thumb in the first feature of the evening. Thumb used a shoulder slide on Little Beaver to pin him and win the first fall. Little Beaver used the same hold on Thumb to pin him to take the second fall. Little Beaver kept Thumb reeling in the deciding fall with dropkicks. Little Beaver body slammed Thumb and pinned him to win the fall and the match.
In the main feature Al Getz faced Garza Lozano. Lozano pinned Getz after a series of body slams to win the first fall. In the second fall Lozano was disqualified and the fall was awarded to Getz. In the deciding fall Getz used body slams on Lozano and forced him to submit to a double armlock to win the fall and the match.
That same Tuesday evening in Decatur the card opened with a midgets’ match between Sonny Boy Cassidy and Irish Jackie.
The semi-final match featured newcomer Al Warshawski took on the Skull.
In the main event Farmer Brown went up against another newcomer, Moreno Marinzo.
No results are known for this card.
On Wednesday in Alexandria midget wrestlers Little Beaver and Tom Thumb met in the opening match. Little Beaver won two straight falls to defeat Thumb and win the match.
The main event was another match between Al Getz and Garza Lozano. Getz beat Lozano in straight falls to win the match.
On Thursday in New Orleans Nick Carter and Howard Cantowine battled to a draw in the one fall opening match.
In the second match, also a one fall affair, Al Getz and Garza Lozano also fought to a draw.
In the semi-final match of the evening, Little Beaver took two straight falls to defeat Tom Thumb in a midgets’ match.
The man event featured the return of the one and only Orchid Man, Gorgeous George. George’s opponent was the very popular Tarzan White. GG had the near capacity crowd on its feet as he entered the ring to the strains of Pomp and Circumstances accompanied by his valet Jeffries. George won two out of three falls over White to win the match.
Also on Thursday in Hattiesburg Johnny Harmon faced Jack Roberts in the opening match. Roberts was a last minute substitute for Al Perry who was unable to appear. Harmon won two out of three fall to defeat Roberts.
In the main event Sugy Hayamaka took on Red Lyons. Hayamaka won the first fall when he pinned Lyons, but suffered a pulled muscle in his leg in doing so. Lyons took advantage of the hobbled Hayamaka and won the next two falls to win the match.
On Friday in Jackson Jack Steele defeated Johnny Harmon to win an unpopular decision in the opening match. Steele had stomped Harmon in the throat before pinning him to draw the ire of the fans.
The semi-final match was a tag team match with Jack & George Curtis taking on Pat Cronin & Red Lyons. Lyons used a leg scissors on George Curtis to win the first fall. Jack Curtis used his neck twist on Cronin and pinned him to take the second fall. The 60 minute time limit expired before either team was able to win the deciding fall. The match ended in a draw. The action didn’t stop there, however, as all four men continued to fight. Cronin’s infamous weapon, the “thing” made an appearance but the police broke things up before it was put to use.
In the main event World Light-Heavyweight champion Henry Harrell faced top contender Sugy Hayamaka in a non-title match. The match was even after each man won a fall apiece. In the third and deciding fall Hayamaka used a combination of a Japanese armbar and a jackknife to pin Harrell and win the fall and the match. Following the match Harrell agreed to give Hayamaka a title match in the near future.
The following week in Shreveport George Curtis and Sugy Hayamaka battled to a 15 minute draw in the opening match.
In the semi-final match of the evening Red Lyons took two out of three falls to win his match against Bill Barney.
The main event was yet another rematch with Jack & George Curtis meeting Jack Steele & Sugy Hayamaka. George Curtis pinned Hayamaka following a series of dropkicks to win the first fall. Steele used body slams and a pin of George to win the second fall. In the third and deciding fall Jack Curtis flattened Steele and pinned him to win the fall and the match.
On Tuesday in Monroe George Curtis and Pat Cronin squared off in the first event of the night. Curtis held Cronin down with a leg scissors and pinned him to win the first fall. In the second fall Cronin kept reaching blinding Curtis with eye gouges. Curtis fought back and twice knocked Cronin from the ring. When Cronin got back into the ring the second time he tossed Curtis through the ropes and onto the arena floor. Every time Curtis tried to climb back into the ring he was knocked back to the floor by Cronin. Referee Pat Willis tried to push Cronin back only to have Cronin toss him from the ring. Just as Willis was tossed out Jack Curtis came into the ring and grabbed Cronin. He hit Cronin with a haymaker that opened up a cut on his head. Referee Willis disqualified Cronin and awarded the fall and the match to George Curtis. Cronin yelled that he wanted Jack Curtis to fight him in a boxing match but Curtis offered no response.
Jack Curtis had a challenge of his own in the main event against Jack Steele. Curtis tore into Steele at the opening bell and had him reeling with punches to the face. Curtis then slammed Steele and pinned him to win the first fall in 5 minutes. Steele came back and forced Curtis to submit to a half Boston Crab to win the second fall. In the deciding fall Steele came close to pinning Curtis three times but Curtis kicked out at the last moment each time. Steele was furious and argued with referee Pat Willis about what he considered to be slow counts. Curtis took advantage of the distraction and grabbed Steele from behind. He body slammed Steele and pinned him to win the fall and the match.
That same Tuesday in Baton Rouge, Al Getz faced George Harben in the opening match. Harben used a backbreaker on Getz and pinned him to win the first fall. Getz came back with a series of body slams on Harben before pinning him to take the second fall. Harben used all sorts of foul tactics on Getz in the final fall and was disqualified by referee Blackie Harrelson, giving the fall and the match to Getz.
The main event featured a women’s match between Ida May and Therese Theis. Theis flattened the smaller May with body slams and pinned her to take the first fall. May used her quickness to keep Theis reeling before pinning her to win the second fall. The third and deciding fall went back and forth several times before Theis caught May in a shoulder slide and pinned her to win the fall and the match.
Also on Tuesday in Decatur, the opening match featured Charley Keene taking on Nacho Martinez in a best two out of three falls match with a 60 minute time limit.
The main event was a grudge match between Farmer Brown and the Skull. This match was also for best two out of three falls with a 90 minute time limit. Nick Carter was assigned as the special referee.
No results are known for this card.
On Wednesday in Alexandria Al Getz and George Harben faced off once again in the first feature of the night. The match was even at a fall apiece going into the third and deciding fall. Referee Phil Brummett disqualified Harben for continually pulling what little bit of hair Getz had. Brummett awarded the fall and the match to Getz.
The main event was another women’s match between Ida May and Therese Theis. The redheaded Theis, who had a height and weight advantage over May, continually fouled May by pulling her long black hair. Theis also blinded May by rubbing resin in her eyes. May was easily pinned by Theis to lose the first fall. An irate May came out blazing in the second fall and battered Theis all across the ring before pinning her to win the second fall and even things up. May started the third and deciding fall much the same way but Theis survived the onslaught. May wore herself out and was pinned to give Theis the fall and the match.
On Thursday in New Orleans Nick Carter and the Skull met in a one fall opening match with no time limit. No result is known for this match.
In the semi-final match Ida May and Therese Theis met in a women’s match. Theis took two out of three falls to win the match.
In the main event Farmer Brown & Al Getz teamed to take on Garza Lozano & George Harben. Brown & Getz won the first and third fall to win the match.
That same Thursday evening in Hattiesburg the card opened with two 15 minute single fall matches. Jack Roberts faced Red Lyons in one and George Curtis faced Johnny Harmon in the other.
In the main event Curtis & Roberts, both from Vicksburg, met Lyons & Harmon in a tag team match.
No results are known for this card.
On Friday in Jackson, Jack Roberts and Johnny Harmon battled to a draw in the opening match of the evening.
In the semi-final Sugy Hayamaka was matched with Jack (Stinger) Steele. Hayamaka was trying to earn a title match with World Light-Heavyweight champion Henry Harrell and hoped a victory over Steele, himself a former champion, would do the trick. Despite Steele using all of the ruthless tricks in his bag, Hayamaka took two out of three falls over him to win the match.
In the main event Jack & George Curtis teamed to take on Pat Cronin & Red Lyons. The Curtis Brothers won the match by taking two straight falls from Cronin & Lyons. After the match Cronin complained to anyone who would listen that he and his partner were the victims of hometown decisions by referees Pat Willis and Jack Roberts. Willis and Roberts were natives of Vicksburg, which just happened to be the same town the Curtis boys called home. Cronin’s protests fell on deaf ears and the decision stood.
Wrestling in Alabama expanded that same Friday evening when promoter Al Bragg began running in Anniston again. Bragg had not presented any cards since mid-May and came back with a new location in the Shrine Club.
The card opened with a women’s match with Ida May taking on Therese Theis once again.
In the main event, Nick Carter faced Nacho Martinez.
No results are known for this card.
The following Monday in Shreveport Sugy Hayamaka and Red Lyons met in the opening match. Hayamaka pinned Lyons to win the one fall match.
George Curtis and Pat Cronin fought to a draw in the semi-final match.
In the main event Jack & George Curtis faced Jack Steele & Pat Cronin in a tag team match. The match was even at a fall apiece heading into the final fall. At one point in the third fall, Steele was holding Jack Curtis in a full nelson and steered him over to the corner where Cronin was stationed. Cronin had the “thing” on his right hand and aimed a knockout blow to Curtis’ chin. Jack ducked at the last second and the punch landed squarely on the jaw of Steele, sending him to the mat. Only the fact that Cronin had tried to slow his punch when he saw Curtis duck kept the blow from knocking Steele unconscious. Steele got to his feet and had some choice word for his partner while the Curtis Brothers looked on from their corner. Words turned to blows as Steele and Cronin went after each other and a melee ensued. Referee Conway Baker called the match to an end and awarded the fall and the match to the Curtis Brothers. Baker managed to separate Steele and Cronin but the fireworks started again when they got into their dressing room.
On Tuesday in Monroe the card featured a double main event. In the first feature George Curtis faced a newcomer called The Mighty Scot. The Scot, whose given name was John Kirkpatrick, was a native of Edinburgh, Scotland and had been competing in North America for about two years, but this made his first time in this part of the country. Kirkpatrick, who insisted in being billed and introduced as “The Might Scot” was the most colorful performer since Gorgeous George as he entered the ring in his tam and kilt. He was all business once the bell rang and swarmed Curtis with eye gouges and kicks to the stomach before pinning him easily to take the first fall. Curtis came back with punches and dropkicks to flatten the Scot and pin him to take the second fall. Between falls the Scot stood in the center of the ring with his arms crossed awaiting fot the start of the final fall. A soon as the bell rang he was all over Curtis with chokes and kicks. He pinned Curtis under the ropes and placed his knee across George’s throat, strangling him. Referee Pat Willis tried to get the Scot to break his hold but he refused. Willis disqualified the Scot and awarded the fall and the match to Curtis.
Big brother Jack Curtis faced Pat Cronin in a 10 round boxing match. It was a titanic struggle and between them they scored 33 knockdowns in a match that went into the tenth round. Curtis landed a knockout blow on Cronin 2 minutes into the final round to win the match.
That same evening in Baton Rouge Farmer Brown and George Harben met in the 60 minute opening event. No result is known for this match.
In the main event Garza Lozano met the Skull. These two had met in some wild battles before and this match was no exception. Lozano won the first fall while the Skull came back and won the second. The third and deciding fall was all out war but Lozano slowly gained an advantage. Just as it looked like Lozano had the Skull ready for the kill George Harben rushed into the ring and came to the masked man’s aid. The two of them pounded on Lozano until referee Phil Brummett stepped in. He disqualified the Skull for outside interference and awarded the fall and the match to Lozano.
Also on Tuesday in Decatur, Nick Carter faced Irish Jack Kelly in the opening match, scheduled for best two out of three falls with a sixty minute time limit.
The main event was a winner takes all return between Farmer Brown and Nacho Martinez. This match was a one fall to a finish with no time limit. Charley Keene was assigned as the special referee.
No results are known for this card.
On Wednesday In Alexandria Framer Brown faced George Harben in the opening match. Harben was a late substitute for Al Getz who was unable to appear. Harben pinned Brown to win the first fall to take an early advantage. Brown came back to take the second fall and even the score. In the third and deciding Brown got behind Harben and lifted him up by the waist. He dropped backwards to the mat and both men’s shoulders were on the match. As referee Phil Brummett began to count each man down, Harben lifted his shoulder at the last moment. Brown was still pinned when Brummett reach the count of three. Brown jumped to his feet thinking he had won the match but Brummett raised Harben’s hand in victory.
The main event was another match between Garza Lozano and the Skull. The two battled evenly for 52 minutes before Lozano was able to apply a sleeper hold on the Skull and subdued him to win the fall. Confident of a victory, Lozano let his guard down in the second fall and the Skull quickly beat him down and pinned him in 7 minutes. With only 1 minute left in the 60 minute time limit for the final fall neither man could gain a decision and the match was declared a draw.
On Thursday a special Thanksgiving card was presented in New Orleans. Charley Keene and George Harben wrestled to a 30 minute draw in the opening match.
The Skull won two out of three falls to defeat Farmer Brown in the semi-final match of the evening.
Tarzan White & Al Getz teamed to take on Garza Lozano & Nacho Martinez in a tag team match in the main event. White & Getz took two out of three falls to win the match.
Also on Thursday in Hattiesburg a Thanksgiving night card was held in Hattiesburg. George Curtis defeated Jack Steele in one of the one fall preliminary matches.
Jack Roberts defeated the Mighty Scot in the second one fall preliminary match.
Curtis & Roberts won the main event tag team match by defeating Steele & the Scot in two straight falls.
On Friday in Jackson George Curtis and Jack Steele wrestled to a draw in the opening match of the night.
Jack Curtis defeated Red Lyons in 20 minutes to win the second match.
In the main event Sugy Hayamaka got his long awaited title match with World Light-Heavyweight champion Henry Harrell. Harrell pinned Hayamaka with a jackknife to win the first fall. Hayamaka only needed 1 minute and 40 seconds to pin Harrell after a Judo hip throw and a pin gave him the second fall. In the third fall Harrell went for the jackknife again but Hayamaka was one step ahead. He spun around before Harrell could get the hold locked in and sent the champion threw the ropes and onto the arena floor. Harrell struggled but made it back into the ring before referee Pat Willis could count him out. Although he was back in the ring, Harrell was dizzy and fell easy prey to Hayamaka. Hayamaka pinned Harrell to win the fall and the match and become the new World Light-Heavyweight champion.
The same Friday in Anniston Nacho Martinez and the Skull faced one another in the first event of the evening.
In the second event Nick Carter took on Irish Jack Kelly.
Both matches were scheduled as best two out of three falls with a 60 minute time limit.
No results are known for this card.
The last week of November started on Monday in Shreveport. The Mighty Scot defeated Red Lyons in the opening match.
Jack Curtis and Sugy Hayamaka met in the demi-final match. Each man won a fall apiece but the time limit expired with neither man able to garner the deciding fall and the match ended in a draw.
In the main event Jack Steele and Pat Cronin met in a grudge match. The two had a falling out during a match the previous week where they were tag team partners. They stuck to wrestling during the first two falls of the match as each man won a fall apiece. In the third and deciding fall the fists started flying and they wound up fighting on the arena floor. Both men were counted out and the match was declared a no contest.
On Tuesday in Monroe, Johnny Harmon and the Mighty Scot fought to a 10 minute draw in the opening match.
Sugy Hayamaka and Pat Cronin also wrestled to a 10 minute draw in the second preliminary match.
In the main event Harmon & Hayamaka joined forces to take on the Scot & Cronin in a tag team match. Harmon felt he had something to prove as he pretty much took on Cronin & the Scot by himself. Cronin forced Harmon to submit to an armlock to win the first fall. Cronin & the Scot continued punishing Harmon’s arm through much of the second fall, but Harmon refused to try and tag Hayamaka. He was on the verge of defeated when he finally tagged Hayamaka. The Japanese battler made short work of Cronin and pinned him to win the second fall. Harmon was back in the ring to start the third and deciding fall and once again absorbed a lot of punishment before he finally tagged in Hayamaka. Hayamaka jumped into the ring and chopped Cronin then applied the sleeper. Harmon kept the Scot from interfering while Cronin drifted off to slumber land. Hayamaka & Harmon won the fall and the match.
Also on Tuesday in Baton Rouge Garza Lozano and George Harben wrestled to a draw in the opening match.
In the second event the Skull was disqualified by referee Blackie Harrelson in his match with Nacho Martinez.
Lozano & Martinez teamed up in the main event to take on Harben & the Skull in a tag team match. Lozano forced the Skull to submit to an Indian Death lock to win the first fall in 14 minutes. Lozano applied the same hold on the Skull in the second fall but the masked man reversed it and forced Lozano to submit to win the fall in 17 minutes. The Skull came back and applied several body slams on Martinez and pinned him in 18 minutes to win the third and deciding fall.
That same Tuesday evening in Decatur Al Getz faced Irish Jack Kelly in a one fall 20 minute opening match.
The second one fall 20 minute match of the evening had Farmer Brown taking on newcomer Blackjack Dillon.
The main event featured Getz & Brown teaming to face Kelly & Dillon in a tag team match.
No results are known for this card.
This was the final card of the year in Decatur.
On Wednesday in Alexandria Nacho Martinez and the Skull met in the opening match, which ended in a 10 minute draw.
Garza Lozano and George Harben met in the second preliminary match of the night. This match also ended in a 10 minute draw.
The main event featured a tag team match with Martinez & Lozano teaming to take on the Skull & Harben. The Latin duo won the first and third falls to win the match.
On Thursday in New Orleans George Harben and Blackjack Dillon fought to a draw in the opening match.
Al Getz defeated Charley Keene in the second match of the night.
In the third match Tarzan White defeated Garza Lozano rather easily.
In the final event of the night, the Skull defeated Nick Carter.
Also on Thursday in Hattiesburg George Curtis and the Mighty Scot wrestled to a draw in the first match of the night.
The second match between Johnny Harmon and Sugy Hayamaka also ended in a draw.
The Mighty Scot & Hayamaka won two straight falls to win the main event tag team match from Curtis & Harmon.
This was the final card of the year in Hattiesburg and wrestling would not return to Hattiesburg until 1953.
On Friday in Jackson, Red Lyons defeated Johnny Harmon in 14 minutes to win the opening match of the night.
The Mighty Scot defeated George Curtis rather handily in the semi-final match.
In the main event Jack Curtis took on new World Light-Heavyweight champion Sugy Hayamaka in a non-title match. Curtis, a multi-time former champion was out to prove he was still worthy of title consideration. Curtis won two out of three falls to gain the victory.
That same evening in Anniston Al Getz and the Skull met in a one fall opening match.
The second match, also a one faller, had Farmer Brown taking on Irish Jack Kelly.
Brown & Getz took on the Skull & Kelly in the main event tag team match, scheduled for best two out of three falls with a 60 minute time limit.
No results are known for this card.
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 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 November 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.
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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 December 19551.
