Germany
#PWHS #Results #Europe #Germany #DE
Notes on Amateur Promotions / Organizations
Deutscher-Athletik-Sportverband (German Athletics Sports Federation)
Abbreviation: DAV.
Active: 1891-1919.
Abbreviation: DASV.
Active: 1919-1933.
President: Ernst August Kampmann (1923-September 1933).
Deutscher-Schwerathletik-Verband (German Heavy Athletics Federation)
Abbreviation: DSAV.
Active: September 1933-March 1934
Chairman: Richard Preuss (September 1933-Early 1934)
Notes:
The DASV, Arbeiter-Athletenbund (Workers Athletic Union) and Deutsche Athleten Union (German Athletes Union) were merged to form the DSAV.
Amateur Boxing Division = Deutscher-Boxsportverband.
Amateur Wrestling Division = Deutscher-Ringer-Verband.
Notes by Ronald Großpietsch.
Notes on Professional Promotions / Organizations
Internationaler-Ringer-Verband (International Wrestling Association)
Abbreviation: IRV (Berlin).
Active: 1911-August 21, 1933.
President: Heinrich Weber (1911-August 21, 1933).
Main Promoters, Managers and Matchmakers: Carl Jänecke, August Brylla, Hans Schwarz Sr., Carl Weygold, Paul Westergaard-Schmidt, Georg Dittmann, Adolf Reckling, Feodor Tornow, Rudolf Zurth, Max Seibt & Fritz Karlsen-Kundruhn.
Deutscher-Ringer-Verband (German Wrestling Association)
Abbreviation: DRV (Berlin).
Active: 1912-August 21, 1933.
Ringer-Union (Wrestling Union)
Abbreviation: RU (Berlin).
Active: 1932-August 21, 1933.
Abbreviation: RU (Berlin).
Active: 1932-August 21, 1933.
Verband-Deutscher-Berufsringer (Association of German Professional Wrestling)
Abbreviation: VDB.
Active: August 21, 1933-November 1935.
Abbreviation: VDB.
Active: August 21, 1933-November 1935.
Notes:
National Socialists seized power on January 30, 1933.
Several laws eliminated the autonomy of sports federations/associations:
Ermächtigungsgesetz (March 1933).
Gesetz zur Gleichschaltung (March & April 1933).
All federations and organizations of wrestling during the reign of the German Reich were subordinated to the Reich Sports Leader (Reichssportführer).
Hans von Tschammer und Osten was appointed the Reich Sports Commissioner (Reichssportkommissar) in April 1933.
Tschammer was appointed the Reich Sports Leader in July 1933 by Wilhelm Frick.
Trschammer remained in that role until his death in March 1943, Arno Breitmeyer was then appointed until 1944, then Karl Ritter von Halt was appointed.
Frick was the Reich Minister of the Interior (Reichsminister des Innern): 1933-1943.
The IRV, DRV and RU were officially dissolved and forcibly united into the VDD.
The VDB was ininitially subordinated to the DASV.
The boxing division was called the Verband-Deutscher-Berufsfaustkämpfer.
Notes:
National Socialists seized power on January 30, 1933.
Several laws eliminated the autonomy of sports federations/associations:
Ermächtigungsgesetz (March 1933).
Gesetz zur Gleichschaltung (March & April 1933).
All federations and organizations of wrestling during the reign of the German Reich were subordinated to the Reich Sports Leader (Reichssportführer).
Hans von Tschammer und Osten was appointed the Reich Sports Commissioner (Reichssportkommissar) in April 1933.
Tschammer was appointed the Reich Sports Leader in July 1933 by Wilhelm Frick.
Trschammer remained in that role until his death in March 1943, Arno Breitmeyer was then appointed until 1944, then Karl Ritter von Halt was appointed.
Frick was the Reich Minister of the Interior (Reichsminister des Innern): 1933-1943.
The IRV, DRV and RU were officially dissolved and forcibly united into the VDD.
The VDB was ininitially subordinated to the DASV.
The boxing division was called the Verband-Deutscher-Berufsfaustkämpfer.
Welt-Union für Berufsringen (World Union for Professional Wrestling)
Abbreviation: WUB.
Active: 1933-1936.
Members: Wilhelm Hagen, Leader of the World Union (Führer der Welt-Union); Werner Glasenapp, World Union President; Carl Weygold; Rudolf Zurth; Paul Favre; Paul Möbus; Feodor Tornow; & Hans Sanden (Julius Mandel).
Abbreviation: WUB.
Active: 1933-1936.
Members: Wilhelm Hagen, Leader of the World Union (Führer der Welt-Union); Werner Glasenapp, World Union President; Carl Weygold; Rudolf Zurth; Paul Favre; Paul Möbus; Feodor Tornow; & Hans Sanden (Julius Mandel).
Notes:
This was formed after the VDB.
It was a fictional super league.
It fell under the head of the VDB/DRV.
It was made to highlight the international character of the pro-wrestling scene in the German Reich.
The Welt-Union was billed as the main wrestling organizaton in the German Reich.
Order of Power: 1. Tschammer; 2. DRL/NSRL; 3. Reich Sports Office; 4. VBD/DRV; 5. Welt-Union.
Notes:
This was formed after the VDB.
It was a fictional super league.
It fell under the head of the VDB/DRV.
It was made to highlight the international character of the pro-wrestling scene in the German Reich.
The Welt-Union was billed as the main wrestling organizaton in the German Reich.
Order of Power: 1. Tschammer; 2. DRL/NSRL; 3. Reich Sports Office; 4. VBD/DRV; 5. Welt-Union.
Deutscher Reichsbund für Leibesübungen (German Reichsbund for Physical Exercises)
Abbreviation: DRL.
Active: March 1934-October 1945
Presidents: Hans von Tschammer und Osten (1934-1943), Arno Breitmeyer (1943-1944) & Karl Ritter von Halt (1944-1945).
Abbreviation: DRL.
Active: March 1934-October 1945
Presidents: Hans von Tschammer und Osten (1934-1943), Arno Breitmeyer (1943-1944) & Karl Ritter von Halt (1944-1945).
Notes:
All sports associations and organizations in the Germna Reich were subordinated to the DRL.
The DRL was divided into specialist departments (gymnastics, athletics, boxing, tennis, &tc.).
The DRL specialist office (Fachamt) No. 4 heavy athletics (Schwerathletik).
The VDB was subdivided into this specialist office until the pro-wrestling scene was reorganized in late 1935 and early 1936.
Dr. Heyl was the leader of specialist office No. 4: 1934-April 1936.
Controlled by the Reich Sports Office (Reichssportamt / Reichsfachamt Schwerathletik).
In November 1935 Dr. Heyl suggested the VDB by subordinated to the DAF.
In November 1935 the German pro-wrestling alliance, Verband-Deutscher-Berufsringer (VDB), was renamed to the Deutscher-Ringkämpfer-Verband (DRV).
In November 1935 the DRL is integrated with the Deutsche Arbeitsfront (German Labor Front; DAF).
The DAF was in charge of social insurance for the professional wrestlers.
The DRV was in charge of administration and management.
The proposal was approved by Tschammer as a spin-off from the DRL until the end of 1938.
Wrestlers with fake names, masked wrestlers, "kayfabe" matches and Catch-as-Catch-Can were all more controlled and later banned.
Rudolf Zurth was allowed to promote wrestling tournaments with freestyle matches and black wrestlers like John Essaw, Jim Wango and Jim Lewis.
In April 1936 by decree of Chancellor (Reichskanzler) Adolf Hitler, a Reich Sports Office was establisted in the Reich Ministry of the Interior (Reichsministerium des Innern) under the head of Wilhelm Frick and Hans von Tschammer of Osten.
Order of Power: 1. Hitler; 2. Frick; 3. Tschammer; 4. Reich Sports Office; 5. DAF; 6. DRV.
Leaders of the Reich Sports Office: Friedrih Steck (April 1936-December 1936) & Kurt Frey (SS Oberführer; December 1936-1944).
Karl Herr was Frey's deputy and the chairman of the Association of the Older Athletes (Reichsverband Alter Athletenvereinigung).
Kurt Frey became the commissary leader (until October 1938) of the Reich Specialist Office of Heavy Athletics (Reichsfachamt für Schwerathletik) under the head of Tschammer and the DRL.
From September 1, 1937, the entire pro-wrestling scene in the German Reich was subordinated by law to the Reich Sports Office.
In October 1938, Frey was officially commissioned with the leadership of the pro-wrestling scene in the German Reich by Tschammer.
That made Frey the most powerful man in the German amateur and pro-wrestling scene.
Frey was also the head of the Austrian Pro-Wrestling Association (IBL), which became inactive during World War II.
In December 1938 the DRL was renamed to the Nationalsozialistischer Reichsbund für Leibesübungen (NSRL).
Order of Power: 1. Hitler; 2. Frick (until 1943)/Heinrich Himmer (1943-1945); 3. Tschammer/Arno Breitmeyer/Von Halt; 4. NSRL; 5. Reich Sports Office (NSRL specialist office No. 6, heavy athletics); 6. DRV.
Notes:
All sports associations and organizations in the Germna Reich were subordinated to the DRL.
The DRL was divided into specialist departments (gymnastics, athletics, boxing, tennis, &tc.).
The DRL specialist office (Fachamt) No. 4 heavy athletics (Schwerathletik).
The VDB was subdivided into this specialist office until the pro-wrestling scene was reorganized in late 1935 and early 1936.
Dr. Heyl was the leader of specialist office No. 4: 1934-April 1936.
Controlled by the Reich Sports Office (Reichssportamt / Reichsfachamt Schwerathletik).
In November 1935 Dr. Heyl suggested the VDB by subordinated to the DAF.
In November 1935 the German pro-wrestling alliance, Verband-Deutscher-Berufsringer (VDB), was renamed to the Deutscher-Ringkämpfer-Verband (DRV).
In November 1935 the DRL is integrated with the Deutsche Arbeitsfront (German Labor Front; DAF).
The DAF was in charge of social insurance for the professional wrestlers.
The DRV was in charge of administration and management.
The proposal was approved by Tschammer as a spin-off from the DRL until the end of 1938.
Wrestlers with fake names, masked wrestlers, "kayfabe" matches and Catch-as-Catch-Can were all more controlled and later banned.
Rudolf Zurth was allowed to promote wrestling tournaments with freestyle matches and black wrestlers like John Essaw, Jim Wango and Jim Lewis.
In April 1936 by decree of Chancellor (Reichskanzler) Adolf Hitler, a Reich Sports Office was establisted in the Reich Ministry of the Interior (Reichsministerium des Innern) under the head of Wilhelm Frick and Hans von Tschammer of Osten.
Order of Power: 1. Hitler; 2. Frick; 3. Tschammer; 4. Reich Sports Office; 5. DAF; 6. DRV.
Leaders of the Reich Sports Office: Friedrih Steck (April 1936-December 1936) & Kurt Frey (SS Oberführer; December 1936-1944).
Karl Herr was Frey's deputy and the chairman of the Association of the Older Athletes (Reichsverband Alter Athletenvereinigung).
Kurt Frey became the commissary leader (until October 1938) of the Reich Specialist Office of Heavy Athletics (Reichsfachamt für Schwerathletik) under the head of Tschammer and the DRL.
From September 1, 1937, the entire pro-wrestling scene in the German Reich was subordinated by law to the Reich Sports Office.
In October 1938, Frey was officially commissioned with the leadership of the pro-wrestling scene in the German Reich by Tschammer.
That made Frey the most powerful man in the German amateur and pro-wrestling scene.
Frey was also the head of the Austrian Pro-Wrestling Association (IBL), which became inactive during World War II.
In December 1938 the DRL was renamed to the Nationalsozialistischer Reichsbund für Leibesübungen (NSRL).
Order of Power: 1. Hitler; 2. Frick (until 1943)/Heinrich Himmer (1943-1945); 3. Tschammer/Arno Breitmeyer/Von Halt; 4. NSRL; 5. Reich Sports Office (NSRL specialist office No. 6, heavy athletics); 6. DRV.
Deutscher-Ringkämpfer-Verband (German Wrestling Association)
Abbreviation: DRV.
Active: November 1935-May 1945.
Main Promoters, Managers & Matchmakers: Rudolf Zurth, Carl Weygold, Paul Westergaard-Schmidt, Hans Schwarz Sr., Georg Dittmann & Otto Draber.
Abbreviation: DRV.
Active: November 1935-May 1945.
Main Promoters, Managers & Matchmakers: Rudolf Zurth, Carl Weygold, Paul Westergaard-Schmidt, Hans Schwarz Sr., Georg Dittmann & Otto Draber.
Notes:
This was overseen by the DRL/NSRL.
During 1938-1939 Kurt Frey initiated a big restructuring to the pro-wrestling scene.
During July and August 1939 the last big wrestling tournaments were held in Würzburg and Erfurt.
Frey banned the big tournaments and only allowed 3 day tournaments.
Above all, Frey wanted to prevent the formation of wrestler troupes in pro-wrestling.
The following aspects were banned: Masked wrestlers, wrestlers with fake names, singles championships, fake origins & Catch-as-Catch-Can.
Only the Olympic version of Freestyle was allowed.
In March 1940 Otto Draber started to promote 3 day tournaments.
Rudolf Zurth fell into war captivity.
Paul Westergaard-Schmidt promoted until the early 1940s.
Draber was the last German promoter during the 1941 and 1942 seasons.
In December 1942 Draber promoted the last 3 day tournament.
In May 144 the pro-wrestling scene in the German Reich was officially discontinued.
The DRV was initially shut down by Kurt Frey.
The DRV was finally dissolved in May 1945.
On May 31, 1945 the NSRL was dissolved by Law No. 5 of the US Military Government and was banned in October 1945 by the Allied Control Council (Alliierter Kontrollrat).
The associations which had been united in the NSRL were re-organized.
Notes by Ronald Großpietsch.
notes on the World Heavyweight Graeco-Roman Championship (1930-1950)
October 30, 1930
Theodor Sztekker, of Poland, won the World Championship Tournament in Budapest, Hungary.
With that win he became the new Internationaler-Ringer-Verband (IRV) World Heavyweight Graeco-Roman Champion.
November 1931
Theodor Sztekker left the IRV due to problems with the management.
He promoted a tournament in Poznan, Poland, with a masked wrestler, which violated the rules of the IRV.
Sztekker was not officially banned, but he was not admitted for the next World Championship Tournament in Hamburg, which began on October 1, 1931.
Sztekker was no longer booked by influential managers like August Brylla, Paul Westergaard-Schmidt, Hans Schwarz Sr. and Carl Weygold.
Theodor Sztekker left the IRV due to problems with the management.
He promoted a tournament in Poznan, Poland, with a masked wrestler, which violated the rules of the IRV.
Sztekker was not officially banned, but he was not admitted for the next World Championship Tournament in Hamburg, which began on October 1, 1931.
Sztekker was no longer booked by influential managers like August Brylla, Paul Westergaard-Schmidt, Hans Schwarz Sr. and Carl Weygold.
November 13, 1931
Alexander Garkawienko defeated Leo Pinetzki in the final contest and became the new World Champion.
Shortly after, Hans Schwarz Jr. was pushed as a new superstar and top opponent for Alexander Garkawienko
Alexander Garkawienko defeated Leo Pinetzki in the final contest and became the new World Champion.
Shortly after, Hans Schwarz Jr. was pushed as a new superstar and top opponent for Alexander Garkawienko
June 16, 1932
Theodor Sztekker billed himself as the World Champion in Vienna, Austria.
He continued to do so until he died in November 1934.
He was not recognized by the IRV.
Theodor Sztekker billed himself as the World Champion in Vienna, Austria.
He continued to do so until he died in November 1934.
He was not recognized by the IRV.
December 20, 1933
Alexander Garkawienko defeated in the final contest of a tournament in Berlin, Germany, and defended his World Championship in Berlin, Germany.
Pinetzki was billed as being from Nurenburg, Germany.
Otto Huhtanen was banned and not admitted.
Sztekker was not admitted because he was a native from Poland and traveled with his own troupe of wrestlers independently from the Verband-Deutscher-Berufsringer (VDB).
Alexander Garkawienko defeated in the final contest of a tournament in Berlin, Germany, and defended his World Championship in Berlin, Germany.
Pinetzki was billed as being from Nurenburg, Germany.
Otto Huhtanen was banned and not admitted.
Sztekker was not admitted because he was a native from Poland and traveled with his own troupe of wrestlers independently from the Verband-Deutscher-Berufsringer (VDB).
April 30, 1934
Otto Huhtanen is recognized as the World Champion in Vienna, Austria.
He was not recognized by the VDB
Otto Huhtanen is recognized as the World Champion in Vienna, Austria.
He was not recognized by the VDB
November 6, 1934
Hans Schwarz Jr. defeated Alexander Garkawienko in the final contest of a tournament in Wroclaw, Poland, and became the new World Champion.
The tournament was totally controlled and sanctioned by the Welt-Union (WU) and VDB.
Schwarz Jr. received a huge applause from the crowd when Hermann Renneker congratulated him on winning the championsip.
It was a big deal that a German had won the title.
Renneker was an SS Lieutenant Colonel (Obesturmbandführer) and the Gausportführer von Schlesien (Silesia).
The German Reich was split up into the Reichsgaue (or Gaue), local state administrative districts.
Each Gaue had his own sports scene, which was then controlled by Hans von Tschammer und Osten and the Deutsche Arbeitsfront (DRL; from 1938 the Nationalsozialistischer Reichsbund für Leibesübungen (NSRL)).
Hans Schwarz Jr. defeated Alexander Garkawienko in the final contest of a tournament in Wroclaw, Poland, and became the new World Champion.
The tournament was totally controlled and sanctioned by the Welt-Union (WU) and VDB.
Schwarz Jr. received a huge applause from the crowd when Hermann Renneker congratulated him on winning the championsip.
It was a big deal that a German had won the title.
Renneker was an SS Lieutenant Colonel (Obesturmbandführer) and the Gausportführer von Schlesien (Silesia).
The German Reich was split up into the Reichsgaue (or Gaue), local state administrative districts.
Each Gaue had his own sports scene, which was then controlled by Hans von Tschammer und Osten and the Deutsche Arbeitsfront (DRL; from 1938 the Nationalsozialistischer Reichsbund für Leibesübungen (NSRL)).
June 17, 1935
Alexander Garkawienko defeated Max Krausder in the final contest of a tournament in Warsaw, Poland to become the new World Champion.
Alexander Garkawienko defeated Max Krausder in the final contest of a tournament in Warsaw, Poland to become the new World Champion.
November 23, 1935
Otto Huhtanen is recognized as the World Champion in Danzig Poland.
He is not recognized by the VDB/DRV.
Otto Huhtanen is recognized as the World Champion in Danzig Poland.
He is not recognized by the VDB/DRV.
October ??, 1936
Otto Huhtanen is recognized as the World Champion ion Bucharest, Romania.
He is not recognized by the DRV.
Otto Huhtanen is recognized as the World Champion ion Bucharest, Romania.
He is not recognized by the DRV.
December 21, 1936
Hans Schwarz Jr. defeated Alexander Garkawienko in the final contest of a tournament in Hamburg, Germany for the World Championship.
Hans Schwarz Jr. defeated Alexander Garkawienko in the final contest of a tournament in Hamburg, Germany for the World Championship.
November 12, 1937
Hans Schwarz Jr. defeated Alexander Garkawienko in the final contest of a tournament in Dresden, Germany, and defended his World Championship.
This was the last (known) World Heavyweight Championship tournament until 1950.
Hans Schwarz Jr. was the official DRV World Champion until Kurt Frey banned the tournaments in 1939 and only allowed 3 day tournament.
Hans Schwarz Jr. defeated Alexander Garkawienko in the final contest of a tournament in Dresden, Germany, and defended his World Championship.
This was the last (known) World Heavyweight Championship tournament until 1950.
Hans Schwarz Jr. was the official DRV World Champion until Kurt Frey banned the tournaments in 1939 and only allowed 3 day tournament.
December 14, 1950
Hans Schwarz Jr. was recognized as the World Champion in Berlin, Germany.
Hans Schwarz Jr. was recognized as the World Champion in Berlin, Germany.
Notes by Ronald Großpietsch.
Brandenburg
Hamburg
Notes on the History of Pro-Wrestling in Hamburg
Over a long period, Hamburg was an important city for professional wrestling in middle Europe
The modern era started with troupes of athletes and strongmen like "Hercules" Johann Carl von Eckenberg who appeared in Hamburger Berg around 1734 as a strongman. Hamburger Berg later became the popular St. Pauli part of Hamburg with lots of varieté’s and theatres.
During the mid to late 1870s the professional wrestling scene started in Hamburg with the likes of Emil Naucke, one of the first German professionals. At that time the circus of Albert Salamonsky (1876) and Ernst Renz (1878) stayed in Hamburg and presented wrestling shows. In 1879 the first German athletic club was founded in Hamburg (“Wandsbeker Athleten Club”).
During the early 1880s Carl Abs moved into the German wrestling scene and became the most influential wrestler in Germany of the late 19th century. He trained John Pohl, later named “Abs II”, and Heinrich Eberle.
During the 1890s and early 1900s the second generation of German professionals emerged on the scene: Pohl, Heinrich Eberle, Michael Hitzler, Jakob Koch, Georg Strenge, Hans Schwarz Sr., Ernst Siegfried and Heinrich Weber were on top of the list. In the year 1900, Hamburg saw the first professional wrestling tournament in Graeco-Roman style that was won by Kara Ahmed. From that moment until World War I Hamburg was the most important place for professional wrestling in Germany.
In 1901 Georg Lurich won the World Lightweight Championship managed by another important figure from Hamburg named Heinrich Niemann, who appeared also as a referee at the tournaments.
Every year a huge tournament with a lot of big names from Europe was held in Hamburg and in the year of 1912, it saw seven tournaments. At that time during the mid to the late 1910s Fred Marcussen and Paul “Westergaard” Schmidt became two of the popular wrestlers in Hamburg and northern Germany. Both were multiple time winners of the Hamburg tournaments. The major venues for wrestling in Hamburg were the Circus Busch, the Flora-Theatre and Eden-Theatre.
During the 1930s Paul Westergaard held a lot of huge tournaments in Hamburg. He and Rudolf Zurth were the top managers of tournaments in Germany at that time. There was also wrestling in Hamburg during the period of World War I (1916) and World War II.
During the early 1940s Otto Draber held some small tournaments that lasted for three days. Herbert Audersch, Bruno Mosig, the Grüneisen Brothers and Hans Schwarz Jr. were the top stars of that period. In the late 1940s the German wrestling scene was reorganized mainly in Hamburg with the likes of Paul Westergaard, Otto Draber, Gustl Kaiser and Georg Thumser.
In 1947 the German wrestling alliance IBV (Internationaler-Berufsringkämpfer-Verband) was founded in Hamburg. Paul Westergaard was the president from 1950 until 1959, Gustl Kaiser was the most important promoter of this organization.
The next big period started with the tournaments ran by promoter Sven Hansen in 1973. Every year Sven Hansen held a huge tournament at Hamburg’s Heiligengeistfeld. Hansen retired in 1995.
In more recent years the Nordisch Fight Club (NFC) and Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) promoted wrestling Hamburg.
[Notes by Ronald Großpietsch]
Over a long period, Hamburg was an important city for professional wrestling in middle Europe
The modern era started with troupes of athletes and strongmen like "Hercules" Johann Carl von Eckenberg who appeared in Hamburger Berg around 1734 as a strongman. Hamburger Berg later became the popular St. Pauli part of Hamburg with lots of varieté’s and theatres.
During the mid to late 1870s the professional wrestling scene started in Hamburg with the likes of Emil Naucke, one of the first German professionals. At that time the circus of Albert Salamonsky (1876) and Ernst Renz (1878) stayed in Hamburg and presented wrestling shows. In 1879 the first German athletic club was founded in Hamburg (“Wandsbeker Athleten Club”).
During the early 1880s Carl Abs moved into the German wrestling scene and became the most influential wrestler in Germany of the late 19th century. He trained John Pohl, later named “Abs II”, and Heinrich Eberle.
During the 1890s and early 1900s the second generation of German professionals emerged on the scene: Pohl, Heinrich Eberle, Michael Hitzler, Jakob Koch, Georg Strenge, Hans Schwarz Sr., Ernst Siegfried and Heinrich Weber were on top of the list. In the year 1900, Hamburg saw the first professional wrestling tournament in Graeco-Roman style that was won by Kara Ahmed. From that moment until World War I Hamburg was the most important place for professional wrestling in Germany.
In 1901 Georg Lurich won the World Lightweight Championship managed by another important figure from Hamburg named Heinrich Niemann, who appeared also as a referee at the tournaments.
Every year a huge tournament with a lot of big names from Europe was held in Hamburg and in the year of 1912, it saw seven tournaments. At that time during the mid to the late 1910s Fred Marcussen and Paul “Westergaard” Schmidt became two of the popular wrestlers in Hamburg and northern Germany. Both were multiple time winners of the Hamburg tournaments. The major venues for wrestling in Hamburg were the Circus Busch, the Flora-Theatre and Eden-Theatre.
During the 1930s Paul Westergaard held a lot of huge tournaments in Hamburg. He and Rudolf Zurth were the top managers of tournaments in Germany at that time. There was also wrestling in Hamburg during the period of World War I (1916) and World War II.
During the early 1940s Otto Draber held some small tournaments that lasted for three days. Herbert Audersch, Bruno Mosig, the Grüneisen Brothers and Hans Schwarz Jr. were the top stars of that period. In the late 1940s the German wrestling scene was reorganized mainly in Hamburg with the likes of Paul Westergaard, Otto Draber, Gustl Kaiser and Georg Thumser.
In 1947 the German wrestling alliance IBV (Internationaler-Berufsringkämpfer-Verband) was founded in Hamburg. Paul Westergaard was the president from 1950 until 1959, Gustl Kaiser was the most important promoter of this organization.
The next big period started with the tournaments ran by promoter Sven Hansen in 1973. Every year Sven Hansen held a huge tournament at Hamburg’s Heiligengeistfeld. Hansen retired in 1995.
In more recent years the Nordisch Fight Club (NFC) and Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) promoted wrestling Hamburg.
[Notes by Ronald Großpietsch]
North Rhine-Westphalia / Nordrhein-Westfalen
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
All research has been completed by #PWHS or by a trusted contributor.
Information came from contemporary newspapers unless otherwise stated.
Notes On Germany.
Updated: December 6, 2019.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
All research has been completed by #PWHS or by a trusted contributor.
Information came from contemporary newspapers unless otherwise stated.
Notes On Germany.
Updated: December 6, 2019.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
