Arizona, US: 1930-1931
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1930
JANUARY 1930
JANUARY 6, 1930 (MONDAY)
Promoter: R.W. Hausler
Ajo, Arizona
Referee: Chadwick
1 - Bull Montana def. Gilberto Martinez,
Two Falls to One - Disqualification
Notes:
With one fall each, Montana and Martinez erupted into a flurry of head butts and open-hand strikes when Martinez finally decked Montana with a “Dempsey style” punch, knocking him out cold..
The ref promptly awarded the bout to the Bull on a foul.
FEBRUARY 1930
FEBRUARY 7, 1930 (FRIDAY)
Ajo, Arizona
1 - Gilberto Martines Vs. Dr. Dick Kanthe,
Draw
Notes:
“Dr.” or “Professor” Dick Kanthe had been a Detroit YMCA physical director and a police dept. physical instructor.
He and his brother Eddie were also popular carnival athletic show operators.
FEBRUARY 10, 1930 (MONDAY)
Promoter: A. Davis
Cabinet Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Attendance: "Small Crowd"
1 - Boxing - 4 Rounds
???? Vs. ????,
Result Unknown
2 - Young Garcia def. Luis Penalta,
Decision
3 - "Rough" Nelson def. "Slippery Eel" Davis "The Greek Flying Tackle Expert"
4 - Gilberto Martinez def. Joe Romanoff "The Bone Crusher"
Notes:
Martinez was billed as the "heavyweight wrestling champion of Mexico."
Martinez weighed 190.
Romanoff weighed 205.
FEBRUARY 1930
FEBRUARY 7, 1930 (FRIDAY)
Ajo, Arizona
1 - Gilberto Martines Vs. Dr. Dick Kanthe,
Draw
Notes:
“Dr.” or “Professor” Dick Kanthe had been a Detroit YMCA physical director and a police dept. physical instructor.
He and his brother Eddie were also popular carnival athletic show operators.
FEBRUARY 10, 1930 (MONDAY)
Promoter: A. Davis
Cabinet Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Attendance: "Small Crowd"
1 - Boxing - 4 Rounds
???? Vs. ????,
Result Unknown
2 - Young Garcia def. Luis Penalta,
Decision
3 - "Rough" Nelson def. "Slippery Eel" Davis "The Greek Flying Tackle Expert"
4 - Gilberto Martinez def. Joe Romanoff "The Bone Crusher"
Notes:
Martinez was billed as the "heavyweight wrestling champion of Mexico."
Martinez weighed 190.
Romanoff weighed 205.
MARCH 1930
MARCH 14, 1930 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Joe Levy
Armory, Tucson, Arizona
Referee: Casey Berger
1 - Chet Nelson Vs. Raymond Tetzloff,
Draw
2 - Jack Laary def. Earl Woods
3 - Cactus Pete Brown def. Roy Anderson
4 - George Kotsonaros def. Sailor Jack Wood,
Two Falls to None
Notes:
Kotsonaros, a Greek immigrant had been wrestling professionally since 1916.
Sailor Jack was well-known as both a wrestler and a boxer.
Nelson was the University of Arizona wrestling instructor; Tetzloff was one of his students.
Berger was headlining in Phoenix and was billed as “the heavyweight champion of Arizona”, having defeating Sailor Jack Lewis for the title.
[Brown was a Matty Matsuda protégé whose real name was Francisco Aguayo]
MARCH 28, 1930 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Joe Levy
Armory, Tucson, Arizona
1 - Roy Anderson def. Indian Jack Benson
2 - Sailor Jack Woods def. Moose Miller
3 - "Dr." John Spellman def. Casey Berger,
Two Falls to None
Notes:
Miller was a substitute for Cactus Pete Brown.
Spellman was a former Olympic wrestler and a pro football player.
Anderson was described as a “180-pound wrestler, preacher, football star and promoter.”
APRIL 1930
APRIL 12, 1930 (SATURDAY)
Promoter: Joe Levy
Armory, Tucson, Arizona
Referee: Lou Goetz
1 - Chet Nelson Vs. Raymond Tetzloff
2 - Ted Schaeffer Vs. Bulldog Monahan
3 - Dr. Pete Visser "The Mormon Chiropractor" Vs. "Dr." John Spellman
Notes:
Schaeffer was billed as “the former Rocky mountain amateur heavyweight champion.”
The card is postponed until April 18, 1930.
APRIL 18, 1930 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Joe Levy
Armory, Tucson, Arizona
Referee: Lou Goetz
1 - Chet Nelson Vs. Raymond Tetzloff
2 - Ted Schaeffer Vs. Bulldog Monahan
3 - Dr. Pete Visser "The Mormon Chiropractor" Vs. "Dr." John Spellman
Notes:
Schaeffer was billed as “the former Rocky mountain amateur heavyweight champion.”
The card is postponed until April 25, 1930.
APRIL 25, 1930 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Joe Levy
Armory, Tucson, Arizona
Referee: Lou Goetz
1 - Chet Nelson def. Raymond Tetzloff
2 - Ted Schaeffer def. Bulldog Monahan
3 - Dr. Pete Visser "The Mormon Chiropractor" def. "Dr." John Spellman,
Two Falls to One (F1 PV ??:??:?? - F2 JS ??:??:?? - F3 PV ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Schaeffer was billed as “the former Rocky mountain amateur heavyweight champion.”
OCTOBER 1930
OCTOBER 13, 1930 (MONDAY)
Phoenix, Arizona
1 - Two out of Three Falls
Dick Daviscourt def. Jack Washburn,
Two Falls to None (F1 00:18:00 - F2 00:14:00 - C 00:32:00)
2 - Two out of Three Falls
Pete Sauer def. Dr. Pete Visser "Ogden Chiropractor",
Two Falls to None - Forfeit (F1 PS 00:15:00 - F2 PS ??:??:?? - C 00:15:00+)
Notes:
Visser could not continue following a fall to the concrete floor.
Washburn was a substitute for Jim Leavitt who was injured in Los Angeles the week before.
FEBRUARY 1931
FEBRUARY 5, 1931 (THURSDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Cabinet Arena, Tucson, Arizona
1 - Jack Leary def. Gilbert Acosta
2 - Young Matsuda def. Tommy Ross
3 - Sailor "Tex" Watkins def. Rob Roy
Notes:
Dana revived pro wrestling in Tucson in association with boxing promoter Louis Gherna and Andy Cohen.
Dana had connections with the El Paso promotor John McIntosh.
Watkins was a former Navy wrestling champion from Amarillo, Texas.
Young Matsuda aka Young Matty was a protégé of the late Matty Matsuda from El Paso.
Tucson Mayor G.K. Smith and other city dignitaries were in attendance.
FEBRUARY 13, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Cabinet Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Attendance: 500
Referee: Art Dana
1 - Gilbert Acosta Vs. Charlie Thornton,
Draw
2 - Young Matsuda def. Jack Leary
3 - Sailor "Tex" Watkins def. Pete Becker "The Ozark Bear Cat",
Two Falls to None (F1 TW 00:29:30 - F2 TW 00:17:00 - C 00:46:30)
Notes:
Watkins weighed 166.
Becker weighed 168.
The Sailor won the first fall pinning Becker utilizing a combination wristlock and toehold, and the second by submission to a leg split.
Matsuda weighed in at 133 pounds.
Leary, Acosta and Thornton are all local wrestlers.
FEBRUARY 20, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Cabinet Arena, Tucson, Arizona
1 - Joe Lucero Vs. Charlie Thornton,
Draw
2 - Jack Leary def. Benny Cruz
3 - Winner Take All
Young Matsuda Vs. Jack Simpson,
Draw - One Fall Each
4 - Sailor "Tex" Watkins def. Alfred "Dutch" Mantell,
Two Falls to One (F1 TW ??:??:?? - F2 AM ??:??:?? - F3 TW ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Mantell was a notorious rough-house wrestler from Amarillo.
During their wild melee, two of Watkins’ teeth were kicked out.
Dana had attempted to match Matsuda against “Horseshoe” McIver from El Paso.
Unable to arrange the bout, Simpson agreed to meet Matsuda, but insisted on a winner-take-all proposition.
Lucero and Cruz were both better known as boxers.
Thornton was a former local high school athlete who was also a newspaper home delivery motorcycle carrier.
Free public workouts featuring the carded wrestlers were held at the Arena on the days before the show.
[Kirby Watkins was variously known as Sailor Watkins, Tex Watkins and Popeye Watkins]
FEBRUARY 27, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Cabinet Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Attendance: 500
Referee: Art Dana
1 - Charlie Thornton def. Benny Cruz
2 - Winner Take All - 145lbs - Rematch
Young Matsuda def. Jack Simpson
3 - Winner To Meet The World Welterweight Champion, Jack Reynolds
Sailor "Tex" Watkins def. Ed Olin,
Forfeit
Notes:
Olin was billed as a former Ringling Brothers Circus strongman.
”The match was the best display of the tossing art seen since Matchmaker Art Dana introduced the sport here a month ago.” - Arizona Daily Star
MARCH 1931
FEBRUARY 3, 1949 (THURSDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Former pro wrestler Wong Bock Cheung is back here
Notes
He is working as the petroleum installation supervisor for the Kaneohe Naval Air Base.
His real name is Arthur Wong Dock.
FEBRUARY 6, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Frank Merrill (main event)
1 - Vilai Su'a def. Stan Miyashiro
2 - Basher McDonald def. Curly Connors
3 - Johnny Sepeda def. Henry "Bomber" Kulkovich,
Decision - One Fall Each
4 - Winner to Face Jack Claybourne For the Title
Kenny Ackles def. Leo Wallick
Notes:
Sepeda was a former Los Angeles policeman of Portuguese descent.
After learning grappling under LA Police Jiu-Jitsu Instructor Sam Posner he decided to try his hand at the pro game.
He wrestles 9 months a year and spends the summer as a Catalina Island cop.
FEBRUARY 13, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami (semi final & main event)
1 - Curly Connors def. Bucky "King Kong" O'Neill
2 - Henry "Bomber" Kulkovich def. Basher McDonald
3 - Johnny Sepeda def. Leo Wallick,
Two Falls to None
4 - Hawaiian Junior Heavyweight Championship
Jack Claybourne (c) def. Kenny Ackles,
Two Falls to One (F1 KA ??:??:?? - F2 JC ??:??:?? - F3 JC ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
FEBRUARY 20, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Curly Connors
2 - Kenny Ackles def. Basher McDonald
3 - Henry "Bomber" Kulkovich Vs. Leo Wallick,
Draw
4 - Who Is The Best Portuguese Wrestler?
Johnny Sepeda def. Jacques Manuel
FEBRUARY 27, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Al Lolotai def. Basher McDonald
2 - Kenny Ackles def. Jacques Manuel,
Decision
3 - Winner-Take-All
Henry "Bomber" Kulkovich def. Leo Wallick
4 - Jack Claybourne def. Johnny Sepeda
Notes:
Loloatai made an “impressive comeback” following the season playing football with the Los Angeles Dons.
MARCH 1949
MARCH 6, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Frank Merrill & Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Jacques Manuel def. Jimmy Gonsalves
2 - Bobby Ford Vs. Johnny Sepeda,
Draw
3 -Jack Claybourne def. Kenny Ackles,
Decision
4 - Vic Christy def. Henry "Bomber" Kulkovich
Notes:
Christy was the younger brother of Ted “Tiger” Travis, former Hawaiian Junior Heavyweight Champion.
The Christy-Kulkovich and Claybourne-Ackles bouts were billed as double main events.
Ford is called a “newcomer from Youngstown, Ohio.”
MARCH 13, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Bucky "King Kong" O'Neill & Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami (main events)
1 - Al Lolotai def. Earl Rasmussen
2 - Bobby Ford def. Jacques Manuel
3 - Kenny Ackles def. Henry "Bomber" Kulkovich
4 - Winner To Get Title Match with Jack Claybourne
Vic Christy def. Johnny Sepeda
Notes:
Christy-Sepeda and Ackles-Kulkovich were double main events.
MARCH 20, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 5,000
Referees: Frank Merrill & Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Jacques Manuel def. Bucky "King Kong" O'Neill
2 - Bobby Ford Vs. Kenny Ackles,
Draw
3 - Lee Grable def. Johnny Sepeda
4 - Lofty Blomfield def. Henry "Bomber" Kulkovich
5 - Jack Claybourne def. Vic Christy,
Two Falls to One (F1 VC ??:??:?? - F2 JC ??:??:?? - F3 JC ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Blomfield is billed as the Australian Heavyweight Champion.
MARCH 27, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Bucky "King Kong" O'Neill (team bout)
1 - Al Lolotai def. Jacques Manuel,
Disqualification
2 - Lee Grable Vs. Pierre LaSalle,
Draw
3 - Tommy O'Toole def. Lofty Blomfield
4 - Vic Christy & Ted Travis def. Kenny Ackles & Bobby Ford
Notes:
Ted is Vic’s older brother.
The team match is said to have “started out as a test of skill and holds. But wound up in a slambang, rough-house battle.” - The Advertiser
MARCH 28, 1949 (MONDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Francis “Sonny” Rawlins and Gene Sexton, pro wrestlers who had been running an opposition promotion in Hawaii, have called it quits
Notes:
The Hawaii Wrestling Association had been running newspaper ads announcing their legal dissolution since November of the previous year.
APRIL 1949
APRIL 3, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Kenny Ackles (main event)
1 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Jacques Manuel
2 - Pierre LaSalle def. Bob Ford
3 - Vic Christy Vs. Anton Leone,
Draw
4 - Ted "Tiger" Travis def. Lee Grable
5 - Jack Claybourne def. Tommy O'Toole,
Two Falls to None
Notes:
Claybourne-O’Toole and Travis-Grable were double main events.
APRIL 9, 1949 (SATURDAY)
LPAA Junior Baseball Club Carnival
Isenberg Gym, Lihue, Kaua'i, Hawaii
Referees: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami (wrestling) & Setsuzo Ota (judo)
1 - Ben Pilar Vs. Bobby Ford,
Result Unknown
2 - Jimmy Gonsalves Vs. Kenny Ackles,
Result Unknown
Notes:
Also featured a Judo tournament.
APRIL 10, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Charley Shiranuhi, referee, pro wrestler and “the undisputed sumo champion of Hawaii” has returned here
Notes:
He had been gone for a 5-month wrestling tour of the mainland.
He appeared all over North America as Young Shiranuhi along with Duke Keomuka (known in Hawaii as Martin Hisao Tanaka).
They usually competed in tag team bouts under judo-rules.
Shiranuhi specialized in the Japanese arm bar and “the neck chopper.”
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Jacques Manuel def. Bobby Ford
2 - Oki Shikina def. Tommy O'Toole
3 - Kenny Ackles def. Pierre LaSalle
4 - Antone Leone def. Vic Christy
5 - Hawaiian Junior Heavyweight Championship
Jack Claybourne (c) def. Ted "Tiger" Travis
Notes:
Shikina was a substitute for Lee Grable.
Shikina made a comeback to replace an injured Grable.
He reportedly had been in training to make a return to the ring.
APRIL 17, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Ben Pilar def. Bucky "King Kong" O'Neill
2 - Charlie Shiranuhi def. Bobby Ford
3 - Pantaleon Manlapig def. Jacques Manuel
4 - Kenny Ackles def. Antone Leone
5 - Jack CLaybourne Vs. Ben Sherman,
Draw
Notes:
Sherman returned to the Honolulu ring.
He wore a belt he claimed was emblematic of the Pacific Coast Junior Heavyweight Championship.
Shiranuhi appeared in his “homecoming match” after a successful tour of the mainland.
Manlapig is back in Hawaii from the mainland as well.
APRIL 22, 1949 (FRIDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Promoter Al Karasick announced that he has removed Pantaleon Manlapig from his next card
Notes
Karasick said it's due to him being “physically unfit to compete in a grappling bout.” - The Advertiser
After learning that California officials recently barred him from wrestling for health reasons, Karasick had Manlapig undergo a medical examination.
He was found to be suffering from high blood pressure and a heart condition.
APRIL 24, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Frank Merrill (Match 1 & 2), Bucky "King Kong" O'Neill & Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami (semi final & main event)
1 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Bobby Ford
2 - Oki Shikina def. Jacques Manuel,
Submission
3 - Charley Shiranuhi def. Red Vagnone
4 - Butck Levy Vs. Antone Leone,
Draw
5 - Kenny Ackles def. Ben Sherman,
Decision - One Fall Each
Notes;
Shikina used an arm bar for the win.
Sharanuhi was a subsitute for Pantaleon Manlapig.
Vagnone accidentally rendered Shirabuhi unable to continue with a low blow and was disqualified by referee O’Neill.
Vagnone apologized to the crowd and helped Shiranuhi to the dressing room.
APRIL 30, 1949 (SATURDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Old-time “trustbuster” Jack Sherry, who made an invasion of Honolulu in 1948 and attempted to force Karasick to book him in “shooting” matches, is reported to be appearing in Portland, OR and hurling challenges at Jimmy Londos and Sandor Szabo
MAY 1949
MAY 1, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Frank Merrill & Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami (main events)
1 - Vilai Su'a Vs. Jacques Manuel,
Draw
2 - Rocco Toma def. Jimmy Gonsalves
3 - Red Vagnone def. Oki Shikina
4 - Jack Claybourne Vs. Ben Sherman,
Draw
5 - Antone Leone def. Kenny Ackles
Notes:
Leone-Ackles & Claybourne-Sherman were double main events.
MAY 8, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Frank Merrill (semi final & main event)
1 - Stan Miyashiro def. Ben Pilar
2 - Al Lolatai def. Jacques Manuel
3 - Rocco Toma Vs. Kenny Ackles,
Draw
4 - Ray Daoang def. Pierre LaSalle
5 - Antone Leone def. Ben Sherman
Notes:
LaSalle was a substitute for Red Vagnone.
Sherman and Leone “used every ‘dirty’ tactic devised by men in alley brawls” - The Advertiser
Vagnone had to leave Honolulu due to a death in his family.
Daoang was billed as “Spanish-Filipino.”
He was managed on his Honolulu tour by Filipino sportsman E.A. Taok.
[Daoang was Mexican wrestler Ray Duran (Rafael Duran Carrillo)]
MAY 15, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Frank Merrill & Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami (semi final & main event)
1 - Jacques Manuel def. Stan Miyashiro
2 - Charley Shiranuhi Vs. Kenny Ackles,
Draw
3 - Rocco Toma def. Red Vagnone
4 - Ray Daoang def. Ben Sherman
5 - Antone Leone def. Jack Claybourne,
One Fall Decision
MAY 22, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami, Bucky "King Kong" O'Neill & Frank Merrill
1 - Jacques Manuel def. Earl Rasmussen
2 - Oki Shikina def Al Lolotai
3 - Red Vagnone def. Kenny Ackles
4 - Tag Match
Rocco Toma & Antone Leone def. Jack Claybourne & Ray Daoang,
Two Falls to One
Notes:
Toma and Leone won the second and third falls.
Higami ref’d the semi-final and the main event.
He was knocked out of the ring with a dropkick and left unable to continue.
O’Neill took over until he was badly manhandled, then Merrill was brought in to finish the match.
Following the match, a free-for-all broke out until Merrill, O’Neill and the wrestlers’ seconds were able to restore order.
Merrill was the ref for the two opening matches.
MAY 29, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Vilai Su'a def. Abel Rodrigues
2 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Jacques Manuel
3 - Rocco Toma Vs. Kenny Ackles,
Draw
4 - Ray Daoang def. Red Vagnone
5 - Hawaiian Junior Heavyweight Championship
Jack Claybourne (c) def. Antone Leone
JUNE 1949
JUNE 1, 1949 (WEDNESDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Al Karasick has begun advertising a new masked wrestler, The Bat
Notes:
They will be appearing soon in Honolulu.
He was said to be a “powerfully built colored grappler...wearing a shoulder length golden hood.”
It’s reported that he is a former amateur boxer and that he previously played in Hawaii with an Army football squad during the War and that he’d been plying his trade as a pro wrestler for ten years.
The masked man will later be revealed as Don Kindred.
JUNE 5, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Frank Merrill & Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Vilai Su'a Vs. Jacques Manuel,
Double Disqualification
2 - Oki Shikina Vs. Red Vagnone,
Draw
3 - The Bat def. Charley Shiranuhi
4 - Rocco Toma def. Ray Daoang
5 - Antone Leone Vs. Kenny Ackles,
Draw
Notes:
Toma-Daoang and Leone-Ackles are billed as double main events.
JUNE 12, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Bucky "King Kong" O'Neill (semi final & main event)
1 - Kaimon Kudo def. Jacques Manuel
2 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Fred Wright,
Disqualification
3 - The Bat Vs. Ray Daoang,
Draw
4 - Red Vagnone def. Kenny Ackles
5 - Jack Claybourne def. Rocco Toma
Notes:
This is Kudo's "homecoming match."
He has been wrestling on the mainland as a "jiu-jitsu expert."
JUNE 15, 1949 (WEDNESDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaiian Olympic weightlifting medalist and bodybuilder Harold Sakata has been recruited by Al Karasick as a pro wrestler
Notes:
He is being trained for the mat by Ben Sherman.
JUNE 19, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Count Von Buesing & Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Abel Rodrigues Vs. Earl Rasmussen,
Draw
2 - Charley Shiranuhi def. Ray Daoang
3 - The Bat def. Fred Wright
4 - Kenny Ackles def. Rocco Toma
5 - Jack Claybourne def. Red Vagnone,
Forfeit
Notes:
Vagnone was unable to continue due to a bad cut on the forehead.
Higami stopped the match.
The damage had been done by Claybourne's trademark head-butts.
JUNE 26, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Frank Merrill & Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami (main events)
1 - Count Von Buesing def. Earl Rasmussen
2 - Oki Shikina def. Fred Wright
3 - Rocco Toma def. Ray Daoang
4 - The Bat def. Red Vagnone
5 - Jack Claybourne def. Kenny Ackles
Notes:
Bat-Vagnone and Claybourne-Ackles were billed as double main events.
JULY 1949
JULY 3, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Bucky "King Kong" O'Neill & Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami (semi final & main event)
1 - Red Vagnone def. Fred Wright
2 - Rocco Toma def. Jimmy Gonsalves
3 - The Bat def. Kenny Ackles
4 - Jack Claybourne def. Oki Shikina,
Two Falls to One (F1 OS ??:??:?? - F2 JC ??:??:?? - F3 JC ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Gonsalves was a substitute for Terry McGinnis.
The Bat will remain unmasked until he is pinned.
JULY 10, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Frank Merrill & Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami (semi final & main event)
1 - Kaimon Kudo Vs. Fred Wright,
Draw
2 - "Sailor" Tiger Joe def. Red Vagnone
3 - The Bat def. Rocco Toma
4 - George Pencheff def. Jack Claybourne
[“Sailor” Tiger Joe was Joe Marusich aka Tiger Joe Marsh from Chicago.
Yugoslavian descent, Marsh was a protégé of Steve Savage.
He started wrestling in the early 1930’s.
Served in the Navy during the War.
Marsh also had a second career appearing in movies, TV shows and Broadway plays]
JULY 17, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Red Vagnone def. Fred Wright
2 - Oki Shikina def. Rocco Toma
3 - "Sailor" Tiger Joe Vs. Kay "Samson" Bell (of Redmond, WA),
Draw
4 - George Pencheff def. The Bat
Notes:
As agreed upon, after losing the match, the masked Bat congratulated his conqueror and proceeded to remove his hood to reveal his identity as Don Kindred.
Al Karasick had been planning to bring former heavyweight boxing champion and leading wrestling star Primo Carnera to Honolulu, but the tour had to be postponed.
He played football at Washington State University and pro ball with the Chicago Bears (1937), Los Angeles Bulldogs (1939-’40), Cleveland Rams (1940), Columbus Bulls (1941), and the New York Giants (1942).
He also did some movie work and was Victor Mature’s stand-in for the Samson and Delilah film, hence his nickname.
His pro wrestling career began in 1938.
JULY 24, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Frank Merrill & Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami (main events)
1 - Charley Shiranuhi def. Fred Wright
2 - Don Kindred Vs. Red Vagnone,
Draw
3 - Kay "Samson" Bell def. George Pencheff
4 - Jack CLaybourne def. "Sailor" Tiger Joe,
Two Falls to One (F1 TJ ??:??:?? - F2 JC ??:??:?? - F3 JC ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Claybourne-Joe and Bell-Pencheff were billed as double main events.
JULY 31, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Frank Merrill & Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Fred Wright
2 - Pete Managoff "The Russian Octopus" def. Red Vagnone
3 - George Pencheff def. "Sailor" Tiger Joe
4 - Jack Claybourne def. Kay "Samson" Bell,
Disqualification
Notes:
Claybourne’s title would have been on the line if Bell weighed in at 215 pounds.
He came in at 234lbs.
During the bout Bell brawled with Higami leaving him nearly unconscious.
Merrill had to be brought in to finish out the match.
Bell challenged for a rematch with the title at stake.
He agreed to come in at 225 pounds or forfeit his purse.
Karasick said he would discuss it with Claybourne.
Managoff was billed by Karasick as “the Russian Octopus.”
[Pete Managoff was sometimes called Man Mountain Managoff and Pistol Pete Managoff and also had a few runs as a masked man.
His brother John Muscovich wrestled as Ivan Managoff.
Pete later served as a part-time evangelist and operated a fish camp in Tennessee until his death in 1966]
AUGUST 1949
AUGUST 7, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 4000
Referees: Count Von Buesing & Frank Merrill
1 - Red Vagnone def. Charley Shiranuhi
2 - Don Kindred def. “Sailor” Tiger Joe,
Disqualification
3 - George Pencheff Vs. Pete Managoff,
Draw
4 - Hawaiian Junior Heavyweight Championship and Ring Magazine Gold Belt
Jack Claybourne (c) def. Kay "Samson" Bell,
Two Falls to One (F1 JC ??:??:??:?? - F2 KB ??:??:?? - F3 JC ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Bell came in at 219.5 pounds.
He had agreed to a 225lb limit.
Professor Higami, Karasick’s usual referee was reported to be still recovering from Bell’s rough treatment on the last card.
AUGUST 13, 1949 (SATURDAY)
Pro-Wrestling
Promoter: Al Karasick
Hilo Armory, Hilo, Hawaii
AUGUST 14, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Frank Merrill (semi final & main event)
1 - Kaimon Kudo def. Earl Rasmussen
2 - "Sailor" Tiger Joe Vs. Red Vagnone,
Draw
3 - George Pencheff def. Oki Shikina
4 - Kay "Samson" Bell & Pete Managoff def. Jack Claybourne & Don Kindred,
Two Falls to One
AUGUST 21, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Count Von Buesing (main events)
1 - "Sailor" Tiger Joe def. Red Vagnone
2 - Ben Sherman def. Don Kindred
3 - Jack Claybourne def. Pete Managoff
4 - George Pencheff def. Kay "Samson" Bell
Notes:
Pencheff-Bell and Claybourne-Managoff were billed as double main events.
AUGUST 28, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Charley Shiranuhi def. Don Kindred,
Decision
2 - Special Fifteen Minute Match
Harold Sakata def. Earl Rasmussen
3 - Red Vagnone def. Ben Sherman,
Decision
4 - Pete Managoff def. "Sailor" Tiger Joe
Jack Claybourne Vs. George Pencheff
Notes:
Sakata’s mat debut.
He was trained by Sherman.
Sakata “gave the crowd a big thrill in his first local appearance as a grappler.” - The Advertiser
Sakata would later use the moniker Tosh Togo, and also gain fame as the James Bond movie villain Oddjob.
SEPTEMBER 1949
SEPTEMBER 4, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Frank Merrill (semi final & main event)
1 - Fifteen Minute Match
Harold Sakata def. Charley Takase
2 - "Sailor" Tiger Joe def. Don Kindred
3 - Pete Managoff Vs. George Pencheff,
Draw
4 - Art "Tarzan" White def. Red Vagnone
5 - Ray Gunkel def. Jack Claybourne,
Disqualification
Notes:
Gunkel was a former Purdue University football player and 2-time AAU National wrestling champion.
He had served as a Marine during World War II.
Gunkel was trained for his pro mat career by Billy Thom.
White had been a college football star at the University of Alabama (1935 Rose Bowl champions).
He played pro ball with the New York Giants and Chicago Cardinals.
[White was recruited into pro wrestling by Ed “Strangler” Lewis and was sometimes billed as “Strangler” White
Not to be confused with Ed “Strangler” White aka Bull White, Tarzan White, Alabama White and the Golden Terror’s Masked Manager.
To add to researchers’ confusion, Ed White was often billed using Art White’s college football credentials. College football was bigger than the pro game in that era and the top players were major sports figures of the day]
SEPTEMBER 11, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 5,000
Referees: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami, Count Von Buesing (semi final) & Frank Merrill (main event)
1 - Fifteen Minute Match
Harold Sakata def. Fred Tam
2 - "Sailor" Tiger Joe Vs. Jimmy Gonsalves,
Draw
3 - Art "Tarzan" White def. Ben Sherman
4 - Bobby Manogoff def. George Pencheff
5 - Ray Gunkel def. Jack Claybourne
Notes:
Claybourne’s title was not on the line as Gunkel failed to make 215 pounds.
He weighed in at 237lbs.
Manogoff was a former National Wrestling Association world heavyweight champion and the son of old-time wrestler Bob Managoff.
Karasick spelled his name with an “o” to differentiate him from the unrelated Pete Managoff.
SEPTEMBER 18, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Harold Sakata def. Wimpy Wellington
2 - Oki Shikina Vs. "Sailor" Tiger Joe,
Draw
3 - Ben Sherman Vs. George Pencheff,
Draw
4 - Jack Claybourne def. Art "Tarzan" White
5 - Bobby Managoff def. Pete Managoff,
Two Falls to None
Notes:
Manogoff and Managoff are noted as both being “skilled in the ‘old school’ style of wrestling and are masters of every hold in the books.” - The Advertiser
In addition to learning from his father, Manogoff trained under Ad Santel and Joe Malcewicz.
SEPTEMBER 25, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Frank Merrill (team match)
1 - Charley Shiranuhi def. "Sailor" Tiger Joe
2 - George Pencheff def. Pete Managoff
3 - Bobby Manogoff Vs. Ray Gunkel,
Draw
4 - Team Match - Nothing Barred But The Strangle Hold
Jack Claybourne & Don Kindred def. Ben Sherman & Art "Tarzan" White
Notes:
Manogoff and Gunkel’s “superb display of holds, breaks and counter holds had fans breathless.” - The Advertiser
OCTOBER 1949
OCTOBER 2, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Ben Sherman Vs. Jimmy Gonsalves,
Draw
2 - Sonny Kurgis def Don Kindred
3 - Ray Gunkel def. George Pencheff
4 - Winner to Meet Jack Claybourne for the Championship
Bobby Manogoff def. "The Singing Cowboy" Pat Fraley (of Lincoln, NE)
Notes:
Kurgis issued a challenge to Gunkel.
[Previously Fraley had wrestled as “Irish” Pat Fraley from Boston.
Originally from St. Cloud, Minnesota, Fraley started wrestling in 1929 and was based in Windsor, Ontario early in his career.
A globe-trotting wrestler, this was Fraley’s first appearance in Hawaii.
Kurgis was an Ohio State athlete who was recruited by “Strangler” Lewis while working as a Franklin Lake lifeguard]
OCTOBER 9, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Frank Merrill & Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami (main event)
1 - Oki Shikina def. Don Kindred
2 - Pat Fraley def. George Pencheff
3 - Ray Gunkel def. Sonny Kurgis
4 - Hawaiian Junior Heavyweight Championship
Bobby Manogoff def. Jack Claybourne (c)
NEW CHAMPION
Notes:
Clayboune congratulated his conqueror and fastened the Ring Magazine Gold Belt around his waist.
Karasick said he wanted to book Claybourne against AAU heavyweight boxing champ Francis Warren in a boxing contest.
OCTOBER 14, 1949 (FRIDAY)
27th Maui Fair
Promoter: Al Karasick
Kahuli Fairgrounds Arena, Maui, Hawaii
1 - Lee Grable Vs. Sonny Kurgis,
Draw
2 - Ben Sherman def. Jimmy Gonsalves
3 - Bobby Manogoff def. Charley Shiranuhi,
Two Falls to None
OCTOBER 16, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Ben Sherman def. Charley Shiranuhi
2 - Tommy O'Toole Vs. Sonny Kurgis,
Draw
3 - Ray Gunkel def. Pat Fraley,
Disqualification
4 - Bobby Manogoff def. Lee Grable
OCTOBER 20, 1949 (THURSDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaiian wrestler Jimmy Gonsalves is heading to Portland, Oregon
Notes:
He will both wrestle there and seek permanent employment.
If successful he plans to send for his wife and family.
OCTOBER 23, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Charley Shiranuhi def. Jimmy Gonsalves
2 - Ray Gunkel def. Lee Grable
3 - Tommy O'Toole def. Sonny Kurgis
4 - Bobby Manogoff Vs. Pat Fraley,
Draw - One Fall Each
OCTOBER 30, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Frank Merrill (team match)
1 - Harold Sakata def. Abel Rodrigues
2 - Ben Sherman def. Kaimon Kudo
3 - Sonny Kurgis Vs. Oki Shikina,
Draw
4 - Team Match
Tommy O'Toole & Earl McCready def. Bobby Manogoff & Ray Gunkel
Notes:
McCready claimed the British Empire Heavyweight Championship.
NOVEMBER 1949
NOVEMBER 6, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Frank Merrill (battle royal), Count Von Buesing (battle royal) & Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Earl Rasmussen Vs. Wimpy Wellington,
Cancelled(?)
2 - Battle Royal
Tommy O'Toole & Johnny Sepeda def. Oki Shikina, Ray Gunkel, Sonny Kurgis & Charley Shiranuhi
3 - Sonny Kurgis def. Charley Shiranuhi,
Decision
4 - Oki Shikina Vs. Ray Gunkel,
Draw
5 - Tommuy O'Toole def. Johnny Sepeda
6 - Earl McCready def. Bobby Manogoff,
Decision
Notes:
Battle royal contestants were paired in single bouts by the order of their elimination.
McCready is reported to be heading to St. Louis for the National Wrestling Association convention.
He is seeking a world heavyweight title bout.
Honolulu promoter Al Karasick is also attending the convention.
NOVEMBER 13, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Earl Rasmussen def. Wally Tsutsumi
2 - Charley Shiranuhi def. Count Von Buesing,
Disqualification
3 - Johnny Sepeda Vs. Ray Gunkel,
Draw
4 - "Dirty" Dick Raines def. Sonny Kurgis
5 - Bobby Manogoff def. Tommy O'Toole
Notes:
Raines-Kurgis and Manogoff-O'Toole were billed as double main events.
NOVEMBER 20, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Frank Merrill (semi final & main event)
1 - Oki Shikina Vs. Johnny Sepeda,
Draw
2 - Chielf Little Wolf def. Tommy O'Toole
3 - Dean Detton def. Ray Gunkel
4 - Bobby Manogoff def. "Dirty" Dick Raines,
Two Falls to One (F1 BM ??:??:?? - F2 DR ??:??:?? - F3 BM ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Detton is a former world heavyweight champion.
His brother Reed Detton came to Hawaii as a pro wrestler in 1934 and ended up staying as an amateur coach.
Two other brothers Glen and Dory were also pro mat men.
NOVEMBER 27, 1949 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Frank Merrill (semi final & main event)
1 - Ray Gunkel Vs. Sonny Kurgis,
Draw
2 - Martin Hisao Tanaka def. Johnny Sepeda,
Disqualification
3 - Dean Detton def. Oki Shikina
4 - Bobby Manogoff def. Chief Little Wolf
[Tanaka aka Duke Keomuka is a Japanese-American from Los Angeles and a former Hawaiian Jr. Heavyweight champion.
Tanaka was related to Charley Shiranuhi through marriage.
Shiranuhi was his wife’s cousin.
Shiranuhi later became a mat villain as Mr. Moto]
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.
Information came from contemporary newspapers unless otherwise stated.
Results from Hawaii, United States of America: 1930-1931.
Updated: June 12, 2019.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
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