Arizona, United States of America: 1930-1931
#PWHS #Results #CACC #CatchWrestling #CatchAsCatchCan #Arizona #AZ #Ajo #Phoenix #Prescott #Tuscon #USA
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
MARCH 6, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Cabinet Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Attendance: 700
Referee: Art Dana
1 - Dan Preston Vs. Battling Butch (of Mexico City),
Draw
2 - Gilbert Acosta def. Benny Cruz
3 - Young Matsuda def. Jack Leary,
Two Falls to None
3 - Jack Reynolds def. Sailor "Tex" Watkins,
Two Falls to One (F1 TW ??:??:?? - F2 JR ??:??:?? - F3 JR ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
NBA/NWA world welterweight wrestling champion Reynolds did not put his title on the line, but still insisted Watkins make 155 pounds.
The champ won both his falls by submission to leg splits.
Reynolds weighed 145 to the Sailor’s 155.
Matsuda also won falls with submission holds, a double step-over toe hold, and a leg split.
Acosta, Cruz and Preston were from Tucson.
Butch, 170 pounds.
MARCH 13, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Cabinet Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Attendance: 500
Referee: Art Dana
1 - Frank Sego def. Tony Cadena
2 - Tiny Simmons def. Young Matsuda
3 - Sailor "Tex" Watkins def. Ed Olin,
Two Falls to One (F1 EO ??:??:?? - F2 TW ??:??:?? - F3 TW ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Watkins weighed 159lbs.
Olin weighed 157.
Sego weighed 175.
MARCH 20, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Cabinet Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Attendance: "Capacity House"
Referee: Art Dana
1 - Dan Preston def. Frank Sego
2 - Tiny Simmons def. Smiling Sato (of California)
3 - Dutch Mantell def. Sailor "Tex" Watkins,
Two Falls to One (F1 DM ??:??:?? - F2 TW ??:??:?? - F3 DM ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Sato was a substitute for Young Matsuda.
Announced weights were: Mantell-162, Watkins-160, Sato-147, Simmons-148.
Matsuda was down with a bad cauliflower ear.
[Sato appeared under various first names including Tetsura, Togo and Taro, but was best known as “Smiling” moniker]
MARCH 27, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Cabinet Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Seconds: Dutch Mantell (Mendo)
Referee: Sailor “Tex” Watkins
1 - Jack Leary Vs. Gilbert Acosta,
Draw
2 - Tiny Simmons def. "Smiling" Sato
3 - Cactus Pete Brown def. Jack Mendo,
Two Falls to One - Disqualification (F1 PB ??:??:?? - F2 JM ??:??:?? - F3 PB ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Brown and Mendo were billed as heavyweights.
Brown-180 pounds.
Mendo-185 pounds.
Brown was a protégé of the late Matty Matsuda.
He lost the 3rd and final fall when he punched referee Watkins.
Young Matsuda was still recovering from a cauliflower ear.
MARCH 29, 1931 (SUNDAY)
Tucson, Arizona
Art Dana broke from Louis Gherna and the Cabinet Arena and is moving his promotion to the new Labor Temple Arena
Notes:
He will be associated with C.L. McPherson, the Phoenix mat boss.
APRIL 1931
APRIL 2, 1931 (THURSDAY)
Benefit Card
Promoter: Louis Gherna
Veteran's Hospital, Tucson, Arizona
Referee: Battling Cuco
1 - Wrestling
Joe Lucero Vs. Benny Cruz,
Draw
2 - Boxing
Joe Lucero Vs. Benny Cruz,
Draw
3 - Boxing
Jimmy Valentine Vs. Wild Man Chino,
Draw
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Attendance: 800
Referee: Jack Leary
1 - "Smiling" Sato Vs. Gilbert Acosta,
Draw
2 - Sailor "Tex" Watkins def. Gus Pappas
3 - Ray Meyers def. Dutch Mantell,
Two Falls to One (F1 RM ??:??:?? - F2 DM ??:??:?? - F3 RM ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
APRIL 6, 1931 (MONDAY)
Tucson, Arizona
The Tucson Boxing and Wrestling Commission issued a rules and regulations book
APRIL 10, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
1 - Gilbert Acosta Vs. Jack Leary,
Draw
2 - Mixed Style (Jiu-Jitsu/Catch-as-Catch-Can)
Martin Patterson def. "Smiling" Sato,
Two Falls to One (F1 SS ??:??:?? - F2 MP ??:??:?? - F3 MP ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
3 - Sailor "Tex" Watkins def. Ray Meyers,
Forfeit
Notes:
Meyers was unable to continue.
In the mixed bout, the opening fall was at jiu-jitsu, the 2nd at catch-as-catch-can, and if needed the 3rd would be decided by a coin toss.
Sato won the 1st, Patterson took the next two under catch wrestling rules.
APRIL 24, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Sailor "Tex" Watkins
1 - Frank Sego def. Vic Alexander "Tucson Bronxo-Buster"
2 - Tiny Simmons def. Pablo Rodriguez "The Wrestling Sensation of El Paso"
3 - No-Holds-Barred - Battle of Two Gorilla Men
Dutch Mantell def. Gus Pappas,
Two Falls to None
Notes:
Their weights were: Pappas, 163lbs; Mantell, 148.
MAY 1931
MAY 1, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Referee: John McIntosh
1 - Vic Alexander def. Battling Butch
2 - Sailor "Tex" Watkins def. Bull Protho,
Two Falls to None
3 - NBA/NWA World Junior Middleweight Championship
Yaqui Joe (c) def. Ray Meyers
Notes:
Strict NBA rules were enforced and an NBA-licensed referee officiated.
El Paso promoter John McIntosh had the credentials and handled the chore.
There was a 3pm weigh-in.
Joe weighed 154, Meyers 152.5.
The defending champ won his falls with a head scissors/double wristlock combination, and a flying toe hold.
Like Cactus Pete Brown and Young Matsuda, Yaqui Joe was yet another protégé of the late, great Matty Matsuda.
[Joe was a Mexican Indian named Jose Francisco Carlos Close.
Although one report states that he was really Jackie Lewis of El Paso - El Paso Evening Post.
He also wrestled as Frank Close and Chief Bamba Tabu]
MAY 8, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Attendance: "Small Crowd"
1 - Vic Alexander Vs. Fred Cohen,
Draw
2 - Young Matsuda Vs. Tiny Simmons,
Draw
3 - Handicap - Nichols to Throw Watkins Twice in Sixty Minutes
Hugh Nichols Vs. Sailor "Tex" Watkins,
Time-Limit - Nichols Only Threw Watkins Once (F1 HN 00:30:00 - TL 01:00:00)
Notes:
60-40% of the gate was up for grabs in match 3.
Nichols is the NBA/NWA World Light Heavyweight Champion.
MAY 22, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Referee: Jack Leary
1 - Frank Sego def. Vic Alexander
2 - Young Matsuda Vs. Jimmy Brown,
Draw
3 - Winner ot Meet Yaqui Joe In A Title Contest
Sailor "Tex" Watkins def. Dutch Mantell,
Two Falls to One (F1 DM ??:??:?? - F2 TW ??:??:?? - TW ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
A free-for-all broke out among the spectators and the police had to restore order.
MAY 29, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Referee: Art Dana
1 - Gilbert Acosta Vs. Jack Leary,
Draw
2 - Jimmy Brown def. Tommy Ross
3 - Yaqui Joe def. Sailor "Tex" Watkins,
Two Falls to One (F1 TW ??:??:?? - F2 YJ ??:??:?? - F3 YJ ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Yaqui Joe’s title was not on the line as Watkins weighed 161 pounds; over the jr. middleweight limit.
The bout was called “the most spectacular wrestling match staged here this year” - Arizona Daily Star
JUNE 1931
JUNE 5, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Referee: Art Dana
1 - Jack Leary Vs. Roy Cox,
Draw
2 - Young Matsuda def. Charlie Thornton
3 - Jimmy Brown def. Gilbert Acosta
4 - Sailor "Tex" Watkins def. Young Stecher,
Two Falls to None
Notes:
Leary was a substitute for Gilbert Acosta.
This particular Young Stecher was billed in Tucson as being French-Canadian.
[He likely was the same Young Stecher appearing around Texas at this time.
In the Texas cards he was billed variously as a “Greek Grunt” or a “Bohemian Bouncer.”
Was it Eddie Pope of Rocky Mount, North Carolina?
Pope was in South Carolina in October 1931 wrestling under his actual name]
JUNE 12, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Attendance: 500
Referee: Young Matsuda
1 - Lefty Lou Vs. Normal Pierce,
Draw
2 - Frank Sego def. Roy Cox
3 - Wilson "Horseshoe" McIver Vs. Jimmy Brown,
Draw
4 - Sailor "Tex" Watkins Vs. Otis Clingman (of Paupa, TX)
Notes:
Like Watkins, Clingman was a former Navy wrestling champion.
Clingman had transportation trouble and was unable to get to Tucson in time.
Dana refunded the ticket price to the fans and held the first three bouts as a free show.
McIver was a colorful character from El Paso and always hung a horseshoe over the ropes before a match.
He brawled with referee Matsuda and challenged him to a match.
JUNE 17, 1931 (WEDNESDAY)
Public Workouts
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
1 - Sailor "Tex" Watkins Vs. "Seven Young Aspiring Wrestlers",
Result Unknown
2 - Otis Clingman Vs. Red Michaels & Young Matsuda,
Result Unknown
JUNE 19, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Referee: Walter “Sneeze” Achiu
1 - Lefty Louie Vs. Norman Pierce,
Draw
2 - Gilbert Acosta Vs. Charlie Thornton,
Draw
3 - Handicap - Michaels to Throw Matsuda & Brown Within Thirty Minutes
Red Michaels def. Young Matsuda & Jimmmy Brown
(YM 00:11:00 - JB 00:12:55 - C 00:23:55)
4 - Sailor "Tex" Watkins def. Otis Clingman,
Two Falls to One (F1 TW ??:??:?? - F2 OC ??:??:?? - F3 TW ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Watkins weighed in at 160, Clingman at 162.
Michaels was a 151-pounder.
Matsuda was 138lbs.
Brown was 140lbs.
Achiu challenged to meet the winner of the Watkins-Clingman match on a card in the fall.
JUNE 25, 1931 (THURSDAY)
Public Workouts
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
1 - Otis Clingman Vs. Jimmy Reynolds,
Result Unknown
2 - Sailor "Tex" Watkins Vs. Sailor Jack Lewis,
Result Unknown
Notes:
Reynolds had shown up in Tucson and challenged to throw both Watkins and Clingman in a one-hour handicap contest, or singly twice in one hour.
Clingman went through the paces with him in the workout bout and reportedly gave him a “severe bouncing.”
JUNE 26, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
1 - Arnolde Fernandez def. Yaqui Bob
2 - Andy Tremaine def. Frank Sego
3 - Michaels to Throw Matsuda Twice Within Thirty Minutes
Red Michaels Vs. Young Matsuda,
Time-Limit - Michaels Only Threw Matsuda Once
4 - Navy Fleet Wrestling Championship Belts
Sailor "Tex" Watkins (c) def. Otis Clingman (c),
Two Falls to One (F1 OC ??:??:?? - F2 TW ??:??:?? - F3 TW ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??
Notes:
Watkins and Clingman placed their belts in the care of local sports writer George Hall.
Watkins won Navy titles in 1927 and 1928, Clingman won in 1926.
When Simmons was unable to appear, Michaels agreed to meet Matsuda in a thirty-minute handicap bout.
JULY 1931
JULY 1, 1931 (WEDNESDAY)
Promoter: Jim Wallace
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Referee: Jim Wallace
1 - Sailor Jack Lewis Vs. Frenchie Leavitte
2 - Stanislaus Zbyszko “58-Year Old Marvel of the Wrestling Game" Vs. Jimmy Corrigan
Notes:
The card is postponed until July 8, 1931.
JULY 3, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoters: Sailor "Tex Watkins & Otis Clingman
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Referees: Georgie Mason & Young Matsuda
1 - Three Minutes
Watkins' Kid Pupil Vs. Watkins' Kid Pupil,
Result Unknown
2 - Battle Royal - Ten Minutes
Frank Ahee Vs. Ida Rogers, Jack Nugent & A. Quihuis,
Result Unknown
3 - Frank Sego Vs. Andy Tremaine,
Result Unknown
4 - Wilson "Horseshoe" McIver def. Young Matsuda,
Two Falls to One
5 - Sailor "Tex" Watkins def. Benny Bolt,
Two Falls to One (F1 TW ??:??:?? - F2 BB ??:??:?? - F3 TW ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Promoter Art Dana is in Reno, Nevade helping with Louie Miller’s mat cards.
McIver KO’d Matsuda while Mason was trying to separate them and lost the opening fall by disqualification.
Matsuda was not able to return for the next two falls, so the match was awarded to McIver.
However, Matsuda returned to the ring to officiate the last two falls of the main event.
The “battle royal” involved 116lb, Ahee taking on Rodgers, 78 lbs; Nugent, 74lbs; and Quihuis, 67lbs. in sort of a free-for-all wrestling bout.
After this card, Jim Wallace, an associate of Phoenix promoter C.L. McPherson, took over the wrestling promotion at the Labor Temple Arena.
Art Dana is threatening legal action against Fred Steger and the Central Trades Council who control the venue.
Dana, upon returning from Reno, had planned a card on 7/10 featuring Yaqui Joe versus Pat Reagan.
Watkins announced that he had taken a construction job, but would continue his youth wrestling classes.
JULY 8, 1931 (WEDNESDAY)
Promoter: Jim Wallace
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Referee: Jim Wallace
1 - Sailor Jack Lewis Vs. Frenchie Leavitte,
Draw - One Fall Each
2 - Stanislaus Zbyszko “58-Year Old Marvel of the Wrestling Game" def. Jimmy Corrigan
Notes:
Zbyszko is called the former world heavyweight champ Zbyszko.
He weighed 234 pounds to his opponent’s 215.
Lewis, 210lbs and Leavitte, 196 were rivals for the Arizona State Heavyweight title.
Leavitte was promoting wrestling in Prescott, Arizona.
JULY 15, 1931 (WEDNESDAY)
Promoter: Jim Wallace
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
1 - George Skeekit def. Kara Pasha "The Terrible Turk",
Two Falls to One (F1 GS ??:??:?? - F2 KP ??:??:?? - F3 GS ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
2 - Count Carl Micheloff def. Frenchie Leavitte,
Two Falls to One (F1 CM ??:??:?? - F2 FL ??:??:?? - F3 CM ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
[Micheloff was Joe Varga]
JULY 21, 1931 (TUESDAY)
Benefit Card for Injured Boxer, Jimmy Valentine
Promoter: Louis Gherna
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Referee: Benny Cruz
1 - 10 Minutes
Sailor "Tex" Watkins Vs. Young Matsuda,
Result Unknown
Notes:
Also featured boxing.
The mat match was called “one of the best events of the evening.”
JULY 31, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Jim Wallace
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
1 - Floyd Marshall def. Frenchie Leavitte
2 - Dick Daviscourt def. Arthur Saxon,
Two Falls to None
Notes:
Wallace bragged that he was the sole wrestling promoter not only in Tucson, but in all Arizona.
However, this proved to be his last local card in Tucson.
AUGUST 1931
AUGUST 4, 1931 (TUESDAY)
Benefit Card
Promoter: Louis Gherna
U.S. Veterans' Bureau Hospital, Tucson, Arizona
1 - Young Matsuda Vs. Young Thompson,
Result Unknown
Notes:
Also featured boxing.
AUGUST 7, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Referee: Sailor "Tex" Watkins
1 - Jimmy Lee def. Jackie Foxx
2 - Frank Sego def. Tiger Adams
3 - Young Matsuda def. Soldier Jackson,
Two Falls to None
4 - Cactus Pete Brown def. Dr. Dick/Vic Mullen,
Forfeit
Notes:
Dana returned to Tucson.
Brown weighed 175lbs and claimed the light-heavyweight title of Mexico.
Mullen was 182lbs.
Jackson was from Fort Bliss, the Army post in Texas and New Mexico.
[Mullen was likely the Texas wrestling chiropractor Dr. Vic Muhl.
Muhl is noticeably absent from Texas cards from May through November 1931]
AUGUST 14, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
1 - Jimmy Lee def. Juan Navarro
2 - Frank Sego def. Frank Cox
3 - Young Matsuda def. Jack "Buster" Keas,
Two Falls to None
4 - Winner to Meet George Kotsonaros
Dr. Dick Mullen def. Gus Nelson,
Two Falls to One (F1 DM ??:??:?? - F2 GN ??:??:?? - F3 DM ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Mullen weighed 183lbs.
Nelson weighed 186lbs.
Keas was a popular wrestler from El Paso, Texas.
Lee and Navarro were 126lbs each.
AUGUST 21, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
1 - Jimmy Lee def. Red Scott
2 - Gilbert Acosta Vs. Soldier Jackson,
Draw
3 - Martin Patterson def. Young Matsuda,
Two Falls to One (F1 YM ??:??:?? - F2 MP ??:??:?? - F3 MP ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
4 - George Kotsonaros def. Dr. Dick Mullen,
Forfeit
Notes:
Mullen was unable to continue.
Patterson was a former amateur wrestling champion and also worked as a YMCA physical director.
AUGUST 28, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
1 - Jimmy Lee def. Juan Navarro
2 - Young Matsuda def. Jose "Jack" Maines
3 - Martin Patterson def. Jack "Buster" Keas
4 - Bull Montana def. Dr. Dick Mullen,
Two Falls to One (F1 DM ??:??:?? - F2 BM ??:??:?? - F3 BM ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Dana had hoped to match Montana with George Kotsonaros, but the latter was scheduled elsewhere.
Maines is billed as being from Chihuahua, Mexico.
SEPTEMBER 1931
SEPTEMBER 7, 1931 (MONDAY)
Labor Day Celebration
Promoter: Art Dana
Sponsors: Tucson Trades Council & American Legion
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Art Dana
1 - Georgie Clauberg Vs. Jesus Comacho,
Result Unknown
2 - Jimmy Lee Vs. Red Scott,
Draw
3 - Jack "Buster" Keas Vs. Jose "Jack" Maines,
Draw
4 - Dr. Dick Mullen Vs. Jack Purdin,
Draw
5 - George Kotsonaros def. Bull Montana,
Two Falls to One (F1 GK ??:??:?? - F2 BM ??:??:?? - F3 GK ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
The card was just a part of the celebration.
Clauberg was a local fireman who had challenged to wrestle any member of the Tucson Police Department.
The police put forward Officer Jesus Comacho and the challenge match received a lot of ballyhoo.
Clauberg entered the ring dressed and ready to do battle.
Comacho remained seated in the crowd and refused to wrestle.
He later said he thought the whole thing had just been a joke.
It was reported later, that the Tucson police had started training a couple of their officers to take on Clauberg and save face.
SEPTEMBER 18, 1931 (THURSDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Referee: Sailor "Tex" Watkins
1 - Yaqui Bob Vs. Lefty Louie,
Draw
2 - Jose "Jack" Maines def. Jimmy Lee
3 - Gus Pappas def. Tiger Ware
4 - Yaqui Joe def. Pat Reagon,
Two Falls to None
SEPTEMBER 24, 1931 (THURSDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
1 - Lefty Louie def. Battling Bob
2 - Jack "Buster" Keas Vs. Jose "Jack" Maines,
Draw
3 - Frenchie Leavitte Vs. Gus Pappas,
Draw
4 - Yaqui Joe def. Jack Pierce "The Oklahoma Whirlwind",
Two Falls to One (F1 JP ??:??:?? - F2 YJ ??:??:?? - F3 YJ ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Joe weighed 153lbs.
Pierce weighed 162lbs.
OCTOBER 1931
OCTOBER 2, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
1 - Frank Sego Vs. Tiger Adams,
Draw
2 - Frenchie Leavitte Vs. Jack Pierce,
Draw
3 - George Kotsonaros def Pat O'Brien,
Two Falls to One (F1 PO ??:??:?? - F2 GK ??:??:?? - F3 GK ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
OCTOBER 9, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Referee: Jimmy Corrigan
1 - Gilbert Acosta Vs. Joe Morales,
Draw
2 - Jack Pierce def. Joe McCarthy
3 - Dutch Mantell def. Gus Pappas
OCTOBER 16, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Attendance: "Small Crowd"
Referee: Jack Pierce
1 - Handicap - 5 Minutes
Jimmy Lee def. Jose Navarro & Yaqui Bob
2 - Charlie Thornton Vs. Joe Morales,
Draw
3 - Young Matsuda Vs. Smiling Sato,
Draw
4 - Sailor "Tex" Watkins def. Rob Roy,
Forfeit
Notes:
Roy was unable to continue.
OCTOBER 23, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Referee: Young Matsuda
1 - Young Bob Vs. Lefty Louie,
Result Unknown
2 - Jimmy Lee Vs. Farley Fenton,
Result Unknown
3 - Jack Pierce Vs. Joe McCarthy,
Draw
4 - Sailor "Tex" Watkins def. Tuffy McMullen,
Two Falls to One (F1 TW ??:??:?? - F2 TM ??:??:?? - F3 TW ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
McCarthy challenged for five additional minutes of wrestling, but no falls were registered.
[Clyde “Tuffy” McMullen was a Texas wrestler, though he was often billed as being from Chicago]
OCTOBER 29, 1931 (THURSDAY)
Public Workouts
Promoter: Art Dana
Sponsor: Police Department to Teach Women Self-Defense Skills
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
1 - Judo Demonstration
Featuring Professor Tetsuo Higami & Bill Clawson "200lb Policeman"
2 - Professor Tetsuo Higami Vs. Young Matsuda,
Result Unknown
OCTOBER 30, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
1 - Young Bob def. Pancho Villa
2 - Young Matsuda Vs. Jack Berg,
Draw
3 - Sailor "Tex" Watkins def. Joe McCarthy
4 - Catch-as-Catch-Can
Professor Testsua Higami def. Jack Pierce,
Two Falls to None
Notes:
Higami weighed 160 lbs.
Pierce weighed 175.
Many of his matches were held mixed-style, or under jiu-jitsu rules.
His bout was called “the most interesting put on by Dana in months.” - Arizona Daily Star
NOVEMBER 1931
NOVEMBER 6, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Elk Charity Benefit
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Attendance: 500
Referees: Joe Choynski & Jack Pierce
1 - Blair Clawson Vs. Tiger Flowers,
Draw
2 - Jack Pierce Vs. Joe McCarthy,
Draw
3 - Gus Pappas Vs. Dr. Dick Kanthe,
Draw
4 - Mixed Style (Catch-as-Catch-Can/Jiu-Jitsu) - No-Holds-Barred
Professor Tetsua Higami def. Gus Nelson,
Two Falls to (F1 GN ??:??:?? - F2 TH ??:??:?? - F3 TH ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Higami won both falls bysubmission under jiu-jitsu rules.
Clawson was a Tucson policeman who was out with a challenge to wrestle any member of the local fire department.
When no fire fighter stepped up, “despite their prolific bragging”, Clawson agreed to meet a pro grappler.
Choynski was an old-time boxer.
NOVEMBER 11, 1931 (WEDNESDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Referee: Art Dana
1 - Vic Alexander def. Bob Frederick,
Forfeit (00:02:00)
2 - Jack Berg def. Soldier Jackson
3 - Joe McCarthy def. Jack Pierce
4 - Gus Sonnenberg def. Dan Koloff
Notes:
Sonnenberg was a former world heavyweight champion.
This bout proved to be controversial as the Arizona Daily Star reported that Sonnenberg’s opponent was not the Dan Koloff and simply called him “Mister X.”
Dana quickly explained that unbeknown to him, it was “Don Koloff” and that he thought he was booking “Dan Koloff.”
”Don” and his manager P.J. Hart were reported to have left town immediately following the bout.
The episode caused a lot of bad press for Dana.
Frederick was billed as being from Los Angeles.
Frederick quit and refused to continue.
NOVEMBER 12, 1931 (THURSDAY)
Promoter: Jim Wallace
Arcadia Hall, Phoenix, Arizona
1 - Jiu-Jitsu
???? Vs. ????,
Result Unknown
2 - Dan Koloff Vs. Count Karl Micheloff,
Draw
3 - Gus Sonnenberg def. Harry Mamos
[This almost definitely the real Dan Koloff]
NOVEMBER 20, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Referee: Joe stetson
1 - Jack Pierce def. Joe McCarthy
2 - Yaqui Joe def. Randall Hicks,
Two Falls to One (F1 RH ??:??:?? - F2 YJ ??:??:?? - F3 RH ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Stetson is called a protégé of Dutch Mantell.
NOVEMBER 27, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
1 - Frank Sego def. "Dynamite" Howell
2 - Joe Stetson def. Jack Pierce
3 - Catch Wrestling
Randall Hicks def. Professor Tetsuo Higami
Notes:
Howell is billed as the protégé of local Ford dealer and civic leader Monte Mansfield.
DECEMBER 1931
DECEMBER 4, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
1 - Frank Sego def. Tex Serface
2 - Dr. Dick Kanthe def. Chief Ross,
Two Falls to None
3 - Randall Hicks def. Joe Stetson,
Two Falls to None
DECEMBER 9, 1931 (WEDNESDAY)
Promotion: Arizona Athletic Association
Promoter: Art Dana
Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona
1 - Spike O'Brien def. Teddy Tetzloff
2 - Indian Tommy Burns def. Cyclone Burns
3 - Professor Tetsua Higami def. Dr. Dick Kanthe
4 - Cactus Pete Brown def. Joe Stetson
Notes:
Tucson promoter Art Dana launched an opposition promotion to Jim Wallace’s Phoenix cards, which were held at Arcadia Hall.
DECEMBER 11, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
1 - Frank Sego def. Chief Ross
2 - Dr. Dick Kanthe def. Gus Pappas
3 - Randall Hicks def. Yaqui Joe,
Forfeit
Notes:
Stetson was over the junior middleweight limit.
Joe was unable to continue
DECEMBER 14, 1931 (MONDAY)
Prescott, Arizona
1 - Benny Osage Vs. "Mountain Lion" Kimball,
Result Unknown
2 - Spike O'Brien Vs. Young Frank Gotch,
Result Unknown
3 - Cactus Pete Brown def. Jess Komar
[The late JMK suggested that Benny Osage was a young Benny Tenario aka Chief Little Wolf]
DECEMBER 16, 1931 (WEDNESDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona
1 - Cactus Pete Brown def. Dr. Dick Kanthe
2 - Mixed Style (Catch-as-Catch-Can/Jiu-Jitsu)
Professor Tetsua Higami def. Gus Pappas
3 - Yaqui Joe def. Benny Crueger
DECEMBER 18, 1931 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Labor Temple Arena, Tucson, Arizona
Referee: Dr. Dick Kanthe
1 - Frank Sego Vs. Joe McCarthy,
Draw
2 - Frank Henderson def. Spike O'Brien
3 - Yaqui Joe def. Randall Hicks,
Two Falls to One (F1 RH ??:??:?? - F2 YJ ??:??:?? - F2 YJ ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
McCarthy was a substitute for Benny Crueger.
This was announced as Dana’s last Tucson card of the year.
DECEMBER 21, 1931 (MONDAY)
Prescott, Arizona
1 - Lee Lowe def. Al Kimball
2 - Gus Pappas def. Benny Osage
3 - Dr. Dick Kanthe def. Indian Tommy Burns
Notes:
Fred Kimball, Al’s brother issued a challenge to Osage.
DECEMBER 23, 1931 (WEDNESDAY)
Promoter: Art Dana
Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona
1 - Benny Osage def. Al Kimball
2 - Billy Ford Vs. Don Watts,
Draw
3 - Joe McCarhy def. Hassan Azim,
Disqualification
4 - Yaqui Joe def. Gus "Hefty" Hess
DECEMBER 26, 1931 (SATURDAY)
Tucson, Arizona
Henry Karhunsaari sent a challenge in care of the Arizona Daily Star sports editor
Notes:
He was challenging Yaqui Joe “or anybody who can make 160 pounds, two out of three falls.
Sailor Watkins, Billy Romanoff, Young Stecher...” - Arizona Daily Star
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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.
Results from Hawaii, United States of America: 1930-1931.
Updated: June 12, 2019.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
