Hawaii, United States of America: 1945
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JANUARY 1945
JANUARY 6, 1945 (SATURDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Professional wrestling was the highest drawing sport in Honolulu in 1944-over baseball, football and boxing - Speaking of Sports; Don Watson of The Star-Bulletin
JANUARY 7, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 4,500
Referees: Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Charley Shiranuhi
1 - Wimpy Wellington def. Bobby "Octopus" Roberts
2 - "Irish" Mike Casey def. Joe Mitchell,
Disqualification
3 - Sgt. Babe Smolenski def. Dale Clark
4 - Bucky O'Neill Vs. Axel Madsen,
Draw
5 - Sammy Cohen def. Ben Pilar
Notes:
Madsen was the Central Pacific Area All-Service Champion.
Roberts, a “war worker” made his Auditorium debut.
JANUARY 16, 1945 (TUESDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
J.C. Marsh sent word that he was retiring from the pro wrestling business
Notes:
He will live on his brother’s farm in McMinnville, Oregon.
Marsh aka Joe Carroll, Ole Marsh was an early protégé of the legendary Farmer Burns, managed Frank Gotch to his first championship, and barnstormed the country with “trustbusters” Marin Plestina and Jack Sherry.
He had been involved in pre-Karasick pro wrestling in Honolulu in the 1930s, with a troupe of middleweights and light-heavyweights.
JANUARY 17, 1945 (WEDNESDAY)
Wrestling and Judo
Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Sailor Jack Arnold
Featuring Don Carver's Waimanolo Health Center
Notes:
The hotel served as the Navy Rest and Relaxation Center.
Carver was a martial arts instructor and pro wrestler.
Former pro wrestler and amateur wrestling coach Reed Detton took part in the program.
Schofield Barracks Bowl, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: "Over 9,000"
Referee: Charley Carr
1 - Bolo Bataan Vs. Pete Dimitrious,
Draw
2 - Jimmy Colburn def. Tiger James,
Disqualification
3 - Wimpy Wellington def. Vincent Ramos
4 - Joe Mitchell def. Axel Johnson
5 - "Irish" Mike Casey def. Sgt. Babe Smolenski
Notes:
Carr held the Ring Magazine Territorial Junior Heavyweight Championship gold belt and was considered Karasick’s “policeman.”
The Colburn-James bout “stole the show” with “the wildest sort of action.” - The Advertiser
JANUARY 21, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Prof. Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Charley Shiranuhi
1 - Bolo Bataan def. Buck Lee
2 - Joe Mitchell def. Dale Clark
3 - "Irish" Mike Casey def. Jimmy Gonsalves,
Decision
4 - Ben Pilar def. Chester Hayes,
Disqualification
5 - Kaimon Kudo def. Bucky O'Neill
Notes:
A brawl broke out among the fans during the main event and had to be squelched by security and military police.
Hayes also played semi-pro football and basketball at the time.
Gonsalves, Bataan and Lee were all local Hawaiians.
JANUARY 28, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Charley Shiranhuhi
1 - Joe Colburn def. Pete Dimitrious
2 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Joe Mitchell
3 - "Irish" Mike Casey Vs. Chester Hayes,
Draw
4 - Team Match
Axel Madsen & Sgt. Babe Smolenski def. Bucky O'Neill & Sammy Cohen
Notes:
Mitchell brawled with referee Shiranuhi after losing to Gonsalves.
Mitchell later issued a challenge to wrestle Shiranuhi on an upcoming card.
FEBRUARY 1945
FEBRUARY 4, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Frank Cutler
1 - Shin Miyashiro Vs. Stanley Walicki,
Draw
2 - Don Carver def. Bolo Bataan
3 - Special Challenge
Charley Shiranuhi def. Joe Mitchell
4 - Sgt. Babe Smolenski def. "Irish" Mike Casey
5 - Charley Carr def. Ben Pilarm
Two Falls to One (F1 BP ??:??:?? - F2 CC ??:??:?? - F3 CC ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Shiranuhi, former sumotori and protégé of Higami and Kudo, defeated his challenger by submission to an armbar.
FEBRUARY 7, 1945 (WEDNESDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Schofield Barracks Bowl, Honolulu, Haawaii
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Charley Carr
1 - Tony Allesandro def. Bobby Roberts
2 - Buck Lee def. Stanley Walicki
3 - Ralph Teague def. Pete Dimitrious
4 - Tiger James def. Jimmy Collburn
5 - Axel Madsen Vs. "Irish" Mike Casey,
Draw - One Fall Each
Notes:
The son of a Texas sharecropper, Ralph Teague was an outstanding champion amateur wrestler at Southwestern Oklahoma State Teacher’s College.
Oklahoma Conference Heavyweight Champion-’32, ’33, ’34; NCAA Heavyweight Champion-’33, ’34; National AAU Champion ’34, ’35; alternate on 1936 US Olympic mat team...turned pro in ’37...stationed in HI as an Army corporal.
Karsasick was seeking a suitable opponent for him to debut at the Civic Auditorium.
FEBRUARY 17, 1945 (SATURDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
The Honolulu Police Commission denied Officer Francis Rawlins’ request to engage in pro wrestling
Notes:
”The commission members said that in normal times, such an objection might not be made, but as every man on the force is needed, it was felt that no chance of injuries should be taken.” - The Advertiser
FEBRUARY 18, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Wimpy Wellington def. Stanley Walicki
2 - Joe Mitchell def. Jimmy Colburn
3 - Jimmy Gonsalves Vs. "Irish" Mike Casey,
Draw
4 - Ray "Sea Wolf" Higgins def. Charley Shiranuhi
5 - Sammy Cohen def. Axel Madsen,
Decision
Notes:
The card was originally scheduled with Cutler meeting Higgins.
Casey was a substitute for Bobby Funk.
Shiranuhi was a substitute for Frank Cutler.
Kaimon Kudo and Ben Pilar issued challenges to the winner of the main event.
Higgins was a merchant marine from Helena, Montana.
He issued an open challenge to “any and all grapplers now in the Islands.” - The Adverti
FEBRUARY 24, 1945 (SATURDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Bolo Bataan def. Shin Miyashire
2 - Little Ali Baba def. Wimpy Wellington
3 - Ray Higgins def. Joe Mitchell
4 - Chester Hayes def. Bucky O'Neill
5 - Challenge
Ben Pilar def. Sammy Cohen,
Disqualification
Notes:
Little Ali Baba was serving in the army.
He was billed as “the Persian Terror” and the famed Turkish wrestler from Ohio.”
MARCH 1945
MARCH 4, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Prof. Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Charley Shiranuhi
1 - Little Ali Baba def. Bobby Roberts
2 - Ralph Teague def. Dale Clark
3 - Chester Hayes Vs. Don Carver,
Draw
4 - Axel Madsen def. Ray "Sea Wolf" Higgins
5 - Kaimon Kudo def. Ben Pilar
Notes:
Teague, making his Civic Auditorium debut, “bodyslammed his way to victory.” - The Advertiser
MARCH 5, 1945 (MONDAY)
Officers' Judo Training Club, Honolulu, Hawaii
Kaimon Kudo and Professor Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami will begin teaching Judo here
MARCH 11, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Jack Dempsey (main event)
1 - Tiger James def. Bobby Roberts
2 - Bill Kaiser Vs. Bolo Bataan,
Draw
3 - Bucky O'Neill def. ALi Baba
4 - "Irish" Mike Casey def. Sgt. Babe Smolenski
5 - Chester Hayes def. Sammy Cohen,
Two Falls to One (F1 SC ??:??:?? - F2 CH ??:??:?? - F3 CH ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Former heavyweight boxing champs Commander Jack Dempsey (Coast Guard) and Capt. James Braddock (Army) were special guests of honor.
They both were involved in physical training during the war.
Dempsey refereed the Hayes-Cohen match.
With one fall apiece, Cohen shoved Dempsey and took a wild swing at him.
Dempsey responded with a punch of his own, flooring the unruly wrestler and setting him up to be pinned by Hayes.
MARCH 18, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Charley Shiranuhi
1 - Big Nick Nichols def. Tiger James
2 - Vilai Su'a def. Buck Lee
3 - Don Carver def. Bucky O'Neill,
Decision
4 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Ray "Sea Wolf" Higgins
5 - Kaimon Kudo def. Chester Hayes
Notes:
Su’a and Nichols made their debuts.
Su’a was a local football star and all-around athlete.
He had been training for six weeks for his pro wrestling debut.
Kudo won, but injured his knee.
The Kudo-Hayes match was called “one of the cleanest and most scientific grappling attractions in months” - The Star-Bulletin
Carver was a pro wrestler and local martial arts instructor, billed as an ”exponent of American Judo.”
MARCH 21, 1945 (WEDNESDAY)
Schofield Barracks Bowl, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Sgt. Babe Smolenski
1 - Earl Ewen def. Tony Allesandro
2 - Ralph Reague Vs. Don "Spike" Marlin,
Draw
3 - Chester Hayes Vs. "irish" Mike Casey,
Draw - One Fall Each
Notes:
Teague was billed as “Schofield’s Behemoth.”
Martin as “Hickam Field’s Mighty Man of Muscle.”
Ewen as “the Pride of Fort Hase.”
Merrill as “Axel Madesen’s Protégé.”
Dimitrious’ first name is variously given as Pete, Charley and Bill.
Marlin was a substitute for Dale Clark.
MARCH 24, 1945 (SATURDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 4,500
Referee: Charley Shiranuhi
1 - Big Nick Nichols def. Stanley Walicki
2 - Vilai Su'a def. Wimpy Wellington
3 - Sgt. Babe Smolenski def. Charley Shiranuhi
4 - Axel Madsen def. "Irish" Mike Casey
5 - Charley Carr Vs. Sammy Cohen,
Draw
Notes:
Shiranuhi is a substitute for Ray "Sea Wolf" Higgins
APRIL 1945
APRIL 1, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Kaimon Kudo & Charley Shiranuhi
1 - Bolo Bataan def. Shin Miyashiro
2 - Joe Mitchell Vs. "irish" Mike Casey,
Draw
3 - Marlin def. Charley Dimitrious
4 - Ben Pilar def. Mike Golden
5 - Title Match
Axel Madsen def. Sght. Babe Smolenski
APRIL 11, 1945 (WEDNESDAY)
Schofield Barracks Bowl, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 9,500
Referees: Ed La France & Sgt. Smolenski (main event & semi final)
1 - Tiger James Vs. Shin Miyashiro,
Draw
2 - Little Ali Baba def. Jimmy Colburn
3 - Don "Spike" Marlin def. Frank Merrill
4 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Vincent Ramos (of Argentina)
5 - "Irish" Mike Casey def. Vic "Bulldog" Rancourt (of Boston)
Notes:
La France was a substitute for Ralph Teague.
Ramos was billed as a protégé of Count Frances Fouchee.
APRIL 15, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Sgt. Babe Smolenski & Charley Shiranuhi
1 - Bill Kaiser Vs. Buck Lee,
Draw
2 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Vic "Bulldog" Rancourt
3 - Vila Su'a def. Bolo Bataan
4 - Chester Hayes def. Don Carver
5 - Kaimon Kudo def. Sammy Cohen
Notes:
A moment of silence was observed for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt who died on April 12, 1945.
APRIL 25, 1945 (WEDNESDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Promoter Al Karasick plans to book two recently-arrived African-American soldiers Woody Strode and Raymond Sheffield on upcoming cards
Notes:
Sheffield was called “a colored grappler from Marshall, Tex.”
Strode was a former UCLA football star, world-class decathlete, and pro football player who had made his pro wrestling debut in Los Angeles on Febreuary 14, 1940.
Strode is serving with the Army Air Force.
APRIL 29, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Prof. Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Buck Lee def. Nick Nichols
2 - Vilai Su'a def. Shin Miyashiro
3 - Harry Dellis def. "Irish" Mike Casey
4 - Bucky O'Neill def. Sammy Cohen,
Disqualification
5 - Charley Carr def. Ben Pilar
Notes: Carr had agreed to defend his Hawaiian Jr. Heavyweight title and belt on this card, but when Pilar was signed as his opponent, he refused to put the championship on the line.
Chester Hayes issued a challenge to the winner.
Dellis was making a comeback.
Woody Strode and Raymond Sheffield were reported to be in attendance.
MAY 1945
MAY 1, 1945 (TUESDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
The Army’s Central Pacific Base Command (CPBC) issued regulations that banned any servicemen under their jurisdiction from taking part in professional sports.
Notes:
“Professional athletic events are not considered essential to war activities and participation of military personnel (of the base command) in such events is prohibited”
Pofessional athletes serving in the Army were encouraged to take part in amateur events.
This ruling seriously affected wrestling, boxing and baseball in Hawaii, as all three sports made heavy use of the military personnel serving in the islands.
MAY 2, 1945 (WEDNESDAY)
Schofield Barracks Bowl, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 10,000
Referees: Charley Dimitrious & Charley Carr (main event & semi final)
1 - Eddie La France def. Tiger James,
Disqualification
2 - Whitey Grover def. Frank Merrill
3 - Al Lolotai Vs. Don Carver,
Draw
4 - Joe Mitchell def. Jimmy Colburn
5 - Axel Madsen Vs. Harry Dellis,
Draw
Notes:
The ban on Army wrestlers taking part in pro cards did not apply to the Schofield Bowl, as these were held under the Recreation Department and were free entertainment for military personnel.
Albert “Al” Lolotai was a local football star recruited by Al Karasick to take up pro wrestling.
His official debut would take place later in the month at the Civic Auditorium.
Lolotai would later appear under the name Alo Leilani.
Grover was veteran wrestler Virgil “Whitey” Govro.
He had been in Honolulu since 1944 working as a civilian policeman at Pearl Harbor.
His name was also billed as Glover.
MAY 3, 1945 (THURSDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Among the wrestlers affected by the CPBC ruling are Axel Madsen, Sgt. Babe Smolenksi, Ralph Teague, Little Ali Baba, Nick Nichols and Frank Merril
Notes:
Al Karasick stated, “Naturally I’m not happy. But I have plenty of top talent here and will continue to give high standard performances.” (Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 5/3/45) Karasick lists available pro wrestlers.
Strode, serving with Army Air Force Pacific Ocean Area (AAFPOA), was not under the CPBC’s control - The Star-Bulletin
MAY 5, 1945 (SATURDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Kaimon Kudo & Charlie Shiranuhi (main event & semi final)
1 - Tiger James def. Fred Tam
2 - "Irish" Mike Casey def. Buck Lee
3 - Prince Vilai Su'a def. Joe Mitchell
4 - Jimmy Gonsalves Vs. Bucky O'Nell,
5 - Charley Carr def. Chester Hayes
Notes:
This was Su’a’s 5th straight victory since turning pro wrestler.
”There was plenty of action in and out of the ring, until Su’a body-slammed Mitchell and applied a press for the fall in 10 min. 50 seconds.” - The Advertiser
MAY 13, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Prof. Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Charley Shiranuhi
1 - Shim miyashiro def. Jack Ajax
2 - Al Loloti def. Buck Lee
3 - Don Carver def. Jimmy Colburn
4 - Sammy Cohen def. "Irish" Mike Casey
5 - Harry Dellis def. Bucky O'Neill
Notes:
Casey was a substitute for Bobby Coleman.
This was Lolotai’s Civic Auditorium debut.
He was billed as “Karasick’s second Samoan prospect”; Vilai Su’a being the first.
MAY 20, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Prof. Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Charley Shiranuhi
1 - Wimpy Wellington def. Bolo Bataan,
Decision
2 - "Irish" Mike Casey def. Joe Mitchell,
Disqualification
3 - Vilai Su'a def Chief John Arniach
4 - Ben Pilar def. Harry Dellis
5 - Kaimon Kudo Vs. Sammy Cohen,
Draw
Notes:
Kudo-Cohen and Pilar-Dellis were billed as double main events.
Kudo and Cohen “slugged each other slap happy” - The Star-Bulletin
Karasick stopped the bout due to Kudo bleeding badly from a gash over his right eye.
Arniach was billed as “Cherokee Indian.”
His bout with Su’a was called “a test of brute strength.” - The Advertiser
MAY 27, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 5,000
1 - Whitey "Gorilla" Grover Vs. Charley Shiranuhi,
Draw
2 - Francis Rawlins def. Buck Lee,
Decision
3 - Challenge
Vilai Su'a def. Joe Mitchell
4 - Don Carver def. Chester Hayes
5 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Sammy Cohen
Notes:
Shiranuhi was a substitute for Dale Clark.
Mitchell had challenged Su’a for a rematch-one fall to a finish, no time limit.
Su’a “won with a body press. This match was the roughest of the night.” - Star-Bulletin
Rawlins, former Honolulu policeman and local football star made his pro wrestling debut.
JUNE 1945
JUNE 3, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 5,500
Referees: Prof. Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Charley Shiranuhi
1 - Buck Lee def. Bolo Bataan
2 - Stan Miyashiro def. Francis Rawlins
3 - Vilai Su'a Vs. Chester Hayes,
Draw
4 - Team Match
Charley Carr & Kaimon Kudo def. Sammy Cohen & Harry Dellis
Notes:
Both referees worked the team match.
Su’a had been booked to meet Cohen on the next card, but injured his leg during his bout with Hayes.
Miyashiro is now being billed as “Stan” rather than “Shin.”
JUNE 10, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 5,00
Referees: Prof. Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Charley Shiranuhi (main event & semi final)
1 - Wallace Tsutsumi def. Tiger James
2 - Al Lolatai def. Stan Miyashiro
3 - Joe Mitchell def. Buck Lee
4 - Kaimon Kudo Vs. Don Carver,
Draw - One Fall Each
5 - Harry Dellis def. Sammy Cohen,
Two Falls to One (F1 HD ??:??:?? - F2 SC ??:??:?? - F3 HD ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
It was noted that four judo experts were on the card-Kudo, Carver, Miyashiro and Tsutsumi.
The Kudo-Carver bout was called “a beautiful exhibition of straight wrestling.”
Tsutsumi, a protégé of Kudo was making his pro wrestling debut.
He won “with a body press set-up by an airplane spin.”
JUNE 17, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Kaimon Kudo & Prof. Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Francis "Sonny" Rawlins Vs. Wimpy Wellington,
Draw
2 - Al Lolatai def. Whitey Glover
3 - Vilai Su'a def. Charley Shiranuhi
4 - Bucky O'Neill def. Joe Mitchell
5 - Ben Pilar def. Jimmy Gonsalves
JUNE 24, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Al Karasick's 53rd Birthday Anniversary Card
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Charley Shiranuhi & Prof. Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Wallace Tsutsumi def. Doug Corregidor
2 - Stan Miyashiro def. Buck Lee
3 - Al Lolatai Vs. Joe Mitchell,
Draw
4 - Kaim Kudo def. Don Carver,
Two Falls to One (F1 KK ??:??:?? - F2 DC ??:??:?? - F3 KK ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
The Kudo-Carver match “was replete with judo holds and counters, and Carver gave the fans something to talk about when he took the second fall with a judo ‘strangle’ and back breaker while stretching Kudo on his back.”
Tsutsumi won with “a reverse airplane spin and body press.”
Karasick originally scheduled a contest between Su’a and Lolotai for the Samoan wrestling championship.
He canceled it when Mormon officials protested holding the bout, as both wrestlers were Mormons and they feared it would cause unrest among the community.
JUNE 29, 1945 (FRIDAY)
Judo Tournament
Officers' Judo Training Club, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Officers' Judo Training Club Team Vs. Kudo's Academy Team
Notes:
Higami and Kudo had started their own school.
JULY 1945
JULY 6, 1945 (FRIDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Ben Pilar issued a challenge to wrestle Kaimon Kudo for the right to meet Charley Carr for the Territorial Junior Heavyweight Championship
Notes:
Kudo is considered the number one contender to the title.
JULY 8, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 4,500
Referees: Kaimon udo & Prof. Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Francis "Sonny" Rawlins def. Bolo Bataan
2 - Al Lolatai Vs. Charley Shiranuhi,
Draw
3 - Whitey Glover def. Joe Mitchell
4 - Ben Pilar Vs. Bucky O'Neill,
Draw - One Fall Each
5 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Vilai Su'a,
Two Falls to One (F1 JG ??:??:?? - F2 VS ??:??:?? - F3 JG ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
This is said to be Su'a's first loss.
JULY 17, 1945 (TUESDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Al Karasick, who is in the mainland on business, sent word back to Honolulu that he’d signed Lee Grable, the US Jr. Heavyweight championship claimant to appear on his upcoming cards
JULY 22, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 4,500
Referees: Pat MacArthur & Prof. Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Blackie Adachi def. Stan Miyashiro
2 - Wimpy Wellington def. Wallace Tsutumi
3 - Whitey Glover def. Charley Shiranuhi
4 - Chester Hayes def. Bucky O'Neill,
Disqualifcation
5 - Challenge
Charley Carr def. Kaimon Kudo
Notes:
Tsutsumi was a substitute for Monty LeMon.
Adachi was billed as “the Honolulu Indian”, “the Pride of Pauoa Valley”, “a former amateur star” and a “judo star.”
This was his pro debut.
MacArthur was said to be an old-time wrestler.
AUGUST 1945
AUGUST 5, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: Joe Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Charley Shiranuhi
1 - Francis "Sonny" Rawlin Vs. Wallace Tsutumi,
Draw
2 - Stan Miyashiro def. Fred Tam
3 - Joe Mitchell Vs. Wimpy Wellington,
Draw
4 - Prince Vilai Su'a def. Chester Hayes
5 - Don Carver def. Harry Dellis,
Disqualification
Notes:
Joe Karasick, Al's son, is handling the shows while Al is on the mainland.
AUGUST 13, 1945 (MONDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Al Karasick has been traveling on the continental United States, working to sign new talent
Notes:
He has met with Ted Thye in Portland, OR, Joe Malcewicz in San Francisco, and Hugh Nichols in Los Angeles.
Karasick plans to meet with Tony Stecher in Minneapolis, Tom Packs in St. Louis, and Al Haft in Columbus, Ohio.
He had hoped to book billiard champions Willie Hoppe and Welker Cochrane for a series of contests in Honolulu.
Hoppe and Cochrane were two of the biggest names in the sports world at the time.
Karasick offered them a $5,000 guarantee, split two ways with an option of 50% of the net receipts, plus transportation costs.
Cochrane was willing but Hoppe declined.
The Honolulu promoter tried to sweeten the deal by adding $500 to the pot and bringing in Charlie Peterson as the referee.
Hoppe couldn’t be swayed.
AUGUST 19, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 4,500
Referees: Charley Shiranuhi & Prof. Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Blackie Adachi def. Al "Pineapple" Carvalho
2 - Francis "Sonny" Rawlins Vs. Buck Lee,
Draw
3 - Wimpy Wellington def. Stan Miyashiro
4 - Kaimon Kudo Vs. Jimmy Gonsalves
5 - Ben Pilar def. Harry Dellis,
Disqualification
Notes:
Carvalho, who had wrestled on Karasick’s cards in the late 1930’s, was attempting a comeback.
SEPTEMBER 1945
SEPTEMBER 2, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Special V-J Program
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Charley Shiranuhi
1 - Bolo Bataan Vs. Stna Miyashiro,
Draw
2 - Wimpy Wellington def. Doug Corregidor
3 - Joe Mitchell def. Buck Lee
4 - Charley Carr def. Harry Dellis
5 - Prince Vilai Su'a def. Jimmy Gonsalves
Notes:
After his bout with Carr, Dellis brawled with Shiranuhi.
Al Karasick, back from his trip to the mainland, broke the scuffle up.
Karasick hopes to resume weekly mat cards.
SEPTEMBER 9, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 5,000
Referees: Charley Shiranuhi & Prof. Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Nick Nichols def. Bolo Bataan
2 - Whitey Glover Vs. Frank Merrill,
Draw
3 - Fred Marco def. Joe Mitchell
4 - Don Carver def. Harry Dellis
5 - Kaimon Kudo def. Vilai Su'a,
Decision - One Fall Each
Notes:
Marco, a 185-pounder from Portland, Oregon, was one of Karasick’s latest imports.
SEPTEMBER 16, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Charley Shiranuhi
1 - Francis "Sonny" Rawlins def. Wallace Tsutsumi
2 - Fred Marco def. Wimpy Wellington
3 - Jimmy Gonsalves Vs. Chester Hayes,
Draw
4 - Handicap - Glover To Throw Mitchell & Lee in Thirty Minutes
Whitey Glover/Grover/Govro Vs. Joe Mitchell & Buck Lee,
Time Limit - Glover Only Threw Mitchell (JM 00:25:00 - TL 00:30:00)
Notes:
The main event “kept the crowd constantly on their feet” - The Star-Bulletin
SEPTEMBER 22, 1945 (SATURDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Prof. Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Charley Shiranuhi
Notes:
Jimmy Gonsalves challenged the winner of the main event.
Nichols was billed as a “former military policeman.”
SEPTEMBER 30, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: "Over 5,000"
1 - Francis "Sonny" Rawlins def. Bolo Bataan
2 - Buck Lee Vs. Charley Takse
3 - Joe Mitchell def. Nick Nichols
4 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Fred Marco
5 - Title Contest
Charley Carr def. Don Carver,
Forfeit
Notes:
Carver, who is also a judo instructor, stated, “I started wrestling in Texas and first came to Hawaii 10 years ago and have been here since. I’ve waited a long time for a title match, and I’m going to prove I’m the better man.” - The Advertiser
Carver was unable to continue.
OCTOBER 1945
OCTOBER 13, 1945 (SATURDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Wimpy Wellington challenged for a match with either Jimmy Gonsalves or Vilai Su’a
OCTOBER 14, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Stan Miyashiro Vs. Wallace Tsutsumi,
Draw
2 - Chester Hayes def. Buck Lee
3 - Wimpy Wellington def. Tiger James
4 - Joe Mitchell def. Bucky O'Neill
5 - Prince Vilai Su'a def. Harry Dellis
Notes:
James was a substitute for Frank Richards.
Miyashiro and Tsutsumi are called “local judo stars.”
Richards, from Tacoma, WA, had been scheduled to make his Honolulu debut.
OCTOBER 28, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 4,000
Referees: Prof. Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Charley Shiranuhi (main event & semi final)
1 - Bill Kaiser def. Fred Tam
2 - Sgt. Frank Merrill def. Billy Frederick
3 - Wimpy Wellington Vs. Nick Nichols,
Draw
4 - Ben Pilar def. Chester Hayes
5 - Winner to Meet Charley Carr for the Territorial Junior Heavyweight Championship
Jimmy Gonsalves def. Kaimon Kudo
NOVEMBER 1945
NOVEMBER 11, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: "Capacity Crowd"
Referees: Buck Lee & Charley Shiranuhi (main event & semi final)
1 - Blackie Adachi def. Fred Tam
2 - Sgt. Frank Merrill def. Wild Bill Dimitrious
3 - Kaimon Kudo def. Wimpy Wellington
4 - Axel Madsen def. Joe Mitchell
5 - Territorial Junior Heavyweight Champhionship (Ring Belt)
Jimmy Gonsalves def. Charley Carr (c)
NEW CHAMPION
Notes:
Tam was a substitute for Tiger James.
Madsen makes his post-war return to the mat.
Newman was reported to have been injured in training.
NOVEMBER 18, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: "Packed To Capacity"
Referees: Kaimon Kudo , Charley Shiranuhi & Buck Lee
1 - Billy Frederick def. Sgt. Frank Merrill,
Decision
2 - Six Man Battle Royal
Bucky O'Neill & Joe Mitchell def. Chester Hayes, Harry Dellis, Don Carver & Ben Pilar
3 - Ben Pilar Vs. Don Carver,
Draw
4 - Harry Dellis def. Chester Hayes,
Disqualification
5 - Bucky O'Neill def. Joe Mitchell
Notes:
During the battle royal, O’Neill threw Kudo out of the ring, leaving him incapacitated.
Lee filled in as the ref.
Hayes was disqualified in his match with Dellis for attacking referee Shiranuhi.
The last three matches were determined by the order of elimination in the battle royal.
NOVEMBER 26, 1945 (MONDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Kaimon Kudo challenged the winner of the Jimmy Gonsalves versus Charley Carr return match
Notes:
Gonsalves’ first title defense will be against the former champ.
DECEMBER 1945
DECEMBER 2, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Annual Honolulu Star-Bulletin Salvation Army Christmas Fund Benefit
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Prof. Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami & Charley Shiranuhi (main event & semi final)
1 - Wimpy Wellington def. Charley Takase
2 - Vilai Su'a def. Joe Mitchell
3 - Kaimon Kudo Vs. Bucky O'Neill,
Draw
4 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Charley Carr,
Two Falls to One (F1 JG ??:??:?? - F2 CC ??:??:?? - F3 JG ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Wellington was a substitute for Buck Lee.
Said to be Takase's pro-debut.
DECEMBER 16, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 4,500
Referees: Prof. Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami, Charley Shiranuhi & Buck Lee
1 - Buck Lee def. Tiger James
2 - Sgt. Frank Merrill Vs. Leo McAllister,
Draw
3 - Don Carver def. Wimpy Wellington
4 - Bobby Nelson "The Nebraskan Tornado" def. Bucky O'Neill
5 - Texas Rules
Chester Hayes Vs. Harry Dellis,
Double Countout
Notes:
Notes: Higami was injured while officiating the Hayes/Dellis main event.
Lee took over as ref.
Nelson was billed as “the Middle West Jr. Heavyweight champion.”
DECEMBER 22, 1945 (SATURDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Charley SHiranuhi & Prof. Tetsuo "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Nick Nichols Vs. Charley Takase,
Draw
2 - Whitey Glover def. Frank Merrill
3 - Vilai Su'a def. Leo McAllsiter
4 - Kaimon Kudo Vs. Don Carver,
Draw
5 - Bobby Nelson def. Chester Hayes
Notes:
Carver was a substitute for Ben Pilar.
Pilar was reported to be ill.
DECEMBER 30, 1945 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Francis "Sonny" Rawlins def. Wallace Tsutsumi
2 - Wimpy Wellington def. Buck Lee
3 - Joe Mitchell Vs. Chester Hayes,
No Contest
4 - Vilai Su'a def. Kaimon Kudo,
Decision
5 - Bobby Nelson def. Harry Dellis,
Forfeit
Notes:
Dellis was unable to continue.
DECEMBER 31, 1945 (MONDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
The Scarlet Pimpernel, “the masked sensation from the West Coast” has been booked by Al Karasick to invade the Honolulu mat scene
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: 1939.
Updated: April 11, 2019.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
All research has been completed by the Professional Wrestling Historical Society or by a trusted contributor.
Information came from contemporary newspapers unless otherwise stated.
Results from Hawaii, United States of America: 1939.
Updated: April 11, 2019.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
From Mark Hewitt:
"The Honolulu research files are dedicated to the memory of the late J Michael Kenyon.'JMK was “the daddy of ‘em all' in the pro wrestling research field. J Michael passed away May 3, 2017, at his home in Port Orford, OR. I never met the great man personally but we corresponded for years via email. JMK was a tremendous source of information on any and all topics, wrestling, boxing, barnstorming baseball and basketball teams, history, current events, etc. In our last email exchange, a week before he died, he commented that he had been very busy working on a basketball book project and stated, 'I’m living vicariously through your researches these days.' He added, 'I got word through the grapevine that the Spelling Police are interested in taking a HARD squint at all your 1930s Hawno-woo-woo (Elmer Fudd pronunciation) stuph…don’t be surprised if there is a late night knock at your laboratory door.'"
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