Illinois, United States of America: 1950-1954
#PWHS #Results #NorthAmerica #USA #Illinois #IL #Wrestling #ProWrestling #CACC #CatchAsCatchCan #CatchWrestling
1950
MAY 1950
MAY 26, 1950 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Frank Kohler
International Amphitheater (42nd/Halsted streets), Chicago, Illinois
Attendance: 5,200
Referee: Earl Mollohan
1 - Australian Tag Team - Two out of Three Falls - Sixty Minute Time-Limit
Cyclone Anaya & Walter Palmer def. Al Williams & Benito Gardini
2 - One Fall - Thirty Minute Time-Limit
Verne Gagne def. Jim Spencer
(00:13:47)
3 - One Fall - Thirty Minute Time-Limit
"Wild" Bill Longson def. Farmer Don Marlin
(00:10:26)
4 - The Match of the Century - Two out of Three Falls - Sixty Minute Time-Limit
Gorgeous George def. Don Eagle
Notes:
In the build to this show it's mentioned Eagle is the leading candidate to face Lou Thesz for the National Wrestling Alliance Championship on the benefit show for the Chicago Heart Association on June 21.
Spencer is a substitute for Lord Blears.
Following the match Eagle struck the referee.
Some of the fans were also enraged and swung blows at George.
One of Eagle's fans, a Mohawk Indian named John Burns, tried to hit the referee, but missed and hit Theodore Pash, an usher.
As a result Burns was booked on disorderly conduct.
With this win it's said, George "by virtue of his victory became eligible to meet Lou Thesz" in the June 21 match.
[This is the famous match where Don Eagle was double crossed, allegedly causing him to briefly lose the AWA (Boston/Ohio) World Heavyweight Championship. However, locally the match is not billed for any title, nor is any title other the NWAlliance World Heavyweight Championship mentioned.
It's been written before that Eagle won the AWA title back on August 31, 1950 in Columbus, Ohio, however, the local papers in Columbus billed Don Eagle as the champion, and George as the challenger.
It's more likely the double cross was to get Eagle out of the title match against Thesz on June 21.
Later it was reported Eagle was being replaced by Buddy Rogers due to Eagle's loss. Roger does face Thesz.
Eagle winds up being suspended for a month by the Illinois State Athletic Commission for hitting the referee at the end of this match. The suspension lasts from the date of this match until June 26.
George later claimed in an article for a Columbus, Ohio newspaper that he was suspended for 60 days by the Illinois State Athletic Commission.
For at least a year following this, Eagle wrestles only for Ray Fabiani's promotion when in Chicago. He does work with Gorgeous George shortly after this, which would suggest any hard feelings Eagle had were toward Fred Kohler only.
Finally it must be noted that not everybody believe this was a double cross, there is speculation it was actually all a work.]
JUNE 1950
JUNE 13, 1950 (TUESDAY)
Chicago, Illinois
"Don Eagle Draws Suspension
The Commission also announced that Don Eagle has been suspended for one month for slugging Referee Earl Mollohan during his bout with Gorgeous George in International amphitheater May 26. The suspension was ordered effective from May 26.
George was given a victory, which was disputed by Eagle. The decision cost Don his chance with Thesz in the June 21 show.
Dempsey was also granted permission to be third man in the ring at a mat show in Round Lake June 23." - The Tribune
JUNE 21, 1950 (THURSDAY)
Benefit for the Chicago Heart Association
Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
Attendance: 7,638 / "Disappointingly Small"
Gate: $30,265.01
Referees: Tony Hadjich (match 5) & Jack Dempsey (match 6)
1 - Cyclone Anaya def. Benito Gardini
(00:09:22)
2 - Ruffy Silverstein Vs. The Great Moto,
Draw (00:20:00)
3 - Verne Gagne Vs. Billy Goelz,
Draw (00:20:00)
4 - Chief Lone Eagle def. Great Jojo
(00:05:36)
5 - Australian Tag Team
Hans & Fritz Schnable (of Los Angeles) Vs. Al Williams & Rudy Kay (of Chicago),
No Contest - One Fall Each
6 - National Wrestling Alliance Heavyweight Championship
Lou Thesz (c) def. "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers,
Two Falls to One (F1 BR 00:16:57 - F2 LT 00:06:49 - F3 BR 00:05:31 - C 00:29:17)
Notes:
This is said to be the first big outdoor show here since 1934, when Jim Londos faced Ed Lewis.
It's said the net gate were $23,280.78.
10%, $2,328, of the net went to the charity.
The tag match ended in a riot.
Dempsey, the famous boxer, was a special referee for the main event.
Rogers won the first floor with a piledriver, which is called an old fashioned bodyslam.
Thesz won the second with am airplane spin and slam.
Rogers got his neck caught between "two strands of the ring ropes."
It occurred when Rogers tried for a third flying tackle, but Thesz moved out the way.
It took the combined effort of Dempsey and Rogers lackey, Izzy Becker, to pry his head loose from the ropes.
1951 (no results)
1952 (no results)
1953 (no results)
1954
MARCH 1954
MARCH 22, 1954 (MONDAY)
Knight of Columbus Mat Program
High School Gymnasium, Jacksonville, Illinois
1 - Antonino "Argentine" Rocca Vs. The Might Atlas,
Result Unknown
Note:
It's said Rocca has drawn gates updward of $50,000 on four occasions at Madison Square Garden.
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 Illinois, United States of America: 1950-1954.
Updated: June 2, 2020.
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 Illinois, United States of America: 1950-1954.
Updated: June 2, 2020.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Click Here for Pre-1890.
Click Here for 1893-1899.
Click Here for 1900-1904.
Click Here for 1905-1907.
Click Here for 1908.
Click Here for 1909.
Click Here for 1910.
Click Here for 1911-1919.
Click Here for 1920-1929.
Click Here for 1931-1939.
Click Here for 1940.
Click Here for 1962.
Click Here for 1979.
Click Here for 1981.
Click Here for 1982.
