NWA Member: Paul Bowser Admitted to Organization: November 26, 1949 Boston Office: 2 Park Square Phone Number: Hubbard 2-4333, Hubbard 2-4334 One of the major hurdles for the budding National Wrestling Alliance was dwindling the multitude of heavyweight championship claimants down to one. Although a number of bookers agreed to the premise of the NWA in November 1949, Bowser included, they didn't immediately eliminate their local claimants. In fact, Bowser refused to sign the NWA agreement, a document that all other members signed as of June 7, 1950, because of his recognition of Frank Sexton as AWA World Heavyweight Champion. He reportedly "felt that he could not honestly sign a pledge to recognize the Alliance champion until such time as one title exists." Bowser believed in the NWA, however, and wanted it to propser. The NWA leadership hoped the situation would be solved at the NWA convention in September. An NWA Bulletin on January 30, 1953 announced a territorial rift between Bowser and Ed Don George of Buffalo over North Adams, Massachusetts. Both men apparently felt the city belonged to them. On February 10, Sam Muchnick wrote: "It is the President's understanding that the town will revert back to its former office in Boston." Bowser failed to pay his membership dues and assessments for 1955-'56 and was dropped from the National Wrestling Alliance membership as of October 15, 1955. Paul Bowser passed away on the afternoon of Sunday, July 17, 1960 at Massachusetts General Hospital. He was 74. Research by Tim Hornbaker December 30, 2010 |
Boston Booking Office |