Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, January 6, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … World Heavyweight Champion Roy Dunn b. Jack Bernard (2-0) … “Gorgeous” George Grant b. “Nature Boy” Tommy Phelps (2/3) … Roy Graham and Jack O’Brien b. Gene Allbright and Jack Kennedy … The Elephant Boy b. Ken O’Connor … Mara Duba b. Johnny Dobbs … Bad Boy Brown and Bill Willis drew … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, January 6, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz b. Mr. Moto (2-0) … World Negro Champion Woody Strode b. Tex Grady (2-0) … NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion Cyclone Anaya b. Chief Kit Fox (2/3) … NWA Texas Women’s Champion Nell Stewart b. Ethel Waters (15:00) … NWA Texas Tag Team Champions Ray Gunkel and Ricki Starr b. Red Berry and Ted Christy (2/3) … (promoter: Norman Clark) (broadcast live on: WFAA-TV) (Channel 8) (all but main event) Note: National Wrestling Alliance President Sam Muchnick was in Dallas on Monday, and most likely attended the Tuesday night show. Dallas, Texas: Thursday, January 8, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Roy Graham vs. Jack Kennedy (2/3) … Mara Duba vs. Jack O’Brien ... Johnny Dobbs vs. Bob Gurley … Jack Adkisson vs. Neal Farmer … Willie Love vs. Wilson Moton … (promoter: Maurice Beck) … (broadcast live on: WFAA-TV) (Channel 8) (all but main event) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, January 13, 1953 (The Sportatorium) ... World Heavyweight Champion Roy Dunn b. Jack Kennedy (2-0) (second fall by DQ) ... Gene Allbert b. Johnny Dobbs (DQ) ... Jack Bernard b. Frank Altman ... Mara Duba and Ken O'Connor drew ... Jack Adkisson and Bill Willis drew ... Willie Love b. Bobby Gunter ... (promoter: Ed McLemore) ... (referee: Johnny Dobbs) Notes: Dunn's title reportedly came from a victory over Everette Marshall. Jack Kennedy also was said to have a win over Kennedy in Denver "several years ago." Duba was from Rio de Janiero. Adkisson was a former SMU and Crozier Tech High School football player. Willis was the "winner of the Mr. Texas physique contest." Dunn's main finisher was a flying front scissors. Dallas, Texas: Thursday, January 15, 1953 (The Sportatorium) ... Jack Kennedy b. Jack O'Brien (2/3) ... Johnny Dobbs and Nature Boy drew ... Mara Duba b. Bob Gurley ... Neal "Buddy" Farmer b. Sammy Baldwin ... Joe Marlow b. Jack Adkisson (DQ) ... (promoter: Maurice Beck) ... (400 fans) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, January 20, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … 14 Wrestler Tournament won by Al Costello … Ted Christy vs. Cyclone Anaya … Gypsy Joe vs. Scotty Williams … Leo Newman vs. Ricki Starr … Ray Gun vs. Mr. Moto … Dory Funk Sr. vs. Alo Leilani … Al Costello vs. Gory Guerrero … Chief Kit Fox vs. Bull Curry … (promoter: Norman Clark) … (matchmaker: Dr. Karl Sarpolis) Notes: The winner of the tournament was going to wrestle Gorgeous George on January 27. Curry was a former policeman in Boston. Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, January 20, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … World Heavyweight Champion Roy Dunn vs. Jack Kennedy (2/3) … Jack Bernard vs. Big Humphrey Pennyworth … George Hubert vs. Ken O’Connor … Johnny Dobbs vs. Bill Dusin … Mara Duba vs. Joe Marlowe … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Notes: Dusin was making his Dallas debut. Marlowe was from Irving. Pennyworth took his name “from a character in the Joe Palooka comic strip.” Dallas, Texas: Thursday, January 22, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Jack Kennedy and Tommy Phelps wrestled to a double countout (1- 1) … Bob Gurley and Jack O’Brien drew … Mara Duba b. Bill Dusin … Johnny Dobbs b. Sam Baldwin … Gene Allbert b. Jack Adkisson … (promoter: Maurice Beck) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, January 27, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Gorgeous George b. Al Costello (2/3) … Mr. Moto b. Alo Leilani … Ricki Starr b. Dory Funk Sr. (DQ) … Cyclone Anaya and Jackie Nichols drew … Chief Kit Fox b. Howard Cantonwine … Wilson Moton b. Emerson Crozier … (promoter: Norman Clark) … (benefit for the March of Dimes) Notes: The Dallas Morning News (1/23/53) stated that “each wrestler on the evening’s card will entertain the fans during intermissions with songs and special numbers as their part in the March of Dimes program.” Clark’s office was at the White-Plaza Hotel in Dallas. Moton was from Oklahoma and Crozier from Dallas. Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, January 27, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Roy Dunn failed to throw both Sky-High Ross and George Hubert in 45:00 (Dunn beat Ross in 25:00, but failed to beat Hubert) … Bill Dusin and Jack O’Brien b. Elephant Boy and Nature Boy (Tommy Phelps) … Johnny Dobbs and Jack Kennedy drew … Mara Duba b. Jack Adkisson … Rudy Soda b. Bill Willis … (promoter: Ed McLemore) … (benefit for the March of Dimes) Notes: McLemore’s 14th anniversary as a wrestling promoter in Dallas. It was his fifth March of Dimes show. His 1952 program donated $11,500 from donations by television and radio listeners of his wrestling shows. Sky-Hi Ross was said to be 6’8” tall. Dallas, Texas: Thursday, January 29, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Tommy Phelps b. Jack Kennedy (2/3) … Johnny Dobbs and Neal Farmer b. Sammy Baldwin and Al Foreman … Mara Duba and Bob Gurley drew … Sammy Baldwin b. Neal Farmer … Jack Adkisson b. Al Foreman … Gene Allbert b. Chico Rodriguez … (promoter: Maurice Beck) … (referee: Roy Carter) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, February 3, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Alo Leilani vs. Mr. Moto … Chief Kit Fox and Ricki Starr vs. Dory Funk Sr. and Leo Newman … Big Humphrey vs. Ted Christy … Bull Curry vs. Billy Varga … Al Costello vs. Cyclone Anaya … (promoter: Norman Clark) Notes: Gunkel was said to be one of the “top five wrestlers in the nation.” Leilani was a former Colorado A&M athlete. Humphrey was a redhead who weighed 300 pounds. Gunkel refereed the main event. Moto’s second, “Fuji,” was barred from ringside. Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, February 3, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Chief Lone Eagle vs. Johnny Dobbs … George Hubert vs. Jack O’ Brien … Jack Kennedy vs. The Swedish Angel … Elephant Boy vs. Tommy Phelps … Mara Duba vs. Rudy Soda … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Notes: Chief Lone Eagle was accompanied by Princess Bonita. O’Brien was a rancher from Keller, Texas. Hubert was a deaf mute. Hubert impressed local fans in his showing against Roy Dunn recently. Dallas, Texas: Thursday, February 5, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Tommy Phelps b. Jack Kennedy (2/3) … Chief Lone Eagle b. Al Simmons … Elephant Boy b. Mara Duba … Johnny Dobbs and George Hubert drew … Sammy Baldwin b. Rudy Soda (DQ) … Neal Farmer b. Chico Rodriguez … (promoter: Maurice Beck) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, February 10, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Mr. Moto b. Ray Gunkel (Gunkel was unable to continue after the fifth fall) … Alo Leilani b. Bull Curry (reverse decision DQ) … Big Humphrey and Ray Stern b. Al Costello and Leo Newman … Ella Waldek b. Carol Cook … Jackie Nichols and Ray Stern drew … (promoter: Norman Clark) Notes: The Gunkel-Moto bout was called a “no fall, no time-limit, give up match.” Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, February 10, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Elephant Boy vs. Tommy Phelps … Johnny Dobbs vs. George Hubert … Chief Lone Eagle and Jack Kennedy vs. Jack Bernard and Jack O’Brien … Bad Boy Brown vs. Mara Duba … Buddy Farmer vs. Rudy Soda … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Notes: The Elephant Boy-Phelps bout was “anything goes, no time-limit, no disqualifications.” The winner is the last man standing. Hubert remained undefeated locally. Dallas, Texas: Thursday, February 12, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … George Hubert b. Chief Lone Eagle (2/3) … Elephant Boy and Jack Kennedy drew … Jack O’Brien b. Sammy Baldwin … Bob Gurley b. Rudy Soda … Charles Simmons b. Woodrow Wilson … Buddy Farmer b. Al Foreman … (promoter: Maurice Beck) Notes: Wilson was a “onetime track and football star at Adamson High School.” Simmons was a Golden Gloves finalist in the heavyweight division. Soda was from New Jersey. Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, February 17, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Danny McShain b. Ricki Starr (2/3) … Texas State Heavyweight Champion Mr. Moto and Ray Gunkel drew (1-1) … Alo Leilani b. Jackie Nichols … Chief Kit Fox and Cyclone Anaya drew … Big Humphrey vs. Bull Curry … (promoter: Norman Clark) Notes: Leilani was called the nation’s “only wrestling Samoan.” Humphrey was said to have fallen from the ring to the floor, landing on his head, and suffering “slight contusions.” His match against Curry didn’t go on as planned. Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, February 17, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … World Heavyweight Champion Roy Dunn b. George Hubert (2-0) (flying front scissors, Boston crab) … Johnny Dobbs, Elephant Boy and Jack O’Brien b. Roby Hodges, Jack Kennedy and Tommy Phelps … Jack Kennedy b. Elephant Boy (DQ) … Jack O’Brien and Tommy Phelps drew … Johnny Dobbs and Roby Hodges drew … Pierre Renee b. Mara Duba (sleeperhold) … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Thursday, February 19, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … George Hubert b. Tommy Phelps (2/3) … Johnny Dobbs and Jack Kennedy drew … Jack O’Brien b. Mara Duba … Buddy Farmer b. Woodrow Wilson … Jack Adkisson b. Sammy Baldwin … Chuck Simmons b. Albert Foreman … (promoter: Maurice Beck) Dallas TX: February 24, 1953 (Tuesday) (Pappy's Showland) … (Handicap) Wild Bull Curry beat Big Humphrey (7:00) & Alo Leilani (9:00) … Al Costello beat Cyclone Anaya (6:00) … Ray Stern beat Ivan Kalmikoff … Chief Kit Fox & Ricki Starr & Ray Stern beat Tony Morelli & Leo Newman & Ivan Kalmikoff … Ricki Starr beat Tony Morelli (dq) … Chief Kit Fox beat Leo Newman (11:00) … Ivan Kalmikoff vs Ray Stern … Promoter: Norman Clark Note: Research by J Michael Kenyon Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, February 24, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … World Heavyweight Champion Roy Dunn b. Jack O’Brien (2-0) (first fall by DQ) … Johnny Dobbs and Jack Kennedy drew … Pierre Renee b. “Silent” George Hubert … Mara Duba b. Rudy Soda (Soda was a substitute for Roby Hodges, who was injured) … Benito Mata b. Gene Allbert … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Thursday, February 26, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Johnny Dobbs b. “Silent” George Hubert (2/3) … Jack Kennedy b. Buddy Farmer … Mara Duba and Benny Mota drew … Buddy Farmer and “Nature Boy” Tommy Phelps wrestled Sammy Baldwin and Al Foreman to a draw … Bob Gurley b. Chuck Simmons … Hugh McKenzie b. Jack Adkisson … (promoter: Maurice Beck) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, March 3, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Texas State Heavyweight Champion Ray Gunkel b. NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Danny McShain (2/3) (third fall by DQ) (non-title match) … Al Costello and Bobby Lane drew … Alo Leilani b. Otto Kuss … Ivan Kalmikoff and Leo Newman b. Chief Kit Fox and Ricki Starr … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, March 3, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Johnny Dobbs b. Jack Kennedy (2/3) … Tommy Phelps b. Jack O’ Brien (2/3) … Jack Bernard and Pierre Renee drew … Mara Duba and Ted Mackay wrestled Chief Lone Eagle and Alvin Jones to a draw … Benito Mata b. Gene Allbert … Art Valentino b. Jack Adkisson … (promoter: Ed McLemore) … (referee: Leo Voss) Notes: Valentino was also billed as “Art Valentine” of Detroit. Ted Mackay was from Little Rock, Alvin Jones was from Broken Bow, Nebraska, and Jack O’Brien was from Keller, Texas. Dallas, Texas: Thursday, March 5, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Jack Kennedy b. Jack O’Brien (2/3) … Buddy Farmer and Tommy Phelps b. Sammy Baldwin and Al Forman … Johnny Dobbs b. Jack Adkisson … Mara Duba b. Chuck Simmons … Hugh McKenzie b. Joe Marlow Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, March 10, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Texas State Heavyweight Champion Ray Gunkel b. Bull Curry (2/3) (Curry initially won the third fall, but was disqualified when he used the title belt to beat Gunkel down) … Rito Romero and Ray Stern b. Ivan Kalmikoff and Leo Newman … Lord Carlton b. Chief Kit Fox … Alo Leilani b. Art Nelson (DQ) … Eddie Gossett and Bobby Lane drew … (promoter: Norman Clark) … (referee: Otto Kuss) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, March 10, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Johnny Dobbs and Tommy Phelps wrestled to a no contest (1-1) … Al Jones b. Jack O’Brien (DQ) … Bob Gurley and George Valentine drew … Chief Lone Eagle and Pierre Renee drew … Jack Kennedy b. Mara Duba … Jack Bernard b. Woodrow Wilson … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Thursday, March 12, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Johnny Dobbs, Buddy Farmer and Chuck Simmons b. Sammy Baldwin, Albert Foreman and Jack Kennedy … Jack O’Brien b. Mara Duba … Johnny Dobbs b. Sammy Baldwin … Al Jones and George Valentine drew … Chuck Simmons b. Hugh McKenzie … Jack Adkisson b. Joe Marlowe … (promoter: Maurice Beck) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, March 17, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Johnny Dobbs and Pierre Renee b. Jack Kennedy and Tommy Phelps (2/3) … Jack O’Brien b. Mara Duba … “Pretty Boy” Roque b. Bill Dusin … Al Jones b. Bob Gurley … Jack Bernard and George Valentine drew … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Note: Duba challenged O’Brien to a match next week with the loser getting their beard shaved. Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, March 17, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Bull Curry b. Mr. Moto (2/3) … Ray Gunkel, Rito Romero and Ricki Starr b. Lord Leslie Carlton, Ivan Kalmikoff and Art Nelson … Rito Romero b. Art Nelson … Lord Leslie Carlton and Ray Gunkel drew (15:00) … Ivan Kalmikoff b. Ricki Starr … Alo Leilani b. Tony Morelli … Big Humphrey and Bobby Lane drew (15:00) … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Thursday, March 19, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Sammy Baldwin, Coot Foreman and Jack Kennedy b. Johnny Dobbs, Buddy Farmer and Chuck Simmons … Jack O’Brien b. George Valentine … Mara Duba and Joe Marlowe b. Hugh McKenzie (handicap match) … Tommy Phelps b. Billy Veneble … Buddy Farmer and Alvin Jones drew … (promoter: Maurice Beck) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, March 24, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Bull Curry and Sterling “Dizzy” Davis were both disqualified in the third fall (1-1) … Miguel “Black” Guzman and Rito Romero b. Ivan Kalmikoff and Art Nelson (DQ) … Ray Gunkel and Ricki Starr b. George Bollas and Lord Leslie Carlton … Chief Kit Fox and Ray Stern drew … Alo Leilani b. Bobby Lane (11:00) … (promoter: Norman Clark) … (referee: Al Costello) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, March 24, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Jack O’Brien b. Mara Duba (Duba’s beard was shaved after the match) … Johnny Dobbs vs. Tommy Phelps (falls did not count) … Frank Murdock b. George Valentine … Jack Kennedy b. Pierre Renee … Jack Bernard b. Al Jones … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Thursday, March 26, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Jack Kennedy vs. Tommy Phelps … Buddy Farmer vs. Jack O’Brien (2/3) … Frankie Murdock vs. George Valentine … Sammy Baldwin vs. Billy Veneable … Jack Adkisson vs. Tommy Phelps … Mara Duba vs. Al “Coot” Foreman … Buddy Farmer vs. Al Jones Dallas TX: March 31, 1953 (Sportatorium) … Roy Dunn beat Nature Boy Tommy Phelps (1-0, utc) … Tony Olivas (as Elephant Boy) beat Johnny Dobbs (dq) … Frank Murdoch (as Frankie Murdock) beat Jack O'Brien … Jack Kennedy drew Jack Bernard … Enrique Marba beat George Valentine … Joe Adelman beat Mara Duba … Promoter: Ed McLemore … NOTE: Dunn was billed as "world heavyweight champion" during the "war" with Morris Sigel in Houston TX … Phelps was said to have hurt his neck while losing the first fall and was told not to continue by Dr. A.F. Rowsen, representing the athletic commission … Mara Duba was better known as Frank Faketty, who would gain fame later as Karl Von Hess … Darna Ostapovich became Jack Bernard, who later would be Chest Bernard. Research by J Michael Kenyon Dallas TX: March 31, 1953 (Tuesday) (Pappy's Showland) … Danny McShain beat Rito Romero (2-1, cor) … Duke Keomuka beat Ray Gunkel (dq) … Wild Bull Curry drew Art Neilson (as Art Nelson) … George Bollas & Ivan Kalmikoff beat Alo Leilani & Ricki Starr … Dizzy Davis beat Lord Carlton (dec) … Promoter: Norman Clark … NOTE: Clark billed the former Ohio State champion as "Zebra Kid Bollas" and Bollas' tag bout was featured on the Channel 8 live telecast. Research by J Michael Kenyon Dallas, Texas: Thursday, April 2, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Jack Kennedy b. Johnny Dobbs … Tommy Phelps b. Jack O’Brien … Mara Duba b. Al Jones … Joe Adelman b. George Valentine … Frank Murdock b. Enrique Marba … (promoter: Maurice Beck) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, April 7, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Bull Curry b. Duke Keomuka … Black Guzman and Rito Romero b. George “Zebra” Bollas and Ivan Kalmikoff … Dizzy Davis b. Al Costello (Costello was a substitute for Lord Carlton) … Gene Albert and Bill Steddu drew … Art Nelson b. Chief Kit Fox (DQ) … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, April 7, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Elephant Boy b. Frankie Murdock … Connie O’Connor b. Rose Marie Alvarez … Roy Graham and Jack O’Brien b. Jack Kennedy and Tommy Phelps … Joe Adelman and Johnny Dobbs drew … Enrique Marba b. Mara Duba … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Thursday, April 9, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Elephant Boy and Enrique Marba b. Johnny Dobbs and Buddy Farmer … Sammy Baldwin b. Mara Duba (2/3) … Bill Brookshire b. Joe Marlowe … Jack Adkisson b. Chuck Simmons … (promoter: Maurice Beck) Note: The Dallas Morning News billed the following on Thursday, April 9, 1953: “Two former Dallas high school athletes see action in the opening bouts. Jack Adkisson, who starred at track and football at Crozier Tech, meets Chuck Simmons in the second match.” Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, April 14, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Duke Keomuka b. Bull Curry (2/3) … Texas State Tag Team Champions Ray Gunkel and Ricki Starr b. Ivan Kalmikoff and Art Nelson … Betty Hawkins and Ella Waldek b. Barbara Baker and Terry Majors … Black Guzman and Rito Romero b. George “Zebra” Bollas and Bobby Lane … Rito Romero b. George “Zebra” Bollas (DQ) … Black Guzman b. Bobby Lane … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, April 14, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … World Heavyweight Champion Roy Dunn b. Elephant Boy (2-0) … Roy Graham b. Tommy Phelps (2/3) … Connie O’Connor and Rusty Rayn b. Rose Marie Alvarez and Kitty Fay … Al Rossi b. Joe Vinca … Tony Steele b. Jack Kennedy (DQ) … Sammy Baldwin and Johnny Dobbs drew … (promoter: Ed McLemore) *During the second week of April 1953, Bob Kline obtained a promoter’s license from the Texas State Athletic Commission to promote in San Antonio. Kline was entering the growing wrestling wars, alligning himself with Ed McLemore against the National Wrestling Alliance and recognizing Roy Dunn as the World Champion. Kline would run opposition to Dorathy Livengood and begin on April 27 at the Municipal Auditorium. *On Thursday, April 16, 1953, Dallas promoter Ed McLemore said that World Heavyweight Title claimant Roy Dunn could defeat the winner of the scheduled Ray Gunkel-Duke Keomuka match and NWA World Champion Lou Thesz both in the same night. McLemore said that Dunn would give the proceeds of such a match to charity and that he would give $1,000 to anyone who could arrange the bout. Dallas, Texas: Friday, April 17, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Jack Kennedy and Tommy Phelps b. Tony Steele and Joe Vinca (2/3) … Elephant Boy b. Al Rossi (2-0) … Rose Marie Alvarez b. Connie O’Connor (DQ) … Roy Graham b. Sammy Baldwin … Jack O’Brien b. Johnny Dobbs … (promoter: Maurice Beck) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, April 21, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Texas State Heavyweight Champion Ray Gunkel b. Duke Keomuka (2/3) … Betty Hawkins and Ella Wladek b. Carol Carota and Terry Majors … Miguel Guzman b. Bull Curry (DQ) (13:00) … Dizzy Davis and Rito Romero drew … Ivan Kalmikoff and Art Nelson b. Jean Baillergeon and Big Humphrey (DQ) … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, April 21, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Tommy Phelps b. Roy Graham (DQ) … Ray Piret b. Elephant Boy … Connie O’Connor won a women’s wrestle royal (Participants: Kitty Fay, Leona Young, Rose Marie Alvarez, Rusty Ryan) … Jack O’Brien and Tony Steel b. Jack Kennedy and Al Rossi … Enrique Marba b. Sammy Baldwin … Johnny Dobbs b. Joe Vinca … (promoter: Ed McLemore) *The McLemore Empire expanded to Corpus Christi and San Antonio, announced in the Thursday, April 23, 1953 edition of the Dallas Morning News. McLemore would run San Antonio beginning on Monday and Corpus Christi on Tuesday “in direct competition with Morris Sigel, Frank Burke and Karl Sarpolis, operators of the Texas Wrestling Agency.” Dallas, Texas: Friday, April 24, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Ray Piret b. Johnny Shaw (2/3) … Sam Baldwin and Tommy Phelps b. Al Rossi and Tony Stule … Al Foreman b. Buddy Farmer (DQ) … Jack Adkisson and Bill Brookshire b. Joe Marlowe and Chuck Simmons … Hugh McKenzie b. Joe Vinca … (promoter: Maurice Beck) *Reportedly, on April 25, 1953, Karl Sarpolis left the Texas Wrestling Agency (Morris Sigel and Frank Burke) and joined Ed McLemore. Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, April 28, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Ray Piret b. Roy Graham (2/3) … Jack O’Brien and Tony Steel b. Jack Adkisson and Jack Kennedy … Leona Young b. Rusty Corbett … Piere Renne b. Joe Vinca … Joe Adelman and Chuck Simmons drew … Johnny Shaw b. Al Rossi … (promoter: Ed McLemore) … (gate: $440.15) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, April 28, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Duke Keomuka b. Dizzy Davis (2/3) … Rito Romero and Ricki Starr drew … George Bollas and Jean Baillergeon drew … Farmer Jones b. Bud Curtis (DQ) (13: 00) … Paul Boesch b. Lou Palacid (Boesch was a subsitute for Otto Kuss) … (promoter: Norman Clark) … (gate: $964.30) *On Friday, May 1, 1953 at 12:35 a.m., a fire began at the Sportatorium. The building was destroyed in a five-alarm fire. The arena was owned by W.T. Cox, William Bond Cox and the Cadiz Corporation and leased to Ed McLemore. The place sat 6,400 people. *Ed McLemore announced on Friday, May 1, 1953 that he would move his wrestling shows to the New Livestock Pavilion at Fair Park. *In the Saturday, May 2, 1953 edition of the Dallas Morning News, W.T. Cox announced that the Sportatorium would be rebuilt and that arsonists were to blame for the destruction of the building. Cox “asked city fire investigators and a fire investigator for insurance underwriters to help the County Fire Marshal’s staff in the investigation.” Cox was a spokesman for the owners of the property. Cox claimed that “it is the third or fourth time they’ve tried to burn us out. Three or four weeks ago we found fifteen gallons of kerosene planted in the back in an attempt that failed.” Cox owned the property and the Cadiz Corporation owned the Sportatorium. The McLemore wrestling promotion in Dallas didn’t miss a beat. The Sportatorium was stated as being the home of Dallas wrestling for eighteen years. Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, May 5, 1953 (Fair Park Livestock Pavilion) … Ray Piret b. Wally Dusek … Roy Graham and Bill Steddum b. Jack Adkisson and Jack Delaney … Joe Adelman and Bill Sledge drew … Johnny Shaw and Tony Steel drew … Johnny Dobbs b. Pierre Rennee … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, May 5, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Ray Gunkel b. Bull Curry (DQ in the third fall) … Duke Keomuka and Rito Romero drew (1-1) … Gene Allbert b. Bobby Lane (DQ) … Chris Tolos b. Paul Boesch … Cyclone Anaya and Bud Curtis drew … (promoter: Norman Clark) *On Friday, May 8, 1953, County Fire Marshal Hal H. Hood announced that the fire that destroyed the Sportatorium on May 1 was arson. The fire had been strated in the southeast corner of the building. “Hood expressed the opinion that the arson was a hired job, motivated by someone with a grudge against Promoter Ed McLemore.” Stated by the Dallas Morning News on Saturday, May 9, 1953. *McLemore signed over talent like Ellis Bashara, Farmer Jones, Dizzy Davis and George Bollas following the destruction of the Sportatorium. The fact that Bashara was working with McLemore, tends to lead this historian to believe that Sarpolis was already on board with the Dallas “outlaw.” Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, May 12, 1953 (Fair Park Livestock Building) … Dizzy Davis b. Elephant Boy (2/3) … George Bollas and Farmer Jones drew … Ray Piret b. Jack Adkisson … Johnny Shaw b. Enrique Marba … Tony Steel b. Johnny Carlin … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, May 12, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Ray Gunkel and Rito Romero b. Bull Curry and Duke Keomuka … Rito Romero b. Bull Curry (DQ) … Ray Gunkel b. Duke Keomuka … Cyclone Anaya b. Chris Tolos by reverse decision … Bud Curtis and Gory Guerrero drew … Big Humphrey b. Otto Kuss … (promoter: Norman Clark) … (referees: Paul Boesch, Otto Kuss) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, May 19, 1953 (Fair Park Livestock Pavilion) … Ellis Bashara and George Bollas b. Vic Holbrook and Farmer Jones by reverse decision (Holbrook replaced Dizzy Davis, who was injured) … Bill Sledge b. Ellis Bashara … Bill Brookshire and Bob Gurley drew … Blanche Fair b. Mae Lee … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, May 19, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Duke Keomuka b. Cyclone Anaya (2/3) … Rito Romero b. Chris Tolos (DQ) … Ray Gunkel b. Ivan Kalmikoff … Big Humphrey b. Bobby Lane … Bud Curtis and Jim Wright drew (15:00) … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, May 26, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Rito Romero b. Chris Tolos (DQ in the third fall) … Black Guzman and Duke Keomuka drew (20:00) … Ray Gunkel b. Jim Wright (DQ) … Ethel Johnson and Betty White b. Kathleen Wembley and Babs Wingo … Ivan Kalmikoff b. Big Humphrey … (promoter: Norman Clark) … (referee: Paul Boesch) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, May 26, 1953 (Fair Park Livestock Pavilion) … George Bollas b. Vic Holbrook (2-0) (Bollas was accompanied by Ellis Bashara) … Farmer Pete b. Diamond Jim … Diamond Jim and Johnny Dobbs b. Ellis Bashara and Farmer Pete … Johnny Dobbs and Frankie Murdock drew … Ellis Bashara b. Jack Adkisson … Bill Brookshire b. Johnny Shaw … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, June 2, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Texas State Heavyweight Champion Ray Gunkel b. Bill Longson (2/3) (third fall by DQ) … Ivan Kalmikoff, Duke Keomuka and Chris Tolos b. Cyclone Anaya, Miguel “Black” Guzman and Rito Romero … Black Guzman and Chris Tolos drew … Rito Romero b. Ivan Kalmikoff … Cyclone Anaya and Duke Keomuka drew … Texas Negro Women’s Champion Ethel Johnson b. Kathleen Wimbley … (promoter: Norman Clark) … (referee: Otto Kuss) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, June 2, 1953 (Fair Park Livestock Pavilion) … Ellis Bashara and George Bollas b. Farmer Jones and Vic Holbrook (2/3) … George Bollas and Vic Holbrook drew … Farmer Jones b. Ellis Bashara … Johnny Dobbs and Jack Kennedy drew … Luis Martinez b. Johnny Shaw … Frankie Murdock b. Bookshire … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, June 9, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Bull Curry b. Chris Tolos (2-0) … Black Guzman and Rito Romero b. Duke Keomuka (handicap match) … Ray Gunkel b. Aldo Bogni … Jack Claybourne and Buddy Jackson drew … Cyclone Anaya b. Leo Wallick … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, June 9, 1953 (Fair Park Livestock Pavilion) … George Bollas b. Ray Piret (2/3) … Sonny Boy Cassidy b. Irish Jackie … Farmer Jones and Roy Graham drew … Luis Martinez b. Buddy Farmer … Don Sebastian (local debut) b. Johnny Shaw (DQ) … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Note: Sonny Boy Cassidy was reportedly the World Midget Champion, according to the Dallas Morning News. Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, June 16, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Bull Curry b. Black Guzman (2/3) … Ray Gunkel and Rito Romero b. Juan Hernandez and Duke Keomuka (DQ) … Rito Romero b. Duke Keomuka … Ray Gunkel and Juan Humbero drew … Leo Wallick b. Aldo Bogni … Negro Champion Jack Claybourne b. Buddy Jackson … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, June 16, 1953 (Fair Park Livestock Pavilion) … Luis Martinez and Ray Piret wrestled to a double countout in the third fall (1-1) … El Diablo b. Jack Kennedy … Belle Starr b. Joyce Smith … The Elephant Boy and Hugh McKenzie drew … World Midget Champion Sonny Boy Cassidy and Farmer Pete b. Diamond Jimmy and Irish Jackie … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Note: Mike the wrestling bear, weighing 418 pounds, was orginally scheduled to wrestle Tom George. Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, June 23, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz b. Bull Curry (2/3) (third fall by countout) … Ray Gunkel b. Juan Humberto … Leo Wallick b. Duke Keomuka by reverse decision (Keomuka initially had won the match, but continue to beat his opponent after the bout) … Jim Carter and Rito Romero drew … Miguel “Black” Guzman b. Aldo Bogni … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, June 23, 1953 (Fair Park Livestock Pavilion) … El Diablo b. Elephant Boy (2-0) … Ray Piret b. Tommy Phelps (2/3) (third fall by DQ when Phelps threw him over the top rope) … World Midget Champion Sonny Boy Cassidy b. Diamond Jim … Johnny Dobbs and Hugh McKenzie drew … Charlie Simmons b. Sammy Baldwin … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, June 30, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Killer Kowalski b. Ray Gunkel (2/3) … Juan Humberto b. Bull Curry (DQ) (Curry hit the referee) … The Dusek Brothers (Emil and Ernie Dusek) b. Cyclone Anaya and Black Guzman (Ernie pinned Anaya) … Jack Carter b. Vincent Lopez … “Spider” Al Galento and Rito Romero drew … (promoter: Norman Clark) … (referee: Julian Johnson) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, June 30, 1953 (Fair Park Livestock Pavilion) … Mr. America b. Tommy Phelps … Women’s World Champion Slave Girl Moolah b. Daisy Mae … Hugh McKenzie b. El Diablo (DQ) … The Black Snake b. Bill Brookshire … Al “Coot” Foreman and Johnny Shaw drew (20:00) … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, July 7, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Killer Kowalski b. Bull Curry (2/3) (countout in third fall) … The Dusek Brothers (Emil and Ernie Dusek) b. Black Guzman and Ray Gunkel … Cyclone Anaya b. “Spider” Al Galento (decision) … Juan Humberto b. Jack Carter … Johnny Kostas b. Vincent Lopez … (promoter: Norman Clark) … (referee: Otto Kuss) Note: Bull Curry was suspended for 30 days “for wrestling outside the ring.” Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, July 7, 1953 (Fair Park Livestock Pavilion) … Women’s World Champion Slave Girl Moolah b. Darling Dagmar (2/3) (third fall by DQ) … Mr. America b. El Diablo (2/3) (third fall by countout) (Mr. America claimed some sort of championship belt) … Ray Piret b. Jack Kennedy … Luis Martinez b. Johnny Shaw … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, July 14, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Women’s World Champion Mildred Burke b. Ella Waldek (2/3) (Waldek won the first fall and Burke won the second and third) … Ernie Dusek b. Black Guzman (2/3) … Duke Keomuka b. Paul Boesch (judo jacket match) … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, July 14, 1953 (Fair Park Livestock Pavilion) … Women’s World Champion Slave Girl Moolah b. Darling Dagmar (2/3) … Mr. America (retained his title) b. Jack O’Brien (2/3) (third fall by DQ) … Luis Martinez b. Tommy Phelps (DQ) … Ray Piret b. Sammy Baldwin … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, July 21, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Ernie Dusek and Duke Keomuka were both disqualified in the third fall (1-1) … Rito Romero b. Al Galento … Dick Raines b. Juan Humberto … Roger Mackay b. Jack Carter … Gory Guerrero and Johnny Kostas drew … Chief Kit Fox b. Aldo Bogni … (promoter: Norman Clark) … (referee: Otto Kuss) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, July 21, 1953 (Fair Park Livestock Pavilion) … Slave Girl Moolah and Rosita Rogers vs. Darling Dagmar and Daisy Mae … Gorgeous George Baron (local debut) vs. Mr. America (2/3) … El Diablo vs. Luis Martinez … Tommy Phelps vs. Ray Piret … (promoer: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, July 28, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Rito Romero b. Ernie Dusek … Ray Gunkel b. Duke Keomuka … Chief Kit Fox and Al Galento drew … Gory Guerrero b. Aldo Bogni … Dick Raines b. Lou Plummer … Roger Mackay b. Leo Wallick … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, July 28, 1953 (Fair Park Livestock Pavilion) … The Amazing Zuma b. Tommy Phelps … Mars Bennett and Slave Girl Moolah b. Daisy Mae and The Red Tigress … El Diablo b. Johnny Dobbs … Luis Martinez and Jack O’Brien drew … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, August 4, 1953 (Livestock Pavilion) … The Amazing Zuma b. El Diablo (2-0) (Zuma’s third straight victory in Dallas) (Zuma was billed as the Eastern Champion and was carrying a belt) (Diablo was forced to unmask, but covered his face to prevent himself from being identified) … Women’ s Champion Slave Girl Moolah b. The (masked) Red Tigress (2/3) … Bill Brookshire vs. Luis Martinez … Mars Bennett vs. Daisy Mae … Hugh McKenzie vs. Jack O’Brien … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, August 4, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Danny McShain b. Roger Mackay … Texas Heavyweight Champion Ray Gunkel vs. Ernie Dusek (non title match) (match advertised, but no results in Dallas Morning News) … Duke Keomuka b. Paul Boesch (match stopped by referee) … Rito Romero b. Juan Humberto (decision) … Miguel Guzman b. Lou Plummer … Gene Allbert and Chief Kit Fox drew … (promoter: Norman Clark) … (referee: Otto Kuss) *On Tuesday, August 4, 1953, television was on WFAA-TV (channel 8). It was “Wrestling From Pappy’s Showland With Jack Sherman” and featuring the stars of the National Wrestling Alliance. It was presented from 8:30 to 10:00 p.m. Wrestling was featured on KRLD-TV (channel 4) from the Livestock Pavilion from 8:30 to 10:15 and was promoted by Ed McLemore. *On Thursday, August 6, 1953, “Wrestling from Hollywood” was featured on WFAA-TV (channel 8) in Dallas. According to the schedule, it had matches Fred Blassie vs. Ali Pasha, Jack McDonald vs. Sandor Szabo; this is likely footage from months earlier in Southern California, likely a combination of Hollywood and Long Beach shows. Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, August 11, 1953 (Livestock Pavilion) … “Argentina” Zuma b. Frank Hickey (2/3) (Zuma’s fourth straight win) … Mars Bennett and Slave Girl Moolah b. Daisy Mae and Princess Maritza (2/3) … Hugh McKenzie b. Nature Boy … Jack O’Brien b. Johnny Shaw … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, August 11, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Danny McShain b. Duke Keomuka (2/3) (third by DQ) (non title match) … Bull Curry b. Dick Raines (10:00) … Roger Mackay b. Gory Guerrero … Chief Kit Fox and Miguel Guzman drew (15:00) … Kay Bell b. Juan Humberto … Ramon Cernados and Luis Martin drew (15:00) … (promoter: Norman Clark) … (referee: Otto Kuss) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, August 18, 1953 (Livestock Pavilion) … “Argentina” Zuma b. Hugh McKenzie (2/3) (Zuma remained undefeated locally) … Mars Bennett and Slave Girl Moolah b. Darling Dagmar, Daisy Mae and Princess Maritza (2/3) (handicap match) … “Baron” George Grant b. Johnny Shaw … Nature Boy and “Demon” Jack O’Brien drew … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, August 18, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Danny Savich b. Duke Keomuka (2/3) … Bull Curry b. Miguel “Black” Guzman … Kay Bell b. Chris Zaharias … Roger Mackay b. Johnny James … Mark Lewin b. Ramon Cernandos (Lewin’s local debut) … (promoter: Norman Clark) El Paso, Texas: Tuesday, August 18, 1953 (El Paso Coliseum) … Gorgeous George vs. Rito Romero … Women’s World Champion Mildred Burke vs. Cora Combs … Howard Cantonwine vs. Wee Willie Davis … Karl Davis vs. Chris Tolos … Aldo Bogni vs. Al Kashey … Gordon Hessell vs. Abe Kashey Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, August 25, 1953 (Livestock Pavilion) … Pedro Martinez and “Argentina” Zuma b. Nature Boy and Jack O’ Brien … Slave Girl Moolah b. Princess Maritza (2/3) … Darling Dagmar b. Mars Bennett (DQ) … “Baron” George Grant b. Pearshape Powell … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, August 25, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Danny Savich b. Duke Keomuka (2/3) (DQ) … Women’s World Champion Mildred Burke b. Carol Cook … Chief Kit Fox b. Bull Curry by reverse decision … Andre Drapp and Rito Romero drew (20:00) … Kay Bell and Ray Gunkel drew (15:00) … Ricki Starr b. Mark Lewin … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, September 1, 1953 (Livestock Pavilion) … Pedro Martinez and “Argentina” Zuma vs. “Baron” George Grant and Leopard Boy … The Black Snake vs. Tommy “Nature Boy” Phelps (Snake carried a live black snake to the ring with him) … Hugh McKenzie vs. Jack O’Brien … Johnny Shaw vs. Bill Steddum … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, September 1, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Bull Curry vs. Danny Savich … Andre Drapp vs. Duke Keomuka … Texas Heavyweight Champion Ray Gunkel vs. Rito Romero … Abdullah Bey vs. Ace Freeman … Key Bell vs. Doug Dawkins … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, September 8, 1953 (Fair Park Livestock Pavilion) … Leopard Boy and Jack O’Brien b. Argentina Zuma and Pedro Martinez (2/3) (third fall by DQ) … Hugh McKenzie b. The Black Snake (DQ in the third fall) … Tommy Phelps and Bill Powell drew … “Baron” George Grant b. The Golden Boy … (promoter: Ed McLemore) … (referee: Johnny Shaw) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, September 8, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Duke Keomuka b. Andre Drapp … Danny Savich b. Rito Romero (DQ) (Rito’s brother Pablo interfered) … Ray Gunkel b. Bull Curry (DQ) … Gloria Barratini b. Mae Young … Ace Freeman b. Kay Bell … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, September 15, 1953 (Fair Park Livestock Pavilion) … Argentina Zuma and Pedro Martinez b. Leopard Boy and Jack O’Brien (2/3) … Hugh McKenzie b. Tommy Phelps (2/3) (third fall by DQ) … “Baron” George Grant and Black Snake drew … Bobby O’Brien and Johnny Shaw drew … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Note: The Dallas Morning News reported that McLemore’s next program would be at the “new” Sportatorium. Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, September 15, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Danny Savich undertook the Romero Brothers in a “one man at a time” match, but was defeated (Savich pinned Pablo in 21 minutes and Rito pinned Savich in 37 seconds) … Andre Drapp b. Bull Curry (DQ) … Duke Keomuka b. Ace Freeman … Stu Gibson b. Chief Kit Fox … Paul Boesch and Kurt Von Poppenheim (local debut) drew … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, September 22, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Tommy “Nature Boy” Phelps b. Argentina Zuma to capture the local wrestling championship (reportedly Zuma’s first loss in Dallas) (billed as being for a championship) (Phelps was a substitute for Mr. America, who was on hand and challenged Phelps to a title bout) … Women’s World Champion Slave Girl Moolah and The Lady Angel wrestled to a no contest … Jack O’Brien b. “Baron” George Grant … Blue Eagle and Pedro Martinez wrestled The Black Snake and Leopard Boy to a draw … Autry Beeman and Tex Brady wrestled to a draw (Negro match) … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Note: Wrestling debut in the newly built Sportatorium. Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, September 22, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Duke Keomuka b. Bull Curry (battle to the finish) (Curry could not continue after the sixth fall) … The Romero Brothers (Pablo and Rito Romero b. Danny Savich and Kurt Von Poppenheim. Rito Romero and Danny Savich drew … Kurt Von Poppenheim b. Pablo Romero … “Killer’ Karl Davis and Stu Gibson b. Andre Drapp and Ricki Starr … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, September 29, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Women’s World Champion Slave Girl Moolah wrestled The Lady Angel to a no contest “leaving Moolah the official owner of the championship belt following their rough battle,” according to the Dallas Morning News … Heavyweight Champion Tommy “Nature Boy” Phelps b. Mr. America (2/3) … The Black Snake and Leopard Boy b. Blue Eagle and Pedro Martinez … Darling Dagmar b. Evelyn Monroe (DQ) … Hugh McKenzie and “Demon” Jack O’Brien drew … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, September 29, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … “Killer” Karl Davis, Duke Keomuka, Danny Savich and Kurt Von Poppenheim b. Ray Gunkel, Roger Mackey, Rito Romero and Ricki Starr … Ray Gunkel b. “Killer” Karl Davis (DQ) (Davis hit the referee) …Duke Keomuka b. Roger Mackey … Danny Savich and Ricki Starr drew (30:00) … Andre Drapp and Pablo Romero drew … Rito Romero b. Kurt Von Poppenheim … (promoter: Norman Clark) … (referee: Otto Kuss) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, October 6, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Pedro Martinez b. Tommy “Nature Boy” Phelps to likely capture the local heavyweight title … Women’s World Champion Slave Girl Moolah b. Lady Angel (2/3) … Mr. America b. The Leopard Boy (DQ) … Blue Eagle and Jack Kennedy wrestled The Black Snake and Jack O’Brien to a draw … Bud Richardson b. Emerson Crozier (Negro match) … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, October 6, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz b. Duke Keomuka (2/3) (third fall by DQ) (Keomuka used his “controversial” Oriental clawhold) … Leo Newman b. Rito Romero (DQ) … Danny Savich b. Andre Drapp … “Killer” Karl Davis and Roger Mackay drew (15:00) … Logger Larson (local debut) b. Abdullah Bey … (promoter: Norman Clark) … (referee: Otto Kuss) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, October 13, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Duke Keomuka b. Danny Savich (2/3) … Rito Romero b. Leo Newman (dec., 60:00) (1-1) … Abdullah Bey b. Elmer “Logger” Larsen … Roger Mackay b. Jimmy James … Chico Casasola and “Killer” Karl Davis drew (15:00) … (promoter: Norman Clark) … (referee: Gene Allbert) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, October 13, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Pedro Martinez b. Leopard Boy (2/3) … Slave Girl Moolah and Lolita Lopez b. Darling Dagmar and Daisy Mae (2/3) … Jack Kennedy and Jack O’Brien drew … Roger McCune b. Johnny Shaw … Tommy Phelps b. The Blue Eagle … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, October 20, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Bull Curry vs. Duke Keomuka … Chico Casasola and Rito Romero vs. Abdullah Bey and Leo Newman … Abdullah Bey vs. Rito Romero … Chico Casasola vs. Leo Newman … Andre Drapp vs. Ace Freeman … Big Humphrey vs. Cola Macias … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, October 20, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Pedro Martinez b. Tommy Phelps (2/3) … Slave Girl Moolah b. Daisy Mae (2/3) … The Blue Eagle and Jack Kennedy drew … Roger McCune b. The Black Snake … Darling Dagmar b. Lolita Lopez … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, October 27, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Miguel “Black” Guzman b. Bull Cury … Chico Casasola b. Danny Savich (DQ) … “Cowboy” Orville Carlson and Leo Newman drew (15:00) … Ray Stevens b. Bob Corby (decision) … Roger Mackey b. Ace Freeman … (promoter: Ed McLemore) … (referee: Marvin Jones) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, October 27, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Pedro Martinez b. “Gorgeous” George Grant (2/3) (third fall by DQ) … Women’s World Champion Slave Girl Moolah b. Darling Dagmar … Mexican Joe and Tommy Phelps drew … Leopard Boy and Jack O’Brien b. The Blue Eagle and Jack Kennedy (DQ) … Daisy Mae b. Lolita Lopez … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, November 3, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Bull Curry b. Cowboy Carlson (2/3) … Texas State Tag Team Champions Miguel “Black” Guzman and Rito Romero b. Bob Corby and Leo Newman (2/3) … Texas State Women’s Champion Nell Stewart b. Ida Mae Martinez (15:00) … Ray Stevens b. The Great Yamato (DQ) … Chico Casasola and Ricki Starr drew (15:00) … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, November 3, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Jack O’Brien b. Jack Kennedy (2/3) … Tommy “Nature Boy” Phelps b. Hugh McKenzie (McKenzie was a substitute for George Baron) … Pedro Martinez b. Blue Eagle (2-0) … Leopard Boy and Mexican Joe drew … Roger McCune and Black Snake drew … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Friday, November 6, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Darling Dagmar vs. Lolita Lopez … Mexican Joe vs. Tommy “Nature Boy” Phelps … Roger McCune vs. Jack O’Brien … Black Snake vs. Johnny Shaw … (promoter: Maurice Beck) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, November 10, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … The Great Yamata and Rito Romero drew (1-1) … “Killer” Karl Davis b. Ray Stevens … Ricki Starr b. Leo Newman (DQ) … Chico Casasola and Andre Drapp drew … Cowboy Carlson b. Bull Curry (2/3) … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, November 10, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Pedro Martinez b. Jack O’Brien (DQ in the third fall) … Slave Girl Moolah b. Darling Dagmar (2/3) (Originally scheduled to be a tag bout with Moolah and Lolita Lopez against Dagmar and Daisy Mae) (Lopez had to pull out due to illness) … Tommy Phelps b. Mexican Joe … Jack Kennedy and Roger McCune drew … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, November 17, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Pedro Martinez and Mexican Joe b. The O’Briens (Bob and Jack O’ Brien) (2/3) (The O’Briens were father and son) … Tommy “Nature Boy” Phelps b. Roger McCune … The Leopard Boy and Hugh McKenzie drew … Jack Kennedy b. Johnny Shaw … Cecil “Red” Rodgers b. Chico Rodriguez (DQ) … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, November 17, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Baron Michele Leone b. Cowboy Carlson (2/3) … Danny McShain and Rito Romero drew … The Great Yamato b. Ace Freeman … Stu Gibson b. Leo Newman … Ricki Starr b. “Killer” Karl Davis (decision) … (promoter: Norman Clark) … (referee: Otto Kuss) Dallas, Texas: Friday, November 20, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Roy Kendall vs. Jack O’Brien … Roger McCune vs. Dick Shaw … Jack Kennedy vs. Hugh McKenzie … The Black Snake vs. Pedro Martinez … (promoter: Maurice Beck) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, November 24, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Tommy “Nature Boy” Phelps b. Pedro Martinez by countout in the third fall (Martinez was counted out while fighting Farnk Marlowe, who accompanied Phelps) … Hugh McKenzie b. Frank Marlowe … Terry Foster b. Jack O’Brien … Mexican Joe b. Jack Kennedy … Farmer Andrews b. The Leopard Boy … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, November 24, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Danny McShain b. The Great Yamato (2/3) … Cowboy Carlson and Stu Gibsonw restled a no contest when a fan interfered … Ricki Starr b. Andre Drapp … Chico Casasola and Leo Newman drew … Big Humphrey b. Carlos Macias … (promoter: Norman Clark) … (referee: Otto Kuss) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, December 1, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Pedro Martinez and Mexican Joe b. Frank “Strangler” Marlowe and Tommy Phelps (2/3) … Farmer Andrews b. Jack O’Brien by decision … Terry Foster b. The Leopard Boy by decision … Jack Allison b. Cecil “Red” Rodgers … Roger McCune b. The Black Snake … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, December 1, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Danny McShain and Rito Romero drew (60:00) … Pancho Villa Jr. b. Stu Gibson (DQ) … The Great Yamato and Duke Keomuka b. Pablo Romero and Ricki Starr … Duke Keomuka and Ricki Starr drew … The Great Yamato b. Rito Romero … Big Humphrey b. Abdullah Bey … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Friday, December 4, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Pedro Martinez vs. Jack O’Brien … Farmer Andrews vs. Tommy “Nature Boy” Phelps … Chico Rodriguez vs. Red Rodgers … Terry Foster vs. Frank Marlowe … The Leopard Boy vs. Hugh McKenzie … (promoter: Maurice Beck) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, December 8, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Farmer Andrews b. Frank Marlowe (2-0) … Pedro Martinez b. Leopard Boy … Terry Foster b. Tommy “Nature Boy” Phelps (DQ) … Hugh McKenzie and Jack O’Brien drew … Nash Torres b. Cecil “Red” Rodgers … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, December 8, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Rito Romero b. Danny McShain (DQ in the third fall) … Duke Keomuka b. Dick Raines (DQ) … Negro Women’s Champion Ethel Jackson b. Louise Green … Ricki Starr and Pancho Villa Jr. drew … Stu Gibson b. Andre Drapp … (promoter: Norman Clark) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, December 15, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Pedro Martinez b. The Elephant Boy … Ralph Cavanaugh b. Frank Marlowe (2-0) … Yogi Hussane b. Tommy “Nature Boy” Phelps (Phelps refused to have his head shaved after the loss) … Terry Foster b. Leopard Boy (Boy had to have his beard shaved) … Hugh McKenzie and Mexican Joe drew … Farmer Andrews b. Jack O’Brien (DQ) … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, December 15, 1953 (Pappy’s Showland) … Dick Raines b. Duke Keomuka (DQ) … Ace Freeman, Rito Romero and Ricki Starr b. Johnny Costa, Stu Gibson and Danny McShain (Freeman was a substitute for Pablo Romero) … Stu Gibson and Rito Romero drew … Ricki Starr b. Johnny Costa … Ace Freeman b. Pancho Villa Jr. … Danny McShain b. Pablo Romero (Romero was injured and unable to compete in the six-man tag bout) … (promoter: Norman Clark) Note: Clark announced that his next show at Pappy’s Showland would be on January 5, 1954. Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, December 22, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … Elephant Boy b. Pedro Martinez (2-0) (Elephant Boy won the second fall by disqualification) … Farmer Andrews, Terry Foster and Jack Kennedy b. Ellis Bashara, Leopard Boy, Tommy “Nature Boy” Phelps … Ellis Bashara b. Terry Foster … Tommy Phelps b. Farmer Andrews … Jack Kennedy b. Leopard Boy … Ralph Cavanaugh and Yogi Hussane drew … Mexican Joe b. Frank Marlowe … (promoter: Ed McLemore) Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, December 29, 1953 (The Sportatorium) … 16 Man Heavyweight Tournament … The Golden Terror b. Hugh McKenzie … The Golden Terror b. Earl Fleming … The Golden Terror b. Jack Kennedy … The Golden Terror b. Farmer Andrews (Terror won the tournament) … 8-Man Middleweight Tournament … Chuck Benson b. Alberto Cruz … Chuck Benson b. Chico Rodriguez … Chuck Benson b. Yogi Hussane (Benson won the tournament) … (promoter: Ed McLemore) … (2,000+ fans) Note: The show lasted four hours with 22 matches in total; no other match results were provided by the Dallas Morning News. Research by Tim Hornbaker, J Michael Kenyon February 15, 2012 |
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