Sarasota FL: April 28, 1947 (Monday) (Legion Arena) … George Cologne (of New Orleans LA) beat Johnny Carlin … Walter (One Man Gang) Underhill beat Billy Williams … Ben (Boom Boom) Pantazi vs Duke DeKeno … Referee: Tony Cancela … NOTE: The newspaper wasn't sure how to spell the name of the visitor from New Orleans, skipping between "Calonge" and "Colan." Sarasota FL: May 5, 1947 (Legion Arena) … George Cologne (of New Orleans LA) vs Walter (One Man Gang) Underhill … Johnny Carlin vs Ben Pantazi … NOTE: It was announced the shows would move to Thursday nights to avoid conflict with the Saratoga County Softball League schedule (!) Sarasota FL: May 15, 1947 (Thursday) (Legion Arena) … Pat O'Brien (as Green Shadow) beat Billy (Young) Sandow (2-1) … Butcher Boy Billy Williams (of Tampa FL) beat Johnny Carlin (dq) … Tony Cancela vs Paul (Happy) Davis … NOTE: Davis is described as a "bewhiskered hillbilly" who works barefoot, attired in overalls … Carlin and Cancela had some sort of spat in the dressing room, with word emerging that Cancela, an ex-boxer, had flattened the Swede Sarasota FL: May 22, 1947 (Legion Arena) … Johnny Carlin drew Tony Cancela (1-1, nc) … Butcher Boy Billy Williams drew Johnny Carlin (sub for George Cologne) … (plus boxing) Sarasota FL: August 27, 1947 (Legion Arena) … Bill Bishop beat Al Massey (of Greensboro NC) … Bill Steddum beat Curtis Nack (as Mr. X) (2-1, dq) Sarasota FL: September 3, 1947 (Legion Arena) … (Ladies) Nell Stewart vs Violet Viann … Promoter: Bill Sallade Sarasota FL: October 1, 1947 (Wednesday) (Legion Arena) … Rollend Kirchmeyer & Nick Bacalis vs Curtis Nack (as Mr. X) & Bill Bishop … Rube Wright vs Sarge Jackson (of Jacksonville TN) … Referee: Red McIntyre (of Memphis TN) … NOTE: Wright is billed as "a former Oklahoma football star" and said to weigh close to 300 pounds Sarasota FL: October 8, 1947 (Legion Arena) … Nick Carter vs Curtis Nack (as Mr. X) … Bill Steddum vs Nick Bacalis … Rube Wright vs Red McIntyre Sarasota FL: October 15, 1947 (Legion Arena) … Rube Wright & Curtis Nack (as Mr. X) vs Nick Bacalis & Nick Carter … Chris Belkas beat Irish Pat McGee (60:00, dec) Sarasota FL: October 22, 1947 (Legion Arena, att. 900) … (Ladies) Mildred Burke beat Mae Weston … (Handicap) Nick Carter FTT Mr. X (one fall, 60:00) … Chris Belkas beat Rube Wright (1-0) … Irish Pat McGee beat Red McIntyre (dq) … Referee: Rollend Kirchmeyer … NOTE: Mildred Burke is defending her claim to the "women's world wrestling championship" … Referee Kirchmeyer disqualified Carter for unmasking Mr. X (!) … The hooded man was Curtis Nack Sarasota FL: October 29, 1947 (Legion Arena) … Rollend Kirchmeyer beat Curtis Nack (2-0) … Chris Belkas drew Irish Pat McGee … Pete Managoff beat Red McIntyre … NOTE: In a "private fist fight" after their bout, Belkas reportedly "knocked McGee out." Sarasota FL: November 1, 1947 (Saturday) Wrestling promoter Bill Sallade says the American Legion-sponsored wrestling matches have been suspended for two weeks while he goes on tour "scouting for new mat men." Sarasota FL: January 10, 1948 (Saturday) (Legion Arena) … Primo Carnera beat Pete Managoff (10:00) … Referee: Curtis Rose (as Hooded Monster) … Jack Singer beat Bobby Roberts … Chris Belkas beat Joe Benedetti (26:00)… Prince Omar beat Sarge Jackson (18:00) … Promoter: Paddy Mack … NOTE: The Hooded Monster is billed as standing six-foot-nine and weighing 268 pounds. Sarasota FL: January 17, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Curtis Rose (as Hooded Monster) vs Bobby Roberts … NOTE: Veteran middleweight George Romanoff is engaged to demonstrate holds and put on a judo demonstration during intermission Sarasota FL: January 24, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Bobby Roberts & Chris Belkas beat Red Devil Rudy & Red Devil Emil (2-1) … Joe Benedetti beat Sarge Jackson (29:00) … NOTE: Promoter Paddy Mack staged a battle royal with the five entrants allowed to use only their right hands. Sarasota FL: January 31, 1948 (Saturday) (Legion Arena) … Bobby Roberts beat Red Devil Emil (2-1) … Rollend Kirchmeyer beat Red Devil Rudy (27:00) … Chris Belkas beat Prince Omar (23:00) Sarasota FL: February 7, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Bobby Roberts drew Chris Belkas (60:00, 0-0) … Red Devil Emil beat Paddy Mack (27:00) … Eddie Williams (as Silver Star) beat Prince Omar (30:00) Sarasota FL: April 19, 1948 (Monday) (Legion Arena) … Leo (The Lion) Newman vs Masked Bat … (Ladies) Doris Dean vs June Sandow … Ed Edwards (of Titusville FL) vs Leo Miller (of Chicago IL) … Promoters: Al Ritchie, Phil Duffie … NOTE: With the Ringling Brothers Circus out of town, wrestling returns, with new promoters … Ritchie is known for promoting wrestling at the Biscayne Arena in Miami FL … He says Dean is a niece of Man Mountain Dean and that Sandow is granddaughter of the famous strong man, Eugen Sandow Sarasota FL: April 26, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Tommy Todd & Eddie Edwards beat Leo (The Lion) Newman & Al Ritchie (2-1) … Referee: Jimmy Cooper … Nelson Fretto beat Leo Miller (dq) Sarasota FL: May 3, 1948 (Monday) (Legion Arena) … Herb (Swede) Larson beat Leo (The Lion) Newman (2-1) … (Ladies) Dolly West beat Doris Dean … Tommy Todd beat Butcher Boy Williams (2-1) … NOTE: "The third round was a wild, brawling affair that ended very curiously. Newman had Larson in an ankle lock. The Swede suddenly rolled over and both men were solidly tied up in counter ankle locks. Both developed leg cramps and were yelling to get untangled. The Lion pounded the floor, indicating he had had enough. Then, to untangle the two, the referee had to take Newman's shoes off. It took him five minutes to break the hold, with both men yelping all the time." – Sarasota FL Herald-Tribune, May 4, 1948 Sarasota FL: May 24, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Ben Pantazi drew Herb (Swede) Larson (1-1) … Tommy Todd drew Nelson Fretto … NOTE: Original plans for a tag-team feature went by the board when Leo (The Lion) Newman reportedly came up with a shoulder injury and couldn't go Sarasota FL: May 31, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Herb (Swede) Larson drew Jack Bloomfield (sub for Boom Boom Pantazi) … Al Ritchie beat Nelson Fretto … Promoter: Phil Duffie … NOTE: Local officials were incensed at Ben (Boom Boom) Pantazi's no-show and threatened to have him banned from the state … It turns out to be a shallow threat. Sarasota FL: June 7, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Herb (Swede) Larson beat Leo (The Lion) Newman (2-1) … Referee: Jimmy Cooper … Al Ritchie beat Ben (Boom Boom) Pentazi (2-1, dq) … NOTE: Larson chased Newman out into the street to cap off the main event. Sarasota FL: June 14, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Ben (Boom Boom) Pantazi vs Herb (Swede) Larson … Leo (The Lion) Newman vs Jack Bloomfield … NOTE: Promoter Phil Duffie carded a battle royal – read that: NEGRO battle royal – as part of the show. Sarasota FL: June 21, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Ben (Boom Boom) Pantazi vs Jack Bloomfield … Herb Larson vs Eddie Edwards Sarasota FL: June 28, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Herb Larson vs Ben (Boom Boom) Pantazi … Leo (The Lion) Newman vs George O'Brien … Jack Bloomfield vs Billy McDaniel Sarasota FL: July 5, 1948 (Monday) (Legion Arena) … Herb Larson & George O'Brien beat Ben (Boom Boom) Pantazi & Leo (The Lion) Newman (2-1) … Ben (Boom Boom) Pantazi (sub for Walter Pettly) beat Bill McDaniels (2-1) Sarasota FL: July 12, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Ben (Boom Boom) Pantazi vs John Randa … Herb Larson vs Leo (The Lion) Newman Sarasota FL: July 19, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Herb Larson drew Duke DeKeno (60:00, 1-1) Sarasota FL: July 26, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Herb Larson beat Duke DeKeno (2-1) … Gorgeous Jim beat Nelson Fretto (2-0) … NOTE: DeKeno is sometimes billed as "Duke Dekokenov" or "Duke DeKonov" Sarasota FL: August 2, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Gorgeous Jim w/Caesar the Valet beat Herb (Swede) Larson (2-1, dq) … Truck Montana beat Duke DeKeno (2-1) … NOTE: The Sarasota FL Herald-Tribune refers to Gorgeous Jim as "the debonair dispenser of antiseptic armlocks" … Truck Montana is sometimes the "Montana Terror" Sarasota FL: August 9, 1948 (Monday) (Legion Arena) … Herb Larson beat Gorgeous Jim (2-1, dq) … Duke DeKeno vs Al Ritchie … Jimmy Cooper vs Truck Montana … NOTE: Loge seats were $1.50, ringsides $1.20, with a "special section for colored fans" priced at 60 cents. Sarasota FL: August 16, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Herb (Swede) Larson beat Gorgeous Jim (2-1) … Truck Montana beat Al Ritchie Sarasota FL: August 23, 1948 (Legion Arena) … (Ladies) Mae Young vs June Byers … (Ladies) Therese Theis vs Juanita Coffman … Truck Montana vs Gorgeous Jim Sarasota FL: August 30, 1948 (Legion Arena) … (Ladies) June Byers vs Juanita Coffman … (Ladies) Mae Young vs Violet Viann … Herb Larson vs Jose Carill … Leo (The Lion) Newman vs Billy McDaniel Sarasota FL: September 6, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Herb Larson & Bill McDaniels vs Leo (The Lion) Newman & Gorgeous Jim … Jose Carrillo vs Duke DeKeno … Herb Larson vs Gorgeous Jim Sarasota FL: September 13, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Leo (The Lion) Newman drew Chris Belkas (1-1) … Bill McDaniels beat Gorgeous Jim (2-1) … Pat O'Hara beat Herb Larson (1-1, utc) Sarasota FL: September 20, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Leo (The Lion) Newman beat Gorgeous Jim (2-1) … Chris Belkas beat Black Jack Dillon (60:00, dec) … Bill McDaniels beat Pat O'Hara (2-1, dq) … Promoter: Phil Duffie Sarasota FL: September 27, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Leo (The Lion) Newman beat Cliff (Swede) Olson (2-0, dq) … Pat O'Hara (sub for Black Jack Dillon) beat Gorgeous Jim (dq) … Bill McDaniels (of Amarillo TX) beat Jim Moore (of Dallas TX) (2-1) Sarasota FL: October 4, 1948 (Monday) (Legion Arena) … Milo Occhi beat Leo (The Lion) Newman (2-1, dq) … Referees: Al Ritchie, Pat O'Hara … Tommy Bell beat Gorgeous Jim (2-0, dq) … Pat O'Hara drew Bill McDaniels (30:00) Sarasota FL: October 11, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Milo Occhi vs Leo (The Lion) Newman … Bill McDaniels vs Tommy Bell … Gorgeous Jim vs Pat O'Hara Sarasota FL: October 25, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Julius Woronick (as Great Mephisto, of Chicago IL) vs Billy Sandow … Pat O'Hara (of St. Petersburg FL) vs Morris Napper … Promoter: Phil Duffie Sarasota FL: November 13, 1948 (Saturday) (Legion Arena) … Art Neilson (as Art Nelson of Milwaukee WI) & Duke DeKeno beat Tommy Bell & Doug Henderson (2-1) … Art Neilson (as Art Nelson) beat Duke DeKeno (sub for Tommy Vettenburg) … Tommy Bell beat Doug Henderson (replaced a scheduled Truck Montana vs Prince Omar bout) … NOTE: The cards are moved back to Saturday nights … Prince Omar is dubbed the "Powerful Persian" Sarasota FL: November 20, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Art Neilson (as Art Nelson) beat Tommy Bell … Doug Henderson beat Duke DeKeno (2-1) … NOTE: Looking at a disappointing crowd, promoter Phil Duffie thought about canceling the next week's show. Sarasota FL: December 4, 1948 (Saturday) (Legion Arena) … Pat O'Brien (as Green Shadow) vs Johnny Carlin … Lefty Pacer (of Toledo OH) vs Art Neilson (as Art Nelson) … Referee: Doug Henderson Sarasota FL: December 11, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Johnny Carlin vs Lefty Pacer … (Ladies) June Sandow vs Patsy Miller (of Omaha NE) … Promoter: Phil Duffie Sarasota FL: December 18, 1948 (Legion Arena) … (Mixed, Ladies) Art Neilson (as Art Nelson) & Lady Green Hornet vs Billy Sandow & June Sandow … (Ladies) June Sandow vs Lady Green Hornet … Art Neilson (as Art Nelson) vs Billy Sandow … Referee: Jack Bloomfield Sarasota FL: January 7, 1949 (Friday) Murray Burt, the new wrestling matchmaker for the local American Legion post, says there will be no show at the Legion Arena tonight, but that he plans his first show next Wednesday (Jan. 12) Sarasota FL: October 8, 1949 (Saturday) (Legion Arena) … Pedro Godoy vs Bobby Roberts … Rollend Kirchmeyer vs Danny Dusek … Wild Bill Collins vs Eddie Edwards … Promoter: Cowboy Luttrall … NOTE: This is billed as the first Sarasota show of the fall season … Loge and ringside seats are priced at $1.50, with general admission $1.00. Sarasota FL: October 15, 1949 (Legion Arena) … Danny Dusek beat Flash Clifford (2-1) … Bobby Roberts beat Bill Collins (2-1) … Pedro Godoy vs Paddy Mack Sarasota FL: October 22, 1949 (Legion Arena) … (Ladies) Mildred Burke beat Mae Weston … Danny Dusek beat Pedro Godoy (2-1) … Bobby Roberts beat Jack Singer (2-0) … Referee: Rollend Kirchmeyer … NOTE: Burke required just 16 minutes to take two falls before what promoter Cowboy Luttrall described as a "large" crowd Sarasota FL: October 29, 1949 (Legion Arena) … Danny Dusek vs Jack Singer … Wolfman vs Jack Bloomfield … Wild Bill Collins vs Jose Becerra (of Havana CUBA) … NOTE: The "Wolfman" was Walter Allen, who soon would become better known (depending upon which part of the country he was in) as "John Smith" or "Soldat Gorky." Sarasota FL: February 16, 1950 (Thursday) (Legion Arena) … Tony Galento beat Prince Omar … Danny Dusek vs Eddie Paquette … Bill Collins vs Dick Lewis … Referee: Wild Bill Cody … NOTE: The new American Legion mat promoter is Harry Rose, who insists he'll follow this revival with a Mildred Burke- headlined show the following week. Sarasota FL: February 23, 1950 (Legion Arena) … (Ladies) Mildred Burke beat Elvira Snodgrass … Danny Dusek drew Bob Geigel (60:00, 1-1) … Maurice Roberre beat Prince Omar (dq) … Referee: Bill Cody … NOTE: Omar was cited for rubbing soap in the eyes of both his opponent and the referee … Sponsoring American Legion officials said the house was sold out. Sarasota FL: March 10, 1950 (Friday) (Legion Arena) … Dick Powell beat Eddie Paquette … Danny Dusek beat Tony Angelo (2-1, dq) … Referee: Jack Dempsey … Bob Geigel beat Maurice Roberre … NOTE: Before donning his arbiter's togs, Dempsey went by the spring training camp of the Boston Red Sox and cut up touches with members of the Beantown media corps … The Legion sponsors announced there would be no show on St. Patrick's Day. Sarasota FL: April 15, 1950 (Legion Arena) … Johnny Seals (of Des Moines IA) beat Tiger Joe Marsh … (Ladies) Millie Stafford beat Wilma Gordon … Bob Geigel drew Pat O'Hara … Promoter: Tony Cancela Sarasota FL: December 6, 1950 (Legion Arena) … (Midgets) Irish Jackie vs Tiny Roe Sarasota FL: December13, 1950 (Legion Arena) … Armand Tanny vs Rube Wright … (Midgets) Irish Jackie vs Tiny Roe … Elmer Davis vs Bobby Lyons … NOTE: This is the final mat show of the year at the Washington Boulevard and Ninth Street venue. Sarasota FL: February 8, 1951 (Thursday) (Legion Arena) … (Young Samson vs 190-pound Gorilla) … Jack Bence vs Wild Man Zim … Fred Von Schacht vs Young Samson … Referee: Tony Cancela … NOTE: This is the first mat show of the year here … Chester Seitz, who took the role of "Young Samson," was normally a steward aboard the Zaram, a Sarasota-based yacht owned by Jim and Zara Merchant of Roslyn NY Saratoga FL: March 20, 1951 (Tuesday) (Legion Arena) … Fred Von Schacht beat Mike Paidousis … Jack O'Brien beat Lester Welch … (Ladies) Mars Bennett beat Cora Combs … NOTE: Phil Duffie of Lakeland FL is said to have "brought it here" … Bennett reportedly is a former Ringling Brothers Circus employee. Sarasota FL: October 24, 1951(Wednesday) (Legion Arena, att. 900) … Bobby Lane beat Bronko Lubich (1-1, utc) … Referee: Max Baer … (Ladies) Mae Young beat Jean Kennedy … Billy Sandow beat Austin Shivers (sub for Paddy Mack) … Promoters: Phil Duffie Sr., Phil Duffie Jr. … NOTE: The building was considered "packed" Sarasota FL: December 4, 1951(Tuesday) (Legion Arena) … Bobby Lane vs Bronko Lubich … (Ladies) Dot Dotson vs Terry Majors … Nick Roberts vs Red Menace … NOTE: Phil Duffie says he'll run every other week during the winter. Sarasota FL: December 18, 1951 (Legion Arena) … Nick Roberts beat Bobby Lane (2-0, dq) … (Ladies) Arlene Ratliff beat Olga Alvarez … Red Menace beat John Paul Henning Sarasota FL: October 28, 1952 (Tuesday) (Legion Arena, att. 1,000) … Al Massey vs Bob Corby … (Ladies) Betty Hawkins vs Terry Majors … Eddie Graham (as Eddie Gossett, 220, of Chattanooga TN) vs Bill Napolitan (235, of Pittsburgh PA) … NOTE: Legion Post No. 30 kicks off the fall wrestling season here after being dark for some 10 months … Pat O'Hara, who is getting his talent through Cowboy Luttrall in Tampa FL, will handle the matchmaking locally. Sarasota FL: November 4, 1952 (Tuesday) (Legion Arena, att. 500) … (Ladies) Terry Majors beat Therese Theis … Bob Corby beat Don McGee (223, of Des Moines IA) (2-1) … Al Massey beat Bill Napolitan (23:00) Sarasota FL: November 13, 1952 (Thursday) (Legion Arena) … Bob Corby vs Erin O'Rourke … Referee: Jack Dempsey … (Ladies) June Byers vs Terry Majors … Eddie Graham (as Eddie Gossett) vs Charlie Laye Sarasota FL: November 25, 1952 (Tuesday) (Legion Arena) … Al Massey vs Benito Gardini … (Midgets) Pee Wee James vs Pancho the Bull … Eddie Graham (as Eddie Gossett) vs Mike Clancy … Promoter: Pat O'Hara Sarasota FL: December 2, 1952 (Legion Arena) … Eddie Graham (as Eddie Gossett) vs Mike Clancy … (Midgets) Tiny Roe vs Mighty Schultz … Bill Napolitan vs Al Warshawski Sarasota FL: January 6, 1953 (Legion Arena) … Eddie Graham (as Eddie Gossett) beat Jack Vansky (2-1) … (Ladies) Helen Hild beat Dot Dotson (dq) … Referee: Austin Shivers … Juan Humberto drew Doran O'Hara (30:00) … NOTE: A crowd described as "sparse" saw the first show after a two-week layoff. Sarasota FL: January 13, 1953 (Legion Arena) … Jack Curtis vs Jack Wentworth … (Ladies) Helen Hild vs Mars Bennett … George Curtis vs Austin Shivers Sarasota FL: January 20, 1953 (Tuesday) (Legion Arena) … Great Togo beat Jack Curtis (21:00, utc) … Juan Humberto beat George Curtis … Doran O'Hara beat Jack Wentworth (dq) … Referee: Milo Steinborn … Promoter: Pat O'Hara Sarasota FL: January 27, 1953 (Tuesday) (Legion Arena) … Jack Wentworth (sub for Juan Humberto) beat Doran O'Hara (2-1) … (Ladies) Mars Bennett beat Barbara Baker … Eddie Graham (as Eddie Gossett) drew Bob Ford (30:00) … Referee: Milo Steinborn Sarasota FL: February 3, 1953 (Legion Arena) … (Ladies Battle Royal Finale) Mars Bennett beat Violet Viann … (Ladies) Donna Dieckman beat Dot Dotson … Jack Wentworth beat Doran O'Hara (45: 00, 1-0, only fall) … Prince Omar drew Bob Ford (20:00) … Referee: Milo Steinborn … NOTE: Betty Hawkins was the first woman ousted from the battle royal. Sarasota FL: February 10, 1953 (Legion Arena) … Eddie Gossett & Jack Wentworth drew Jack Curtis & George Curtis (60: 00, 1-1) … Referee: Jack Dempsey … (Ladies) Mars Bennett beat Donna Marie Dieckman … Bob Ford beat Prince Omar … NOTE: City Trailer Park band entertained … Reserved loge seats went for $3 and $2.50, regular resered for $2.50 and $2, general admission for $1.25, children 50 cents Sarasota FL: February 17, 1953 (Legion Arena) … Morris Shapiro (as Mighty Atlas) vs Jack Wentworth… (Ladies Battle Royal) featuring Mars Bennett, Helen Hild, Arlene Ratliff, Dot Dotson & Gloria Barattini … Art Neilson (as Art Nelson) vs Doran O'Hara … Promoter: Pat O'Hara Sarasota FL: February 24, 1953 (Legion Arena) … Eddie Graham (as Eddie Gossett) vs Tom Zaharias … (Ladies) Mae Young & Carol Carota vs Barbara Baker & Gloria Barattini ... Doran O'Hara vs Bob Ford Sarasota FL: March 3, 1953 (Legion Arena) … Art Neilson (as Art Nelson) vs Tom Zaharias … (Ladies) Mae Young vs Ethel Brown … Jackie Nichols vs Bob Ford (223, of Sarasota FL) Sarasota FL: March 17, 1953 (Legion Arena) … Primo Carnera vs Tom Zaharias Sarasota FL: March 24, 1953 (Legion Arena, att. 500) … (Ladies Battle Royal Finale) Barbara Baker beat Dot Dotson … (Ladies) Mars Bennett beat Ethel Brown … Bob Ford beat Jack Wentworth (2-1) … NOTE: Helen Hild was the first one sidelined from the battle royal. Sarasota FL: March 31, 1953 (Legion Arena) … Gorgeous George vs Bob Ford Sarasota FL: October 21, 1953 (Legion Arena) … Roy Graham vs Johnny Valentine … (Ladies) Betty Hawkins vs Donna Marie Dieckman … Harry Smith vs Billy Raborn … NOTE: This is the fall opener for promoter Pat O'Hara. Sarasota FL: November 4, 1953 (Legion Arena) … Mike Paidousis beat Nick Roberts (2-1) … (Ladies) Mildred Burke beat Betty Hawkins … Billy Raborn beat Jim Austeri (19:00, dq) Sarasota FL: November 11, 1953 (Legion Arena) … (Ladies Battle Royal Finale) Gloria Barattini beat Mae Young … (Ladies) Betty Hawkins beat Dot Dotson … Nick Roberts beat Mike Paidousis (17:00) … Billy Raborn drew Eddie Graham (as Eddie Gossett) (20:00) … NOTE: Judy Glover was first out of the ladies' royal. Sarasota FL: November 18, 1953 (Wednesday) (Legion Arena, att. 450) … Gorgeous George w/Jefferies beat Nick Roberts (2-1) … Billy Raborn beat Jim Austeri (2-1, dq) … Ike Eakins beat Howard Cantonwine (16:00) … Referee: Paddy Mack Sarasota FL: November 25, 1953 (Legion Arena) … (Ladies) Betty Hawkins & Judy Glover vs Terry Majors & Carol Carota … Eddie Graham (as Eddie Gossett) vs Billy Raborn … Ike Eakins vs Nick Roberts Sarasota FL: January 13, 1954 (Legion Arena) … Bob Leipler beat Eduardo Perez (2-1, dq) … Referee: Herbie Freeman …(Ladies) June Byers beat Donna Marie Dieckman … Bob Clay beat George Bruckman (sub for Paddy Mack) Sarasota FL: January 20, 1954 (Wednesday) (Legion Arena) … (Ladies) June Byers & Mary Jane Mull beat Terry Majors & Bonnie Watson … Donn Lewin drew Jesse James (1-1, dko) … Bob Clay drew Johnny James (20: 00) … Referee: Paddy Mack Sarasota FL: January 27, 1954 (Legion Arena) … Mr. Moto vs Eduardo Perez … (Ladies) Ida Mae Martinez vs Mary Jane Mull … Donn Lewin vs Jesse James Sarasota FL: February 3, 1954 (Legion Arena, att. 800) … Baron Michele Leone beat Jesse James (2-1) … (Ladies) Ella Waldek & Mary Jane Mull beat Ada Ash & Ethel Brown … Al Szasz drew Johnny James Sarasota FL: February 10, 1954 (Wednesday) (Legion Arena) … (Handicap) Baron Michele Leone beat Jesse James & Johnny James (27:00) … Referee: Jack Dempsey … Donn Lewin beat Bob Leipler (2-1) … Bob Clay drew Chick Garibaldi (30:00) … NOTE: Promoter Pat O'Hara said a standing-room-only audience was in attendance. Sarasota FL: February 17, 1954 (Legion Arena) … Gorgeous George beat Donn Lewin (2-1) … (Ladies) Millie Stafford beat Shirley West … Clyde Steeves beat Big Ike Eakins (19:00) Sarasota FL: March 3, 1954 (Legion Arena) … Gorgeous George beat Bob Clay (2-0) … (Ladies) Ida Mae Martinez beat Millie Stafford … Eduardo Perez beat Johnny Rougeau (20:00) … NOTE: GG required just 10:00 and 6:00 to snare the two falls Sarasota FL: March 10, 1954 (Legion Arena) … Baron Michele Leone vs Eduardo Perez … (Ladies) Terry Majors vs Bonnie Watson … Eddie Graham (as Eddie Gossett of Chattanooga TN) vs Clyde Steeves … NOTE: Leone is defending the NWA "world" junior heavyweight title Sarasota FL: March 17, 1954 (Legion Arena, att. 892) … Frank Taylor beat Eddie Graham (as Eddie Gossett) (2-1) … (Ladies Battle Royal) won by Ida Mae Martinez over Mary Jane Mull, Shirley West, Suzanne Smith & Esther Baker … Dick Steinborn drew Johnny James (30:00) Sarasota FL: March 31, 1954 (Wednesday) (Legion Arena) … (Ladies Battle Royal)won by Mary Jane Mull over Terry Majors, Ida Mae Martinez, Bonnie Watson, Suzanne Smith, Shirley West & Millie Stafford … Don Kalt beat Jim Austeri (26:00) … Referee: Herbie Freeman … NOTE: Final show of the season. Sarasota FL: November 3, 1954 (Legion Arena, att. 250) … Morris Shapiro (as Mighty Atlas) beat Ace Freeman (24:00) … Tex Riley beat The Demon (sub for Pancho Valentino) (2-0, dq) … Jack Rush beat Austin Shivers (220, of Tampa FL) (13:00) Sarasota FL: November 17, 1954 (Legion Arena) … Wild Red Berry vs Arnold Skaaland (as Bobby Weaver) … (Ladies) Judy Glover vs Belle Starr … Pancho Valentino vs Austin Shivers Sarasota FL: January 5, 1955 (Legion Arena) … Danny McShain beat Arnold Skaaland (as Bobby Weaver) … (Ladies) Ethel Brown vs Barbara Baker … Bibber McCoy vs Eddie Graham (as Eddie Gossett) Sarasota FL: January 12, 1955 (Legion Arena) … Gino Garibaldi (sub for Buddy Rogers) vs Bobby Ford … (Ladies) Barbara Baker vs Carol Cook (sub for Belle Starr) … Pedro Godoy vs Jack Vansky … NOTE: Rogers, reportedly, was injured in a bout with Garibaldi elsewhere. Sarasota FL: January 19, 1955 (Legion Arena) … (Ladies Battle Royal) featuring Lana Lamar, Mary Jane Mull, Ethel Brown, Judy Glover, Barbara Baker & Cathy Branch … Danny McShain vs Andre Drapp … Ace Freeman vs Eddie Graham (as Eddie Gossett) Sarasota FL: January 26, 1955 (Legion Arena) … (Texas Death Match) Danny McShain vs Andre Drapp … Gino Garibaldi drew Jack Vansky … Arnold Skaaland (as Bobby Weaver) vs Angelo Savoldi Sarasota FL: February 2, 1955 (Legion Arena) … Gino Garibaldi vs Jack Vansky … Wild Red Berry vs Carl Engstrom … (Ladies) Ethel Brown & Cathy Branch vs Barbara Baker & Lana Lamar … Promoter: Pat O'Hara Sarasota FL: February 9, 1955 (Legion Arena) … Gino Garibaldi beat Wild Red Berry (2-1) … Ace Freeman beat Angelo Savoldi (2-1) … Jim Austeri drew Arnold Skaaland (as Bobby Weaver) (30:00) Sarasota FL: February 16, 1955 (Legion Arena) … Antonino Rocca beat Gino Garibaldi (2-1) … Jim Austeri (sub for Angelo Savoldi) beat Jack Vansky (2-0) … Ace Freeman beat Harry Lewis (13:00) Sarasota FL: February 23, 1955 (Legion Arena) … Don Eagle vs Jim Austeri … Gino Garibaldi vs Arnold Skaaland (as Bobby Weaver) … Bibber McCoy vs Eddie Graham (as Eddie Gossett) Sarasota FL: March 2, 1955 (Legion Arena) … Don Eagle vs Wild Red Berry … (Ladies) China Mira vs Millie Stafford … Billy Two Rivers vs Ace Freeman Sarasota FL: March 9, 1955 (Legion Arena) … Gino Garibaldi beat Bob (Legs) Langevin (2-1) … (Ladies) Gloria Barattini beat Millie Stafford (dq) … Bobby Ford drew Billy Raborn (30:00) … Promoter: Pat O'Hara Sarasota FL: March 16, 1955 (Wednesday) (Legion Arena) … Chief Don Eagle vs Jack Wentworth … Billy Raborn vs Doran O'Hara … Billy Two Rivers vs Bob (Legs) Langevin Sarasota FL: March 23, 1955 (Legion Arena) … (Ladies) Judy Glover & Barbara Baker vs Millie Stafford & Betty Hawkins … Bob Langevin vs Billy Raborn … Bobby Ford vs Austin Shivers Sarasota FL: March 30, 1955 (Legion Arena) … Primo Carnera beat Gino Garibaldi (utc) … (Ladies) Judy Glover drew Millie Stafford … Billy Raborn beat Bill Kyle (sub for Hardy Kruskamp) (23:00) Sarasota FL: April 6, 1955 (Legion Arena) … Don Eagle vs Gino Garibaldi … Billy Two Rivers vs Billy Raborn … (Ladies) Barbara Baker vs Ruth Boatcallie Sarasota FL: June 22, 1955 (Legion Arena) … (Ladies) LeChona LaClair vs Carol Cook … Ray Stevens vs Danno O'Shocker … Bob Langevin beat Don Kalt (cor) … NOTE: Wrestling is back after "several weeks' absence." Sarasota FL: June 29, 1955 (Legion Arena) … Bob Langevin vs Don Kalt … Ray Stevens vs Charro Azteca … Doran O'Hara vs Pedro Escobar … Promoter: Pat O'Hara Sarasota FL: November 21, 1955 (Monday) (Legion Arena, att. 450) … (Ladies) Betty Hawkins beat Olga Zepeda … Jack Bence beat Tom Bradley (2-1) … Herb Larson beat Johnny Shaw (22:00, dq) … Referee: Sam Evans … NOTE: This card marks the return of wrestling. Sarasota FL: November 28, 1955 (Legion Arena) … (Battle Royal) featuring Gino Garibaldi, Chris Zaharias, Jack Bence, Herb Larson, Bill Kyle, Johnny Shaw & Jake Dennett Sarasota FL: January 2, 1956 (Legion Arena) ... (Ladies Battle Royal) Betty Hawkins, Maria Gonzalez (sub for Adams), Ethel Brown, Mae Young, Lana Lamar ... Don Arnold beat Frank Taylor ... Dave Jons drew Nelson Royal ... (Ladies) Betty Hawkins beat Maria Gonzalez ... (Ladies) Mae Young beat Ethel Brown Sarasota FL: January 9, 1956 (Legion Arena) … Don Arnold & Jack Vansky & Chris Zaharias vs Tom Bradley & Nelson Royal & Carl Engstrom … Don Arnold vs Tom Bradley … Carl Engstrom vs Jack Vansky … Chris Zaharias vs Nelson Royal Sarasota FL: January 16, 1956 (Legion Arena, att. 800) ... Don Eagle beat Chris Zaharias (2-0, dq) … Billy Two Rivers beat Jim Coffield (2-1, dq) … Doran O'Hara drew Dave Jons … Referee: Sam Evans Sarasota FL: January 23, 1956 (Legion Arena) ... Farmer Jones beat Frank Taylor (2-1) ... (Ladies) Olga Zapeda beat Lana Lamar ... Dick Steinborn drew Dave Jons (nc) Sarasota FL: February 6, 1956 (Legion Arena) ... (Ladies) Olga Zapeda beat Millie Stafford ... (Ladies) Judy Glover beat Maria Gonzalez ... Chris Zaharias beat Farmer Jones (2-1) ... NOTE: Barbara Baker was first out of the ladies' royal Sarasota FL: February 13, 1956 (Legion Arena) ... Farmer Jones beat Chris Zaharias (2-1, dq) ... Referee: Jack Dempsey ... (Ladies) Judy Glover beat Dot Dotson ... Dave Jons drew Doran O'Hara ... Promoter: Pat O'Hara … NOTE: Dempsey spoke, earlier in the evening, to the regular meeting of the local Sportsmen's Club in the auditorium of the Circus Hall of Fame. Sarasota FL: October 8, 1947 (Legion Arena) … Nick Carter drew Curtis Nack (as Mr. X) (60:00, 1-1) … Nick Bacalis beat Bill Steddum (2-0) … Red McIntyre beat Rube Wright (dq) … Referee: Rollend Kirchmeyer Sarasota FL: October 15, 1947 (Legion Arena) … Rube Wright & Curtis Nack (as Mr. X) beat Nick Bacalis & Nick Carter (2-1, dq) … Chris Belkas beat Irish Pat McGee (60:00, 1-0, only fall) Sarasota FL: October 18, 1948 (Legion Arena) … Leo (The Lion) Newman vs Billy Sandow … Tommy Bell vs Milo Occhi … Bill McDaniels vs Pat O'Hara Sarasota FL: December 4, 1951(Tuesday) (Legion Arena) … Bobby Lane beat Bronko Lubich (utc, cuts) … (Ladies) Terry Majors beat Dot Dotson … Nick Roberts beat Red Menace (35:00) … NOTE: Phil Duffie says he'll run every other week during the winter. Sarasota FL: November 20, 1952 (Thursday) (Legion Arena) … (Ladies) Betty Hawkins vs Jo Ann Mulleniex (as Jo Ann Mullens of Reynoldsburg OH) … Eddie Graham (as Eddie Gossett) vs Bob Corby … Mike Clancy vs Bill Napolitan Sarasota FL: February 24, 1953 (Legion Arena) … (Ladies) Gloria Barattini & Carol Carota beat Mae Young & Barbara Baker ... Bob Ford beat Doran O'Hara (2-1) … Tom Zaharias beat Eddie Graham (as Eddie Gossett) (20:00) Sarasota FL: March 31, 1953 (Legion Arena) … Gorgeous George vs Bob Ford … Dick Steinborn vs Austin Shivers … Wally Dusek vs Howard Cantonwine Sarasota FL: October 28, 1953 (Legion Arena) … Baron Michele Leone beat Billy Raborn (2-1) … (Ladies) Betty Hawkins beat Millie Stafford … Nick Roberts beat Johnny Valentine (19:00) … NOTE: The next day's edition of the Sarasota FL Herald-Tribune spells it "Raeborn" … Roberts was said to "fly off the ropes to pin Johnny Valentine with a body press." Sarasota FL: January 6, 1954 (Legion Arena, att. 700) … Swedish Angel drew Nick Roberts (dcor) … (Ladies) June Byers beat LeeChona LaClaire … Fred Von Schacht drew Chick Garibaldi (1-1) ... Referee: Herbie Freeman Sarasota FL: January 19, 1955 (Legion Arena) … (Ladies Battle Royal Finale) Judy Glover beat Cathy Branch (dq) … (Ladies) Mary Jane Mull beat Lana Lamar … Ethel Brown drew Barbara Baker … Danny McShain drew Andre Drapp (nc) … Ace Freeman drew Eddie Graham (as Eddie Gossett) (20:00) … Referee: Dick Steinborn … NOTE: "Andre Drapp opened a big cut on Danny McShain's forehead and the bout developed into a wild slugfest." – Sarasota FL Herald- Tribune, Jan. 20, 1955 Sarasota FL: November 28, 1955 (Legion Arena) … (Battle Royal Finale) Herb Larson beat Jake Dennett (42:00) … Jack Bence beat Chris Zaharias (dq) … Gino Garibaldi beat Johnny Shaw … First eliminated: Bill Kyle Sarasota FL: December 5, 1955 (Monday) (Legion Arena) Ed Francis vs Herb Larson … (plus midgets) Sarasota FL: December 31, 1956 (Legion Arena) … Ray Villmer beat Fred Atkins (2-1, dq) … (Ladies Battle Royal Final) Therese Theis beat Dot Dotson … (Ladies) China Mira drew Judy Glover … NOTE: Ella Waldek initially ousted from ladies royal. Sarasota FL: January 21, 1957 (Monday) (Legion Arena) … Ike Eakins & Ray Villmer beat Masked Red Demon & Demon's Masked Manager (2-1, dq) …(Ladies) Mary Jane Mull beat China Mira (sub for Carol Cook) … Bob (Legs) Langevin beat Nick Roberts Sarasota FL: January 28, 1957 (Legion Arena) …(Texas Death Match) Ike Eakins & Ray Villmer drew Masked Red Demon & Demon's Masked Manager (nc) … Oni Wiki Wiki drew George Drake … (Ladies) Mars Bennett drew Ella Waldek Sarasota FL: November 25, 1957 (Legion Arena) … (Texas Death Match) Whitey Whittler beat Eduardo Perez … (Ladies) China Mira beat Dot Dotson … Pat O'Hara drew Don Whittler Sarasota FL: February 24, 1958 (Legion Arena) … (Mixed Ladies, Midgets) Dot Dotson & Sonny Boy Cassidy vs China Mira & Lord Littlebrook (as Lord Randall) … George Lacourse vs Billy Parks … Ernie Dusek vs Bill Wright … NOTE: Lacourse is advertised to stand 6-foot-3, weigh 250 pounds Sarasota FL: March 24, 1958 (Legion Arena) … (Mixed Ladies, Midgets) Betty Evans & Lord Littlebrook beat Betty Hawkins & Bull Drummond … Nick Roberts beat Pete Managoff (2-0) … Jungle Man (aka Wild Man From Borneo) beat Harry Smith Sarasota FL: January 26, 1959 (Legion Arena) … (Battle Royal) featuring Mighty Jumbo, Billy Parks, Willie Davis, Ike Eakins & Big Tree Montana … (Ladies) Mae Weston vs Olga Zepeda Sarasota FL: January 5, 1961 (Legion Arena) … Buddy Austin & Pedro Godoy vs Eddie Graham & Pete (Man Mountain) Managoff … Referee: Mighty Jumbo … Chief Big Heart vs Pierre La Salle … (Ladies) Kathy Starr vs Jessica Rogers … NOTE: (advertisement) "The National Wrestling Alliance says BUDDY AUSTIN and PEDRO GODOY MUST accept the CHALLENGE MATCH with EDDIE GRAHAM and MANAGOFF OR BE SUSPENDED FOR LIFE. ALL 4 WRESTLERS IN THE RING AT THE SAME TIME – WINNERS TAKE ALL." Sarasota FL: March 9, 1961 (Legion Arena) … Kurt Von Brauner & Karl Von Brauner & Saul Weingeroff beat Jerry Miller & Guy La Rose & Ike Eakins (2-1) … Jerry Miller beat Kurt Von Brauner (dq) … Karl Von Brauner drew Guy La Rose (15:00) Sarasota FL: March 16, 1961 (Legion Arena) … (Bear vs Man) Terrible Ted vs Mighty Jumbo Sarasota FL: July 15, 1961 (Legion Arena) … Eddie Graham vs Zebra Kid (nee Len Montana) … (Mixed, Ladies) Nick Roberts & Ella Waldek vs Joe Scarpello & Adrienne Ames Sarasota FL: August 18, 1961 (Friday) (Legion Arena) … Kurt Von Brauner & Karl Von Brauner w/ Saul Weingeroff vs Joe Hamilton & Len Montana (aka Zebra Kid) … Ike Eakins vs Herb Larson … Jan Madrid vs Thor Hagen Sarasota FL: April 11, 1962 (Legion Arena) … Tom Renesto (as Assassin No. 1) & Joe Hamilton (as Assassin No. 2) vs Haystack Calhoun & Don Curtis … Cowboy Bob Ellis vs Jim Wright … Karl Gotch vs Great Malenko (nee Larry Simon) Sarasota FL: August 8, 1962 (Legion Arena) … Jake Smith & Luke Brown (as The Kentuckians) beat Tom Renesto (as Assassin No. 1) & Joe Hamilton (as Assassin No. 2) (2-0) … Great Malenko drew Len Montana (1-1, dcor) … Mike Paidousis beat Don Whittler (sub for Tom Perna) Sarasota FL: October 16, 1963 (Wednesday) (Legion Arena) … Luke Brown & Jake (Grizzly) Smith (as The Kentuckians) beat Tom Renesto (as Assassin No. 1) & Joe Hamilton (as Assassin No. 2) w/Sonny Fargo (as Masked Valet) (2-0, dq) … Killer Karl Kox beat Steve Bolus (2-1) … Steve Kovacs beat Nelson Royal (dq) … NOTE: The Assassins are billed as "world tag team champions." … The reason for Royal's disqualification: "Illegal roughness." Sarasota FL: January 8, 1964 (Wednesday) (Legion Arena) … Bob Orton & Great Malenko vs Ray Villmer & John Heath … Jerry London vs Pedro Godoy … Ray Andrews vs Joe McCarthy Sarasota FL: March 17, 1965 (Legion Arena) … Luke Brown & Jake (Grizzly) Smith (as The Kentuckians) beat Tom Renesto (as Assassin No. 1) & Joe Hamilton (as Assassin No. 2) w/Sonny Fargo (as Masked Valet) (2-0, dq) … Tarzan Tyler drew Dick Steinborn (45:00) … George Drake beat Frankie Shields (as Boston Wrecker) (dq) Sarasota FL: April 28, 1965 (Legion Arena) … Hiro Matsuda & Duke Keomuka vs Luke Brown & Jake (Grizzly) Smith (as The Kentuckians) … Great Malenko vs Dick Steinborn … Johnny Kace vs Louie Tillet … NOTE: Matsuda and Keomuka are billed as "world" tag team champions. Sarasota FL: May 5, 1965 (Legion Arena) … Luke Brown & Jake (Grizzly) Smith (as The Kentuckians) beat Bob Orton & Bill Dromo (2-1, cor) … Tony Marino beat George Cannon (2-0) … George (Baby Blimp) Harris beat Johnny Kace Research by J Michael Kenyon February 15, 2012 |
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