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Australian
Professional Wrestling: A Short History
(Credit:
World Wrestling Alliance)
The
popularity of wrestling in Australia fluctuated over
the years from packed audiences in stadiums to virtual
extinction throughout the country.
The
popularity of wrestling has almost certainly been
dependant upon the arrival on the scene of outstanding
athletes who were capable of gaining both the confidence
and support of the spectators.
During
the 1900’s there was little wrestling promoted
in Australia and contests were few and far in between.
Some of the earlier wrestlers who competed were; the
Australian Champion, Clarence Weber, Professor William
Miller, Jack Carkeek, Clarence Whistler and World
Champion, George Hackenschmidt.
However,
as time went by, the frequency of promotions increased
until a peak was reached in 1925. In 1928, Stadiums
Limited staged a tournament for the World Lightheavyweight
Title. This was won by Clarence Ecklund who defeated
Ad Santel and then Ted Thye in the final. Attendances
reached an all time high during 1930’s with many
small stadiums catering for people who were seeking
some relief from the rigours of The Depression. Several
wrestlers of note who appeared during this period
were Earl McCready, Ed Strangler Lewis, Joe Stecher,
Jim Browning, John Pesek, Dean Detton, Ray Steele,
Gus Sonnenberg and Chief Little Wolf.
After
the cessation of World War II, a fresh boom was experienced
with overseas wrestlers being imported. Amongst these
were Jim Londos, Sandor Szabo, Lofty Blomfield, Seelie
Samara and Ray Gunkel. The standard was high and a
faster and more exciting style was introduced, resulting
in generally higher attendances. Local wrestlers who
were making a name for themselves were George Pencheff,
Tom Lurich, Fred Atkins, Tom Nilan, Eddie Scarf and
Leo Jenson.
The
Fifties ushered in a new era with wrestlers like Gorgeous
George and Dr Jerry Graham. Both featured a more extravagant
type of competitor replete with exotic apparel and
hair styles. Wrestling audiences immediately took
to the variety provided by the new – type wrestlers
and the tactics which they employed, with the result
being climbing attendances. Some of the wrestlers
who appeared were; World Champion, Lou Thesz, Ricky
Waldo, Ski Hi Lee, Chief Big Heart, King Kong ( Emile
Czaja ), Great Zorro, Primo Carnera, Danny McShain,
Len Holt, Frank Hurley, Alan Pinfold, Roy Heffernan,
Jon Morro, Frank Potter and Snowy Dowton.
The
sixties introduced a new approach by utilising television
as a medium to advertise forthcoming programmes. US
promoters, Jim Barnett and Johnny Doyle brought World
Championship Wrestling to our shores along with the
innovation of the presentation of all wrestling cards,
replacing the previous custom of wrestling main events
being supported by boxing preliminaries. Not only
did this meet with the approval of the spectators
but it also provided the opportunity for young local
wrestlers to gain experience and further their careers.
Australia had many imported stars such as; Killer
Kowalski, Ray Stevens, Dominic Denucci, Mark Lewin,
Mario Milano, Spiros Arion, Karl Gotch, Bruno Sammartino,
Pepper Gomez, Gorilla Monsoon and many others. Several
local stars were; George Barnes, Ron Miller, Larry
O’Dea, Con Tolios, Johnny Boyd, Con Dandos and
Braka Cortez.
During
the Seventies, the World Championship Wrestling promotion
was bought by Tony Kolonie and still continued to
draw large crowds with the likes of World Champion,
Jack Brisco, Bobby Shane, Andre the Giant, Killer
Karl Kox, Tex McKenzie, Les Thornton, Abdullah the
Butcher, Waldo von Erich and Don Fargo to name a few.
However,
in 1978, with rising production costs and the invention
of World Series Cricket, Channel 9 cancelled the TV
show and wrestling in Australia came to a sudden halt.
Links:
Articles
The
Great Aussie Promoters, by Greg Tingle
The
Great Yankee Promoters, by Greg Tingle
Wrestling
Promoters Down Under, by Greg Tingle
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