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From the Archives, 1971: Haystack leaves them gasping

Fifty years ago, Sydney’s wrestling fans bid a fond farewell to the biggest star in the business - the all-conquering 46-stone Texan, Haystack Calhoun.

First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on December 6, 1971

From the Archives

The Russian Roulette wrestling event at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre on December 5, 1971. Haystack Calhoun at left.CREDIT:BOB PEARCE

By Rod Humphries

Haystack Calhoun, the human balloon, ended the 1971 wrestling season with a bang at the Capitol Theatre last night.

Calhoun, 46 stone, was the last man left in the ring from 12 starters in a match of “Russian Roulette.”

In a scene rivalling the Marx Brothers at their zaniest, Haystack came back from the brink of defeat to put paid to the “baddies,” Killer Karl Cox and Tiger Singh.

He collected his cheque for $2,400 to the delirious screams of a capacity crowd of about 4,000.

Calhoun, hot favourite because it was doubtful whether anybody could pick him up to throw him out of the ring, did not let his fans down.

The Supermarket Special (two for the price of one), was getting the treatment from Cox and Singh in a corner (as wrestlers are known to get the treatment in a corner) when friend Mario Milano came to his aid.

Haystack, gasping for breath and appearing unconscious (as wrestlers can often appear unconscious), was left to his own desires while the “nasties” turned on the Italian.

Mario was magnificent, for a while, until Cox and Singh picked him up and headed for the ropes.

Meanwhile Haystack, tottering around the ring as wrestlers are known to totter, was regaining his senses.

After Mario was given the heave, Calhoun rushed like a semi-trailer out of control at the two wrestlers and tipped them out of the ring while their backs were turned. Bedlam reigned.

I left with Killer Cox arguing with the crowd that, in fact, he had not been tipped over the top strand but through the ropes. Bad sport.

Anyway, the staid old Capitol can rest from the wrestling until January 9.

If Haystack is looking for work over the festive season I’m sure he would be a hit with a red and white gown and a few reindeer.

Haystack returned to Sydney for the 1972 wrestling season. He died at age 55 on December 7, 1989, and in 2017 was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

(The Sydney Morning Herald)