Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1948
By: Karl Stern
The year 1948 in pro wrestling is covered on the Long Form History of Wrestling Podcast - Click Here.
1948
01-05-1948: Orville Brown regains the “National Wrestling Alliance” World title from Sonny Myers in Des Moines, IA. In July, Pinkie George and other regional promoters form the version of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) that rose to become the most powerful promoting wrestling body in the world and they will give recognition of world champion to Orville Brown.
01-14-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 10,400: Emil & Ernie Dusek defeated Willie Davis & Karl Davis… Gorgeous George defeated Marvin Jones… Manuel Garza defeated Dutch Hefner… Jim Mitchell defeated Jules Strongbow… Angelo Cistoldi defeated Bud Curtis.
01-16-1948: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 9,271: Tommy O'Toole wrestled Warren Bockwinkel to a Time Limit Draw… Dan O'Connor & Joe Dusek defeat Henry Piers & Ray Villmer by DQ in 2 falls… Bobby Managoff defeats Sky Hi Lee… Lou Thesz defeats Pat Fraley… NWAssociation World Heavyweight champion Bill Longson defeats Mike Sharpe.
01-18-1948: Promoters Tony Stecher, Pinkie George, Maxwell Clayton, Bill Colbert, Max Yeargain, and Tom McHuge meet in Des Moines, IA to form a syndicate alliance to promote boxing. This template agreement lays the foundation for an alliance to promote and protect pro wrestling promoters later in the year - the National Wrestling Alliance.
01-21-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 9,800: Ernie & Emil Dusek defeated Manuel Garza & Enrique Torres… Gorgeous George defeated Chief War Cloud… Gino Garibaldi battled Sandor Szabo to a draw… Angelo Cistoldi battled Don Blackman to a draw… Dutch Hefner defeated Marvin Jones.
01-28-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 10,000: Ernie & Emil Dusek defeated Gorgeous George & Gino Garibaldi… Enrique Torres defeated Dutch Hefner… Manuel Garza defeated Sam Menacher… Jim Mitchell defeated Angelo Cistoldi… Bomber Kulkovich defeated Don Blackman.
01-30-1948: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 10,138: Bob Wagner defeats Tommy O'Toole… Ray Villmer & Warren Bockwinkel defeat Dan O'Connor & Joe Dusek in 2 straight falls… Mike Mazurki defeats Danno O'Mahoney… Lou Thesz defeats Bobby Bruns… NWAssociation World champion Bill Longson defeats Bobby Managoff.
02-04-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 10,000: Ernie & Emil Dusek battled Manuel Garza & Enrique Torres to a draw… Sandor Szabo battled Gorgeous George to a draw… Gino Garibaldi defeated Dutch Hefner… Jim Mitchell defeated Bulldog Clements… Jules Strongbow defeated Don Blackman.
02-11-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 8,500: Enrique Torres defeated Sandor Szabo with Bull Montana as referee… Manuel Garza & Jim Mitchell defeated Angelo Cistoldi & Gino Garibaldi… Butch Levy battled Ellis Bashara to a draw… Dutch Hefner defeated Marvin Jones… Reg Siki defeated Bulldog Clements.
02-18-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 8,700: Manuel Garza & Enrique Torres defeated Sandor Szabo & Gino Garibaldi… Ellis Bashara defeated Marvin Jones… Reg Siki defeated Angelo Cistoldi… Dutch Hefner battled Terry McGinnis to a draw… Jules Strongbow defeated Bud Curtis.
02-19-1948: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 9,500: Don McIntyre wrestled Ben Sharpe to a 20 minute draw… Tommy O'Toole defeats Jack Moore by decision… Ed Meske defeats Wee Willie Davis by DQ… Mike Mazurki wrestled Dick Raines to a 30 minute draw… Lou Thesz defeated British Empire Heavyweight champion Whipper Billy Watson by count out. Nanjo Singh ran in during the main event and attacked Whipper Watson.
02-23-1948: Louisville, KY: Jefferson County Armory: Attendance 6,000: Felix Miquet defeats Dan O'Connor… Dot Dotson & June Byers defeat Therese Theis & Violet Viann… NWAssociation World champion Bill Longson defeats Mike Mazurki by referee's decision after one fall each but Mazurki suffers a knee injury and can not continue.
02-25-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 9,700: Gorgeous George defeated Dutch Hefner… Sandor Szabo & Gino Garibaldi battled Manuel Garza & Jim Mitchell to a draw with Ed “Strangler” Lewis as referee… Reg Siki defeated Marvin Jones… Jules Strongbow defeated Bomber Kulkovich… Terry McGinnis battled Angelo Cistoldi.
02-27-1948: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance: 10,895: Ray Villmer & Warren Bockwinkel defeat Jimmy Coffield & Joe Dusek in 2 straight falls… Felix Miquet defeats Dan O'Connor… Bobby Managoff defeats Ralph Garibaldi… Lou Thesz defeats Mike Mazurki… Primo Carnera defeats George "KO" Koverly.
03-03-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 10,400: Gorgeous George defeated Manuel Garza… Angelo Cistoldi & Gino Garibaldi battled Jim Mitchell & Tony Martinez… Reg Siki defeated Jim Casey… Ellis Bashara defeated Bulldog Clements… Bud Curtis defeated Marvin Jones.
Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 12,600: Mickey Gold wrestled Bob Wagner to a Time Limit Draw… The Swedish Angel (Olaf Olson) defeats Ed Meske… Whipper Billy Watson defeated Dick Raines… The Dusek Brothers (Emil Dusek & Ernie Dusek) defeat Yvon Robert & Larry Moquin by Count Out 2 falls to 1.
03-10-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 10,400: Gorgeous George defeated Manuel Garza… Chris & Babe Zaharias defeated Reg Siki & Jim Mitchell… Tony Martinez defeated Hardy Kruskamp… Yukon Eric defeated Angelo Cistoldi… Tom Rice battled Chief War Cloud to a draw.
03-12-1948: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 9,610: The Garibaldi Brothers (Chick Garibaldi & Ralph Garibaldi) defeat Jack Hader & Warren Bockwinkel in 2 straight falls… Ray Villmer defeats Jimmy James… Ralph Wagner defeats Felix Miquet… Lou Thesz wrestled Whipper Billy Watson to a Time Limit Draw… NWAssociation World Heavyweight champion Bill Longson defeats Mike Mazurki.
03-17-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 9,600: Gorgeous George defeated Gino Garibaldi… Chris & Babe Zaharias defeated Jim Mitchell & Tony Martinez… Enrique Torres defeated Ellis Bashara… Yukon Eric defeated Terry McGinnis… Bulldog Clements battled Angelo Cistoldi to a draw.
03-20-1948: Verne Gagne wins the NCAA 191 pound championship by defeating LeRoy Alitz.
03-23-1948: Bronko Nagurski wins an off shoot version of the NWAssociation World title from Sandor Szabo in Minneapolis.
03-24-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 10,400: Chris & Babe Zaharias defeated Enrique Torres & Gorgeous George… Jim Mitchell defeated Manuel Garza… Tony Martinez defeated Hardy Kruskamp… Karl Davis battled Yukon Eric to a draw… Jules Strongbow defeated Angelo Cistoldi.
03-31-1948: Alejandro Munoz Moreno, the man who would become Blue Demon, makes his lucha libre debut against Chema Lopez.
In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 10,400: Gorgeous George & Enrique Torres defeated Chris & Babe Zaharias… Jim Mitchell battled Tony Martinez to a draw… Tom Rice defeated Ellis Bashara… Jack Kennedy defeated Angelo Cistoldi… Senator Hartford battled Bulldog Clements to a draw.
04-05-1948: WGN channel 9 in Chicago opens and pro wrestling from Fred Kohler was part of the initial line-up. Kohler also has a program on WBKB as well which runs until September.
04-07-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 10,400: Gorgeous George & Jeffries defeated Chris & Babe Zaharias with Ed “Strangler” Lewis as referee… Enrique Torres defeated Yukon Eric… Gino Garibaldi battled Tom Rice to a draw… Kiman Kudo defeated Ben Morgan… Reg Siki defeated Bulldog Clements.
04-12-1948: Mike Kelly defeated Gory Guerrero in Mexico City, Mexico to win the NWAssociation World Middleweight title.
04-14-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 9,800: Enrique Torres defeated Gorgeous George… Jim Mitchell & Tony Martinez defeated Gino Garibaldi & Jules Strongbow… Kiman Kudo defeated Tom Rice… Chris Zaharias defeated Ellis Bashara… Jack Kennedy defeated Senator Hartford.
04-21-1948: Former World heavyweight champion Danno O’Mahoney has his last known match, a loss to Lou Thesz in Montreal, Canada.
In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 9,500: Enrique Torres & Tony Martinez defeated Gorgeous George & Chris Zaharias with Max Baer as referee… Kiman Kudo defeated Jules Strongbow… Gino Garibaldi battled Jim Mitchell to a draw… Reg Siki defeated Ben Morgan… Jack Kennedy battled Tom Rice to a draw.
04-22-1948: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 11,000: Jack Moore defeats Charlie Harben by decision… Larry Moquin wrestled Bob Wagner to a 20 minute draw… Wee Willie Davis defeats Kay Bell… Mike Mazurki defeats Jack Dillon… NWAssociation World Heavyweight champion Bill Longson wrestled Whipper Billy Watson to a double count out.
04-28-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 8,000: Gorgeous George battled Kiman Kudo to a double count out… Enrique Torres defeated Gino Garibaldi with Max Baer as referee… Dave Levin defeated Ben Morgan… Reg Siki defeated Jack Kennedy… Tom Rice defeated Frank Jares.
04-29-1948: Bobby Bruns wins his third Midwest title from Orville Brown in Kansas City.
05-04-1948: Orville Brown wins the Midwest title from Bobby Bruns in Kansas City.
05-05-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 9,000: Enrique Torres & Kiman Kudo defeated Gorgeous George & Reb Russell… Ali Baba defeated Pat Fraley… Gino Garibaldi defeated Jack Kennedy… Tony Martinez battled Jim Mitchell to a draw… Kay Bell battled Tom Rice to a draw.
05-07-1948: Danny McShain defeats Miguel Guzman in Houston for the Texas title.
05-12-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 8,200: Enrique Torres & Ali Baba defeated Karl Davis & Reb Russell… Tom Rice defeated Jim Mitchell… Kiman Kudo battled Dave Levin to a draw… Tony Martinez defeated Yukon Eric… Vic Christy defeated Jock Malone.
05-13-1948: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 10,000: Lou Laird wrestled Wee Willie Davis to a Time Limit Draw… Mickey Gold wrestled Pat Flanagan to a Time Limit Draw… Larry Moquin defeats Jack Moore… Lou Thesz wrestled The Masked Marvel to a Time Limit Draw… Nanjo Singh defeats British Empire Heavyweight champion Whipper Billy Watson by Count Out to win the title.
05-19-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 8,500: French Angel defeated Gino Garibaldi… George & Bobby Becker defeated Jules Strongbow & Tom Rice… Kiman Kudo defeated Yukon Eric… Tony Martinez battled Reg Siki to a draw… Kay Bell defeated Fred Wright.
05-27-1948: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 9,000: Jack Moore defeats Jack Larouche… Earl McCready defeats Jim Burnett… Lee Henning wrestled Pete Peterson to a Time Limit Draw… Larry Moquin defeats Bob Wagner by DQ… Whipper Billy Watson defeats Gorgeous George.
06-01-1948: Sandor Szabo regains an off shoot version of the NWAssociation World title from Bronko Nagurski in Minneapolis.
06-02-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 10,400: Gorgeous George defeated French Angel… George & Bobby Becker defeated Tom Rice & Frank Jares… Vic Holbrook battled Reg Siki to a draw… Tony Martinez defeated Jack Kennedy… Kay Bell battled Fred Atkins to a draw.
Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 11,000: Jesse James wrestled Joe Christie to a Time Limit Draw… Felix Miquet defeats Jack Moore… Bobby Managoff defeats Manuel Cortez: Special Referees: Jack Sharkey & Jack Dempsey: Larry Moquin & Yvon Robert defeat Sky Hi Lee & Wee Willie Davis 2 falls to 1.
06-04-1948: Tom Packs sells the St. Louis wrestling booking office to Lou Thesz, Bill Longson, Frank Tunney, and Eddie Quinn.
06-09-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 9,000: Enrique Torres defeated George Becker… Dave Levin & Vic Holbrook defeated Frank Jares & Fred Atkins… Ali Baba defeated Jock Malone… Jules Strongbow battled Chief War Cloud to a draw.
06-15-1948: Documents are signed of the new Mississippi Valley Sports Club (St. Louis) which is owned mostly by Martin Thesz (Lou Thesz father but really just Thesz using his father’s name to mask his ownership) with smaller shares being owned by Eddie Quinn and Frank Tunney.
06-16-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 8,200: Karl & Willie Davis defeated George & Bobby Becker… Enrique Torres defeated Fred Atkins… Ali Baba defeated Frank Jares… Dave Levin battled Reb Russell to a draw… Vic Christy battled Jack Holland to a draw.
06-22-1948: Cliff Gustafson wins an off shoot version of the NWAssociation World title from Sandor Szabo in Minneapolis.
06-23-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 9,900: Gorgeous George defeated George Becker… Willie & Karl Davis defeated Enrique Torres & Tony Martinez… Bobby Becker defeated Kay Bell… Jules Strongbow defeated Jack Holland… Dave Levin battled Fred Atkins to a draw.
06-29-1948: Mike Chacoma & Red Roberts defeat Herb & Roy Welch to become the first Southern (Tennessee) tag team champions in Nashville, TN for the Nick Gulas promotion. The Southern tag team titles eventually becomes one of the oldest tag team championships in the world.
06-30-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 7,400: Willie & Karl Davis defeated George & Bobby Becker… Ali Baba defeated Kay Bell… Tony Martinez defeated Fred Atkins… Ted Christy defeated Hardy Kruskamp… George Temple defeated Alex Kasaboski.
07-07-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 9,800: Gorgeous George defeated Ali Baba… Vic & Ted Christy defeated Karl & Willie Davis… Fred Atkins defeated Sam Menacher… Fat Frank battled Reb Russell to a draw… Don Lee defeated Chief War Cloud.
07-14-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 8,400: Ernie & Emil Dusek defeated Ted & Vic Christy… Bobby Becker defeated Reb Russell… Sandor Szabo defeated Fred Atkins… Tony Martinez defeated Jack Holland… Kiman Kudo defeated Don Lee.
07-15-1948: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 8,500: Dan O'Connor wrestled Jim Henry to a 20-minute draw… Wladyslaw Talun defeats Jack Moore… Pete Peterson defeats Lee Henning… The Mask (Joe Christie) defeats Mike Sharpe by DQ… NWAssociation World champion Bill Longson defeats Whipper Billy Watson.
Boston, MA: Arena: Attendance 8,000: Bibber McCoy defeats Harry Finkelstein… Bull Curry wrestled George O’Malley to a 20-minute draw… Marvin Westenberg wrestled Steve Casey to a 30-minute draw… AWA World champion Frank Sexton wrestled Primo Carnera to a time limit draw after trading one fall each.
07-18-1948: The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) is formed in Waterloo, IA with Pinkie George named the first President. A syndicate of promoters meet in Waterloo, IA at the Hotel President. Participating in the conference are Pinkie George, Maxwell Clayton, Orville Brown, Sam Muchnick, and Wally Karbo (representing Tony Stecher). Orville Brown is recognized as the first NWA World heavyweight champion.
07-20- 1948: Lou Thesz defeats Bill Longson for the National Wrestling Association World title in Indianapolis, IN.
07-21-1948: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 9,400: Fred Atkins defeats Jack Holland… Vic Christy defeats Pat Frank… Karl Davis defeats Terry McGinnis… Wee Willie Davis wrestled Tony Martinez to a draw… The Dusek Brothers (Emil Dusek & Ernie Dusek) defeat The Becker Brothers (Bobby Becker & George Becker) winning the only fall after time limit expired.
07-29-1948: Antonino Rocca makes his U.S. debut in Galveston, TX defeating Gorilla Macias in two falls.
08-04-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 10,400: Gorgeous George defeated Ernie Dusek… Sandor Szabo defeated Vic Christy… Hans Schnabel defeated Dave Levin… Sam Menacher defeated Kolo Stasiak… Tony Martinez battled Maurice LaChappelle to a draw.
08-06-1948: Antonino Rocca defeats Dizzy Davis in Houston for the Texas title.
08-11-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 9,800: Sandor Szabo & Gorgeous George defeated Emil Dusek & Hans Schnabel… Willie Davis defeated Sam Menacher… George Becker defeated Ted Christy… Dave Levin battled Maurice LaChappelle to a draw… Kolo Stasiak defeated Jack Holland.
08-18-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 10,400: Primo Carnera defeated Karl Davis… Ernie & Emil Dusek defeated Vic Christy & Vic Holbrook… Dave Levin defeated Fritz Schnabel… Hans Schnabel battled Bobby Becker to a draw… George Temple defeated Alex Kasaboski.
08-22-1948: In Waterloo, IA: World Junior heavyweight title: Al Williams beat Billy Goelz to win the championship.
08-25-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 10,000: Ernie & Emil Dusek defeated Primo Carnera & Sandor Szabo with Ed “Strangler” Lewis referee… Bobby Becker defeated Karl Davis… Hardy Kruskamp defeated Jose Juarez… George Becker defeated Maurice LaChappelle… Willie Davis battled Terry McGinnis to a draw.
08-27-1948: Sgt. Slaughter (Robert Remus) is born.
09-01-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 9,400: Ernie & Emil Dusek battled George & Bobby Becker to a draw… Lou Thesz defeated Willie Davis… Golden Terror defeated Terry McGinnis… Dave Levin battled Hans Schnabel to a draw… Karl Davis battled Vic Holbrook to a draw.
09-08-1948: The Great Kabuki (Akihisa Mera) is born.
In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 8,800: Ernie & Emil Dusek defeated George & Bobby Becker… Dave Levin defeated Karl Davis… Sandor Szabo defeated Maurice LaChappelle… Golden Terror defeated Fritz Schnabel… Frank Jares battled Eric Pederson to a draw.
09-15-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 9,100: Gorgeous George defeated Dave Levin… Ernie & Emil Dusek defeated Sam Menacher & Maurice LaChappelle… Golden Terror defeated Myron Cox… Tug Carlson battled Willie Davis to a draw… George Temple defeated Al Billings.
09-21-1948: Mitsuo Momota is born. He is the son of Rikidozan.
09-22-1948: In Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 9,500: Gorgeous George defeated Ernie Dusek… Lord James Blears defeated Tug Carlson… Jose & Jacobo Macias defeated Emil Dusek & Frank Jares… Golden Terror battled Jim Mitchell to a draw… Sam Menacher defeated Al Billings.
EMLL: The first of two anniversary shows in 1948 take place: 15th Anniversary Show 1: in Mexico City, Mexico: Arena Coliseo drawing 9,000: Ciclon Veloz beat Blue Demon… Black Shadow beat Rito Romero… Gori Guerrero beat Bobby Bonales… Tarzan Lopez beat Mike Kelly.
09-24-1948: EMLL: The second of two anniversary shows in 1948 take place: 15th Anniversary Show 2: in Mexico City, Mexico: Old Arena Mexico: Rito Romero beat The Black Shadow via DQ… Bobby Bonales beat Gori Guerrero… World Middleweight champion Tarzan Lopez beat Harry Fields.
09-25-1948: Joe Lynam is killed in a plane crash in Oregon at the age of 31.
A second National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) meeting is held. This time in Minneapolis, MN at the Dyckman Hotel. Tony Stecher, Pinkie George, Max Clayton, Orville Brown, Sam Muchnick, Frankie Talaber (representing Al Haft), and Bert Ruby (representing Harry Light) are present. They alter a few of the original NWA rules and agree to recognize Orville Brown as the first and only NWAlliance World Heavyweight champion.
10-09-1948: St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 9,300: Dusek Brothers (Emil & Joe Dusek) defeat Karl Davis & Ralph Garibaldi… Ernie Dusek defeats Jim Henry… Bill Longson defeats Mickey Gold… NWAssociation World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Enrique Torres by DQ.
10-13-1948: Montreal, Canada: Forum: Promoter Eddie Quinn: Attendance 9,000: Manuel Cortez defeats Joe Christie… Bob Russell defeats Tom Collins… Ray Eckert & Lee Henning & Bill Longson defeat Larry Moquin & Pete Peterson & Yvon Robert 2 falls to 1.
10-20-1948: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 8,600: Ray Gunkel battled Vic Holbrook to a draw… Jim Mitchell defeats Rocco Toma… Jose Macias defeats Senator Hartford… Zaharias Brothers (Babe & Chris Zaharias) defeat Bobby Managoff & Terry McGuinness… AWA World champion Frank Sexton battled NWAssociation World champion Lou Thesz to a draw. Sexton took 1 fall. Thesz took 1 fall. The 3rd fall went to a time limit draw.
Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 15,000: Larry Moquin defeats Rebel Russell… Sammy Menacker defeated Ray Eckert by DQ… Manuel Cortez wrestled Lee Henning to a Time Limit Draw… Gorgeous George (w/Jeffries) defeats Pete Peterson in 2 falls.
10-22-1948: In his Wrestling program column “In the Ring with Sam Muchnick”, Muchnick gives more insight into the recently formed National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) including who some of the other people were that were considered for the first NWA World heavyweight title besides Orville Brown. Tony Stecher wanted Cliff Gustafson; Al Haft wanted Ruffy Silverstein. However, Harry Light, George Simpson, Pinkie George, and Muchnick voted for Orville Brown.
11-03-1948: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 10,000: Manuel Cortez wrestled Ray Eckert to a Draw… Frank Valois defeats Lee Henning by DQ… Rebel Russell wrestled Sammy Menacker to a Double DQ… Gorgeous George defeats Larry Moquin 2 falls to 1.
11-04-1948: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 11,000: Ralph Martin defeats Jack Moore… Ben Sharpe defeats Dan O'Connor… Ray Villmer defeats Myron Cox… Ben Morgan defeats George McNabb… Fred Atkins & Whipper Billy Watson wrestled Sky Hi Lee & The Mask to a double count out. Nanjo Singh and Pat Flanagan interfered in a wild scene.
11-05-1948: St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 10,102: George Koverly defeats Paul Boesch… Al Lovelock defeats Joe Dusek… Hans Schnabel defeats Jim Henry… Larry Moquin defeats Emil Dusek… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Bill Longson by DQ with special referee Ed “Strangler” Lewis.
11-15-1948: Bert Assirati wins the British version of the world title by defeating the French Angel in London.
11-18-1948: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Garden: Attendance: 12,420 or 14,000 (Toronto Daily Star says 12,420. Globe & Mail says 14,000): Al Korman wrestled Charles Green to a 20 minute draw… Bob Wagner wrestled Ray Villmer to a 20 minute draw… Ben Morgan defeats Ed Meske… Sky Hi Lee & Nanjo Singh & The Mask defeat Whipper Billy Watson & Pat Flanagan & Fred Atkins.
11-24-1948: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 15,233: Manuel Cortez wrestled Sammy Menacker to a Time Limit Draw… Frank Valois defeats Rebel Russell… Bob Wagner defeats Pete Peterson… Special Referee: Jack Dempsey: Montreal World Heavyweight champion Yvon Robert defeated Gorgeous George 2 falls to 1.
11-26-1948: Buddy Rogers jumps from Lou Thesz’s St. Louis NWAssociation promotion to Sam Muchnick’s NWAlliance promotion. Muchnick draws his largest crowd to date: 9,176 people.
12-03-1948: Vince McMahon (Sr) is hired to manage Turner’s Arena in New York City.
12-09-1948: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 10,000: Ray Villmer defeats Jack Moore… Billy Hanson wrestled Sandy O'Donnell (Ray Eckert) to a Time Limit Draw… Mike Sharpe defeats Dan O'Connor… Nanjo Singh & Sky Hi Lee & The Mask defeat Fred Atkins & Pat Flanagan & Whipper Billy Watson in a match with two referees.
12-16-1948: A car accident involving Ali Baba (Larry LaBelle), Frankie Hart, and Jackie Nichols results in the death of LaBelle who is 40 years old.
Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 11,000: Al Korman wrestled Tom Collins to a Time Limit Draw… Ralph Martin defeats Jack Moore… Billy Hanson defeats Dan O'Connor… Ray Villmer wrestled Sandy O'Donnell to a Time Limit Draw… Six Man Tag Team With Two Referees Match: Special Referees: Jack Dempsey & Jack Sharkey: Nanjo Singh & Sky Hi Lee & The Mask defeat Fred Atkins & Pat Flanagan & Whipper Billy Watson by referee's decision.
12-17-1948: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance: 10,042: Enrique Torres defeats Joe Dusek… The Dusek Brothers (Emil Dusek & Ernie Dusek) defeat The Zaharias Brothers (Babe Zaharias & Chris Zaharias)… Jack Kennedy wrestled Juan Humberto to a Time Limit Draw… Chief Suni War Cloud defeats Joe Millich… Antonino Rocca defeats Warren Bockwinkel… Gorgeous George defeats Larry Moquin.
12-21-1948: “Outlaw” Ron Bass is born.
12-24-1948: Pinkie George (who backs the NWAlliance World champion Orville Brown) tells the Waterloo Courier newspaper that “[Lou Thesz] His title claim is the most ridiculous of all. I remember Lou when he used to wrestle for me in Waterloo and was my chauffeur from town to town. Thesz is a nice kid. We even used him in Des Moines in a preliminary or two. He has no basis for a [world] title claim.”
1948: Verne Gagne wins the NCAA championship at 191 pounds out of the University of Minnesota.
Dick Hutton wins the NCAA championship as a heavyweight out of Oklahoma State University.
Orville Brown
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