Return to WhenItWasCool.com Home Page

Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1954

By: Karl Stern

The year 1954 in pro wrestling is covered on the Long Form History of Wrestling Podcast - Click here.

1954

01-01-1954: El Santo defeated Sugi Sito for the NWA World Middleweight title in Mexico City, Mexico.

01-06-1954: In Canton, OH: NWA World heavyweight champion Lou Thesz battled Bill Miller to a double count out.

01-07-1954: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 12,000: Jack Bence defeats Al Warshawski… Johnny Barend defeats Oyama Kato… Sky Low Low & Mighty Schultz defeat Little Beaver & Pee Wee James… Pat Flanagan defeats Tony Martinelli… Hombre Montana & Whipper Billy Watson defeat NWA Canadian Open tag team champions Murder Inc. (Al Mills & Tiny Mills) to win the titles.

01-14-1954: “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan is born.

Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 9,000: Jack Bence defeats Tony Martinelli… Emil Dusek defeats Al Warshawski… Ernie Dusek defeats Timothy Geohagan… Haile Selassie & Little Beaver wrestled Mighty Schultz & Sky Low Low to a Time Limit Draw… Whipper Billy Watson & Hombre Montana defeat NWA Canadian Open Tag Team champions Murder Inc. (Al Mills & Tiny Mills) by decision after a curfew time limit to win the titles.

01-15-1954: Chicago, IL: International Amphitheater: Attendance 9,629: Pat O'Connor defeats Ivan Rasputin… Sky Hi Lee defeats Bobby Nelson… Larry Chene & Billy Goelz defeat Art Neilson & The Sheik of Araby by DQ 2 falls to 1… Hans Schmidt defeats Ray Gunkel by Count Out 2 falls to 1… Killer Kowalski defeats Yukon Eric 2 falls to 1.

01-20-1954: Eddie Quinn Promotions: Montreal Forum: Attendance 16,703 La Patrie (French Newspaper) & The Montreal Star, OR The Montreal Gazette says 12,000: Johnny Rougeau wrestled Manuel Cortez to a Draw… Bull Curry defeats Bill Stack… Bobby Managoff defeats Nacho Reyes… Montreal World Heavyweight champion Wladek (Killer) Kowalski defeats Antonino Rocca by Count Out 2 falls to 1.

01-21-1954: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 10,000: Johnny Barend defeats Firpo Zbyszko… The Dusek Brothers (Emil Dusek & Ernie Dusek) defeat Alan Garfield & Golden Hawk… Fred Atkins wrestled Pat Flanagan to a Draw… Jack Bence defeats Jan Gotch… NWA Canadian Open Tag Team champions Whipper Billy Watson & Hombre Montana wrestled Hans Schmidt & Wladek (Killer) Kowalski to a Curfew Time Limit Draw.

01-26-1954: Eddie Quinn Promotion: Ottawa, Canada: Auditorium: Attendance 9,000 (Sellout). (5400 arena seats, 2000 ringside, plus standing room only in the upper promenades) Don Leo Jonathan defeated Natcho Reyes… Yvon Robert defeated Harry Lewis… Antonino Rocca defeats Manuel Cortez by referee stoppage after one fall when Cortez injures his back and cannot continue.

01-30-1954: Indianapolis, IN: Fairgrounds Coliseum: Attendance 10,500: Buddy Rogers defeats Jim Wright… Bobby Managoff defeats Johnny Valentine by DQ… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz wrestled Ray Gunkel to a draw after splitting one fall each the third fall went to the time limit.

02-03-1954: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 9,200: Juan Hernandez defeats Aldo Bogni… Lee Grable defeats Frenchy Roy… Bud Curtis defeats Ray Stevens… John Tolos & Karl Davis defeat Wilbur Snyder & Mario DeSouza 2 falls to 1… Lord Leslie Carlton defeats Sandor Szabo 2 falls to 1… This was a TV Taping but the main event was not televised.

02-06-1954: Toshio Yamaguchi and Kiyomikawa promote a two day wrestling show in Osaka, Japan called “Japan verses U.S.” under the name All Japan Pro-Wrestling Alliance.

02-12-1954: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 9,462: Dave Sims wrestled Vern Taft to a Time Limit Draw… Danno O'Shocker defeats Chris Zaharias by DQ… Joe Dusek & Joe Tangaro & Vic Holbrook defeat Chest Bernard & Jim Wright & Ray Eckert 2 falls to 1… Bill Longson defeats Abe Coleman… Wladek (Killer) Kowalski defeats Pat O'Connor.

02-15-1954: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 15,071: Antonino Rocca battled NWA U.S. champion Verne Gagne to a curtain draw… Pat O’Connor defeated Ski Hi Lee… Gregorio Jarque & Buddy Gilbert defeated Pedro Escobar & Lou Pitoscia… Frank Milano defeated Harry Finkelstein (AKA: Harry Lewis)… Tony Martinelli battled Hal Kanner to a draw… Frank Links defeated Joe Kameroff (AKA: Firpo Zbyszko). Backstage at Madison Square Garden, Pedro Martinez punches out Joe “Toots” Mondt in a disagreement over $19,750 Martinez believed he was owed by Mondt.

02-19-1954: The old Sumo Hall (Kuramae Kokugikan) sees three days worth of wrestling shows and the first day is broadcast on NHK and NTV television. It features Rikidozan & Masahiko Kimura battling Ben & Mike Sharpe. This is the birth of the JWA. In Tokyo, Japan drawing 13,000: Kiyomigawa drew Harold Toki… Mitsuo Surugaumi beat Kaichi Nagasawa… Kokichi Endo pinned Bob Mumphrey… Bobby Bruns beat Toshio Yamaguchi… NWA Tag Champs Ben & Mike Sharpe drew with Rikidozan & Masahiko Kimura.

02-20-1954: JWA debut: Night two: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 13,000: Shown live on NTV: Kaichi Nagasawa beat Harold Tiki… Kokichi Endo beat Kiyomigawa… Mitsuo Surugaumi beat Bob Mumphrey… Bobby Bruns drew Masahiko Kimura… Mike Sharpe beat Toshio Yamaguchi… Rikidozan beat Ben Sharpe in three falls.

02-21-1954: JWA debut: Night three: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 13,000: Shown live on NTV: Mitsuo Surugaumi beat Harold Toki… Kiyomigawa drew Kaichi Nagasawa… Toshio Yamaguchi beat Bob Mumphrey… Bobby Bruns drew Kokichi Endo… NWA World tag team champions Ben & Mike Sharpe drew with Rikidozan & Masahiko Kimura.

02-25-1954: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 13,000: Ike Eakins defeats Jan Gotch… Ilio DiPaolo wrestled Johnny Barend to a 30 minute draw… Mighty Ursus defeats Toar Morgan… Earl McCready wrestled Fred Atkins to a 30 minute draw… NWA Canadian Open Tag Team champions Murder Inc. (Al Mills & Tiny Mills) defeat The Dusek Brothers (Emil Dusek & Ernie Dusek) by DQ.

02-28-1954: In Guadalajara, Mexico: Plaza de Toros el Progreso drawing 41,000: Occidente Middleweight Title Tournament featuring Polo Torres, El Bulldog, Jack O'Brien, Gorilla Flores, Diablo Velazco, Joe El Hermoso, Torbellino Negro, and Indio Mejia… Medico Asesino beat Tonina Jackson in a mask vs. hair match.

03-03-1954: Eddie Quinn Promotions: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 10,000: Bobby Nelson wrestled Ray Stern to a Time Limit Draw… Don Leo Jonathan defeats Steve Stanlee… The Togo Brothers (The Great Togo & Tosh Togo) defeat Hardy Kruskamp & Manuel Cortez… Argentina Rocca wrestled Buddy Rogers to a Double Knock Out after splitting one fall each. Rogers and Rocca collide and hit heads mid-ring. Both cannot continue.

03-04-1954: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 10,000: Fred Atkins defeats Jack Bence… Ike Eakins defeats Alan Garfield… Tex McKenzie defeats Firpo Zbyszko… Mighty Ursus defeats Golden Hawk & Ramon Cernandes in a handicap match… The Dusek Brothers (Emil Dusek & Ernie Dusek) defeat NWA Canadian Open Tag Team champions Murder Inc. (Al Mills & Tiny Mills) in a non-title All in Tornado tag team match.

03-05-1954: Chicago, IL: International Amphitheater: Attendance 8,531: The Sheik of Araby (Ed Farhat) defeats Harry Lewis… Larry Chene defeats Gordon Hessel… Jack Witzig defeats Sky Hi Lee by DQ… NWA World Tag Team champions Reggie Lisowski & Art Neilson defeated Benito Gardini & Rudy Kay 2 falls to 1… Antonino Rocca defeats Killer Kowalski by Count Out 2 falls to 1.

03-06-1954: JWA: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 11,000: NWA World tag team champions Ben & Mike Sharpe drew with Rikidozan & Masahiko Kimura.

03-11-1954: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 8,500: Earl McCready wrestled Johnny Barend to a Time Limit Draw… Tex McKenzie defeats Toar Morgan… Mighty Ursus defeats Firpo Zbyszko & Mike Paidousis in a handicap match… Nanjo Singh defeats Jack Bence… NWA Canadian Open Tag Team champions Murder Inc. (Al Mills & Tiny Mills) defeat The Dusek Brothers (Ernie Dusek & Joe Dusek) with special referee Jack Dempsy.

03-15-1954: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 8,555: Verne Gagne defeated Hans Schmidt by DQ… Pat O’Connor defeated Tony Cosenza… Baron Gattoni & Frank Dallo defeated Buddy Lee & Hal Kanner… Ted Lewin defeated Buddy Gilbert… Adrien Baillargeon battled Red Ryan to a draw… Frank Milano battled Tony Martinelli to a draw.

03-16-1954: Kansas City, Missouri: Municipal Auditorium: Attendance 11,000: Ray Eckert defeats Frank Thompson… Bill Longson wrestled Sonny Myers to a Time Limit Draw… Guy Brunetti & Joe Tangaro defeat Dick Holbrook & Vic Holbrook 2 falls to 1… Red Berry defeats Gorgeous George by Count Out 2 falls to 1.

03-18-1954: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 10,000: Ike Eakins defeats Earl McCready… Tex McKenzie defeats Alan Garfield… Ilio DiPaolo defeats Mike Paidousis… Fred Atkins defeats Ramon Cernades… NWA Canadian Open Tag Team champions Murder Inc. (Al Mills & Tiny Mills) wrestled Hombre Montana & Mighty Ursus (Jesse Bull Ortega) to a Curfew Time Limit Draw.

03-19-1954: St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 9,597: Chris Zaharias wrestled Martino Angelo to a 20 minute draw… Gino Angelo defeats Pete Managoff by DQ… Bobby Lane & Vic Holbrook defeat Barney Bernard & Ray Eckert 2 falls to 1… Mr. Moto defeats Vic Christy… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Johnny Valentine. 

03-23-1954: Minneapolis, MN: Auditorium: Attendance 9,990: Dennis Clary wrestled Joe Pazandak to a 30 minute draw… Tony Baillargeon defeats Rudy Kay… Karl Karlsson defeats Bill McDaniel… Butch Levy wrestling Paul Baillargeon to a 30 minute time limit draw… Special Referee: Joe Louis: Dick Raines defeats Abe Kashey.

03-31-1954: Eddie Quinn Promotions: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 12,000: Al Tucker wrestled Chuck Anderson to a Time Limit Draw… Fred Atkins defeats Ray Stern… Herb Trawick defeats Steve Stanlee… Bobby Managoff & Yvon Robert defeat The Togo Brothers (The Great Togo & Tosh Togo) 2 falls to 1.

04-02-1954: El Enmascarado De Plata (The Silver Masked Man) movie is released. This movie is about a killer that uses a hurricane to cause mayhem. The killer uses a Zebra pattern mask. The hero, El Medico Asesino (The killer doctor) uses a silver mask. Originally, this movie was supposed to star El Santo, but he declined the role.

04-09-1954: Chicago, IL: International Amphitheater: Attendance 9,016: Bill Melby defeats Benito Gardini… Jack Witzig defeats Ivan Rasputin… Ray Gunkel defeats Hans Hermann… NWA Chicago World Tag Team champions Reggie Lisowski & Art Neilson defeat Farmer Jones & Farmer Don Marlin… Hans Schmidt defeats Antonino Rocca by winning one fall in a match that went to the time limit.

04-17-1954: Roddy Piper (Rodrick George Tombs) is born.

04-23-1954: Tony Atlas (Anthony White) is born.

04-28-1954: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: TV taping except main event not televised. Attendance 9,200: Karl Davis defeats Pepe Pasquale… Bud Curtis defeats Mario DeSouza… Tom Rice wrestled Sandor Szabo to a 45-minute draw… NWA International Television champion Wilbur Snyder defeats Gino Garibaldi 2 falls to 1… Bobo Brazil defeats The Great Bolo (Al Lovelock) 2 falls to 1.

04-1954: Joe “Toots” Mondt and the Manhattan Booking Agency files for bankruptcy.

05-01-1954: St Paul, MN: Auditorium: Attendance 8,880: Angelo Poffo defeats George Drake… Paul Baillargeon defeats Sandor Fozo… Hard Boiled Haggerty defeats Mike DiBiase… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Kinji Shibuya (w/Hard Boiled Haggerty) by DQ Special Referee: Joe Louis.

05-07-1954: Chicago, IL: International Amphitheater: Attendance 9,219: Bob Orton defeats Harry Lewis… Frank Stojack defeats Dutch Hefner… The Sheik of Araby & Reggie Lisowski wrestled Sky Hi Lee & Rudy Kay to a double DQ… Pat O'Connor defeats Mighty Atlas… Special Referee: Joe Louis: Antonino Rocca defeats Hans Schmidt 2 falls to 1.

05-11-1954: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 10,000: Antonino Rocca & Pat O’Connor defeated Hans Schmidt & Hans Hermann… Yukon Eric defeated Adrien Baillargeon… Tony Martinelli defeated Hassen Bey (George Stefanides) … Baron Gattoni defeated Camacho Cortez… Ted Lewin defeated Harry Lewis… Chief Blue Eagle defeated Man Mountain Dean, Jr.

Kansas City, MO: Municipal Auditorium: Attendance 8,772: Bibber McCoy wrestled Richard Brown to a Time Limit Draw… Belle Drummond defeats Mars Bennett… Danny McShain defeats Dave Sims in 2 falls… Special Referee: Jack Dempsey: Red Berry defeats Gorgeous George by Count Out 2 falls to 1. Danny McShain came out and attacked Gorgeous George.

05-12-1954: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 15,265: Manuel Cortez defeats Harry Lewis… Yvon Robert defeats Len Hughes… Cowboy Bradley & Little Beaver defeat Butch Schultz & Tom Thumb… Antonino Rocca defeats Montreal World Heavyweight champion Wladek (Killer) Kowalski. Rocca wins the first fall. Kowalski won the second and Rocca won the third.

Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 5,800: Bobo Brazil defeated Danny Savich-Juan Zepeda… Al Lovelock & Tom Rice defeated Sandor Szabo & Wilbur Snyder… Leo Garibaldi defeated Karl Davis… Pepi Pasquale drew Vic Christy… Frank Jares defeated Bob Bristol… Jack McDonald defeated Hardy Kruskamp.

05-18-1954: Minneapolis, MN: Auditorium: Attendance 8,674: Dennis Clary defeats Sandor Fozo by DQ… Tony Baillargeon defeats Angelo Poffo… Dave Sims wrestled Roberto Pico to a 30 minute draw… Hard Boiled Haggerty & Kinji Shibuya defeat Abe Kashey & Dick Raines.

05-19-1954: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 9,000: Frank Valois wrestled Herb Trawick to a draw… Bobby Managoff defeats Angelo Savoldi… Hans Schmidt defeats Kenny Ackles… Wladek (Killer) Kowalski defeats Montreal World Heavyweight champion Antonino Rocca to win the title. Rocca won the first fall. Kowalski won the second. Rocca is injured and can not continue the third fall.

05-26-1954: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 9,200: Bobo Brazil & Wilbur Snyder defeated Al Lovelock & Tom Rice… Lord Blears drew Sandor Szabo… Lord Layton defeated Vic Christy… Billy Varga defeated Frank Jares… Joe Pazandak defeated Pepi Pasquale… Mario DeSouza defeated Juan Zepeda.

06-02-1954: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 6,500: Wilbur Snyder & Bobo Brazil drew Al Lovelock & Tom Rice… Lord Layton defeated Mario Desouza… Lord Blears defeated Karl Davis… Joe Pazandak drew Billy Varga… Vic Christy defeated Tom Renesto.

06-03-1954: In Bombay, India drawing 40,000: Aslam Pahalwan beat Bert Assirati.

06-08-1954: San Francisco, CA: Civic Auditorium: Attendance 6,000: Aldo Bogni wrestled Steve McGill to a time limit draw… Baron Gattoni defeats Stan Ellis… Ramon Torres defeats Bud Curtis by DQ… NWA World (San Francisco version) tag team champions Leo Nomellini & Rocky Brown wrestled The Sharpe Brothers (Ben Sharpe & Mike Sharpe) to a time limit draw after swapping one fall each.

06-10-1954: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 9,000: Paul Baillargeon defeats Donn Lewin… Mighty Ursus defeats Bill Stack… Ray Villmer defeats Hombre Montana… Fuzzy Cupid & Sky Low Low wrestled Little Beaver & Otto Bowman to a Time Limit Draw… NWA Canadian Open Tag Team champions Tex McKenzie & Whipper Billy Watson defeat Murder Inc. (Al Mills & Tiny Mills).

06-14-1954: Boston, MA: Boston: Garden: Attendance 10,000: Manuel Cortez defeats Hans Hermann by DQ… Yvon Robert defeats Rebel Russell… World Women's champion Mildred Burke defeats Mary Jane Mull… Verne Gagne & Bobby Managoff defeat Killer Kowalski & Hans Schmidt 2 falls to 1. Bobby Managoff was a substitution for Antonino Rocca.

06-16-1954: Eddie Quinn Promotions: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 10,000: Eduardo Perez wrestled Stan Holek to a Time Limit Draw… Johnny Rougeau defeats Mike McGee… Frank Valois wrestled Sandor Kovacs to a Time Limit Draw… Bobby Managoff & Manuel Cortez & Yvon Robert defeat Buddy Rogers & Fred Atkins & Ike Eakins by DQ in 2 falls.

07-01-1954: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 12,000: Paul Baillargeon defeats Harry Lewis… The Mighty Ursus defeats Nick Roberts… Lee Henning wrestled Tim Geohagan to a 20 minute draw… Togo Brothers (Tosh Togo & Great Togo) defeat Pat Flanagan & Dan O'Shocker by blood stoppage… Antonino Rocca defeats Ray Villmer.

07-07-1954: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: TV taping: Main Event not televised: Attendance 10,400 (Sellout): Pepe Pasquale wrestled Jack McDonald to a draw… Gene Kiniski defeats Dr. Lee Grable… Hans Schnabel defeats Vic Christy… Gino Garibaldi & Warren Bockwinkel wrestled Tom Rice & The Great Bolo (Al Lovelock) to a draw… Wilbur Snyder defeats Lord James Blears 2 falls to 1… Bobo Brazil defeats Lord Athol Layton in 2 falls.

Eddie Quinn Promotions: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 14,065: Legs Langevin wrestled Rebel Russell to a Time Limit Draw… Bob Orton & Stan Holek wrestled The Kalmikoffs (Ivan Kalmikoff & Karol Kalmikoff) to a Time Limit Draw… Buddy Rogers defeats Ovila Asselin by referee's decision… Montreal World Heavyweight champion Wladek (Killer) Kowalski defeats Pat O'Connor 2 falls to 1.

07-14-1954: Omaha, NE: Stadium: Attendance 10,078: Mike DiBiase defeats Harry Lewis… Joe Dusek defeats Jim Dobie… The Dusek Brothers (Emil Dusek & Ernie Dusek) wrestled Art Neilson & Reggie Lisowski to a 45 minute draw after splitting one fall each… John Pesek defeated Bobby Nelson… NWA United States Heavyweight champion Verne Gagne defeats Antonino Rocca by referee stoppage when Rocca is injured after splitting one fall each.

07-16-1954: In Chicago, IL at the Rainbo Arena: NWA World heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeated Lu Kim.

07-21-1954: In Chicago, IL at the Rainbo Arena: NWA World heavyweight champion Lou Thesz beat Don Leo Jonathan.

Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 15,466: Frank Valois wrestled Manuel Cortez to a draw… Sandor Kovacs defeats Eduardo Perez… The Kalmikoffs (Ivan & Karol Kalmikoff) wrestled The Togo Brothers (Great Togo & Tosh Togo) to a double count out… Pat O'Connor defeats Montreal World Heavyweight champion Wladek (Killer) Kowalski to win the title 2 falls to 1.

07-28-1954: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 10,000: Steve Stanlee wrestled Stan Holek to a 30 minute draw… Herb Trawick defeats Rebel Russell by Count Out… Fred Atkins & Ike Eakins wrestled The Dusek Brothers (Ernie Dusek & Emil Dusek) to a double DQ… Montreal World champion Pat O'Connor defeats Bobby Managoff 2 falls to 1.

07-09-1954: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 10,000: Lee Henning wrestled Tim Geohagan to a Time Limit Draw… Sky Hi Lee defeats Bill Stack… Mighty Schultz & Otto Bowman wrestled The Brown Panther & Tito Infante to a Time Limit Draw… George Bollas wrestled Ray Villmer to a Time Limit Draw… NWA Canadian Open Tag Team champions The Togo Brothers (The Great Togo & Tosh Togo) defeat Paul Baillargeon & Whipper Billy Watson.

07-15-1954: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 10,000: George Bollas wrestled Pat Flanagan to a Time Limit Draw… The Mighty Atlas defeats Nick Roberts… Ray Villmer wrestled Timothy Geohagan to a Time Limit Draw… Roy McClarity defeats Lee Henning… NWA Canadian Open Tag Team champions The Togo Brothers (The Great Togo & Tosh Togo) wrestled Paul Baillargeon & Whipper Billy Watson to a Curfew Time Limit Draw.

08-04-1954: The famed French Angel (Maurice Tillet) dies in Chicago, IL at the age of 51 from heart disease.

Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 10,000: Emil Dusek wrestled Fred Atkins to a draw… Manuel Cortez defeats Ernie Dusek by DQ… Little Beaver & Brown Panther defeat Fuzzy Cupid & Tom Thumb… World title verses World title: Lou Thesz (NWA World heavyweight champion) wrestled Pat O'Connor (Montreal World heavyweight champion) to a time limit draw after splitting one fall each.

08-12-1954: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 10,000: George Bollas wrestled Ray Villmer to a Time Limit Draw… Luther Lindsay defeats Lee Henning… Tex McKenzie defeats Harry Lewis… Sky Hi Lee defeats Tony Martinelli… Antonino Rocca defeats Mighty Ursus (Jess Bull Ortega).

08-17-1954: Minneapolis, MN: Auditorium: Attendance 8,479: Jack Witzig defeats Hans Hermann by DQ… Farmer Marlin defeats Dutch Heffner… Aldo Bogni defeats Bill Brookshire… Bronko Nagurski & Karl Karlsson defeat Hard Boiled Haggerty & Fritz Von Erich 2 falls to 1.

08-18-1954: Montreal, Canada: Delorimier Stadium: Attendance 21,616: Frank Valois defeats Fred Atkins… Little Beaver & Pee Wee James defeat Fuzzy Cupid & Sky Low Low… The Dusek Brothers (Emil Dusek & Ernie Dusek) wrestled The Kalmikoffs (Ivan & Karol Kalmikoff) to a double DQ… Larry Moquin defeats Ike Eakins… Montreal World Heavyweight champion Pat O'Connor defeats Yvon Robert 2 falls to 1.

Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400 (sellout): Karl Davis defeats Vic Christy… Danny Savich defeats Juan Sepeda… Bob Corby defeats Thor Hagen… Tom Rice defeats Warren Bockwinkel… The Great Bolo (Al Lovelock) defeats Gino Garibaldi 2 falls to 1… Sandor Szabo & Bobo Brazil & Wilbur Snyder defeat Lord James Blears & Lord Athol Layton & Gene Kiniski 2 falls to 1.

08-20-1954: June Byers battles NWA World Women’s champion Mildred Burke in a shoot match in Atlanta, GA. The match is best two out of three falls and a total shoot. Byers takes the first fall and Burke is injured. Still, Burke continues to fend off Byers and the match is eventually stopped by the Georgia State Athletic Commission with Byers winning one fall to none. June Byers claims the title until her retirement in 1964, while Burke travels to California and bills herself as WWWA World Women’s champion. She holds the belt, presumably, until her retirement. Then in 1970, Marie Vagnone claims the title (she may have won a tournament) and travels to Japan where she loses it to Akio Kyo and the belt remains there and is one of the most respected women’s titles in history - the All Japan Women’s WWWA World title.

08-21-1954: Billy Wolfe, the promoter of women’s wrestling at the time, gets the Georgia State Athletic Commission to reverse it’s ruling on the previous nights shoot match between Mildred Burke and June Byers and names Byers at the new Women’s World champion.

08-26-1954: In Montreal, QB, Canada: Delorimier Stadium drawing 16,000: Ike Eakins beat Black Panther… Ivan & Karol Kalmikoff drew Johnny Rougeau & Manuel Cortez… Bobby Managoff beat Bob Russell… AWA World champion Pat O'Connor beat Buddy Rogers. Jack Sharkey was the referee.

Pedro Martinez buys the Manhattan Booking Office at public auction following it’s bankruptcy months earlier.

09-01-1954: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400 (Sellout): George Dusette wrestled Hardy Kruskamp to a draw… Warren Bockwinkel defeats Danny Savich… Great Bolo (Al Lovelock) defeats Dennis Clary… Tom Rice defeats Gino Garibaldi 2 falls to 1… Wilbur Snyder & Bobo Brazil & Sandor Szabo defeat Lord James Blears & Gene Kiniski & Kubla Khan 3 falls to 2.

Eddie Quinn Promotions: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 10,000: Frank Valois wrestled Fred Atkins to a Time Limit Draw… Sandor Kovacs defeats Arnold Skaaland… Bobby Managoff & Manuel Cortez wrestled The Dusek Brothers (Emil Dusek & Ernie Dusek) to a Double DQ… Montreal World Heavyweight champion Pat O'Connor defeats Yvon Robert 2 falls to 1.

09-02-1954: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto: Attendance 9,000: Luther Lindsay defeats Jan Gotch… Bearcat Wright defeats Donn Lewin… Nanjo Singh defeats Ray Villmer… Roy McClarity defeats George Bollas… NWA Canadian Open Tag Team champions The Togo Brothers (The Great Togo & Tosh Togo) defeat Tex McKenzie & Whipper Billy Watson by DQ.

09-06-1954: Bobo Brazil & Wilbur Snyder defeated Lord James Blears & Gene Kiniski to win the International TV tag team championship in Hollywood, CA.

09-08-1954: Eddie Quinn Promotions: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 12,000 (La Patrie, French newspaper) or 8.000- The Montreal Star: Manuel Cortez wrestled Ovila Asselin to a Time Limit Draw… Fred Atkins & Ike Eakins wrestled The Dusek Brothers (Emil Dusek & Ernie Dusek) to a Draw… Bobby Managoff defeats Black Panther… Larry Moquin & Yvon Robert defeat The Togo Brothers (The Great Togo & Tosh Togo) 2 falls to 1.

09-22-1954: Eddie Quinn Promotions: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 11,000: Lee Henning defeats Sandor Kovacs… Bobby Managoff & Yvon Robert wrestled Fred Atkins & Ike Eakins to a Draw… Wladek (Killer) Kowalski defeats Stan Holek… Montreal World Heavyweight champion Pat O'Connor wrestled Antonino Rocca to a Double Count Out after splitting one fall each.

09-24-1954: EMLL: 21st Anniversary Show: in Mexico City, Mexico: Old Arena Mexico: Gori Guerrero battled Cavernario Galindo to a no contest in three falls of a "super libre" match. The match was stopped in third fall due to excessive blood.

09-29-1954: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 11,843: Johnny Rougeau defeats Tony Angelo… Lee Henning & Bob Russell defeats Manuel Cortez & Frank Valois… Gene Stanlee defeated Fred Atkins… Montreal World Heavyweight champion Pat O'Connor defeats Wladek (Killer) Kowalski by Count Out 2 falls to 1. Special Referee: Mike Mazurki.

10-03-1954: In Guadalajara, Mexico: Plaza de Toros el Progreso drawing 48,000: Medico Asesino beat Gardenia Davis.

10-04-1954: Paul Bowser promotion Boston, MA: Attendance: 5,000: Art Neilson & Reggie Lisowski (The Crusher) defeated Verne Gagne & Pat O'Conner… Don Leo Jonathon defeated Adrian Baillargeon… Steve Lutz defeated Tiger Tasker by count out… Dom Papaleo battled Sammy Berg to a draw.

10-10-1954: Tony Stecher, NWA founding member and brother of former world champion Joe Stecher, dies after falling ill the previous night.

10-13-1954: Tony Stecher’s funeral is held at Wesley Church in Minneapolis, MN. Among the pall-bearers were Bronko Nagurski, Verne Gagne, and Pat O’Connor.

10-26-1954: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 11,545: Reggie Lisowski (AKA: The Crusher) & Art Neilson battled Pat O’Connor & Yukon Eric to a draw… Antonino Rocca defeated Hans Schmidt… Hans Hermann defeated Arnold Skaaland… Tony Martinelli defeated Angelo Savoldi… Pedro Escobar defeated Johnny Heidemann… Hal Kanner defeated Buddy Lee by DQ.

10-27-1954: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 8,500: Ted Christy defeats Lee Grable… Nick Bockwinkel wrestled Jack Terry to a draw… Mike DiBiase defeats Danny Plechas… NWA International Television Tag Team champions Gene Kiniski & John Tolos defeats Sandor Szabo & Lord James Blears… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats The Great Bolo (Al Lovelock) in 2 straight falls.

Eddie Quinn Promotions: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 9,000: Manuel Cortez wrestled Rebel Russell to a Draw… Larry Moquin defeats Bull Curry by DQ… Prince Maiava defeats Lee Henning… Montreal World Heavyweight champion Pat O'Connor defeats Bobby Managoff 2 falls to 1.

11-1954: Mildred Burke, the WWWA World Women’s champion, tours on a show in Japan promoted by Sankei Shinbun newspaper along with six other American women and four Japanese and succeed in selling out Kuramae Kokugikan Hall for three shows. Several women’s wrestling groups are soon formed including All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling Association, the predecessor to All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling.

11-03-1954: Eddie Quinn Promotions: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 10,000: Len Hughes wrestled Manuel Cortez to a Time Limit Draw… Prince Maiava defeats Tiger Tasker… Bull Curry & Rebel Russell defeat Larry Moquin & Yvon Robert by DQ… Montreal World Heavyweight champion Pat O'Connor defeats Wladek (Killer) Kowalski by Count Out 2 falls to 1.

11-10-1954: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 10,000: Manuel Cortez wrestled Sandor Kovacs to a draw… Prince Maivia (Neff) defeats Len Hughes… Larry Moquin & Yvon Robert defeat Bull Curry & Rebel Russell… Wladek Kowalski defeats Montreal World Heavyweight champion Pat O'Connor 2 falls to 1 to win the title.

11-15-1954: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 12,378: Antonino Rocca defeated Don Leo Jonathan… Verne Gagne battled Pat O’Connor to a draw… Reggie Lisowski (The Crusher) & Art Neilson defeated Hans Schmidt & Hans Hermann… Tony Martinelli defeated Pedro Escobar… Mr. Moto defeated Tex Riley… Fred Blassie defeated Kinji Shibuya.

11-17-1954: Eddie Quinn Promotions: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 10,000: Frank Valois wrestled Len Hughes to a Draw… Prince Maiava defeats Tony Angelo… Manuel Cortez & Yvon Robert defeat Bull Curry & Rebel Russell… NWA World Tag Team Title champions Art Neilson & Reggie Lisowski defeat Larry Moquin & Pat O'Connor 2 falls to 1.

11-18-1954: Sindicato de telemirones (The Syndicate of Television) movie is released. A singer fakes the success of his TV show. When a network executive finds out the singer turns to professional wrestling.

11-21-1954: Jesse McMahon, the Grandfather of Vince K. McMahon and a legendary promoter in his own right, dies at the age of 72.

12-13-1954: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 11,091: Verne Gagne defeated Roy McClarity… Antonino Rocca defeated Don Leo Jonathan… Pat O’Connor & Yukon Eric defeated Reggie Lisowski (The Crusher) & Art Neilson… Raphael Halpern defeated Buddy Lee… Al Kashey battled Tony Martinelli to a draw… Pedro Escobar defeated Harry Lewis.

12-22-1954: JWA: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 13,000: Yiyue Zhuo beat Takeo Kaneko… Osamu Abe beat Tomio Miyashima… Teizo Watanabe beat Yonetaro Tanaka… Yoshinosato beat Noboru Ichikawa… Surugaumi drew Kiyotaka Otsubo… Youssaf Turko beat Takeo Toda… Kokichi Endo beat Tachinoumi… Rikidozan beat Masahiko Kimura in two straight falls to become the first JWA Japanese champion. The match was supposed to be a draw but Rikidozan pulled a double cross on Kimura.

12-28-1954: Lanny Poffo is born. Lanny is the son of wrestler Angelo Poffo.

Rikidozan

DragonKingKarl (Karl Stern) is a long time pro wrestling historian who has been published in books, newsletters, and podcasts since the mid-1990s.

The Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling Zone is Karl Stern's attempt to chronicle the entire history of pro wrestling and is a work in progress with hundreds of pages of text added each month.

Please spread the word about the Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling project and support this website on Patreon to help it continue to grow and build.

Pro wrestling history. The history of professional wrestling. Timeline of pro wrestling history.

If you found this article interesting consider becoming a Patreon supporter.  That is how When It Was Cool keeps our website and podcasts online, plus you get lots of bonus content including extra and extended podcasts, articles, digital comics, ebooks, and much more.  Check out our Patreon Page to see what's up!

If you don't want to use Patreon but still want to support When It Was Cool then how about a one time $5 PayPal donation? Thank you!