Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1955
By: Karl Stern
The year 1955 in pro wrestling is covered on the Long Form History of Pro Wrestling Podcast - Click here.
1955
01-01-1955: Jack Rush dies during a match in Daytona, FL.
01-03-1955: Omaha, NE: Civic Auditorium: Attendance 9,708: First show in the new Arena. Local record crowd: Jack Pesek wrestled Steve McGill to a 15-minute draw… Hans Hermann defeats Ras (Seelie) Samara… The Dusek Brothers (Emil Dusek & Ernie Dusek) defeats Ronnie Etchison & Jack Witzig 2 falls to 1… NWA United States (Chicago version) champion Verne Gagne defeats Yukon Eric 2 falls to 1.
01-04-1955: In Nashville, TN: NWA World heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeated Sonny Myers.
01-30-1955: Dennis Clarey dies of head injuries from a match with Ali Bey in Tucson, AZ.
02-02-1955: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400 (sellout): Bill Melby defeats Juan Humberto… Yukon Jackson wrestled Vic Christy to a draw… Kit Fox defeats Joe Blanchard… Johnny Barend defeats Karl Davis… Bobo Brazil defeats Gene Kiniski in 2 falls… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Wilbur Snyder 2 falls to 1.
02-03-1955: Pro Wrestler “Nature Girl” Adela Heninger gives statement declaring that Harry L. Washburn asked her to kill Harry E. Weaver as a part of an extortion plot of the wealthy Texas rancher.
02-04-1955: St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 11,248: Dick Hutton wrestled John Paul Henning to a 15-minute draw… George Drake wrestled Frankie Talaber to a 20-minute draw… Guy Brunetti & Joe Tangaro & Cyclone Anaya defeat Chest Bernard & Stu Gibson & Mighty Atlas 2 falls to 1… Bobby Managoff wrestled Johnny Valentine to a double count out… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Wladek (Killer) Kowalski.
02-08-1955: Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart is born.
02-24-1955: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 13,000: Pete Managoff defeats Harry Lewis… Timothy Geohagan defeats Frank Marconi… Pat Flanagan & Chief Sunni War Cloud wrestled Pat Fraley & Alan Garfield to a draw… Mike Paidousis wrestled Luther Lindsey to a draw… NWA British Empire champion Whipper Billy Watson wrestled Antonino Rocca to a curfew time limit draw.
03-03-1955: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 9,000: Frank Marconi defeats Harry Lewis… Ken Kenneth defeats Alan Garfield… Lord Athol Layton & Bill McDaniel wrestled Timothy Geohagen & Tex McKenzie to a draw… Mike Paidousis defeats Pat Fraley… NWA British Empire Heavyweight champion Whipper Billy Watson wrestled Antonino Rocca to a draw. Watson hit Rocca below the belt and Rocca was injured. Watson refused to accept the victory and they called it a draw.
03-04-1955: St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 9,701: Sonny Myers defeats Dutch Hefner by DQ… Cyclone Anaya wrestled Chest Bernard to a 20 minute draw… Ray Eckert & Johnny Valentine defeat Guy Brunetti & Joe Tangaro in 2 falls… Buddy Rogers defeats Vic Holbrook… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Wilbur Snyder by DQ.
03-08-1955: Justice Department Investigator Stanley Disney turns in a summary of allegations against the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Among the possible infractions are the maintaining of a blacklist of wrestlers. Johnny Doyle told the investigator that he had gotten 25 to 30 notifications of wrestlers who were not to be used by an Alliance promotion.
03-09-1955: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 8,000: Billy McDaniel wrestled Manuel Cortez to a draw… Paul Baillargeon defeats Frank Marconi… Bobby Managoff defeats Alan Garfield… Pat O'Connor defeats Montreal World Heavyweight champion Wladek (Killer) Kowalski by DQ 2 falls to 1 to win the title.
03-16-1955: Eddie Quinn Promotions: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 10,000: Herb Trawick wrestled Len Hughes to a Time Limit Draw… Manuel Cortez & Paul Baillargeon defeat Murder Inc. (Al Mills & Tiny Mills) by DQ… Bill Miller defeats Lionel Baillargeon… Montreal World Heavyweight champion Pat O'Connor defeats Wladek (Killer) Kowalski 2 falls to 1.
03-21-1955: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 10,258: Antonino Rocca & Prince Maiava defeated Yukon Eric & Hans Schmidt… Verne Gagne defeated Roy McClarity… Raphael Halpern defeated Hans Hermann… Mr. Moto battled Pedro Escobar to a draw… Frank Jares defeated Tony Martinelli… Frank Milano defeated Harry Lewis by DQ.
03-22-1955: Leo Nomellini defeats Lou Thesz via DQ and is given the NWA World heavyweight title. However, the NWA decides not to allow title changes as a result of a disqualification and returns the title to Thesz. Attendance is 12,253 at the Cow Palace in San Francisco with a gate of $41,607.53.
03-25-1955: In Hattiesburg, MS: Attendance: 6,800: Tokyo Joe defeated Swedish Angel... Andre Drapp battled Dizzy Davis to a draw... Wild Red Berry defeated Red McIntyre... 10-Round Boxing Match: Don McIntyre defeated Dr. Jerry Graham by 6th round knockout.
03-1955: The DuMont network unexpectedly cancels pro wrestling causing a huge drop in popularity and coverage, especially of Fred Kohler’s wrestling promotion. DuMont cites only “rising costs” for the unforeseen cancellation of wrestling programming.
04-11-1955: Ed Francis wins the NWA World Junior title from Baron Michele Leone in Galveston, Texas. It is possible that this was a repeat of an earlier title switch in Tulsa, OK.
04-17-1955: Rikidozan & Azumafuji defeat Bobby Bruns & Lucky Simunovich for the Hawaiian tag team championship in Honolulu, HI.
04-20-1955: In Boston, MA: Attendance: 6,500: NWA World heavyweight champion Lou Thesz battled Pat O'Conner to a draw… Tim Geohagen defeated Tiger Tasker… Dom Papaleo battled John Swenski to a draw… Al & Tiny Mills defeated Yvon Robert & Leo Numa by DQ.
In Vancouver, BC, Canada: Gino Vagnone & Ivan Kameroff defeated Roger Mackay & Danno McDonald to win the Northwest tag team titles in a tournament final.
Eddie Quinn Promotions: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 8,000: Sandor Kovacs defeats Harry Lewis… Sammy Berg wrestled Ted Germaine to a Time Limit Draw… Herb Trawick & Larry Moquin defeat Billy McDaniel & Frank Marconi… Argentina Rocca defeats Bill Miller by DQ 2 falls to 1.
04-23-1955: Texas murder trial delayed. Key witness wrestler “Nature Girl” Adela Heninger says she can’t attend because she’s six months pregnant.
05-14-1955: Big Van Vader (Leon White) is born.
05-16-1955: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 7,500: Verne Gagne battled Antonino Rocca to a draw… Pat O’Connor defeated Hans Schmidt by DQ… Yukon Eric defeated Hans Schnabel… Tony Martinelli & Angelo Savoldi defeated Reggie Lisowski (The Crusher) & Art Neilson by DQ… Raphael Halpern defeated Pedro Escobar… Tony Galento defeated Arnold Skaaland.
05-30-1955: Jake Roberts (Aurlean Smith, Jr.) is born. He is the son of pro wrestler Grizzly Smith.
06-04-1955: George Gordienko wins the Alberta, Canada Gold Belt tournament defeating Adrian Baillargeon in the finals. Other in the tournament included: Con Bruno, Tim Geohagan, Don Lee, Roy Heffernan, Ted Christy, and Sky Hi Lee.
06-17-1955: The federal government officially launches an antitrust investigation into pro wrestling, specifically, the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
07-15-1955: Investigators recommend a Grand Jury investigation be launched against the NWA for antitrust violations.
Lou Thesz defeated Leo Nomellini to retain the NWA World title and Sam Muchnick used this match to end the title dispute between Thesz and Nomellini. Kiel Auditorium. Attendance: 7,319: Joe Millich defeats George Hubert… Bobby Bruns wrestled Ray Villmer to a Time Limit Draw… Bobo Brazil defeats Bearcat Wright… Bill Longson & Bobby Managoff & Pat O'Connor wrestled Don Leo Jonathan & Hard Boiled Haggerty & Ike Eakins to a Time Limit Draw after splitting one fall each.
07-25-1955: In Birmingham, AL: Frank Jares defeated Sonny Myers to win the Southern Junior heavyweight title.
08-02-1955: Sonny Myers files an antitrust lawsuit against Pinkie George and the NWA accusing the NWA of creating a monopoly in pro wrestling.
08-10-1955: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 10,000: Al Tucker wrestled Johnny Rougeau to a Draw… The Dusek Brothers (Emil Dusek & Ernie Dusek) defeat Bobby Managoff & Sandor Kovacs… Yvon Robert defeats Hans Hermann… Argentina Rocca wrestled Paul Baillargeon to a Time Limit Draw after swapping one fall each.
08-17-1955: In Montreal, QB, Canada: Delorimier Stadium drawing 18,972: Frank Valois drew Manuel Cortez… Larry Moquin drew Leon Numa… Bobby Managoff beat Fred Atkins… Ernie & Emil Dusek battled Al & Tiny Mills to a double count out… Yvon Robert beat Don Leo Jonathan to win the Montreal World title.
08-24-1955: Montreal, Canada: Delorimier Stadium: Attendance 14,000: Manuel Cortez defeats Fred Atkins by DQ… Johnny Rougeau wrestled Oyama Kato to a 20 minute draw… The Dusek Brothers (Emil & Ernie Dusek) defeat Bobby Managoff & Bob Langevin… Paul Baillargeon defeats Joe Christie… Don Leo Jonathan defeats Montreal World Heavyweight champion Yvon Robert 2 falls to 1 to win the title.
08-30-1955: In Nashville, TN: Tex Riley defeated Frank Jares to win the Southern Junior heavyweight title.
08-1955: The All-Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling Alliance is formed.
09-01-1955: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 9,000: Pat Fraley wrestled Bob Leipler to a 20 minute draw… Lionel Baillargeon defeats Donn Lewin… Prince Maiava defeats Firpo Zbyszko… Doug Hepburn defeats Mickey Gold… NWA Canadian Open Tag Team champions Karl Von Schober & Fritz von Erich defeat Lord Athol Layton & Whipper Billy Watson by DQ.
09-02-1955: The annual NWA meeting is held at the Claridge Hotel in St. Louis. The biggest topic of conversation is the Justice Department’s investigation of the NWA. There was even discussion about disbanding the organization but that suggestion was shot down. The total membership at this time was 35.
09-08-1955: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 9,500: Bob Leipler wrestled Donn Lewin to a 20 minute draw… Doc Gallagher defeats Lionel Baillargeon… Yvon Robert defeats Pat Fraley… The Kalmikoffs (Ivan Kalmikoff & Karol Kalmikoff) defeat Pat Flanagan & Mickey Gold… Whipper Billy Watson & Doug Hepburn wrestled NWA Canadian Open Tag Team champions Karl Von Schober & Fritz von Erich to a curfew time limit draw.
09-09-1955: Houston, TX: Sam Houston Coliseum: Attendance 9,000: Rito Romero defeats The Mongol (Rube Wright)… Wilbur Snyder defeats Jim Dobie… Ray Gunkel wrestled Tony Martin to a Time Limit Draw… NWA World Women's champion June Byers defeats Bonnie Watson… Paul Boesch defeats Duke Keomuka by DQ… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz wrestled Pepper Gomez to a 90 minute Time Limit Draw after swapping one fall each.
09-16-1955: EMLL: 22nd Anniversary Show: in Mexico City, Mexico: Arena Coliseo drawing 10,000: Halcon Negro beat Cavernario Galindo in a mask vs. hair match… NWA World Welterweight champion El Santo beat The Black Shadow.
10-05-1955: Montreal, Canada: The Forum: Attendance: 7,500: Buddy Rogers defeated Paul Baillargeon… Bobby Managoff defeated Frank Valois… Don Eagle defeated Bob Langevin… Maurice LaPointe defeated Al Getz… Larry Moquin & Manuel Cortez wrestled Joe Christie & Great Kato (Oyama Kato) to a draw.
10-18-1955: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 6,792: NWA World heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeated Pat O’Connor… Antonino Rocca defeated Oyama Kato… Don Eagle battled Don Leo Jonathan to a draw… Buddy Rogers defeated Paul Baillargeon… Bobby Managoff & Larry Moquin defeated Larry Hamilton & Joe Christie… Billy Two Rivers defeated Harry Lewis.
10-25-1955: In Nashville, TN: Frank Jares defeated The Red Menace and unmasked him as Steve Novak.
10-27-1955: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 10,000: Pat Flanagan defeats Donn Lewin… Mighty Ursus defeats Pat Fraley… NWA Canadian Open Tag Team champions Fritz von Erich & Karl Von Schober defeat Ilio DiPaolo & Lionel Baillargeon… Tommy O'Toole defeats Firpo Zbyszko… Yukon Eric defeats Doug Hepburn.
10-29-1955: Milwaukee, WI: Auditorium: Attendance 11,188: Reggie Lisowski (The Crusher) & The Mighty Atlas defeat Bearcat Wright & Roy McClarty… Dick Afflis (Dick the Bruiser) defeats Don Leo Jonathan… Angelo Poffo defeats NWA United States champion
Verne Gagne by DQ 2 falls to 1… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Hans Schmidt by Count Out 2 falls to 1.
11-03-1955: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 10,000: Larry Moquin defeats Pat Fraley… Fred Atkins defeats Ali Bey… Doug Hepburn defeats Joe Devalteau & Gypsy Joe in a handicap match… Lord Athol Layton defeats Bob Leipler… NWA Canadian Open Tag Team champions Karl Von Schober & Fritz von Erich wrestled Whipper Billy Watson & Yukon Eric to a curfew time limit draw.
11-14-1955: The show at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY is cancelled due to a poor advance. The top matches were supposed to have been Lou Thesz vs Hans Schmidt and Antonino Rocca vs. Pat O’Connor.
11-16-1955: JWA: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 11,000: King Kong Czaya & Tiger Joginder beat Rikidozan & Sakata to become the first JWA All Asian tag team champions.
11-19-1955: Sangre India (Jose Vicente Ramos Estrada) is born in Numaran, Michoacan, Mexico.
11-22-1955: JWA: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 12,000: Masaaki Takemura drew Fujitayama… Isao Yoshiwara pinned Masayuki Era… Tsunagoro Rashomon drew Takeo Kaneko… Yonetaro Tanaka drew Toshikazu Hiki… Yuossaf Turko drew Osamu Abe… Mitsuo Surugaumi pinned Tomio Miyashima… Tiger Joginder pinned Yoshinosato… Dara Singh & Said Saifshah beat Azumafuji & Harold Sakata… Rikidozan defeated King Kong Czaya in a match that went 90 minutes and 50 seconds to become the first JWA All-Asian champion.
12-01-1955: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 12,000: Nick Roberts wrestled Seelie Samara to a 20 minute draw… Ilio DiPaolo wrestled Chief Big Heart to a 30 minute draw… Fred Atkins & Hard Boiled Haggerty defeated Lionel Baillargeon & Pat Flanagan… Primo Carnera defeats Wee Willie Davis… Whipper Billy Watson & Yukon Eric defeat NWA Canadian Open Tag Team champions Karl Von Schober & Fritz Von Erich by DQ to win the titles with Joe Louis as special referee.
12-07-1955: “Nature Girl” Adela Heninger, who has been missing after being sought as a witness in a Texas murder trial is found. Delivers key testimony that will send wealthy Texas rancher Harry Washburn to prison. "She smiled broadly and said 'Yes, that's him.'" Washburn would appear the conviction but ultimately would be found guilty again and sentenced to 99 years in prison.
12-12-1955: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 8,000: Antonino Rocca battled Lord Carlton to a draw… Roy Shire defeated Cowboy Carlson… Tony Martinelli & Frank Milano defeated Primo Carnera & Soldier Barry (AKA: Ed Sharpe)… Ace Freeman defeated Harry Lewis… Steve Gob battled Kenny Ackles to a draw… Fritz Von Wallick defeated Hal Kanner by DQ. Due to the poor ticket sales at Madison Square Garden, pro wrestling doesn’t return for a year.
12-14-1955: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 14,000: Johnny Rougeau wrestled Larry Moquin to a draw… Bill Miller defeats Manuel Cortez… Pat O’Connor & Paul Baillargeon defeat Bull Curry & Johnny Swenski… Wladek (Killer) Kowalski defeats Montreal World Heavyweight champion Don Leo Jonathan 2 falls to 1 to win the title.
12-29-1955: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 10,000: Pat Flanagan wrestled Nick Roberts to a 20 minute draw… Pat O'Connor defeats Lionel Baillargeon… Chief Big Heart & Lord Athol Layton defeat Wee Willie Davis & Gypsy Joe… Little Beaver & Roger Littlebrook wrestled Fuzzy Cupid & Sky Low Low to a draw… Karl Von Schober & Fritz von Erich defeat NWA Canadian Open Tag Team champions Whipper Billy Watson & Yukon Eric by DQ to win the titles.
12-1955: Lou Thesz sells his shares of the Mississippi Valley Sports Club to Sam Muchnick. Bill Longson replaces Lou’s father Martin Thesz as the certified promoter of the group.
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!
