Return to WhenItWasCool.com Home Page

Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1958

By: Karl Stern

The year 1958 in pro wrestling is covered on the Long Form History of Wrestling Podcast - Click Here.

1958

01-04-1958: Tulsa promoter Sam Avey retires and the booking office is taken over by Leroy McGuirk.

01-30-1958: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 10,000: Fred Atkins wrestled Pierre LaSalle to a draw… Jim Bernard wrestling Lord Athol Layton to a draw… The Miller Brothers (Bill Miller & Ed Miller) defeat The Baillargeon Brothers (Adrien Baillargeon & Tony Baillargeon)… Dan Miller (w/Bill Miller & Ed Miller) defeat Maurice LaPointe… NWA World Heavyweight champion Dick Hutton wrestled Whipper Billy Watson to a curfew time limit draw. Special Referees: Al Costello & Roy Heffernan.

02-24-1958: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 18,150: Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez defeated Chris & John Tolos… Edouardo Carpentier defeated Dick the Bruiser… Ricki Starr defeated The Sheik… Pat O’Connor battled Killer Kowalski to a draw… Bolo Hakawa (Sonny Pascua) defeated Paul Berger… Luis Martinez battled Karl Von Hess to a draw… Ludwig Von Krupp defeated Felix Lamban… Roy Shire defeated Edouard Castillo… Skull Murphy defeated Bob Langevin… Jesse James battled Ace Freeman to a draw.

02-28-1958: Angelo Savoldi wins the NWA World Junior title over Mike Clancy in Oklahoma City, OK.

03-12-1958: Eddie Quinn Promotions: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 10,000: Bob Leipler wrestled Manuel Cortez to a Draw… Tarzan Zorra defeats Bob Langevin… Bearcat Wright wrestled Gene Kiniski to a Draw… Special Referee: Yvon Robert: The Sharpe Brothers (Ben Sharpe & Mike Sharpe) defeated Edouard Carpentier & Johnny Rougeau by Count Out.

03-17-1958: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 15,140: Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez defeated Hans Schmidt & Dr. Jerry Graham… Edouardo Carpentier defeated John Tolos… Ricki Starr defeated Ludwig Von Krupp… Bolo Hakawa defeated The Sheik… Pat O’Connor battled Karl Von Hess to a draw… Roy Heffernan battled Chief Big Heart to a draw… Al Costello defeated Kit Fox… Pepe Chicharro (AKA: Hercules Cortez) defeated Larry Moquin… Sid Youngelman defeated Bob Langevin.

03-20-1958: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 10,000: Ben Jolson defeats Jan Gotch… Farmer Boy Townsend wrestled Johnny Rougeau to a 20 minute draw… Baillargeon Brothers (Adrien Baillargeon & Tony Baillargeon) defeat Fred Atkins & Frank Hurley… Wilbur Snyder defeats Frank Fozo… Lisowski Brothers (Reggie Lisowski & Stan Lisowski) defeat NWA Canadian Open Tag Team champions Yukon Eric & Whipper Billy Watson by DQ to win the titles.

03-27-1958: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 10,000: Ben Jolson defeats Frank Hurley… Timothy Geohagan defeats Maurice LaPointe… Johnny Rougeau defeats Ken Kenneth… The Baillargeon Brothers (Adrien Baillargeon & Tony Baillargeon) defeat Fred Atkins & Jim Bernard… NWA Canadian Open Tag Team champions The Lisowski Brothers (Reggie Lisowski & Stan Lisowski) defeat Whipper Billy Watson & Wilbur Snyder by DQ.

03-28-1958: Curt Hennig is born. He is the son of pro wrestler Larry Hennig.

04-02-1958: In Vancouver, BC, Canada: George Strickland & Clair Robinson defeated Kenji Shibuya & Mitsu Arakawa to win the Northwest tag team titles in a tournament final.

04-11-1958: Verne Gagne defeated Dick the Bruiser for the United States title in Chicago, IL at the Amphitheater.

04-12-1958: In Omaha, NE: Attendance: 6,360: Verne Gagne & Yukon Eric battled Dick the Bruiser & Hans Schmidt to a double DQ.

04-17-1958: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 11,000: Tim Geohagen defeats Ken Kenneth… Lord Athol Layton defeats Jim Bernard… Lord Littlebrook & Tiny Tim defeat Ivan The Terrible & Irish Jackie… NWA International Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Gene Kiniski by DQ… All In (Texas) Tornado Match: Special Referee: Joe Walcott: Wilbur Snyder & Whipper Billy Watson defeat The Lisowski Brothers (Reggie Lisowski & Stan Lisowski).

04-18-1958: Gordon McKinley dies following a match with Len Montana in Youngstown, OH.

05-03-1958: In Boston, MA at the Boston Garden. Attendance: 10,267: Killer Kowalski defeated Edouardo Carpentier for a version of the World heavyweight title.

05-14-1958: In Vancouver, BC, Canada: Buddy Knox defeated George Penchoff to win the Pacific Coast title in a tournament final.

05-15-1958: Ron Simmons is born.

05-22-1958: Bobo Brazil & Whipper Billy Watson defeat Reggie & Stan Lisowski for the Canadian Open tag team championship winning by DQ at the Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens. Attendance: 6,000.

05-24-1958: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 20,335: Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez defeated Larry & Joe Hamilton (AKA: The Assassin)… Ricki Starr defeated Dr. Jerry Graham… Skull Murphy battled Pete Managoff to a no contest… Jackie Fargo & Don Stevens (Don Fargo) defeated Luis Martinez & Eugenio Marin… Mr. Puerto Rico (Samuel Rivera) defeated Ludwig Von Krupp… Mark Lewin defeated Martino Angelo… Tiny Roe & Cowboy Bradley defeated Pee Wee James & Ivan the Terrible… Karl Von Hess defeated Gregorio Jarque… Bolo Hakawa defeated Roy Shire.

06-02-1958: Lex Luger (Larry Pfohl) is born.

06-05-1958: Dory Funk, Sr. defeats Angelo Savoldi for the NWA World Junior title in Amarillo, TX.

06-14-1958: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 15,000: Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez defeated Jackie Fargo & Don Stevens (Don Fargo)… Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) defeated Skull Murphy & Larry Hamilton… Mark Lewin battled Bolo Hakawa to a draw… Johnny Valentine defeated Luis Martinez… Edouardo Carpentier defeated Pete Managoff… Little Beaver & Brown Panther defeated Sky Low Low & Fuzzy Cupid… Samuel Rios defeated Martino Angelo… Gregorio Jarque defeated Ludwig Von Krupp.

06-19-1958: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 13,000: Bob Orton defeats Farmer Boy Townsend… Bill Longson defeats Lord Athol Layton… Dara Singh defeats Karl Steif… Paul Bunyan defeats Frank Hewitt… Wilbur Snyder defeats Fred Atkins by DQ… Whipper Billy Watson defeats Al Dunlop (heel referee).

06-28-1958: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 12,500: Yukon Eric defeats Lou Plummer… Dick The Bruiser defeats Larry Moquin… Don Leo Jonathan defeats Sammy Berg… Emile Dupre & Manuel Cortez wrestled Danny McShain & Roy Shire to a draw… New England World Heavyweight champion Killer Kowalski defeats Pat O'Connor 2 falls to 1. Special Referee: Jack Dempsey

07-11-1958: Angelo Savoldi recaptures the NWA World Junior title from Dory Funk, Sr. in Oklahoma City, OK.

07-12-1958: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 14,750: Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez defeated Dr. Jerry & Eddie Graham… Johnny Valentine defeated Mark Lewin… Pepe Chicharro defeated Ludwig Von Krupp… Jackie Fargo & Don Stevens (Don Fargo) defeated Bolo Hakawa & Mr. Puerto Rico… Roy Heffernan battled Karl Von Hess to a draw… Al Costello defeated Gregorio Jarque… Little Beaver & Tito Infante defeated Sky Low Low & Tom Thumb… Larry Hamilton battled Samuel Rios to a draw… Don Leeds (AKA: Don McClarity) defeated Danny Ferrazza.

07-14-1958: In Montreal, QB, Canada: Delorimier Stadium drawing 18,327: Larry Moquin beat Bob Langevin… Enrique Torres beat Mr. Hito via DQ… Pat O'Connor drew Johnny Rougeau… Eduardo Carpentier beat Hard Boiled Haggerty… Killer Kowalski & Don Leo Jonathan beat Ben & Mike Sharpe in three falls. Jack Sharkey and Yvon Robert were the referees.

07-17-1958: Americus (Gus Schoenlein) dies in Maryland at the age of 74.

La Momia Azteca Contra El Robot Humano (The Aztec Mummy Against the Human-Robot) movie is released. The third movie in the Aztec Mummy series.

07-19-1958: Robert Gibson is born.

07-23-1958: In Montreal, QB, Canada: Delorimier Stadium drawing 16,000: Bob Langevin beat Harry Lewis… The Red Devil beat Billy Red Lyons… Mike Sharpe drew Manuel Cortez… Ben Sharpe battled Andre Bollet to a double count out… Pat O'Connor beat Mr. Hito via DQ… Killer Kowalski & Don Leo Jonathan beat Eduardo Carpentier & Antonino Rocca in three falls after Carpentier is DQd in the third fall. Yvon Robert was the referee.

08-09-1958: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 20,169: Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez battled Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) to a no contest… Paul Anderson defeated Skull Murphy… Pepe Chicharro defeated Johnny Valentine… Great Scott battled Bolo Hakawa to a draw… Mr. Moto & Mr. Hito (Kinji Shibuya) defeated Karl Von Hess & Ludwig Von Krupp… Tito Infante & Farmer McGregor defeated Fuzzy Cupid & Irish Jackie… Enrique Torres defeated Don Lee… Mr. Puerto Rico defeated Danny Ferrazza.

In Omaha, NE: Attendance: 9,095: at Muny Stadium: Verne Gagne defeated Eduardo Carpentier to win the Nebraska version of the world’s wrestling title... Dick the Bruiser & Hans Schmidt defeated Boris Volkoff & Nicoli Volkoff (original)

08-11-1958: In Montreal, QB, Canada: Delorimier Stadium: Attendance was 13,324: Sandor Kovacs drew Manuel Cortez… Mr. Hito drew Johnny Rougeau… Paul Baillargeon beat Chet Wallick… Pat O'Connor battled Mr. Moto to a no contest… Eduardo Carpentier & Antonino Rocca beat Killer Kowalski & Don Leo Jonathan.

08-14-1958: Bobby Eaton is born.

08-22-1958: Stevie Ray (Lane Huffman) is born.

08-26-1958: In Montreal, QB, Canada: Delorimier Stadium: Attendance 19,548: Manuel Cortez beat Sammy Berg… Larry Moquin beat Chet Wallick… Andre Bollet drew Frank Valois… Little Beaver & Cowboy Bradley beat Sky Low Low & Tom Thumb… Ben & Mike Sharpe beat Pat O'Connor & Enrique Torres… Killer Kowalski beat Claude Dassary (AKA: Hercules Cortez) by DQ.

08-27-1958: Rikidozan finally defeats Lou Thesz for the NWA International title at the Los Angeles Olympic Auditorium.

09-01-1958: Eddie & Jerry Graham win the WWWF U.S. tag team titles from Mark Lewin & Don Curtis in Washington DC.

09-05-1958: JWA: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall: Rikidozan & Johnny Barend drew Don Leo Jonathan & Sky High Lee.

09-11-1958: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 9,000: Maurice LaPointe wrestled Tiger Tasker to a 20 minute draw… Bobo Brazil defeats Happy Humphrey by count out… The Kalmikoffs (Ivan Kalmikoff & Karol Kalmikoff) defeat George Pencheff & Leo Garibaldi… Tim Geohagen defeats Karl Kulaski… NWA World Heavyweight champion Dick Hutton wrestled Whipper Billy Watson to a curfew time limit draw.

09-13-1958: AAC (Paul Bowser) Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 10,000 (Daily Record) -11,000 (Boston Globe): Guy LaRose (Ovila Asselin) wrestled Larry Moquin to a Time Limit Draw… Emile Dupree defeats Frank Valois… Enrique Torres defeats Joe Christie… Ben Sharpe wrestled Pat O'Connor to a Time Limit Draw… Paul Anderson defeats Mike Sharpe by DQ… Antonino Rocca & Verne Gagne defeat Mr. Hito & Mr. Moto in 2 straight falls.

09-17-1958: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 8,710: Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez defeated Mr. Moto & Mr. Hito (Kinji Shibuya)… Paul Anderson defeated Mighty Ortega… Bill & Dan Miller defeated Larry & Joe Hamilton (AKA: The Assassin)… Ed Miller battled Roy Heffernan to a draw… Al Costello defeated Skull Murphy… Enrique Torres defeated Roy Shire… Karl Von Hess defeated George McArthur… Little Beaver & Tiny Tim defeated Fuzzy Cupid & Irish Jackie… Bull Curry battled Mr. Puerto Rico to a draw… Haystack Calhoun defeated Jack Terry.

09-20-1958: Arn Anderson (Marty Lunde) is born.

09-26-1958: EMLL: 25th Anniversary Show: in Mexico City, Mexico: Arena Mexico: El Verdugo beat Giuliano… S. Rodriguez beat Manuel Robles… El Enfermero beat Alex Romano… Dorrel Dixon beat Rene Guajardo… Karloff Lagarde beat Bobby Bonales… Espectro I beat Torbellino Blanco in a mask vs. mask match… NWA World Middleweight champion Rolando Vera beat The Black Shadow.

09-27-1958: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 12,500: The Sharpe Brothers (Ben Sharpe & Mike Sharpe) defeat Enrique Torres & Larry Moquin… Guy LaRose wrestled Joe Christie to a Time Limit Draw… Haystacks Calhoun defeats Frank Valois & Jack Terry… Emile Dupre & Pat O'Connor defeat Mr. Hito & Mr. Moto… New England World Heavyweight champion Killer Kowalski defeats Verne Gagne by referee's decision after splitting one fall each.

09-29-1958: Eddie Quinn Promotions: Montreal, Canada: Forum: Attendance 10,000: Larry Moquin defeats Billy Red Lyon… Johnny Rougeau defeats Joe Christie… Pat O'Connor defeats Andre Bollet… The Sharpe Brothers (Ben Sharpe & Mike Sharpe) wrestled Mr. Hito & Mr. Moto to a Double DQ… Montreal World Heavyweight champion Wladek (Killer) Kowalski wrestled Claude Dassary (Hercules Cortez) to a No Contest after splitting one fall each. The referee was knocked unconscious and it was declared No Contest.

10-02-1958: JWA: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall: NWA International champion Rikidozan drew Don Leo Jonathan.

10-10-1958: Houston, TX: Sam Houston Coliseum: Attendance 9,000: Duke Keomuka wrestled Jesus Cardenas to a Draw… Luis Martinez defeats Johnny Valentine by DQ… Penny Banner defeats Kay Noble… NWA Texas Heavyweight champion Tosh Togo defeats Pepper Gomez 2 falls to 1… El Medico defeats Danny McShain by referee's decision after splitting one fall each. A beaten and bloody Danny McShain was dropped over the top rope and KO'd on the apron, El Medico blasted him with elbows until the referee stopped it.

10-13-1958: Eddie Quinn Promotion: Montreal, Canada: Forum: Attendance 12,000: Andre Bollet defeats Jim Bernard by DQ… Johnny Rougeau defeats Jack Terry… Country Boy (Haystacks) Calhoun defeat Mr. Moto & Mr. Hito by DQ in a handicap match… Edouard Carpentier & Pat O'Connor & Claude Dassary (Hercules Cortez) defeat The Sharpe Brothers (Ben Sharpe & Mike Sharpe) & Wladek (Killer) Kowalski 2 falls to 1.

10-20-1958: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 20,793: Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez defeated The Sheik & Bull Curry… Dr. Jerry & Eddie Graham defeated Mark Lewin & Don Curtis… Haystack Calhoun defeated Karl Von Hess… Enrique Torres defeated Skull Murphy… Bill Miller defeated Chief Big Heart… Kit Fox defeated Dan Miller… Ed Miller defeated Alberto Torres… Don Evans defeated Mr. Puerto Rico… Guy LaRose defeated Jack Terry.

Scott Hall is born.

Eddie Quinn Promotions: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 10,000: Don Eagle defeats Bob Langevin… Larry Moquin defeats Jim Bernard by DQ… Gene Kiniski defeats Billy Lyons… Whipper Billy Watson defeats Frank Valois… Claude Dassary wrestled Paul Baillargeon to a Draw… Montreal World Heavyweight champion Wladek (Killer) Kowalski wrestled Edouard Carpentier to a Curfew Time Limit Draw after splitting one fall each.

10-30-1958: In Mexico City, Mexico: Plaza de Toros drawing 25,000: Black Shadow beat Tony Borne in a hair vs. hair match.

Fort Wayne, IN: Coliseum: Attendance 8,066: Bobby Managoff defeats Angelo Poffo… The Volkoff Brothers (Boris Volkoff & Nicoli Volkoff) defeat Carl Engstrom & Farmer Don Marlin… Dick The Bruiser defeats Yukon Eric by DQ.

11-15-1958: Wilbur Snyder defeated Verne Gagne for the Omaha version of the world title in Omaha, NE.

11-17-1958: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 11,857: Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez battled Dr. Jerry & Eddie Graham to a draw… Mark Lewin & Don Curtis defeated The Sheik & Bull Curry… Bill Miller defeated Alberto Torres… Dan Miller defeated Mr. Puerto Rico… Haystack Calhoun defeated Ed Miller… Johnny Valentine defeated Guy LaRose… Ilio DiPaolo defeated Ludwig Von Krupp… Don Evans defeated Eugenio Marin… Pedro Escobar defeated Jim Wright.

11-20-1958: The trial between Sonny Myers verses Pinkie George and the NWA begins. The presiding Judge is Judge Hicklin who makes a mockery of the whole deal. Hicklin absolutely hates pro wrestling and takes none of the trial or testimony seriously and mocks every witness along the way.

11-27-1958: Indianapolis, IN: State Fairgrounds Coliseum: Attendance: Attendance 8,580: Wilbur Snyder defeats Bill Longson by DQ… Corrine Cordero defeats Ramona TeSelle… Ray Gunkel defeats Gino Angelo… Johnny Weaver defeated Bozo Brown… Bobby Managoff defeats Angelo Poffo 2 falls to 1… Dick The Bruiser wrestled Yukon Eric to a Double DQ.

11-28-1958: AAC (Paul Bowser’s former AWA): Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 12,600: Larry Moquin wrestled Mr. Hito to a Draw… Haystacks Calhoun defeats Bob Langevin & Harry Lewis in a handicap match… Edouard Carpentier defeats Andre Bollet… Antonino Rocca & Pat O'Connor defeat Boris K. Fabian (Rebel Bob Russell) & The Masked Marvel (Brute Bernard)… New England World Heavyweight champion Killer Kowalski defeated Manuel Cortez (Frank Scarpa) Special Referee: Joe Louis 2 falls to 1.

12-01-1958: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 20,350: Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez defeated Dr. Jerry & Eddie Graham… Mike Gallagher & Doc Gallagher battled Mark Lewin & Don Curtis to a draw… Johnny Valentine battled Haystack Calhoun to a draw… Ilio DiPaolo defeated Bill Miller… Tito Infante & Farmer McGregor defeated Tom Thumb & Pee Wee James… Tony Marino defeated Ed Miller… Pedro Escobar defeated Skull Murphy… The Sheik defeated Lou Klein… Don Evans defeated Jack Terry.

12-02-1958: In Omaha, NE: Attendance: 6,745: City Auditorium: Wilbur Snyder defeated Dick the Bruiser by count out... Cowboy Bradley & Lord Littlebrook defeated Tiny Roe & Bull Brummell... Rose Roman defeated Corine Cordero... Johnny Ace (original) defeated Lord Albert Mills by DQ.

12-08-1958: The jury finds Pinkie George not guilty in the trial brought by Sonny Myers against the NWA. The trial was a complete farce with the Judge making a comedy spectacle out of it due to his contempt of pro wrestling. This prompted an appeal which Myers was granted based on the belittling comments by the judge. That trial would take place in 1962.

Washington, DC: Uline Arena: Attendance 6,382: Frank Townsend wrestled The Zebra Kid II to a Draw… Tokyo Joe defeats Marvin Mercer… Slave Girl Moolah & Sylvia Torres defeat Betty Allen & Judy Grable… Bull Curry & The Sheik Of Araby defeat Cyclone Anaya & Hurricane Anaya… Johnny Valentine defeats The Zebra Kid… Don Curtis & The Lewin Brothers (Donn Lewin & Mark Lewin) defeat Bobby Davis & The Golden Grahams (Dr. Jerry Graham & Eddie Graham) 2 falls to 1.

12-11-1958: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 9,000: Larry Moquin defeats Frank Valois… Timothy Geohagen defeats Joe Christie… Pepe Chicharro defeats Mr. Moto… The Masked Marvel defeats Bob Leiber… Dick The Bruiser defeats Emil Dupre… Pat O'Connor & Haystacks Calhoun defeat Bill Miller & Boris K. Fabian… New England World Heavyweight champion Killer Kowalski defeats Edouard Carpentier in a Curfew Time Limit Decision with Kowalski getting the only fall in the match… The New England World Title was Paul Bowser's belt, after he change the name from AWA to Atlantic Athletic Commission.

Mark Lewin & Don Curtis regain the WWWF U.S. tag team titles from Eddie & Jerry Graham in Washington DC.

12-31-1958: Los Angeles, CA: NWA Los Angeles TV Tapings: Attendance 8,133: Gene LeBell defeats The Great Kato… Fritz Von Goering defeats Vic Christy… Reggie Siki defeats Dutch Schultz… Ramon Torres defeats Aldo Bogni 2 falls to 1.

Bobo Brazil

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!