Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1961
By: Karl Stern
The year 1961 in pro wrestling is covered on the Long Form History of Wrestling Podcast - Click Here.
1961
01-07-1961: Omaha, NE: City Auditorium: Attendance 9,001: Emile Dupre defeats Tommy O'Toole… Ernie Dusek defeats Stan Stasiak by DQ… Judy Glover & Cowboy Bradley defeat Dot Dotson & Tiny Roe 2 falls to 1… Omaha World Heavyweight Title verses Mask: Don Leo Jonathan defeated Omaha World champion Dr. X 2 falls to 1 to win the title. Dr. X had to unmask, and was revealed as Bill Miller.
01-19-1961: Dick the Bruiser defeated Cowboy Bob Ellis to retain the U.S. title at Denver, CO City Auditorium. The show drew 8,000 for a record gate in the city of $20,000.
Pedro Martinez: NWA Upstate (NWF): Cleveland, OH: Arena: Attendance 10,937: Francisco Jiminez & The Brown Panther defeat Pee Wee James & Sky Low Low… Baron Gattoni defeats Bobby Bell… Miguel Perez defeats Frank Valois… Roy Shire defeats Miguel Perez… Bearcat Wright defeats Ray Shire (Ray Stevens)… Fritz Von Erich & Lord Layton defeat NWA World Tag Team champions Duke Keomuka & Sato Keomuka (Kinji Shibuya) in two falls with two referees. One referee ruled that the time limit ran out, the second referee said Fritz Von Erich defeated Sato Keomuka with the clawhold. The titles were given back to the Keomukas.
01-20-1961: Omaha, NE: City Auditorium: Attendance 9,556: Otto Von Krupp defeats Emil Dusek… Pampero Firpo defeats Emil Dupre… Yukon Eric defeated Bob Orton 2 falls to 1… Texas Death Steel Cage Match: Special Referee: Ernie Dusek: The Sheik defeats Dick the Bruiser. The Sheik won in the 10th fall when Bruiser knocked himself out crashing headfirst into the cage.
01-23-1961: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 14,783: Antonino Rocca & Johnny Valentine defeated Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan)… Bruno Sammartino & Primo Carnera defeated The Crusher & Danny McShain… NWA World heavyweight champion Pat O’Connor defeated Hans Schmidt… Mark Lewin & Don Curtis defeated Swede Hanson & Herb Larson… Dick Steinborn defeated Chick Garibaldi… Tito Carreon defeated Angelo Savoldi.
01-28-1961: Detroit, MI: Olympia Stadium: Attendance 16,852: Tony Baillargeon wrestled Brute Bernard to a draw… Arman Hussain defeats Pat Duffy… Wilbur Snyder defeats Don Leo Jonathan… Killer Kowalski defeats Bobby Managoff… The Shire Brothers (Roy Shire & Ray Shire) defeat The Brunetti Brothers (Guy Brunetti & Joe Brunetti)… NWA United States Heavyweight champion Bobo Brazil defeats Dick The Bruiser by DQ 2 falls to 1.
02-02-1961: Pedro Martinez: NWA Upstate (NWF): Cleveland, OH: Attendance 12,616: Danno O'Shocker defeats Billy Parks… Reggie Parks defeats Mike Valentino… Miguel Perez defeats Bobby Bell… Lee Chona LeClaire defeats Lola Laray… NWA World Tag Team champions Duke Keomuka & Sato Keomuka wrestled Fritz Von Erich & Ilio DiPaolo to a Draw… Bearcat Wright & Bobo Brazil defeat The Shire Brothers (Ray Shire & Roy Shire) in 2 falls.
02-03-1961: St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 9,750: Stan Stasiak defeats Joe Hamilton… John Paul Henning defeats Don Lee… Rip Hawk defats Johnny Weaver… Lorraine Johnson wrestled Millie Stafford to a 20 minute draw… Gene Kiniski & Killer Kowalski defeats Bob Ellis & Wilbur Snyder by DQ in 2 falls… NWA World Heavyweight champion Pat O'Connor defeats Johnny Valentine by 2 falls to 1.
02-09-1961: Pedro Martinez: NWA Upstate (NWF): Cleveland, OH: Arena: Attendance: 10,189: Doc Gallagher defeats Reggie Parks… Tony Marino defeats Mike Valentino… Mike Gallagher defeats Larry Moquin… Baby Cheryl defeats Darling Dagmar… The Tolos Brothers (Chris Tolos & John Tolos) defeat Hercules Romero & Miguel Perez… Bearcat Wright & Fritz Von Erich defeat Duke Keomuka & Sato Keomuka (Kinji Shibuya) 2 falls to 1.
02-16-1961: Pedro Martinez: NWA Upstate (NWF): Cleveland, OH: Arena: Attendance 9,951L Hercules Romero wrestled Mike Gallagher to a Draw… Miguel Perez defeats Mike Valentino… Dick Beyer defeats Angelo Savoldi… Darling Dagmar defeats Baby Cheryl… Antonino Rocca defeats Doc Gallagher… NWA World Tag Team champions (Buffalo/Cleveland version) Duke Keomuka & Sato Keomuka wrestled Bearcat Wright & Fritz Von Erich 2 falls to 1.
02-27-1961: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 20,400: Argentina Apollo & Johnny Valentine defeated Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan)… Buddy Rogers defeated Primo Carnera… Bruno Sammartino defeated Haystack Calhoun… Mark Lewin & Don Curtis defeated Hans Schmidt & Eddie Graham… NWA World heavyweight champion Pat O’Connor defeated Karl Von Hess… Sailor Art Thomas defeated Red Grupe… Billy Darnell defeated Taro Sakuro.
02-27-1961: Detroit, MI: Olympia officials said more than 10,000 were turned away: Olympia Stadium: Attendance 16,363: Emile Dupree defeats Jesus Chausson… Raoul Romero defeats Vic Christy… Billy Red Lyons & Joe Blanchard defeat The Gallagher Brothers (Doc Gallagher & Mike Gallagher)… Dick the Bruiser defeats NWA United States Heavyweight (Detroit version) champion Bobo Brazil by referee stoppage to win the title. Bleeding from cuts on his forehead and under his eye, Dick the Bruiser regained the title. Brazil missed a dropkick and injured his neck and could not continue.
03-01-1961: Bobo Brazil defeated Dick the Bruiser to win the Denver version of the U.S. title Denver, CO in front of 8,000 fans.
03-04-1961: Promoter Roy Shire presents his first Cow Palace show: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 16,553: Lou Whitson defeats Joe Tommaso… Bruno Sammartino defeats Chico Garcia… Verne Gagne defeats Angelo Savoldi… Argentina Rocca defeats Don Leo Jonathan… Bill Melby defeats Mitsu Arakawa by DQ 2 falls to 1… Ray Stevens defeats Bob Ellis by referee stoppage.
03-10-1961: West Hempstead, Long Island, NY: Island Garden Arena: Attendance 7,824: Arnold Skaaland defeats Jack Terry… Taro Sakuro defeats Haystacks Calhoun… Haru Sasaki defeats Sandor Kovacs… Abe Jacobs defeats Jack Vansky… Hans Schmidt wrestled Johnny Valentine to a Draw… Sailor Art Thomas & Sweet Daddy Siki defeat Angelo Poffo & Fred Atkins in 2 falls… Argentine Apollo defeats Red Berry… Billy Darnell & Primo Carnera defeat NWA Capitol U.S. tag team champions The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) in a non-title match… Buddy Rogers & Eddie Graham defeat Don Curtis & Mark Lewin 2 falls to 1.
03-17-1961: St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 12,105: Guy LaRose defeats Taro Myaki by DQ… Ray Gordon wrestled Rip Hawk to a 20 minute draw… Penny Banner defeated Ann Regan… The Medics (Uno Medico & Dos Medico) defeat Bob Ellis & Johnny Weaver… John Paul Henning defeat Johnny Valentine by referee stoppage… NWA World Heavyweight champion Pat O'Connor defeats Killer Kowalski 2 falls to 1.
03-23-1961: Pedro Martinez NWA Upstate: Cleveland, OH: Arena: Attendance 9,871: Tony Marino defeats Waldo Von Erich… Dick Beyer defeats Don Juan… Sato Keomuka defeats Billy Red Lyons… The Gallagher Brothers (Doc Gallagher & Mike Gallagher) defeat Hercules Romero & Miguel Perez… Duke Keomuka wrestled Ilio DiPaolo to a Draw… Bearcat Wright & Bobo Brazil wrestled The Tolos Brothers (Chris Tolos & John Tolos) to a Curfew Time Limit Draw after trading one fall each.
03-25-1961: Detroit, MI: Olympia: Attendance 11,470: Bruno Sammartino defeats Angelo Savoldi… Karl Gotch defeats Fritz Von Goering… Bob Ellis defeats Bob Rasmussen… Antonino Rocca defeats Don Leo Jonathan… Bobo Brazil & Leo Nomellini defeat The Tolos Brothers (Chris Tolos & John Tolos)… NWA United States champion Dick the Bruiser defeated Killer Kowalski by referee stoppage 2 falls to 1. Kowalski injured his hand and Bruiser stomped on it until he quit.
03-27-1961: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 18,156: Buddy Rogers battled Argentina Apollo to a double count out… Mark Lewin & Don Curtis battled Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) to a draw… Primo Carnera & Billy Darnell defeated Hans Schmidt & Eddie Graham… Johnny Valentine defeated Karl Von Hess… Sailor Art Thomas & Sweet Daddy Siki defeated Taro Sakuro & Haru Sasaki… Dick Steinborn defeated Angelo Poffo… Fret Atkins defeated Sandor Kovacs.
03-29-1961: Dick the Bruiser defeated Bobo Brazil to win the Denver version of the U.S. title in Denver, CO in front of 8,528 fans.
04-01-1961: Jersey City, NJ. Jersey City Armory: Attendance 5,000: Abe Jacobs defeats Miguel Torres… Fred Atkins defeats Pete Sanchez… Argentine Apollo & Johnny Valentine defeat Haru Sasaki & Taro Sakuro in 2 falls… Art Thomas & Sweet Daddy Siki defeat NWA Capitol Wrestling United States Tag Team champions The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) by DQ 2 falls to 1… NWA United States champion Buddy Rogers defeats Billy Darnell by Count Out.
04-04-1961: Bearcat Wright defeated Killer Kowalski for a version of the World heavyweight title in Boston, MA at the Boston Garden.
04-13-1961: Pedro Martinez NWA Upstate: Cleveland, OH: Attendance 10,157: Baron Gattoni wrestled Joe Swiderski to a Draw… Dino Bravo (original) defeats Jimmy Dane… Doc Gallagher defeats Gorgeous George… Big Daddy Lipscomb defeats Mike Gallagher by DQ… Billy Red Lyons & Fritz Von Erich defeat The Tolos Brothers (Chris Tolos & John Tolos)… Bearcat Wright & Bobo Brazil defeat NWA World Tag Team champions (Buffalo/Cleveland version) Duke Keomuka & Sato Keomuka 2 falls to 1.
04-21-1961: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,247: Lord James Blears wrestled Samson Berg - Draw… Reggie Parks defeats Don Duffy… Dick Hutton defeats Art Michalik… Nick Bockwinkel wrestled Mike Sharpe - Draw… Fred Blassie defeats American Heavyweight champion Billy Varga by DQ 2 falls to 1.
04-22-1961: AWA (Roy Shire) Cow Palace: San Francisco, CA: Attendance 9,089: Cowboy Bradley & Lord Littlebrook defeat Beau Brummel & Tiny Roe 2 falls to 1… Bob Ellis defeats Bob Morse… Bill Melby defeats Bill Miller 2 falls to 1… NWA World Heavyweight champion Pat O'Connor defeats Karol Krauser (Kalmikoff)… AWA San Francisco United States Heavyweight champion Ray Stevens defeats Ray Stern by Count Out 2 falls to 1.
05-05-1961: Bob Rasmussen & Guy Mitchell defeated Gypsy Joe & Skull Murphy for the Southern (Georgia) tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.
05-06-1961: Detroit, MI: Olympia Stadium: Attendance 11,242: Roy Shire wrestled Red Bastien to a draw… Bruno Sammartino defeated Jack Terry… Lou Klein defeated Herb Gerwig… Ray Shire & Art Neilson defeated Emile Dupre & Johnny Weaver 2 falls to 1… Killer Kowalski defeated Haystacks Calhoun… NWA U.S. champion (Detroit version) Dick The Bruiser defeated Bob Ellis 2 falls to 1 in a lumberjack match.
05-07-1961: JWA: in Nara, Japan: Ayame Pond Amusement Park drawing 36,000: Kanji (Antonio) Inoki pinned Mr. Chin… Giant Baba & Yukio Suzuki beat Kiyotaka Otsubo & Isao Yoshiwara… Toshi Togo (Harold Sakata) beat Kintaro Oki… The Great Antonio beat Yoshinosato & Kaichi Nagasawa & Tosanohana in a handicap match… Karl Krauser (Gotch) beat Ike Eakins… Kokichi Endo beat Hercules Romero (Cortez)… Michiaki Yoshimura beat drew Ronnie Etchison… Jim Wright & Mr. X (Bill Miller) beat Rikidozan & Toyonobori.
05-08-1961: Washington, DC: Uline Arena: Attendance 6,500: Bill Zbyszko (Bill Dromo) wrestled Juan Sebastian to a Draw… Larry Simon (AKA: Boris Malenko) defeats Jerry London… Pablo Iturbi defeats Fred Atkins… The Angel (Jean Baillargeon) defeats Sandor Kovacs… Bob Orton & Buddy Rogers defeat Billy Darnell & Dick Steinborn 2 falls to 1… Sailor Art Thomas & Johnny Valentine & Sweet Daddy Siki defeat Red Berry & The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) 2 falls to 1.
05-12-1961: Chicago, IL: International Amphitheater: Attendance 6,420: Johnny Valentine defeats Moose Cholak… Crusher Lisowski defeats Mighty Joe Gaderson… Argentina Apollo defeats Johnny Kace… NWA Capitol Wrestling United States Tag Team champion The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) defeat The Sicilians (Lou Albano & Tony Altimore) 2 falls to 1… NWA United States champion Buddy Rogers defeats Primo Carnera… NWA World Heavyweight champion Pat O'Connor defeats Hans Schmidt.
05-19-1961: Kiel Auditorium: St. Louis, MO: Attendance 7,862: Bobby Graham wrestled Taro Myaki to a Time Limit Draw… Cowboy Bradley defeats Tiny Roe… Don Leo Jonathan defeats Thor Hagen… Millie Stafford defeats Judy Glover… Guy LaRose & John Paul Henning defeat Killer Kowalski & Rip Hawk in 2 falls… NWA World Heavyweight champion Pat O'Connor defeats Johnny Valentine 2 falls to 1.
05-20-1961: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 10,779: Wilbur Snyder defeats Stan Kowalski… Ray Stern defeats George Drake… Bob Ellis defeats Art Neilson… Mitsu Arakawa defeats Johnny Weaver… Wire Fence match: AWA San Francisco United States champion Ray Stevens defeats Bill Melby 2 falls to 1.
05-22-1961: Charlotte, NC: Coliseum: Attendance 6,300: Abe Jacobs defeats Lee Garcia… Chief Big Heart defeats Mike Paidousis… PY Chong (Tojo Yamamoto) defeats Jose Garcia… Sweet Daddy Siki defeats Otto Von Krupp… Lord Littlebrook & Millie Stafford defeat Beau Brummel & Kathy Starr… NWA Mid-Atlantic Southern Tag Team champions George Becker & Sandy Scott defeat Bill Cole & Swede Hanson 2 falls to 1… NWA United States champion Buddy Rogers defeats Billy Darnell 2 falls to 1.
05-26-1961: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 20,702: Buddy Rogers & Bob Orton battled Johnny Valentine & Argentina Apollo to a draw… Mark Lewin & Don Curtis defeated Hans Schmidt & Eddie Graham… Red Berry & Bobby Davis defeated Haystack Calhoun & Tito Carreon… Primo Carnera defeated Karl Von Hess by DQ… The Angel (Jean Baillargeon) defeated Taro Sakuro… Billy Darnell defeated Haru Sasaki… Mike Mazurki defeated Juan Sebastian by DQ… Arnold Skaaland defeated Larry Simon (AKA: Boris Malenko) by DQ.
Chicago, IL: International Amphitheater: Attendance 6,012: Johnny Kace defeats Johnny Gilbert… Moose Cholak defeats Fred Atkins… Dick Steinborn defeats The Mighty Atlas by DQ… NWA Capitol Wrestling United States Tag Team champions The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) wrestled Art Thomas & Sweet Daddy Siki to a Double DQ… NWA World Heavyweight champion Pat O'Connor defeats Crusher Lisowski.
06-02-1961: JWA: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 13,000: Kanji (Antonio) Inoki pinned Mitsuaki Hirai… Yoshinosato beat Giant Baba… Karl Krauser (Gotch) pinned Kokichi Endo… Michiaki Yoshimura beat Mr. X (Bill Miller) via DQ… Toyonobori & The Great Togo & Toshi Togo (Harold Sakata) beat Ronnie Etchison & Jim Wright & Ike Eakins… NWA International champion Rikidozan beat The Great Antonio.
06-03-1961: Chattanooga, TN: Memorial Auditorium: Attendance 6,200: Tarzan White defeats Billy Garrett… The Fabulous Fargos (Joe Fargo & Sonny Fargo) defeat Rocket Monroe & Sputnik Monroe… NWA World Tag Team Title champions Joe Scarpa & Lester Welch defeat The Heavenly Bodies (Al Greene & Don Greene)… NWA World Heavyweight champion Pat O'Connor defeats Jackie Fargo by DQ.
06-09-1961: In Pittsburgh, PA at Forbes Field drawing 10,286: Billy Fox beat Gypsy Joe… Jimmy Dykes beat Johnny Gilbert… Red Taylor & Tiny Tim beat Sky Low Low & Poncho Lopez… Bruno Sammartino & Billy Darnell & Sweet Daddy Siki beat Don Fargo & Skull Murphy & Mighty Atlas… Buddy Rogers beat Haystack Calhoun via countout… Pat O'Connor pinned Zivko Kovacic… Ace Freeman beat Moose Cholak… Carlos Milano pinned Jack Terry… Crusher Lisowski beat Johnny Valentine.
06-12-1961: Los Angeles, CA: Sports Arena: Attendance 13,200: Reggie Parks wrestled Stan Holek - Draw… Lord James Blears wrestled Sam Steamboat - Draw… Mike Sharpe & Mr. Moto wrestled The Torres Brothers (Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres) - Draw… Gene LeBell wrestled The Zebra Kid - Draw… Ricki Starr defeats Don Duffy… Gene Lipscomb defeats Hans Hermann… Billy Varga defeats Red Berry… Lou Thesz defeats Dick Hutton… Fred Blassie defeats WWA World Heavyweight champion Edouard Carpentier 2 falls to 1 to win the title after swapping one fall each, Carpentier is injured in the third fall with a "Badly sprained knee, possible fracture".
06-16-1961: Ray Gunkel defeated Dick the Bruiser by DQ in a boxing match in Atlanta, GA.
06-17-1961: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 9,386: Pepper Gomez defeats Stan Kowalski… Haystacks Calhoun defeats Jack Terry & Juan Humberto in a handicap match… Bill Melby defeats George Drake… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions The Brunetti Brothers (Guy Brunetti & Joe Brunetti) wrestled Don Leo Jonathan & Art Neilson to a time limit draw after splitting one fall each… AWA San Francisco United States champion Ray Stevens defeats Bob Ellis by DQ.
06-21-1961: Dr. Sam Sheppard, the inspiration for the movie and series The Fugitive, makes the Columbus, OH newspaper with the news he does not have cancer after being part of a prison medical experiment where he (and other prisoners) were injected with cancer cells. The article also makes note of him wrestling and it is known that Sheppard was a member of a prison wrestling team.
06-23-1961: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 15,675: Buddy Rogers & Bob Orton defeated Antonino Rocca & Argentina Apollo… Johnny Valentine defeated Hans Schmidt… Sailor Art Thomas & Sweet Daddy Siki defeated Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan)… Mark Lewin & Don Curtis defeated Billy Darnell & Dick Steinborn… Lalo Rodriguez (AKA: Ciclon Negro) defeated Fred Atkins… Billy Zbyszko (AKA: Bill Dromo) defeated Miguel Torres… Arnold Skaaland defeated Angelo Savoldi.
Detroit, MI: Tiger Stadium: 11,097: NWA World heavyweight champion Pat O'Connor beat Don Leo Jonathan via DQ… Cowboy Bradley & Lord Littlebrook defeat Bull Brummell & Tiny Roe… Johnny Weaver defeats Taro Myaki… The Sheik Of Araby defeats Emile Dupree… The Bastien Brothers (Red Bastien & Lou Bastien) wrestled Art Neilson & Ray Shire to a Draw… Bob Ellis defeats Roy Shire… Haystacks Calhoun wrestled Killer Kowalski to a Draw… Verne Gagne defeats Kinji Shibuya… NWA United States champion Dick the Bruiser defeated Bobo Brazil 2 falls to 1. The U.S. title match was the main event of the show even over the NWA World title.
06-30-1961: At Comiskey Park in Chicago, IL with a crowd of 38,000: Buddy Rogers defeated Pat O’Connor to win the NWA World heavyweight championship. A new American gate record was set at $125,000. In other matches: Fred Atkins beat Hans Schmidt via DQ… The Angel beat Moose Cholak via DQ… Antonino Rocca beat Karl Von Hess… Vittorio Apollo beat Mighty Atlas… Bob Orton beat Dick Steinborn… Sweet Daddy Siki & Art Thomas & Johnny Valentine beat The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) & Red Berry… The Sicilians (Lou Albano & Tony Altimore) beat Billy Goelz & Johnny Gilbert to win the Midwest tag team title… Haystacks Calhoun beat The Crusher.
07-01-1961: Giant Baba leaves Japan to tour the United States.
07-05-1961: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 8,500: Art Michalik defeats Vic Christy… Mr. Moto defeats Fred Fraley… Dick Hutton defeats Stan Holek… Ricki Starr defeats George Drake… Mike Sharpe & The Zebra Kid wrestled The Torres Brothers (Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres) to a draw… WWA World Heavyweight champion Fred Blassie defeats Sandor Szabo taking the only fall in a one hour match.
07-07-1961: In Pittsburgh, PA: Forbes Field drawing 12,510: Fred Atkins drew Billy Fox… Zivko Kovacic beat Miguel Torres… Primo Carnera drew Great Scott… Sweet Daddy Siki & Sailor Art Thomas & Dick Steinborn beat Tony Altimore & Lou Albano & Angelo Savoldi… Bruno Sammartino beat Skull Murphy… Ace Freeman beat Johnny Kace… Argentina Apollo & Carlos Milano beat Don Fargo & Jimmy Dykes… NWA World heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers beat Antonino Rocca… Crusher Lisowski beat Johnny Valentine.
Santo Contra Cerebro Del Mal (Santo Against the Brain of Evil) movie is released. A masked secret agent recounts the story of going up against an evil scientist while teaming up with the masked hero El Santo. This movie was El Santo's first movie, and it was shot in Cuba.
07-10-1961: Washington, DC: Griffith Stadium: Attendance 11,770: Fred Atkins wrestled Karl Von Hess to a Draw… The Black Terror defeats Arnold Skaaland… Dottie Carter & Fran Gravette defeat Jane Perez & Peggy Allen… Red Berry & The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) defeat Billy Darnell & Dick Steinborn & The Angel (Jean Baillargeon) 2 falls to 1… Sailor Art Thomas & Johnny Valentine & Sweet Daddy Siki defeat Bobby Davis & Bob Orton & Buddy Rogers by DQ.
07-11-1961: Gene Kiniski defeats Verne Gagne to win the AWA World heavyweight title in Minneapolis, MN.
07-15-1961: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 13,734: Wilbur Snyder defeats Tony Angelo… Pepper Gomez defeats Bob Morse… Johnny Weaver wrestled Ben Sharpe to a 20 minute draw… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions The Brunetti Brothers (Guy Brunetti & Joe Brunetti) defeat Art Neilson & Don Leo Jonathan 2 falls to 1… AWA San Francisco United States champion Ray Stevens defeats Mitsu Arakawa 2 falls to 1.
07-16-1961: In Mexico City, Mexico: Centella Negra & Torbellino Negro took on Pancho Ramirez & Monje Loco. This was the debut of Centella Negra who soon changed his name to Dr. Wagner and became one of the biggest names in lucha libre history.
07-17-1961: Art & Stan Neilson win the Indianapolis AWA tag team titles from Red & Lou Bastien.
07-19-1961: Hard Boiled Haggerty & Gene Kiniski win the AWA World tag team championship for the second time from Wilbur Snyder & Leo Nomellini in St Paul MN. Outdoors at Midway Stadium. Attendance 2,133
Dr. Jerry Graham wins the Gulf Coast title from Chief Little Eagle in Mobile, AL.
07-20-1961: In Montreal, QB, Canada: Delorimier Stadium drawing 20,618: Eddie Quinn Promotions: Eddie Auger defeats Bob Nando… Hans Hermann wrestled Johnny Rougeau to a Draw… Brown Panther & Little Beaver wrestled Pancho Lopez & Sky Low Low result is unknown… The Tolos Brothers (Chris Tolos & John Tolos) defeat The Smith Brothers (Hurricane Smith & Cyclone Smith)… Yukon Eric defeats Claude Dassary by DQ 2 falls to 1… Hans Schmidt defeats Montreal World Heavyweight champion Edouard Carpentier by referee's decision 2 falls to 1 to win the title. Carpentier actually won the only fall. But in the second fall, he was counted out and injured his hip. He could not continue the match and lost the title.
07-21-1961: Los Angeles, CA: LA Sports Arena: Attendance 13,400: Dick Hutton wrestled Sam Steamboat to a draw… The Torres Brothers (Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres) defeat Angelo Savoldi & Mr. Moto… Primo Carnera defeats Mike Sharpe… Ricki Starr defeats Aldo Bogni… Argentina Rocca defeats Clyde Steeves… WWA World Heavyweight champion Fred Blassie defeats Lou Thesz 2 falls to 1 with special Referee: Jersey Joe Walcott. Blassie pins Thesz 100% clean with a series of body slams.
07-22-1961: All-Star Wrestling: Omaha, NE: Auditorium: Attendance 9,653: Ernie Dusek wrestled Rocky Hamilton to a Draw… Bobby Managoff defeats The Sheik by DQ… Haystacks Calhoun defeats Happy Humphrey… Wilbur Snyder defeats Tiny Mills 2 falls to 1… Omaha AWA World Heavyweight champion Don Leo Jonathan defeats Verne Gagne 2 falls to 1.
07-26-1961: Rochester, NY: Red Wing Stadium: Attendance 6,247: Hans Hermann defeats Chet Wallick… Dick Beyer wrestled The Crusher to a Time Limit Draw… Billy Red Lyons wrestled Taro Keomuka (Taro Myaki) to a Time Limit Draw… Pee Wee James defeats Red Taylor… Bearcat Wright & Ilio DiPaolo wrestled The Gallagher Brothers (Doc Gallagher & Mike Gallagher) to a Double DQ… Sato Keomuka (Kinji Shibuya) defeats Fritz Von Erich 2 falls to 1.
07-28-1961: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 17,698: NWA World heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers defeated Johnny Valentine… Antonino Rocca & Argentina Apollo defeated Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan)… Lalo Rodriguez (AKA: Ciclon Negro) defeated Eddie Graham by DQ… Mark Lewin & Don Curtis defeated Sailor Art Thomas & Sweet Daddy Siki… Bob Orton & Bobby Davis defeated Dick Steinborn & Arnold Skaaland… Greg Scott defeated Billy Zbyszko (AKA: Bill Dromo)… The Angel defeated Larry Simon (AKA: Boris Malenko)… Mike Mazurki defeated Laverne Baxter by DQ.
Cowboy Bob Ellis defeated Dick the Bruiser in a cage match in Atlanta, GA.
07-29-1961: In Chicago, IL at Comiskey Park drawing 14,292: Bob Orton beat Sweet Daddy Siki… Killer Kowalski drew Johnny Valentine… Haystacks Calhoun beat The Angel… Lalo Rodriguez (Cyclone Negro) beat Hans Schmidt via DQ… Bruno Sammartino beat The Crusher via DQ… Argentina Rocca & Vittorio Apollo beat The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan)… NWA World heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers beat Art Thomas.
08-04-1961: In Pittsburgh, PA: Forbes Field drawing 14,415: Eddie Faietta beat Fred Atkins… Carlos Milano pinned Miguel Torres… Zivko Kovacic beat John Heath… Karl Von Hess pinned Billy Fox… Ace Freeman beat Mighty Atlas… Antonino Rocca & Argentina Apollo beat The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan)… Bruno Sammartino & Sweet Daddy Siki & Art Thomas beat Moose Cholak & Great Scott & Angelo Savoldi… Johnny Valentine pinned Skull Murphy… NWA World heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers beat Crusher Lisowski.
08-07-1961: In Washington, DC: Griffith Stadium drawing 12,000: Fred Atkins drew Bill Zbyszko… Black Terror beat Angelo Savoldi… Ramona Isbell won a battle royal. Also in the match were: Babs Wingo, Ethel Johnson, Lulu Mae Provo, and Pearl Bates… The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) beat Red Bastien & Dick Steinborn… Sailor Art Thomas & Sweet Daddy Siki beat Don Curtis & Mark Lewin… Antonino Rocca & Johnny Valentine beat Bob Orton & Buddy Rogers.
08-08-1961: WA in Bloomington, MN: Met Stadium drawing 8,055: Tiny Mills beat Tony Baillargeon… Hard Boiled Haggerty & Bob Geigel beat Wilbur Snyder & Dale Lewis… Kay Noble & Lord Littlebrook beat Jessica Rogers & Beau Brummel… Verne Gagne beat Gene Kiniski in a steel cage match to win the AWA World heavyweight title.
Verne Gagne - AWA World heavyweight champion
08-09-1961: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,234: Gene LeBell wrestled Lord Blears - Draw… Yukio Suzuki defeated The Alaskan (Jay York)… Dick Hutton defeats Aldo Bogni… Shohei Giant Baba defeated Ali Pasha… Fritz Von Goering defeated Sam Steamboat… Lou Thesz defeats The Zebra Kid (George Bollas)… Edouard Carpentier & Ricki Starr defeated Fred Blassie & Mr. Moto.
08-11-1961: St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 10,800: Ray Gordon defeats Danny Dusek… Lord Littlebrook defeats Tiny Roe… Guy LaRose wrestled Taro Myaki to a 20 minute draw… Pat O'Connor defeats The Alaskan (Jay York)… Bob Ellis & John Paul Henning defeat Buddy Austin & Johnny Valentine in 2 falls… NWA World Heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers defeats Ronnie Etchison by referee stoppage in 2 straight falls.
08-12-1961: Promoter Roy Shire: San Francisco, CA:. Cow Palace: Attendance 12,250: Cowboy Cassidy & Lord Littlebrook defeat Beau Brummel & Vince Garibaldi 2 falls to 1… Haystacks Calhoun defeats Ox Anderson & Jack Terry in a handicap match… Bob Ellis defeats Ben Sharpe… Bobo Brazil defeats Tiny Mills… AWA San Francisco United States champion Ray Stevens wrestled Wilbur Snyder to a time limit draw after splitting one fall each.
08-16-1961: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,387 (13 people shy of a sellout): Sam Steamboat wrestled Yoshino Sato to a draw… Mr. Moto defeats Al Marshall… Lord Blears wrestled Mike Sharpe to a draw… Shohei (Giant) Baba defeats Aldo Bogni… Fritz Von Goering defeats Roberto Hassedan… Ricki Starr defeats Clyde Steeves… WWA World Heavyweight champion Fred Blassie defeats Sandor Szabo 2 falls to 1.
08-17-1961: Eddie Quinn Promotions: Montreal, Canada: Delorimer Stadium: Attendance 18,604: Claude St. Jean wrestled Eddie Auger to a Draw… Pancho Lopez (Lorenzo Parente) defeats Billy Red Cloud by DQ… Claude Dassary & Ilio DiPaolo wrestled The Tolos Brothers (Chris Tolos & John Tolos) to a Draw… Lou Thesz defeats Hans Hermann… Yukon Eric defeats Killer Kowalski 2 falls to 1… Montreal World Heavyweight champion Hans Schmidt defeats Edouard Carpentier by DQ 2 falls to 1.
08-18-1961: Buddy Rogers retained the NWA World heavyweight title by defeating The Sheik (Ed Farhat) at the Cincinnati Gardens. Rogers wins the third fall with the figure four leglock.
08-22-1961: Kurt & Karl Von Brauner win the Florida version of the NWA World tag team titles from Eddie Graham & Ike Eakins in Tampa, FL.
Tex Riley & Len Rossi defeat Great Mephisto (Lou Papineau) & Dante (Hans Steiner) for the Southern tag team titles in Nashville, TN.
08-25-1961: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 18,752: Buddy Rogers & Bob Orton defeated Antonino Rocca & Johnny Valentine… Mark Lewin & Don Curtis defeated Argentina Apollo & Lalo Rodriguez (AKA: Ciclon Negro)… Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) defeated Sailor Art Thomas & Sweet Daddy Siki… Bruno Sammartino defeated Eddie Graham by DQ… Bobby Davis defeated Red Berry when Berry failed to win 2 falls in 10 minutes as promised… Bernie Burke & Pancho Lopez defeated Tom Thumb & Billy the Kid… The Angel defeated Fred Atkins… Billy Zbyszko (Bill Dromo) defeated Angelo Savoldi.
Ray Gunkel defeated The Sheik in a cage match in Atlanta, GA.
08-1961: Fred Kohler is elected President of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
09-01-1961: At Comiskey Park in Chicago, IL a rematch for the NWA World heavyweight title takes place. Buddy Rogers defeated Pat O’Connor by count out to retain the title with an attendance of 20,015. In other matches: Bruno Sammartino beat Moose Cholak via DQ… Vittorio Apollo & Antonino Rocca beat The Sicilians (Lou Albano & Tony Altimore)… Mark Lewin & Don Curtis beat Sweet Daddy Siki & Art Thomas… Red Berry & Bobby Davis beat Haystacks Calhoun & Mr. Puerto Rico… Johnny Valentine beat Bob Orton… NWA World heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers beat Pat O'Connor in three falls.
09-07-1961: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 9,500: Lord Athol Layton defeats Karol Kalmikoff… Taro Sakuro defeats Timothy Geohagan… Pat Flanagan wrestled Tony Marino to a Double Count Out… The Smith Brothers (Cyclone Smith & Hurricane Smith) defeat NWA International Tag Team champions Man Mountain Campbell (Luke Brown) & Stan Stasiak to win the titles… NWA World Heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers defeats Frank Townsend… Bulldog Brower defeats NWA British Empire champion Whipper Billy Watson by Count Out.
09-08-1961: In Pittsburgh, PA at Forbes Field drawing 11,430: Eddie Faietta beat Jack Terry… Zivko Kovacic beat Angelo Savoldi… Johnny Valentine beat Miguel Torres… Shohei Giant Baba beat Yukio Suzuki in a "sumo" match… Haystacks Calhoun beat The Great Togo… Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) beat Sweet Daddy Siki & Sailor Art Thomas… Ace Freeman beat Yoshino Sato in a "judo" match… Antonino Rocca & Bruno Sammartino & Argentina Apollo beat Skull Murphy & Moose Cholak & Fred Atkins… NWA World heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers beat Crusher Lisowski.
09-18-1961: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 12,391: The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) defeated Buddy Rogers & Bob Orton… Johnny Valentine & Red Berry defeated Eddie Graham & Bobby Davis by DQ… Antonino Rocca & Argentina Apollo battled Mark Lewin & Don Curtis to draw… Bruno Sammartino defeated Yukio Suzuki… Haystack Calhoun defeated Great Togo… Giant Baba defeated Billy Zbyszko (Bill Dromo)… Yoshino Sato battled Sweet Daddy Siki to a draw… Arnold Skaaland defeated Angelo Savoldi.
09-22-1961: EMLL 28th Anniversary Show: in Mexico City, Mexico: Arena Mexico drawing 17,000: NWA World Middleweight champion Rene Guajardo beat El Santo… NWA World Light Heavyweight champion Gori Guerrero beat Rey Mendoza.
09-25-1961: Nicoli Volkoff (Steve Gob) defeats Luther Lindsay for the Pacific Northwest title in Portland, OR.
Washington, DC: Griffith Stadium: Attendance 9,197: The Black Terror pinned Miguel Torres… Jack Davis pinned Jack Terry… Argentina Apollo defeated Skull Murphy… Rita Cortez & Jean Perez defeated Rose Kelly & Dottie Carter… Johnny Valentine & Sweet Daddy Siki & Sailor Art Thomas defeat Mark Lewin & Don Curtis & Mighty Atlas 2 falls to 1… Buddy Rogers & Bob Orton & Bobby Davis defeat Wild Red Berry & The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) 3 falls to 2.
10-02-1961: In Vancouver, BC, Canada: Ivan & Karol Kalmikoff defeated Billy Watson & Roy McClarty for the Pacific Coast tag team titles in a tournament final.
10-06-1961: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 12,139: Fred Blassie beat Ricki Starr… Argentine Rocco beat Logger Jackson… Seaman Art Thomas beat Fred Atkins… Lou Thesz beat Mike Sharpe… Leo Garibaldi drew Nikita Mulkovich… Ramon & Alberto Torres drew Mr. Moto & Fritz Von Goering… Gene LeBell beat Yoshima Sato… Giant Baba beat Yukio Suzuki.
10-16-1961: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 12,511: Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez defeated Buddy Rogers & Bob Orton… Johnny Valentine & Argentina Apollo defeated Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan)… Bruno Sammartino & Sailor Art Thomas defeated Mark Lewin & Don Curtis… Giant Baba & Mighty Atlas defeated Haystack Calhoun & Red Berry… Bearcat Wright defeated Skull Murphy… The Crusher defeated Angelo Savoldi… Great Togo defeated Arnold Skaaland… Yoshino Sato defeated Fred Atkins.
10-17-1961: Jackie Fargo & Lester Welch defeat Great Mephisto & Dante for the Southern tag team titles in Nashville, TN.
10-21-1961: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 12,675: Wilbur Snyder defeats Wildman Hamilton… Pepper Gomez defeats Oscar Verdu… Haystacks Calhoun defeats Haji Baba & George Drake in a handicap match… Bobo Brazil defeats Pedro Godoy… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions Guy Brunetti & Joe Brunetti defeat Ben Sharpe & Kinji Shibuya… AWA San Francisco United States champion Ray Stevens defeats Mitsu Arakawa.
10-23-1961: Ron & Don Harris are born.
10-24-1961: In an angry telegram to NWA President Sam Muchnick, WWWF owner Vince J. McMahon informs him that he has quit the NWA. Sam Muchnick never accepted the resignation and the two seemingly made up shortly thereafter.
10-27-1961: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 8,660: Fred Blassie beat Argentine Rocco… Art Thomas beat Stan Kowalski… Ramon & Alberto Torres beat Fritz Von Goering & Nikita Mulkoich… Lou Thesz beat Fred Atkins… Ricki Starr beat Soldat Gorky… Little Beaver & Billy Burke beat Fuzzy Cupid & Irish Jackie… Leo Garibaldi drew Mr. Moto.
11-11-1961: La Furia Del Ring (The Ring's Fury) movie is released. A wrestler and trainer refuses to fix wrestling matches for the mob. This movie features a cameo by Gory Guerrero.
San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 15,961: Second largest crowd in Cow Palace history: Red Bastien defeats Bob Morse… Karl Von Brock defeats George Drake… Pepper Gomez defeats Danno O'Rourke… Mitsu Arakawa & Kinji Shibuya defeat AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions The Brunetti Brothers (Guy Brunetti & Joe Brunetti) 2 falls to 1 to win the titles… Bob Ellis defeated AWA San Francisco United States champion Ray Stevens in a 1 fall match to win the title.
11-13-1961: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 20,253: Giant Baba defeated Bruno Sammartino by count out… Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) defeated Haystack Calhoun & Man Mountain Campbell (AKA: Luke Brown)… Johnny Valentine & Argentina Apollo battled Great Togo & Yoshino Sato to a draw… Don Curtis battled Mighty Atlas to a draw… Sailor Art Thomas & Sweet Daddy Siki defeated Angelo Savoldi & Great Scott… Miguel Perez defeated Skull Murphy… Bearcat Wright defeated Eddie Graham… Karl Von Hess defeated Doug Kinslow.
11-16-1961: Tojo Yamamoto & Taro Myaki win the Florida U.S. tag team titles from Eddie Graham & Dick Steinborn in Jacksonville.
11-23-1961: Bob Geigel & Otto Von Krupp (Boris Malenko) win the AWA World tag team titles from Dale Lewis & Pat Kennedy (Bobby Graham) in Rochester, MN.
11-30-1961: Eddie Graham & Dick Steinborne regain the Florida U.S. tag team titles from Tojo Yamamoto & Taro Myaki in Jacksonville.
12-01-1961: Fritz Von Erich defeats Dick the Bruiser for the NWA U.S. title in Detroit. Cobo Arena. Detroit Attendance 5,957: Mr. M (Hard Boiled Haggerty) defeats Emile Dupree… Wilbur Snyder defeats Angelo Poffo… Neilson Brothers (Art Neilson & Stan Neilson) defeat Bill Melby & Hercules Romero
The Assassins (Jody Hamilton & Tom Renesto) defeated Ray Gunkel & Don McIntyre for the Southern (Georgia) tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.
12-02-1961: Antonio Poza defeats Rene Guajardo for the NWA World Middleweight title in Mexico City, Mexico.
12-08-1961: Santo Contra Hombres Infernales (Santo Against the Men from Hell) movie is released. A sequel to Santo Contra Cerebro Del Mal, this continues El Santo's adventures as a masked secret agent in Cuba.
12-09-1961: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 12,371: Pepper Gomez defeats Angelo Poffo… Wilbur Snyder defeats The Alaskan… Red Bastien defeats Karl Von Brock by DQ… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions Mitsu Arakawa & Kinji Shibuya defeat The Brunetti Brothers (Guy Brunetti & Joe Brunetti) 2 falls to 1… Ray Stevens defeats AWA San Francisco United States champion Bob Ellis by count out 2 falls to 1 to win the title.
12-11-1961: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 13,430: Antonino Rocca & Johnny Valentine defeated Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan)… Bearcat Wright battled Giant Baba to a double count out… Bruno Sammartino & Argentina Apollo defeated Great Togo & Yoshino Sato… Bob Orton & Great Scott defeated Sailor Art Thomas & Sweet Daddy Siki… Little Beaver & Bernie Burke defeated Sky Low Low & Fuzzy Cupid… Miguel Perez battled Mighty Atlas to a draw… Don Curtis defeated Steve Stanlee… Brute Bernard defeated Man Mountain Campbell (Luke Brown).
12-29-1961: Don Curtis defeats Karl Gotch for the Eastern States title in Columbus, OH.
1961: Dale Lewis wins the NCAA championship in the heavyweight division and places as an All American for the University of Oklahoma.
Dale Lewis
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