JOHNNY WEAVER and J.J. DILLON

 

AROUND THE TERRITORY

 

PHIL (BUCK) ROBLEY

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - 1969

GEORGE and SANDY SCOTT won from THE INFERNOS with J.C. DYKES via DQ.

BRUTE BERNARD and SKULL MURPHY topped ABE JACOBS and LES WOLFE.

JOHNNY WEAVER whipped MATTI SUZUKI.

BOBBY RED CLOUD topped PHIL ROBLEY.

LES THATCHER

GREENVILLE, S.C. - 1968

LARS, GENE and OLE ANDERSON toppled ARGENTINA ZUMA, LES THATCHER and PAUL DEMARCO in six man action.

JESSE JAMES topped PEPPY GOMEZ.

PANCHO VALDEZ pinned JACK RICO.

BOB RAMSTEAD wrestled JOHNNY HEIDEMAN to a draw.

GEORGE BECKER and JOHNNY WEAVER

CHARLESTON, S.C. - 1965

GEORGE BECKER and JOHNNY WEAVER won over BRUTE BERNARD and SKULL MURPHY.

THE KENTUCKIANS bested THE ALASKAN and THE BEAST.

GEORGE 'CATALINA' DRAKE topped EDUARDO CASTILLO.

PEE WEE LOPEZ pinned JIM DANDY.

EL LOBO

GREENVILLE, S.C. - 1969

GEORGE BECKER and JOHNNY WEAVER defeated LARS and GENE ANDERSON.

BOB GRIFFIN and LES WOLFE lost to BRUTE BERNARD and SKULL MURPHY.

OLE ANDERSON whipped BOBBY RED CLOUD.

JOHNNY HEIDEMAN topped EL LOBO.

KEN PATERA

 

STATESVILLE, NC SUMMER WRESTLING

 

 

JOHNNY VALENTINE

 

RIP AND SWEDE ON THE REBOUND

                                                                   February 6, 1965

LEXINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA

The "BLONDE BOMBERS" of professional wrestling return to the LEXINGTON YMCA tonight after a disappointing experience here last week.

RIP HAWK and SWEDE HANSON, who boast of an incredible win record, came up short last Saturday at the hands of THE FLYING SCOTTS.

They will attempt to reverse their bad fortunes tonight when they tangle with another top team in that of NICK KOZAK and "IRISH" MIKE CLANCY.

"Last week's loss was a fluke, and I promise it won't happen again," shouted RIP HAWK, as partner HANSON nodded. SWEDE doesn't say much.

Another top tag battle is signed when fan favorites RUDY KAYE and ANGELO MARTINELLI take on the rule breaking duo of "SIR" NELSON ROYAL and THE VIKING, who have been on a hot streak as of late.

Both tag team matches are set for the best-of-three falls with one hour time limits.

Singles action opens the card at 8:15 when LORENZO PARENTE faces THE BEAST.

WEAVER / THESZ FOR WORLD TITLE

                                                                     JUNE 27, 1964

LEXINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA

It's the opportunity of a wrestler's lifetime!

JOHNNY WEAVER, one of the most popular wrestlers in the Carolinas, will get a chance to capture the NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP at the LEXINGTON YMCA tonight when he faces the champion LOU THESZ in the featured main event.

WEAVER is considered a top contender for the coveted championship due to his excellent record since arriving in the Carolinas about two years ago. THESZ is known as a champion who dodges no one.

"WEAVER is a very worthy opponent who can hold his own with anyone," said the World Champion. "I'll need to be at 100% to leave Lexington with the title, but I intend to do just that."

The title match is for the best-of-three falls with a one hour time limit.

Co-featuring the program will be a top tag team match between the bullish duo of BRUTE BERNARD and SKULL MURPHY facing the great Osage Indian star CHIEF BIG HEART and his new partner RONNIE ETCHINSON. Also for two-out-of-three falls, this match has a 45 minute time limit.

AAU champion TIM WOODS will be challenged by rugged PAT O'BRIEN in one preliminary match.

The 8:15 opener sends young ALEX MEDINA against the crafty TINKER TODD.

CLASSIC RASSLIN' RESULTS

 

RALEIGH, N.C. - 1968

LARS, GENE and OLE ANDERSON defeated RIP HAWK, SWEDE HANSON and NELSON ROYAL.

GEORGE and SANDY SCOTT took ALEX MEDINA and JESSE JAMES.

ABE JACOBS won from FRANK HICKEY.

THE AMAZING ZUMA bested 'BULLDOG' LEE HENNING.

CHARLESTON, S.C. - 1969

RIP HAWK and SWEDE HANSON lost to NELSON ROYAL and PAUL JONES.

JESSE JAMES and RANDY CURTIS beat PEDRO and PANCHO VALDEZ.

MATTI SUZUKI topped SONNY FARGO.

EL LOBO pinned RON CHARLES.

CHARLESTON, W.V. - 1969

SAILOR ART THOMAS, NELSON ROYAL and PAUL JONES bested ALDO BOGNI, BRONCHO LUBICH and GEORGE 'TWO TON' HARRIS in six man action.

BOBBY RED CLOUD toppled BOB GRIFFIN.

PANCHO VALDEZ and GREG PETERSON wrestled to a draw.

RALEIGH, N.C. - 1969

NELSON ROYAL, PAUL JONES and SANDY SCOTT topped LARS, GENE and OLE ANDERSON in six man action.

BOB GRIFFIN won from BOBBY PAUL.

GEORGE SCOTT bested PEDRO VALDEZ.

KOA TIKI pinned EL GAUCHO.

NELSON ROYAL at the mercy of THE INFERNOS

 

STATESVILLE, NC WRESTLING

 

 

JOHNNY WEAVER, THE MASKED RED DEMONS (JIMMY & BILLY HINES)

 

EVERY MATCH A MAIN EVENT

                                                                  AUGUST 10, 1959

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

65 Years Ago

Many wrestling fans are saying that promoter JIM CROCKETT has outdone himself with tonight's pro wrestling card. Every match on the program could headline any wrestling show anywhere in the United States.

But it is the fans in the CHARLOTTE area who shall reap the benefits.

In tonight's headliner at PARK CENTER, the devious duo of MR. MOTO and DUKE KEOMUKA will face another challenge for their SOUTHERN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP. The Japs, who have protected their titles at any cost against all comers in the month they have had the belts, will face a severe challenge when they meet fan favorites GEORGE BECKER and BILLY TWO RIVERS, the top-ranked contenders. The championship encounter is set for the best two-of-three falls, with a one hour time limit.

The semi-final squares off PAT O'HARA and THE GREAT BOLO. Perhaps tonight will be the lucky night for the Irishman in his quest to unmask the hooded ruffian. O'HARA has come close a few times, but THE GREAT BOLO has managed to hang on to his mask...so far. This one's also two-out-of-three falls, forty-five minute limit.

The main prelim sends popular DANO O'SHOCKER against the rugged LARRY 'CRUSHER' HAMILTON for one fall, thirty minutes.

And the 8:15 opener, set for one fall and twenty minutes, has REGGIE PARKS, the handsome Canadian scraper from Ontario, meeting CYCLONE ANAYA.

Fans are encouraged to arrive early to guarantee a seat.

ARGENTINA APOLLO

 

ODELL'S BOYS BATTLE BOLOS

                                                                   APRIL 6, 1964

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

There's wrestling tonight at Charlotte's PARK CENTER, but can the building sustain the explosion?

That will be the big question when the rugged masked combo of THE GREAT BOLO and BOLO return for main event action...this time against the equally rough duo of ALDO BOGNI and BRONCHO LUBICH, who will have their manager HOMER O'DELL in their corner.

Both teams have long winning streaks going, and tonight's victor should emerge as a major challenger for the Southern Tag Team Championship. The bout is slated for two-of-three falls, one hour time.

The semi-final sends TOMMY O'TOOLE against TINY ETCHISON in a one fall contest.

The undercard is topped by a tag team affair which will pit ALEX MEDINA and GINO BRANDO opposite GENE MURPHY and JOE TOMASSO in a two-out-of-three falls affair.

The 8:15 opening match sends BOBBY HART against FRANK VALOIS.

GEORGE and BOBBY BECKER

 

SUMMER WRESTLING IN STATESVILLE, NC

                                                                      June 2, 1967

STATESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

The Card...

The Results...
-

Another summer came to Statesville, and like the previous year, I could be found in my $2.00 ringside seat (on this night, the front row - - you know, Peggy Lathan-type seats).

And what a way to kick off the wrestling summer - - THE INFERNOS were on the card!

I've written many times how J.C. DYKES and THE INFERNOS have always been at the top of my list of all-time favorite tag teams, and here I was, just a few feet away from them.

And something bizarre happened on this night. Refer to the results clipping. It mentions that prior to the main event, a local citizen was arrested for throwing a cup of water on THE INFERNOS. This needs some clarification.

What really happened is as follows: Just as DYKES and his boys came around the ring to climb up the steps into the ring (the steps were on the side of the ring where I was seated), this buffoon, who was sitting at the end of the front row, jumped up from his chair, and threw a large cup of Coca-Cola (not water as the article states) in the face of J.C. DYKES (not THE INFERNOS). DYKES was wearing a blue paisley tuxedo jacket, and it was soaked with the soft drink, as was J.C.'s face.

The idiot then takes off running towards center field of the baseball stadium in which the event was being held. Obviously, he hadn't thought his escape plan through, as there was NO EXIT anywhere in the entire outfield, only a wooden fence, probably eight feet high, of which he had NO CHANCE of scaling.

Both of the masked men immediately took off after the goof, which must have been difficult for THE INFERNO wearing the built-up boot. Nevertheless, they tackled the guy close to dead center field and began punching him mercilessly.

J.C. was close behind, and upon his arrival on the scene, began swinging the metal canteen (which was on a cloth strap) and landed several hard blows on the guy.

A few seconds later, the off-duty Statesville policemen working security made their way to the area, and they cuffed the instigator and walked him all the way back to the infield, straight out of the stadium to the hoosegow, where I'm sure he spent the night as a guest of the city.

I felt badly for J.C. on this hot night because he then had to work the match covered in sticky Coke syrup, but like the pro he was, he did.

It was a great night, and I soon discovered that a few weeks later, THE INFERNOS would return to Statesville to face a team who broke as many rules as they did.

BRUTE BERNARD and SKULL MURPHY

 

LEXINGTON, NC - TWO TONS HEAVIER

 

JULY 31, 1965
LEXINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA

GEORGE 'TWO TON' HARRIS

JOHN and CHRIS TOLOS

RON REED

DALE LEWIS

THE VIKING

ABE JACOBS

LUTHER LINDSAY

Brothers JOHN and CHRIS TOLOS, known as 'THE MICHIGAN WRECKING CREW', will face tough competition in a LEXINGTON YMCA pro wrestling feature tonight.

This time out, the TOLOS brothers, victorious last Saturday over GEORGE 'CATALINA' DRAKE and RON REED, will be pitted against the stellar and spectacular duo of New Zealand's ABE JACOBS and former AAU and Olympic mat star DALE LEWIS. The two teams will go at it in a two-out-of-three falls encounter.

RON REED (who later wrestled as BUDDY COLT) will return tonight and will face THE VIKING, a rugged competitor, in the evening's semi-final. It's the best-of-three falls as well.

LUTHER LINDSAY, a local Negro star, and very popular with the fans, meets the Frenchman FELIX LAMBAN in one preliminary.

In the opening contest, young ROY DURAN will attempt to halt big bully GEORGE 'TWO TON' HARRIS, who has been on quite a tear of late.

Action gets underway at 8:15 tonight.

The identity of THE GREAT BOLO about to be revealed.

 

BOLO = CROCKETT FRANCHISE PLAYER

 In the late 1950s, JIM CROCKETT PROMOTIONS was virtually built around one guy, a really 'bad guy'...THE GREAT BOLO.

He wore a yellow gold mask with matching attire. No wrestling fan knew his true identity, and according to a lengthy interview by the man under the hood himself (TOM RENESTO), the other wrestlers didn't, at the time, know either. This idea, he said, was designed by JIM CROCKETT himself. BIG JIM felt that keeping the wrestler's identity a real secret made for a more realistic approach to the storyline.

THE GREAT BOLO had his own private dressing room, and he wore the mask into the building upon arrival and out of the building when he left.

(I'm not sure if I really buy into that, but true or not, it makes a great story.)

THE GREAT BOLO was BIG! Fans laid out their money every night in some city hoping to find out who the guy really was. All of the top wrestlers ('babyfaces' and 'heels') in the territory worked the masked man.

I experienced my first LIVE wrestling event sixty-six years ago at the old semi-pro baseball park one summer night in Statesville, North Carolina. The main event was Indian star BILLY TWO RIVERS versus THE GREAT BOLO. Next to GEORGE BECKER, BILLY was the top 'good guy' in JCP at the time.

Most of us tikes in the neighborhood went. We lived in a black and white world in the late Fifties, and when THE GREAT BOLO stepped out of one of the dugouts and made his way towards the ring, we were stunned by the bright gold colors. Up to that point, we could only guess what colors he wore. On black and white TV, it could have been most any shade.

My group, along with some other local kids, made a dash towards the masked man, whopping it up and trying to taunt him. A threatening move and a loud growl-like sound scattered us all back to our grandstand seats in record-setting speed.

Several years later, with tag team wrestling becoming extremely popular, THE GREAT BOLO brought in a partner BOLO (JODY HAMILTON). From this point on, the duo was billed as THE GREAT BOLO and BOLO, or THE MIGHTY BOLOS.

Either way, they were just as hot as RENESTO had been as a single.

In one of the hottest and biggest JCP feuds of all time, a bloodied BOLO (ripped mask and all) battles BIG BOY BROWN of THE KENTUCKIANS.

It's going to be a long way down anytime TINY ANDERSON of THE KENTUCKIANS gives you a body slam.

BOLO makes a bumpy landing in this non-JCP photo.
Had this been in the MID-ATLANTIC area, the bleachers would have been packed with fans.

The BOLO applies a chin lock to ABE JACOBS.

GEORGE BECKER and partner ENRIQUE TORRES put a hurtin' on THE BOLOS.

For the full story of the history of THE BOLOS (later THE ASSASSINS), every wrestling fan should read JODY HAMILTON's fantastic book, ASSASSIN: THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK, co-written by SCOTT TEAL.

JAY YOUNGBLOOD AND RICKY STEAMBOAT

 

THE 1966 STATESVILLE, NC SUMMER OF WRESTLING

                                                                  September 2, 1966

STATESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Time for one more outdoor wrestling card before Jack Frost starts to appear.

The third and final JIM CROCKETT PROMOTIONS wrestling show of the summer, again sponsored by the COMMUNITY BASEBALL CLUB, came to town Labor Day weekend.

And what a treat for the locals...a true legend in all sports...LOU THESZ, multiple-time WORLD'S HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION.

On this night, THESZ, then fifty years of age, showed those of us in attendance, that he could still go at full throttle.

And he and partner ABE "Kiwi Roll" JACOBS would have their hands full, as their opponents this night were two devious ruffians in THE MISSOURI MAULER and THE GREAT MALENKO, one of the top heel teams at the time.

Not surprisingly, the two combos split the first and second falls. Jacobs took the loss for his team--no way Thesz is going to lose a fall clean. At the climax of the third fall, just as Thesz took the "hot tag" and was cleaning up the ring with the "M & M" boys, Malenko pulled the referee in front of him, and Thesz drop kicked the referee, causing an immediate disqualification.

MAULER and MALENKO made a fast exit through their dugout to their dressing room, and I assume, spun out of the Statesville Senior High School parking lot heading back for Charlotte on that pre-Interstate 77 highway night.

Earlier in the evening, KLONDIKE BILL, getting a major push by JCP, took the toll of GEORGE "TWO TON" HARRIS in what was billed as a BATTLE OF THE MAT GIANTS by big-splashing "Bunk" before "Bunk" could big splash him. Oh well, "do unto others..."

Veteran IKE EAKINS crushed KEN HOLLIS and a young BOBBY SHANE (just getting started in the wrestling business) pinned a much-larger "BIG BOY" BLONDELL.

Another great crowd...another great night...another great summer of wrestling in my home town.