The McGuirk/Watts Wrestling Almanac - Chapter 1 (Q4 1959)

Welcome to Chapter 1 of The McGuirk/Watts Wrestling Almanac, an in-depth data-driven look at the wrestling territory run by Leroy McGuirk (and later, Bill Watts) and most commonly known as Mid-South Wrestling (though that name was only used starting in Sep '79).

Every month we will post a new Chapter, with each chapter covering a three-month period of time.

A few quick notes:
-A huge tip of the hat to http://www.midatlanticgateway.com as their "Almanac" section helped serve as inspiration for the entire Charting the Territories project.
-Unless otherwise noted (which is very rare), all of the information listed here is the result of my own personal research, even at the expense of duplicating information/research that was already out there.
-My focus is on the advertised lineups for wrestling events, not the results. As such, we generally will not be posting results for events, just what was advertised to take place.
-While SPOT Ratings and FEUD Scores are given as weekly numbers, each week is based on a rolling, weighted 5-week period of time covering the week in question and the 2 weeks before and after.

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THE McGUIRK/WATTS WRESTLING ALMANAC

CHAPTER 1 (Q4 1959)

ADVERTISED LINEUPS FOR ALL KNOWN HOUSE SHOWS

9/28/59 Tulsa, OK (Fairgrounds Race Track)

Chief Red Cloud vs Great Bolo

No referee in the ring: Red McKim vs Sascha the Great

Luigi Columbo vs Mr. Sasaki

Jack Humberto vs Joe Costello

9/29/59 Little Rock, AR (Robinson Auditorium)

Chief Red Cloud vs Great Bolo

Luigi Columbo vs Mr. Sasaki

Joe Costello vs Sascha the Great

9/30/59 Fort Smith, AR (Sports Arena)

Chief Red Cloud vs Sascha the Great

Joe Costello vs Mr. Sasaki

9/30/59 Springfield, MO (Shrine Mosque)

Great Bolo & Rock Hunter vs Luigi Columbo & Red McKim

Jack Humberto vs Tommy O'Toole

Great Bolo vs Luigi Columbo

Red McKim vs Rock Hunter

10/1/59 Shawnee, OK (Municipal Auditorium)

Great Bolo vs Luigi Columbo

Jack Humberto vs Red McKim

10/2/59 Oklahoma City, OK (Stockyards Coliseum)

Chief Red Cloud vs Great Bolo

Danny Hodge vs Sascha the Great

Luigi Columbo vs Mr. Sasaki

Jack Humberto vs Joe Costello

10/6/59 Little Rock, AR (Robinson Auditorium)

Wrestle Royal featuring Chief Red Cloud, Great Bolo, Jack Humberto, Joe Costello, Luigi Columbo, Mr. Sasaki and Sascha the Great

Plus three matches determined by order of elimination

10/7/59 Fort Smith, AR (Sports Arena)

Chief Red Cloud vs Great Bolo

Joe Costello vs Mr. Sasaki

10/7/59 Springfield, MO (Shrine Mosque)

Luigi Columbo vs Rock Hunter

Dick Hutton vs Jack Humberto

Danny Hodge vs Sascha the Great

10/9/59 Oklahoma City, OK (Stockyards Coliseum)

Chief Red Cloud & Joe Costello vs Great Bolo & Mr. Sasaki

Danny Hodge vs Ray Duran

Jack Humberto vs Luigi Columbo

Joe Costello vs Mr. Sasaki

10/12/59 Tulsa, OK (Municipal Theater)

Chief Red Cloud vs Great Bolo

Danny Hodge vs Ray Duran

Joe Costello vs Sascha the Great

Jack Humberto vs Red McKim

10/13/59 Little Rock, AR (Robinson Auditorium)

10 Round Boxing match: Chief Red Cloud vs Great Bolo

Danny Hodge vs Sascha the Great

Joe Costello vs Mr. Sasaki

10/14/59 Fort Smith, AR (Sports Arena)

Bolo will be searched for foreign objects before the bout: Chief Red Cloud vs Great Bolo

Danny Hodge vs Sascha the Great

10/14/59 Springfield, OH (Shrine Mosque)

Gorgeous George vs Red McKim

Rock Hunter vs Sonny Myers

Joe Costello vs Mr. Sasaki

10/15/59 Shawnee, OK (Municipal Auditorium)

Gorgeous George vs Red McKim

Joe Costello vs Mr. Sasaki

10/16/59 Oklahoma City, OK (Stockyards Coliseum)

Chief Red Cloud vs Gorgeous George

Danny Hodge & Joe Costello vs Great Bolo & Mr. Sasaki

Oni Wiki Wiki vs Sascha the Great

Jack Humberto vs Red McKim

10/19/59 Tulsa, OK (Fairgrounds Junior Arena)

Great Bolo & Mr. Sasaki vs Ivan the Terrible & Joe Costello

Danny Hodge vs Sascha the Great

Jack Humberto vs Oni Wiki Wiki

Great Bolo vs Joe Costello

10/20/59 Little Rock, AR (Robinson Auditorium)

Ivan the Terrible & Joe Costello vs Jack Humberto & Mr. Sasaki

Oni Wiki Wiki vs Wayne Martin

Joe Costello vs Oni Wiki Wiki

Ivan the Terrible vs Jack Humberto

10/20/59 McAlester, OK (American Legion)

Danny Hodge & Red McKim vs Great Bolo & Sascha the Great

Great Bolo vs Red McKim

Danny Hodge vs Sascha the Great

10/21/59 Fort Smith, AR (Sports Arena)

Great Bolo vs Ivan the Terrible

Danny Hodge vs Joe Costello

10/21/59 Springfield, MO (Shrine Mosque)

Winner take all: Rock Hunter vs Sonny Myers

Mr. Sasaki vs Red McKim

Jack Humberto vs Oni Wiki Wiki

10/22/59 Shawnee, OK (Municipal Auditorium)

Wrestle Royal featuring Jack Humberto, Mr. Sasaki, Oni Wiki Wiki, Red McKim and Sascha the Great

Plus two matches determined by order of elimination

10/23/59 Fairview, OK (City Auditorium)

Danny Hodge & Red McKim vs Great Bolo & Sascha the Great

Danny Hodge vs Great Bolo

Red McKim vs Sascha the Great

10/23/59 Oklahoma City, OK (Stockyards Coliseum)

Joe Costello vs Mr. Sasaki

Bob Orton vs Ivan the Terrible

Chief Red Cloud vs Jack Humberto

Luis Hernandez vs Oni Wiki Wiki

10/26/59 Tulsa, OK (Fairgrounds Junior Arena)

Bolo will be searched for foreign objects before the bout: Great Bolo & Jack Humberto & Mr. Sasaki vs Ivan the Terrible & Joe Costello & Oni Wiki Wiki

Chief Red Cloud vs Danny Hodge

Joe Costello vs Mr. Sasaki

Great Bolo vs Oni Wiki Wiki

Ivan the Terrible vs Jack Humberto

10/27/59 Little Rock, AR (Robinson Auditorium)

Ivan the Terrible & Joe Costello & Oni Wiki Wiki vs Jack Humberto & Mr. Sasaki & Wayne Martin

Ivan the Terrible vs Jack Humberto

Mr. Sasaki vs Oni Wiki Wiki

Joe Costello vs Wayne Martin

10/27/59 Woodward, OK (Convention Hall)

Chief Red Cloud & Danny Hodge vs Great Bolo & Sascha the Great

Chief Red Cloud vs Great Bolo

Danny Hodge vs Sascha the Great

10/28/59 Fort Smith, AR (Sports Arena)

Ivan the Terrible vs Joe Costello

Jack Humberto vs Oni Wiki Wiki

10/28/59 Springfield, MO (Shrine Mosque)

Wrestle Royal featuring Carlos Rodriguez, Chief Red Cloud, Danny Hodge, Great Bolo, Mr. Sasaki and Sonny Myers

Plus three matches determined by order of elimination

10/29/59 Shawnee, OK (Municipal Auditorium)

Chief Red Cloud & Danny Hodge vs Great Bolo & Mr. Sasaki

Danny Hodge vs Great Bolo

Chief Red Cloud vs Mr. Sasaki

10/30/59 Oklahoma City, OK (Stockyards Coliseum)

Great Bolo vs Ivan the Terrible

Danny Hodge & Oni Wiki Wiki vs Jack Humberto & Mr. Sasaki

Chief Red Cloud vs Joe Costello

Mr. Sasaki vs Oni Wiki Wiki

11/2/59 Tulsa, OK (Fairgrounds Junior Arena)

Bull Brummel & Great Bolo vs Ivan the Terrible & Lord Littlebrook

Mr. Sasaki vs Oni Wiki Wiki

Danny Hodge vs Joe Costello

Chief Red Cloud vs Jack Humberto

11/3/59 Little Rock, AR (Robinson Auditorium)

Great Bolo vs Ivan the Terrible

Chief Red Cloud vs Oni Wiki Wiki

Danny Hodge vs Jack Humberto

11/3/59 McAlester, OK (American Legion Building)

Bull Brummel & Mr. Sasaki vs Joe Costello & Lord Littlebrook

Joe Costello vs Mr. Sasaki

Bull Brummel vs Lord Littlebrook

11/4/59 Fort Smith, AR (Sports Arena)

Chief Red Cloud vs Ivan the Terrible

Bull Brummel vs Lord Littlebrook

11/4/59 Springfield, MO (Shrine Mosque)

Great Bolo vs Sonny Myers

Mr. Sasaki vs Oni Wiki Wiki

Danny Hodge vs Jack Humberto

11/5/59 Shawnee, OK (Municipal Auditorium)

Danny Hodge & Oni Wiki Wiki vs Great Bolo & Mr. Sasaki

Danny Hodge vs Great Bolo

Mr. Sasaki vs Oni Wiki Wiki

11/6/59 Oklahoma City, OK (Stockyards Coliseum)

Great Bolo vs Ivan the Terrible

Bull Brummel & Jack Humberto & Mr. Sasaki vs Danny Hodge & Joe Costello & Lord Littlebrook

Chief Red Cloud vs Oni Wiki Wiki

Joe Costello vs Mr. Sasaki

11/9/59 Tulsa, OK (Fairgrounds Junior Arena)

Angelo Savoldi & Mr. Sasaki vs Ivan the Terrible & Oni Wiki Wiki

Ella Waldek vs Laura Martinez

Danny Hodge vs Jack Humberto

Chief Red Cloud vs Don Kent

11/10/59 Guthrie, OK (Guthrie High School Gym)

Chief Red Cloud & Danny Hodge vs Jack Humberto & Mr. Sasaki

Plus 2 other bouts, likely singles bouts involving the four wrestlers in the tag team match

11/10/59 Little Rock, AR (Robinson Auditorium)

Angelo Savoldi vs Ivan the Terrible

Ella Waldek vs Laura Martinez

Don Kent vs Oni Wiki Wiki

11/11/59 Fort Smith, AR (Sports Arena)

Danny Hodge & Laura Martinez vs Ella Waldek & Mr. Sasaki

Danny Hodge vs Mr. Sasaki

Ella Waldek vs Laura Martinez

11/11/59 Springfield, MO (Shrine Mosque)

NWA World Junior Heavyweight title: Angelo Savoldi vs Sonny Myers

Don Kent vs Oni Wiki Wiki

Chief Red Cloud vs Ivan the Terrible

11/12/59 Shawnee, OK (Municipal Auditorium)

Angelo Savoldi & Jack Humberto vs Ivan the Terrible & Oni Wiki Wiki

Ivan the Terrible vs Jack Humberto

Angelo Savoldi vs Oni Wiki Wiki

11/13/59 Oklahoma City, OK (Stockyards Coliseum)

Angelo Savoldi & Mr. Sasaki vs Ivan the Terrible & Oni Wiki Wiki

Ella Waldek vs Laura Martinez

Danny Hodge vs Jack Humberto

Chief Red Cloud vs Don Kent

11/16/59 Tulsa, OK (Fairgrounds Junior Arena)

NWA World Junior Heavyweight title: Angelo Savoldi vs Oni Wiki Wiki

Ivan the Terrible vs Mr. Sasaki

Danny Hodge vs Don Kent

Jack Humberto vs Joe Costello

11/17/59 Little Rock, AR (Robinson Auditorium)

NWA World Junior Heavyweight title: Angelo Savoldi vs Oni Wiki Wiki

Comrade Kosloff* vs Red McKim

Danny Hodge vs Don Kent

11/17/59 Tahlequah, OK (High School Gym)

Ivan the Terrible & Joe Costello vs Jack Humberto & Mr. Sasaki

Ivan the Terrible vs Jack Humberto

Joe Costello vs Mr. Sasaki

11/18/59 Fort Smith, AR (Sports Arena)

Danny Hodge vs Mr. Sasaki

Comrade Kosloff* vs Oni Wiki Wiki

11/18/59 Springfield, MO (Shrine Mosque)

Angelo Savoldi & Don Kent vs Ivan the Terrible & Red McKim

Jack Humberto vs Joe Costello

Angelo Savoldi vs Red McKim

Don Kent vs Ivan the Terrible

11/19/59 McAlester, OK (American Legion)

Gorgeous George vs Red McKim

Bob Clay vs Don Kent

11/19/59 Shawnee, OK (Municipal Auditorium)

NWA World Junior Heavyweight title: Angelo Savoldi vs Joe Costello

Ivan the Terrible vs Jack Humberto

11/20/59 Oklahoma City, OK (Stockyards Coliseum)

Angelo Savoldi vs Danny Hodge

Gorgeous George vs Ivan the Terrible

Comrade Kosloff* & Mr. Sasaki vs Joe Costello & Oni Wiki Wiki

Don Kent vs Jack Humberto

*I believe that this was actually Soldat Gorky; not sure why they used a different name for him in ads for his first week in the territory, but results from these shows list Gorky instead of Kosloff, whose name doesn’t appear in any ads after 11/20/59

11/23/59 Tulsa, OK (Fairgrounds Junior Arena)

Angelo Savoldi vs Ivan the Terrible

Mr. Sasaki vs Oni Wiki Wiki

Joe Costello vs Soldat Gorky

Don Kent vs Jack Humberto

11/24/59 Little Rock, AR (Robinson Auditorium)

Angelo Savoldi vs Oni Wiki Wiki

Danny Hodge & Red McKim vs Don Kent & Soldat Gorky

Danny Hodge vs Soldat Gorky

Don Kent vs Red McKim

11/24/59 Woodward, OK (Convention Hall)

Ivan the Terrible & Joe Costello vs Jack Humberto & Mr. Sasaki

Plus 2 other bouts, likely singles bouts involving the four wrestlers in the tag team match

11/25/59 Fort Smith, AR (Sports Arena)

Danny Hodge & Oni Wiki Wiki vs Don Kent & Soldat Gorky

Danny Hodge vs Soldat Gorky

Don Kent vs Oni Wiki Wiki

11/25/59 Springfield, MO (Shrine Mosque)

Angelo Savoldi & Mr. Sasaki vs Ivan the Terrible & Red McKim

Laura Martinez vs Lorraine Johnson

Ivan the Terrible vs Mr. Sasaki

Angelo Savoldi vs Red McKim

11/26/59 Shawnee, OK (Municipal Auditorium)

Wrestle Royal featuring Angelo Savoldi, Ivan the Terrible, Jack Humberto, Joe Costello and Soldat Gorky

11/27/59 Oklahoma City, OK (Stockyards Coliseum)

Rassle Royal featuring Angelo Savoldi, Bob Clay, Don Kent, Ivan the Terrible, Jack Humberto, Joe Costello, Mr. Sasaki, Oni Wiki Wiki and Soldat Gorky

Plus four matches determined by order of elimination

11/30/59 Tulsa, OK (Fairgrounds Junior Arena)

NWA World Junior Heavyweight title: Angelo Savoldi vs Red McKim

Ivan the Terrible & Oni Wiki Wiki vs Jack Humberto & Soldat Gorky

Don Kent vs Ken Hill

12/1/59 Dumas, AR (Gill Gym)

Joe Costello vs Mr. Sasaki

Cowboy Bradley & Laura Martinez vs Kathy Starr & Tiny Roe

12/1/59 Little Rock, AR (Robinson Auditorium)

Ivan the Terrible vs Soldat Gorky

Danny Hodge & Oni Wiki Wiki vs Don Kent & Jack Humberto

Danny Hodge vs Jack Humberto

Don Kent vs Oni Wiki Wiki

12/1/59 McAlester, OK (American Legion)

NWA World Junior Heavyweight title: Angelo Savoldi vs Red McKim

Bob Clay vs Ken Hill

12/2/59 Fort Smith, AR (Sports Arena)

Cowboy Bradley & Laura Martinez vs Kathy Starr & Tiny Roe

Oni Wiki Wiki vs Soldat Gorky

12/2/59 Springfield, MO (Shrine Mosque)

NWA World Junior Heavyweight title: Angelo Savoldi vs Ivan the Terrible

Danny Hodge vs Mr. Sasaki

Don Kent vs Jack Humberto

12/3/59 Shawnee, OK (Municipal Auditorium)

NWA World Junior Heavyweight title: Angelo Savoldi vs Joe Costello

Danny Hodge vs Don Kent

12/4/59 Enid, OK (Convention Hall)

Cowboy Bradley & Laura Martinez vs Kathy Starr & Tiny Roe

Joe Costello vs Mr. Sasaki

Laura Martinez vs Kathy Starr

Cowboy Bradley vs Tiny Roe

12/4/59 Oklahoma City, OK (Stockyards Coliseum)

NWA World Junior Heavyweight title: Angelo Savoldi vs Ivan the Terrible

Danny Hodge & Oni Wiki Wiki vs Jack Humberto & Soldat Gorky

Bob Clay vs Don Kent

Jack Humberto vs Oni Wiki Wiki

12/7/59 Tulsa, OK (Fairgrounds Junior Arena)

Angelo Savoldi & Soldat Gorky vs Danny Hodge & Oni Wiki Wiki

Don Kent vs Joe Costello

Jack Humberto vs Mr. Sasaki

12/8/59 Little Rock, AR (Robinson Auditorium)

Angelo Savoldi vs Soldat Gorky

Danny Hodge vs Joe Costello

Don Kent vs Oni Wiki Wiki

12/9/59 Fort Smith, AR (Sports Arena)

Danny Hodge & Joe Costello vs Don Kent & Soldat Gorky

Joe Costello vs Soldat Gorky

Danny Hodge vs Don Kent

12/9/59 Springfield, MO (Shrine Mosque)

NWA World Junior Heavyweight title: Angelo Savoldi vs Ivan the Terrible

Jack Humberto & Mr. Sasaki vs Oni Wiki Wiki & Red McKim

Mr. Sasaki vs Red McKim

Jack Humberto vs Oni Wiki Wiki

12/10/59 Shawnee, OK (Municipal Auditorium)

Angelo Savoldi vs Oni Wiki Wiki

Ivan the Terrible vs Mr. Sasaki

12/11/59 Oklahoma City, OK (Stockyards Coliseum)

NWA World Junior Heavyweight title, Strangler Lewis special judge at ringside: Angelo Savoldi vs Ivan the Terrible

Danny Hodge vs Mr. Sasaki

Don Kent vs Joe Costello

Oni Wiki Wiki vs Soldat Gorky

Bob Clay vs Jack Humberto

12/14/59 Tulsa, OK (Fairgrounds Junior Arena)

Angelo Savoldi vs Soldat Gorky

Danny Hodge & Ivan the Terrible vs Don Kent & Mr Sasaki

Joe Costello vs Oni Wiki Wiki

12/15/59 Little Rock, AR (Robinson Auditorium)

Wrestle Royal featuring Angelo Savoldi, Danny Hodge, Don Kent, Ivan the Terrible, Mr. Sasaki, Oni Wiki Wiki and Soldat Gorky

Plus three matches determined by order of elimination

12/16/59 Fort Smith, AR (Sports Arena)

Ivan the Terrible vs Soldat Gorky

Don Kent vs Joe Costello

12/16/59 Springfield, MO (Shrine Mosque)

Wrestle Royal featuring Angelo Savoldi, Danny Hodge, Don Kent, Karol Krauser, Mr. Sasaki, Oni Wiki Wiki and Red McKim

Plus three matches determined by order of elimination

12/17/59 Shawnee, OK (Municipal Auditorium)

Danny Hodge & Farmer Jones vs Don Kent & Karol Krauser

Danny Hodge vs Don Kent

Farmer Jones vs Karol Krauser

12/17/59 Wagoner, OK (Armory)

Angelo Savoldi & Mr. Sasaki vs Oni Wiki Wiki & Red McKim

Angelo Savoldi vs Red McKim

Mr. Sasaki vs Oni Wiki Wiki

12/18/59 Oklahoma City, OK (Stockyards Coliseum)

Angelo Savoldi & Soldat Gorky vs Danny Hodge & Oni Wiki Wiki

Ivan the Terrible vs Karol Krauser

Bob Clay vs Don Kent

Joe Costello vs Mr. Sasaki

12/21/59 Tulsa, OK (Fairgrounds Junior Arena)

Ivan the Terrible vs Soldat Gorky

Danny Hodge vs Mr. Sasaki

Don Kent vs Oni Wiki Wiki

Joe Costello vs Karol Krauser

12/23/59 Fort Smith, AR (Sports Arena)

Bob Clay & Ivan the Terrible vs Mr. Sasaki & Soldat Gorky

Ivan the Terrible vs Mr. Sasaki

Bob Clay vs Soldat Gorky

12/23/59 Springfield, MO (Shrine Mosque)

Texas Rules match: Karol Krauser vs Red McKim

Danny Hodge vs Don Kent

Joe Costello vs Oni Wiki Wiki

12/25/59 Oklahoma City, OK (Stockyards Coliseum)

Rassle Royal featuring Bob Clay, Danny Hodge, Dick Hutton, Great Bolo, Ivan the Terrible, Karol Krauser, Mr. Sasaki, Oni Wiki Wiki and Soldat Gorky

Plus four matches determined by order of elimination

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FULL-TIME WRESTLERS THIS QUARTER

ANGELO SAVOLDI – Born Mario Louis Fornini, he was christened Angelo Savoldi by promoter Jack Pfefer in the late 30s, billed as the brother of Joe Savoldi. Years later, Angelo’s son Joseph also took the ring name Joe Savoldi. Angelo’s career was interrupted by a stint in the Navy during World War II, but after returning to the ring had multiple reigns as NWA World Junior Heavyweight champion.

BOB CLAY – Billed as “Cowboy” Bob Clay from Muskogee, OK, Clay was trained by Leroy McGuirk. By this point in time he was wrestling on a semi-regular basis and also promoting some towns for McGuirk. His brother Leonard Clay was also a local promoter at times in the territory.

CHIEF RED CLOUD – Alvin “Smokey” DeVall wrestled as Chief Red Cloud and Bobby Red Cloud in various territories in the mid 50s and early 60s

DANNY HODGE – Perhaps the most successful collegiate wrestler in U.S. history (and the only amateur wrestler ever to be pictured on the cover of Sports Illustrated while still in college), Hodge first embarked on a pro boxing career before turning to professional wrestling. He made his pro debut to much fanfare on October 2nd, 1959 in Oklahoma City. More information on his first 10 months as a pro wrestler can be found here: https://www.chartingtheterritories.com/2020/01/danny-hodge-from-prospect-to-world.html

DON KENT – Perhaps best-remembered today for being one half of The Fabulous Kangaroos (first teaming with Al Costello in 1967), the Indiana-born Kent also wrestled as “Bulldog” Don Kent over the years, frequently working for the Sheik, Nick Gulas and Leroy McGuirk.

GREAT BOLO – After several years wrestling under his real name, Al Lovelock became a masked villain known as The Great Bolo in Los Angeles. He found success with the gimmick there, in Texas (both in the East Texas and Amarillo territories) and numerous other places including here. He teamed up with Tom Renesto on a few occasions in the early 50s and later gave Tom his blessing to use the “Great Bolo” gimmick in territories that Al wasn’t working in. Renesto became so successful in Mid-Atlantic with the character that Lovelock sued him for a percentage of the profits.

IVAN THE TERRIBLE – Born in Buenos Aires, Juan Kachmanian debuted in the mid 50s using a few different ring names including Ivan the Terrible, El Chivo and the Missing Link (almost two decades before Dewey Robertson took that ring name). Boxing great Jack Dempsey suggested that Kachmanian bill himself as the son of one of Dempsey’s toughest opponents from the 1920s, Luis Angel Firpo. And thus, Pampero Firpo was born. As Firpo, he achieved great success in numerous territories and much of his unique interview style (including the catchphrase “ohhh yeah!”) was later adopted by Randy Savage.

JACK HUMBERTO – Jack (aka Juan) wrestled in five different decades, starting in the mid 20s and competed primarily in the southwest and on the west coast.

JOE COSTELLO – Costello turned pro in 1956 and wrestled for Gulf Coast, Gulas, Central States, All-Star in Nebraska, and in Arizona as well as this stint for McGuirk. Costello was shot and killed in the early morning hours of October 30, 1961 at a bar in Nashville. He was with fellow wrestlers Dick Dunn and Billy Garrett when the three became involved in an altercation with bartender Melvin Crutcher. Crutcher was armed and opened fire on the three men, wounding Dunn and Garrett and killing Costello. Crutcher was arrested and charged with murder, though he was acquitted in March 1962.

KAROL KRAUSER – Perhaps best-known today for being the real-life model for Flesicher Studios’ animated Superman shorts, Karol Piwoworczyk wrestled as Karol Krauser and Karol Kalmikoff from the late 30s through the mid 60s, frequently teaming with Ivan Kalmikoff and winning numerous tag team titles with Ivan in the AWA and in Canada.

LUIGI COLUMBO – Luigi primarily wrestled as Luigi Macera in various territories (and was a mainstay in Portland for many years) but was billed as Luigi Columbo in his one and only stint for McGuirk. Had several tag team title reigns in different territories with various partners including Gori Guerrero, Pepper Gomes and Stu Hart.

MR SASAKI – Generally wrestled as Haru Sasaki over the course of his twenty-year career but was usually billed as Mr. Sasaki in this territory. Held tag team titles in the Pacific Northwest with partners King Curtis, Stan Stasiak and Mr. Fuji. 

ONI WIKI WIKI – Born Wallace Ham Lo, his ring name literally translates to “super fast fast”. Was an All-American in football at the University of Hawaii and was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records for kicking barefoot. While wrestling for McGuirk he also worked in the office and was heavily involved in the initial expansion of the territory into Louisiana.

RED McKIM – A long-time employee of the Tulsa Fire Department, McKim spent most of his wrestling career as a semi-regular for McGuirk. He usually stayed close to home, working on shows within a short radius of Tulsa, sometimes using vacation time to work around the loop for several weeks. While with the Tulsa FD, held the positions of Deputy Fire Marshal and Chief Arson Investigator.

SASCHA THE GREAT – Sascha was the opponent of Danny Hodge in Hodge’s pro debut. Also wrestled as Alex Mulko, Nikita Kalmikoff and Nikita Mulkovich. Had numerous stints for McGuirk over the years both as Sascha and Mulkovich; in later years was used in a managerial role but still wrestled frequently.

SOLDAT GORKY – Canadian-born Walter Allen spent most of his career wrestling as John “Wolfman” Smith but used the Gorky name in the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Was billed as “Comrade Kosloff” in newspaper ads before his first appearances here; results for those cards list him as Gorky and after the first week he was billed as Gorky for the rest of his stay here.

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OTHER WRESTLERS NOT LISTED IN THE SPOT RATINGS

NATIONALLY KNOWN STARS / TOURING ATTRACTIONS:
Dick Hutton
Gorgeous George

A FEW WRESTLERS BASED IN THE CENTRAL STATES TERRITORY WERE BOOKED ON SHOWS IN SPRINGFIELD, MO:
Bob Orton (Sr.)
Rock Hunter
Sonny Myers

PART-TIMERS:
Ken Hill
Luis Hernandez
Ray Duran
Tommy O’Toole
Wayne Martin

WOMEN WRESTLERS:
Ella Waldek
Kathy Starr
Laura Martinez
Lorraine Johnson

(the overall SPOT Rating for the women wrestlers here this quarter was a .74)

MIDGET WRESTLERS:
Bull Brummell
Cowboy Bradley
Lord Littlebrook
Tiny Roe

(the overall SPOT Rating for the male midget wrestlers here this quarter was a .78)