October 6th in the Time Tunnel:
Happy Birthday to those who have passed on and to those great wrestlers still with us:
In Memoriam:
Danny Dusek 1905
Frank Jares 1912
Bruno Sammartino 1935
Rita Cortez 1938
Ripper Savage 1946
Rip Oliver 1952
Happy Birthday:
Barry Darsow\Khrusher Khruschev\Smash (66)
Dixie Carter (61)
Afa Anoa’i, Jr\Manu (41)
RIP Memorial: We stop & remember those who have passed on this day and gave themselves to the business for us, the fans. We salute you and thank you.
Bob Marella\Gorilla Monsoon 10-6-1999 at the age of 62
Jim Siksay 10-6-2011 at the age of 91
Bill Bowman 10-6-2015 at the age of 82
40 Year Flashback
10-6-1985: World Class Championship Wrestling ran its 2nd annual Cotton Bowl Spectacular at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas
The 2nd Annual Cotton Bowl Extravaganza, held on October 6, 1985, at the Cotton Bowl stadium in Dallas, Texas, was one of WCCW’s major annual events, following the inaugural edition in 1984. It served as a showcase for ongoing storylines, particularly the heated rivalry between the heroic Von Erich brothers and the villainous “Dynamic Duo” of Chris Adams and Gino Hernandez. The event drew a large crowd, with reported attendance figures around 25,000 to 26,000 fans (though some promotional claims exaggerated it to 40,000, potentially including paid attendance plus comps). This made it one of the largest wrestling crowds of the era, creating an electric stadium atmosphere. The show was hosted by commentator Bill Mercer, with Marc Lowrance as the ring announcer, and it opened with Polly Stevens singing “God Bless America.” Notably, the event emphasized family themes, including Mike Von Erich’s emotional return and the debut of Lance Von Erich (presented as a cousin, though he was unrelated in reality). It also highlighted experimental match stipulations, like taped fist and hair vs. hair rules, amid WCCW’s “curse” of future tragedies affecting many participants.
The card featured seven matches, blending undercard bouts, title defenses, and high-stakes feuds. It ran for several hours in an outdoor stadium setting, with heavy involvement from manager Gary Hart’s heel stable interfering in multiple contests. Post-match angles advanced storylines, such as catfights and heel turns.
Below is the full match card with results, stipulations, and key notes:
Killer Tim Brooks defeated Scott Casey (Gary Hart interfered to aid Brooks.)
Kelly Kiniski defeated Tommy Montana (Gene Kiniski (Kelly’s father and a former NWA World Champion) was at ringside, encouraging dirty tactics. This was Kelly’s final WCCW appearance before moving to another promotion.)
The Fantastics (Fulton\Rogers) defeated Dave Peterson & John Tatum (Missy Hyatt managed Tatum and Peterson; post-match, tensions led to a split between Tatum and Peterson, plus a near-catfight between Hyatt and valet Sunshine. This set up future mixed-tag and mud pit matches.)
The Great Kabuki defeated Mark Lewin by DQ (Gary Hart interfered by knocking Kabuki off the top rope. Post-match, Hart and Lewin attacked Kabuki and Sunshine, but Scott Casey saved them—only for Kabuki to turn heel in a jealous rage, attacking Casey and throwing Sunshine down.)
Brian Adias (ch) defeated Jack Victory to retain the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title (Gary Hart managed Victory and shouted instructions. Part of a months-long feud; Victory’s inexperience showed, but the match was decent. Adias was also part of the Six-Man Tag Champions with the Von Erichs.)
Iceman King Parsons (ch) defeated One Man Gang in a Taped Fist Match for the NWA American Heavyweight Title (Kerry Von Erich seconded Parsons; Gary Hart managed Gang. Parsons used agility and a loaded punch (quarters from Hart, turned against Gang) after Gang fell through the ropes.)
Kerry & Kevin Von Erich defeated The Dynamic Duo (Hernandez\Adams) in a Hair vs Hair Match (Built over three months of rivalry. Featured fast-paced action, near-falls, powder mishaps, chair shots, and interference. Lance Von Erich acted as a lumberjack. Post-match, Adams and Hernandez were shaved bald by the Von Erichs (with help from young Chris Von Erich tackling Gino). Crowd erupted;)
*No titles changed hands during the event, though the American Tag Team Titles were held up afterward due to the main event’s controversy.
Mike Von Erich’s return was celebrated with a parade and “Rocky” theme music, dubbing him “The Living Miracle,” though some viewed it as exploitative given the family’s history. Lance Von Erich debuted as a “cousin” to fill in during Mike’s recovery, receiving a positive fan reaction. Young Chris Von Erich (Fritz’s grandson) assisted in the post-main event shaving.
Gary Hart’s interference was rampant, aiding multiple heels. Kabuki’s post-match heel turn set up short-lived feuds. The Dynamic Duo’s loss led to ongoing rivalries, including with Bruiser Brody and Rick Rude.
Many participants faced grim futures, including Gino Hernandez’s overdose death in 1986, Dave Peterson’s 1993 accident, and multiple Von Erich suicides (Mike in 1987, Chris in 1991, Kerry in 1993). Praised for its energetic main event and crowd heat, but critiqued for some lackluster undercard matches, this show is probably near the peak or not long after for World Class Championship Wrestling’s business cycle.
Here’s some video footage of the show:
70 Year Flashback
A Time Capsule Review of the Pro Wrestling Cards In the North American Wrestling Territories On This Day In Pro Wrestling History
As a regular Monday feature of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel’s Daily Chronicle, we crack open the Wrestling Time Capsule to do a survey of the cards, matches and performers of the decades of territory pro wrestling. This week we flashback to this Day in Pro Wrestling History, Monday October 6th, 1955.
1955 was a transitional year in professional wrestling, firmly entrenched in the territory era where regional promotions under the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) umbrella dominated the United States landscape. This period followed the post-World War II boom, with wrestling gaining popularity through live events and early television exposure, though it faced setbacks like the cancellation of the DuMont Network’s national wrestling broadcasts in March, shifting more shows to local stations. The NWA, formed in 1948, continued to centralize power with its world heavyweight title as the industry’s pinnacle, while international scenes in Mexico, Britain, and emerging markets like Japan added diversity. Key themes included stable championship reigns for top stars, regional title churn, legal scrutiny on the NWA for antitrust issues, and the beginnings of women’s wrestling organization in Japan.
Lou Thesz held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship throughout the year, defending it successfully against challengers like Wilbur Snyder (February 2, Los Angeles), Wladek “Killer” Kowalski (February 4, St. Louis), and Leo Nomellini (July 15, St. Louis, resolving a prior disputed DQ loss). Other prominent figures included Verne Gagne (NWA United States Champion in Chicago versions), Buddy Rogers (involved in multiple regional title swaps), Antonino Rocca (a fan favorite in the Northeast), and El Santo in Mexico, who retained the NWA World Middleweight Title at EMLL’s 22nd Anniversary Show on September 16. Women’s wrestling saw progress with the formation of the All-Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling Alliance in August and the introduction of the Mexican National Women’s Championship, won initially by La Dama Enmascarada via tournament, then by Irma González.
The Montreal World Heavyweight Title changed hands multiple times: Pat O’Connor won it from Kowalski (March 9), lost it briefly, with Yvon Robert and Don Leo Jonathan also holding it. Legal drama peaked with a federal antitrust investigation into the NWA starting June 17, leading to discussions of disbanding at their September meeting in St. Louis but the members voted unanimously to continue with the cooperative and face the storm. The other controversy was that Sonny Myers filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NWA on August 2, alleging blacklisting.
October 1955 was a typical month in the territory era, with no singular blockbuster event but a steady stream of regional shows across the U.S. and Canada. It featured title changes in the Pacific Northwest and Texas, plus high-profile matches in major venues like Madison Square Garden. Attendance remained solid, though not at peak summer levels, and the month bridged the post-summer lull into holiday-season builds.
As you will be able to see, the territory system was thriving even though the business was in an economic downturn, there were more wrestling cards at this time during the territory era than almost any time in pro wrestling history and these are not even all of the booking offices at his time. Interestingly enough, I have no record of the Gulas-Welch wrestling company running a show on October 6th or 7th, even though I am almost certain they ran more than one.
Cards in the United States on October 6th, 1955, which was a Thursday:
Championship Wrestling from Florida, Tampa, Florida Booking Office:
Main & Beaver Streets Arena in Jacksonville, Florida
6-Man Battle Royal: Dave Jons & Johnny Shaw defeated Billy Raborn, Bobby Roberts, Jack Wentworth & King Kong Cox, Jr
Bobby Roberts vs King Kong Cox, Jr ended as a 30-minute time limit draw
Jack Wentworth defeated Billy Raborn by DQ
Dave Jons defeated Johnny Shaw
Jim Crockett Promotions, Charlotte, North Carolina, Booking Office:
County Hall in Charleston, South Carolina
Harry Smith defeated Steve Novak
Hombre Montana defeated Angelo Martinelli
George Becker & Jack Witzig (ch) defeated Mr. X & Frenchy Roy to retain the NWA Southern Tag Team Titles
Louisiana Wrestling Enterprises Booking Office
Coliseum Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana
Tony Cash defeated Leon Chandler
Chief Apache defeated Walter Sirois
Tony Cash, Chief Apache & George Thomas defeated Leon Chandler, Don Martin & Walter Sirois
Al Haft Sports, Columbus, Ohio Office
Bill McDaniels defeated Bobby Ford
Dr. Jerry Graham defeated Chief Big Heart by DQ
Dick Hutton defeated Ramon Torres
Bobo Brazil defeated Pat O’Connor
Heart of America Sports Attractions, St. Joseph, Missouri Office
Memorial Hall, Kansas City, Kansas
Joe Tangaro defeated Don Lee by DQ
Bob Orton vs Joe Dusek ended as a 30-minute time limit draw
Olga Zapata & Rusty Ryan defeated Carol Cook & Mary Jane Mull by 2 falls to 1 fall
Ike Eakins vs Richard Brown ended as a no contest at 1 fall each
NWA Tri State Wrestling Office, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Memorial hall in Joplin, Missouri
Benny Matta defeated Buddy Farmer
Arnold Skaaland defeated Tor Yamato by 2 falls to 1 fall
Ed Francis (ch) defeated Wild Red Berry by 2 falls to 1 fall to retain the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
Gulf Athletic Club Office in Houston, Texas
Town Hall Arena in Corpus Christi, Texas
Greg Jarque defeated Dick Raines
Duke Keomuka vs Rito Romero ended in a 15-minute time limit draw
Wilbur Snyder defeated George Bollas
Marvin Jones defeated Stu Gibson by 2 falls to 1 fall
City Auditorium in Galveston, Texas
Pepper Gomez defeated Terry Martin
Paul DeGalles defeated Leo Garibaldi
Jack Laskin defeated Bozo Brown
Gino Nicolini defeated Doug Donovan by DQ
Jack Laskin & Gino Nicolinni defeated Bozo Brown & Doug Donovan
Tony Martin & Paul DeGalles defeated Pepper Gomez & Leo Garibaldi
Western States Sports, Amarillo, Texas Office
Sports Arena in Amarillo, Texas
Rip Rogers (Eddie Graham) defeated Ray Clements
Bob Geigel defeated Dizzy Davis by 2 falls to 1 fall in an Australian Rules Match
Luis Martinez defeated Leo Newman by 2 falls to 0
Dizzy Davis & Art Nelson defeated Dory Funk & Bob Geigel by 2 falls to 1 fall
The Ice Arena in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Mike Gallagher defeated Kit Fox by 2 falls to 0
Frank Murdoch vs Jack Bence ended as a time limit draw
Tommy Martindale defeated George Overhuls
Gory Guerrero defeated Jack O’Reilly by 2 falls to 1 fall
Ave Maria Center in Roswell, New Mexico
Chico bonales vs Tony Barbetta
Maurice LaChappelle vs Reggie Siki
Danny McKay vs The Hurricane
Wrestling Promotions, Inc Office in Tucson, Arizona
Sports Center in Tucson, Arizona
Danno McDonald vs Jim Wright ended as a time limit draw
Herb Parks defeated Dr. Lee Grable
Lu Kim & Black Panther vs Jack Terry & Karl Gray ended as a time limit draw
NWA Hollywood Office in Los Angeles, California
Sports Arena in Bakersfield, California
Ted Christy defeated Bob Stern by 2 falls to 0
Joe Blanchard vs Karl Davis ended as a 45-minute time limit draw at 1 fall each
Luther Lindsay & Rocky Valentine (Johnny) defeated Danny McShain & Dutch Heffner by 2 falls to 1 fall
San Francisco Booking Office, San Francisco, California (Joe Malcewicz)
Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento, California
Bill Melby defeated John Cretoria by DQ
Tom Rice & Lee Hennig defeated Mr. America Brothers (Gene & Steve Stanlee) by 2 falls to 1 fall
Lou Thesz (ch) defeated Ronnie Etchison by referee stoppage at 1 fall each for the NWA World Heavyweight Title
Memorial Civic Auditorium in Stockton, California
Bobby Bruns vs Ray Stern ended as a time limit draw
Vincent Lopez defeated Bud Curtis by DQ by 2 falls to 0
Gene Kiniski & Lord James Blears defeated Cyclone Anaya & Sandor Kovacs by referee stoppage by 2 falls to 0
Salt Lake Wrestling Club, Salt Lake City, Utah Office
Utah State Fairgrounds Coliseum in Salt Lake City, Utah
Bob Corby defeated Alex Perez
DeVince Carty vs Dutch Schultz ended as a time limit draw
June Byers & LaChona LeClaire defeated Cathy Branch & Bonnie Watson
(Friday, 10-7-1955) Riverside Ballroom in Boise, Idaho
Billy Scharbert vs Frank Salas ended as a time limit draw in 30 minutes at 1 fall each
DeVince Carty defeated Dutch Schultz by DQ by 2 falls to 1 fall
Bob Corby defeated Alex Perez by 2 falls to 1 fall
Fred Kohler Enterprises Office, Chicago, Illinois
Salem High School Gym in Salem, Illinois
Rudy Kay & Benito Gardini vs Len Rossi & Carl Engstrom, 2 out of 3 falls
Rose Roman vs Shirley Strimple, 2 out of 3 falls
Hans Schmidt vs Roy McClarity, 2 out of 3 falls
Mike London Sports Office, Denver, Colorado
Auditorium Arena in Denver, Colorado
Juan Humberto vs Mike DiBiase ended in a 30-minute time limit draw
Ricky Waldo defeated Bill Williams
Danny Plechas defeated Roberto Rico by 2 falls to 1 fall
Verne Gagne (ch) defeated Yukon Eric by 2 falls to 1 to retain the NWA United States Heavyweight Title
Minneapolis Wrestling Club Office, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mankato, Minnesota
George Scott vs Mitsu Arakawa ended in a time limit draw
Nick Roberts defeated Stan Kowalski
Kinji Shibuya & Mitsu Arakawa defeated George & Angus Scott
Toledo Athletic Club Office in Toledo, Ohio
Sports Arena in Toledo, Ohio
Ali Pasha & Stan Holek defeated Mr. New York & Billy Red Lyons
Don Arnold defeated Lenny Montana
Bill Miller defeated Ray Stevens & Don Kalt (Fargo) in a 2 on 1 Handicap Match
Eastern Sports Enterprises Booking Office, New York City, New York
DuMont Telecenter Studio Five in New York City, New York
Abe Coleman vs Joe Cassius ended in a time limit draw
Yvon Robert defeated Lou Abrams
Gino Garibaldi defeated John Melas
Karl Von Albers defeated Soldier Barry
Buddy Rogers defeated Larry Moquin
These Cards Happened on Friday, October 7th, 1955:
Georgia Championship Wrestling Office, Atlanta, Georgia
City Auditorium in Atlanta, Georgia
Frank Taylor defeated Cowboy Carlson
Barbara Baker vs Betty Hawkins ended as a time limit draw
Andre Drapp & Cowboy Carlson defeated Frank Taylor & Tokyo Joe
Don McIntyre defeated Freddie Blassie in a Boxing Match
St. Louis Wrestling Club, St. Louis Missouri
Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis
Antone Leone vs Sammey Berg ended in a time limit draw
Chris & John Tolos defeated Guy Brunetti & Joe Tangaro
Enrique Torres defeated Don Lee
Ike Eakins defeated Wild Bill Longson
Pat O’Connor defeated Buddy Rogers
Championship Wrestling USA Booking Office (Don Owen)
The Armory in Portland, Oregon
John Paul Fleming defeated George Drake
Scotty Williams defeated Johnny Demchuk
Buck Weaver vs Jack Claybourne ended as a time limit draw
Kurt Von Poppenheim & Bill Savage vs Luigi Macara & Dick Torio (ch) ended as a 45-minute time limit draw for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Titles
Cards in the Canadian Provinces on October 6th, 1955, which was a Thursday:
Maple Leaf Gardens Booking Office, Toronto, Canada
Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto
Fred Atkins defeated Pat Fraley
Mighty Ursus defeated Tommy O’Toole
Doug Hepburn defeated Mickey Gold & Firpo Zbyszko in a 2 on 1 Handicap Match
Illo DiPaulo defeated Donn Lewin
Fritz Von Erich & Karl Von Schober defeated Ivan Kalmakoff & Karol Kalmikoff by CO
International Wrestling Booking Office in Montreal, Canada
The Auditorium in Ottawa
Billy Two Rivers defeated Joe Christie by DQ
Great Kato defeated Manuel Cortez by DQ
Don Eagle defeated Frank Valois
Bobby Managoff vs Don Leo Jonathan ended as a time limit draw
Memorial Stadium in St. John’s Newfoundland
Bill Caul vs Bill Fogwell ended as a 20-minute time limit draw
Dave Foote vs Frank Jay ended as a 20-minute time limit draw
Bruce Fogwell defeated Rudy Parsons
Joe DeValteau defeated Mighty Goliath by 2 falls to 1 fall
All Star Wrestling Booking Office in Vancouver, British Columbia
The Ballroom in Victoria, British Columbia
Tiny Tim Girard & Tito Infante defeated Sky Low Low & Ivan The Terrible
Cliff Parker defeated Jim Siskay
Ken Kenneth defeated Ski Hi Lee
Stampede Wrestling Booking Office in Calgary, Canada
Exhibition Auditorium in Regina
Lou Plummer defeated John Forti by DQ
Lou Newman vs Prince Maivia ended as a no contest
Jack Pesek vs Pedro Godoy ended as a time limit draw
Jack Dillon vs Pat Meehan
Thank You for Reading
I’m Tony Richards, Pro Wrestling Historian, Author and Storyteller. I share pro wrestling historical items in each issue of the Time Tunnel Pro Wrestling History Newsletter. Thanks for reading! If you enjoy my information on select events, matches and insights, please share it with folks you think might like to be a subscriber!
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