October 16th in the Time Tunnel:
Happy Birthday to those who have passed on and to those great wrestlers still with us:
In Memoriam:
Bulldog Bob Brown 1938
Happy Birthday:
Missy Hyatt (62)
Lenny Lane (55)
Juan Carlos Banos\Lizmark Jr (53)
Justin Credible (52)
Devon Nicholson\Hannibal (43)
Kenny Omega (42)
Fuego Del Sol (30)
Xia Brookside (27)
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.
Sandor Szabo 10-16-1966 at the age of 60
Stu Hart 10-15-2003 at the age of 88
60 Year Flashback
10-16-1965: Bobo Brazil defeated Kinji Shibuya in two out of three falls to win the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California
This particular version of the US Title was active from 1960 to 1981 and served as the top singles title in the San Francisco territory, which drew large crowds to venues like the Cow Palace. The title was originally called the American Wrestling Alliance United States Heavyweight Championship before being renamed in 1968 when the promotion rejoined the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
This version of the U.S. Title was distinct from other regional variants and often featured international-style heels versus American heroes, playing on Cold War and post-WWII tension. In the mid-1960s, the San Francisco territory was one of the hottest in the U.S., with the Cow Palace regularly hosting sold-out or near-capacity events.
Kinji Shibuya had captured the title on October 25, 1964, in Honolulu, Hawaii, defeating Ray Stevens in a match that marked the start of his first reign, which lasted nearly a year. Shibuya defended it successfully multiple times, including against challengers like Bearcat Wright and Pepper Gomez earlier in 1965.
Kinji Shibuya (real name Robert “Kinji” Shibuya, born May 16, 1921, in Utah; died May 3, 2010): Was an American wrestler of Japanese descent who portrayed a villainous Japanese heel, often using salt-throwing and martial arts gimmicks to draw heat from crowds. Shibuya had a background in sumo and jiu-jitsu before entering pro wrestling in the 1950s. He was a staple in California territories, headlining at the Cow Palace and Olympic Auditorium, and frequently teamed with partners like Mitsu Arakawa and Masa Saito. Despite his on-screen persona, Shibuya was known off-screen as a kind person who enjoyed raising koi fish, painting, and Japanese gardening after retirement.
Bobo Brazil (real name Houston Harris, born July 10, 1924, in Little Rock, Arkansas; died January 14, 1998): A pioneering African American wrestler credited with breaking racial barriers in pro wrestling during the segregation era. Standing at 6’6” and weighing around 270 lbs, Brazil was known for his powerful build, charisma, and signature “Coco Butt” (a headbutt finisher). By 1965, he was a top babyface (hero) across multiple territories, having held various U.S. Titles in Detroit and elsewhere. He debuted in 1951 and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1994.
The feud between Brazil and Shibuya fit the era’s storytelling: a heroic American (Brazil) challenging a foreign menace (Shibuya), amplified by Shibuya’s long title reign and Brazil’s status as a crowd favorite. Prior to the October 16 match, Shibuya had defended the title in high-profile bouts, including a no-contest with Bearcat Wright in March 1965 and a double disqualification with Pepper Gomez in January 1965, building his reputation as a tough champion.
This card at the Cow Palace drew an attendance of 11,251. The Cow Palace was an iconic venue for wrestling in the 1960s, known for hosting major cards with international talent. The match was a best two-out-of-three falls contest for the United States Heavyweight Championship (San Francisco version). Bobo Brazil defeated champion Kinji Shibuya 2 falls to 1 to win the title. Specific fall details from historical accounts indicate Brazil won the first fall with an abdominal stretch submission. While full play-by-play isn’t documented in available sources, Brazil’s victory likely involved his signature Coco Butt, a move that often-sealed wins for him.
Brazil’s reign was short-lived; he lost the title back to Shibuya in a rematch on November 13, 1965, in San Francisco, where Shibuya won 2 falls to 1 in approximately 25:45 minutes. Shibuya went on to have two more reigns with the title, while Brazil continued his illustrious career, winning other versions of the U.S. Title and world titles in Los Angeles and Japan.
10-16-1965: Jack Brisco defeated Don Kent (ch) to win the NWA Missouri Junior Heavyweight Championship at Memorial Hall in Joplin, Missouri
The NWA Missouri Junior Heavyweight Championship was a regional professional wrestling title sanctioned by the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and primarily defended in the Missouri area as part of the NWA Tri-State territory, which covered parts of Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. It was active from the early 1960s until becoming inactive in 1966, focusing on lighter-weight wrestlers (typically under 220 pounds). In 1965, the title saw several changes amid the territory’s regular events.
Leading up to the October title change, the championship had been vacant earlier in the year following Danny Hodge’s reign, which ended sometime in 1965 (exact date unclear). Red McKim won the vacant title on April 3, 1965, in Joplin, MO, by defeating Treach Phillips in a seven-man tournament final. Don Kent then captured the title from McKim on September 25, 1965, also in Joplin, MO, holding it for 21 days.
This marked Brisco’s first professional wrestling title, as he was a rookie that year with a strong amateur background (including an NCAA championship at Oklahoma State University). However, the match ended controversially specific details on the controversy (such as a disputed pinfall, referee decision, or interference) are not documented in available records, but it prompted the NWA to immediately declare the title vacant on or after the same day. As a result, Brisco’s reign is officially recorded as lasting less than one day.
Don Kent was a veteran heel wrestler at the time, often competing in tag teams (notably as part of The Royal Kangaroos with Al Costello) and known for his rough, brawling style. The vacancy set up a rematch on November 13, 1965, again in Joplin, MO, where Brisco defeated Kent once more to claim the vacant title. Brisco held it until January 15, 1966, when he lost to Lorenzo Parente.
One Thing I Learned Today About Pro Wrestling History
Jack Brisco would win several lesser-known titles in his formative years from 1965 to 1969. Besides today’s OTD NWA Missouri Junior Title win, he would go on to win the NWA Oklahoma Title in 1968 and the NWA United States Tag Team Titles with Gorgeous George, Jr before transitioning to the Florida territory in 1969 where he caught fire by winning the NWA Southern Title in February of that year.
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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