November 14th in the Time Tunnel:
Happy Birthday to those who have passed on and to those great wrestlers still with us:
In Memoriam:
Suni War Cloud 1914
Rikidozan 1924
Shirley Crabtree, Jr\Big Daddy 1930
Steven Beresford\Sir Dudley Clements\Steve Clements 1947
Happy Birthday:
Steven Petitpas\Sheik Ali (68)
Matt Bloom\Prince Albert (53)
Emanuel Rodriguez\Kalisto (39)
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.
Andre Drapp 11-14-2009 at the age of 89
Nick Bockwinkel 11-14-2015 at the age of 80
68 Year Flashback:
11-14-1957: Dick Hutton defeats Lou Thesz (ch) to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
This encounter marked the end of Thesz’s second reign and the ascension of Hutton, a transition that highlighted the blend of amateur athleticism and professional spectacle in the sport.
Lou Thesz was already a legend by 1957, widely regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Born in 1916, Thesz had captured the NWA title for the first time in 1937 at the astonishing age of 21, making him the youngest world champion in history at that point. His second reign began on November 9, 1956, when he defeated Whipper Billy Watson in St. Louis, Missouri, and lasted 370 days. Thesz was known for his technical prowess, blending grappling, submissions, and a no-nonsense style that earned him respect from peers and fans alike. He was a globetrotting champion, defending the belt in various territories to maintain the NWA’s prestige. However, by late 1957, Thesz sought a break to pursue personal ventures, including a planned tour of India, and hand-picked Hutton as his successor—a fellow wrestler with an impeccable amateur background—to ensure the title’s integrity.
Dick Hutton, born Richard Heron Avis Hutton on October 4, 1923, in Amarillo, Texas, represented the archetype of the amateur wrestler transitioning to the professional ranks. Raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Hutton dominated collegiate wrestling, winning three NCAA heavyweight championships at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) in 1947, 1948, and 1950. He also competed in the 1948 London Olympics, placing fifth in freestyle wrestling. Entering professional wrestling in 1952 with a debut against Wild Bill Longson, Hutton quickly built a reputation as a legitimate grappler. Nicknamed “Cowboy Dick,” he was known for challenging audience members with offers of $1 per minute they could last against him or $1,000 if they could pin him, showcasing his confidence in his skills. For the NWA World Title Match in Toronto, Hutton upped the ante, offering an extra $1,000 to charity if he failed to beat Thesz for the Title, making it a total of two grand if Hutton failed to beat Thesz. Hutton’s selection as Thesz’s opponent was strategic; the NWA sanctioned the title change to allow Thesz to step away temporarily while keeping the championship in capable hands.
Pictured: Dick Hutton catches Thesz in the “Cobra-Twist”, Hutton’s version of the Abdominal Stretch in the NWA World Title Match in Toronto
The buildup to the match added an element of intrigue. Originally advertised as a bout between Thesz and local favorite Whipper Billy Watson—a proven draw in Toronto—the card was altered to feature Hutton instead. This switch was likely orchestrated to facilitate the planned title transfer without diminishing the event’s appeal. Maple Leaf Gardens, a storied venue for wrestling in Canada, hosted the event, drawing approximately 10,000 fans eager for high-stakes action. The atmosphere was electric, as Toronto had a rich wrestling tradition, and fans anticipated a clash of titans.
The match itself was a testament to technical wrestling at its finest, lasting 35 minutes and 15 seconds. Both men, respected for their mat-based styles, engaged in a grueling contest of holds, counters, and endurance. Thesz, the veteran champion, controlled much of the early action with his signature moves, including backdrops and suplexes. However, Hutton’s amateur expertise shone through as he methodically wore down Thesz with grappling and pressure. The decisive moment came when Hutton locked in his patented abdominal stretch, a submission hold that targeted the midsection and forced Thesz to submit. This clean victory stunned the crowd and marked Hutton’s coronation as the new NWA World Heavyweight Champion, ending Thesz’s reign and beginning Hutton’s own 421-day tenure.
The aftermath of the match solidified its place in wrestling lore. Hutton’s reign, while not the most flamboyant, emphasized credibility and athleticism, defending the title against top challengers until he lost it to Pat O’Connor on January 9, 1959, in St. Louis. For Thesz, the loss was temporary; he would reclaim the belt in 1963 for a record-setting third reign. The 1957 title change also underscored the NWA’s role in orchestrating smooth transitions to maintain fan interest and promoter unity. Hutton’s legacy endured beyond his championship, with inductions into multiple halls of fame, including the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1995 and the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Hutton’s legacy endured beyond his championship, with inductions into multiple halls of fame, including the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1995 and the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.
One Thing I Learned About Nick Bockwinkel
He turned down an offer to become the NWA World Heavyweight Champion in the 1970s. After inquiring about the pay, which was higher than his AWA salary, he prioritized his family and lighter schedule, opting to stay with the AWA where he only worked about 12 to 15 days a month and spent the rest of his time at home in Hawaii.
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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