Written and Produced by Tony Richards
December 26th in the Time Tunnel:
Happy Birthday to those who have passed on and to those great wrestlers still with us:
In Memoriam:
Johnny Heidman 1920
Gloria Barattini 1929
Joyce Grable 1946
Mark Starr 1962
Happy Birthday:
Dennis Knight\Mideon (57)
Tom Howard\Green Beret\Zuma (56)
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.
Gorgeous George Wagner 12-26-1963 at the age of 48
Morris Sigel 12-26-1966 at the age of 68
Les Wolfe 12-26-1993 at the age of 86
Al Greene 12-26-2014 at the age of 85
Jon Huber\Brodie Lee 12-26-2020 at the age of 41
The Life and Career of Les Wolfe
Les Wolfe, born Ellison Leslie Wolfe, was a significant yet somewhat obscure figure in the history of professional wrestling in the United States. His contributions as both a wrestler and a promoter helped shape the sport in the mid-20th century, particularly in the American South. While detailed records of his life are limited, available sources paint a picture of a man who transitioned from the ring to behind the scenes, laying the groundwork for one of wrestling’s most legendary territories. Born on July 12, 1907, in Sherman, Texas, Wolfe’s early life remains largely undocumented, but his physical stature—standing at 6’2” and weighing 181 pounds—suggests he was well-suited for the athletic demands of wrestling.
Wolfe’s career as a professional wrestler is evidenced by his participation in numerous matches throughout the 1930s and 1940s, though comprehensive details are scarce due to the era’s limited record-keeping. Wrestling databases indicate that he competed in over 1,000 documented bouts, often in regional circuits across the United States. As a lightweight wrestler, Wolfe likely emphasized speed and technique over brute strength, competing in an era when professional wrestling was evolving from carnival sideshows into organized entertainment. His ring work, while not as celebrated as contemporaries like Leroy McGuirk or Billy Wolfe (no relation), provided him with the experience and connections necessary to move into promotion.
Following World War II, Wolfe shifted his focus to promoting, recognizing the growing popularity of wrestling as post-war entertainment. In June 1948, he took over as the promoter for Western Tennessee, partnering with established figures Sam Avey (a promoter from Tulsa, Oklahoma) and Leroy McGuirk (a former wrestler and promoter known for his work in the Midwest). This collaboration allowed Wolfe to introduce regular professional wrestling events to Memphis, a city that had previously seen sporadic shows under earlier promoters like Charley Rentrop. Wolfe’s promotion operated primarily out of the Ellis Auditorium, where he hosted weekly cards featuring local and traveling talent. His tenure marked the beginning of Memphis as a wrestling hotspot, drawing crowds with a mix of athletic competition and dramatic storytelling.
One of Wolfe’s notable innovations was blending wrestling with other forms of entertainment to broaden its appeal. He organized annual Christmas charity wrestling musical shows, which combined in-ring action with live music performances. By the mid-1950s, these events had become a tradition; for instance, the seventh annual show featured musical acts that reportedly included early appearances by members of Elvis Presley’s band, the Memphis Boys, highlighting Wolfe’s role in connecting wrestling to the burgeoning rock ‘n’ roll scene in Memphis. These charity events not only raised funds for local causes but also helped wrestling gain mainstream acceptance in the community.
Pictured: Les Wolfe
Wolfe’s promotional run lasted nearly a decade, until June 1957, when he sold the territory to Roy Welch and Nick Gulas. Under Welch and Gulas, the Memphis territory expanded significantly, becoming a cornerstone of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and producing stars like Jerry Lawler and Sputnik Monroe.
Pictured: 6-13-1957 Memphis Commercial-Appeal Wolfe sells to Gulas-Welch
Wolfe continued to work for the Gulas-Welch empire through late 1961 when the Tennessee Athletic Commission suspended Buddy Fuller from promoting wrestling in Memphis and the restriction added Wolfe’s name as well. This may have been through Gulas-Welch manipulation of relationships within the Tennessee Athletic Commission to ensure Fuller and Wolfe ability to be competition in the city to be eliminated. Fuller subsequently moved on to buy the Tucson, Arizona booking office and Wolfe left. the business for the remainder of his life.
One Thing I Learned About Gorgeous George
He performed one of the first documented in-ring marriages in professional wrestling history, tying the knot with his wife Betty Hanson in 1939 inside a ring in Eugene, Oregon, and later reenacting the ceremony for audiences nationwide.
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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