Wrestler of the Year 1900 - 1979

[Guest Sassquatch]

A while ago wrestling historian Steve Yohe, tOa founders Frank Jewett and John D. Williams along with tOa posters Old School John and Dan came up with a list of who they thought were the wrestlers of their respective years starting at the turn of the century up to the year before Dave Meltzer started his newsletter in 1980.

 

I thought that this list would be educational for the posters who could then maybe get an idea about how influential and successful some of the stars from yesteryear were in their respective eras.

 

Enjoy.

 

 

Steve Yohe:

 

This is a list of the wrestlers I think would have been voted Wrestler of the Year if some American sheet such as THE OBSERVER had existed since the beginning of the century. I thought this would be a good exercise because it would tell us something about the longevity of the stars of today compared with the other greats throughout the twentieth century. John Williams and I are hoping this list will lead to interesting discussion or even some of those heated arguments that tOA is famous for. I've spent the last few years studying the early part of the century and I feel comfortable I can defend my choices in those years against anyone, though around 1970 I become just one of the boys with an opinion. So in those years I welcome help and expect to be corrected. The original list was just the names but John has asked me to write something about each selection, so I'll try.

 

 

1901. George Hackenschmidt

 

This was the year Hack won his World Graeco-Roman championship Tournaments in Vienna (over Hali Adali) and Paris (Constant Le Boucher) to become the world's first international superstar. Easy pick. Hack would have won in 1900 also.

 

 

1902. George Hackenschmidt (2)

 

Hack increased his fame by performing in England and settling weight lifting records. The dominant wrestler in America was Tom Jenkins but he lost his American title late in the year to Dan McLeod.

 

 

1903. Tom Jenkins

 

Hack stayed in England most of the year. He was unable to compete in the Paris World Championship tournament due to rheumatism. (It was won by Jess Pedersen.) Frank Gotch had developed into a major star but was defeated by Tom Jenkins in a major match for the American title, so I think a American sheet would vote for Jenkins over Hack.

 

 

1904. Frank Gotch

 

Gotch became one of America's biggest sports star by beating Jenkins in a great match in January and remained undefeated the rest of the year. Hack defeated Jenkins in London later in the year, also beat the Turk Ahmed Madrali and traveled to Australia for a tour. None of this seemed as dramatic as Gotch's year. Hack also had his first knee surgery in Sept. I think Americans would have voted for Gotch who was getting the super push.

 

 

1905. George Hackenschmidt (3)

 

Hack came to America and easily won the first true world title by beating Jenkins in MSG. Gotch was beaten twice by Jenkins in NYC. Hack seemed unbeatable.

 

 

1906. Frank Gotch (2)

 

Gotch re-won the American title from Jenkins (5-23-06), then dropped and regained it from Fred Beell (12-17-06). The big push had begun and he would be unbeatable for the rest of his career. Hack's only major match was against Ahmed Madrali and he toured England most of the year.

 

 

1907. Frank Gotch (3)

 

Hack had a injured knee and returned to Russia to rest out the year. Physically Hack was finished. Gotch was undefeated. The new superstar and major wrestler in Europe was Stanislaus Zbyszko.

 

 

1908. Frank Gotch (4)

 

Gotch defeats Hackenschmidt in NYC (4-3-08) to win World Championship and reconfirm Americas superiority over Europe. In this year Gotch would have won SPORTS ILLUSTRATED"S "Sportsman of the Year award. Let alone the OBSERVER Wrestler of the Year.

 

 

1909. Frank Gotch (5)

 

Defeated Yussiff Mahmout, B. F. Roller, Tom Jenkins, and Jess

Westergaard.

 

 

1910. Frank Gotch (6)

 

Defeated Stanislaus Zbyszko in super bout (6-1-10) in Chicago.

 

 

1911. Frank Gotch (7)

 

Gotch won rematch with Hackenschmidt (9-4-11), which would be enough to win him wrestler of the Year award but also killed wrestling in many parts of the country such as Chicago.

 

 

1912. Frank Gotch (8)

 

Weak choice in a bad year but I have no other choice. Gotch was semi-retired but was always willing to step on any contender before their push challenged him. He did refuse to give rematch to Stanislaus Zbyszko.

 

 

1913. Stanislaus Zbyszko

 

Stanislaus was dominate wrestler during year (although he didn't seem to draw at the box-office, as nothing did) and Gotch refused to grant him a rematch. Gotch only came out of retirement to defend title vs. George Lurich (4-1-13). George Lurich had a big year also getting a victory over Zbyszko in MSG (5-28-13), before losing a rematch at Vienna, Austria (7-2-13).

 

 

1914. Joe Stecher (1)

 

This is a very hard pick. In 1914 wrestling was at one of it's lowest points with Gotch in retirement. Without Gotch wrestling during the whole year, I picked Stecher over Charles Cutler. Stecher's push was just starting with wins over Marin Plestira and Pat Connolly. He was being build up as unbeatable, taking everyone in straight falls and in a few minutes. Charles Cutler was getting a good push around the mid-west and had Gotch's old American title. In Feb of 1915, he would claim the world title in Chicago, but I feel they were just setting him up to be knocked over by Stecher. Maybe something was going on in Europe with Alex Aberg or Lurich but we have no record of it. Zbyszko had some good wins early in the year (and probably should have been first choice to be world champ) but he didn't wrestle after June, returning to Russia. So I pick Stecher.

 

 

1915. Joe Stecher (2)

 

Stecher dominates pro wrestling winning world title easily from Charles Cutler (7-5-15) and defeats Ad Santel, Jess Westergaard, Americus, and anyone else put in against him in short matches. The only person to last any time was Strangler Lewis, who Stecher beat in 2 hours at Evansville (10-21-15). Promoters build to a supermatch between Stecher and Gotch but Frank breaks his leg in training.

 

 

1916. Joe Stecher (3)

 

Stecher remains champion through out the year. Dominates Lewis in famous 5 hour draw at Omaha on July 4. Does lose match to John Olin on Dec. 12 at Springfield when he is injured and UTC after 2 hrs and 40 minutes, but continues to be accepted as champion by the public.

 

 

1917. Earl Caddock

 

Caddock wins World title from Stecher April 9 who is injured and looking for a rest. In match Caddock becomes first man to ever win a clean fall over Stecher. Ed Lewis defeats John Olin on May 2 to claim Title. Wladek Zbyszko also claim title when wins tournament in NYC over Lewis on Dec. 22. Caddock's big win gives him the year.

 

 

1918. Earl Caddock (2)

 

While serving in the US Army, Caddock wrestles out of Camp Dodge and defenses title vs. Wladek Zbyszko and Ed Lewis. He defeats both via decision, but they both continue to claim the "Olin Line" title. Caddock is set to defend title in a return with Stecher but is stopped by the Army who sends him to Europe and WWI. Stecher is undefeated but Caddock dominates year.

 

 

1919. Joe Stecher (4)

 

After losing two matches to Lewis and Wladek Zbyszko early in year, Stecher comes back to beat both in major tournament for the world title shot against Caddock. Caddock is busy with WWI most of the year and in poor health.

 

 

1920. Joe Stecher (5)

 

Stecher has a great year re-winning title from Caddock in classic match (Jan. 29) and then defended it over Lewis (April 16), John Pesek, Wladek Zbyszko, Jim Londos, Olin, Joe Malcewicz, Renato Gardini and Tom Draak, before losing title to Ed Lewis on Dec. 13. I picked Joe over Ed because of the wins over the total year. Some may be thinking that perhaps there was some wrestler with great work rate and popularity that might have gotten more votes over the guys winning the Championships. If there were a Kobashi or Benoit during this time it would have been Jim Londos. He was the first sex symbol in sports and the biggest draw where ever he appeared but he only weighted 190 lbs. and the promoters didn't feel it would be believable for him to be able to defeat big wrestlers like Lewis, Stecher, and the Zbyszko brothers.

 

 

1921. Stanislaus Zbyszko (2)

 

Five months after defeating Stecher, Lewis drops World Title to Stan Zbyszko. Then seems to take a vacation. This was the period supposedly control (although it seems to me that NYC promoter Jack Curley remained the real power up to this year) by the trio of Toots Mondt, Sandow, and Lewis. I've always wondered about this short reign. Perhaps Lewis wanted to spend time with his new wife and baby in S. F. On Oct. 4 Lewis wrestled his old friend Joe Stecher in SF and lost a close decision. Anyway Stan Zbyszko, who hadn't really lost since being tricked by Frank Gotch in 1910, defeated Lewis for the title and defended it with wins vs. Lewis on two other occasions. He also defeated Stecher (twice), Ad Santel, John Pesek, Caddock, Clarence Ekland, and Renato Gardini. Londos lost to Lewis and Caddock and then sat out the end of the year with eye problems. The only trouble with this selection is that he was weak at the box-office.

 

 

1922. Ed "Strangler" Lewis

 

Lewis regains title from Stan on March 3 and then dominates everyone he meets.

 

 

1923. Ed "Strangler" Lewis (2)

 

Lewis continues to dominate, wrestling same contenders over and over. Doesn't seem like much of a year.

 

 

1924. Ed "Strangler" Lewis (3)

 

Lewis again was champion the whole year but he had pretty much run through all the contenders in his company, mainly Stan Zbyszko, Toots Mondt, Dick Daviscourt, and Renato Gardini. So during the year the Golddust Trio spent a lot of their energy building up footballer Wayne Munn as a wrestling monster. It seemed to working on minor level, but 1924 wasn't a great year for wrestling.

 

 

1925. Joe Stecher (6)

 

Lewis lost his championship to Wayne Munn on Jan. 8 in order to set up a supermatch on May 30, but the plan falls apart when Stanislaus Zbyszko shoots on the non-wrestler Munn and takes title on April 5. May 30 turns out to be the day Joe Stecher regains control of his World Title as he beats Zbyszko in straight falls in St. Louis. Lewis does beat Munn in the rematch but is recognized only in Illinois and Michigan. Stecher's group grows in power while Lewis gains weight. Many of the wrestlers switch sides. Joe defeats Daviscourt, Dan Koloff, Gardini, Londos, and Stan Zbyszko in at least 3 rematches. Stecher defeats Gardni in the first wrestling main event at LA's new Olympic Auditorium.

 

 

1926. Joe Stecher (7)

 

Stecher controls title the entire year and tours throughout the country. Defends vs. John Pesek, Ivan Podulany, Londos, Zbyszko, George Calza, Daviscourt, Nick Lutze, and Giovanni Raicevich. Ed Lewis drops out of a title unification match set up by the Calif. Athletic commission and forfeits $5,000 to Stecher (Oct. 9). Jim Londos is biggest draw in the sport outside of the champions but is unable to beat Stecher.

 

 

1927. Joe Stecher (8)

 

Stecher tours NY, the East Coast, and the South as champion. Lewis still refuses to wrestle Stecher, but the match between the two is probably being shopped around. Londos remains big box-office.

 

 

1928. Ed Lewis (4)

 

The Supermatch between Stecher and Lewis happens in St. Louis (Feb. 20), with Lewis winning. Lewis weights 227 lbs for the match. Three weeks later, he's gained 20 lbs. Stecher retires after the match to his farm and grain business. Londos sets up shop in NYC, who Athletic Commission refuses to recognize Lewis until he wrestles Hans Steinke.

 

 

1929. Gus Sonnenberg

 

With Lewis aging and losing interest, the Sandow boys once again give the title to a non-wrestling type football player. This time though the player is Gus Sonnenberg, who is a solid worker with star power and is credited with changing the style of the sport. He introduces flying tackles and stand up moves off the ropes. Sonnenberg wins title over Lewis on Jan. 4 and beats everyone he meets including Lewis in rematches. Also beats the returning Stecher twice. Londos is the big draw on East Coast but Dick Shikat, a legitimate wrestler, is picked to be their first world champ by beating the Greek star on Aug. 23.

 

 

1930. Jim Londos

 

Londos wins NY World Title from Dick Shikat (June 6) when his bosses quit worrying about legitimate wrestlers and realize it's money that counts. Londos establishes himself as the greatest draw in the history of the sport. Also becomes the first wrestler to be recognized by a national (well almost) organization the NBA. (No... boxing, not basketball). Sonnenberg continues to draw but drops his title in a big upset to Ed Don George in LA on Dec. 10. It might have had something to do with the fact he didn't drive well when drunk.

 

 

1931. Jim Londos (2)

 

Londos has one of the greatest years in history filling up MSG and Yankee Stadium etc. George lost his title to Lewis (April 13), who lost it to Henri Deglane (May 4).

 

 

1932. Jim Londos (3)

 

Londos is driven out of NYC for being too hard to handle, with Old Ed Lewis being brought in and made the new world champ in New York. Fans hate Lewis and the bottom falls out of the territory without Jimmy. Londos continues to pack in the crowds all over the country. In Dec. he loses one fall in a 2/3 fall match to George Zaharias in LA, (which Londos won). It may have been the first fall he had lost since losing to Shikat in Aug. 1929.

 

 

1933. Jim Londos (4)

 

The Londos story continues as he dominates another year. He is doublecrossed in match vs. Joe Savoldi on April 7, but story is revealed and he continues to be recognized as World Champ. Tours Europe for 6 weeks in Aug. and Sept. Ed Don George beats Henri Deglane on Feb. 10 and does well as AWA Champion in Boston. Jim Browning takes NY world title from Lewis (Feb. 20) and does well in the ring but NYC market remains in a depression.

 

 

1934. Jim Londos (5)

 

Londos screws over a few people and jumps back to the NY promotion. He wins a rematch vs. Savoldi in Chicago on Jan. 31 drawing 20,206. He then wins the NY version of the world title from Jim Browning on June 25 in title unification match at the MSG Bowl which draws 25,000. Londos wrestles to a 4 hr draw in a title unification match with Ed Don George in Boston on July 18, drawing 30,000 fans. Londos and George would wrestler another draw on August 1 in Buffalo. He finally beats Lewis in Chicago on Sept. 20, drawing a record-breaking 35,265 fans. Then he draws a real 23,765 fans (which the newspapers would report as 37,700) in LA on Oct. 10 to see him defeat Man Mountain Dean. A huge year.

 

 

1935. Danno O'Mahoney

 

O'Mahoney, one of the creations of Boston promoter Paul Bowser, become the last truly undisputed World Champion (if you don't count Vincent Lopez's claim that year in Calif.) by beating Londos and Ed Don George. He drew huge in Boston. He was the last man ever to defeat Londos. Jimmy, who received one of the largest payoffs in wrestling history to do the job, retired for the rest of the year.

 

 

1936. Yvon Robert

 

The undisputed world champion's reign lasted seven months. On March 2 Dick Shikat shot on Danno O'Mahoney in MSG and relieved of his title. Chaos followed. By the end of the year at least 10 men had laid claim to the "World" Title (Shikat, O'Mahoney, Ali Baba, Daniel Boone Savage, David Levin, Everett Marshall, Yvon Robert, Dean Detton, Vincent Lopez and Cliff Olsen.) and three major title lines had been formed. I picked Yvon Robert over Everett Marshall and Dean Detton.. Robert, who had one of the greatest wrestling careers in history, defeated Danno O'Mahoney (still recognized by the AWA and Paul Bowser) on July 13 and was a big star in Northeast including Boston and Montreal. Marshall defeated Ali Baba June 26, but even with wrestling talent and good looks he lacked color and was a poor draw in the East. He wrestled most of the year in the weaker Ohio area. Detton was recognized by RING MAGAZINE as the true champ after his win over Levin on Sept. 28 and drew big through out the US and in Calif. Lopez and Levin also drew large in LA. The Daniel Boone Savage hillbilly was a major draw in Texas. I would say it was very close but I'm going with Robert over Detton. Robert did defeat Detton March 9 in Philadelphia, before Detton would be Levin.

 

 

1937. Bronko Nagurski

 

Nagurski was football's best player and a cross over star. He defeated Dean Detton on June 29 and had the strongest claim to the title. Jim Londos was back and was still a major draw, but also wrestled in Europe and Africa. Tom Pack, promoter in St. Louis tried to develop a new star in Lou Thesz and he was given the MWA world title after a COR victory over Everett Marshall on Dec. 29. Paul Bowser was pushing another Irishman Steve Casey and running Boston cards with Robert, Marshall, Casey, and Thesz promising one World champion.

 

 

1938. Steve Casey

 

On Feb. 11 Casey defeated Lou Thesz for the AWA and MWA World title and then defended them in Northeast (Boston) and St. Louis. Jim Londos returned full time to the U.S. in 1938 and established his old drawing power on the East Coast (NYC) and LA. On Nov. 18 he took his old World Title from Bronko Nagurski to complete the comeback. I had a hard time deciding between the two but went with Casey who beat Marshall and Thesz. I've seen the Londos/Nagurski match on film and I feel Jimmy was living off his reputation and power from being the top star for 20 years.

 

 

1939. Bronko Nagurski (2)

 

Still a major crossover star, Nagurski was given Lou Thesz's NWA Title on June 23 in Houston. Thesz was having a great year, establishing himself as St. Louis' biggest star with a NWA Title win over Everett Marshall (Feb. 23) and Steve Casey (March 10) in a rematch, but was injured in the Nagurski match. Londos continued being Londos in Philly and LA, but nothing memorable seemed to be going on. Londos spent the last part of the year in Hawaii, New Zealand and Australia.

 

 

1940. Ray Steele

 

Originally I had this year a tie but John tells me that that's a cop out, and I have to pick only one for each year. Maurice Tillet, The French Angel, was a 5' 9'' 280 lbs. strongman-freak who was the Andre the Giant of the early 40's. Working out of Boston he was famed as the ugliest wrestler in the world. He had one of the most remarkable records in the game's History. In 1940 he beat Robert, Longson, Rudy Dusek, Gino Garibaldi, Sonnenberg, O'Mahoney, Golden Terror, Dean Detton, and won the AWA World Title from Steve Casey on May 13. He would hold the AWA title for 2 years. The success of the French Angel may have represented 1940 better but I'm picking Ray Steele, who had been one of wrestling's best workers and shooters for 22 years. In 1940 Steele stepped out of the shadow of Jim Londos to win the NWA title from Nagurski on March 7 in St. Louis. He defended it the rest of the year vs. Thesz, Bronko, Marshall, etc throughout the mid-West, The South and the West Coast. My feeling are that Observer-type voters would have voted for the worker over the freak. Some other contenders would have been: Londos, Orville Brown (who was setting up shop in the Mid-West by beating Dick Shikat for the MWA Title on June 27.), Nagurski, Robert, and Lou Thesz.

 

 

1941. Yvon Robert (2)

 

Robert was Montreal World champ for most of the year, losing and winning the belt from Lou Thesz. Sandor Szabo won the NWA Title from Nagurski (June 5) by DQ and defended it throughout Calif. Jim Londos was still a big attraction in Calif. and The French Angel (AWA Champ) toured the country as a great gimmick performer. I like Robert over the rest but it's not a clear choice.

 

 

1942. Bill Longson

 

Bill Longson won the NWA Title from Sandor Szabo Feb. 19 and seems to have been the first true heel world champ. Those who saw him say he was a great performer who's style resembled Bruiser Brody. In 1942 he began his dominance of the St Louis market defeating Szabo, Everett Marshall, Ray Steele, Chief Little Wolf, O'Mahoney and Thesz. Longson also won a Title unification match from Yvon Robert on Aug. 19 in Montreal. Ed Lewis had a minor comeback drawing 12,986 in a loss to Longson in St Louis. The Strangler also won the MWA title from Orville Brown during Nov. Robert had another good year regaining his Montreal World Title from The French Angel (June 25) and then winning the NWA title from Longson (Oct. 7). Fifty days later(Nov. 27) he dropped the NWA title to Bobby Managoff , who is one of the most underrated champions in history. Steve Casey regained his AWA Title from The French Angel (May 14).I think Longson was special. He would draw better in other years but it was the first year of WWII.

 

 

1943. Bill Longson (2)

 

Dominated year re-winning NWA title from Bobby Managoff (Feb. 19). Probably averaged between 9,000 and 10,000 in St. Louis. Defeated Robert at least twice. Nagurski returned to football and won NFL world title.

 

 

1944. Bill Longson (3)

 

Retained NWA title all year and averaged around 10,000 in St. Louis.

 

 

1945. Bill Longson (4)

 

Longson still gets my pick, didn't seem to lose a thing. Frank Sexton wins AWA title from Sandor Szabo, loses it and then regains it from Steve Casey. Sexton ends Casey's control over Boston by beating him all year to become the East Coast version of Lou Thesz. Buddy Rogers begins gaining popularity working in Texas.

 

 

1946. Frank Sexton

 

In my original paper I had this year a draw between Longson and Sexton but big John Williams made the no draw rule so I'm going with Sexton. On Jan. 10 the two world champs met in a title unification match at Toronto and the result was a draw. Sexton also had a unification match with Babe Sharkey who had a piece of Jim Londos' claim in Baltimore and parts of the East Coast since the Greek was striped in March 1944. Sexton won that match to hold two titles that had a stronger in ring claim to a world title than Longson's NWA title. Buddy Rogers became very popular in St. Louis drawing 17,621 in a match with Longson, but Buddy was kept in his place by doing jobs to Longson and Thesz. Primo Carnera, the first worked World Heavyweight Boxing Champion (that we know about), turned wrestler in 1946 and toured as wrestling biggest box office attraction. I think Sexton would have won this year because he had more votes on the East Coast.

 

 

1947. Bill Longson (5)

 

Longson ends four years as NWA champ by losing to Billy Watson by DQ. (Feb 21). Comes back later in the year to defeat Watson and regain Title over Lou Thesz (Nov. 21). Thesz holds belt most of year and is becoming the real power in St. Louis. Sexton defeats Minneapolis NWA champ Sandor Szabo in LA and draws with Calif. World champ Enrique Torres while defending his AWA title on both coasts and St. Louis. Buddy Roger spends year doing jobs for Thesz and Primo Carnera but is developing into wrestling's greatest performer. I would like to make this year a draw between Longson and Thesz, but Williams will get upset so I'm going to pick Longson.

 

 

1948. Frank Sexton (2)

 

Wrestling greatest year mainly due to TV and the development of major stars such as Rogers, Gorgeous George, and Antonio Rocca. The National Wrestling Alliance is formed and recognizes MWA ruler, Orville Brown, as their first champion. Sam Muchnick uses Brown and Buddy Rogers in his promotional war with the Thesz/Pack company in St. Louis. Thesz takes control of the old Pack promotion and it's title when he defeats Longson on July 20. Rocca shows up in Texas and is a big hit. Of course many will want to pick Gorgeous George because it was in 48 that he became the greatest crossover star in the history of the game. I feel that George gets more credit than he deserves. It's probably true that he sold out (10,000) the Olympic Auditorium every time he appeared but on the cards he wasn't booked The Dusek Brothers were doing 9,000. I see George as a creation of TV and an agent who also controlled Bob Hope. You couldn't really work a program with him and the LA promoters refused to put him over their World Champ Enrique Torres. I think the non-casual fans of a sheet like THE OBSERVER would resent him as another Freak Attraction like Wayne Munn, Maurice Tillet, and Primo Carnera and not vote for him. In June Buddy Rogers showed up in LA's secondary promotion at The Hollywood Legion Stadium claiming a Jack Pfefer world title and catches fire. Later that year he is used by Muchnick in St. Louis and does so well it worry's Thesz. Frank Sexton continues to control the East Coast and SF. On Oct. 20 he and Thesz wrestle to a draw in LA. In Nov. Sexton defeats Minneapolis World champ Cliff Gustafson. Sexton also has wins over Rogers. I wanted to have a four-way tie but in having to pick I take Sexton over Thesz, George, and Brown.

 

 

1949. Lou Thesz

 

Thesz defends title all year beating George, Longson, Rocca etc. In Nov. Orville Brown is injured in a car wreck before a big title unification match between both NWA title and Thesz ends up with both. He and Muchnick join forces in St. Louis after Sam gains ground using Buddy Rogers. Decision is made by promoters that because of national TV there should be just one World Champion and Thesz will be that person. Rogers is over in LA, St. Louis, Ohio and anywhere he appears. Rocca screws promoters in Texas and moves to NY and LA (for TV). For this he has his head handed to him in a match with Thesz. The Gorgeous George tour continues but bombs in NYC when he is used to reopen MSG (Feb. 22). Frank Sexton and Orville Brown have a title unification match in Cleveland March 15 that results in a 1 hr and 45 minutes draw.

 

 

1950. Lou Thesz (2)

 

Thesz continues to book himself as unbeatable champ. Sexton works in Europe and then returns to drop AWA title to Don Eagle(May 23). Three days later Eagle is double crossed by a referee and title is given to Gorgeous George. George then loses to Thesz at Chicago in front of 7,675 via COR (July 27) before dropping AWA title back to Don Eagle (Aug. 31). The AWA Title remains intact but the NWA succeeded in taking its credibility. Rogers and Thesz battle with Lou ending up on top. Baron Michele Leone wins Calif. World title after win over Enrique Torres (Nov. 22) with the idea of a super match with Thesz. Rocca drew well in MSG and kept the arena open for wrestling.

 

 

1951. Lou Thesz (3)

 

The Rogers/Thesz feud draw well all year and I picked Thesz because he got the wins as champ. The fans seemed to have been draw by Buddy. Rocca's star grew bigger in NY, Calif. and the rest of the country.

 

 

1952. Lou Thesz (4)

 

Thesz defeats Baron Michele Leone in title unification match in LA and draws 25,256 and $103,256. All time records.

 

 

1953. Lou Thesz (5)

 

Thesz beat all the contenders - Rogers, Verne Gagne, Pat O'Connor, Rikidozan, and Rocca - during the year. Thesz and Leo Nomellini drew 16,487 and $52,000 to the Cow Palace on June 16. On Jan. 5 Thesz defeated Antonio Rocca at MSG. Rocca then beat Buddy Rogers for the AWA title in Cleveland on March. On March 24, Thesz and Rocca again met in MSG in a draw and no one even mentioned that both were title holders. Rogers took the AWA title back from Rocca on April 9. Thesz and the NWA title did not seem to draw well in MSG and Rocca did. This hurt Lou's rep in the future.

 

 

1954. Lou Thesz (6)

 

More of the same.

 

 

1955. Lou Thesz (7)

 

More of the same.

 

 

1956. Antonino Rocca

 

Thesz took parts of the year off; dropping the title to Billy Watson via COR (March 15) and taking it back (Nov. 9). Watson was a safe person to hold the belt but he was a regional star and only drew in the US because he had the title. Rocca had become a crossover star and toured all over making money. Rogers, with Killer Kowalski, were the top heels. Rogers, you would think, would get tons of votes every year. If Ric Flair had a cult following I'd hate to think what Buddy would have had. Edward Carpentier was a great performer who was getting built up in Montreal, beat Kowalski and had three draws with Rocca.. Verne Gagne and Wilbur Snyder drew 20,000 fans to a match in Milwaukee on Aug. 4. I'm taking Rocca (Hogan of 56) over Buddy (Flair of 56).

 

 

1957. Edward Carpentier

 

Carpentier had developed into a sensational performer and star in Montreal, and a decision was reached by at least some of the members of the NWA to have him replace Thesz as champ. So he defeated Lou on June 14 in Chicago to win the NWA Title when Thesz couldn't continue due to an injured back. After that, fights took place between various promoters and the whole thing was forgotten by history. Carpentier was undefeated the rest of the year, becoming a big star everywhere. He wrestled many draws with Rocca (Boston, Chicago and MSG), had a great feud with Killer Kowalski and beat Rogers, The Bruiser Fred Blassie and Fritz Von Erich. Rikidozan had taken over in Japan and Thesz had a famous tour. Lou then returned to the US and gave the title to Dick Hutton (Nov. 14), who no one but Thesz wanted as champion. I picked Carpentier. I don't think anyone in America knew about Rikidozan and Japan at the time and you would have to say he was regional. Stars like Rogers, Rocca, Thesz, Carpentier, Bruiser, O'Connor, Kowalski, Gagne etc could draw anywhere and did. Could Rikidozan?

 

 

1958. Buddy Rogers

 

Rogers had been #2 for so long that I have to believe, that with Thesz gone and Hutton a weak champion, he would have won. This would have been a year where workrate would play a big part in the victory because Buddy was still doing jobs for Thesz. We know Lou hated Rogers. I wonder how Buddy felt about Lou, considering how he was held back. Carpentier lost his title to Kowalski (May 3), Gagne (Aug. 9), and did a job for NWA champ Hutton (Dec. 26). Gagne was probably a

strong contender also.

 

 

1959. Buddy Rogers (2)

 

I had this a three way tie between Rogers, Rocca, and O' Connor, on my original paper but was forced by John to pick one. This didn't seem like a good year outside of NYC where Rocca was filling MSG. The year sees the power in the NWA moving East. I think Rogers was the main man and he was only being held back by the people in St. Louis. Pat O'Connor won the NWA Title from Dick Hutton on Jan. 9. He was a very good worker and had experience drawing in every territory. Verne Gagne was powerful in the mid-west and probably had visions of a new AWA in his head. Rogers worked Columbus and Montreal working programs with Kowalski and Carpentier. Dr. X (Bill Miller) was having a good run in the Omaha area. Carpentier moved to Calif. and claimed the new WWA world title. Fred Blassie ruled parts of the South. Rikidozan was also a consideration but in picking one, I take Rogers.

 

 

1960. Buddy Rogers (3)

 

More of the same. Another major contender would be Ray Stevens who was becoming a legend in SF.

 

 

1961. Buddy Rogers (4)

 

Rogers won NWA World Title from Pat O' Connor on June 30 in front of 38,000 fans. Other contenders are Fred Blassie who defeated Ed Carpentier for the WWA Title in LA (June 12) and had wins over Thesz, Ricky Star, George, Hutton, Carnera, and Rocca. The only major babyface Blassie seemed to miss was Gagne. Ray Stevens continued in SF.

 

 

1962. Buddy Rogers (5)

 

Rikidozan had two matches vs. Blassie in LA and beat Thesz and Kowalski in Tokyo, but had title all year and he was king even as he was reaching the end of the road. Ray Stevens was having a great year but broke his ankle in July in the middle of a great series with Pepper Gomez. The Destroyer won WWA Title from Blassie and became one of wrestling best draws and workers. The Williams guy once again forces me to make a decision and I took Rogers.

 

 

1963. Lou Thesz (8)

 

The NWA brings back Lou Thesz and the old killjoy takes the NWA title back from Rogers (Jan. 24) and beats other title claimants like Kowalski, Bruno Sammartino ,Tarzan Tyler, and Karl Gotch. Bruno Sammartino gets pushed as the new East Coast king with a WWWF Title win over Buddy Rogers (May 17), the surprise is that it works as the Italian plays his part well. He is helped by programs with Kowalski and Gorilla Monsoon. Stevens and Blassie return to their areas in Calif. and regain their box office prowess. Rikidozan continues as a wrestling god in Japan but is knifed in Dec. and dies. The Destroyer sells out The Olympic Auditorium with matches vs. Shohei Baba and Blassie and is a sensation in Japan being the last man to defeat the great Rikidozan. Verne Gagne unifies the AWA and Omaha world titles with victory over Fritz Von Erich. Rogers retires. The longevity of Thesz career is amazing. He had out lasted Everett Marshall, Steve Casey, Frank Sexton, Bronko Nagurski, Bill Longson, Gorgeous George, and now his greatest rival Buddy Rogers. Now 25 years after his first title reign, he was ask to return by the NWA. No other career ever had such big compliment.

 

 

1964. Bruno Sammartino

 

Thesz toured all year as NWA champ but Sammartino became the true power with 11 MSG cards with attendance around 15,000 or better. This also was a draw on my first draft but the Williams rule forces me to side with Sammartino.

 

 

1965. Lou Thesz (9)

 

Looking at this year it's very close between Thesz and Sammartino again. Sammartino still drew more but Thesz was the legitimate champion and had better traditional wrestling matches. I would rather watch Thesz wrestle Pat O' Connor than Bruno wrestle Bill Watts. I'm picking Thesz one more time.

 

 

1966. Bruno Sammartino (2)

 

Gene Kiniski defeated Thesz on Jan. 7 for the NWA belt. Kiniski was a great wrestler and a good champion but his selection made Sammartino look more like the legitimate champion sense the two had worked a long program with Bruno winning. Baba took control of JWA when Toyonobori (successor to Rikidozan) self destructed due to gambling debts. Bobo Brazil, #2 face in the East to Sammartino, was drawing big in LA. Sammartino sticks out.

 

 

1967. Shohei Baba

 

JWA with Shohei Baba as it's leader crushes rival Japanese promotion IWE (with Antonio Inoki and Toyonobori). Baba defends International Title twice vs. Bruno Sammartino and twice vs. Gene Kiniski. All four matches are draws. Baba also has memorable matches with Buddy Austin, Fritz Von Erich and The Destroyer. Kiniski has big match with Fritz Von Erich and Thesz and averages around 11,000 in St Louis. Nothing much going on in WWWF. Bruno only draws 6,612 in MSG on Oct. 23. and doesn't sell out all year. On July 15 Sammartino loses match to Ray Stevens in S. F. via COR and gets bad reviews from all the smart fans of the day. Giant Baba wins.

 

 

1968. Shohei Baba (2)

 

JWA had great wrestling all year with Baba defending International Title with wins over The Crusher, Ray Stevens, Curtis Iaukea, Pat Patterson, The Bruiser, Kowalski, and Brazil. Baba wrestles Sammartino twice: a DCOR on Aug. 2 and then defeats the WWWF champ on Aug. 7 via COR in a Int. Title defense. Baba also wrestled NWA champion Kiniski twice: a draw on Dec. 1 and a win via DQ in a Int. Title defense on Dec. 6. Seems the Americans would have sold JWA Frank Gotch's grave if the price was right. Nothing special happened in the WWWF with Bruno forced to meet people like The Kentucky Butcher, George Steele, and Rocky Fitzpatrick. Bruno's big feud was with The Sheik the last 3 months of the years. The 3 MSQ shows drew 10,443, 11,122, and 10,943. Bruno had no MSG sell out in 68. The series did help The Sheik become one of the biggest box office stars in wrestling. Bruno did not pin The Sheik.

 

 

1969. Dory Funk Jr.

 

Dory Funk Jr. won NWA title from Kiniski on Feb. 11. Funk and the other wrestlers trained on his father's ranch changed the style of pro wrestling in the 70's introducing many of the suplex moves common today. Dory did well in his first year as champ wrestling draws with Baba and Antonio Inoki in Japanese title defenses. Baba continued on top in JWA, but nothing special happened for him during year. Inoki won JWA world tournament. Other contenders: Brazil, Jack Brisco, Blassie, Mil Mascaras, and The Sheik. Sammartino still couldn't sell out MSG. On May 14 he drew 7,670 for a tag match and on June 30 drew 5,527 vs. George Steele.

 

 

1970. Dory Funk Jr. (2)

 

Sammartino did sell out MSG a least twice (vs. Crusher Verdu) and maybe two other times also. But I think smart fans would vote for Funk because of his work and the brother who could get heal heat. Other contenders: Baba, Inoki, Blassie, John Tolos, The Sheik, Jack Brisco, Pat Patterson, and Mil Mascaras. Verne Gagne is supposed to have drawn 30,000 to a AWA title defense against Baron Von Raschke in Chicago. Andre the Giant works first match in Japan and then is moved to Montreal.

 

 

1971. Pedro Morales

 

Sammartino drops WWWF Title to Ivan Koloff clean (class way to go out), who hands it to Pedro Morales on Feb. 8. Morales draws better in MSG than Bruno ever did. Sellouts become common. Funk continues as NWA champion and has feud with Jack Brisco. Fred Blassie and John Tolos draw 25,847 and $142,158.50 to The LA Coliseum. Some historians think it's the largest unworked figure in to that point in history. Mil Mascaras is also a huge draw in LA Antonio Inoki popularity in JWA becomes a problem. He becomes more of a rival than a tag partner to Giant Baba. When he plans a coup, Inoki is expelled from company. Andre the Giant works IWE Tournament in Japan and gets win over Karl Gotch and losses finial to Strong Kobayashi via COR.

 

 

1972. Pedro Morales (2)

 

More of the same. Morales and Sammartino draw 22,508 and $140.923 to Shea Stadium on Sept. 30. Inoki's NJW has first card on March 6 and has series of matches with Karl Gotch. Baba breaks away from JWA on Aug. 18 and forms AJ on Oct. 21. Andre and Don Leo Jonathan draw 20,000 fans to a match in Montreal.

 

 

1973. Andre The Giant

 

Andre The Giant signs with the WWWF and begins tours to just about every territory, breaking attendance records beating two to three major stars each night. The Giant, who was a good athlete and worker for his size, becomes bigger than the world title. Shohei Baba wins PWF world by beating 8 major stars, one of which is Bruno Sammartino who he pins. Harley Race defeats Dory Funk for NWA title (May 24)when Jr. is allegedly threaten with a shoot. Race drops it to Jack Brisco on July 20. Brisco is a great wrestler and worker. In Dec, the WWWF title is switched from Morales to Stan Stasiak to old reliable Bruno Sammartino.

 

 

1974. Jack Brisco

 

Sammartino and Andre are huge draws during year but Jack Brisco was one of the best working NWA champions. I think the smart fans would give him their votes. Jack lost the title to Shohei Baba Dec. 2, lost a rematch Dec. 5, then re-won the belt Dec. 9. The Japanese show no class by not filming Baba losing match. Inoki rivals Baba; beating Kintaro Oki and Strong Kobayashi

 

 

1975. Bruno Sammartino (3)

 

I was going to make this a 3 way tie but Mr. Go-by-the-Rules, The Mil Mascaras of Smart Fans - John D. Williams - says no. Andre, Brisco, Baba, Inoki continued strong. On Dec. 10, Terry Funk takes NWA Title from Brisco. I saw this as a come down for the NWA. Terry is known as a great worker but he wasn't the classic wrestler that Thesz, Funk Jr or Brisco were. He was also very beatable in my eyes. I liked him but not as NWA champion. Nick Bockwinkle defeated old Verne Gagne for the AWA world title on Nov. 8. It was really nice of Verne to give some young guy a chance since he had held on to his belt through much inactivity sense Aug. 31, 1968. I think the idea was he wanted to beat Thesz's record. I refuse to count it up to tell you whether he did or did not. Bockwinkle was a good heal champion and had good matches vs. Billy Robinson during the year. Jumbo Tsuruta was the work horse of AJ. Sammartino was doing very well in NYC. Not only selling out MSG but also the Felt Forum. I think he also would have a big block of votes on the East Coast. I'm giving it to Bruno. No, I'm not Italian.

 

 

1976. Bruno Sammartino (4)

 

This was the year of Antonio Inoki vs. Muhammad Ali and Sammartino's broken neck. If Inoki had been able to pull it of, he would have won... but he didn't. Sammartino injured his neck in a match with young Stan Hansen and sucked it up to return to draw 40,000 for a rematch on the undercard of the close circuit showing of Ali/Inoki. Nowhere in the US did the Ali match draw beans, so I feel the Shea Stadium can be credited to Bruno. He also drew big in match with Billy Graham, Ernie Ladd and Bruiser Brody. Terry Funk, Andre, Dusty Rhodes, Jumbo Tsuruta Mil Mascaras, and Terry Funk would have some votes. Mid-Atlantic was having great matches with stars like Ric Flair and Wahoo McDaniel.

 

 

1977. Billy Graham

 

Superstar Billy Graham took the WWWF Title from Sammartino and did so well that the company kept the belt on him for the rest of the year. He had fun interviews and a great body but was a weak worker. Graham and Dusty Rhodes drew 30,000 to MSG and the Felt Forum on Oct. 24. Sammartino was still a moneymaker. Harley Race won the NWA Title from Terry Funk and would prove himself a great champion. Nick Bockwinkle was a good champion with AWA. Tatsumi Fujinami, one of wrestling's greatest workers, was a hit in Japan and WWWF. Inoki rebuilt himself.

 

 

1978. Harley Race

 

The Williams rule stops me from making this a tie. I took Race over Bob Backlund. Race was an ideal champ while Bob was drawing crowds near 30,000 in MSG. I took Race. Billy Robinson had a great year with AJ.

 

 

1979. Harley Race (2)

 

Race did title switches with Rhodes and Baba, while Backlund switched with Inoki although the dummies in the US WWWF didn't know it. (Some still don't.) Inoki had a strong year, appearing in MSG but not really getting over in America. The WWWF Title no longer was considered a "World" Title and Race appeared in MSG. I'll let others worry about 1979. I'm worn out.

 

 

The following are actual awards given by THE OBSERVER

 

1980. Harley Race (3)

1981. Ric Flair

1982. Ric Flair (2)

1983. Ric Flair (3)

1984. Ric Flair (4)

1985. Ric Flair (5)

1986. Ric Flair (6)

1987. Riki Choshu

1988. Akira Maeda

1989. Ric Flair (7)

1990. Ric Flair (8)

1991. Jumbo Tsuruta

1992. Ric Flair (9)

1993. Vader

1994. Toshiaki Kawada

1995. Mitsuharu Misawa

1996. Kenta Kobashi

1997. Mitsuharu Misawa (2)

1998. Steve Austin

1999. Mitsuharu Misawa (3)

2000. HHH

2001. Keiji Muto

2002. Kurt Angle

 

So now that that's over, let's add them up:

 

Wrestlers of the Year Winners

- In (parenthesis) are years won.

- In [brackets] are other years a wrestler came very close to winning.

 

9-Time Winners

* Lou Thesz (1949-50-51-52-53-54-55, 63, 65) [1947-48, 56-57, 64]

* Ric Flair (1981-82-83-84-85-86, 89-90, 92)

 

8-Time Winners

* Frank Gotch (1904, 06-07-08-09-10-11-12)

* Joe Stecher (1914-15-16, 19-20, 25-26-27)

 

5-Time Winners

* Jim Londos (1930-31-32-33-34) [1928-29, 38-39-40-41]

* Bill Longson (1942-43-44-45, 47) [1946]

* Buddy Rogers (1958-59-60-61-62) [1949-50-51, 53-54-55-56-57]

 

4-Time Winners

* Ed Lewis (1922-23-24, 28) [1920]

* Bruno Sammartino (1964-65, 75-76) [1965, 67-68-69-70, 74]

 

3-Time Winners

* George Hackenschmidt (1901-02, 05) [1904, 06]

* Harley Race (1978-79-80)

* Mitsuharu Misawa (1995, 97, 99)

 

2-Time Winners

* Stanislaus Zbyszko (1913, 21)

* Earl Caddock (1917-18)

* Yvon Robert (1936, 41)

* Bronko Nagurski (1937, 39)

* Frank Sexton (1946, 48) [1947]

* Shohei Baba (1967-68) [1969]

* Dory Funk Jr. (1969-70)

* Pedro Morales (1971-72)

 

1-Time Winners

* Tom Jenkins (1903)

* Gus Sonnenberg (1929)

* Danno O'Mahoney (1935)

* Steve Casey (1938)

* Ray Steele (1940)

* Antonio Rocca (1956) [1957-58-59]

* Edward Carpentier (1957)

* Andre The Giant (1973) [1974-75-76-77-78-79]

* Jack Brisco (1974) [1975]

* Billy Graham (1977)

* Riki Choshu (1987)

* Akira Maeda (1988)

* Jumbo Tsuruta (1991)

* Vader (1993)

* Toshiaki Kawada (1994)

* Steve Austin (1998)

* HHH (2000)

* Keiji Muto (2001)

* Kurt Angle (2002)

 

Wrestlers left off that will upset some people: Rikidozan, Gorgeous George, The Sheik, Mil Mascaras, Pat O'Connor, Ray Stevens, Billy Watson, Gene Kiniski, Fred Blassie, The Destroyer (Dr. X), Dick Shikat, El Santo, Verne Gagne.

 

John and I are hoping this with start interesting discussions about history. I know John will be ripping at things. Please just comment on sections of this like individual wrestlers or years. I don't want to read my own stuff over and over. I'm also hoping to learn from all of you.

 

Thanks,

 

Steve Yohe

[Guest razazteca]

who won 2002?

[EL DANDY~! 0]

It was Angle. You know, I would have said Guerrero after all the great matches he got out of people. He was this year's Ric Flair in my opinion.