With this the final update for 2008, I know it’s pretty far back, but we’re going all the way back to Dec of 1958!
Dec 08 1958
The big match on this card was the original Gorgeous George fighting Billy Wicks. As a history lesson, Billy Wicks, along with his nemesis Sputnik Monroe, were considered Memphis Wrestling’s first 2 legends. It’s said that at the time, Billy was as popular as the young Elvis Presley.
Big Jack Eaton, Billy Wicks & Greg Peterson
Gorgeous George was near the end of not only his wrestling career, but his life. In a few years, he would pass away. George was many years past his prime in 1958 and severely out of shape, but could still get the fans mad enough at him to buy tickets to the matches.
The 2 out of 3 fall match was tied at a fall a piece when both participants were DQ’d for fighting outside the ring in the 3rd fall.
Dec 22, 1958
Back in the day, the Christmas Wrestling show was always a yearly charity event. The main event had Southern Jr heavyweight champ, Yvonne Roberre won by dq over the hated Gorgeous George. Also on the card, were Sputnik Monroe, Lee and Don Fields, Billy Wicks and Tom Drake.
Dec 29, 1958
The final card of 1958 featured the Corsica Brothers defending their world tag titles against Billy Wicks and Chick Garibaldi. Jean and Joe Corsica lost the first fall but came back and took the final 2 falls to win the match. Also on the card, Southern Jr champ, Yvonne Roberre won by DQ over Sputnik Monroe when Sputnik was DQ’d for stomping the referee.
----Mark James is the author of “Memphis Wrestling History – Cards, Matches, Results, Newspaper Clippings” Vol 1 and "Vol 2: The Programs 1972 - 1976" James also is the webmaster to the BEST Memphis Wrestling site in the area – memphiswrestlinghistory.com - Click on his site and order his books!!
