ESPN Classic Golden Age of Wrestling Report 3-16-02
    Submitted by Calvin Martin on Tuesday, March 19, 2002 at 2:18 PM EST

    Submitted by Calvin Martin on Tuesday, March 19, 2002 at 9:36 AM EST


    ESPN Classic Golden Age of Wrestling for 3/16/02
    Report by David Taub

    Today it is "Wrestling Champions" from the 1960s (black and white) from Marigold Arena in Chicago.

    Ring announcer Leonard Sterling lets us know that these matches are sanctioned by the NWA under the auspices of the Illinois State Athletic Commission. Dr. Walter Bard is the physician. Bob Klauss is the timekeeper. Maury Freedman and Fred Liedelberg are the referees.

    The show starts with the interviewer (named Mel, anyone have a last name?), talking to Billy Gilles of the tag team "G-Men" (Johnny Gilbert is his partner). They are challenging Nikolai Volkoff and Johnny Kace.

    1. John Paul Henning defeats Hans Hermann with a submission.
    Henning is claimed to be the Northwest and Hawaiian champions. Hermann is the stereotypical big German with broad shoulders. Allegedly, Hermann's hobby is to collect unusual clocks and his father is a renowned surgeon who worked on Ted William's shoulder. Typical 1960s match, low to the ground, hammerlocks, headlocks, etc. Henning wins with the bow and arrow submission.

    2. Johnny Kace d. Jim Hady by pin in 14:20 to retain the Midwestern title.
    Kace looks old. He is out of shape and has a crew cut. Allegedly, he wrestled at Marquette. Hady is much taller, better looking, of Syrian extraction and wrestled at University of Detroit. I work at Detroit in the athletic department. Not only is there no record of a Jim Hady, Detroit never had intercollegiate wrestling! The match sees mainly Hady control most of the match with hammerlocks, with Kace fighting back before being succumbed again. Finish comes when Hady rolls up Kace, but both shoulders are on the mat, but Kace gets his up and gets the surprise win.

    Int.: Karl Engstrom. Engstrom is mumbling about whether fans are fair?!? Very lame.

    3. Engstrom d. Moose Cholak by countout in 2:05.
    Moose comes to the ring with a giant moose head. Short brawl. Cholak is on the apron choking Engstrom, who is in the ring, and he is counted out. Short match.

    After the match, Cholak rambles on to the announcer about why he won. Engstrom rebuts wit some more mumbling.

    Int.: Ricky Cortez. Cortez is a Mexican superstar. He speaks perfect English and claims he is a sportsman. This is rebutted by the announcer.

    4. Cortez pins Hank Lane in 4:05.
    The length of this match is cut, and that is a good thing. Cortez roughs up Lane and gives him a cheap shot at the end of the match.

    And that is the end of the show. Next week (3/23/02 7 a.m. ET on ESPN Classic): BUDDY ROGERS VS. PAT O'CONNER.

    I appreciate your feedback. E-mail me at taubda@udmercy.edu

    --
    David Taub
    http://www.DetroitTitans.com




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