ESPN Classics Report 4-20-02
    Submitted by Calvin Martin on Tuesday, April 23, 2002 at 2:59 PM EST

    ESPN Classic Golden Age of Wrestling for 4/20/02
    Report by David Taub

    This week, it is "Wrestling Champions" coming from the Chicago Coliseum circia 1963 (black and white, tape). Ring announcer Dick Elliot lets us know that the wrestling is sanctioned by the IWA under the supervision of the state athletic commission. Fred Koehler is the promoter, Charlie Sietbottom is the timekeeper, Dr. Sarafin Dominguez is the ringside physician. The TV announcer is Bob Elson.

    1. Dory Dixon & Seaman Art Thomas go to a double DQ with Magnificent Maurice and Johnny Berrand in a 2/3 falls match.
    1: Dixon pins Maurice in 9:45
    -Percy Franklin is our referee. There is dissention among the heels, and Maurice even takes a shot at his partner. Thomas is in most of the way, and shows his feats of strength (ie coming back from a top-wristlock to knock his opponent down). There is plenty of slow-motion bumping going on, as the heels don't seem to like leaving there feet for anything. Dixon gets the pin after a dropkick.
    2: Maurice pins Dixon in 4:50.
    -Bob Elson reiterates the claim last week that Dixon was in the 1954 Olympics. Faces are in control, but Maurice gets the pin after a wicked looking body slam.
    3: Both teams are disqualified in 0:27.
    -Both teams never left the ring after the second fall and are DQd.

    2. Buddy Rogers defeats Killer Kowalski in a 2/3 falls contest.
    1: Kowalski pins Rogers in 4:20.
    -Buddy is wearing a title belt, presumably the WWWF title. Elson makes a brief reference to Buddy being a title claimant (but doesn't mention WWWF). This is a revenge match for Rogers, as in a previous match in Canada between the two, KK broke Buddy's leg. Kowalski goes for the knee of Rogers (who is still the heel in Chicago) and gets an "all-of-the-sudden" pin when Rogers shoulders are pressed to the mat while Kowalski has his leg barred up.
    2: Rogers pins Kowalski in 3:40
    -Why all the short falls? Lot's of slow, deliberate looking punches, chops and knees to the head. Kowalski is heralded from Detroit, but Elson claims he is from Windsor, Ontario (just south of the 'D'). Rogers gets the pin in fall two.
    3: Rogers wins with a pin in 3:07.
    -Another short fall. Rogers wins after Killer misses a top-rope knee drop and Buddy gives him a stuft-piledriver (or a sloppy-looking one).

    Elson jumps into the ring to interview Buddy. Rogers is very humble, claiming he is the best, etc., etc.

    3. Black Bart and Golden Moose Cholak battle to a curfew draw.
    -I like Golden Moose. He is big, and looks like a bully. He is like King Kong Bundy with the fast forward button on. Black Bart is an alleged prospector from Juneau, Alaska. They only wrestle for about five minutes before the bell rings.

    That is it for today's show. Next week (April 27, 6 a.m. ET), it's HANS HERMANN, JOHNY VALENTINE, GOETZ & GILBERT on ESPN Classic (not any other ESPN variety).

    Also, a personal plug for me: my appearance on the syndicated version of the Weakest Link (with host George Gray) airs this coming Monday in the U.S. (April 29). It should be on that day in most markets.

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

    Thanks a bunch.

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




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