BIG WRESTLING

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 74, 28 March 1936, Page 9

BIG WRESTLING

PROMISE OF BRIGHT SEASON HEAVY MEN BEING IMPORTED INTO NEW ZEALAND PEN PICTURES OF THESE IN THE TOP FLIGHTS

If events work out according to schedule—and there is nothing to indicate that they will not—New Zealand has before it the biggest wrestling season on record. Advance reports of men engaged for the Dominion Wrestling Union speak of men of a uniform build of about 6ft. in height and between 15 and 16 stone in weight, and Avith records of achievement Avhich place them either in the top. flight or very close to it.

At this stage it is necessarily difficult to forecast what will .transpire as the months pass, but tho writer has been informed by the secretary of the union (Mr, A. G. Washer) that the working forces of the Dominion organisations will bo refreshed at regular intervals by high-class talent, with a special offering to patrons in the persons of Jim Browning and Eay Steele —two men whose names aro known in wrestling circles the world over. Returning prosperity, which has been_ma.de manifest in many directions, is giving people more money to spend in amusement and recreation, and, with, the unusual attractions in view, there is every indication that past attendance records will bo well shattered during the season. Action will be the key-note and anything flavouring of tho storm of verbal challenges which marred operations last season will be sternly discouraged. ' The size of the men who have been booked already can bo gathered at a glance from the following tables:— AVeight. Height

Monday, April 6, and other centres will get under way immediately afterwards. Certain particulars of the chosen, men have already been published, and tho following notes have come to hand from Mr. Walter Miller who acted as tho Union's special emissary and arrives at Auckland on March 20 with the first batch of the men. MEHRINGER: Undefeated since he turned professional in 1931, during which time he has wrestled all over America. He is managed by Toots Mondt. KENT: An all-American tackier; a graduate of the Oregon State University, he now lives at Philadelphia. Managed by Ray Rabina, is one of the outstanding young wrestlers in America to-day; has been in the game since 1931, and is managed by Toots Mondt. BO.ESCH: Of Gernmn-American extraction; was formerly a lifeguardsman at Long Island; graduate of the College of New York; is the leading wrestler in the Middle W est. Managed by Tom Moscrow, of Seattle. BROTHER JONATHAN: A Morman bishop, who is known in the States as tho “Wrestling Preacher,” and who is a fully-ordained bishop at Salt Lake City; a first-class wrestler whose manager is Tom Moscrow. Is absolutely confident he will make a big hit in New Zealand. JOE WOODS: National American amateur heavyweight boxing champion in 1925; twice beat Don McCorkindale in South Africa in. 1930; gave up boxing in favour of wrestling in 1931 and since then has developed into a great heavyweight wrestler; a boy who always pu.ts on a great match, and is ready to meet his opponent in any stylo the latter desires. .Managed by Toots Mondt. 808 KRUSE: National American amateur champion in 1925-26; ono of the fastest heavyweights in the game today. Managed by Ted Thyo of Portland. “COWBOY” 808 RUSSELL: A genuine American cow-puncher, who learnt his wrestling_ bull-dogging steers; often makes his bow to the public in real American cowboy gear. Managed by Joe Malcewicz, San Francisco. McLAIN: Greatest .football player ever developed at Haskell Indian School; is one quarter Cherokee Indian and three-quarters Scottish; one of the fastest wrestlers in the ring; is managed by Jack Curley. FORSGREN: From Vancouver; has been going great guns lately, having won his last eighteen bouts; captured the Canadian professional title after McCready left for New Zealand._ STEELE: One of the five leading wrestlers in tho world, and an outstanding challenger for the title; managed by Paul Bowser, Boston. BROWNING: Former world’s champion heavyweight, known by reputa : tion to all wrestling fans in New

With Browning and Steele added to the above list it at once becomes apparent that if McCready is to continue his unbeaten record this season it will bo necessary for him to work much harder than ho had to last year, and even then he could not lightly regard men such as Wade and Blomfield. And. this raises an important point in viewing the 1936 season in prospect. As was mentioned by the president of the Otago Association, and has been apparent to most followers of the game, there has been a tendency for teams in past seasons to be lop-sided. Each year an effort has been made to bring out one or two outstanding wrestlers to serve as major attractions, but it has been shown repeatedly that the public is not attracted by the prospect of merely seeing a famous wrestler. Thev want to watch him at work, and fully extended at that. The season before last Dan Koloff packed out the Wellington Town Hall in his solitary match with George Walker, and last vear McCreadv secured his biggest following after Wade and Blomfleld had built up records which made them his “natural” opponents. Taken tout ensembles the 1936 team gives the impression that every engagement will be a real contest in which both men will have to work to the utmost. Another important aspect of the team is that it has been drawn from a wide field in tho United States and Canada. The need for something of the sort has repeatedly been stressed. This vear they have been gathered from east and west, north and south, and where they have been working in different circuits. The expected result is that they will displav a wide variety of styles and will have healthy rivalry among themselves for the prizes which goes to those who prove themselves the outstanding matmen. The season will definitely commence a.t Wellington on

Zealand. “The men,” concludes Mr. Miller, “will make one of the finest bunches of wrestlers who have ever been gathered together. They represent a wide selection of styles and I wish you to note they have not been got from one group, but have been picked from all over America. Ted Thye has the authority and will be able to secuie any further men that .the union wishes to engage.”

st. . lbs. ft. in. Pete Mehringer __ — 15 5 0 i Harry Kent ...... —- 17 2 0 3 Paul Boesc'i 10 4 5 111 Brother • Jonathan 10 0 0 1 Bob Kruse 10 0 5 11 Joe Woods 15 5 5 101 “Cowboy” Bob Russell 15 10 0 0 Wavs McLain 10 4 0 0 Jack Forsgreit 10 0 0 2 Earl McCready ...... 17 0 0 Glenn Wade 10 10 5 01 Lofty Blomtield 17 0 6 o