Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1934
By: Karl Stern
Much of the text of this entry comes from issue 82 of the DragonKing Press Newsletter available as a downloadable .pdf in the digital downloads section.
The year 1934 is covered in the Long Form History of Pro Wrestling Podcast - Click Here.
1934
01-02-1934: The New York State Athletic Commission investigates Rudy Miller, Jack Curley, Jim Londos, Toots Mondt, Ed White, Tom Packs, and Dick Shikat on charges of fixing matches.
01-03-1934: Boston, MA: Arena: Promoter: Alex McLean: Attendance 10,000: Fred Moran battled Lieutenant O'Dell to a 10 minute draw… George Myerson defeats Gil Cross… Rebel Bob Russell defeats Al Peckham… Bull Curry battled George Saunders to a 15 minute draw… Boris Demetroff battled John Spellman to a 20 minute draw… Pat O'Hara defeats George Linnehan… World heavyweight champion Jim Londos defeats Charley Strack two falls to one.
01-08-1934: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 8,000: World heavyweight champion Jim Browning defeated Ray Steele… Joe Savoldi defeated Sol Slagel… Carroll Pink Gardner defeated Paul Berlenbach… Hans Steinke defeated Benny Ginsberg… Gino Garibaldi battled Vic Christy to a draw… Hans Kampfer defeated Tiny Roebuck… Jagat Singh defeated Eli Fischer.
01-11-1934: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 8,500: George Hagen defeats Tommy Marvin… Sun Jennings wrestled Willie Davis to a 30 minute draw… Jim McMillen wrestled John Katan to a 30 minute draw… NWAssociation World Heavyweight champion Jim Londos defeats Rudy Dusek. Londos wins fall 1 and the next went to a time limit draw.
01-12-1934: In Detroit, MI: Attendance: 16,000: Jim Londos defeated Joe Stecher… George Zaharias defeated Jim Clinstock… Pat O'Shocker battled Karl Sarpolis to a draw… Cliff Olson defeated Lou Plummer.
Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 9,000: Fred Moran battled George Linnehan to a 10 minute draw… Vic Christy defeats Pat O'Hara… Hal Rumberg defeats Axel Anderson… Jules Strongbow defeats Al Peckham… Ernie Dusek defeats John Spellman… Casey Kazanjian defeats Hank Oswald… Earl McCready defeats Tiny Roebuck… Joe Malcewicz defeats Man Mountain Dean… AWA World champion Ed Don George defeats Joe Savoldi. The match began as 2/3 falls but after no falls were taken during the first hour the match became sudden death/first pinfall wins. There were no more falls until Ed Don George finally won the match after one hour, ten minutes and 11 seconds.
01-15-1934: Jack Pfeffer goes to the New York Times revealing several “inside secrets” about professional wrestling, specifically reporting that Jim Londos victory over Dick Shikat in 1929 was “prearranged.”
01-17-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: 8,500: Jim Browning defeated Joe Savoldi by DQ after Savoldi used a drop kick which had been outlawed… Leo Numa defeated Pat Kelly… Nick Lutze defeated Bonnie Muir by referee decision… Dr. Fred Meyer wrestled Pat Fraley to a draw… Mike Mazurki wrestled Ivan Mannagoff to a draw… Cy Williams wrestled Jack Ganson to a draw.
01-22-1934: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 5,000: Ed Don George defeated Jim McMillen… Ernie Dusek defeated Hans Steinke… Hans Kampfer defeated Man Mountain Dean… George Zaharias battled George Calza to a draw… Yussif Mahmout, Jr. defeated Jim Henry… Bert Rubi defeated Joe Campbell… Ray Steele defeated Paul Boesch… Gino Garibaldi defeated Sid Nabors… Dick Shikat defeated Harry Fields.
01-24-1934: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 10,000: Hal Rumberg battled John Spellman to a ten minute draw… Jules Strongbow defeats Joe Doakes… Jim McMillen defeated Gene LeDoux… Gino Garibaldi defeats Pat O'Hara… Ray Steele defeats Harry Lundin…. Ernie Dusek battled Vic Christy to a 20 minute draw… Earl McCready defeats Casey Kazanjian… NWAssociation World Heavyweight champion Jim Londos defeats Joe Malcewicz by referee's decision after winning one fall and Malcewicz is injured and can not continue in the second.
Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 8,500: Cy Williams battled Pat Reilly to a 15 minute draw… Pat Fraley defeats Ad Herman… Sammy Stein defeats Rudy Skarda… Leo Numa defeats Nick Lutze by decision. Each man took a fall and the final was referee decision… NYSAC World champion Jim Browning defeats Joe Savoldi. Browning touring the west coast with the New York world wrestling title.
01-26-1934: The New York State Athletic Commission issues a ruling banning “syndicate agreements” between promoters and outlawing the dropkick.
In Detroit, MI: Attendance: 16,750: Jim Londos defeated Joe Stecher… Ray Steele battled Gino Garibaldi to a draw… Cliff Olson defeated Sol Slagel… Milo Steinborn defeated Jack Zarnas.
01-31-1934: Chicago, IL: Stadium: Attendance 20,200: Karl Davis defeats Dutch Hefner by DQ… Ernie Dusek defeats Matros Kirilenko… Joe Malcewicz defeats Milo Steinborn… Everett Marshall defeats Jim McMillen… NWAssociation World champion Jim Londos defeats Joe Savoldi.
02-02-1934: In St. Louis, MO: St Louis Arena: Attendance: 15,666: Abe Coleman defeated Dick Raines by count out… Ernie Dusek defeated Sol Slagel… Joe Malcewicz defeated Karl Sarpolis… World heavyweight champion Jim Londos defeated Gus Sonnenberg.
02-05-1934: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 7,000: Jim Londos defeated Ernie Dusek… Sammy Stein defeated Stanley Pinto… Joe Savoldi defeated George Zarynoff… Yussif Mahmout, Jr. defeated Henry Piers… Hans Steinke battled George Zaharias to a draw… Ray Steele defeated Jagat Singh… Mayes McLain defeated Firpo Wilcox.
02-08-1934: Promoter John Krone dies of a heart attack in Chicago, IL.
02-09-1934: Philadelphia, PA: Convention Hall & Civic Center: Attendance: 17,000: Joe Malcewicz battled Joe Savoldi to a 30 minute draw… Vic Christy defeated Dick Raines… Ernie Dusek battled Harry Fields to a 30 minute draw… Youssef Mahmout defeated Charley Strack… Juan Humberto defeats Pat O'Hara… World heavyweight champion
Jim Londos defeated Everett Marshall in a match that lasted 3 HOURS, 4 Minutes and 45 seconds for a one fall match.
02-21-1934: Joe Stecher wrestles his last match before finally retiring for good against Jim Browning in Chicago, IL. Browning had grown up idolizing Stecher. Following Joe Stecher’s retirement he suffered from a variety of mental illnesses, most notably depression and was institutionalized and cared for by his brother, promoter Tony Stecher. Joe lived to be 80 years old.
02-25-1934: After wrestling a reported 80 minute match against Harry Kent in Kalispell, MT, The California Red Devil (Jack Lewis) dies of an apparent heart attack.
02-28-1934: Boston, MA: AWA World Heavyweight champion Ed Don George defeats Ernie Dusek by DQ in a match that lasted 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 50 seconds. Dusek won the first fall but was disqualified in the second. There was no third fall.
Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 7,000: Jim Browning defeated Paul Jones… Dr. Fred Meyers wrestled Abie Kaplan to a draw… Leo Numa defeated Cy Williams… Mike Mazurki wrestled Pat Fraley to a draw… George Cochran defeated Pete Belcastro.
03-05-1934: Leroy McGuirk defeats Hugh Nichols for the World lightweight title in Tulsa, OK.
Hugh Winn defeats Fred Lassiter for the Atlanta City wrestling title.
03-07-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 8,500: AWA World heavyweight champion Ed Don George defeated Dr. Fred Meyers… Leo Numa defeated Abie Kaplan… Paul Jones defeated George Cochrane… Nick Lutze wrestled Mike Mazurki to a draw… Vic Christy defeated Pat Fraley… Cy Williams wrestled Pat Riley to a draw.
03-11-1934: Tex Wright (28 years old) dies after a match with Harry Ekizian (wrestling at the time as Ali Yumid, later better known as Ali Baba) in Greeley, CO.
03-13-1934: Geoff Portz was born. Portz wrestled throughout the United States and Europe and is the father of pro wrestler Scott McGhee.
03-14-1934: From the Syracuse Herald: New York City: Jack Hurley, listed as one of the “bad men” in the professional wrestling game and instigator of near riots among spectators in Syracuse, Baltimore, Boston and other places at mat shows, met his death here early this morning in a fall from his room on the fourth floor of the Hotel Lenox, 149 West 44th Street. According to reports compiled by investigators, Hurley returned to the hotel at 3:30 o’clock, several hours after he had been thrown at the New York Coliseum by Emil Dusek, 205-pound wrestler of Omaha, Neb. The body was found, fully clad, some time later in a courtyard in the rear of the hotel.
Tony Felice, another wrestler residing at the hotel, declared Hurley, while he had improved rapidly since entering the professional mat sport and was regarded as a coming star, had tired of the grappling work and intended to quit shortly and go into business with his father. Hurley, standing well over six feet, weighed 215 pounds and was extremely proud of his ability to incite the fans. He was placed on a Syracuse mat card last fall when the Disabled War Veterans decided to sponsor professional wrestling and made such a hit on his first appearance that he was brought back several times for repeat performances.
Hurley also was “built up” in the Boston area and drew out the customers in Baltimore, Rochester and other cities on the mat chain whenever he was billed with a rough and ready foe. Strangely enough, Emil Dusek, who defeated Hurley in his final ring encounter, is scheduled to show in Syracuse on Wednesday, March 21, to oppose Joe Savoldi, the ex-Notre Dame football star, in the main bout of a card rigged up by John Contos, Baltimore promoter. Police notified Hurley’s mother, Mrs. J.B. Hurley, Belmar, N.J., and his widow, who resides at 317 West 84th Street, New York City.
03-19-1934: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 7,000: World heavyweight champion Jim Browning defeated Hans Kampfer… Henri Deglane defeated Tiny Roebuck… Jim McMillen defeated Mayes McLain… Sandor Szabo defeated Fred Carone… Joe Savoldi defeated Bert Rubi… Sammy Stein defeated Rudy Dusek… Abe Coleman battled Sam Cordovano to a draw.
03-23-1934: In Detroit, MI. Attendance: 12,000: Jim Londos defeated Ray Steele by decision… George Zaharias defeated Tiny Roebuck… Gino Garibaldi defeated Dick Raines… Cliff Olson battled Charley Strack to a draw.
04-04-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 6,000: Dick Daviscourt defeated Dr. Fred Meyer to retain the California State title… Leo Numa defeated Vic Christy… Paul Jones defeated Everett Kibbons… Mike Mazurki defeated Chuck Stringari… Harry Jacobs defeated Frank Von Mohr.
04-05-1934: Pro wrestling matches are banned in Johannesburg, South Africa. As the result of an all-in wrestling match between Henry Irslinger and Ben Sherman of Canada, the city council has banned all-in clashes here, referring to the sport as 'brutal and degrading.' The bout in question ended in rioting.
Lou Thesz makes his pro wrestling debut in Collinsville, IL losing to Eddie Piantanida.
04-06-1934: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 19,000: Marin Plestina defeats Ricardo Santo… Pat O'Hara defeats Renato Renolli… Frank Bronowicz battled John Spellman to a 15-minute draw… Earl McCready defeats Jules Strongbow… Hardy Kruskamp battled Nick Lutze to a 20-minute draw… Joe Malcewicz defeated Firpo Wilcox… Ernie Dusek defeats Jack Washburn… AWA World champion Ed Don George defeats Henri Deglane 2 out of 3 falls.
Philadelphia, PA: Arena: Gus Sonnenberg defeated Ray Steele by count out. Franklin Delanor Roosevelt, Jr., son of the President, was there taking photos and became involved in a skirmish with a photographer who was there and took his photo. Other matches included: Jim McMillen defeated Sam Cordovano… Dr. Len Hall defeated Marshall Blackstock… Mehmet Yousuf defeated Mike Romano… Rudy Dusek defeated Harry Fields.
04-07-1934: In Cincinnati, OH: An ordinance to regulate wrestling in Cincinnati was reported in city hall circles today, following announcement that Jack Reynolds, recognized as welterweight mat champion, would defend his title next Friday night. Reynolds' wife, Alice Martin Reynolds, is under a charge of murder as a result of the fatal shooting, several weeks ago, in a cafe of James Meyers, Cincinnati politician, and Philip Citron, also of Cincinnati. Pending report of a grand jury in the case, Mrs. Reynolds was freed on $15,000 bond to permit treatment of an illness. Police have said that Reynolds was owner of a gun that figured in the affray. Safety director Fred K. Hoehler is on record against the scheduled bout, and has voiced opposition to other matches in which Reynolds has participated.
04-11-1934: Cincinnati, OH: There will be no championship welterweight wrestling match between Jack Reynolds, claimant of the title, and Pat Finnegan of Springfield, Ohio. The Ohio division of the National Wrestling Association announced that Reynolds will be barred from participating in bouts here until after an investigation of a shooting in which two persons were killed. Reynolds' wife and David Polinsky are charged with murder.
St. Louis, MO: St Louis Arena: Attendance: 11,727: Charley Strack defeats Milo Steinborn… Orville Brown defeats George Zaharias… Ray Steele defeats Pete Schuh… World heavyweight champion Jim Londos defeated Dick Shikat.
Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 7,500: World heavyweight champion Jim Browning defeated Leo Numa… Dick Daviscourt defeated Everett Kibbons… Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeated Mike Mazurki… Vic Christy defeated Joe Varga… Harold Jacobs defeated Chuck Stingari.
04-12-1934: Former World middleweight champion Jack Reynolds is indicted by an Ohio Grand Jury in the death of James Meyers and Philip Citron in a Cincinnati murder in March. Reynolds is acquitted in the trial.
In Mexico City, Mexico at Arena Peralvillo-Cozumel: Tarzan Lopez makes his pro debut under the name Carlos Lopez defeating Enrique Gonzalez.
04-15-1934: Mexico City, Mexico: El Toreo Stadium: Attendance 12.000: Carlos Meza battled Diablo Lopez to a draw… Mario Nunez defeats Tony Canales… Pietro Belcastro defeats Tex Wright… Ruddy Skarda defeats Manuel Hernandez… NYSAC World Heavyweight champion Jim Browning defeated Ed “Strangler: Lewis 2 falls to 1.
04-18-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 5,000: World heavyweight champion Jim Browning defeated Dick Daviscourt 2 out of 3 falls… Leo Numa defeated Jack Zarnos by count out… Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeated Jack Ray… Count George Zaranoff defeated Mike Mazurki… Vic Christy wrestled Paul Jones to a draw.
04-24-1934: Lou Thesz wins his first match defeating Ben Bailey in St. Louis, MO.
Detroit, MI: Olympia: Attendance 8,235: Ernie Peterson battled Frank Malcewicz to a 20 minute draw… Frank Sexton defeats Pat McClary… Bill Keif battled Jimmy Hefner to a 30 minute draw… John Swenski defeats Alex Kasaboski… Ali Baba (Harry Ekizian) defeats World heavyweight champion Dick Shikat to win the championship.
04-25-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 6,500: World heavyweight champion Jim Browning defeated Dick Daviscourt in 2 falls… Leo Numa wrestled Count George Zaranoff to a draw… Jack Zarnos defeated Jack Manuel… Paul Jones defeated Cy Williams… Hank Oswald defeated Jack Ganson via DQ.
04-27-1934: Philadelphia, PA: Arena: Attendance 9,000: Harry Fields defeats Luigi Bacigalupi… Ernie Zeller battled Len Macaluso to a draw… Earl McCready battled Ray Steele to a 30 minute draw… Joe Savoldi defeats Abe Coleman… World Heavyweight champion Jim Londos defeats Gus Sonnenberg by DQ.
04-30-1934: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 3,000: NYSAC World heavyweight champion Jim Browning defeated Ray Steele… Gus Sonnenberg defeated Man Mountain Dean… Joe Savoldi defeated George Hagen… Willie Davis battled Harry Fields to a draw… Hans Kampfer battled Rudy Dusek to a draw… Marshall Blackstock defeated Doug Wykoff… Abe Coleman defeated Bert Rubi.
05-07-1934: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 4,000: Jim Londos defeated Joe Savoldi by count out… Henri Deglane battled Jim McMillen to a draw… Gus Sonnenberg defeated Willie Davis… Hans Kampfer defeated Mayes McLain… Rudy Dusek defeated Joe “Bull” Komar… Abe Coleman defeated Ted Christy by DQ.
05-16-1934: St. Louis, MO: St Louis Arena: Attendance: 10,138: Hans Kaempfer defeats Joe Cox… George Zaharias defeats Matros Kirilenko… Orville Brown battled Ray Steele to a 30 minute draw… NWAssociation World heavyweight champion Jim Londos defeated Dick Shikat.
05-18-1934: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 14,000: Billy Bartush battled Bull Martin to a 10 minute draw… John Spellman defeats Jules Strongbow… Pat O'Hara defeats Stanley Stickney… Karl Pojello defeats Boris Dimitroff… Hardy Kruskamp defeats Harry Lewis… Hans Steinke defeats Earl McCready… Jim McMillen battled Nick Lutze to a 30 minute draw… Henri Deglane defeats Man Mountain Dean… AWA World champion Ed Don George defeats Ernie Dusek 2 falls to 1.
05-23-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 5,000: Count George Zaranoff defeated Dick Daviscourt… Jack Ganson defeated George Wilson via KO… Ivan Managoff wrestled Jack Donovan to a draw… Jack Smith defeated Hank Oswald… Paul Jones defeated Pete Shoe by DQ.
05-25-1934: Philadelphia, PA: Convention Hall: Attendance 12,000: Len Macaluso defeats Buck Weaver… Earl McCready defeats Dick Raines… Jim McMillen defeats Ernie Zeller… Hans Kaempfer battled Henri Deglane to a 30 minute draw… World heavyweight champion Jim Londos defeats Gus Sonnenberg in a rematch from April 27.
05-30-1934: In Cincinnati, OH: A jury having accepted the defense's contention that "fate decreed that the killers kill each other," Jack Reynolds, NWA. welterweight champion, today stood acquitted of a murder charge. It took the jury less than two hours last night to decide that the wrestler and two co-defendants were not guilty of shooting to death James Meyers, 52, in a cafe brawl in the early morning of March 11. Reynolds, his wife Alice, and a friend, David Polinsky, 28, were charged with second-degree murder. Although Polinsky admitted he fired at Meyers, the defense maintained it was in self-defense, and defense attorneys contended his bullet did not kill Meyers. Defense counsel argued also that "full justice" already had been done, holding Meyers and Citron killed each other. All three defendants wept freely as they thanked the jury and accepted the congratulations of friends.
06-06-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 7,000: Count George Zaranoff defeated Leo Numa in 2 falls… Jack Ganson defeated George Wilson… Ivan Managoff wrestled Rudy Skarda to a draw… Jack Smith defeated Pete Shoe… Jack Donovan defeated Hank Oswald.
06-14-1934: Future wrestler Primo Carnera loses the World heavyweight boxing championship by 11th round knock out to Max Baer in Long Island, NY.
06-17-1934: Mario Nunez defeats Tony Canales for the vacant Mexico National Welterweight title in Mexico City.
06-20-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 6,500: Gus Sonnenberg defeated Count George Zaranoff 2 out of 3 falls… Jack Ganson defeated Bonnie Muir… Sammy Stein defeated Pete Shoe… Dick Daviscourt wrestled Pat O’Shocker to a draw… Leo Numa wrestled Jack Smith to a draw.
06-21-1934: Francisco “El Charro” Aguayo defeats Manuel Hernandez to win the vacant Mexican National heavyweight title in Mexico City in the Salvador Lutteroth ran EMLL promotion.
06-25-1934: Jim Londos, the National Wrestling Association recognized world champion, defeats Jim Browning in New York City, NY at the Madison Square Garden Bowl in Long Island City, NY to become recognized as world champion there as well. Attendance is 20,000. This is a Hearst Milk Fund benefit show. Ernie Dusek defeated Karl Sarpolis… Sandor Szabo battled Joe Savoldi to a draw… Everette Marshall defeated Abe Coleman… Hans Kampfer battled George Zaharias to a draw… Dick Shikat battled Yussif Mahmout, Jr. to a draw.
06-27-1934: Pro wrestler and trainee of Farmer Burns, Charlie Hanson, drowned in Lake Washington near Seattle while trying to swim to a boat.
06-28-1934: Jack O’Brien defeats Dientes Hernandez to become the first Mexican National lightweight champion.
07-03-1934: Hershey, PA: Hershey Ice Arena: NWA World & NYSAC World Heavyweight champion Jim Londos defeats Ernie Dusek.
07-06-1934: Philadelphia, PA: Philadelphia Arena: Attendance: 10,000: Ernie Dusek defeated Bert Rubi… George Hagen defeats Doug Wyckoff… Earl McCready defeated Hans Steinke… Bibber McCoy battled Gino Garibaldi to a 30 minute time limit draw… World heavyweight title / NYSAC World heavyweight champion Jim Londos defeated Dick Shikat.
07-09-1934: Cincinnati, OH: Suit for $80,000 is filed by Mrs. Ethel Meyers against Jack Reynolds, National Wrestling Association welterweight champion, and his wife, in connection with the death of her husband, wounded fatally in a café brawl here March 11.
07-11-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 6,500: George Zaharias defeated Leo Numa in 2 falls… Sammy Stein defeated Dick Daviscourt 2 out of 3 falls… Man Mountain Dean defeated Jack Donovan in 1 minute and 2 seconds… Jack Smith wrestled Bonnie Muir to a draw… Baron Benny Ginsberg defeated Pete Shoe.
07-13-1934: In Detroit, MI at Navin Field (Tiger Stadium) drawing 8,500: Paul Harper beat Floyd Marshall… Abe Coleman beat Joe Komar… George Zaharias drew Milo Steinborn… World heavyweight champion Jim Londos pinned Pat O'Shocker.
07-18-1934: In Boston, MA at Fenway Park drawing 30,000: Billy Barlush drew Bibber McCoy… Sam Cordovanna beat Pete Tingus… Bull Martin drew Red O'Dell… Pat O'Hara beat Mike Romano… John Spellman beat George Saunders… Hans Steinke beat Boris Dimitroff… Everett Marshall beat Fred Caroni… Joe Malcewicz drew Ernie Dusek… Henri DeGlane drew Nick Lutze… AWA World Champion Ed Don George faced the NWA World/ NYSAC World Champion Jim Londos in a match with all belts on the line. After 3 hours and 14 minutes, both wrestlers were beyond the point of exhaustion, and the referee stopped the match and declared a Draw.
07-25-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 9,500: George Zaharias defeated Jim Browning by reversed decision after a riot broke out… Man Mountain Dean defeated Dick Daviscourt in 3 minutes 15 seconds… Ray Steele wrestled Leo Numa to a draw… Paul Boesch defeated Jack Ganson… Benny Ginsberg wrestled Bill Houlihas to a draw.
08-01-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400 sellout- 5,000 turned away: Bill Houlihan defeats George Maloney… Sammy Stein defeats Steve Znosky… Man Mountain Dean defeats Jack Ganson… Paul Boesch battled Vic Christy to a 30 minute draw… Ray Steele defeats Leo Numa by referee stoppage when Numa could not continue in the second fall. Steele won the first fall… Jim Browning defeats George Zaharias two falls to one.
Buffalo, NY: Bison Stadium: Attendance 14,700: Jake Patterson defeated Jack Albright… Sam Cordovano defeated John Spellman… Len Macaluso defeated Harry Lundin… Everett Marshall defeated Pat O'Hara… AWA World champion Ed Don George battled NWAssociation World champion Jim Londos to an 89:00 curfew draw.
08-08-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 8,000: Jim Browning defeated Ray Steele 2 out of 3 falls… Man Mountain Dean defeated Pat O’Shocker in 4 minutes 5 seconds… Howard Cantonwine wrestled Vic Christy to a draw… Sammy Stein defeated Hal Rumber… Paul Boesch defeated Hank Oswald… Bill Hoolahan defeated Pat McClary.
08-10-1934: Seattle WA: Ice Arena: Attendance: 9,000: World heavyweight champion Jim Londos defeated Joe Savoldi winning the only fall in an 80 minute match… Ray Steele defeated Ted Cox by count out.
08-15-1934: In Los Angeles, CA Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 10,400 sellout: Howard Cantonwine defeats Mike Strelich… Paul Boesch defeats Bonnie Muir… Leo Numa battled Pat O'Shocker to a 20 minute draw… Joe Savoldi defeated Tor Johnson… Everett Marshall defeats Count Zarynoff… Man Mountain Dean defeats George Zaharias by referee stoppage after one fall.
08-22-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 9,500: World heavyweight champion Jim Londos defeated Jim Browning… Everette Marshall defeated Vic Christy… Sammy Stein wrestled Howard Cantonwine to a draw… Paul Boesch defeated Steve Znosky… Pat O’Shocker defeated Dinosaur Johnson… Bill Hoolahan defeated Tex Wright.
08-29-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 8,500: World heavyweight champion Jim Londos defeated Sammy Stein 2 out of 3 falls… Nick Lutz wrestled Joe Savoldi to a draw…. Paul Boesch defeated Pat Fraley… Leo Numa defeated Louie Bacigalupi… Jack Ganson wrestled Pat O’Shocker to a draw… Howard Cantonwine defeated Bill Hoolahan.
09-05-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 7,000: Howard Cantonwine defeated Leo Numa 2 out of 3 falls… Paul Boesch defeated Ruty Skarda… Pat O’Shocker defeated Bonnie Muir… Bill Hoolahan defeated Hank Oswald… Harry Jacobs defeated Pat McCleary… Abie Goldberg defeated Mike Strelich.
09-10-1934: John Frances Walker (AKA: Mr. Wrestling II) is born.
09-12-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 11,000 Sell Out: Man Mountain Dean defeated Howard Cantonwine 2 out of 3 falls… Nick Lutz defeated Paul Boesch… Joe Savoldi defeated Mike Mazurki… Pat O’Shocker defeated Jack Ganson… Ray Steele defeated Abe Goldberg… Leo Numa defeated Jack Donovan.
09-14-1934: Philadelphia, PA: Arena: Attendance 10,000: Bert Rubi defeats Ernie Stevens… Tor Johnson defeats Floyd Marshall… Dick Shikat defeats Bibber McCoy by DQ… Ernie Dusek wrestled Vic Christy to a 45-minute draw… Special Referee: Jack Dempsey: Everett Marshall wrestled Jim Browning to a curfew draw at one hour 42 minutes.
09-19-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 11,000 plus several thousand turned away: Man Mountain Dean defeated George Zaharias 2 out of 3 falls… Howard Cantonwine wrestled Nick Lutze to a draw… Joe Savoldi defeated Pat O’Shocker… Ray Steele defeated Ivan Managoff… Jugat Singh defeated Cy Williams… Dick Daviscourt wrestled Abie Coleman to a draw.
09-20-1934: Jim Londos defeats Ed “Strangler” Lewis at Wriggly Field in Chicago, IL drawing 35,256 and a record gate of $96,302. This match was called by many, “the last great shooting match in history,” but it was, in fact, a worked match. In other matches: Johnny Stanton beat Gene Salvatore via decision in a boxing match… Henry Rothier by TKO over Ed Stiegel in a boxing match… Leo Rodak beat Everett Rightmire via decision in a boxing match… King Levinsky beat Art Sykes via decision in a boxing match… Ed Don George drew Jim McMillen. Jack Dempsey was the referee.
09-21-1934: EMLL: 1st Anniversary Show: in Mexico City, Mexico: Old Arena Mexico: La Maravilla Enmascarada (Ciclon MacKey) beat Frank Gou… Raul Romero beat Gorilla Pogi… Stephan Berne beat Ray Ryan via DQ.
09-26-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 11,500 with 10,000 turned away: Man Mountain Dean defeated Joe Savoldi in 3 straight falls. The 1st fall was 5 minutes 35 seconds. The second was 1 minute 10 seconds. The 3rd was 55 seconds… Ray Steele wrestled Paul Boesch to a draw… Nick Lutze defeated Howard Cantonwine 2 out of 3 falls… Sammy Stein wrestled Pat O’Shocker to a draw… Jugat Singh defeated Tex Wright… Dick Daviscourt defeated Abie Goldberg.
09-28-1934: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance: 10,000: Billy Bartush battled John Malmberg to a 1o minute draw… Karl Pojello defeats Jack Costa… Everett Marshall defeats George Saunders… Bull Martin battled Vic Christy to a 15 minute draw… Casey Kazanjian defeats Andy Brown… Count Zarynoff battled Rudy Dusek to a 30 minute draw… Len Macaluso defeats Ernie Dusek… AWA World champion Ed Don George defeats Jim Browning two falls to one.
10-09-1934: Wrestler Abe Kashey defeats boxer Charlie Retzlaff in a wrestler vs boxer match with Jack Dempsey as referee in Minneapolis, MN with a crowd of 7,000.
10-10-1934: In Los Angeles, CA: Wrigley Field drawing 23,565: Jack Ganson drew Pat O'Shocker… Matros Kirilenko pinned Abe Goldberg… Jagat Singh beat Dick Daviscourt… Sammy Stein beat Casey Columbo… Paul Boesch beat Frank Von Mohr… Joe Savoldi drew George Zaharias (30:00)… World heavyweight champion Jim Londos beat Man Mountain Dean… Ray Steele drew Joe Malcewicz… Nick Lutze beat Howard Cantonwine.
10-17-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 6,000: Joe Savoldi defeated Nick Lutze 2 out of 3 falls… Howard Cantonwine defeated Jugat Singh… Ray Steele defeated Pat O’Shocker… Sammy Stein defeated Paul Boesch… Joe Malcewicz defeated Harry Jacobs… Matros Kirilenko defeated Leo Papino.
10-24-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 5,000: Ray Steele defeated Sammy Stein 2 out of 3 falls… Joe Malcewicz wrestled Nick Lutze to a draw… Howard Cantonwine defeated Jugat Singh… Paul Boesch defeated Leo Papiano… Steve Strelich wrestled Casey Columbo to a draw… Matros Kirilenko defeated Ernie Haynes.
10-29-1934: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 4,500: Everette Marshall defeated Dick Shikat… Hans Steinke battled Earl McCready to a draw… Dr. Harry Fields defeated Rudy Dusek… Hans Kampfer defeated Eli Fischer… Sandor Szabo battled Gino Garibaldi to a draw… Tor Johnson defeated Mayes McLain… Vic Christy battled Al Bisignano to a draw.
10-31-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 8,000: World heavyweight champion Jim Londos defeated Ray Steele 2 out of 3 falls… Howard Cantonwine defeated Jugat Singh 2 out of 3 falls… Nick Lutze defeated Rusty Skarda… Joe Malcewicz defeated Al Baffert… Matros Kirilenko wrestled Dick Daviscourt to a draw… Bronco Valdez defeated Mike Strelich.
11-14-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 9,000: Man Mountain Dean defeated Howard Cantonwine 2 out of 3 falls… George Zaharias wrestled Nick Lutze to a draw… Ray Steele wrestled Hans Steinke to a draw… Sammy Stein defeated Ahmed Youssif… Dick Daviscourt defeated George Manish… Masked Scorpion defeated Mike Strelich.
11-19-1934: New York City, NY: Madison Square Garden: Attendance 13,000: Al Bisignano wrestled Frank Bronowicz result unknown… Harry Fields defeats Wee Willie Davis… Hans Kaempfer wrestled Pat O'Shocker to a 30-minute draw… Tor Johnson defeats Ben Morgan… Sandor Szabo defeats Ed Meske… Gino Garibaldi wrestled Karl Pojello to a 30-minute draw… NYSAC World Heavyweight & NWAssociation World Heavyweight champion Jim Londos defeats Everett Marshall.
11-21-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 11,000 Sell Out: Man Mountain Dean defeated Nick Lutze 2 out of 3 falls… Hans Steinke defeated Matros Kirilenko in 2 straight falls… Ray Steele wrestled Cliff Olsen to a draw… Chief Little Wolf wrestled Sammy Stein to a draw… Masked Scorpion defeated Mike Mazurki… Amed Youssif defeated Steve Strelich.
11-22-1934: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 11,000: John Katan defeats Willie Davis… Scotty McDougall defeats Frank Bronowicz by count out… George Zaharias wrestled Pat O'Shocker to a 30-minute draw… NWAssociation World Heavyweight champion Jim Londos defeats Joe Savoldi in 2 falls.
11-23-1934: Detroit, MI: The Olympia: Attendance 12,000: Earl Tucker defeats Tom Cobb… Youssef Mahmout defeats Wee Willie Davis… George Zaharias defeats Buck Olson… Frank Brunowicz wrestled Pat O'Shocker to a Time Limit Draw… NWAssociation World Heavyweight champion Jim Londos defeats Earl McCready.
11-28-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 11,000: Hans Steinke defeated Man Mountain Dean 2 out of 3 falls… Joe Savoldi wrestled Harold Cantonwine to a draw… Chief Little Wolf defeated Ahmed Youssif… Ray Steele defeated Rube Wright… Masked Scorpion defeated Matros Kirilenko… Cliff Olsen wrestled Mike Mazurki to a draw.
12-06-1934: Nick Bockwinkel is born. He is the son of wrestler Warren Bockwinkel.
In London, England, Danno O’Mahoney, has his first pro wrestling match.
12-10-1934: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 13,000: World heavyweight champion Jim Londos defeated Dick Shikat… Everette Marshall defeated Henry Graber… Gino Garibaldi battled Dr. Harry Fields to a draw… Karl Pojello defeated Stan Sokolis… Hans Kampfer defeated Blue Sun Jennings.
12-17-1934: Man Mountain Dean is sued by a Los Angeles man, James Gordon, for $60,000 in damages for allegedly being beaten up in a street fight by Dean.
12-27-1934: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400 sellout: Vincent Lopez defeats Bull Campbell… Frank Speers defeats Matros Kirilenko… The Masked Scorpion (Milo Steinborn) defeats Cliff Olson… Dick Daviscourt battled Joe Malcewicz to a 20 minute draw… Three On One Handicap Match: Ted Christy & Al Tafroff & Nick Lutze defeat Hans Steinke… Chief Little Wolf defeats Howard Cantonwine… World heavyweight champion Jim Londos defeats Man Mountain Dean in 2 falls.
Primo Carnera
DragonKingKarl (Karl Stern) is a long time pro wrestling historian who has been published in books, newsletters, and podcasts since the mid-1990s.
The Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling Zone is Karl Stern's attempt to chronicle the entire history of pro wrestling and is a work in progress with hundreds of pages of text added each month.
Please spread the word about the Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling project and support this website on Patreon to help it continue to grow and build.
Pro wrestling history. The history of professional wrestling. Timeline of pro wrestling history.
If you found this article interesting consider becoming a Patreon supporter. That is how When It Was Cool keeps our website and podcasts online, plus you get lots of bonus content including extra and extended podcasts, articles, digital comics, ebooks, and much more. Check out our Patreon Page to see what's up!
If you don't want to use Patreon but still want to support When It Was Cool then how about a one time $5 PayPal donation? Thank you!
