Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1855
The following is taken from Author and Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Historian Karl Stern’s book DragonKingKarl’s Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus.
1855:
01-18-1855: A wrestling “exhibition” is advertised in Buffalo, NY at Dudley Hall between Harry Hill (London, England) and William Price (Buffalo, NY).
Pioneer Era Pro Wrestler and Promoter Harry Hill
02-09-1855: The Benoit Circus is advertised as being held in Boston, MA and will feature wrestling matches which the advertisement states are something “novel” for the city of Boston.
02-12-1855: From the Boston Bee newspaper in Boston, MA reporting on, presumably, the Benoit Circus match states that William W. Watkins defeated C.C. Hawkins in “neck and elbow” wrestling. Hawkins was thrown twice and Watkins once and it was said that Watkins showed considerable skill.
