Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch – May 17, 1937
The repeated use of second-rate talent is slowly but surely killing the professional wrestling game in Norfolk.
There was a time when $1,200 and $1,300 houses were not uncommon.
Last night’s show drew only a handful of spectators who paid less than $120 to witness the three-bout card.
The small crowd reflected the contempt Norfolk mat followers entertain for the low-grade bouts being presented here these days.
The feature event saw George Hagen, a former Marine wrestler and football player, win over John Evkovich, banged-up-eared Bostonian, in two out of three falls. Hagen lost the first fall but came back strong to win the second and third.
The boys used ending No. 19-A in the semifinal. The scenario for this calls for the winner — played last night by Count Micheloff — to rough up the loser — Mike Kibbons — after having been awarded the decision. The boys played the scene faithfully and, of course, the referee reversed his decision. That ending was old when Strangler Lewis was a Boy Scout.
Henry Graber of Germany — he should have stood on the Rhine — won over Lee Henning of New York in the opening event.
Classic Wrestling Articles 