Honolulu Star-Bulletin – September 23, 1936
By Loui Leong Hop
“Personally, I don’t go for this hippodroming and clowning rassling stuff, but you know how the public is. They want that kind of a show and I’m always willing to oblige.”
Ed (Strangler) Lewis, the daddy of ’em all in wrestling, gave out this statement to a bunch of sports scribes soon after his arrival about two weeks ago.
Last week he pinned Ed Don George after 55 minutes of straight scientific wrestling, using his famous “strangle” liberally. The crowd, totaling close to 4,000, was divided as to its likes and dislikes of that performance.
Last night, to satisfy those who didn’t swear by the genuine article but eat up the artificial substitute, “Big Ed” gave it to them . . . and in hunks.
Meeting handsome Vic (Tarzan) Christy in the main number and before slightly over 2,000 customers, the “Strangler” assumed the role of “villain” and that he played his part convincingly could be attested by the boos he excited.
Good looking Christy, the hero, got the plaudits and cheers but in the end it was Lewis who got the match, two falls to one.
Lewis’ characterization of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” in the rassling ring was a decided boost for him. For one thing, it showed that for his 45 summers or winters, the Ole Strangler still has plenty on the ball. His speed last evening was amazing and there seems to be no letup in his bone crushing power.
His match with Christy was a whirlwind in comparison with his work in the Don George affair.
The crowd went loco when Christy, “infuriated” by Lewis’ constant right uppercut swings to the ribs, “opened up” with overhand rights that floored the great one. When “Big Ed” came up, Christy planted a couple of well laid butts that made him an easy victim of a body press. This happened 18 minutes 57 seconds after the tap of the gong.
Lewis came back with a bang. A minute and six seconds later, “Big Ed’ squared mattered when he applied a combination bear hug and then slammed Christy to the mat, rendering the “hero” hors de combat.
While Christy got to his feet and resumed rassling, he was “through for the night.” That slam and hug did its trick. Lewis rushed out at the sound of the gong and utilizing his famous “strangle,” pinned Christy 2 minutes 34 seconds later to win the match.
There was plenty of action throughout the card. In the semifinals, Reb (Bad Man) Russell pinned Sad Sam Leathers two falls to one. Leathers was the superior of the two boys, flashing a flock of new and tricky holds that earned him the name of the “human octopus.” Leathers toyed with Russell at the outset and could have settled the issue in a jiffy, had he elected. But the script read differently.
Norman (Rusty) Wescoatt, local boy who made good on the mainland, brought all of his 230 pounds into the ring for the special. He took on Babe Small, the chap who “finds” money on golf courses, and gave a great exhibition. “Rusty” has certainly learned the tricks of the profession, and it won’t be surprising to see him matched with the best Al Karasick is bringing here.
Wescoatt won in spectacular fashion. He pinned Small, who turned into a villain, by “busting” him in the chin from outside the ropes and then leaping over, a la the man on the flying trapeze, to body press Small for the necessary fall of the affair.
“Big Boy” Clement downed Isao (Bull) Toyama in the opener.
Dick Smith and Joe Tribble refereed.
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