Atlanta Journal – June 2, 1963
By Wayne Thompson
When Lou Thesz, like Liberty Valance, comes into town – more aptly the wrestling arena – most men step aside.
The 48-year-old St. Louis native has been wrestling for almost 30 years, a champion. In fact, he still is the champion – of the world, in fact. Continue reading
Savannah Morning News – September 7, 1962
By Neal Ellis, sports editor
Chief Crazy Horse battled world heavyweight champion Fred Blassie to a draw before an estimated 1,200 wrestling fans last night in the Savannah Sports Center, then demanded a rematch.
Dr. Joseph Cassius, promoter, quickly conferred with the champion and announced the Indian could have his wish – next Thursday.
The ill-tempered Blassie, still nursing wounds administered by the brawling chief, insisted the rematch go two falls out of three to a finish with no time limit. Dr. Cassius agreed no limit would be imposed on the match.
The draw decision left the crowd as well as both battlers yelling for more when referee Charlie Harben counted out both wrestles at the same time.
When the 10-count was finished, Crazy Horse was lying on the ring apron just outside the ropes and Blassie was sprawled through the ropes, on top of his adversary.
The champion loudly protested the decision, claiming he was within the ring and should have been declared the winner. Harben disagreed, and had his shirt ripped from his body by the angered champ.
Blassie, the 238-pound strong boy from St. Louis, wont he first fall by pinning the lumbering, 250-pound Indian.
The second fall went to Crazy Horse, despite four low blows and as many illegal punches from the fist of the blond champion. An “Indian death lock,” the chief’s favorite hold, finally did the damage and evened the match.
That set the stage for the wild finish.
The semifinal had a rousing windup, too, with Chief Little Eagle taking a best two of three-fall decision from Miguel Torres.
The Indian from Oklahoma, a former Southern Methodist University football player, earned the triumph via a disqualification of the ex-Mexican champ. Torres, thrown through the ropes, was unable to return within a 10-count.
Little Eagle had won the first fall, then Torres pinned his rival for the second.
Hard-working Pedro Godoy, 235-pound Cuban, scored a victory over young Guy Taylor of Nashville in the one-fall opener. Godoy applied a half-crab to end it in 12 minutes, 10 seconds.
Dr. Cassius announced to the crowd, which evidently would have been much larger except for evening-long rains and a muddy parking lot, that Mr. Moto and the Masked Assassins would appear on a program in the near future.
Mr. Moto is a nationally famed grappler. The Assassins are world tag team champions.
Posted in 1962
Tagged Chief Crazy Horse, Chief Little Eagle, Freddie Blassie, Guy Taylor, Masked Assassins, Miguel Torres, Mr. Moto, Pedro Godoy
Savannah Morning News – September 6, 1962
By Neal Ellis
With world heavyweight champion Fred Blassie featured in a defense of his title, big-time professional wrestling makes a return to the city at 8 o’clock tonight in the Savannah Sports Center.
Blassie’s challenger for the diamond-sprinkled gold belt that is symbolic of the championship is Chief Crazy Horse, a 250-pound man-mountain from the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Their long awaited main event match is a two falls of three affair with a one hour time limit. The mat feature for the world’s crown will be preceded by a semifinal battle between Chief Little Eagle and Miguel Torres.
The opener of the three-match program pits Pedro Godoy against Guy Taylor.
From top to bottom, the card lists big name wrestlers. The sponsors, the Savannah Wrestling Advisory Committee, have spared no efforts in lining up a top-notch program with which to open the Thursday night series.
“We were very fortunate to obtain so many outstanding wrestlers for the first card,” Dr. Joseph Cassius, chairman of the committee, said last night. “Most of these athletes have considerable experience as main-eventers in other cities, and at least four of them have starred in many television matches.
“The National Wrestling Alliance promised to help us acquire the best men in the business for our shows. They have lived up to their promise,” Dr. Cassius confirmed.
“We have high hopes of making this city the wrestling capital of the Southeast. The fans of Savannah certainly will be well entertained.”
Dr. Cassius said he expects a near-capacity turnout in the neighborhood of 4,000 fans.
Blassie, the 238-pound blond, beautiful strong boy from St. Louis, is slated for red-carpet treatment upon his arrival at Travis Field at 2:47 p.m. today. He’ll get an official city welcome from local officials, a key to the city from Miss Chatham County, Jeannine Morgan, and will head a motorcade through the downtown streets.
Then, in the ring, he will get a serious challenge from Chief Crazy Horse, who won 400 matches in a row before tasting defeat.
Posted in 1962
Tagged Chief Crazy Horse, Chief Little Eagle, Freddie Blassie, Guy Taylor, Miguel Torres, Pedro Godoy
