Rocca, Pandemonium, Ceccolini Reign As ‘Rasslers Return to County Center

The Daily News – September 12, 1960
By Ed Croke

The sporting version of bargain day at S. Klein’s erupted in all of its pristine splendor at the Westchester County Center on Saturday evening as professional wrestling began the Autumn semester on a rather encouraging attendance note.

Some 4,000 devotees of the Symphony of Suet converged on the White Plains arena, causing the box office to post a “sold out” sign some 45 minutes before the initial bleat. Hundreds were turned away when ducats became as scarce as a 4F at an American] Legion convention, thus insuring “Gunsmoke” of a slight gain in the Trendex.

Tolos Brothers Held To Draw At Sunnyside

Long Island Star-Journal – July 6, 1960

The Tolos brothers and the Bavarian Boys battled to a draw, and the combination of Dr. Jerry Graham and Pampero Firpo won two of three falls from Miguel Perez and Jose Romero in tag team matches at Sunnyside Garden last night.

Antonino Rocca disposed of Pat Kelly at 4:50 with his famed Argentine backbreaker hold, Ricki Starr won two straight falls from Larry Simon, Bruno Sammartino, Italian giant, beat Fritz Mueller of Germany.

Rocca Whips Valentine

Long Island Star-Journal – March 30, 1960

Antonino Rocca triumphed over Johnny Valentine in the feature of last night’s professional wrestling shows at Sunnyside Garden, Valentine being disqualified at the 9:25 mark.

Rocca and his tag team partner, Miguel Perez, will be featured on Sunnyside’s “family show” Saturday afternoon, meeting Skull Murphy and Pat Kelly, who last night won from Arnold Skoaland and Vic Christie.

Chiefs Big Heart and Suni War Cloud defeated Chet Wallick and Tony Altomare, Pampero Firpo beat Jack Davis in 3:40, and Prince Maiava scored over Johnny Kace in 7:15.

Sunnyside Cards Tag Team Tripleheader

Long Island Star-Journal – July 26, 1960

A tag team triple bill is on tap at Sunnyside Garden tonight with Antonino Rocca and Ricki Starr clashing with Pat Kelly and Chet Wallick in the featured 8:30 P. M. opening bout, which will not be televised.

Dr. Jerry Graham and Pampero Firpo will meet Negro stars Charley Robinson and King Badu, while the Bavarian Boys will tangle with Budy Cody and Al Smith.  All the team matches are best of three falls.

In supporting bouts, Fritz Mueller meets Jose Romero, Bruno Sammartino tests Miguel Torres and Waldo Erich debuts against Lou Albano.

Rocca Combine Beats Rebels

Long Island Star-Journal – October 31, 1960

Antonino Rocca and Miguel Perez won two of three falls to defeat The Rebel Brothers in the feature of Saturday night’s pro wrestling card at Sunnyside Garden.

The Bavarian Boys and the team of Jerry Graham – Pampero Firpo grappled to a draw, while Ricki Starr defeated Red Grupe when the latter was disqualified.  Rocca faces Grupe in tomorrow’s feature.

Bruno Sammartino scored over Pat Kelly, Pao Yon Chon beat Miguel Torres, Luther Lindsey whipped Al Smith and Tony Martino won from Jose Romero.

Tag Matches On LI Card

Long Island Star-Journal – March 24, 1960

The sensational tag team battles are listed on the mammoth second anniversary wrestling show at the Island Garden in West Hempstead, Long Island, Saturday night.

The new combination of Skull Murphy and Pat Kelly will clash with two of the popular Lewin brothers – Don and Ted – from Buffalo, in the two-out-of-three falls, 60-minute time limit.

Featuring the special card will be a battle between Antonino Rocca and Killer Kowalski, Polish giant.  Other highlights are Johnny Valentine against Gorgeous George; Argentina Zuma against Pampero Firpo, and Prince Maiava vs. Chet Wallick.

Rocca Captures Sunnyside Mat Test

Long Island Star-Journal – April 13, 1960

Antonio Rocca defeated Taro Sakura in 10:25 of the wrestling feature at Sunnyside Garden last night.  Rocca’s scheduled opponent, Dr. Jerry Graham was unable to appear, but is expected to see action at the Queens boulevard club on Saturday afternoon.

Skull Murphy and Pat Kelly, also booked for the Saturday matinee card, won two of three falls from Donn Lewin and Arnold Skoaland last night, while Red and Lou Bastien polished off Chet Wallick and Johnny Kace.

Pampero Firpo whipped Pete Sanchez and Prince Maiava won over Jack Vansky.

Szabo, Laditzi Head Wrestling Card

San Bernardino Sun – May 31, 1941

Sandor Szabo, Pacific coast wrest ling champion, will oppose Rowdy Rudy Laditzi, of Hungary in the feature two out of three falls match at the San Bernardino Athletic club next Tuesday night.

Szabo is a versatile grappler who is ranked as one of the strong men in the rough pastime while Laditzi, the Hollywood cosmetic manufacturer is as rough as they come in the bone bending pastime.

Szabo, Laditzi Meet Tonight In Mat Event

The San Bernardino Sun – June 3, 1941

Rough, Tumble Battle Expected At Athletic Club in Main Go of Strong Card

Sandor Szabo, who claims the Pacific coast wrestling crown, comes to San Bernardino tonight to meet Rudy Laditzi, Hollywood Hungarian, in the main event at the Athletic club.

Laditzi is a rough and tumble artist, but he is meeting a wrestler in Szabo who is well able to take care of himself.

The bout is billed for three falls.

Name Wrestlers For Arena Show Tomorrow Night

Smithtown Star – October 26, 1960

The greatest line-up of pro wrestling talent ever assembled in one ring on Long Island will be at the Long Island Arena in Commack on Wednesday night.

Promoters Larry Mendelson and Manny Heicklen have arranged a sensational seven-bout program for their first card at the spacious arena located at Veterans Highway and Jericho Turnpike.

The great Antonino Rocca, unbeaten South American, clashes with Red Grupe, former heavyweight boxing champion of Europe, in the main event.