What’s Happened To Old-Time Favourites?

Southern Cross, Wellington, New Zealand – June 10, 1949

In last Sunday’s “World of Sport” broadcast from Radio 2ZB, Wellington, Wallie Ingram, Sports Editor of Southern Cross, gave interesting information about some of the wrestlers seen in New Zealand in the earlier days of streamlined wrestling.   Today, Form Parade reprints this talk — from the original radio script — as an exclusive feature.   If you’ve wondered what happened to “Whiskers” Blake, “Count” Joe Varga, or some of the others, you might find the answer in the following:

Bronko Nagurski Visits Our Fair Village

Washington Post – September 11, 1937
By Shirley Povich

At first blush you felt just a trifle sorry for the great hulk of a guy who was up on his feet, toying with his unused soup spoon and a stray fork as he tried to find words to acknowledge the luncheon in his honor. Bronko Nagurski, you guessed, would a thousand times rather be lugging his 230 pounds and a football through the walls of the place.

Nagurski Risks Crown In Aid Fund Bout

St. Paul Pioneer Press – March 21, 1941

Who will benefit most from the Dispatch-Pioneer Press’ fourth annual Amateur Aid Fund wrestling show in the theater section of the St. Paul Auditorium tonight?

Certainly, deserving amateur athletes will come in for a big share since all proceeds after expenses go into the Aid Fund “kitty.”

Mat Aces Stir Promoters’ Feud

St. Paul Pioneer Press – March 20, 1941

Another chapter in the feud between two rival mat factions will be written at the St. Paul Auditorium tomorrow night when Bronko Nagurski, the world’s champion, and Lou Thesz, one of his leading challengers, clash on the Amateur Aid Fund card.

Thesz To Get Shot At Nagurski’s Mat Title

St. Paul Pioneer Press – March 16, 1941

Former world’s champion Lou Thesz is going to get his long delayed crack at the National Wrestling Association title. Tony Stecher announced Saturday the St. Louis Hungarian grappler had been signed as Bronko Nagurski’s opponent at the St. Paul Auditorium Friday night.

Steele Bows Out As Foe For Nagurski

St. Paul Pioneer Press – March 15, 1941

Ray Steele, dethroned by Bronko Nagurski Tuesday night, isn’t ready for another session right now so was eliminated by matchmaker Tony Stecher as a possible opponent for Bronko on the Dispatch-Pioneer Press Amateur Aid fund show next Friday night.

To Headline Benefit Card Here March 21

St. Paul Pioneer Press – March 14, 1941

Bronko Nagurski, who regained his world’s heavyweight wrestling championship by defeating Ray Steele in Minneapolis Tuesday night, will headline the annual St. Paul Amateur Aid Fund mat show.

The Grunt And Groan Industry Has A Problem

Jack Dempsey’s Sports Magazine – June 1938
By Marcus Griffin

On a soft, summer night in June, 1937, there was but one World’s Heavyweight Wrestling Champion. His name was – and still is – Dean Detton. He was an odd sort of fellow, this champion. His spare moments were spent filling the duties of a Deacon in the First Church of Christ of the Latter Day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon Church.

Joe Stecher Released From Selective Service

Omaha World-Herald – July 31, 1918

FREMONT, Neb., July 30 – Joe and Anton Stecher accompanied by their wives and the year-old twin sons of Anton came down from Dodge today and appeared before the Dodge County draft board, in an effort to secure the release of the two famous Dodge Count wrestlers from the selective service.

Barnstorming Proves Good Business

Minneapolis Star – December 18, 1953
By Bill Hengen

A wrestler is here today and gone tomorrow — but probably in the Upper Midwest they’re here all week. Some cynics have referred to their travels as “barnstorming,” or “carnival.” But to the wrestlers and promoters it is just good business. And the box office indicates fans have no objections. Let Promoter Tony Stecher explain why wrestlers work often within the same area: