The Grunt And Groan Business

Canadian Business – January 1948
by Andy O’Brien

For better or for worse, the hilariously maligned science of Grunt and Groan has been parlayed into big business in Montreal.   Local enthusiasts there contributed more than $300,000 to wrestling during 1947.   This all-time record box office gross, amassed during 40 shows at the Forum and exceeding even the previous turnstile feat of $240,264 in 1946 at the same Forum, has firmly entrenched the Canadian metropolis as wrestling mecca of the world and a reformed Boston taxi-driver as Pachyderm Promotional Peer.

Executives of more prosaic business enterprises are often surprised to learn that Grunt and Groan Inc. operates more by guide than by guess.

Wrestling Trust ‘Busted’ Is Rumor

Wichita Eagle –  April 18, 1925

CHICAGO, April 17 – The $60,000 purse for a Decoration Day match for the heavyweight wrestling championship at Michigan City had almost vanished tonight because of the surprising defeat of the title holder, Wayne (Big) Munn, by Stanislaus Zbyszko in Philadelphia Wednesday night.

Two Collegians In Mat Go Here

The Milwaukee Journal – January 13, 1928

It will be Illinois vs. Nebraska when Jim McMillen and Wayne Munn clash on the mat at the Gayety theater Friday night.

This is the first time the two collegians have met and the bout will be attended by a number of wrestling celebrities, including Champion Johnny Meyers and Marin Plestina, who have prepared McMillen for this tiff with the Nebraska giant.

Wayne Munn’s Gang To Show At Gayety

The Milwaukee Sentinel – July 19, 1926

Wayne (Big) Munn, former heavyweight champion, and his troupe of wrestlers on a tour of the middle west, will arrive in Milwaukee today for an exhibition at the Gayety theater Tuesday night.

Curley Pans Wayne Munn

The Milwaukee Journal – April 17, 1925

New York – Jack Curley, the wrestling promoter, whose herd of bellowing bulls has been living on a starvation diet for more than a year, opened his larynx and laughed hysterically Thursday over the defeat of Wayne Munn, otherwise known as Big Munn, the Nebraska varsity football player, by Stanislaus Zyszko, who flopped Munn twice and took the world championship away from him.

Wayne Munn, Ex Champion Wrestler Of World, Is Dead

Victoria Advocate – January 9, 1931

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Jan. 9. – (INS) – Wayne Munn, former world’s wrestling champion, died at the base hospital at Fort Sam Houston here today.  He had been confined to the hospital for sometime suffering from Bright’s disease.

Munn served as a first lieutenant of the infantry during the World War.

Big Wayne Munn Defeated Romans

The Nevada Daily Mail – February 19, 1925

Took Champion Just A Few Minutes To Win Last Night’s Match.

Chicago, Feb. 19. – Wrestling fans here believed today that any mat artist, who seeks to take away the championship laurels claimed by Wayne Munn, Nebraska grappler, will have his work cut out for him.

Lewis Drops Wayne Munn

Miami Daily News – March 10, 1927

SHREVEPORT, La., March 10. – (AP) – Ed “Strangler” Lewis, claimant of the world’s heavyweight wrestling title, defeated Wayne “Big” Munn in two straight falls here Wednesday night.  The first fall came in 52 minutes 58 seconds, and the second in 20 minutes.  Lewis used flying headlocks to win both falls.  Munn weighed 270 pounds and Lewis 235.

Wayne Munn Accepts Match

The Milwaukee Journal – January 20, 1929

Wayne Munn, former champion of the world, will be brought here to meet the winner of the Steinke-Komar bout, which will be held at the Auditorium Wednesday night, officials of the promoting club announced Saturday.  Munn has already accepted the match, which will be held next month.

Legion To Help Stage Wrestling

Wichita Eagle – January 29, 1925

Wrestling matches will fall thick and fast in Wichita soon, if a plan announced yesterday by the American Legion goes through. Frank Priest and Glen Thomas, members of the Legion athletic committee, state that they are working on an arrangement whereby the Legion will assist in the promotion of wrestling matches. “Doc” Reed, well known referee from Kansas City, will be the matchmaker. Reed stated yesterday that he would use Eustace, Zbyszko, Lewis and other men commonly referred to as the “trust.”