| Joe Malcewicz | |
| Birth Name: | Joseph Malcewicz |
| Birth Date: | March 17, 1897[1] |
| Birth Place: | Utica, New York, United States |
| Death Place: | San Francisco, California, United States[2] |
| Death Cause: | Heart attack |
| Names: | Joe Malcewicz |
| Height: | 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight: | 210 lb |
| Billed: | Utica, New York, United States |
| Trainer: | Farmer Burns Herbert Hartley |
| Debut: | 1913 |
| Retired: | 1938 |
Joseph Malcewicz (March 17, 1897 – April 20, 1962) was an American professional wrestler and a promoter.[1] He is an overall three-time world champion under different incarnations and recognitions.[2]
Nicknamed the "Utica Panther", Malcewicz is acknowledged for his contributions to professional wrestling in San Francisco, during his time as a promoter of NWA San Francisco.[1] Malcewicz is a charter member of the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.[3]
Malcewicz was born to Polish immigrants, being the oldest of five children.[1] While being a teenager, Malcewicz played football at Utica Free Academy and for the Utica Knights of Columbus.[1]
Malcewicz began his training with Farmer Burns and Herbert Hartley, before entering the professional wrestling ranks in 1913.[2] Malcewicz earliest recorded match was against Charles Uberle on February 2, 1914, which ended in a draw.[1] On 1917, during the World War I, Malcewicz was drafted to the military when he served at Camp Jackson, reaching to the level of sergeant upon his return to wrestling.[1] On 1926, Malcewicz was a last-minute challenger for Joe Stecher's World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship.[2] When Stecher left the match as a sign of protest, Malcewicz was named as the title holder, however, was never awarded the championship itself.[2]
As a promoter, Malcewicz managed to promote wrestling at San Francisco, while running NWA San Francisco.[1] On November 1935, Malcewicz replaced Jack Ganson as the leaseholder of New Dreamland Auditorium, after buying Ganson's interest for $15,000 after Paul Bowser and Toots Mondt convinced him to step aside. Malcewicz held is first show on November 26, 1935.[4] [5] On November 26, 1949, Malcewicz joined the newly-formed National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).[6] During his time with NWA, Malcewicz created the NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) and the second regional NWA World Tag Team Championship.[7] [8] [9]
On April 20, 1962, Malcewicz died after he suffered a fatal Heart attack.[1]