St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame explained

The St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame is a professional wrestling hall of fame in St. Louis, United States. After several years of debating the idea of creating the Hall of Fame, former owner and promoter of the St. Louis Wrestling Club Larry Matysik opened it in 2007. He was joined in this effort by SBAC Member Tony Casta, sports journalist Keith Schildroth, collector Mitch Hartsey, and longtime fan Nick Ridenour.[1] Although these directors oversee the selection process, the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame is unique because it is the only wrestling hall of fame that allows fans to vote for potential inductees.[2]

The Hall of Fame was created to honor the role St. Louis played in helping to establish professional wrestling in North America.[3] [4] Matysik also wanted to create a hall of fame that recognized wrestlers for their contributions to wrestling rather than their relationships with the owner of the promotion.[3] To be inducted into the Hall of Fame, inductees must have held a title belt or played an important role in or around the Missouri area between 1959 and 1983, when the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) had a strong presence in St. Louis.[2]

For the initial group of inductions, the directors decided that Sam Muchnick, Lou Thesz, Bill Longson, Mickey Garagiola, Penny Banner, and Joe Schoenberger would be inducted by acclamation.[3] [5] Fans were asked to vote for seven more inductees from a list of twenty choices.[3] At the induction ceremony, these thirteen were enshrined, along with Matysik, a surprise inductee. King Kong Brody was inducted later that year.

When the Hall of Fame opened in 2007, it was located in The Pro Wrestling Shirt Shop, a business in St. Louis' South County Mall. It contained plaques and memorabilia from the St. Louis Wrestling Club.[6] In 2008, the Hall was moved to the South Broadway Athletic Club.[7] Each induction plaque is personalized with a description of the individual's contributions. For example, Thesz' plaque states that he is "the finest example of a true world champion". Six more people were inducted in 2008, bringing the total to twenty-one. The Hall's directors plan to add six more inductees each year.[2] Fourteen men and one woman have been honored for their performance in the ring as wrestlers. The remaining six people have been inducted for their other contributions, including owning and promoting the St. Louis Wrestling Club, as well as performing duties as referees, ring announcers, and commentators.

Inductees

YearRing name
Inducted forNotes
2007
[8] 		Women's wrestlingBorn in St. Louis and began wrestling career working for Muchnick's St. Louis Wrestling Club; won the NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship (1 time)[9]
2007
[10] 		WrestlingPosthumous inductee; inducted September 14.[11] Won the NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship (1 time) and NWA Central States Tag Team Championship (1 time)[12]
2007
[13] 		WrestlingPosthumous inductee; won the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship (3 times)[14]
2007
[15] 		WrestlingWon the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (10 times) and NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[16]
2007Ring announcing and commentatingLongtime ring announcer and commentator for St. Louis Wrestling Club[17] [18]
2007WrestlingHeld NWA World Heavyweight Championship for three years; won the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
2007
[19] 		WrestlingPosthumous inductee; won the National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship (3 times) and NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
2007Commentating and PromotingOwner, office worker, booker, announcer, and commentator for St. Louis Wrestling Club; wrote biography of Sam Muchnick[20]
2007PromotingPosthumous inductee; founded the NWA and served as president from 1950 to 1960 and 1963 to 1975; owner of St. Louis Wrestling Club[21] [22]
2007WrestlingPosthumous inductee; won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time), NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time), and NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship (2 times); co-owner and booker of St. Louis Wrestling Club[23]
2007WrestlingWon the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship (7 times) and NWA World Heavyweight Championship (8 times); co-owner of St. Louis Wrestling Club
2007RefereeingPosthumous inductee; longtime referee for St. Louis Wrestling Club and community youth sports advocate
2007
[24] 		WrestlingPosthumous inductee; won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (6 times)
2007
[25] 		WrestlingPosthumous inductee; won NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
2007
[26] 		WrestlingPosthumous inductee; won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[27]
2008
[28] 		WrestlingWon the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (2 times), NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship (2 times), and NWA Missouri Junior Heavyweight Championship (2 times)[29]
2008WrestlingWon NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) and NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
2008CommentatingFirst commentator for St. Louis Wrestling Club's Wrestling at the Chase television program[30]
2008
[31] 		WrestlingCompeted in St. Louis from 1975 to 1986 and challenged for NWA World Heavyweight Championship on several occasions[32]
2008
[33] 		WrestlingPosthumous inductee; won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
2008RefereeLongtime referee for St. Louis Wrestling Club[34]
2009[35] WrestlingWon numerous tag team titles, including NWA World Tag Team Championship (Central States version) (1 time)  - with Maurice Vachon and NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Central States version) (1 Time)  - with Harley Race
2010 managerManaged various Tag Team Champions in AWA and WWE with The Heenan Family
2010WrestlingWon numerous titles, including NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
2010WrestlingPosthumous inductee; won various titles, including NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship (2 times),[36] NWA Central States Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Bob Brown[37] and NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Central States version) (3 times)  - with Dusty Rhodes (1) and Bob Sweetan (2)[38]
2010Wrestling
2014WrestlingMulti-time holder of the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship and NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship among other titles in the NWA and WWE Tag Champion.
2014WrestlingPosthumous inductee
2014
WrestlingPosthumous inductee
2015WrestlingTwo-time NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship title holder.
2015WrestlingPosthumous inductee: Former wrestler and referee
2015WrestlingFormer referee
2015WrestlingProfessional wrestling journalist
2016WrestlingPosthumous inductee; NWA World Heavyweight Champion: 1984
2016WrestlingPosthumous inductee; Missouri Heavyweight Champion: 1983-84
2016WrestlingMissouri Heavyweight Champion: 1979-80
2016WrestlingPosthumous inductee; Former American Wrestling Association Champion
2016WrestlingPosthumous inductee; Very popular wrestler in the St. Louis area during the 60's
2016Referee
2017WrestlingFormer World Wrestling Entertainment Champion: 1978-83, 1994
2017WrestlingPosthumous inductee; NWA World Heavyweight Champion: 1957 and WWA Heavyweight Champion (Los Angeles): 1957-61, 1963-64
2018WrestlingPosthumous inductee; Former NWA World Heavyweight Champion: 1947, 1956
2019WrestlingPosthumous inductee; Former Missouri Heavyweight Champion: 1954
2019WrestlingNWA Women’s Champion: 1986-87, 1987-94, 1996
2022WrestlingWrestled for Sam Muchnick several times during the 70's & early 80's
2023WrestlingOne half of the Brisco Brothers, long time WWE executive
2023WrestlingManager of The Four Horsemen
2024WrestlingCommonly known by the ring name "Cowboy" Bob Orton during the 70's & 80's
2024BusinessmanPosthumous inductee: St. Louis businessman
2024Posthumous inductee: Announcer
2024WrestlingWomen wrestling star of the 80's, WWF Women's Champion (one time)
2024WrestlingWomen wrestling star of the 80's, WWF Women's Tag team Champion (one time)
2024WrestlingWomen wrestling star of the 80's, WWF Women's Champion (two times)

Current board members are Herb Simmons and Nick Ridenour.

References

General
Specific

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: St. Louis Hall of Fame opens. Harry. White. SLAM! Wrestling. 2012-07-14. https://archive.today/20120714161528/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/02/27/3672847.html. 2008-01-29. 2007-02-27. usurped.
  2. Web site: Bell Clangs for Wrestling Fans. Kimberly. Nolan. South Country Times. https://archive.today/20130411201640/http://www.southcountytimes.com/1editorialbody.lasso?-token.folder=2007-03-23&-token.story=67136.113117&-token.subpub=. dead. 2013-04-11. 2007-03-23. 2009-01-29.
  3. Web site: St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame is on its Way. Larry. Matysik. St. Louis Wrestling from the Chase. https://web.archive.org/web/20080208173444/http://www.stlwrestlingfromthechase.com/hofwhy.htm. 2008-02-08. 2009-01-28.
  4. Web site: Rip "The Profile" Hawk Interview: Page One. Mid-Atlantic Gateway. 2009-01-28. No doubt St. Louis was the Mecca of the NWA..
  5. Web site: Hall of Fame Results. St. Louis Wrestling from the Chase. https://web.archive.org/web/20080409082846/http://www.stlwrestlingfromthechase.com/hofresults.htm. 2008-04-09. 2009-01-28.
  6. Web site: Ask Larry Archives Page 7. St. Louis Wrestling from the Chase. 2009-01-27. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081204234135/http://www.stlwrestlingfromthechase.com/asklarry7.htm. 2008-12-04.
  7. Web site: Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online. Dave. Meltzer. Thurs. Update: SmackDown MyNetwork Notes; ECW & Cable Ratings; Nash Talks Contract; Terry Funk; RVD. 2009-05-14.
  8. Web site: Greg. Oliver. SLAM! Wrestling. Goodbye Penny Banner; I'll miss you. 2008-05-13. 2009-01-25. 2012-07-17. https://archive.today/20120717204159/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/05/13/5551371.html. usurped.
  9. Web site: Penny Banner. Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. 2009-01-25. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090619231652/http://www.pwhf.org/halloffamers/bios/banner.asp. 2009-06-19.
  10. Web site: Wrestling Observer reviews Brody . . Joe . Babinsack . 2007-08-28 . 2009-01-23 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080807121643/http://www.ecwpress.com/reviews/wrestling_observer_reviews_brody . 2008-08-07 .
  11. Web site: St Louis Wrestling Hall Of Fame Part Two - Total Immersion. St. Louis Wrestling from the Chase. Harry. White. 2007-09-20. 2009-05-14. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080906114542/http://www.stlwrestlingfromthechase.com/harry.htm. 2008-09-06.
  12. Web site: "King Kong" Bruiser Brody . Steve . Slagle . Professional Wrestling Online Museum . 2009-05-14 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090409104735/http://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages/bios/halloffame/brodybio.html . 2009-04-09 .
  13. Hornbaker, 238.
  14. Web site: History of the Missouri State Championship. Roger. Deem. https://web.archive.org/web/20080408195415/http://www.stlwrestlingfromthechase.com/mobelt.htm. 2008-04-08. St. Louis Wrestling from the Chase. 2009-01-25.
  15. Hornbaker, 333.
  16. Web site: World Heavyweight Championship. National Wrestling Alliance. 2009-01-25. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090123012146/http://nwawrestling.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=41&Itemid=101. 2009-01-23.
  17. Web site: Hall of Fame. St. Louis Wrestling from the Chase. https://web.archive.org/web/20080514135222/http://www.stlwrestlingfromthechase.com/halloffame.htm. 2008-05-14. 2009-01-25.
  18. Matysik, 71-74.
  19. Web site: Bill Longson . 2009-01-23 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131228071632/http://www.pwhf.org/halloffamers/bios/longson.asp . 2013-12-28 .
  20. Web site: Larry Matysik. ECW Press. 2009-01-25. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081228210120/http://www.ecwpress.com/biographies/larry_matysik. 2008-12-28.
  21. Web site: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 1999. 2009-01-25. Thomas M.. Gallipoli. Pro Wrestling Torch. 2008-03-11.
  22. Hornbaker, 59.
  23. Web site: Pat O'Connor. Steve. Slagle. Professional Wrestling Online Museum. 2009-01-25. 2008-07-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20080720104018/http://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages/wrestlers/patoconnor2.html. dead.
  24. News: Lou Thesz, 86, Skilled Pro Wrestler, Dies. The New York Times. 2009-01-26. Frank. Litsky. 2002-05-08.
  25. Web site: Johnny Valentine passes away. SLAM! Wrestling. 2009-01-23. 2001-04-24. John F.. Molinaro. 2012-07-17. https://archive.today/20120717204438/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBiosV/valentine_obit-can.html. usurped.
  26. Web site: Fritz Von Erich. The Official Website of the Von Erich Family. 2009-01-23. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090213111537/http://vonerich.com/Bios.html. 2009-02-13.
  27. Book: Cappetta, Gary Michael. Bodyslams!: Memoirs of a Wrestling Pitchman. 83. ECW Press. 2006. 1-55022-709-2.
  28. Hornbaker, 323.
  29. Web site: Hall of Fame: Jack Brisco. World Wrestling Entertainment. 2009-01-26.
  30. Matysik, 16.
  31. Web site: Rocky Johnson returns home. Tom. McCoag. SLAM! Wrestling. 2009-01-23. 2005-07-16. 2012-07-17. https://archive.today/20120717122827/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/07/16/1134510.html. usurped.
  32. Web site: Rocky "Soulman" Johnson. SLAM! Wrestling. 2012-07-22. https://archive.today/20120722224232/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/ResultsArchive/Wrestlers/pf-johnson-rocky.html. 2008-04-29. Vance. Nevada. 2009-01-26. usurped.
  33. Book: Davies, Ross. 14. Rosen Publishing Group. Buddy Rogers. 2001. 0-8239-3433-0.
  34. Matysik, 22.
  35. Web site: Baron Von Raschke – St.Louis HOF Inductee . Cauliflower Alley Club . 2012-08-13 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120309212857/http://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/2009/12/15/baron-von-rashke-st-louis-hof-inductee/ . 2012-03-09 .
  36. http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/nwa/cs-h.html NWA Central States Heavyweight Title history
  37. http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/nwa/cs-t.html NWA Central States Tag Team Title history
  38. http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/nwa/cs-na-t.html NWA North American Tag Team Title history
  39. Book: Oliver, Greg. The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels. Steven Johnson . ECW Press. 2007. 1-55022-759-9. 87.

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