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The history of the rise of the Pro Wrestling industry from its beginnings in 1920


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35412773313_41cb3b9a73_o.jpg

 

Starting in 1920 with the Effganic Mod plus adding in workers, companies, locations and broadcasters etc from many real and other verse.

 

I will be documenting the rise and possibly fall of the wrestling world with annual recaps before aiming to start a live company directly once we hit 1980.

 

Who knows what the industry will resemble by then?

 

Which Country will become dominant?

 

Which Company will go international first?

 

What styles of wrestling will be in favour in 6 decades time?

 

so many variables!!

 

Join me as we dive into the unknown history to chart the rise of this unique industry

 

1920 1930 1940 1950

1921 1931 1941 1951

1922 1932 1942 1952

1923 1933 1943 1953

1924 1934 1944 1954

1925 1935 1945 1955

1926 1936 1946 1956

1927 1937 1947 1957

1928 1938 1948 1958

1929 1939 1949 1959

 

1960 January Week 1 1960 February Week 1

1960 January Week 2

1960 January Week 3

1960 January Week 4

 

Obituary

Haru Shimazaki

Saita Kuroki

Don Loomis

 

Random Wrestler in review

Jonathan Stewart

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The roaring Twenties: 1920 the beginning

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/1920_zpszhpq9ixc.jpg

 

Wrestling had existed in many forms for thousands of years, what we saw in 1920 was the next logical step for such a popular sport.

 

Following in the steps of Boxing there was a movement predominantly in the US of A to launch Wrestling to the masses and to take steps away from the Olympic style in order to do two things. provide a new and exiting form of entertainment, and to be well paid for doing so.

 

One man had a vision, that man was Don Loomis

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/Don%20Loomis_zpsyordd63v.jpg

 

He founded the first true Pro Wrestling Company in February 1920

Southern Pro Wrestling, based out of Mississippi.

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/SPW_alt2_zpssk07nmvm.jpg

 

The very first World Champion was crowned in April 1920

 

Levi Andrews

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/Levi%20Andrews_zpsopgowr9h.jpg

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/BritLH_zpsrcg9ojie.jpg

 

SPW would also go on to crown their first National, TV and Tag Team Champions in 1920.

 

For those of you wondering why Levi did not go on to greater things in 1920 with SPW, the 40 year old Australian was killed in a automobile accident following his third title defence.

 

The Global industry end of year awards as you might expect given the lack of competition would be a clean sweep for the new power house of American Wrestling.

 

Wrestler of the year

El Espiritu (SPW)

 

Power 500 runner up

Joe Boone (SPW)

 

Tag Team

No Winner

 

Young Wrestler

No Winner

 

Veteran

No Winner

 

Female

No Winner

 

Independent

No Winner

 

Company

No Winner

 

Most improved company

SPW

 

Match

Daniel Loiselle defeated Karl Hunt at SPW Fear of the Dark (D+)

 

Card

SPW Fear of the Dark (D) Att: 320

 

Manager

No Winner

 

Announcer

No Winner

 

Colour

No Winner

 

Referee

No Winner

 

There will gradually be more to report as the industry matures year on year, and hopefully we see the level of ability improve.

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1921 time moves slow

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/1921_zpsd1xpqfxc.jpg

 

SPW would continue to dominate the early twenties.

 

We lost three wrestlers in the year

 

Brad Horn a young promising Australian died at the age of 19 after falling into a wood chipper. He had yet to wrestle professionally in 1921.

 

A 19 year old Canadian Dash Roux died after his scarf got caught in a ceiling fan, he had yet to make his mark on the wrestling industry. 1921.

 

Ramon Cruz a 20 year old Spanish wrestler passed in 1921 after falling into a wood chipper.

 

1921 Global awards ceremony

 

Wrestler of the year

El Espiritu (SPW)

 

Power 500 runner up

Joe Boone (SPW)

 

Tag Team

No Winner

 

Young Wrestler

Timothy Edwards (SPW)

 

Veteran

No Winner

 

Female

No Winner

 

Independent

No Winner

 

Company

SPW

 

Most improved company

SPW

 

Match

Emilio Suarez defeated Daniel Loiselle at SPW Fist of Rage I ( C)

 

Card

SPW No More Mr Nice Guy (C-) Att: 439

 

Manager

No Winner

 

Announcer

No Winner

 

Colour

No Winner

 

Referee

No Winner

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1922 global competition begins

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/1922_zpswvxslcn4.png

 

This year saw the second professional company open, this time located in Europe.

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/PoG_alt2_zps5chjc094.jpg

 

Pride of Germany opened to great fan fair as the SPW Television Champion vacated his belt. German star Friedrich Herzog returned home to open PoG. (Despite the name there is still no TV broadcast deals in place at this time)

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/Friedrich%20Herzog_zps3bqnpnbc.jpg

 

1922 Global awards ceremony

 

Wrestler of the year

El Espiritu (SPW)

 

Power 500 runner up

Joe Boone (SPW)

 

Tag Team

No Winner

 

Young Wrestler

Timothy Edwards (SPW)

 

Veteran

Saita Kuroki (SPW)

 

Female

No Winner

 

Independent

Eliott Lachance

 

Company

SPW

 

Most improved company

SPW

 

Match

Emilio Suarez defeated Daniel Loiselle at SPW Hotter than Hell ( C)

 

Card

SPW No More Mr Nice Guy (C-) Att: 1000

 

Manager

No Winner

 

Announcer

No Winner

 

Colour

No Winner

 

Referee

No Winner

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Guest skinsfan55
Good God, wood chippers are a public menace! Why gents, we should turn away from these machines of death and use axes and saws like our fathers and grandfathers!
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<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="skinsfan55" data-cite="skinsfan55" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43341" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Good God, wood chippers are a public menace! Why gents, we should turn away from these machines of death and use axes and saws like our fathers and grandfathers!</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Wood chippers cause a surprisingly high number of casualties at least in the early years! clearly should be licensed.</p><p> </p><p> I choose to believe there is an underlying Mafia war for control of the Wrestling scene....</p>
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<p>1923 The Industry gets shaken up</p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/1923_zpsatk7rfoz.png</span></p><p> </p><p>

1923 was a year of change for the Professional Wrestling industry as the Global public finally caught the wrestling bug.</p><p> </p><p>

A third company joined the competing pair of SPW and POG.</p><p> </p><p>

Japanese Championship Wrestling entered the scene with a flourish.</p><p>

Breaking with the established style they established a Touring schedule and secured a free to air radio broadcast of their Tour highlights which enabled them to establish a wider fan base than their two more traditional rivals.</p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/JCW_zpsjn2va5ow.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p>

Owner and CEO Saita Kuroki a former SPW TV champion brought from America lots of knowledge to establish his preferred style of product, geared perfectly to the Japanese audience.</p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/Saita%20Kuroki_zpsannuvrru.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p>

British company Championship Wrestling from Wigan, opened its doors in late 1923.</p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/CWW_zpsm5ptlxdk.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p>

Owner and founder Sir Anthony Henry a former SPW World Champion in 1920, having seen the success of PoG felt the time was right for a British company to join the scene.</p><p> </p><p>

He detested the new high flying and showman ship styles slowly coming in from Latin america and wanted to bring a traditional hard hitting realistic form of the "sport" to British shores. </p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/Anthony%20Henry_zpsdyq5tptm.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p>

The final new company to join the industry in 1923 was located in sunny Mexico</p><p> </p><p>

Viva La Lucha</p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/VLL_zpshifpvngf.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p>

Current SPW World Champion on his second reign and the top wrestler in the World for three years, El Espiritu would set up his dream company whilst remaining a regular main eventer for SPW. Can he make a success outside of the ring given how successful he currently is within it?</p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/Emilio%20Suarez_zpsb5ynn5bc.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p>

<span style="text-decoration:underline;">1923 Global awards ceremony</span></p><p> </p><p>

Wrestler of the year</p><p>

El Espiritu (SPW)</p><p> </p><p>

Power 500 runner up</p><p>

Joe Boone (SPW)</p><p> </p><p>

Tag Team</p><p>

No Winner</p><p> </p><p>

Young Wrestler</p><p>

Mushanokoji Tsuruya (JCW)</p><p> </p><p>

Veteran</p><p>

Saita Kuroki (SPW)</p><p> </p><p>

Female</p><p>

No Winner</p><p> </p><p>

Independent</p><p>

Dax Cloutier</p><p> </p><p>

Company</p><p>

JCW</p><p> </p><p>

Most improved company</p><p>

SPW</p><p> </p><p>

Match</p><p>

Hakuseki Makuda defeated Mushanokoji Tsuruya at JCW Radioactive Tour (C+)</p><p> </p><p>

Card</p><p>

SPW No More Mr Nice Guy (C-) Att: 1500</p><p> </p><p>

Manager</p><p>

No Winner</p><p> </p><p>

Announcer</p><p>

Austen Demers (PoG)</p><p> </p><p>

Colour</p><p>

Ichiyo Ariwa (JCW)</p><p> </p><p>

Referee</p><p>

Kazuo Kamo (JCW)</p><p> </p><p>

Things are starting to pick up for the Industry as we move through the 1920's.</p><p> </p><p>

Only one death within the industry was reported in 1923</p><p>

Indy American Star Theodore Imes died at the age of 22 in 1923 after being bitten by a rabid badger.</p>

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<p>recap</p><p> </p><p>

1923 is a nice starting point as the industry really starts to embed itself and expand its appeal around the globe.</p><p> </p><p>

new comers JCW look to have jumped ahead of stalwart SPW, how much does their Radio coverage help?</p><p> </p><p>

PoG have a solid foundation</p><p> </p><p>

CWW and VLL both have SPW world Champions behind them, can they over take both SPW and the emergent JCW?</p><p> </p><p>

Stay tuned as we take you though the History of Pro Wrestling</p><p> </p><p>

ps: I have no idea how interesting or not this simple review of the years is at the moment, might be a bit sparce at the moment but do bare with me as the industry gets going there will be more interesting stories, more detailed company or wrestler reviews.</p><p> </p><p>

I just don't want to get bogged down in an early year when the aim is to get to 1980 and take over a company in game at that point in what is hopefully a totally unique world!</p><p> </p><p>

Also this does not replace my existing BCW Dynasty I just can't help make a rod for my own back and got sucked into wanting to see how this plays out.</p><p>

I have to say I did not expect the next few years to go as they do.</p><p> </p><p>

All comments welcome of course</p>

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1924 Japan the hotspot?

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/1924_zpsahbnqtdc.jpg

 

We saw two new companies expand the reach of Pro Wrestling further around the world.

 

Dennis Laurent a British wrestler and former CWW Universal Champion and their current Number 1 contender left suddenly to form AOW taking a number of CWW workers with him.

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/CVFP_BlackMale_007_zps4hxjq9ir.jpg

 

Located in the midlands All Out Wrestling looked to offer a slightly less "Stiff" product to the British audience than CWW.

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/AOW_zpsh7ivgek9.jpg

 

The second and perhaps more important opening came from Canada.

 

Former SPW World Champion Daniel Loiselle decided to set up Quebec Championship Wrestling back home in Canada whilst remaining a worker in the US for SPW.

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/Daniel%20Loiselle_zps4zh6d9fo.jpg

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/QCW_zpsagzyn5ei.jpg

 

The industry seemed to really build upon 1923 with growing audiences around the Globe, nearly 8,000 packed in to JCW March into Darkness as Japan took to wrestling like it was made for them.

 

There rise is largely helped by running weekly small shows and monthly large events that helps drive up their fan base.

 

SPW are still to attract more than 4,000 to a show and continue running only a single monthly event.

 

The SUMO Dojo remains one of the most respected Dojo around the world.

 

Whilst the top spots are retained by SPW talent it is clear JCW are marching up strongly, could it be a matter of time before they take over the top spot in the power 500 rankings?

 

Can the rest of the worlds companies catch up with JCW or will they pull ahead to an unassailable position in this growing industry?

 

1924 Global awards ceremony

 

Wrestler of the year

El Espiritu (SPW)

 

Power 500 runner up

Joe Boone (SPW)

 

Tag Team

Washi Usami & Yoriyuki Miyamae (JCW)

 

Young Wrestler

Mushanokoji Tsuruya (JCW)

 

Veteran

Saita Kuroki (SPW)

 

Female

No Winner

 

Independent

Felipe Roman

 

Company

JCW

 

Most improved company

JCW

 

Match

Mushanokoji Tsuruya defeated Hakuseki Makuda at JCW Fugitive Dome Battle (B)

 

Card

JCW No More Mr Nice Guy (B-) Att: 5900

 

Manager

No Winner

 

Announcer

Austen Demers (PoG)

 

Colour

Ichiyo Ariwa (JCW)

 

Referee

Wesley Miletich (AOW)

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1925 The rise in the East continues

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/1925_zpszlkwd9kk.png

 

after a year without loss, 1925 saw one wrestler pass over in unfortunate circumstances.

23 year old Mexican jobber Ricardo Arias died in 1925 when he was found hanging from a ceiling fan by his scarf.

 

There were no new companies formed this year although a large convention in Philadelphia suggested there was a strong and growing appetite for Pro wrestling globally.

 

1925 would see the first magic milestone reached when JCW sold out a 10,000 seat arena for No more, MR nice Guy 1925.

 

1925 Global awards ceremony

 

Wrestler of the year

El Espiritu (SPW)

 

Power 500 runner up

Joe Boone (SPW)

 

Tag Team

Washi Usami & Yoriyuki Miyamae (JCW)

 

Young Wrestler

Mushanokoji Tsuruya (JCW)

 

Veteran

Saita Kuroki (SPW)

 

Female

No Winner

 

Independent

D'Arcy Laurent

 

Company

JCW

 

Most improved company

PoG

 

Match

Mushanokoji Tsuruya defeated Hakuseki Makuda at JCW Final Stage 1925 (B+)

 

Card

JCW Final Stage 1925 (B) Att: 9300

 

Manager

No Winner

 

Announcer

Eizo Itoh (JCW)

 

Colour

Ichiyo Ariwa (JCW)

 

Referee

Wesley Miletich (AOW)

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1926 Can JCW continue to dominate?

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/1926_zpsx9bwrubu.jpg

 

1926 saw the first female wrestler to gain prominence and win the award for best female wrestler, albeit still in the Indies, only time will tell if the mainstream will take to the female competitors in Pro Wrestling.

 

Can El Espiritu continue to keep SPW relevant by himself or will JCW begin to take the coveted best wrestler title to go with their domination in most other categories?

 

New company Queensland Wrestling opened this year within Eastern Australia to a small but loyal fanbase, putting on traditional style shows.

 

1926 Global awards ceremony

 

Wrestler of the year

El Espiritu (SPW)

 

Power 500 runner up

Joe Boone (SPW)

 

Tag Team

Washi Usami & Yoriyuki Miyamae (JCW)

 

Young Wrestler

Yoriyuki Miyamae (JCW)

 

Veteran

Saita Kuroki (SPW)

 

Female

Beverly Bryant (Indy)

 

Independent

Roman Vidal

 

Company

JCW

 

Most improved company

VLL

 

Match

Yoriyuki Miyamae defeated Hakuseki Makuda at JCW Blackout Tour (B+)

 

Card

JCW March of Darkness (B) Att: 11,000

 

Manager

No Winner

 

Announcer

Eizo Itoh (JCW)

 

Colour

Ichiyo Ariwa (JCW)

 

Referee

Naozane Fukuoka (JCW)

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<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Herrbear" data-cite="Herrbear" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43341" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Really like following this. Thank you.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Thanks a lot. Should get more interesting as we move through the years</p>
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<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="wwfmark" data-cite="wwfmark" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43341" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Very cool idea! What mod are you using, as I'm not too familiar with the non-RW mods?</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Hi, thanks it's the Effganic mod, I then added companies, workers and locations etc from C-verse, thunderverse and real world mods so that it generates a truly unique world.</p>
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  • 2 weeks later...
<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Thatwrestlingfanatic" data-cite="Thatwrestlingfanatic" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43341" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I just started this mod, because of this diary. I'm simming to the year 1960. In 1924, Southern Pro Wrestling ended up going bankrupt, and closing down.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Cool, did you leave as the base mod or add from other mods too? Hoping to post some more today or later over the weekend</p>
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1927 JCW continue to dominate the industry

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/1927_zpsnqhlrorl.jpg

 

We saw some giant leaps in Canadian wrestling this year as QCW Quebec Championship Wrestling rose to Regional size.

 

JCW signed a new broadcasting deal with Mid Japan Radio to play their tour highlights

 

New companies arising this year included Championship Wrestling of Buffalo (CWB), opened by Joe Boone former SPW World, National and TV champion, aiming to offer an extremely family friendly product.

Joe remains on the SPW roster whilst also running CWB.

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/Joe%20Boone_zpsfoperxc0.jpghttp://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/CWB_zpsa66obn63.jpg

 

Another company also joined the ranks of the Japanese as KINKI Puroresu was established by Soetsu Shimada

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/CVMJFP_AsianMale_001_zpsjk2jckdz.jpghttp://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/stuartmwilson/tew/New%20World/KINKI_zpsyel8q5uo.jpg

 

1927 Global Awards Ceremony

 

Wrestler of the year

Yoriyuki Miyamae (JCW)

 

Power 500 runner up

Mushanokoji Tsuruya (JCW)

 

Tag Team

Minoru Yasuda & Yoichibei Nishio (JCW)

 

Young Wrestler

Hakuseki makuda (JCW)

 

Veteran

No Winner

 

Female

Tracy Ortiz (CWB)

 

Independent

Andres Blanco

 

Company

JCW

 

Most improved company

JCW

 

Match

Hakuseki Makuda defeated Yoriyuki Miyamae at JCW Forsaken Tour (B+)

 

Card

JCW March of Darkness (B) Att: 16,000

 

Manager

No Winner

 

Announcer

Eizo Itoh (JCW)

 

Colour

Frank Norris (SPW)

 

Referee

Wesley Miletich (AOW)

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