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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name=Dick Hrstich
|name = Ray Hrstich
|image= Dick hrstich.jpg
|image = Ray Hrstich (cropped).jpg
|birth_name = Dick Hrstich
|caption=
|caption = Hrstich in the 1950s.
|names=Ray Gordon<br>Dick Hrstich<br>Ray Hrstich
|names = Dick Gordon<br>Dick Hrstich<br>Ray Gordon<br>Ray Hrstich
<!-- Please don't change the height or weight. These are the measures as officially stated and they should not be changed. -->
|height=
|height =
|weight = 230 lb<ref name="FST"/>
⚫
|weight= {{convert|230|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name="FST">{{cite news |title=Wrestling Feature of Hume Fair |newspaper=Fort Scott Tribune |date=31 August 1960 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=y8kfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tdgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1027,5480207&dq=ray-gordon&hl=en }}</ref>
|birth_date = 10 August 1920
|birth_date = {{birth date|1920|8|10}}
|death_date = 12 February 2000
|death_date = {{Death date and age|2000|2|12|1920|8|10}}
|birth_place = [[Drasnice]], [[Croatia]]
|birth_place = [[Drasnice]], Croatia and Slavonia, Kingdom of Yugoslavia
|death_place =[[Phoenix, Arizona]], U.S.
|death_place = [[Phoenix, Arizona]], United States
|billed = [[Budapest]], Hungary<ref name="Oklafan"/><br>[[Auckland]], New Zealand<ref name="FST"/>
|resides=
⚫
|trainer = [[Anton Koolmann]]
⚫
|billed= [[Budapest, Hungary]]<ref name="Oklafan">{{cite web |url=http://www.oklafan.com/bios/1561/profile.html |title=Ray Gordon |work=Bios |publisher=OklaFan.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref><br>[[Auckland, New Zealand]]<ref name="FST"/>
|debut = c. 1956
⚫
|trainer= [[Anton Koolmann]]
|debut=c. 1956
|retired = c. 1970
|retired=c. 1970
|website=
|}}
|}}
'''Dick Hrstich''' (10 August 1920 – 12 February 2000) was a New Zealand [[professional wrestler]], known by his ring names '''Ray Hrstich''' and '''Ray Gordon''', who competed in the former Yugoslavia (his native country), New Zealand, Canada, and the United States during the late 1950s and 60s. He was among the first New Zealanders to travel to the US and, like his fellow countrymen [[Pat O'Connor (wrestler)|Pat O'Connor]] and [[Abe Jacobs]], became a major star with the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] during the [[History of professional wrestling in the United States#Television era (1950s to 1970s)|Television-era]].
'''Dick Hrstich''' (10 August 1920 – 12 February 2000) was a Yugoslavian/New Zealand [[professional wrestler]], known by his [[ring name]]s '''Ray Hrstich''' and '''Ray Gordon''', who competed in the former Yugoslavia (his native country), New Zealand, Canada, and the United States during the late 1950s and 60s. He was among the first New Zealanders to travel to the US and, like his fellow countrymen [[Pat O'Connor (wrestler)|Pat O'Connor]] and [[Abe Jacobs]], became a major star with the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] during the [[History of professional wrestling in the United States#Television era (1950s to 1970s)|Television-era]].


He won the [[NWA New Zealand Heavyweight Championship]] in 1958 and, later in the US, held the [[NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship]], NWA Iowa Heavyweight Championship, and the NWA Americas 6-Man Tag Team Championship with [[Apache Bull Ramos]] and Mike Riker. Hrstich is credited, along with Bobby Graham and "Killer" Buddy Austin, as the trainer of 8-time [[NWA World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Harley Race]]. In 2009, ''Fight Times Magazine'' ranked Hrstich No. 10 in a top ten list of New Zealand's greatest wrestlers.
He won the [[NWA New Zealand Heavyweight Championship]] in 1958 and, later in the US, held the [[NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship]], NWA Iowa Heavyweight Championship, and the NWA Americas 6-Man Tag Team Championship with [[Apache Bull Ramos]] and Mike Riker. Hrstich is credited, along with Bobby Graham and [[Buddy Austin|"Killer" Buddy Austin]], as the trainer of 8-time [[NWA World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Harley Race]]. In 2009, ''Fight Times Magazine'' ranked Hrstich No. 10 in a top ten list of New Zealand's greatest wrestlers.


==Professional career==
==Professional career==


===Start with the Dominion Wrestling Union===
===Start with the Dominion Wrestling Union===
Dick Hrstich was born in the former [[Yugoslavia]],<ref name="Cameron">{{cite web |url=http://www.fighttimes.com/magazine/magazine.asp?article=1131 |title=My Top Ten New Zealand Born Wrestlers |author=Cameron, Dave |date=March 2009 |work=Fight Times|publisher=Fight Times Magazine|access-date=8 July 2010}}</ref> in the city now known as [[Drasnice]], [[Croatia]] and emigrated with his family to New Zealand at a young age. He held an "outstanding record" as a champion amateur wrestler before turning pro during the mid-1950s. Trained by [[Anton Koolmann]],<ref name="Cameron"/> Hrstich soon established himself as one of the country's up and coming stars. One of his most memorable bouts was against "The Zebra Kid" George Bollas and promoter Al Karasick speculated to the press that Hrstich would become a great drawing card. In April 1958, ''Wrestling Review'' wrote that Hrstich "appears to be another [[Lofty Blomfield]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingclassics.com/wawli/Nos.547-558.htm |title=Promising Wrestling Season Ahead |author=Wrestling Review |date=28 April 1958 |work=The New WAWLI Papers (Wrestling As We Liked It) No. 556 |publisher=WrestlingClassics.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> Two months later, on 11 June, he defeated Fred Wright in [[Christchurch]] for the then vacant [[NWA New Zealand Heavyweight Championship]].<ref name="NewZealandTitle">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/nz/nz-h.html |title=New Zealand Heavyweight Title |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=9 June 2010}}</ref> Later that year, he travelled overseas to wrestle in NWA Hawaii and [[Stampede Wrestling]]; he lost to [[Stan Kowalski]] in [[Honolulu]] on 19 October and went to a draw with Reggie Parks in [[Edmonton]], Alberta on 4 November 1958.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingclassics.com/wawli/Nos.051-060.html |title=William A. Wilson's "Wrestling Results" bulletin from Kansas City during the 1958–59 season |author=Wilson, William A. |year=1958 |work=The WAWLI Papers # 060... |publisher=WrestlingClassics.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref>
Dick Hrstich was born in the former [[Yugoslavia]],<ref name="Cameron">{{cite web |url=http://www.fighttimes.com/magazine/magazine.asp?article=1131 |title=My Top Ten New Zealand Born Wrestlers |author=Cameron, Dave |date=March 2009 |work=Fight Times|publisher=Fight Times Magazine|access-date=8 July 2010}}</ref> in the city now known as [[Drasnice]], [[Croatia]] and emigrated with his family to New Zealand at a young age. He held an "outstanding record" as a champion amateur wrestler before turning pro during the mid-1950s. Trained by [[Anton Koolmann]],<ref name="Cameron"/> Hrstich soon established himself as one of the country's up and coming stars. One of his most memorable bouts was against [[George Bollas|"The Zebra Kid" George Bollas]] and promoter Al Karasick speculated to the press that Hrstich would become a great drawing card. In April 1958, ''Wrestling Review'' wrote that Hrstich "appears to be another [[Lofty Blomfield]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingclassics.com/wawli/Nos.547-558.htm |title=Promising Wrestling Season Ahead |author=Wrestling Review |date=28 April 1958 |work=The New WAWLI Papers (Wrestling As We Liked It) No. 556 |publisher=WrestlingClassics.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> Two months later, on 11 June, he defeated Fred Wright in [[Christchurch]] for the then vacant [[NWA New Zealand Heavyweight Championship]].<ref name="NewZealandTitle">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/nz/nz-h.html |title=New Zealand Heavyweight Title |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=9 June 2010}}</ref> Later that year, he travelled overseas to wrestle in NWA Hawaii and [[Stampede Wrestling]]; he lost to [[Stan Kowalski]] in [[Honolulu]] on 19 October and went to a draw with Reggie Parks in [[Edmonton]], Alberta on 4 November 1958.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingclassics.com/wawli/Nos.051-060.html |title=William A. Wilson's "Wrestling Results" bulletin from Kansas City during the 1958–59 season |author=Wilson, William A. |year=1958 |work=The WAWLI Papers # 060... |publisher=WrestlingClassics.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref>


===Moving to the United States===
===Moving to the United States===
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Spending the rest of the year in Kansas City, Hrstich made several more appearances at Memorial Hall wrestling Stanley Lisowski and Chick Garibaldi in singles matches as well as taking part in a few tag team matches. On 19 November, he and Thor Hagen beat Chick Garibaldi & Kinji Shibuya and teamed with Tommy O’Toole in a 6-team championship tournament a month later. Other teams included [[Rip Hawk]] & Rock Hunter, Thor Hagen & [[Sonny Myers]], [[Bob Geigel]] & [[Boris Malenko|Otto Von Krupp]], Bill Cole & Chick Garibaldi, and Jerry Gordett & [[Jody Hamilton|Joe Hamilton]]. On 10 December 1959, Hrstich and Krupp defeated [[Killer Kowalski|Tarzan "Killer" Kowalski]] in a [[handicap match]] at Memorial Hall; Kowalski took the first fall, however Krupp was awarded the second when Kowalski was
Spending the rest of the year in Kansas City, Hrstich made several more appearances at Memorial Hall wrestling Stanley Lisowski and Chick Garibaldi in singles matches as well as taking part in a few tag team matches. On 19 November, he and Thor Hagen beat Chick Garibaldi & Kinji Shibuya and teamed with Tommy O’Toole in a 6-team championship tournament a month later. Other teams included [[Rip Hawk]] & Rock Hunter, Thor Hagen & [[Sonny Myers]], [[Bob Geigel]] & [[Boris Malenko|Otto Von Krupp]], Bill Cole & Chick Garibaldi, and Jerry Gordett & [[Jody Hamilton|Joe Hamilton]]. On 10 December 1959, Hrstich and Krupp defeated [[Killer Kowalski|Tarzan "Killer" Kowalski]] in a [[handicap match]] at Memorial Hall; Kowalski took the first fall, however Krupp was awarded the second when Kowalski was
disqualified.<ref name="Hornbaker"/> During his time in central Missouri, he along with Bobby Graham and "Killer" Buddy Austin helped train [[Harley Race]], a future 8-time [[NWA World Heavyweight Champion]], while the young rookie was starting his career working for St. Joseph wrestling promoter Gust Karras.<ref name="Oklafan"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kayfabememories.com/Wrestlers/WLrace.htm |title=Harley Race |author=Owens, Chris |work=Wrestlers |publisher=KayfabeMemories.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingHarleyRace/race_chat-can.html |title=SLAM! Wrestling Harley Race Chat |date=13 March 2001 |work=SLAM! Wrestling: Harley Race |publisher=SLAM! Sports |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref><ref>[[Harley Race|Race, Harley]] and Gerry Tritz. ''King of the Ring: The Harley Race Story''. Champaigne, Illinois: Sports Publishing LLC, 2004. (pg. 13) {{ISBN|1-58261-818-6}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/columns/29248/Your-News,-My-Views-3.29.05.htm |title=Your News, My Views 3.29.05 |author=Csonka, Larry |date=29 March 2005 |work=Columns |publisher=411mania.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref><ref>Oliver, Greg. ''The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels''. Toronto: ECW Press, 2007. (pg. 58) {{ISBN|1-55022-759-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.midatlanticgateway.com/Resource_Center/results/results_race.htm |title=Mid-Atlantic Superstar Wrestling Results – Harley Race |authors=David Baker, Graham Cawthon, Barry Rose, Ron Widmar and Jim Zordani |date=28 December 2009 |work=David Baker's Mid-Atlantic Superstar Wrestling Results |publisher=MidAtlanticGateway.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref>
disqualified.<ref name="Hornbaker"/> During his time in central Missouri, he along with Bobby Graham and [[Buddy Austin|"Killer" Buddy Austin]] helped train [[Harley Race]], a future 8-time [[NWA World Heavyweight Champion]], while the young rookie was starting his career working for St. Joseph wrestling promoter Gust Karras.<ref name="Oklafan"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kayfabememories.com/Wrestlers/WLrace.htm |title=Harley Race |author=Owens, Chris |work=Wrestlers |publisher=KayfabeMemories.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingHarleyRace/race_chat-can.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722140251/http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingHarleyRace/race_chat-can.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=22 July 2012 |title=SLAM! Wrestling Harley Race Chat |date=13 March 2001 |work=SLAM! Wrestling: Harley Race |publisher=SLAM! Sports |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref><ref>[[Harley Race|Race, Harley]] and Gerry Tritz. ''King of the Ring: The Harley Race Story''. Champaigne, Illinois: Sports Publishing LLC, 2004. (pg. 13) {{ISBN|1-58261-818-6}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/columns/29248/Your-News,-My-Views-3.29.05.htm |title=Your News, My Views 3.29.05 |author=Csonka, Larry |date=29 March 2005 |work=Columns |publisher=411mania.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref><ref>Oliver, Greg. ''The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels''. Toronto: ECW Press, 2007. (pg. 58) {{ISBN|1-55022-759-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.midatlanticgateway.com/Resource_Center/results/results_race.htm |title=Mid-Atlantic Superstar Wrestling Results – Harley Race |author1=David Baker |author2=Graham Cawthon |author3=Barry Rose |author4=Ron Widmar |author5=Jim Zordani |date=28 December 2009 |work=David Baker's Mid-Atlantic Superstar Wrestling Results |publisher=MidAtlanticGateway.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref>


Hrstich then headed south where he worked for Texas promoter Pat O’Dowdy in [[Odessa, Texas|Odessa]] wrestling Ed Sharpe and [[Dick Hutton]] at the Floyd Gwin Auditorium in early 1960.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacyofwrestling.com/Odessa60.html |title=Odessa Wrestling Results – 1960 |author=Luce, Don |work=West Texas Wrestling Results |publisher=LegacyOfWrestling.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> In the [[Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex|Dallas-Fort Worth area]], for promoters Morris Siegel and Ed McLemore, he also faced [[Paul Vachon|Paul "Butcher" Vachon]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/ResultsArchive/Wrestlers/vachon-paul.html |title=Paul "Butcher" Vachon |authors=Vance Nevada, Graham Cawthon and Mike Rodgers |date=12 May 2008 |work=SLAM! Wrestling Wrestlers Results Archive |publisher=SLAM! Sports |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> Marquis de Paree, [[Duke Keomuka]], and Joe Pizza during October–November 1960.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldclasswrestling.info/results/1960-65res.htm#1960 |title=WCCW Results: 1960 – 1965 |author=Dananay, John |work=Early Results |publisher=WorldClassWrestling.info |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> On 16 December 1961, he won the vacant NWA Iowa Heavyweight Championship in [[Cedar Rapids, Iowa]].<ref name="Wrestling-Titles2">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ia/ia-h.html |title=Iowa Heavyweight Title |year=2003 |work=Wrestling-Titles.com |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |access-date=30 May 2010}}</ref> By 1962, Hrstich was back in the Central States territory and, on 9 February, he captured the [[NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship]] from Buddy Austin in St. Joseph.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwinsider.com/article/36450/this-day-in-history-steiners-win-tag-title-number-six-the-midnight-rider-wwa-retribution-king-of-england-and-more.html |title=This Day in History: Steiners Win Tag Title Number Six, The Midnight Rider, WWA Retribution, King Of England And More |author=Woodward, Buck |date=9 February 2009 |publisher=PWInsider.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> Hrstich held the title for two months before dropping the belt to his old rival Lee Henning on 5 May 1962.<ref name="Solie1">{{cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/cshtnwa.html |title=NWA Central States Heavyweight Title History |author=Royal Duncan & Gary Will |author2=Jeff Capo |year=2009 |work=Solie's Title Histories |publisher=Solie.org |access-date=28 April 2010}}</ref><ref name="Wrestling-Titles">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/nwa/cs-h.html |title=N.W.A. Central States Heavyweight Title |year=2003 |work=Wrestling-Titles.com |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |access-date=30 May 2010}}</ref>
Hrstich then headed south where he worked for Texas promoter Pat O’Dowdy in [[Odessa, Texas|Odessa]] wrestling Ed Sharpe and [[Dick Hutton]] at the Floyd Gwin Auditorium in early 1960.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacyofwrestling.com/Odessa60.html |title=Odessa Wrestling Results – 1960 |author=Luce, Don |work=West Texas Wrestling Results |publisher=LegacyOfWrestling.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> In the [[Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex|Dallas-Fort Worth area]], for promoters Morris Siegel and Ed McLemore, he also faced [[Paul Vachon|Paul "Butcher" Vachon]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/ResultsArchive/Wrestlers/vachon-paul.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713154728/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/ResultsArchive/Wrestlers/vachon-paul.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=13 July 2012 |title=Paul "Butcher" Vachon |author1=Vance Nevada |author2=Graham Cawthon |author3=Mike Rodgers |date=12 May 2008 |work=SLAM! Wrestling Wrestlers Results Archive |publisher=SLAM! Sports |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> [[Larry Moquin|Marquis de Paree]], [[Duke Keomuka]], and Joe Pizza during October–November 1960.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldclasswrestling.info/results/1960-65res.htm#1960 |title=WCCW Results: 1960 – 1965 |author=Dananay, John |work=Early Results |publisher=WorldClassWrestling.info |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> On 16 December 1961, he won the vacant NWA Iowa Heavyweight Championship in [[Cedar Rapids, Iowa]].<ref name="Wrestling-Titles2">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ia/ia-h.html |title=Iowa Heavyweight Title |year=2003 |work=Wrestling-Titles.com |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |access-date=30 May 2010}}</ref> By 1962, Hrstich was back in the Central States territory and, on 9 February, he captured the [[NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship]] from Buddy Austin in St. Joseph.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwinsider.com/article/36450/this-day-in-history-steiners-win-tag-title-number-six-the-midnight-rider-wwa-retribution-king-of-england-and-more.html |title=This Day in History: Steiners Win Tag Title Number Six, The Midnight Rider, WWA Retribution, King Of England And More |author=Woodward, Buck |date=9 February 2009 |publisher=PWInsider.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> Hrstich held the title for two months before dropping the belt to his old rival Lee Henning on 5 May 1962.<ref name="Solie1">{{cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/cshtnwa.html |title=NWA Central States Heavyweight Title History |author=Royal Duncan & Gary Will |author2=Jeff Capo |year=2009 |work=Solie's Title Histories |publisher=Solie.org |access-date=28 April 2010}}</ref><ref name="Wrestling-Titles">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/nwa/cs-h.html |title=N.W.A. Central States Heavyweight Title |year=2003 |work=Wrestling-Titles.com |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |access-date=30 May 2010}}</ref>


===Maple Leaf Wrestling===
===Maple Leaf Wrestling===
Hrstich left the area shortly afterwards to wrestle for Canadian promoter [[Frank Tunney]]'s Toronto-based promotion [[Maple Leaf Wrestling]] and began appearing on events at its home arena, [[Maple Leaf Gardens]], by the end of the month. In his first major appearance, on 24 May, Hrstich and Jim Hady wrestled The Tolos Brothers ([[Chris Tolos|Chris]] and [[John Tolos]]) to a 30-minute time limit draw.<ref name="Nevada">{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/ResultsArchive/Wrestlers/tolos-john.html |title=John Tolos |authors=Vance Nevada, Matt Farmer, J. Michael Kenyon, Greg Oliver, Andy Oren, Mike Rodgers, Ron Witmer and Jim Zordani |date=29 April 2008 |work=SLAM! Wrestling Wrestlers Results Archive |publisher=SLAM! Sports |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> He also wrestled [[Steve Stanlee]], [[Stan Stasiak]] and Jean Baillargeon during the next two months as well as facing his one-time tag team partner, Tommy O’Toole, beating him in both of their two encounters. One of his biggest matches was against Taro Sakuro, a bout which he lost, with 13,997 fans in attendance at the Maple Leaf Gardens on 30 August. In the following weeks, he also lost matches to [[Sweet Daddy Siki]] and [[Johnny Valentine]], making his Toronto debut. His last appearance was on 11 October 1962, in which he lost to Taro Sakuro in a rematch.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacyofwrestling.com/Toronto62.html |title=Toronto Wrestling Results – 1962 |author=Hornbaker, Tim |work=Ontario Wrestling Results |publisher=LegacyOfWrestling.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> Hrstich met a number of rising NWA stars while working for Tunney, most notably, [[Bruno Sammartino]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1wrestlinglegends.com/column/dart-00.html |title=Memories No. 1 |author=Dart, Terry |work=Terry Dart's A Jarful of Memories |publisher=1WrestlingLegends.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref>
Hrstich left the area shortly afterwards to wrestle for Canadian promoter [[Frank Tunney]]'s Toronto-based promotion [[Maple Leaf Wrestling]] and began appearing on events at its home arena, [[Maple Leaf Gardens]], by the end of the month. In his first major appearance, on 24 May, Hrstich and [[Jim Hady]] wrestled The Tolos Brothers ([[Chris Tolos|Chris]] and [[John Tolos]]) to a 30-minute time limit draw.<ref name="Nevada">{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/ResultsArchive/Wrestlers/tolos-john.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717224508/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/ResultsArchive/Wrestlers/tolos-john.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=17 July 2012 |title=John Tolos |author1=Vance Nevada |author2=Matt Farmer |author3=J. Michael Kenyon |author4=Greg Oliver |author5=Andy Oren |author6=Mike Rodgers |author7=Ron Witmer |author8=Jim Zordani |date=29 April 2008 |work=SLAM! Wrestling Wrestlers Results Archive |publisher=SLAM! Sports |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> He also wrestled [[Steve Stanlee]], [[Stan Stasiak]] and Jean Baillargeon during the next two months as well as facing his one-time tag team partner, Tommy O’Toole, beating him in both of their two encounters. One of his biggest matches was against Taro Sakuro, a bout which he lost, with 13,997 fans in attendance at the Maple Leaf Gardens on 30 August. In the following weeks, he also lost matches to [[Sweet Daddy Siki]] and [[Johnny Valentine]], making his Toronto debut. His last appearance was on 11 October 1962, in which he lost to Taro Sakuro in a rematch.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacyofwrestling.com/Toronto62.html |title=Toronto Wrestling Results – 1962 |author=Hornbaker, Tim |work=Ontario Wrestling Results |publisher=LegacyOfWrestling.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> Hrstich met a number of rising NWA stars while working for Tunney, most notably, [[Bruno Sammartino]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1wrestlinglegends.com/column/dart-00.html |title=Memories No. 1 |author=Dart, Terry |work=Terry Dart's A Jarful of Memories |publisher=1WrestlingLegends.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref>


===Return to St. Louis===
===Return to St. Louis===
He spent the spring of 1963 wrestling for [[Sam Muchnick]] and appeared in televised matches on ''[[Wrestling at the Chase]]''. His loss to [[Dick the Bruiser]] at the [[Kiel Auditorium]], on 1 February 1963, signalled the start of Muchnick's [[Push (professional wrestling)|"push"]] to make Bruiser one of the top stars in his promotion.<ref>[[Larry Matysik|Matysik, Larry]]. ''Wrestling at the Chase: The Inside Story of Sam Muchnick and the Legends of Professional Wrestling''. Toronto: ECW Press, 2005. (pg. 170) {{ISBN|1-55022-684-3}}</ref> Two months later, Hrstich met [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship|NWA World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Lou Thesz]] in St. Louis on 20 April 1963.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/nwa/world/nwa-h-matches/1960s/nwa-h-matches1963.html |title=The Records of NWA World Heavyweight Championship Matches: 1963 |year=2003 |work=Wrestling-Titles.com |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |access-date=30 May 2010}}</ref> Hrstich later travelled the road with Thesz and headlined together in tag team matches. He also had a brief stint in [[Jim Crockett Promotions]] that summer. On 25 July, he fought Pat O'Hara to a 20-minute time-limit draw in front of 3,437 fans at the [[Greensboro Coliseum]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/greensboro60s.htm |title=Greensboro Coliseum: 1962–1969 |author=Cawthon, Graham |work=Specific Arena Results: Greensboro Coliseum |publisher=TheHistoryOfWWE.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> Nearly three weeks later, the two men teamed up against, and lost to, the Tolos Brothers in [[Lexington, North Carolina]].<ref name="Nevada"/> Hrstich moved on to [[Georgia Championship Wrestling]], then run by promoters Don McIntyre and Steve Manderson, where he and several other NWA stars including [[Lou Thesz]], [[Eddie Graham]], and [[Angelo Mosca|The Mighty Hercules]] appeared for the next three months.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2008/1221940210.shtml |title=9/20 Southeastern Wrestling News, CW, 'American Wrestling Rampage' |author=Martin, Adam |date=20 September 2008 |publisher=WrestleView.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> In the first week of October, Hrstich defeated Felix Godo at the [[Municipal Auditorium (Atlanta, Georgia)|Municipal Auditorium]] in [[Atlanta, Georgia]], wrestled [[Tarzan Tyler]] to a draw at the Fort Gordon Sports Arena and beat Marcus Godo at the William Bell Auditorium in [[Augusta, Georgia|Augusta]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pwinsiderxtra.com/ViewArticle.php?id=12072&p=1 |title=Southeastern Wrestling News, Notes, And Nostalgia: 10/07/2008 |author=Tate, Rich |date=8 October 2008 |publisher=PWInsiderXtra |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> Hrstich wrestled The Mighty Hercules to a draw at that same venue the following week<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news08/1224093800.shtml |title=Indy News #1: 10/14 Southeastern, WrestleGrowl, SAW |author=Martin, Adam |date=15 October 2008 |publisher=WrestleView.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> and scored victories over Hercules,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news08/1224702271.shtml |title=Indy News #1: 10/21 Southeastern, HW, ClickWrestle |author=Martin, Adam |date=22 October 2008 |publisher=WrestleView.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> Tyler, Ivan Zukoff, The Outlaw, [[Lenny Montana]] and [[Gene Anderson]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com/cards-results/1960s/1963-4.html |title=1963: October – December |work=Cards & Results: 1960s |publisher=GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.midatlanticgateway.com/Resource_Center/results/results_anderson_gene.htm |title=Mid-Atlantic Superstar Wrestling Results – Gene Anderson |authors=David Baker, Mark Eastridge, Rich Tate and Jim Zordani |date=1 January 2010 |work=David Baker's Mid-Atlantic Superstar Wrestling Results |publisher=MidAtlanticGateway.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref>
He spent the spring of 1963 wrestling for [[Sam Muchnick]] and appeared in televised matches on ''[[Wrestling at the Chase]]''. His loss to [[Dick the Bruiser]] at the [[Kiel Auditorium]], on 1 February 1963, signalled the start of Muchnick's [[Push (professional wrestling)|"push"]] to make Bruiser one of the top stars in his promotion.<ref>[[Larry Matysik|Matysik, Larry]]. ''Wrestling at the Chase: The Inside Story of Sam Muchnick and the Legends of Professional Wrestling''. Toronto: ECW Press, 2005. (pg. 170) {{ISBN|1-55022-684-3}}</ref> Two months later, Hrstich met [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship|NWA World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Lou Thesz]] in St. Louis on 20 April 1963.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/nwa/world/nwa-h-matches/1960s/nwa-h-matches1963.html |title=The Records of NWA World Heavyweight Championship Matches: 1963 |year=2003 |work=Wrestling-Titles.com |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |access-date=30 May 2010}}</ref> Hrstich later travelled the road with Thesz and headlined together in tag team matches. He also had a brief stint in [[Jim Crockett Promotions]] that summer. On 25 July, he fought Pat O'Hara to a 20-minute time-limit draw in front of 3,437 fans at the [[Greensboro Coliseum]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/greensboro60s.htm |title=Greensboro Coliseum: 1962–1969 |author=Cawthon, Graham |work=Specific Arena Results: Greensboro Coliseum |publisher=TheHistoryOfWWE.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> Nearly three weeks later, the two men teamed up against, and lost to, the Tolos Brothers in [[Lexington, North Carolina]].<ref name="Nevada"/> Hrstich moved on to [[Georgia Championship Wrestling]], then run by promoters Don McIntyre and Steve Manderson, where he and several other NWA stars including [[Lou Thesz]], [[Eddie Graham]], and [[Angelo Mosca|The Mighty Hercules]] appeared for the next three months.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2008/1221940210.shtml |title=9/20 Southeastern Wrestling News, CW, 'American Wrestling Rampage' |author=Martin, Adam |date=20 September 2008 |publisher=WrestleView.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> In the first week of October, Hrstich defeated Felix Godo at the [[Municipal Auditorium (Atlanta, Georgia)|Municipal Auditorium]] in [[Atlanta, Georgia]], wrestled [[Tarzan Tyler]] to a draw at the Fort Gordon Sports Arena and beat Marcus Godo at the William Bell Auditorium in [[Augusta, Georgia|Augusta]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pwinsiderxtra.com/ViewArticle.php?id=12072&p=1 |title=Southeastern Wrestling News, Notes, And Nostalgia: 10/07/2008 |author=Tate, Rich |date=8 October 2008 |publisher=PWInsiderXtra |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> Hrstich wrestled The Mighty Hercules to a draw at that same venue the following week<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news08/1224093800.shtml |title=Indy News #1: 10/14 Southeastern, WrestleGrowl, SAW |author=Martin, Adam |date=15 October 2008 |publisher=WrestleView.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> and scored victories over Hercules,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news08/1224702271.shtml |title=Indy News #1: 10/21 Southeastern, HW, ClickWrestle |author=Martin, Adam |date=22 October 2008 |publisher=WrestleView.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> Tyler, Ivan Zukoff, The Outlaw, [[Lenny Montana]] and [[Gene Anderson (wrestler)|Gene Anderson]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com/cards-results/1960s/1963-4.html |title=1963: October – December |work=Cards & Results: 1960s |publisher=GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.midatlanticgateway.com/Resource_Center/results/results_anderson_gene.htm |title=Mid-Atlantic Superstar Wrestling Results – Gene Anderson |author1=David Baker |author2=Mark Eastridge |author3=Rich Tate |author4=Jim Zordani |date=1 January 2010 |work=David Baker's Mid-Atlantic Superstar Wrestling Results |publisher=MidAtlanticGateway.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref>


===From Indianapolis to Florida===
===From Indianapolis to Florida===
On 25 April 1964, Hrstich appeared at the Southside Armory in Indianapolis for Dick the Bruiser and [[Wilbur Snyder]]'s first official [[World Wrestling Association (Indianapolis)|World Wrestling Association]] show. He and Billy Goelz wrestled in the opening match and fought to a 20-minute draw.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kayfabememories.com/Regions/wwa-ind/wwaind24.htm |title=Regional Territories: WWA-Indianapolis |author=DuPree, Mike |work=Regional Territories |publisher=KayfabeMemories.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> From late-1964 until early 1965, Hrstich wrestled for [[Championship Wrestling from Florida]]. One of his first matches in the territory was against Harry Smith in [[St. Petersburg, Florida|St. Petersburg]] on 20 November 1964.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cwfarchives.com/Wrestler.php?id=619 |title=Wrestler: Ray Gordon |author=Rose, Barry |work=Wrestler |publisher=CWFArchives.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> After a brief series of matches against Bill Dromo in March 1965, he finally left Florida<ref name="Nevada2">{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/ResultsArchive/Wrestlers/dromo.html |title=Bill Dromo |authors=Vance Nevada, Fred Hornby, Mike Rodgers, Barry Rose, Rich Tate and Robert Van Kavelaar |date=21 June 2005 |work=SLAM! Wrestling Wrestlers Results Archive |publisher=SLAM! Sports |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> for [[Don Owen (wrestling promoter)|Don Owen]] in [[Portland, Oregon]].<ref name="Nevada4">{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/ResultsArchive/Wrestlers/vachon-maurice.html |title=Mad Dog Vachon |authors=Vance Nevada, Matt Farmer, Mike Rodgers and Jim Zordani |date=30 April 2008 |work=SLAM! Wrestling Wrestlers Results Archive |publisher=SLAM! Sports |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref>
On 25 April 1964, Hrstich appeared at the Southside Armory in Indianapolis for Dick the Bruiser and [[Wilbur Snyder]]'s first official [[World Wrestling Association (Indianapolis)|World Wrestling Association]] show. He and Billy Goelz wrestled in the opening match and fought to a 20-minute draw.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kayfabememories.com/Regions/wwa-ind/wwaind24.htm |title=Regional Territories: WWA-Indianapolis |author=DuPree, Mike |work=Regional Territories |publisher=KayfabeMemories.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> From late-1964 until early 1965, Hrstich wrestled for [[Championship Wrestling from Florida]]. One of his first matches in the territory was against Harry Smith in [[St. Petersburg, Florida|St. Petersburg]] on 20 November 1964.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cwfarchives.com/Wrestler.php?id=619 |title=Wrestler: Ray Gordon |author=Rose, Barry |work=Wrestler |publisher=CWFArchives.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> After a brief series of matches against Bill Dromo in March 1965, he finally left Florida<ref name="Nevada2">{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/ResultsArchive/Wrestlers/dromo.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115073742/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/ResultsArchive/Wrestlers/dromo.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=15 January 2013 |title=Bill Dromo |author1=Vance Nevada |author2=Fred Hornby |author3=Mike Rodgers |author4=Barry Rose |author5=Rich Tate |author6=Robert Van Kavelaar |date=21 June 2005 |work=SLAM! Wrestling Wrestlers Results Archive |publisher=SLAM! Sports |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> for [[Don Owen (wrestling promoter)|Don Owen]] in [[Portland, Oregon]].<ref name="Nevada4">{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/ResultsArchive/Wrestlers/vachon-maurice.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715120631/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/ResultsArchive/Wrestlers/vachon-maurice.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=15 July 2012 |title=Mad Dog Vachon |author1=Vance Nevada |author2=Matt Farmer |author3=Mike Rodgers |author4=Jim Zordani |date=30 April 2008 |work=SLAM! Wrestling Wrestlers Results Archive |publisher=SLAM! Sports |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref>


===Pacific Northwest Wrestling===
===Pacific Northwest Wrestling===
In his first two months in [[Pacific Northwest Wrestling]], Hrstich feuded with Roy McClarty though both their matches resulted in draws; he and [[Stan Stasiak]], however, did beat McClarty and [[Enrique Torres]] in a tag team match in [[Seattle]] four months later.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/ResultsArchive/Wrestlers/mcclarty-roy.html |title=Roy McClarty |authors=Vance Nevada, J. Michael Kenyon, George Lentz, Will Morrisey, Loren Olson, Mike Rodgers, Scott Teal and Jim Zordani |date=28 June 2005 |work=SLAM! Wrestlers Results Archive |publisher=SLAM! Sports |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref><ref name="Ray">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingclassics.com/wawli/Nos.021-030.html |title=1965 Results From Burt Ray's Matmania |author=Ray, Burt |year=1965 |work=The WAWLI Papers # 028... |publisher=WrestlingClassics.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> On 14 June 1965, he beat [[Maurice Vachon|Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon]] via disqualification.<ref name="Nevada4"/> That fall, he lost matches to Rick Hunter<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/ResultsArchive/Wrestlers/hunter-rick.html |title=Ricky Hunter |authors=Vance Nevada, Graham Cawthon, Matt Farmer and Mike Rodgers |date=29 April 2008 |work=SLAM! Wrestling Wrestlers Results Archive |publisher=SLAM! Sports |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> and [[Don Leo Jonathan]].<ref name="Ray"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingclassics.com/wawli/Nos.001-010.html |title=Star Search: Don Leo Jonathan (1950–67) |year=1968 |work=The WAWLI Papers # 009... |publisher=WrestlingClassics.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> On 6 November 1965, Hrstich lost a tag team match with [[Sandor Kovacs]] against Bill Dromo & Ivan Kameroff in [[Winnipeg, Manitoba]].<ref name="Nevada2"/>
In his first two months in [[Pacific Northwest Wrestling]], Hrstich feuded with Roy McClarty though both their matches resulted in draws; he and [[Stan Stasiak]], however, did beat McClarty and [[Enrique Torres]] in a tag team match in [[Seattle]] four months later.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/ResultsArchive/Wrestlers/mcclarty-roy.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715132301/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/ResultsArchive/Wrestlers/mcclarty-roy.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=15 July 2012 |title=Roy McClarty |author1=Vance Nevada |author2=J. Michael Kenyon |author3=George Lentz |author4=Will Morrisey |author5=Loren Olson |author6=Mike Rodgers |author7=Scott Teal |author8=Jim Zordani |date=28 June 2005 |work=SLAM! Wrestlers Results Archive |publisher=SLAM! Sports |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref><ref name="Ray">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingclassics.com/wawli/Nos.021-030.html |title=1965 Results From Burt Ray's Matmania |author=Ray, Burt |year=1965 |work=The WAWLI Papers # 028... |publisher=WrestlingClassics.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> On 14 June 1965, he beat [[Maurice Vachon|Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon]] via disqualification.<ref name="Nevada4"/> That fall, he lost matches to Rick Hunter<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/ResultsArchive/Wrestlers/hunter-rick.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717232252/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/ResultsArchive/Wrestlers/hunter-rick.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=17 July 2012 |title=Ricky Hunter |author1=Vance Nevada |author2=Graham Cawthon |author3=Matt Farmer |author4=Mike Rodgers |date=29 April 2008 |work=SLAM! Wrestling Wrestlers Results Archive |publisher=SLAM! Sports |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> and [[Don Leo Jonathan]].<ref name="Ray"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingclassics.com/wawli/Nos.001-010.html |title=Star Search: Don Leo Jonathan (1950–67) |year=1968 |work=The WAWLI Papers # 009... |publisher=WrestlingClassics.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> On 6 November 1965, Hrstich lost a tag team match with [[Sandor Kovacs]] against Bill Dromo & Ivan Kameroff in [[Winnipeg, Manitoba]].<ref name="Nevada2"/>


===Tri-State Wrestling===
===Tri-State Wrestling===
Hrstich briefly returned to St. Louis where, on 7 January 1966, he and [[“Cowboy” Bob Ellis]] were beaten by [[Fritz Von Erich]] in a [[handicap match]] at the [[Kiel Auditorium]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldclasswrestling.info/results/vestlouis.htm |title=The Von Erichs in St. Louis |author=Dananay, John |work=Miscellaneous Results |publisher=WorldClassWrestling.info |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> before moving on to [[Universal Wrestling Federation (Bill Watts)#NWA Tri-State|Tri-State Wrestling]]. Paired with Mike Clancy and [[The Great Bolo]], Hrstich came out on the losing end in matches against [[The Assassins (wrestling)|The Assassins]] ([[Jody Hamilton|Assassin #1]] & [[Tom Renesto|Assassin #2]]). He fared better in the singles division with victories over Boris Managoff and Chuck Karbo<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carlkerby.com/dad/1966-match-history |title=1966 Match History |author=Kerby, Carl D. |work=Match History |publisher=CarlKerby.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> and also made appearances for NWA Western States in Texas. Hrstich teamed with Nick Roberts and [[Kurt Von Steiger]] in a six-man tag team match against [[Jack Brisco]], Don Kirk & [[Ricky Romero (wrestler)|Ricky Romero]] in [[Amarillo, Texas|Amarillo]] on 14 April. He would go on to have a series of matches with Brisco in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma until the end of the year. He also faced Brisco in tag team matches as well; he and [[Don Kent (wrestler)|Don Kent]] wrestled Brisco & Ramon Torres to a draw in [[Springfield, Missouri|Springfield]] on 11 May, lost a six-man tag team match with [[Bob Orton]] and [[Chris Tolos]] to Brisco, [[Danny Hodge]] & Battleship Johnson in [[Tulsa]] on 31 October, and with Orton traded matches with Brisco and Hodge in [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]] during the first week of November.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.midatlanticgateway.com/Resource_Center/results/results_brisco_jack.htm |title=Mid-Atlantic Superstar Wrestling Results – Jack Brisco |authors=David Baker, Graham Cawthon, Barry Rose, Mark Eastridge, Rich Tate and Jim Zordani |date=11 September 2009 |work=David Barker's Mid-Atlantic Superstar Wrestling Results |publisher=MidAtlanticGateway.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> In addition to the Tri-State territory, he was also among the many NWA veterans to pass through the [[Continental Wrestling Association]] during October–December 1966.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kayfabememories.com/Regions/memphis/memphis-cwa27-2.htm |title=Memphis/CWA No. 27 Page No. 2 |author=Dills, Tim |work=Regional Territories: Memphis/CWA |publisher=KayfabeMemories.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref>
Hrstich briefly returned to St. Louis where, on 7 January 1966, he and [[“Cowboy” Bob Ellis]] were beaten by [[Fritz Von Erich]] in a [[handicap match]] at the [[Kiel Auditorium]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldclasswrestling.info/results/vestlouis.htm |title=The Von Erichs in St. Louis |author=Dananay, John |work=Miscellaneous Results |publisher=WorldClassWrestling.info |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> before moving on to [[Universal Wrestling Federation (Bill Watts)#NWA Tri-State|Tri-State Wrestling]]. Paired with Mike Clancy and [[The Great Bolo]], Hrstich came out on the losing end in matches against [[The Assassins (wrestling)|The Assassins]] ([[Jody Hamilton|Assassin #1]] & [[Tom Renesto|Assassin #2]]). He fared better in the singles division with victories over Boris Managoff and Chuck Karbo<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carlkerby.com/dad/1966-match-history |title=1966 Match History |author=Kerby, Carl D. |work=Match History |publisher=CarlKerby.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> and also made appearances for NWA Western States in Texas. Hrstich teamed with Nick Roberts and [[Kurt Von Steiger]] in a six-man tag team match against [[Jack Brisco]], Don Kirk & [[Ricky Romero (wrestler)|Ricky Romero]] in [[Amarillo, Texas|Amarillo]] on 14 April. He would go on to have a series of matches with Brisco in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma until the end of the year. He also faced Brisco in tag team matches as well; he and [[Don Kent (wrestler)|Don Kent]] wrestled Brisco & Ramon Torres to a draw in [[Springfield, Missouri|Springfield]] on 11 May, lost a six-man tag team match with [[Bob Orton]] and [[Chris Tolos]] to Brisco, [[Danny Hodge]] & Battleship Johnson in [[Tulsa]] on 31 October, and with Orton traded matches with Brisco and Hodge in [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]] during the first week of November.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.midatlanticgateway.com/Resource_Center/results/results_brisco_jack.htm |title=Mid-Atlantic Superstar Wrestling Results – Jack Brisco |author1=David Baker |author2=Graham Cawthon |author3=Barry Rose |author4=Mark Eastridge |author5=Rich Tate |author6=Jim Zordani |date=11 September 2009 |work=David Barker's Mid-Atlantic Superstar Wrestling Results |publisher=MidAtlanticGateway.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> In addition to the Tri-State territory, he was also among the many NWA veterans to pass through the [[Continental Wrestling Association]] during October–December 1966.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kayfabememories.com/Regions/memphis/memphis-cwa27-2.htm |title=Memphis/CWA No. 27 Page No. 2 |author=Dills, Tim |work=Regional Territories: Memphis/CWA |publisher=KayfabeMemories.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref>


===Later career and retirement===
===Later career and retirement===
Hrstich spent some time in Arizona during the final years of his career and helped train Jody Arnold, the [[kayfabe]] nephew of Don Arnold, who became a major star in the region during the 1970s and 80s. Arnold later called Hrstich a "freak of nature" for being "amazingly strong for his size". According to Dale Pierce, an author and Arizona wrestling historian, he was one of the "toughest wrestlers to ever step into a ring".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling3/thenandnow/interviews/EndofGarden.html |title=The End of the Garden: An Interview With Dale Pierce |author=Death, Johnny K. |date=11 November 2005 |work=Interviews |publisher=Wrestling Then and Now |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref>
Hrstich spent some time in Arizona during the final years of his career and helped train Jody Arnold, the [[kayfabe]] nephew of Don Arnold, who became a major star in the region during the 1970s and 80s. Arnold later called Hrstich a "freak of nature" for being "amazingly strong for his size". According to Dale Pierce, an author and Arizona wrestling historian, he was one of the "toughest wrestlers to ever step into a ring".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.angelfire.com/wrestling3/thenandnow/interviews/EndofGarden.html |title=The End of the Garden: An Interview With Dale Pierce |author=Death, Johnny K. |date=11 November 2005 |work=Interviews |publisher=Wrestling Then and Now |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref>


Hrstich had one last championship run in [[Gene LeBell]]'s [[Worldwide Wrestling Associates|NWA Hollywood Wrestling]] as one-third of the NWA Americas 6-Man Tag Team Champions with [[Apache Bull Ramos]] and Mike Riker until losing the titles to [[Mil Mascaras]] & [[NWA Americas Tag Team Championship|NWA Americas Tag Team Champions]] Los Medicos in Los Angeles on 24 September 1969.<ref name="Wrestling-Titles3">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ca/la/hw/ams-6.html |title=N.W.A. Americas 6-Man Tag Team Title |year=2003 |work=Wrestling-Titles.com |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |access-date=30 May 2010}}</ref> He retired shortly afterwards and settled in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2009, wrestling columnist and historian Dave Cameron ranked Hrstich No. 10 in a top ten list of New Zealand's greatest wrestlers for ''Fight Times Magazine''.<ref name="Cameron"/>
Hrstich had one last championship run in [[Gene LeBell]]'s [[Worldwide Wrestling Associates|NWA Hollywood Wrestling]] as one-third of the NWA Americas 6-Man Tag Team Champions with [[Apache Bull Ramos]] and Mike Riker until losing the titles to [[Mil Mascaras]] & [[NWA Americas Tag Team Championship|NWA Americas Tag Team Champions]] Los Medicos in Los Angeles on 24 September 1969.<ref name="Wrestling-Titles3">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ca/la/hw/ams-6.html |title=N.W.A. Americas 6-Man Tag Team Title |year=2003 |work=Wrestling-Titles.com |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |access-date=30 May 2010}}</ref> He retired shortly afterwards and settled in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2009, wrestling columnist and historian Dave Cameron ranked Hrstich No. 10 in a top ten list of New Zealand's greatest wrestlers for ''Fight Times Magazine''.<ref name="Cameron"/>
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|refs=

⚫
<ref name="FST">{{cite news |title=Wrestling Feature of Hume Fair |newspaper=[[Fort Scott Tribune]] |date=31 August 1960 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=y8kfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tdgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1027,5480207&dq=ray-gordon&hl=en }}</ref>

⚫
<ref name="Oklafan">{{cite web |url=http://www.oklafan.com/bios/1561/profile.html |title=Ray Gordon |work=Bios |publisher=OklaFan.com |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref>

}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
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[[Category:1920 births]]
[[Category:1920 births]]
[[Category:2000 deaths]]
[[Category:2000 deaths]]
[[Category:20th century professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:20th-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Croatian male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Croatian male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:New Zealand male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:New Zealand male professional wrestlers]]

Latest revision as of 16:27, 13 July 2024

Ray Hrstich
Hrstich in the 1950s.
Birth nameDick Hrstich
Born(1920-08-10)August 10, 1920
Drasnice, Croatia and Slavonia, Kingdom of Yugoslavia
DiedFebruary 12, 2000(2000-02-12) (aged 79)
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Dick Gordon
Dick Hrstich
Ray Gordon
Ray Hrstich
Billed weight230 lb (104 kg)[1]
Billed fromBudapest, Hungary[2]
Auckland, New Zealand[1]
Trained byAnton Koolmann
Debutc. 1956
Retiredc. 1970

Dick Hrstich (10 August 1920 – 12 February 2000) was a Yugoslavian/New Zealand professional wrestler, known by his ring names Ray Hrstich and Ray Gordon, who competed in the former Yugoslavia (his native country), New Zealand, Canada, and the United States during the late 1950s and 60s. He was among the first New Zealanders to travel to the US and, like his fellow countrymen Pat O'Connor and Abe Jacobs, became a major star with the National Wrestling Alliance during the Television-era.

He won the NWA New Zealand Heavyweight Championship in 1958 and, later in the US, held the NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship, NWA Iowa Heavyweight Championship, and the NWA Americas 6-Man Tag Team Championship with Apache Bull Ramos and Mike Riker. Hrstich is credited, along with Bobby Graham and "Killer" Buddy Austin, as the trainer of 8-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race. In 2009, Fight Times Magazine ranked Hrstich No. 10 in a top ten list of New Zealand's greatest wrestlers.

Professional career

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Start with the Dominion Wrestling Union

[edit]

Dick Hrstich was born in the former Yugoslavia,[3] in the city now known as Drasnice, Croatia and emigrated with his family to New Zealand at a young age. He held an "outstanding record" as a champion amateur wrestler before turning pro during the mid-1950s. Trained by Anton Koolmann,[3] Hrstich soon established himself as one of the country's up and coming stars. One of his most memorable bouts was against "The Zebra Kid" George Bollas and promoter Al Karasick speculated to the press that Hrstich would become a great drawing card. In April 1958, Wrestling Review wrote that Hrstich "appears to be another Lofty Blomfield".[4] Two months later, on 11 June, he defeated Fred Wright in Christchurch for the then vacant NWA New Zealand Heavyweight Championship.[5] Later that year, he travelled overseas to wrestle in NWA Hawaii and Stampede Wrestling; he lost to Stan Kowalski in Honolulu on 19 October and went to a draw with Reggie Parks in Edmonton, Alberta on 4 November 1958.[6]

Moving to the United States

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Hrstich returned to the US a year later, this time farther east in Kansas City, Kansas for Central States Wrestling, where he defeated "Butcher Boy" Lee Henning at Memorial Hall on 23 April 1959. While competing in the United States, Hrstich was billed as Dick or Ray Gordon,[7] so as to make his name more easy for announcers to pronounce, and kept the ringname for the remainder of his career.[3] In the fall of that year, in the American Wrestling Association, he faced such opponents as Jack Terry, Billy Goelz, Aldo Bogni, Don McClarty and Frank Townsend in the Minneapolis – Saint Paul area. On 24 October, he and Henning teamed together in a tag team match against Butch Levy & Bob Rasmussen in St. Paul.[8] It was during this latest tour that Hrstich decided to wrestle in the US full-time and vacated the NWA New Zealand title.[5]

Spending the rest of the year in Kansas City, Hrstich made several more appearances at Memorial Hall wrestling Stanley Lisowski and Chick Garibaldi in singles matches as well as taking part in a few tag team matches. On 19 November, he and Thor Hagen beat Chick Garibaldi & Kinji Shibuya and teamed with Tommy O’Toole in a 6-team championship tournament a month later. Other teams included Rip Hawk & Rock Hunter, Thor Hagen & Sonny Myers, Bob Geigel & Otto Von Krupp, Bill Cole & Chick Garibaldi, and Jerry Gordett & Joe Hamilton. On 10 December 1959, Hrstich and Krupp defeated Tarzan "Killer" Kowalski in a handicap match at Memorial Hall; Kowalski took the first fall, however Krupp was awarded the second when Kowalski was disqualified.[7] During his time in central Missouri, he along with Bobby Graham and "Killer" Buddy Austin helped train Harley Race, a future 8-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, while the young rookie was starting his career working for St. Joseph wrestling promoter Gust Karras.[2][9][10][11][12][13][14]

Hrstich then headed south where he worked for Texas promoter Pat O’Dowdy in Odessa wrestling Ed Sharpe and Dick Hutton at the Floyd Gwin Auditorium in early 1960.[15] In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, for promoters Morris Siegel and Ed McLemore, he also faced Paul "Butcher" Vachon,[16] Marquis de Paree, Duke Keomuka, and Joe Pizza during October–November 1960.[17] On 16 December 1961, he won the vacant NWA Iowa Heavyweight Championship in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.[18] By 1962, Hrstich was back in the Central States territory and, on 9 February, he captured the NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship from Buddy Austin in St. Joseph.[19] Hrstich held the title for two months before dropping the belt to his old rival Lee Henning on 5 May 1962.[20][21]

Maple Leaf Wrestling

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Hrstich left the area shortly afterwards to wrestle for Canadian promoter Frank Tunney's Toronto-based promotion Maple Leaf Wrestling and began appearing on events at its home arena, Maple Leaf Gardens, by the end of the month. In his first major appearance, on 24 May, Hrstich and Jim Hady wrestled The Tolos Brothers (Chris and John Tolos) to a 30-minute time limit draw.[22] He also wrestled Steve Stanlee, Stan Stasiak and Jean Baillargeon during the next two months as well as facing his one-time tag team partner, Tommy O’Toole, beating him in both of their two encounters. One of his biggest matches was against Taro Sakuro, a bout which he lost, with 13,997 fans in attendance at the Maple Leaf Gardens on 30 August. In the following weeks, he also lost matches to Sweet Daddy Siki and Johnny Valentine, making his Toronto debut. His last appearance was on 11 October 1962, in which he lost to Taro Sakuro in a rematch.[23] Hrstich met a number of rising NWA stars while working for Tunney, most notably, Bruno Sammartino.[24]

Return to St. Louis

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He spent the spring of 1963 wrestling for Sam Muchnick and appeared in televised matches on Wrestling at the Chase. His loss to Dick the Bruiser at the Kiel Auditorium, on 1 February 1963, signalled the start of Muchnick's "push" to make Bruiser one of the top stars in his promotion.[25] Two months later, Hrstich met NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz in St. Louis on 20 April 1963.[26] Hrstich later travelled the road with Thesz and headlined together in tag team matches. He also had a brief stint in Jim Crockett Promotions that summer. On 25 July, he fought Pat O'Hara to a 20-minute time-limit draw in front of 3,437 fans at the Greensboro Coliseum.[27] Nearly three weeks later, the two men teamed up against, and lost to, the Tolos Brothers in Lexington, North Carolina.[22] Hrstich moved on to Georgia Championship Wrestling, then run by promoters Don McIntyre and Steve Manderson, where he and several other NWA stars including Lou Thesz, Eddie Graham, and The Mighty Hercules appeared for the next three months.[28] In the first week of October, Hrstich defeated Felix Godo at the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta, Georgia, wrestled Tarzan Tyler to a draw at the Fort Gordon Sports Arena and beat Marcus Godo at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta.[29] Hrstich wrestled The Mighty Hercules to a draw at that same venue the following week[30] and scored victories over Hercules,[31] Tyler, Ivan Zukoff, The Outlaw, Lenny Montana and Gene Anderson.[32][33]

From Indianapolis to Florida

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On 25 April 1964, Hrstich appeared at the Southside Armory in Indianapolis for Dick the Bruiser and Wilbur Snyder's first official World Wrestling Association show. He and Billy Goelz wrestled in the opening match and fought to a 20-minute draw.[34] From late-1964 until early 1965, Hrstich wrestled for Championship Wrestling from Florida. One of his first matches in the territory was against Harry Smith in St. Petersburg on 20 November 1964.[35] After a brief series of matches against Bill Dromo in March 1965, he finally left Florida[36] for Don Owen in Portland, Oregon.[37]

Pacific Northwest Wrestling

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In his first two months in Pacific Northwest Wrestling, Hrstich feuded with Roy McClarty though both their matches resulted in draws; he and Stan Stasiak, however, did beat McClarty and Enrique Torres in a tag team match in Seattle four months later.[38][39] On 14 June 1965, he beat Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon via disqualification.[37] That fall, he lost matches to Rick Hunter[40] and Don Leo Jonathan.[39][41] On 6 November 1965, Hrstich lost a tag team match with Sandor Kovacs against Bill Dromo & Ivan Kameroff in Winnipeg, Manitoba.[36]

Tri-State Wrestling

[edit]

Hrstich briefly returned to St. Louis where, on 7 January 1966, he and “Cowboy” Bob Ellis were beaten by Fritz Von Erich in a handicap match at the Kiel Auditorium[42] before moving on to Tri-State Wrestling. Paired with Mike Clancy and The Great Bolo, Hrstich came out on the losing end in matches against The Assassins (Assassin #1 & Assassin #2). He fared better in the singles division with victories over Boris Managoff and Chuck Karbo[43] and also made appearances for NWA Western States in Texas. Hrstich teamed with Nick Roberts and Kurt Von Steiger in a six-man tag team match against Jack Brisco, Don Kirk & Ricky Romero in Amarillo on 14 April. He would go on to have a series of matches with Brisco in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma until the end of the year. He also faced Brisco in tag team matches as well; he and Don Kent wrestled Brisco & Ramon Torres to a draw in Springfield on 11 May, lost a six-man tag team match with Bob Orton and Chris Tolos to Brisco, Danny Hodge & Battleship Johnson in Tulsa on 31 October, and with Orton traded matches with Brisco and Hodge in Little Rock during the first week of November.[44] In addition to the Tri-State territory, he was also among the many NWA veterans to pass through the Continental Wrestling Association during October–December 1966.[45]

Later career and retirement

[edit]

Hrstich spent some time in Arizona during the final years of his career and helped train Jody Arnold, the kayfabe nephew of Don Arnold, who became a major star in the region during the 1970s and 80s. Arnold later called Hrstich a "freak of nature" for being "amazingly strong for his size". According to Dale Pierce, an author and Arizona wrestling historian, he was one of the "toughest wrestlers to ever step into a ring".[46]

Hrstich had one last championship run in Gene LeBell's NWA Hollywood Wrestling as one-third of the NWA Americas 6-Man Tag Team Champions with Apache Bull Ramos and Mike Riker until losing the titles to Mil Mascaras & NWA Americas Tag Team Champions Los Medicos in Los Angeles on 24 September 1969.[47] He retired shortly afterwards and settled in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2009, wrestling columnist and historian Dave Cameron ranked Hrstich No. 10 in a top ten list of New Zealand's greatest wrestlers for Fight Times Magazine.[3]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]
  • NWA Iowa
    • NWA Iowa Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[18]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Wrestling Feature of Hume Fair". Fort Scott Tribune. 31 August 1960.
  2. ^ a b "Ray Gordon". Bios. OklaFan.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d Cameron, Dave (March 2009). "My Top Ten New Zealand Born Wrestlers". Fight Times. Fight Times Magazine. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  4. ^ Wrestling Review (28 April 1958). "Promising Wrestling Season Ahead". The New WAWLI Papers (Wrestling As We Liked It) No. 556. WrestlingClassics.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  5. ^ a b c "New Zealand Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  6. ^ Wilson, William A. (1958). "William A. Wilson's "Wrestling Results" bulletin from Kansas City during the 1958–59 season". The WAWLI Papers # 060... WrestlingClassics.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  7. ^ a b Hornbaker, Tim (2 January 2008). "Kansas City Wrestling Results – 1959". Kansas Wrestling Results. LegacyOfWrestling.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  8. ^ "Twin Cities AWA Wrestling Results 1959–60". The WAWLI Papers # 041... WrestlingClassics.com. 1959. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  9. ^ Owens, Chris. "Harley Race". Wrestlers. KayfabeMemories.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  10. ^ "SLAM! Wrestling Harley Race Chat". SLAM! Wrestling: Harley Race. SLAM! Sports. 13 March 2001. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  11. ^ Race, Harley and Gerry Tritz. King of the Ring: The Harley Race Story. Champaigne, Illinois: Sports Publishing LLC, 2004. (pg. 13) ISBN 1-58261-818-6
  12. ^ Csonka, Larry (29 March 2005). "Your News, My Views 3.29.05". Columns. 411mania.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  13. ^ Oliver, Greg. The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels. Toronto: ECW Press, 2007. (pg. 58) ISBN 1-55022-759-9
  14. ^ David Baker; Graham Cawthon; Barry Rose; Ron Widmar; Jim Zordani (28 December 2009). "Mid-Atlantic Superstar Wrestling Results – Harley Race". David Baker's Mid-Atlantic Superstar Wrestling Results. MidAtlanticGateway.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  15. ^ Luce, Don. "Odessa Wrestling Results – 1960". West Texas Wrestling Results. LegacyOfWrestling.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  16. ^ Vance Nevada; Graham Cawthon; Mike Rodgers (12 May 2008). "Paul "Butcher" Vachon". SLAM! Wrestling Wrestlers Results Archive. SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  17. ^ Dananay, John. "WCCW Results: 1960 – 1965". Early Results. WorldClassWrestling.info. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  18. ^ a b "Iowa Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
  19. ^ Woodward, Buck (9 February 2009). "This Day in History: Steiners Win Tag Title Number Six, The Midnight Rider, WWA Retribution, King Of England And More". PWInsider.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  20. ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will; Jeff Capo (2009). "NWA Central States Heavyweight Title History". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  21. ^ a b "N.W.A. Central States Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
  22. ^ a b Vance Nevada; Matt Farmer; J. Michael Kenyon; Greg Oliver; Andy Oren; Mike Rodgers; Ron Witmer; Jim Zordani (29 April 2008). "John Tolos". SLAM! Wrestling Wrestlers Results Archive. SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  23. ^ Hornbaker, Tim. "Toronto Wrestling Results – 1962". Ontario Wrestling Results. LegacyOfWrestling.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  24. ^ Dart, Terry. "Memories No. 1". Terry Dart's A Jarful of Memories. 1WrestlingLegends.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  25. ^ Matysik, Larry. Wrestling at the Chase: The Inside Story of Sam Muchnick and the Legends of Professional Wrestling. Toronto: ECW Press, 2005. (pg. 170) ISBN 1-55022-684-3
  26. ^ "The Records of NWA World Heavyweight Championship Matches: 1963". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
  27. ^ Cawthon, Graham. "Greensboro Coliseum: 1962–1969". Specific Arena Results: Greensboro Coliseum. TheHistoryOfWWE.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  28. ^ Martin, Adam (20 September 2008). "9/20 Southeastern Wrestling News, CW, 'American Wrestling Rampage'". WrestleView.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  29. ^ Tate, Rich (8 October 2008). "Southeastern Wrestling News, Notes, And Nostalgia: 10/07/2008". PWInsiderXtra. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  30. ^ Martin, Adam (15 October 2008). "Indy News #1: 10/14 Southeastern, WrestleGrowl, SAW". WrestleView.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  31. ^ Martin, Adam (22 October 2008). "Indy News #1: 10/21 Southeastern, HW, ClickWrestle". WrestleView.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  32. ^ "1963: October – December". Cards & Results: 1960s. GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  33. ^ David Baker; Mark Eastridge; Rich Tate; Jim Zordani (1 January 2010). "Mid-Atlantic Superstar Wrestling Results – Gene Anderson". David Baker's Mid-Atlantic Superstar Wrestling Results. MidAtlanticGateway.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  34. ^ DuPree, Mike. "Regional Territories: WWA-Indianapolis". Regional Territories. KayfabeMemories.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  35. ^ Rose, Barry. "Wrestler: Ray Gordon". Wrestler. CWFArchives.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  36. ^ a b Vance Nevada; Fred Hornby; Mike Rodgers; Barry Rose; Rich Tate; Robert Van Kavelaar (21 June 2005). "Bill Dromo". SLAM! Wrestling Wrestlers Results Archive. SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  37. ^ a b Vance Nevada; Matt Farmer; Mike Rodgers; Jim Zordani (30 April 2008). "Mad Dog Vachon". SLAM! Wrestling Wrestlers Results Archive. SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  38. ^ Vance Nevada; J. Michael Kenyon; George Lentz; Will Morrisey; Loren Olson; Mike Rodgers; Scott Teal; Jim Zordani (28 June 2005). "Roy McClarty". SLAM! Wrestlers Results Archive. SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  39. ^ a b Ray, Burt (1965). "1965 Results From Burt Ray's Matmania". The WAWLI Papers # 028... WrestlingClassics.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  40. ^ Vance Nevada; Graham Cawthon; Matt Farmer; Mike Rodgers (29 April 2008). "Ricky Hunter". SLAM! Wrestling Wrestlers Results Archive. SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  41. ^ "Star Search: Don Leo Jonathan (1950–67)". The WAWLI Papers # 009... WrestlingClassics.com. 1968. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  42. ^ Dananay, John. "The Von Erichs in St. Louis". Miscellaneous Results. WorldClassWrestling.info. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  43. ^ Kerby, Carl D. "1966 Match History". Match History. CarlKerby.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  44. ^ David Baker; Graham Cawthon; Barry Rose; Mark Eastridge; Rich Tate; Jim Zordani (11 September 2009). "Mid-Atlantic Superstar Wrestling Results – Jack Brisco". David Barker's Mid-Atlantic Superstar Wrestling Results. MidAtlanticGateway.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  45. ^ Dills, Tim. "Memphis/CWA No. 27 Page No. 2". Regional Territories: Memphis/CWA. KayfabeMemories.com. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  46. ^ Death, Johnny K. (11 November 2005). "The End of the Garden: An Interview With Dale Pierce". Interviews. Wrestling Then and Now. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  47. ^ a b "N.W.A. Americas 6-Man Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved 30 May 2010.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Hamilton, Joe and Scott Teal. Assassin: The Man Behind the Mask. Gallatin, Tennessee: Crowbar Press, 2007.
  • Teal, Scott. The History of Professional Wrestling, Issue #5: Western Canada, 1911–1956. Gallatin, Tennessee: Crowbar Press, 2009.
  • Teal, Scott. The History of Professional Wrestling, Issue #7: St. Louis, Missouri, 1960–1985. Gallatin, Tennessee: Crowbar Press, 2009.
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