BOOK DETAILS
Publisher: Crowbar Press
8-1/2 x 11 Perfect Bound
Pages: 197
Words: 143,705
Photos: 250 b&w
Cover: Full color
ISBN: 978-1-940391-30-4
Item #: 40-gwv5
Price: $24.95
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"Amarillo, 1911-1960" is available exclusively from Crowbar Press.
All books will be shipped via Media Mail (U.S.), Priority Mail, or International Priority Mail (Canada/overseas).
The Great Pro Wrestling Venues
Volume 6: Amarillo —1911-1960
by Kriss Knights & Scott Teal
In this latest edition of "The Great Pro Wrestling Venues," Kriss Knights & Scott Teal explore the origins of what came to be known as the "Amarillo wrestling territory," which eventually became synonymous with the Funk family and hard-hitting wrestling action.
The information on the history of pro wrestling in Amarillo was culled from hundreds of newspapers and no stone was left unturned in our search for the roots of the sport in that part of West Texas. Detailed information about the early promoters and their struggle to build the foundation for pro wrestling is revealed for the first time ever.
More importantly, the first appearance of Dory Funk, Sr., is chronicled, as well as his rapid rise to the top of the wrestling profession in that part of the country.
You'll also learn about:
• The "FIRST" Four Horsemen in wresting history!
• Dory Funk Sr.'s debut in West Texas
• The origin of the "Texas Death Match"
• Tuffy Truesdale wrestling an alligator
• The origins and opening of the Sports Arena
• 16-year-old Terry Funk's auto accident
• Cal Farley and the Boy's Ranch
• Penny Banner and three other lady wrestlers arrested for inciting a riot
• Dutch Mantel beats the bear!
• Ripper Leone burns Dory Funk's wrestling trunks in the ring
• The wrestler who died after his spine was severed.
• Tournament for the Southwestern States junior heavyweight title
• "Farm Boy" — Dory Funk’s 500-pound protege
• The in-ring wedding that ended in violence!
• The promoter sued for $10,000 when a sign fell on a wrestling fan
• The first women to wrestle in Amarillo
• The wrestler's wife who committed suicide
• Dutch Mantell's rumored engagement to a masked "Mystery Girl"
• Dory Funk Jr. signs with West Texas State
• The first Amarillo defense of a world heavyweight championship
• Four women wrestlers arrested for inciting a riot!
• Pro wrestling goes dark for six years
• Results of more than 2,500 wrestling shows
• And much, much more!
This fascinating, comprehensive book of historical information is enhanced by an amazing array of more than 250 rare photos, classic newspaper ads, and little-known facts and stories. This is a reference that wrestling historians, and even casual fans of sports entertainment, will refer to over and over again.
Copyright © 2020 Crowbar Press
The bout between Thomas Ellis at 130 pounds and George Stoneham at 150 proved to be a farce, and at the end of the third round, shouts of "take them out" hit the air, and referee Carl Robinson called the match off in Stoneham’s favor.
Copyright © 2020 Crowbar Press
Nearly 1,000 women and men crowded into the armory Friday night when Cal Farley lived up to his reputation by defeating Jack Fisher of St. Louis. The spectators were crowded together in a suffocating mass; they were almost as thick as sardines in a can. What would have happed if a smoldering cigarette and a discarded handbill had caused a puff of smoke and some idiot had shouted "fire?" There would have been a panic and half or three-fourths of the people in the building would have been killed.
Copyright © 2020 Crowbar Press
On Tuesday, May 4, Teddy Waters and his "manager," Cal Farley, cleaned house at the carnival playing at the Tri-State Fairgrounds. Waters beat several of the carnival wrestlers. From a newspapaer, "Reports are that in the future, carnivals coming to Amarillo will allow their grappling athletes a rest for the week, rather than have them beaten up by the local wrestlers."
Copyright © 2020 Crowbar Press
After 30 minutes of the first fall, McCann was involved in an altercation with a ringside fan. When he challenged by sheriff’s deputies, he began arguing with them, and was promptly escorted outside, wearing only his wrestling trunks. The deputies spoke with McCann outside for almost 30 minutes before the match was allowed to resume. This time spent in the "cold Panhandle night air" was attributed as being the cause of McCann’s defeat.
Copyright © 2020 Crowbar Press
Pre-match writeups said a "Mystery Girl was going to be on hand, black mask and all. She will be sitting in the first row ringside." At the card, she was introduced and received a big round of applause. A telegram from the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce requesting her presence on a trade trip was read to the fans.
Copyright © 2020 Crowbar Press
Dick Stallworth and Young Meyers pleased and astonished the customers in the curtain raiser. These lads are not out of grade school, yet they showed as much science in the gentle art as the grown-ups.
Copyright © 2020 Crowbar Press
In another Amarillo Athletic Club act, Lobo Brown threw himself in six minutes. Lobo’s battle with himself and the referee’s antics kept the huge gathering in an uproar. Dick Foreigner was the "third" man in the ring, and had to hold a consultation with himself to decide whether Brown had beat Brown, or Brown had beat Brown.
Copyright © 2020 Crowbar Press
A wrestling spectator today formally accused referee Ray (Big Train) Clements of aggravated assault following a brush between the two last Thursday night at the Sports Arena, located at Tri-State Fairgrounds. County attorney Lon Moser said a warrant was issued for the arrest of Clements, who was booked on tentative charges of assault after Thursday’s matches and released from county jail on $1,000 bond.
Copyright © 2020 Crowbar Press
"Mat Time" continued to be a regular feature on Saturday afternoons between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. On Dec. 6, a spinoff program called Winner Take All began airing. A mat workout between various wrestlers, there was no admission charge and the public was invited, with the program airing at 10:30 p.m. on KFDA-TV, Channel 10. On the debut show, Art Nelson put up his $200 against the Great Bolo, who posted a $50 entry fee. Nelson won the contest.
Copyright © 2020 Crowbar Press
Bill Fairley announced the results of the Donkey-Baseball game last Sunday, i.e., the wrestlers’ team won the third consecutive year. But from the list of those injured during the game, the donkeys won!
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