Studio Wrestling at WNOK-19 in Columbia, SC

Carroll Hall (All Star Championship Wrestling) has documented new information about an additional location for studio wrestling for Jim Crockett Promotions. With the help of Kriss Knights, Carroll was able to verify through newspaper reports that wrestling was taped at the studios of WNOK-19 in Columbia SC from 2/03/62 until 2/02/63.

The actual name of the show is not known. Like other shows of the era, it was likely titled "Championship Wrestling" or "All Star Wrestling", but the listings simply refer to it as Live Wrestling. The show was hosted by WNOK sportscaster Jim Paul.

This brings the total to ten (10) of the number of television studio locations for live TV wrestling and/or taped TV wrestling for Jim Crockett Promotions from 1956-1988. The complete list is always posted in the right-hand column of this site.

We'll be updating our Studio Wrestling section on the Mid-Atlantic Gateway with more information on wrestling at WNOK soon.

Here is the post Carroll Hall made on his "All Star Championship Wrestling" website after confirmation of this site for studio wrestling.

Studio Wrestling in Nashville (1977)

This image is of a ticket printed in an event program for Nick Gulas's Studio Wrestling show out of the studios of WNGE-TV in Nashville, TN. The program was for the show at the Nashville Fairgrounds on December 14, 1977. The ticket is good for the TV taping on Saturday December 18.

WNGE (which stood for Nashville General Electric) was originally WSIX-TV channel 8, and is now WKRN-TV channel 2.

From the Nashville Broadcasting History website:

Live studio wrestling was a popular early program on WSIX-TV. Sponsored by Harold L. Shyer Jewelers ("If you don't know diamonds, know your jeweler...and if Harold says it's so, it's so"), early performers included the Fargo brothers, the Greene brothers, the Germans and their manager, "Gentleman" Saul Weingeroff, Tojo Yamamoto and others.

Promoted by the popular Nick Gulas, many Nashvillians remember the night things got out of control in the WSIX-TV studio and a female fan got so angry with the villainous Jackie Fargo that she took off her high-heeled shoe and when he jumped out of the ring, she hit him over the head with it. (Pictured above: The "Fabulous One"Jackie Fargo with sposor Harold L. Shyer.)

Apostolou Acquires Starland Arena (1965)

Our friend Kyle Rosser sent us this bit of info he found on Roanoke wrestling promoter Pete Apostolou and Starland Arena that was on the Roanoke News website from 1965:

“Professional wrestling has found a new home in Roanoke. Pete Apostolou, president of the Roanoke Sports Club, announced Saturday that part of former Starland Bowl at 3555 Shenandoah Ave., N.W., has been acquired as a wrestling arena.”

Apostolou appeared regularly as a color commentator on his TV show "All-Star Wrestling" in the 1960s. The show was hosted by WDBJ-7 personality Hal Grant and aired live on WDBJ on Saturday afternoons.

The Starland Bowl was a skating rink and bowling alley until being converted into the famous Starland Arena in 1965. It became home to Mid-Atlantic wrestling events in Roanoke for over two decades.

For more information on "All Star Wrestling" from Roanoke, visit Studio Wrestling: WDBJ-7 on the Mid-Atlantic Gateway.

Los Angeles Thunderbirds Roller Derby (1970s)

I know it's not related to studio wrestling in the 1970s, but during the same time I got interested in pro wrestling, I also loved watching Los Angeles Thunderbirds roller derby which came on right after wrestling at 12:30 AM on WLOS-13 out of Asheville, NC.  (I have posted about this earlier.)

On this page I plan to collect some video from those days that is on YouTube, perhaps some photos, too.

But THE place to go for all things T'birds is Scott Stephens' excellent history site. Click the graphic or link below.

 LA THUNDERBIRDS FACEBOOK  |  LA THUNDERBIRDS WEBSITE

"All Star Wrestling" Memories at WDBJ in Roanoke

I came across some nice memories of wrestling in the studios of WDBJ channel 7 in Roanoke on a sports blog called "Damp Fang" that was published back 2010.

I love little tidbits like this:

The ring was not like the current wrestling rings built today. The corner post were made of wood and there are two known instances in which the post cracked. Both times Johnny Weaver threw his opponent into the turnbuckle so hard that the post cracked and leaned inward.

The writer (unidentified) gives a brief history of "All Star Wrestling" in Roanoke, locally produced at WDBJ by promoter Pete Apostolou and hosted by WDBJ TV personality Hal Grant. Some of his supporting information is credited to my friend Carroll Hall's "Wrestling Memories" website and the Mid-Atlantic Gateway.

Hall Grant at the desk in the studios of WDBJ-7 in Roanoke, VA.
Promoter Pete Apostolou is seen in the inset photo.

The full article can be found here:

A look back at All Star Wrestling on WDBJ-7
July 15, 2010
https://dampfang.com/a-look-back-at-all-star-wrestling-on-wdbj-7/

All-Star Wrestling with Bill Kersten

Bill Kersten was the long-time voice of "All Star Wrestling" in Kansas City for many years in the 1960s and 1970s. We are told that this studio production was taped at KBMA TV 41 in Kansas City, later KSHB 41. (Thanks to reader Tyrone Mendez.) Later as they moved into the 1980s, the tapings moved to Memorial Hall in Kansas City.

Here is a little audio sample of Bill Kersten on "All Star Wrestling" circa 1977 introducing NWA World Champion (and Kansas City hometown boy) "Handsome" Harley Race, as well as his call of the pinfall and heading to commercial.




 

See also NWA Champion "Handsome" Harley Race vs. Terry Gibbs in the Kansas City TV Studio 

 Some info on this territory written by Chris Owens on the WrestlingClassics.com message board in 2000:

WRESTLING OBSERVER

The Central States area probably had its highest talent level in the late 60s and early 70s, when the promotion featured such names as Bob Geigel, Bulldog Bob Brown, Rufus R. Jones, Danny Littlebear, Omar Atlas, Black Angus Campbell (managed by Percival A. Friend), Nature Boy Roger Kirby, Lord Alfred Hayes, Mike George and "Mad Dog" Harley Race.

In the late 70s, Col. Buck Robley and his Army came into the area as the major heels for several years. At various times, the Army included Buzz "Avalanche" Tyler, Bruiser Bob Sweetan, Bobby Jaggers, the Blue Yankee and others. Bulldog Bob Brown, usually a heel, did a face turn to battle against the army. Ted Dibiase, Harley Race, Rufus Jones, Ken Lucas and Kevin Sullivan were all guys who I recall taking part in the long struggle against Robley and the Army.

The early 80s saw a decline in the promotion (at least in my eyes), as many of the familiar names disappeared from the territory and were replaced by guys like Mr. Pogo and Gypsy Joe. Strapped for cash because of the failure of the St. Louis promotion that Geigel, Pat O'Connor, Race and Verne Gagne had purchased from Sam Muchnick, the talent level dropped again in the mid-80s.

Jesse Ventura, Dusty Rhodes, Dick Murdoch, Ox Baker, Thunderbolt Patterson and many other stars began their careers in the Central States area.

Rich Landrum and Ric Flair (1979)

Some rare footage of "World Wide Wrestling" host Rich Landrum and Ric Flair from 1979 in the WRAL studios. I believe this 1-minute segment was something recorded and sent to other territories where Ric would be appearing. Posted on Twitter by Kris Zellner.

Fun when new WRAL footage of any kind pops up out of nowhere.

27 year old Ric Flair in 1979 with Rich Landrum ready to take over the world pic.twitter.com/3OSNcxNNTI

— Kris Zellner (@KrisZellner) January 2, 2018

If the video will not play in your browser, go directly to Kris's tweet with this link:
https://twitter.com/KrisZellner/status/948267004997365760

Man Behind the Mike: Danny Williams (Oklahoma)

Man Behind the Mike: Meet Danny Williams
Wrestling Revue August 1966

Unquenchable energy and creativity are the elements that go to make up the dynamic personality of Danny Williams. Known to Oklahoma oldsters and youngsters alike, Danny has been on the WKY-TV staff for sixteen years. Currently in the position of program manager for WKY Radio, Danny also conducts an early morning radio program called Time and Tune Parade" which enjoys the largest audience by far of any radio program in the Oklahoma City area.

At one time Danny led youngsters into outer space on his Monday-through-Friday "3-D Danny" show and for the past six years has played a number of character parts on the "Foreman Scotty Show," the top-ranked children's program in Oklahoma City.

In addition to all of these duties, Danny has for years been the ringside announcer for WKY-TV's Saturday Night Wrestling Show originating in the studios of WKY-TV.

Danny announced his first wrestling show in 1950 in which were featured LeRoy McGurk and Danny McShane. The Saturday night show, telecast in color, always plays to a packed house in the studios and Danny has become as famous as a wrestling announcer as have the wrestlers who have appeared in the ring.

During World War II, Danny served a hitch as a Fireman First Class in the Navy. Out of the Navy in 1946, he enrolled at the University of Texas where he acquired (I) a wife, and (2) a degree in fine arts. His first radio job was with KTSA in San Antonio.

Danny's hobbies include fishing, golf, water skiing and skeet shooting. Danny is a top-flight golfer and has won many tournaments in Oklahoma. He is a member of the famed Hole-In-One Club, a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Commandery and the Shriners.

Danny and his wife Marilyn have four girls, with twins making up half of the family.