One of my objectives of next book on So Cal wrestling history is to cover a little more of the territory's international flavor, including the imported wrestlers from Japan, both the Japanese and the Korean-born stars who worked there, and the Nissei's.

January 28, 1949 @St. Louis, Missouri
World Champ Lou Thesz clashes in the main with Gorgeous George as part of an all-star card which also includes Enrique Torres (holder of the Calif. version of the world title) and Argentina Rocca among others.

Where there's Blassie, there's blood.
Freddie Blassie vs. The Medic early 1970 in Southern California

'Alright Fans! Here We Go!'
Not only were those the famous words legendary boxing and wrestling announcer Jimmy Lennon used for his ring introductions, but it's the title of my in-depth So. California Pro Wrestling History book covering 1959-1982 due out by the end of the year.

August 4, 1979 Fresno, CA
Chavo Guerrero battles George Steele, plus two tag title matches, including Hector and Mando Guerrero vs. Bad, Bad Leroy Brown and Allen 'Bad News' Coage.

These top ten wrestling ratings were printed in the October 12, 1960 Pasadena Independent.
Quite a list and quite an era!

I still get inquiries on the OOP book on the So Cal wrestling territory, and while I won't reprint it, I've decided to produce a new version that strictly covers the years 1959-1982. This will be a more in-depth look at those years with more stories and additional photos.

Leo Nomellini nails defending NWA World Champ Lou Thesz during their June 16, 1953 bout on the first San Francisco Cow Palace wrestling card.

Mildred Burke vs. Mae Young in 1945, when Mae was actually young.

March 30, 1976 @Macon, Georgia

Gordman and Goliath set to invade!
Moondog Mayne! Backlund! Slater! The list goes on and on!

Dr. X vs. Verne Gagne tops a very solid card on 3/15/69 in Duluth, Minnesota.

Some 1969 wrestling action.

8.28.68 Honolulu, Hawaii
It's the Hawaiian debut of Mr. Saito as he takes on the ever-popular Jim Hady for the U.S. Championship!

Legendary luchador Blue Demon and Elvis Presley in a promo photo from 1974, where they announced a partnership to produce a line of blue suede wrestling boots.

Select wrestling cards from Northern California the 2nd week of 1971
1/15 Modesto
1/16 Richmond
In Modesto, Pat Patterson and Ray Stevens were on opposite sides of a tag team match while Billy Graham faced Earl Maynard in what might have been a bodybuilding fan's dream match

Just saw this used copy of my OOP book. The last copy I auctioned off went for ten times this much, so this is a steal if you missed out. Check out Legends and Icons - A History of Olympic Auditorium Pro Wrestling Rock Rims ebay.com/itm/1560201817… #eBay via eBay

The sign always changed based on who the president was. Terry & Chavo had a legendary rivalry, including a couple of broadways. I saw their Texas death match 4 years before. OlympicAuditorium

Having won the previous year's Olympic Auditorium 22-Man Battle Royal, Andre the Giant surely was the odds-on favorite to win the 1976 edition. To everyone's surprise, the event was won by newcomer Java Ruuk. Shared from my FB group. Pics by Theor Ehret & Pete Senoff.

youtu.be/yhsofnPYIyg?si…
22 men and only one winner of the 1975 L.A. Olympic Auditorium Battle Royal ... the 8th Wonder of the World! I spliced together several pieces of footage to make this the longest continual running video of this epic event.