I’m working on a new project that will dive deeper into the golden age of wrestling in Louisville, 1935-1957, when the Allen Athletic Club was the hottest ticket in town. Louisville hosted the top starts of the day – Lou Thesz, Orville Brown, Bill Longson, Buddy Rogers, Mildred Burke, June Byers, The Sheik, Gorgeous George – but they also had a number of local favorites. I’m hoping I can scare up some descendants of some of these folks or fans from those long gone days who have stories to share.
Here are a few names I am looking for:
Blacksmith Pedigo – Wrestler and later referee.
Kid Scotty Williams – Wrestler, referee, and later promoter in Owensboro.
Wild Bill Cantrell – Wrestler in the 30s.
Billy Love – University of Kentucky athlete and wrestler.
Fred Davis – Louisville native, played football at Alabama and then for the Chicago Bears, wrestler.
Stu Gibson – New Albany HS grad, U of L grad, wrestler.
Sgt. Buck Moore – Louisville Police Department, artist, and wrestler.
Mel Meiners – Wrestler, aka The Schnitzelburg Giant.
Paul Karem – Louisville native, 1935
Leo Walleck – Wrestler
Railroad Routt – Wrestler
Frank Sgroi – Wrestler
Leo Logsdon – Wrestler
Spurge Nelson – New Albany native, Louisville police officer, wrestler
Officer Tom Moberly – African American wrestler and Louisville police officer
Claude Reed – African American wrestle
Charley Schullman – Long time timekeeper for the Savoy Club and Allen Club.
George Lewis – Legendary ring announcer for boxing and wrestling in Louisville.
Francis and Betty McDonough – Francis owned the Allen Club from 1947-1957. Betty was his wife and worked in the ticket office.
If you have heard any of these names and know stories, please get in touch!