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Wrestling at Ellis Auditorium
Photos from 1960
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In the early 60s,
Monday night at 8:30 was "Bell Time" at Ellis
Auditorium.
Lance Russell and Dave Brown sat at ringside and
called the action.
The big stars of the time were Sputnik & Rocket
Monroe; Billy Wicks; Lester & Herb Welch; Jackie,
Don, Roughhouse, Joe & Sonny Boy Fargo; Treacherous
Phillips; The Baby Blimp; The Great Bolo; Joe Scarpa;
Bobby, Don & Lee Fields; Joe & Jean, the Corsican
Brothers; Al "Spider" Galento; Mario Galento; The
Von Brauner Brothers; Antonino Rocco; Don & Al
Green; Buddy Rogers; Gorgeous George; Oni Wiki Wiki;
Rocky Columbo; the Mighty Yankee; wrestler/promoter
Buddy Fuller; and more.
All of the photos and newspaper clips on this page
were from 1960.
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Submitted by: Butch Mitchell : 31 Dec 2008, 10:00
Those were the good old days. I remember when I was only @8 years old my
grandmother taking me to Ellis Auditorum to see these wrestlers. Drew big
crowds and was great entertainment. Billy Wicks later became a deputy
Sheriff with Shelby County in the 60's and 70's. I knew him from the gym at
the old MPD East Prect at Armour Station.
Submitted by: Bill Gray : 23 Jan 2009, 16:32
My best friend, Richard "Goose" Tatum and I would rush from Holy Names
Parochial school to Ellis Auditorium every Monday afternoon to be first in
line for jobs selling concessions inside the auditorium. I actually had to
get my social security card for this reason. We'd often get there early
enough to see some "choreography" between wrestlers. Won many a bet
predicting the outcome of some matches. Lived for the day when I'd be old
enough to sell beer at the event.
Submitted by: Chris Ellis : 20 Oct 2009, 19:58
I would like to have any photos or wrestling programs featuring Sputnik
Monroe. Contact Chris at taxandspend@sbcglobal.net
Submitted by: James Rutledge : 01 Jan 2011, 14:37
Definate good memories. I remember watching these guys on Saturday
afternoon, then my parents taking my sister,my brother and I to the
American Legion arena in Jonesboro,AR, to watch most of them live. there
was a lot of hoarse, sore throats from cheering the "good guys" and booing
the "bad guys" after those excursions.
Submitted by: David : 11 Jan 2011, 15:17
Billy Wicks wrestled either Sputnik or Spider one night at the old Russwood
Park. They had a wire cage enclosing the ring and Rocky Marciano was the
ref. Rocky got too involved and ended up getting hit by an accidental
punch from Wicks which cut Rocky's eye. The match was called and I
remember walking down the ramp afterwards and passing Rocky who was holding
a towel to stop the bleeding.
Submitted by: David A. Payne : 07 Feb 2011, 22:44
I sadly regret to inform Wrestling Fans of the loss of Intern #1 Michael
"Hoss" Voyles Nov.29 1956-Jan.19 2011 Mike battled with bad health but also
the loss of his son and then his wife.We will miss him greatly.
Submitted by: stanley j kline : 21 Feb 2011, 16:05
Billy Wicks trained me at the MPD. He was tough as nails but a prince of a
man.Glad to see he is still around, however he looks like an old beach bum
with that beard.
Submitted by: billy boleware : 30 Jan 2012, 16:53
can i buy any tapes of the wrestlers in the 1960. bobby field,billy
wick,sputnik,cowboy bob kelly
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