- Mike Norris

This month I would like to take a look at the career of one of the most popular wrestlers ever to wrestle in the Gulf Coast area, the legendary Ken Lucas.  

Born in Mesa, Arizona, Ken Lucas spent 12 months training with several pro wrestlers that he had met at the local YMCA. One of these wrestlers was Art Neilsen. Ken made his debut in 1962 in Holbrook, Arizona, losing in a quick decision. It was a rare defeat, as Lucas went on to win 80 per cent of his more than 7000 bouts in a 21 year long career. At 5’10” and 223 pounds, Lucas was usually not the biggest man in the ring. But he more than made up for it in sheer determination and skill. Like the panther tattoo on his left arm, Ken was cat-like on the mat. And as a former Golden Gloves boxer he wasn’t afraid to mix it up, either. His two favorite finishing holds were the Abdominal Stretch and his Sleeper Hold. His ring attire of basic black tights and boots reflected his no nonsense style.

Ken made his first venture into the Gulf Coast area in 1963 and won the Gulf Coast title for the first time in May of 1964.  After losing the title to Mickey Sharpe in December of that year, Ken held it twice more in 1965. Ken also held the Gulf Coast tag team titles with Bobby Fields twice in 1967.

In 1968, Ken left the Gulf Coast area and ventured to the Tennessee promotion of Nick Gulas. Ken formed a popular tag team with Dennis Hall. The two beat the team of Don Carson and The Red Shadow (Dick Dunn) to win the Southern Tag Team title. After losing the titles back to Carson and the Shadow, Lucas and Hall entered into a major feud with the masked Mighty Yankees (Eddie Sullivan & Frank Morrell). Ken and Dennis eventually won the Tennessee version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship from the Yankees, before losing them back in early 1969. Ken then left Tennessee and returned to the Gulf Coast.