- Jason Hess

Greetings, Kayfabe fans, and welcome to another installment of Houston Wrestling at Kayfabe Memories!!!  Once again, we are taking a look at one of the most unique “territories within a territory” ever, as we examine wrestling life in Houston in the 1980’s.  In this edition we will examine the “retirement” celebration of Houston promoter Paul Boesch. 

Rewind:

Bill Watts and the UWF were gone.  In early April 1987, Paul Boesch switched his allegiance from the Louisiana based UWF to promoting the WWF.  The decision shocked everyone who was a regular Houston Wrestling watcher, as none of us had “insider” information available to us.  Boesch then began to promote WWF television, and matches for the Sam Houston Coliseum.  By August 1987, Boesch began to tire, and made plans for retirement. (a retirement that was short lived, which we will cover next month)  So, as only the WWF can do, they made Boesch’s retirement a can’t miss card. 

Fast Forward:

In what could legitimately be called the precursor to SummerSlam, the WWF presented a special show just for Houston fans that was billed as ……..The Paul Boesch Retirement Show.  There were special guests galore.  Some included the following: Red Bastein, Tiger Conway Sr., Verne Gagne, Stu Hart, Gene Kiniski, Ernie Ladd, Jose Lothario, Bronco Lubich, Billy Red Lyons, Boris Malenko, Vince McMahon, Sputnik Monroe, Pat Patterson, Lou Thesz, and Jack Tunney.