Billy Wicks, one of the biggest stars in Memphis from the late 1950s and early 1960s popped back up for some matches during this part of 1972. Wicks briefly re-ignited his late 1950s feud against Sputnik Monroe during this time in 1972. The Wicks-Monroe feud is considered by many as a major reason wrestling did so well in the 1960s and beyond as the feud set attendance records in the city at the time.

Title changes and controversies during January-March 1972  

March 25

·        In Chattanooga , Len Rossi & Bearcat Brown dethrone World tag champions Don Greene & Al Greene. 

Spotlight on area cards, January-March 1972  

Camden , TN Central High School Gym, Saturday, January 22, 1972

·        Kurt Von Brauner & Karl Von Brauner managed by Saul Weingeroff vs. Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett

·        Cora Combs vs. Sandy Partlow

·        Saul Weingeroff vs. Jimmy Kent 

Memphis , Monday, February 28, 1972

·        Kurt Von Brauner & Karl Von Brauner vs. Jackie Fargo & Eddie Marlin

·        Seventeen man battle royal featuring Kurt Von Brauner & Karl Von Brauner, Saul Weingeroff, Jerry Jarrett, Tojo Yamamoto, Jackie Fargo, Eddie Marlin, Dandy Jack Donovan, Roy Lee Welch, Masked Beast, Jim Kent, The Red Terrors, Oni Wiki Wiki, Guy LaRosa (sub for Bobby Burns), Billy Wicks (sub for Gary Martin), The Samoans

·        Kurt Von Brauner & Karl Von Brauner vs. Roy Lee Welch & Jim Kent

·        Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett vs. The Samoans

·        Jackie Fargo & Eddie Marlin vs. Dandy Jack Donovan & Masked Beast (originally scheduled as Jim Kent & Roy Lee Welch vs. Donovan & Masked Beast)

·        The Red Terrors vs. Guy LaRosa & Billy Wicks (subs for Gary Martin & Bobby Burns) 

Birmingham , AL City Auditorium, Monday, March 20, 1972

·        No time limit, no DQ, loser must leave state: Don Greene over Robert Fuller seconded by Jimmy Golden-27:00

·        Jimmy Golden over Blackjack Slade

·        Al Greene & Sir Clements were DQed against Kevin Sullivan & Roy Lee Welch

·        Jim White drew with Ramon Perez-15:00 (advertised as Johnny Walker vs. Jim White)

·        Jerry Lawler over Carlos Montes

·        Attendance: 5612 

April-June 1972  

The lineage of the Southern tag titles remains muddled during much of this time frame. It does appear that Sputnik Monroe & Norvell Austin as well as Gentleman Saul Weingeroff's team of the Von Brauner Brothers have claims to the titles around this time frame. It is possible that these two teams traded the titles at this time as they did work a feud against each other. The Masked Interns did hold the belts in April. It is also clear that Dr. Ken Ramey's team of the Masked Interns were champions in June. They would drop the belts to Jackie Fargo & Roughhouse Fargo, who would lose the belts back one week later to the Interns.  

While it appears Len Rossi & Bearcat Brown were World tag champions early in this time frame, the exact lineage of the championship lies undiscovered. It is known that The Von Brauners lose the titles to Robert Fuller & Kevin Sullivan for a week before regaining the titles and defending them on cards in June.  

In early April, Len Rossi & Tony Charles are recognized as Mid-America tag champions. They would drop the titles to Gentleman Saul Weingeroff's team of Kurt & Karl Von Brauner. A bit later, Don Greene & Al Greene lay claim to the titles although how they became champions isn't clear. Even later in this quarter, Rossi & Charles are recognized again as champions.  

Len Rossi does defend the Southern junior heavyweight title in the area in June. The Mid-America title reappears in June around the waist of Rossi's frequent tag partner, Tony Charles.  

 Among the wrestlers working the territory at this time included Jerry Jarrett, The Samoans, Tojo Yamamoto, Carlos Montes, Oni Wiki Wiki, Pepe Lopez, Dandy Jack Donovan, Tony Santos, Eddie Ortiz, Joe Ortiz, Robert Fuller, Kevin Sullivan, Jerry Lawler, Dennis Hall, The Masked Marvel, Roy Lee Welch, Jimmy Golden, The Australians: Larry O'Day & Ron Miller, Sputnik Monroe, Norvell Austin, Joey Rossi, Herb Welch, Jack Dalton & Jim Dalton, Frank Martinez, Tommy Gilbert, The Masked Medics managed by Sam Bass, Corsica Joe, Mike Pappas, Alex Medina, Joe Ball, Bill Helm, Frank Marconi, George Hultz, Jose Medina, Danny Dusek, Wilbur Snyder, Bobby Heenan, Baron Von Raschke, The Masked Mr. Pro, Mario Galento, Roughhouse Fargo, Treach Phillips, Eric Myers, Cowboy Frankie Laine, Dennis McCord, The Great Fuji and more.            

Among the female wrestlers working in the area during this time frame were Cora Combs, Donna Christianello, Patty Drake, Sarah Lee, Ann Jeanette, Peggy Patterson, Baby Salina, Diamond Lil and Little Darling Dagmar.  

The hottest feuds during this period likely involved The Masked Interns against Jackie Fargo. Fargo teamed with Eddie Marlin, Jerry Jarrett and Roughhouse Fargo in this feud. The Greenes also found themselves busy working programs against Bearcat Brown & Len Rossi and also against Robert Fuller & Jimmy Golden.  

The ascent of Jerry Lawler to main event status in the area began during this time period. Lawler had spent a good bit of the previous year working in the Montgomery, Alabama-based promotion operated by Bill Golden. There, Lawler honed his skills a good bit often teaming with his "brother" Steve Lawler. In actuality, there was no Lawler Brothers tag team as Steve Lawler worked in the Gulas-Welch territory as Steve Kyle. While in Alabama , Lawler did meet Jim White, a veteran who had worked some in Tennessee as Tiny York. After returning to Tennessee , Lawler was soon paired with White as a tag team. A fairly new face to the area, Ca$hbox Jim Kent was added as their valet/manager. In time, Kent would be replaced by Sam Bass and this trio would headline many area cards over the next year and a half. 

Title changes and controversies during April-June 1972  

April

·        The Masked Interns with manager Dr. Ken Ramey are recognized as Southern tag champions.

·        Len Rossi & Tony Charles are recognized as Mid-America tag champions. 

April 8

·        Gentleman Saul Weingeroff's combo of Kurt Von Brauner & Karl Von Brauner knock off Len Rossi & Tony Charles in Chattanooga to win the Mid-America tag titles. 

April 29

·        Len Rossi & Tony Charles smash Kurt Von Brauner & Karl Von Brauner with manager Gentleman Saul Weingeroff in Chattanooga to regain the Mid-America tag titles. 

May

·        Sputnik Monroe & Norvell Austin are recognized as Southern tag champions.

·        Kurt Von Brauner & Karl Von Brauner managed by Saul Weingeroff as well as Don Greene & Al Greene have recognition as Mid-America tag champions.

May 24

·        Robert Fuller & Kevin Sullivan upset Kurt Von Brauner & Karl Von Brauner in Nashville to win the World tag titles. 

May 31

·        Kurt Von Brauner & Karl Von Brauner regain the World tag championship in Nashville by downing Robert Fuller & Kevin Sullivan. 

Late May

·        Len Rossi & Tony Charles are recognized as Mid-America tag champions. 

June

·        Tony Charles is recognized as Mid-America champion.

·        Kurt Von Brauner & Karl Von Brauner are recognized as Southern tag champions. 

June 17

·        Jackie Fargo & Roughhouse Fargo capture the Southern tag titles by downing The Interns in Chattanooga . 

June 24

·        The Interns regain the Southern tag titles in Chattanooga by defeating Jackie Fargo & Roughhouse Fargo . 

Spotlight on area cards, April-June 1972  

Bruceton , TN Central High School Gym, Friday, April 14, 1972

·        Sputnik Monroe & Norvell Austin vs. Oni Wiki Wiki & Herb Welch

·        Cora Combs vs. Sarah Lee 

Tupelo , MSP, Sunday, May 26, 1972

·        Tojo Yamamoto, Tommy Gilbert & Oni Wiki Wiki over Jerry Lawler, Jim White & Jimmy Kent

·        The Samoans were DQed against Kurt Von Brauner & Karl Von Brauner 

Louisville , KY , Monday, June 29, 1972

·        Jerry Lawler & Jim White managed by Jimmy Kent vs. Tojo Yamamoto & the Gladiator

·        Wilbur Snyder & Jerry Jarrett vs. Baron Von Raschke & Bobby
Heenan

·        Beards vs. titles: Kurt Von Brauner & Karl Von Brauner managed
by Saul Weingeroff vs. Len Rossi & Tony Charles (Mid-America tag
champions) 

July-September 1972  

The Mid-America tag titles wind up around the waists of Len Rossi & Bearcat Brown after they downed Sir Clements team of Don Greene & Al Greene. The titles then would be in the possession of Steve Kyle & The Great Fuji and Dr. Ken Ramey's Masked Interns. Even after their July 1 loss to Rossi & Brown, the Greenes would work some cards in July billed as champions so the exact lineage is unclear. The Interns would drop the belts to Tojo Yamamoto & Big Bill Dromo. These two teams would swap the titles back and forth several times in August.  

Interestingly enough, the Southern tag titles also bounce back and forth between the Interns and Tojo Yamamoto & Bill Dromo in this time period. It also appears Len Rossi & Kevin Sullivan may have had a brief stint as champions.  

The World tag titles were held at this time by Kurt & Karl Von Brauner with manager Saul Weingeroff and also by Don & Al Greene with manager Sir Clements. How the titles changed hands though is muddy.  

Len Rossi worked during this time frame as Southern junior heavyweight champion. Don Greene worked some as U.S. junior heavyweight champion.  

The Tennessee tag titles were regularly defended at this point in some cities. The titles bounced around between Ron & Don Wright and the team of Sputnik Monroe & Tommy Gilbert.  

Regulars on the circuit during 1972's third quarter included Jackie Fargo, Roughhouse Fargo, Robert Fuller, Sam Bass, Jim Dalton, Eddie Marlin, Jimmy Golden, The Masked Mr. Pro, Dandy Jack Donovan, Frank Martinez, Dennis McCord, Mike Pappas, The Masked Medics (unmasked as Randy Culley & Jim Baggis), Tony Charles, Tony Santos, Corsica Joe, Jim White, Jerry Lawler, George Hultz, Joe Ball, Tom Drake, Joey Rossi, Jim Kent, The Masked Blitzer, Bob Boyer, Cowboy Frankie Laine, Bull Molina, Billy Hamilton, Chief Thundercloud, Leon Chandler, The Hippies, Tommy Marlin, Chief Bold Eagle, Billy Mitchell, Nick Adams, Pepe Lopez, Billy Wicks, Ox the Ripper, Roy Lee Welch, Buck Forrest, Rock Riddle, Oni Wiki Wiki, Ken Lucas, Jay Clintlock and more including Gentleman Ben the Wrestling Bear.  

Female wrestling stars Natasha, Cora Combs, Barbara Galento, Donna Christianello, Patti Davis, Sarah Lee, Sandy Partlow, The Fabulous Moolah, Marlene Belkas, Little Darling Dagmar, Diamond Lil worked in the area at this time.  

The hottest feud of this time frame, and probably the year, had to be the feud pitting the Fargos against The Greenes. Al and Jackie squared off against each other a lot in singles matches. When Roughhouse wasn't teaming with Jackie, Eddie Marlin was involved in the mix. The Masked Interns worked a successful program at this time against Tojo Yamamoto & Bill Dromo. Ron & Don Wright also feuded against Sputnik Monroe & Tommy Gilbert. The Von Brauners had their hands full with the team of Robert Fuller & Kevin Sullivan.  

The Fargos feud against the Greenes led to one of the area's most memorable moments as Jackie put his hair on the line against Al Greene in Memphis . In a stunner, Jackie lost the match. Fans were shocked and pleaded with their hero not to follow the match stipulations and have his head shaved. Fargo , though, as a true fan favorite should, allowed his head to be shaved bald and in the process lost his prized blonde locks. Of course, this just added fuel to the feud as Jackie returned for a time wearing a mask to hide his embarrassment until his hair grew back. It is also interesting to note that while Jackie was the area's lead attraction he infrequently held any area championships, perhaps, a testament to his ability to get over with the fans without having a title around his waist. 

Title changes and controversies during July-September 1972  

July

·        Kurt Von Brauner & Karl Von Brauner with manager Saul Weingeroff are recognized as World tag champions.

·        The Great Fuji & Steve Kyle and The Masked Interns have claims as Mid-America tag champions. 

July 1

·        Len Rossi & Bearcat Brown slip past Don Greene & Al Greene in Chattanooga to win the Mid-America tag titles.

·        Also in Chattanooga , Ron Wright & Don Wright drop the Tennessee tag titles to Sputnik Monroe & Tommy Gilbert. 

Mid-July

·        Don Greene & Al Greene are recognized as Mid-America tag champions. 

July 15

·        In Chattanooga , Ron Wright & Don Wright regain the Tennessee tag titles by defeating Sputnik Monroe & Tommy Gilbert. 

July 22

·        Sputnik Monroe & Tommy Gilbert regain the Tennessee tag titles in Chattanooga by downing Ron Wright & Don Wright. 

July 29

·        The Tennessee tag titles change hands again as Ron Wright & Don Wright whip Sputnik Monroe & Tommy Gilbert in Chattanooga . (The titles also changed from Monroe & Gilbert to the Wrights in Knoxville on July 28.) 

Late July

·        The Masked Interns with manager Dr. Ken Ramey are recognized as World tag champions. 

August

·        Don Greene & Al Greene are recognized as World tag champions.

·        Don Greene is recognized as Southern Junior heavyweight champion. 

August 7

·        In Birmingham , Tojo Yamamoto & Big Bill Dromo stun The Interns to win the Mid-America tag titles. 

August 14

·        The Interns repay Tojo Yamamoto & Big Bill Dromo in Birmingham by defeating them for the Mid-America tag titles. 

Mid-August

·        Tojo Yamamoto & Bill Dromo are recognized as Southern tag champions.

·        Don Greene is recognized as U.S. Junior heavyweight champion. 

August 21

·        Tojo Yamamoto & Big Bill Dromo down The Interns to win the Mid-America tag titles in Birmingham . 

August 28

·        The Interns visit Birmingham and win the Mid-America tag titles by defeating Tojo Yamamoto & Big Bill Dromo. 

Spotlight on area cards, July-September 1972  

Evansville , IN , Wednesday, July 26, 1972

·        Kurt Von Brauner & Karl Von Brauner managed by Saul Weingeroff (World tag champions) vs. Sputnik Monroe & Robert Fuller

·        Joe Ball & Bill Helm vs. Frank Martinez & Dandy Jack Donovan

·        Cora Combs vs. Barbara Galento 

Chattanooga Memorial Auditorium, Saturday, August 19, 1972

·        Al Greene over Jackie Fargo

·        Jim White & Jerry Lawler managed by Sam Bass over Roy Lee Welch & Cowboy Frankie Laine

·        Don Greene ( US junior heavyweight champion) over Len Rossi

·        Ron Wright & Don Wright ( Tennessee tag champions) drew with Tojo Yamamoto & Big Bill Dromo

·        Robert Fuller over The Masked Blitzer

·        Note:  On the TV show earlier in the afternoon, Al Greene attacked Jackie Fargo and cut his hair. 

Nashville , TN , Wednesday, September 20, 1972

·        Jim White, George Hultz & Jerry Lawler over Len Rossi, Joey Rossi & Kevin Sullivan

·        Don Greene & Steve Kyle were DQed against Ken Lucas & Dennis Hall

·        Pepe Lopez & Ox the Ripper over The Great Fuji & The Masked Blitzer 

October-December 1972  

In late October, Dr. Ken Ramey's team of the Masked Interns hold the Southern tag championship. By December, Jim Kent's team of The Bounty Hunters are wearing the belts. They drop them briefly to Johnny Walker & Bearcat Brown before regaining them to end the year as champions.  

Don & Al Greene hold the World tag titles early in this time period and then the titles seem to disappear from the scene the rest of the year.  

The Mid-America tag titles wind up in the possession of Ken Lucas & Cowboy Frankie Laine in October. Whether they downed the Interns for those honors isn't clear. The titles become vacated and in November, Lorenzo Parente & Bobby Hart with manager Don Duffy win a Nashville tournament to claim the titles. Before year's end, Tojo Yamamoto & Tommy Gilbert win the belts.  

Wrestlers in the territory during the final three months of the year included Jackie Fargo, Steve Kyle, The Great Fuji, Oni Wiki Wiki, Jim White, Jerry Lawler, Dennis Hall, Joey Rossi, Frank Martinez, Eddie Marlin, Roy Lee Welch, Kevin Sullivan, Sam Bass, Chief Bold Eagle, Wilbur Snyder, Ken Dillenger, Danny Dusek, Dandy Jack Donovan, Rock Hunter, Dante & Mephisto, Chief Thundercloud, Tony Santos, Ed Wolfe, George Strickland, Billy McGuire & Benny McGuire, Ron Wright & Don Wright, Hillbilly Vick, Paul Christy, Moose Cholak, Big Bill Dromo, Nick Adams, Cowboy Bob Ellis, Bobby Heenan, Higo Hammaguichi, Jerry Myatt, Billy Hamilton, Kurt Von Fritz & Karl Von Fritz, Vick Nichols, Doug Smith, Bill Costello, George Hultz, Ray Rowland, Billy Wicks, Ken Dillenger, Jerry Jarrett, Jimmy Valiant, Buddy Wayne, Jim Williams, Melvin Kimble, Taro Murasaki, The Masked Purple Terror, Treach Phillips, Charlie Cook and more.  

Others dropping into the territory at this time include Debbie Johnson, Sandy Partlow, The Fabulous Moolah, Donna Christianello, Cora Combs, Sarah Lee, Marlene Belkas, Lilly Thomas, Little Darling Dagmar, Diamond Lil, Cowboy Lang, Buddy Allen, Little Bruiser and Wee Willie Wilson. Gentleman Ben the Wrestling Bear also made appearances in the area at this time.  

The Interns feuded at this time against Tojo Yamamoto & Johnny Walker and also against Len Rossi & Kevin Sullivan. Meantime, the team of Jim White & Jerry Lawler had slowly built momentum during the year and near the end of the year, after a brief top of the card run in Knoxville , stepped into a feud against Ken Lucas & Dennis Hall. Lorenzo Parente & Bobby Hart had also returned to the area and found themselves embroiled in battles against Tojo Yamamoto & Big Bill Dromo.  

North Carolina natives Billy & Benny McGuire worked some area cards at this time. Weighing in the neighborhood of six hundred pounds a piece the twin brothers were used as an attraction along the lines of Haystack Calhoun and, in later years, as Andre the Giant. The McGuires were booked into various territories usually a week or so at a time and used as a special attraction. In the 1970s as Andre the Giant began working the various territories, promoters would have to go through Vince McMahon to get dates on him in their area. When promoters wanted to use the McGuires they would have to work out dates with Nick Gulas, who served as their booker for a number of years. The McGuires were listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest twins. Likely the most famous photo of the McGuires is one where they are riding mini-bikes. The McGuires would work several territories through the years. Billy would pass away in 1979. Benny would pass away in 2001.  

The area was a tag team haven. A new team came onto the scene during 1972 dressed in long black tights and wearing cowboy boots and cowboy hats. They were billed as David & Jerry Novak, the Bounty Hunters, hailing from the ominous sounding town of Tombstone , Arizona . The rough brawling combo quickly worked their way into main events in the area. They were accompanied to the ring by their manager Jim Kent. Kent, who worked early in 1972 with the team of Jim White & Jerry Lawler, was a better fit with the Bounty Hunters. The Hunters rarely if ever spoke, which added to their mystique and this allowed Kent the opportunity to speak for them. This team would work the area off and on into the early 1980s and were usually managed by Kent , except for a brief 1974 stint when they were managed by Jim Lancaster. 

Title changes and controversies during October-December 1972  

October

·        Ken Lucas & Cowboy Frankie Laine are recognized as Mid-America tag champions.

·        The Masked Interns managed by Dr. Ken Ramey are recognized as Southern tag champions. 

October 7

·        J.C. Caldwell, known to wrestling fans as Whitey Caldwell, dies in an automobile accident near Kingsport , Tennessee . Caldwell wrestled some for Gulas-Welch, primarily on the east end of the promotion. Caldwell was the lead face for Knoxville promoter John Cazana and the arch rival of another east Tennessee legend, Ron Wright. 

November 10

·        A Nashville tag tournament sees Lorenzo Parente & Bobby Hart defeat Jim White & Jerry Lawler in the finals to claim the Mid-America tag titles. 

December

·        Tojo Yamamoto & Tommy Gilbert are recognized as Mid-America tag champions as are Lorenzo Parente & Bobby Hart.

·        The Bounty Hunters managed by Jim Kent are recognized as Southern tag champions.

·        One of the areas top attractions, Len Rossi is injured in an auto accident. The accident halts Len's active ring career although he would return to some ring action in years to come. Although no longer active as an in-ring performer, Len would work as an announcer for the promotion often in Nashville . 

December 23

·        The Bounty Hunters managed by Jim Kent visit Chattanooga but lose the Southern tag titles Johnny Walker & Bearcat Brown. 

December 30

·        With their hair at stake against the titles, The Bounty Hunters with manager Jim Kent regain the Southern tag titles in a Chattanooga rematch against Johnny Walker & Bearcat Brown. 

Spotlight on area cards, October-December 1972  

Johnson City , TN , Tuesday, October 17, 1972

·        Whitey Caldwell benefit card

·        Jerry Lawler & Jim White vs. Frankie Laine & Hillbilly Vick

·        Marlene Belkas vs. Sandy Partlow

·        George Strickland vs. Ron Wright

·        Ed Wolfe vs. Sam Bass

·        Don Wright vs. Gene Morton 

Birmingham , AL , Monday, November 13, 1972

·        Tojo Yamamoto & Bill Dromo was DQed against Lorenzo Parente & Bobby Hart

·        Billy Hamilton & Jerry Myatt over Frankie Laine & Kevin Sullivan

·        George Hultz over Vick Nichols

·        Billy McGuire & Benny McGuire over The Masked Interns 

Jackson , TN , Wednesday, December 20, 1972

·        Lorenzo Parente & Bobby Hart over Johnny Walker & Frankie Laine

·        Lilly Thomas drew with Sandy Partlow

·        Tommy Gilbert & Melvin Kimble by DQ over George Hultz & The Purple Destroyer 

Title Histories  

Courtesy of Duncan & Will's Wrestling Title Histories and The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo web site http://www.wrestling-titles.com/ 

Thanks  

Edsel Harrison and David Williamson 

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1973