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Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1962

By: Karl Stern

The year 1962 in pro wrestling is covered on the Long Form History of Wrestling Podcast - Click Here.

1962

01-08-1962: A new trial begins in the case of Sonny Myers verses Pinkie George and the NWA over antitrust violations. Myers had originally lost the case in 1959 but was granted a new trial because the original trial Judge belittled and demeaned pro wrestling so much in the original trial that, on appeal, it was determined that Myers didn’t get a fair trial.

01-09-1962: Mr. M (Bill Miller) defeats Verne Gagne in Minneapolis, MN to win the AWA World heavyweight title. Attendance: 3,790.

01-11-1962: Johnny Valentine & Bob Ellis defeat The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) for the WWWF U.S. tag team titles in Washington DC.

01-13-1962: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: New attendance and gate record: $51,762: Attendance 17,044: Bobo Brazil defeats The Alaskan… Pepper Gomez defeats Karl Von Brock… Bob Ellis defeats Killer Kowalski by DQ… Red Bastien wrestled Ray Stern to a draw… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions Kinji Shibuya & Mitsu Arakawa defeat The Neilson Brothers (Art Neilson & Stan Neilson) 2 falls to 1… Wilbur Snyder defeats AWA San Francisco United States champion Ray Stevens by DQ. 

01-15-1962: Larry Hennig & Duke Hoffman win a tournament final over Ivan & Nikita Kalmikoff to win the vacant AWA World tag team titles in St. Paul, MN. Attendance: 3,771.

01-22-1962: At New York’s Madison Square Garden in front of a reported 20,777 fans, Buddy Rogers & Bob Orton defeated Bearcat Wright & Johnny Valentine. Also, on the show Giant Baba & Mr. Suzuki defeated Bruno Sammartino & Argentine Apollo… Antonino Rocca defeated The Crusher… Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) battled Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard to a no contest… Don Curtis battled Great Scott to a draw… Miguel Perez defeated Yoshino Sato… Costas Papalazaros defeated Great Togo… Cowboy Bob Ellis defeated Ski Hi Kruger (AKA: Bob Stanlee).

01-25-1962: Sonny Myers wins his lawsuit against Pinkie George and the NWA for blackballing him. He is awarded $150,000. Myers never collected, however. The NWA appealed and was granted yet another new trial but Myers ultimately dropped any action against them. Myers was continually booked by the National Wrestling Alliance after all of this including after his in-ring career where he became a top referee.

01-26-1962: The Assassins (Jody Hamilton & Tom Renesto) defeated Eddie Graham & Dick Steinborn for the U.S. tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.

02-15-1962: Asesinos De La Lucha Libre (Assassins of Pro Wrestling) movie is released. A film that mixes Lucha Libre and Western tropes. This film is said to have some of the best wrestling sequences of its era.

02-17-1962: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 17,175: Joe Brunetti defeats Karl Von Brock… Hercules Cortez defeats The Alaskan… Pepper Gomez defeats Emile Dupree… Don Manoukian defeats Guy Brunetti… Leo Nomellini defeats Jack Terry… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions Mitsu Arakawa & Kinji Shibuya defeated Red Bastien & Haystacks Calhoun by DQ 2 falls to 1… AWA San Francisco United States Heavyweight champion Ray Stevens defeats Bobo Brazil 2 falls to 1.

02-26-1962: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 19,633: Johnny Valentine & Cowboy Bob Ellis defeated Buddy Rogers & Bob Orton by count out… Antonino Rocca defeated Yuki Suzuki… Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard defeated Mark Lewin & Don Curtis… Bruno Sammartino & Argentina Apollo defeated Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) by DQ… Miguel Perez defeated Great Scott by DQ… Giant Baba defeated Billy Darnell… Costas Papalazaros defeated Karl Von Hess by DQ.

03-04-1962: Don Leo Jonathan defeated Killer Kowalski for the Ohio based AWA/MWA title.

03-10-1962: Detroit, MI: Convention Center: Attendance 9,908: Larry Moquin defeats Tony Marino… Joe Blanchard defeats Pepper Martin… Danny McShain defeats George Scott… Sandy Scott defeats Don Jardine… Czaya Nandor defeats Baron Gattoni… American Tag Team champions Johnny Barend & Magnificent Maurice defeat The Neilson Brothers (Art Neilson & Stan Neilson) … Dick the Bruiser wrestled The Sheik to a draw… AWA World Heavyweight champion (Indiana version) Don Leo Jonathan defeats Haystacks Muldoon… NWA United States Heavyweight (Detroit version) champion Wilbur Snyder defeats Fritz von Erich by DQ.

03-17-1962: Eddie Graham wins a tournament in Tampa, FL to win the Southern heavyweight title.

San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 14,456: Fritz von Erich defeats Emile Dupree… Pepper Gomez defeats Mike Valentino… Leo Nomellini defeats Angelo Poffo… Gene Kiniski wrestled Bill Melby to a 20-minute draw… Don Manoukian defeats Joe Brunetti… Little Beaver & Lord Littlebrook defeat Fuzzy Cupid & Sky Low Low 2 falls to 1… AWA San Francisco United States Heavyweight champion Ray Stevens defeats Hercules Cortez by DQ.

In Florence, AL: Chester Ray Holden is charged with assault and attempted murder when he jumped into the wrestling ring and stabbed wrestler Pedro Zappa multiple times. Zappa suffered a punctured lung and need about 100 stitches.

03-19-1962: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 18,777: NWA World heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers defeated Cowboy Bob Ellis… Antonino Rocca & Johnny Valentine defeated Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard… Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) defeated Miguel Perez & Billy Darnell… Bob Orton & Great Scott battled Giant Baba & Yukio Suzuki to a no contest… Edouardo Carpentier defeated Larry Simon (AKA: Boris Malenko)… Pampero Firpo defeated Costas Papalazaros… Sailor Art Thomas defeated Angelo Savoldi… Mark Lewin battled Johnny Rougeau to a draw. An elderly fan, Louis Cassas died of a heart attack at ringside during the Buddy Rogers match.

03-28-1962: Rikidozan defeated Fred Blassie for the WWA World heavyweight title at the Los Angeles Olympic Auditorium. Attendance is 9,200.

03-29-1962: Don Curtis & Joe Scarpa win the Florida version of the NWA World tag team titles from Kurt & Karl Von Brauner in Jacksonville, FL.

03-31-1962: Detroit, MI: Convention Arena: Attendance 11,263: Rip Collins defeats Johnny Heidman… Czaya Nandor defeats Corsica Joe… Joe Blanchard defeats Chris Belkas… Johnny Barend defeats Bobby Graham… Stan Neilson defeats Sandy Scott… Magnificent Maurice defeats Larry Moquin… Ray Stevens defeats Bill Melby… Art Neilson defeats Wahoo McDaniel… Lord Athol Layton defeats Fritz Von Erich… NWA United States champion Wilbur Snyder defeats Danny McShain.

04-06-1962: Neutron El Enmascarado Negro (Neutron the Black-Masked Man) movie is released. Neutron is an atomic age crime fighter operating in Mexico City. The movie features various wrestlers in small rolls. In the mid-2000's, CMLL would have a wrestler with this gimmick.

04-07-1962: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 13,920: Luis Martinez defeats Karl Von Brock (Rock Hunter) by Count Out… The Sheik defeats Emile Dupree… Pepper Gomez defeats Larry Hennig… Don Manoukian defeats Johnny Rebel… Edouard Carpentier defeats Duke Hoffman… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions Mitsu Arakawa & Kinji Shibuya defeats Bill Melby & Leo Nomellini 2 falls to 1… AWA San Francisco United States champion Ray Stevens defeats Wilbur Snyder in a no DQ match… Wilbur Snyder won the first fall, but when doing so, suffered a severe cut on his head from hitting the ring post.   The match was stopped, and Ray Stevens retained.

04-10-1962: Jack Herman who once managed Frank Gotch, Stanislaus Zbyszko, and Ed Don George, dies at the age of 92.

04-20-1962: Former wrestler Joe Malcewicz dies at his home in San Francisco, CA.

04-23-1962: JWA (Japanese Wrestling Association): Tokyo Metropolitan Gym: Attendance 12,000: WWA World Heavyweight champion Rikidozan defeats Fred Blassie 2 falls to 1.

04-26-1962: AWA: Winnipeg, Canada: Winnipeg Arena: Attendance 9,000: Roy Collins defeats Ricky Lopez… Joe Scarpello defeats Tiny Mills… Doug Gilbert & Verne Gagne defeat Bob Geigel & Stan Kowalski… AWA World Heavyweight champion Mr. M (Bill Miller) defeats Yukon Eric.

Montreal, Canada: Forum: Attendance 11,622: Largest Montreal crowd in 3 years: Jim Hady wrestled Manuel Cortez to a 20 minute draw… Gerry Turenne defeats Angelo Savoldi… Eddie Auger defeats Fred Atkins… Shohei (Giant) Baba & Yukio Suzuki wrestled The Tolos Brothers (Chris Tolos & John Tolos) - Double DQ… Edouard Carpentier & Johnny Rougeau wrestled Bob Orton & The Great Scott - Double DQ… NWA World Heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers defeats Antonino Rocca by referee's decision 2 falls to 1 after Rocca injures his knee and can not continue.

04-27-1962: Dick Beyer wrestles his first match under the mask of The Destroyer defeating Seymour King in San Diego, CA. The Destroyer became, along with El Santo, one of the most famous masked wrestlers of all time.

05-04-1962: Ray Gunkel & Bob Ellis defeat The Assassins (Jody Hamilton & Tom Renesto) for the U.S. tag team titles in Atlanta.

05-05-1962: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 14,937: George Scott wrestled Karl Von Schober to a draw… Leo Nomellini defeats Ike Eakins… The Sheik defeats Guy Brunetti… Don Manoukian defeats Sandy Scott… Bearcat Wright defeats Jack Wilson… Pepper Gomez & Luis Martinez defeat AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions Mitsu Arakawa & Kinji Shibuya by winning one fall of a match then the time limit expired thus the titles did not change hands… AWA San Francisco United States champion Ray Stevens defeated Hercules Cortez.

05-17-1962: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 9,000: Frank Valois wrestled Gerry Turenne to a Time Limit Draw… Ken Ackles defeats Angelo Savoldi… Fred Atkins wrestled Manuel Cortez to a No Contest… Bob Orton & The Great Scott defeat Giant Baba & Yukio Suzuki… Antonino Rocca & Johnny Rougeau defeat The Tolos Brothers (Chris Tolos & John Tolos) by DQ… NWA World Heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers defeats Edouard Carpentier by referee's decision 2 falls to 1 after Carpentier can not continue due to knee injury.

05-18-1962: The Mummy (Benji Ramirez) wins the Texas title from Dory Dixon in Houston.

Pro Wrestling show in Karachi, Pakistan at the National Stadium drawing 60,000: Aslam Pahalwan beat King Kong Czaja.

05-24-1962: Eddie Graham is forced to vacate the Southern title (FL) when he is injured by Boris Malenko in Jacksonville, FL.

05-25-1962: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 18,925: NWA World heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers battled Cowboy Bob Ellis to a double count out… Antonino Rocca & Edouard Carpentier defeated Giant Baba & Yukio Suzuki… Johnny Valentine & Argentina Apollo battled Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) to a no contest… Bobo Brazil defeated Bob Orton… Tony Manoaos defeated Pampero Firpo… Miguel Perez defeated Golden Terror (AKA: Moose Cholak)… Johnny Barend defeated Billy Darnell… Johnny Rougeau battled Mike Mazurki to a draw… Skull Murphy battled Mark Lewin to a draw.

Rikidozan defeats Lou Thesz in Tokyo to win the annual JWA World League Tournament in Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Attendance 10,800

05-31-1962: Santo Contra Los Zombies (Santo against the Zombies) movie is released. El Santo fights a mad scientist that uses Zombies to rob banks.

06-02-1962: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 14,460: Bearcat Wright defeats Karl Von Schober… The Sheik defeats George Scott… Leo Nomellini defats Gene Kiniski by DQ… Chief Big Heart wrestled The Alaskan to a 20-minute draw… Pepper Gomez & Luis Martinez defeat The Neilson Brothers (Art Neilson & Stan Neilson) 2 falls to 1… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions Mitsu Arakawa & Kinji Shibuya defeat Don Manoukian & Ray Stevens 2 falls to 1.

Detroit, MI: Convention Arena: Attendance 9,407: Sandy Scott wrestled The Magnificent Maurice to a Draw… Bob Whitlow defeated Dennis Hall… Guy Mitchell defeated Wahoo McDaniel… Larry Moquin defeated Ike Eakins… NWA United States champion Wilbur Snyder defeats Bill Melby… AWA World Heavyweight (Indiana) champion Don Leo Jonathan defeats Waldo Von Erich… Dick the Bruiser defeated Czaya Nandor… Lord Athol Layton defeated Fritz von Erich 2 falls to 1.

06-22-1962: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 18,775: NWA World heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers defeated Cowboy Bob Ellis… Johnny Valentine battled Johnny Barend to a no contest… Antonino Rocca & Edouardo Carpentier defeated Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan)… Bobo Brazil defeated Skull Murphy… Giant Baba defeated Golden Terror (AKA: Moose Cholak)… Miguel Perez defeated Fred Atkins… Danny McShain defeated Arnold Skaaland… Billy Darnell battled Red Bastien to a draw.

06-28-1962: In Winnipeg, Canada: Ilio DiPaolo & Joe Scarpello defeated Mr. M (Bill Miller) & Bob Geigel to win the AWA Canadian Open tag team titles in a tournament final.

06-29-1962: In Atlanta, GA, Freddie Blassie makes his first defense in Georgia of the “NWA World title”. On and off in the 1962 & 1963 the Georgia promotion recognized an off-shoot version of the “world title” based, presumably, on Freddie Blassie’s WWA World title dating back to the controversial Eduardo Carpentier title change with Lou Thesz in 1957. Blassie defends the “world title” against Dick the Bruiser and wins.

06-30-1962: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 15,750: Pepper Gomez defeats Karl Von Schober… The Sheik defeats Seymour Koenig… Don Manoukian defeats Czaya Nandor… Luis Martinez defeats Waldo von Erich… Ed Miller defeats Chief Big Heart… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions Mitsu Arakawa & Kinji Shibuya defeat Hercules Cortez & Wilbur Snyder 2 falls to 1… AWA San Francisco United States champion Ray Stevens defeats Bearcat Wright by Count Out 2 falls to 1.

07-02-1962: In Pittsburgh, PA: Forbes Field drawing 13,637: Fred Atkins beat Frank Marconi… Johnny DeFazio pinned John Heath… The Mongol beat Billy Fox… Ace Freeman beat Tony Napolitan… Bobo Brazil beat Chet Wallick… Pancho Lopez & Farmer Pete beat Billy the Kid & Fuzzy Cupid… Eduardo Carpentier beat Johnny Kace… Johnny Valentine beat Zivko Kovacic… Bruno Sammartino & Antonino Rocca beat Skull Murphy & Giant Baba… NWA World heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers beat Crusher Lisowski.

07-05-1962: Buddy Rogers & Johnny Barend defeat Johnny Valentine & Bob Ellis for the WWWF U.S. tag team titles in Washington, DC. Arnold Skaaland had substituted for Ellis in the first fall of the match until Ellis arrived.

The Assassins (Tom Renesto & Jody Hamilton) win the Florida version of the NWA World tag team titles from Don Curtis & Joe Scarpa in Jacksonville.

In Winnipeg, Canada: Roy & Don McClarty defeated Gene Kiniski & Hard Boiled Haggerty to win the International tag team titles in a tournament final.

07-09-1962: Don & Luke Fields win the Southern tag team titles from Mephisto & Dante in Memphis, TN.

07-13-1962: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 14,352: Buddy Rogers & Johnny Barend defeated Johnny Valentine & Cowboy Bob Ellis… Antonino Rocca defeated Hans Schmidt… Edouardo Carpentier & Bobo Brazil defeated Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan)… Enrique Torres battled Red Bastien to a draw… Golden Terror (Moose Cholak) defeated Giant Baba by DQ… Tony Manousos defeated Karl Von Hess… Fred Atkins defeated Vic Christy… Miguel Perez defeated Angelo Savoldi.

Freddie Blassie defeats Ray Gunkel in Atlanta, GA to retain the “World title”.

07-17-1962: In Washington, DC: DC Stadium (RFK Stadium) drawing 20,959: Tony Tim & Little Beaver beat Pee Wee James & Farmer Pete… Tony Manousos beat Legs Langevin… Judy Grable & Brenda Scott beat Vicki Adams & Pat Lyda… Dina Beman & Kathleen Wimberly beat Sweet Georgia Brown & Etta Clark… Eduardo Carpentier drew Johnny Barend… Johnny Valentine & Red Bastien beat The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan)… Golden Terror beat Vic Christy… Hans Schmidt drew Baba the Great… NWA World heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers drew Bobo Brazil double count out.

07-19-1962: CWF: Jacksonville FL: Jacksonville Coliseum: Attendance 11,059: Women’s Battle Royal: Virginia Franklin defeats Babs Wingo, Lulu Mae Provo, Louise Green, Ramona Isabell… Assassin 2 (Tom Renesto) wrestled Mike Paidousis - Draw… Assassin 1 (Jody Hamilton) defeats Lenny Montana… Don Curtis & Joe Scarpa wrestled The Von Brauners (Kurt Von Brauner & Karl Von Brauner) - Time Limit Draw (45:00)… NWA World Heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers defeats The Great (Boris) Malenko 2 falls to 1.

07-20-1962: Freddie Blassie defeats Ray Gunkel in Atlanta, GA to retain the “world title”.

07-21-1962: Ray Stevens was in a Go Kart accident and was out of action for over 3 months.   Pepper Gomez was awarded the US Title.

San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 11,123: Luis Martinez defeats Karl Von Schober… Ray Stern defeats Ricky Cortez… Ricki Starr defeats The Alaskan… Ed Miller defeats Leo Nomellini… The Sheik defeats Hercules Cortez… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions Mitsu Arakawa & Kinji Shibuya defeats Bob Ellis & Wilbur Snyder 2 falls to 1… AWA San Francisco United States champion Pepper Gomez defeats Don Manoukian 2 falls to 1.

07-23-1962: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 11,000: Frank Valois wrestled Gerry Turenne - Draw… Little Beaver defeats Sky Low Low… Eddie Auger & Ovila Asselin defeat Bob Stanlee & Gerard Dugas… Edouard Carpentier defeats Chuck Bruce… The Bravo Brothers (Dino Bravo (original) & Dominic Bravo (Denucci) defeat The Tolos Brothers (Chris Tolos & John Tolos)… Wladek (Killer) Kowalski defeats Montreal World Heavyweight champion Johnny Rougeau 2 falls to 1 to win the title.

07-25-1962: Fred Blassie defeats Rikidozan for the WWA World title in Los Angeles, CA but injures his leg in the process. Attendance 10,400.

Boris Malenko is awarded the Southern (FL) heavyweight title.

Tiger Conway defeats Tex Brady in Houston, TX for the World Negro title.

07-27-1962: In Chicago, IL at Comiskey Park drawing 18,010: Little Beaver beat Sonny Boy Cassidy… Babs Wingo & Fuzzy Robinson beat Pearl Bates & Virginia Franklin… Tony Manoussis beat The Golden Terror… El Mongol beat Miguel Perez… Giant Baba beat Tiny Hampton… Johnny Barend beat Billy Darnell… Johnny Valentine beat Karl Von Hess… Argentina Rocca beat Hans Schmidt via DQ… The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) beat Bobo Brazil & Art Thomas… NWA World heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers beat Eduardo Carpentier.

The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) defeats the injured Fred Blassie for the WWA World title in San Diego, CA.

George & Sandy Scott win the Indianapolis AWA tag team titles from Art & Stan Neilson.

07-31-1962: Fritz Von Erich wins the Omaha version of the AWA World heavyweight title from Verne Gagne.

08-02-1962: Bruno Sammartino battles NWA World heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers to a no contest in Toronto. Maple Leaf Gardens. Attendance 13,098: Bob Stanlee wrestled Tony Marino - Time Limit Draw… Gino Marella (future Gorilla Monsoon) defeats Haystacks Muldoon… Billy Red Lyons wrestled Taro Sakuro to a time limit draw… The Tolos Brothers (Chris Tolos & John Tolos) defeat The Kalmikoffs (Ivan Kalmikoff & Nikita Kalmikoff)… NWA International Tag Team champions Bulldog Brower & Sweet Daddy Siki defeat Bill Soloweyko & Yukon Eric.

08-03-1962: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 16,079: Buddy Rogers & Johnny Barend battled Edouardo Carpentier & Bobo Brazil to a no contest… Antonino Rocca defeated Golden Terror (AKA: Moose Cholak) by count out… Johnny Valentine defeated Giant Baba by count out… Enrique Torres & Red Bastien defeated Hans Schmidt & Karl Von Hess… Scufflin Hillbillies (Chuck Conley & Rip Collins) defeated Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan)… Miguel Perez battled Tony Manousos to a draw… Johnny Rougeau defeated Tommy O’Toole.

08-04-1962: Detroit, MI: Cobo Hall: Attendance 11,575: Czaya Nandor wrestled Robert Duranton - Draw… Sandy Scott defeats Art Neilson… George Scott defeats Stan Neilson… Ricki Starr defeats Mark Stone… Ricky Cortez defeats Joe Blanchard… AWA World Heavyweight champion Don Leo Jonathan wrestled Mark Lewin - Draw: This is the short-lived Indiana AWA title which only existed from 1962-1964… Ray Stern defeats The Sheik… Lord Athol Layton defeats NWA United States champion Dick The Bruiser by referee's decision on a blood stoppage 2 falls to 1.

08-08-1962: Promoter Ed Francis: Civic Auditorium: Honolulu, HI: Attendance 5,260 (sellout): The Largest in the history of local pro wrestling. Over 1,000 fans turned away at the box office: Luigi Macera defeats Mr. Fujiwara (Mr. Fuji)… Tosh Togo defeats George Drake… NWA Hawaii Tag Team champions Lord James Blears & Neff Maiava defeat Buddy Austin & Cowboy Cassidy (Orville Carlson) 2 falls to 1… NWA Hawaii United States Heavyweight champion Curtis Iaukea wrestled Nick Bockwinkel to a time limit draw after trading one fall each.

08-09-1962: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 10,000: Incomplete card: John & Chris Tolos defeat Eddie Auger & unknown… Montreal World Heavyweight champion Wladek (Killer) Kowalski defeats Antonino Rocca by Count Out 2 falls to 1… NWA World heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers wrestled Edouard Carpentier to a Double DQ after splitting one fall each.

08-10-1962: In Pittsburgh, PA: Forbes Field drawing 9,443: Chet Wallick beat Fred Atkins… Johnny DeFazio beat Angelo Savoldi… Zivko Kovacic beat Bill Scholl… Tony Napolitan beat Billy Fox… Haystacks Calhoun beat Giant Baba via DQ… The Mongol beat Ace Freeman… Bruno Sammartino & Antonino Rocca beat Nikolai Volkoff & Johnny Kace… Eduardo Carpentier beat Crusher Lisowski… NWA World heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers beat Bobo Brazil.

Los Automatas De La Muerte (The Automatons of Death) movie is released. The second in the Neutron lucha libre movie series.

08-18-1962: In Newark, NJ in front of 6,112 fans: Bobo Brazil defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers by count out.

San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 14,142: Ricki Starr defeats Aldo Bogni… Chief Big Heart defeats Mario La Pantera… Waldo von Erich defeats Hercules Cortez… Frank Townsend defeats Ed Miller by DQ… Buddy Austin wrestled George Drake to a 15-minute draw… Wilbur Snyder defeats Mitsu Arakawa… Kinji Shibuya defeats Luis Martinez 2 falls to 1… AWA San Francisco United States champion Pepper Gomez defeats The Sheik by DQ.

08-21-1962: Verne Gagne defeats Mr. M (Bill Miller) to regain the AWA World heavyweight title in Minneapolis, MN in front of a crowd of 7,653. Gagne turns Mr. M’s mask around backwards thus blinding him and pins him for the win. Following the title loss, Mr. M unmasks himself.

08-24-1962: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 17,022: Edouardo Carpentier & Bobo Brazil defeated Buddy Rogers & Johnny Barend… Scufflin Hillbillies (Chuck Conley & Rip Collins) defeated Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) … Cousin Alfred defeated Red Berry… Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez defeated Giant Baba & Great Togo… Killer Kowalski defeated Sailor Art Thomas… Hans Schmidt defeated Johnny Rougeau… Tony Manousos defeated Gordo Chihuahua.

Freddie Blassie retains the “world title” over Chief Crazy Horse in Atlanta, GA.

08-25-1962: Verne Gagne wins the Omaha version of the AWA World title defeating Fritz Von Erich in a steel cage match. Special Referee: Ernie Dusek. Omaha, NE: Municipal Stadium. Attendance 9,839: Stan Kowalski defeats Jim King… Bobby Managoff defeats Larry Hennig… Don Leo Jonathan wrestled Doug Gilbert - Time Limit Draw splitting one fall each.

08-29-1962: In Madison, WI: NWA World heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers defeated Bobo Brazil.

08-30-1962: Great Malenko (Boris) & Russian Crusher defeat The Kentuckians and Len Montana & Mike Paidousis in a three-man tournament in Jacksonville, FL to win the Florida version of the NWA World tag team titles.

Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 13,997: George McArthur wrestled Jean Baillargeon to a 20-minute draw… Taro Sakuro defeats Ray Gordon… Billy Red Lyons wrestled Stan Stasiak to a 20-minute draw… Little Beaver & Tiny Tim defeat Pee Wee James & Sky Low Low… NWA International Tag Team champions Bulldog Brower & Sweet Daddy Siki defeat Fred Atkins & Yukon Eric… NWA World Heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers defeats Bruno Sammartino by referee's decision.

08-1962: Doc Sarpolis is elected as the President of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).

Antonino Rocca appears in the pages of the DC comic book Superman issue 155 including appearing on the cover.

09-01-1962: An out of the ring fight occurs between NWA World champion Buddy Rogers and Karl Gotch. Gotch was allegedly upset with Buddy Rogers over booking for Al Haft’s promotion and confronts Roger’s in the dressing room. While Rogers tries to escape, Bill Miller slams the door to the dressing room shut on Buddy Rogers arm breaking it.

09-03-1962: Karl Gotch & Bill Miller turn themselves into the Franklin County, OH Sheriff’s department on charges of assault filed by Buddy Rogers. Gotch & Miller each post a $25 bond and are released.

09-11-1962: AWA Indiana: Columbus OH: Jet Stadium: Attendance 4,000: Mark Lewin wrestled Robert Duranton to a Draw… Ilio DiPaolo defeats Mark Stone… Sandy Scott defeats Angelo Gatoni… George Scott defeats Ivan Kalmikoff… Stan Neilson defeats Dale Lewis… Art Neilson defeats Donn Lewin… Dick the Bruiser defeats Ricky Cortez… Dinah Beamon defeats Sweet Georgia Brown… Bill Miller defeats The Sheik… Karl Gotch defeats AWA World Heavyweight champion Don Leo Jonathan 2 falls to one to win the title. This is the very short-lived version of the AWA title, that only existed from March 1962 - September 1964.

09-14-1962: Kiel Auditorium: St. Louis, MO: Attendance 12,140: Ray Collins defeats Thor Hagen… Rock Hunter defeats Tommy Phillips… Joe Tangaro defeats The Great Matsuda by DQ… Buddy Austin wrestled Red Bastien to a Time Limit Draw… Bill Dromo & Johnny Valentine defeat Killer Kowalski & Rip Hawk by Count Out 2 falls to one… Bob Ellis defeats Lou Thesz by DQ 2 falls to one.

09-15-1962: Detroit, MI: Cobo Hall: Attendance 15,521: Fred Blassie defeats Dennis Hall… George Scott defeats Ivan Kalmikoff by DQ… Ricky Cortez defeats Bob Morrow… Mark Lewin defeats Stan Neilson… Art Neilson wrestled Dale Lewis - Draw… The Sheik defeats Ray Stern… NWA United States Heavyweight (Detroit version) champion Lord Athol Layton defeats Dick the Bruiser by DQ 2 falls to 1.

09-19-1962: Civic Auditorium: Honolulu, HI: Attendance 5,200: Rocky Hunter defeats Pat Mattson… Billy White Wolf wrestled Luigi Macera to a Time Limit Draw… Curtis Iaukea wrestled Lord James Blears to a Double Count Out… Cowboy Cassidy & Tosh Togo defeat Jerry Christy & Neff Maiava 2 falls to 1… NWA World Women's champion The Fabulous Moolah defeats Judy Grable by Count Out 2 falls to 1.

09-20-1962: El Misterio de Huracan Ramirez (The Mystery of Huracan Ramirez) movie is released. An aging Huracan Ramirez struggles to keep his legacy alive.

09-21-1962: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 16,274: Bobo Brazil defeated Johnny Barend… Edouardo Carpentier battled Killer Kowalski to a draw… Chris & John Tolos defeated Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan)… Argentina Apollo battled Magnificent Maurice to a draw… Antonino Rocca defeated Hans Schmidt by count out… Scufflin Hillbillies (Chuck Conley & Rip Collins) defeated Tommy O’Toole & Gordon Chihuahua… Miguel Perez defeated Angelo Savoldi.

EMLL: 29th Anniversary Show: in Mexico City, Mexico: Arena Mexico: Benny Galant beat Cavernario Galindo in a hair vs. hair match… NWA World Middleweight champion Antonio Poza beat Karloff Lagarde.

09-28-1962:  Freddie Blassie retains the “world title” over The Assassin II (Tom Renesto) in Atlanta, GA.

09-29-1962: San Francisco, CA: Attendance: 7,150: Pepper Gomez beat Waldo Von Erich… Mistu Arakawa & Kinji Shibuya beat Bill Melby & Wilbur Snyder… Dick the Bruiser beat Frank Townsend… Joe Blanchard beat Ed Miller… Nick Bockwinkel beat Great Togo… Don Manoukian beat Dale Lewis… Carlos Rocha beat Mario LaPantera.

10-04-1962: Mad Dog Vachon defeats Luther Lindsay in Portland, OR for the Pacific Northwest title.

10-05-1962: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 14,180: Edouardo Carpentier & Bobo Brazil defeated Buddy Rogers & Killer Kowalski… Antonino Rocca defeated Giant Baba by DQ… Johnny Barend & Magnificent Maurice defeated Scufflin Hillbillies (Chuck Conley & Rip Collins)… Chris & John Tolos defeated Argentina Apollo & Miguel Perez… Hans Schmidt defeated Billy Darnell… Tony Manousos defeated Fred Atkins… Bobby Davis defeated Cousin Alfred.

Freddie Blassie retains the “world title” over Mr. Moto in Atlanta, GA.

10-06-1962: Detroit, MI: Olympia: Attendance 11,939: Art Neilson wrestled George Scott - Draw… Dale Lewis defeats Dan Miller… Ilio DiPaolo defeated Sandy Scott… Mark Lewin defeats Robert Of Paris… Fred Blassie defeats Emile Dupre… Bearcat Wright defeated Stan Neilson… Wilbur Snyder defeated Joe Blanchard… Ray Stern defeats Ricky Cortez… AWA World Heavyweight (Indiana version) champion Karl Gotch defeats Don Jardine… Dick The Bruiser defeats The Sheik by DQ… NWA United States champion Lord Athol Layton defeats Tony Borne in 2 falls.

10-11-1962: Santos Contra Las Mujeres Vampiro (Santo Against the Vampire Women) movie is released. This first movie in which El Santo fights supernatural villains. Santo battles Zorina, the Vampire Queen, who is awakened after a 200-year sleep.

10-13-1962: San Francisco, CA: Attendance: 6,286: Pepper Gomez beat The Sheik… Bearcat Wright beat Don Manoukian… Ray Stevens beat Joe Blanchard… Wilbur Snyder beat Ed Miller… Nick Bockwinkel beat Danny O'Rourke… Dick Garza beat Mario LaPantera… Aldo Bogni drew Frank Townsend. 

10-24-1962: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 12,238: Buddy Rogers defeated Killer Kowalski by DQ… Edouardo Carpentier & Bobo Brazil defeated Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan)… Antonino Rocca & Argentina Apollo battled Johnny Barend & Magnificent Maurice to a draw… Chris & John Tolos defeated Scufflin Hillbillies (Chuck Conley & Rip Collins)… Dory Dixon defeated Gordo Chihuahua… Tony Manousos defeated Hans Schmidt by DQ… Giant Baba defeated Gene Kelly.

10-26-1962: Jake Smith (AKA: Grizzly Smith) defeated Freddie Blassie for the “world title” in Atlanta, GA.

11-07-1962: The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) defeats Gorgeous George in a hair verses mask match in Los Angeles, CA at the Olympic Auditorium. Attendance 7,634. George is shaved bald. This would be Gorgeous George’s last match.

11-09-1962: Freddie Blassie defeated Jake Smith (AKA: Grizzly Smith) for the “world title” in Atlanta, GA.

11-10-1962: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace outdraws November 12 Madison Square Garden Show in New York City. San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 15,450: Waldo von Erich defeats Carlos Rocha… Dick Garza defeats Danny O'Rourke… Stan Neilson defeats Frank Townsend… Mark Lewin defeats Alan Garfield… Art Neilson defats Luis Martinez… Nick Bockwinkel & Wilbur Snyder defeat AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions Mitsu Arakawa & Kinji Shibuya 2 falls to 1 to win the titles… AWA San Francisco United States champion Pepper Gomez wrestled Ray Stevens to a time limit draw with no falls taken.

11-12-1962: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 15,353: Buddy Rogers battled Dory Dixon to a double count out… Johnny Barend & Magnificent Maurice defeated Killer Kowalski & Bobo Brazil by DQ… Antonino Rocca & Eduardo Carpentier battled Chris & John Tolos to a draw… Argentina Apollo battled Giant Baba to a draw… Miguel Perez defeated Gordo Chihuahua… Tony Manousos defeated Frank Valois… Pat Kennedy defeated Fred Atkins… Arnold Skaaland defeated Guy Taylor.

In Vancouver, BC, Canada: Danny Miller & Sandor Kovacs defeated Gene Kiniski & Clyde Steeves to win the Canadian tag team titles in a tournament final.

11-13-1962: Jackie Fargo & Tex Riley defeated The Medics for the Tennessee tag team titles.

11-16-1962: Pat O’Connor defeats Lee Henning in St. Joseph. MO for the Central States title.

11-21-1962: Killer Kowalski defeats Buddy Rogers in Montreal, Canada when Roger’s breaks his ankle during the first fall of a three fall match. Kowalski apparently wins the NWA World heavyweight title. However, the NWA rules that the match was a best of three falls match and rules it a no contest. Kowalski was billed in some areas as world champion after this match.

11-22-1962: Kurt & Karl Von Brauner wins the Indianapolis version of the AWA tag team titles over Art & Stan Neilson. The Indianapolis area almost entirely put the tag team titles on “brother” or “father and son” tag teams. Up to this point the titles had been held also by Roy & Ray Shire (Ray AKA Ray Stevens), Chris & John Tolos, Red & Lou Bastien (Lou AKA Lou Klein), Art & Stan Neilson, and George & Sandy Scott. In 1963 Ivan & Karol Kalmikoff would also hold the titles.

11-23-1962: Lenny Montana & Gypsy Joe defeated The Kentuckians (Luke Brown & Grizzly Smith) for the Southern tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.

Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400 (sellout): Gene LeBell defeats Mustafa Pasha… Mr. Moto defeats Rocky Hunter… John Paul Henning & Samson Berg wrestled The Great Togo & Yoshino Sato - Draw… Don Manoukian defeats Dick Hutton… WWA World Heavyweight champion The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) wrestled Edouard Carpentier - Double Knock Out after splitting one fall each.

11-24-1962: Detroit, MI: Cobo Hall: Attendance 11,573: Taro Sakuro defeats Emile Dupree… Czaya Nandor defeats Bob Leipler… Ray Stern defeats Bob Stanlee… The Torres Brothers (Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres) wrestled The Neilson Brothers (Art Neilson & Stan Neilson) to a draw… The Sheik defeat Mark Lewin… Dick The Bruiser defeated Bearcat Wright 2 falls to 1… NWA United States Heavyweight champion Lord Athol Layton defeated Fritz Von Erich.

11-30-1962: Santo Contra El Rey Del Crimen (Santo Against the King Of Crime) movie is released. Part one of three movies where El Santo and his friends fight crime. El Santo takes down a gambling ring.

12-01-1962: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 12,551: Ciclon Negro defeats Guy Brunetti… Sammy Berg defeats Alan Garfield… Haystacks Calhoun & Abe Jacobs defeat Don Jardine & Ed Miller… Ray Stevens defeats Waldo von Erich… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions Nick Bockwinkel & Wilbur Snyder defeat Mitsu Arakawa & Kinji Shibuya… AWA San Francisco United States champion Pepper Gomez defeats Dick the Bruiser by count out.

12-10-1962: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Dory Dixon defeated Johnny Barend… Killer Kowalski battled Bobo Brazil to a draw… Chris & John Tolos defeated Argentina Apollo & Miguel Perez… Edouardo Carpentier defeated Giant Baba… Skull Murphy defeated Johnny Rougeau… Pedro Morales defeated Fred Atkins… Magnificent Maurice defeated Bob Boyer… Tony Manousos battled Pat Kennedy to a draw.

12-16-1962: The team of “Mr. High & Mr. Low” Doug Gilbert & Dick Steinborn win the AWA World tag team titles from Art & Stan Neilson.

12-28-1962: Eddie Graham defeated Freddie Blassie for the “world title” in Atlanta, GA.

12-29-1962: Detroit, MI: Olympia Stadium: Attendance 15,267: Rudy Kay defeats Pierre LaBelle… Sam Steamboat defeats Don Jardine… The Mongol defeats Tim Geohagan… Ray Stern defeats Nicoli Volkoff… Sweet Daddy Siki defeats Great Kudo… Bearcat Wright defeats Taro Sakuro… Czaya Nandor defeats Angelo Poffo… Lou Thesz defeats Steve Stanlee… NWA United States champion Lord Athol Layton defeats Dick the Bruiser by DQ. Special Referee: Verne Gagne.

San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 12,945L Luis Martinez defeats Danny O'Rourke… Don Manoukian defeats Dick Garza… Ricki Starr defeats Alan Garfield… The Neilson Brothers (Art Neilson & Stan Neilson) defeat Haystacks Calhoun & Abe Jacobs… AWA San Francisco United States champion Pepper Gomez defeats Ciclon Negro 2 falls to 1… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions Nick Bockwinkel & Wilbur Snyder defeat Ray Stevens & The Sheik 2 falls to 1.

Verne Gagne

DragonKingKarl (Karl Stern) is a long time pro wrestling historian who has been published in books, newsletters, and podcasts since the mid-1990s.

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