The Last Match: Wrestling Promoters

Joe Blanchard
December 17, 1984 Southwest Championship Wrestling, San Antonio, Texas
was defeated by Johnny Boyd

Before entering wrestling Joe Blanchard played football in the Canadian Football League for the Edmonton Eskimos and Calgary Stampeders.  Calgary is where he made his wrestling debut for Stampede Wrestling in 1953.  He traveled around the territories until 1978 when he founded Southwest Championship Wrestling in San Antonio Texas.

He would run the promotion until April 1985 selling it to Fred Behrend.  He became the president of the AWA in 1989 holding office until the promotion folded in 1991.  He is the father of the legendary Tully Blanchard and grandfather of Tessa Blanchard.  He died March 22, 2012 at the age of 83.

Bill Watts
August 17, 1986 Universal Wrestling Federation, Tulsa, Oklahoma
with "Dr Death" Steve Williams & Ted Dibiase battled The Fabulous Freebirds: Buddy Roberts, Michael Hayes, & Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy to a no contest

"Cowboy" Bill Watts debuted in 1962 traveling the territories and All Japan Pro Wrestling.  In 1965 he headlined three consecutive cards at Madison Square Garden against Champion Bruno Sammartino.

In 1979 Watts bought out Leroy McGuirk and began promoting Mid-South Wrestling based out of Oklahoma.  In March 1986 he rebranded the promotion the Universal Wrestling Federation when he attempted a to gain national exposure.  He sold the promotion to Jim Crockett in April 1987.  He became a Executive Vice-President of World Championship Wrestling for a short time in 1992 - 1993.  He wrote and excellent book "The Cowboy and the Cross" that I highly recommend.

Eddie Graham
January 21, 1980 Championship Wrestling from Florida, West Palm Beach, Florida
with Manny Fernandez & Mike Graham defeated Bugsy McGraw, Ernie Ladd, & Leroy Brown

Trained by Cowboy Luttrall Graham debuted in 1947 in Texas at the age of 17.  At one time he competed at Rip Rogers to "brother" of "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers.   He first headed to Florida in 1960 the promotion his trainer owned.  In 1970 he took over booking and promoting the Florida Territory.  Under Graham CWF became one of the most prominent territories of the NWA where he served as President from 1976 to 1978.  Tragically Graham committed suicide January 21, 1985 at the age of 55.

The Sheik, Ed Farhat
May 5, 1995 FMW, Kanagawa, Japan
defeated Damien

The Sheik began wrestling in 1949 in Chicago touring around the territories.  The Sheik was primarily a heel and was known for his dirty and wild man tactics, a forefather to the hardcore style that such promotions like ECW and FMW became known for.

He promoted NWA Detroit from 1964 - 1980 while still touring as a multi-time United States Champion, the top title in his promotion.  He died January 18, 2003 of heart failure he was 78 years old.

Dory Funk Sr. 
February 26, 1973, WWWF, Madison Square Garden
defeated by Victor Rivera

The father of NWA World Champions: Dory and Terry Funk Dory Sr the only brothers to ever hold the championship.  He debuted in 1943 and started running the Amarillo Territory in 1953 until he died April 26, 1973 from a heart attack at the age of 54.

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The Last Match: Pioneer's of the Ring

In this edition of The Last Match I couldn't think of a title then Pioneer's of the Ring came to me.  I'm not sure if it's accurate but I'm running with it, enjoy: 

Don Leo Jonathan
July 12, 1980 Catch Wrestling Association, Graz, Austria
was defeated by Otto Wanz

Debuting in 1949 this second generation star tour around the world but made is home in Canada.  He competed in the AWA, several NWA territories and the WWWF.  Nicknamed "The Mormon Giant" Jonathan competed in several Battle of the Giant matches with Andre the Giant.  In 1973 he headlined two consecutive shows at Madison Square Garden challenging champion Pedro Morales.
Currently he resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  

Killer Kowalski
March 14, 2008 Top Rope Promotions, Fall River, MA
defeated Gino Giovanni

A Canadian native, Killer debuted in 1947 competing under various names until he was given the nickname Killer after an incident on October 15, 1952 in Montreal when a errant knee drop ripped the cauliflowered ear of Yukon Eric.  In December 1972 Kowalski pinned Andre the Giant in a Battle of the Giants in Quebec City.  He also had an impressive run in the WWWF headlining matches against champion Bruno Sammartino.

After retirement he opened a very successful wrestling school with students including; Triple H, Chyna, Perry Saturn, John Kronus, Big John Studd, Albert, Frankie Kazarian, Fandango, and more.

He stopped has full time wrestling in 1977 wrestling 8 matches over the next 31 years.  Kowalski died August 30, 2008.

Billy Robinson
May 8, 1992 UWF-I, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
wrestled Nick Bockwinkel to a 10 minute time limit draw

Known around the world as a master catch wrestling specialist, Robinson debuted in 1955 in Britain.  In the mid 60's he won both the British & European Championships for Joint Promotions.  He traveled to North American competing in the AWA challenging Verne Gagne for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship.  In 1974 Robinson starred in Vern Gagne's movie The Wrestler as Billy Taylor the challenger to Mike Bullard's, played by Gagne, championship.  He would also challenge Bob Backlund in 1982 for the WWWF World Championship to a time limit draw in Montreal.

Billy Robinson toured Japan and became revered for his catch wrestling ability and was part of the Japanese shoot style movement.  He spent a lot of time there training wrestlers in catch style wrestling.  James Maritato, aka Little Guido, was a student of Robinson.  Robinson died March 3, 2014 at the age of 75.

John Tolos
September 19, 1992 FMW 3rd Anniversary Show Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
wrestled Killer Kowalski to a 10 minute time limit draw

Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Tolos began wrestling in the 1950's teaming with his brother Chris as the Canadian Wrecking Crew.  On December 28, 1963 they captured the WWWF United States Tag Team Championships from Gorilla Monsoon & Killer Kowalski only holding the titles a short time.  Tolos would travel to the LaBell Family Los Angeles Territory where he feuded with Fred Blassie over the Americas Championship.

In 1991 Tolos would join the WWF as a manager for Mr. Perfect & The Beverly Brothers going by the name Coach.  He left after a short run.  Tolos stopped full time wrestling full time in 1984 however returned in 1992 for the match in FMW with Kowalski.   He died May 29, 2009 at the age of 78 in Los Angeles, California.

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