Lifetime Membership

Please support the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (@tnthof) by becoming a lifetime member. Visit http://bit.ly/3Dh7TsC for more information. They just concluded their big annual Hall of Fame Induction weekend  (July 20-22, 2023) in Waterloo, Iowa.

Last Year 2022 Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame. 

The 2023 Tragos/Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Award Winners Announced

WATERLOO, IOWA 

The 24th annual George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (TNTHOF) Induction weekend will take place July 20-22 in Waterloo, IA.   In addition to the award winners announced below, the following wrestling legends have already committed to attending:

TNTHOF Board President Gerry Brisco, John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL), James Beard, Wes Brisco, Colt Cabana, Tommy “Wildfire” Rich, "The Boogie Woogie Man" Jimmy Valiant, Baron Von Raschke, JJ Dillon, B. Brian Blair, Bob Roop, Nord the Barbarian/Berserker, Thunderbolt Patterson, Jonard Solie, Ric McCord, Joe Malenko, and many more to announce in the coming weeks.

All Access Passes are $140 and can be purchased here.  The Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization that 100 percent of the All-Access Pass goes to preserving and growing the weekend.  The All Access Pass includes all events, a meal Thursday night at the Dan Gable Museum, events and autograph sessions throughout Friday and Saturday, an Impact Pro Wrestling show Friday night, a dinner and Hall of Fame induction banquet Saturday evening.  In addition, there will be a silent auction, a roundtable legends Q & A and a team trivia contest.   The complete schedule will be released in May. 

More: The 2023 Award Winners Announced ...

Walking with Ghosts: A Visit to the Birthplace of the NWA

PART ONE IN THE 1948 NWA WATERLOO HISTORY SERIES
by Dick Bourne
Mid-Atlantic Gateway

THE TIES THAT BIND
Waterloo, Iowa, stands as a beacon of history for both amateur and professional wrestling. It is the birthplace of the most famous and decorated American amateur and Olympic wrestler Dan Gable, and is the home of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. The Dan Gable Museum is also home to the George Tragos - Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame which recognizes wrestlers with an amateur background that went on to make a substantial contribution in professional wrestling. 

The Hotel President building in downtown Waterloo, Iowa.
Photograph by Dick Bourne

Waterloo is also the birthplace of the National Wrestling Alliance, once professional wrestling's largest coalition of cooperating promoters across the United States and around the world. In 1948, Iowa promoter Paul "Pinkie" George and four other Midwest promoters met in the Gold Room of the beautiful Hotel President in downtown Waterloo and formed the articles that chartered the National Wrestling Alliance. That building, near the banks of the Cedar River, still stands today.

Park Avenue entrance into the Main Lobby of the Hotel President
Photograph by Dick Bourne

There is an ironic link tying the Hotel President to the Dan Gable Museum, and therefore linking both the amateur and professional sides of Waterloo's wrestling history. The manager of the hotel at the time of the promoter's gathering in 1948 was a man named Lark Gable, who was Dan Gable's grandfather. That unlikely connection just blows me away.

Vintage ashtray and promotional tourism flyer from the Hotel President, both circa 1940s.
Notice the hotel manager's name, Lark Gable, grandfather of legendary wrestler Dan Gable.
Photograph by Dick Bourne

THE FOUNDING FATHERS & THE CRADLE OF THE ALLIANCE
The Hotel President, on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1928 and first opened on January 10, 1929. It is no longer a hotel. It has been redeveloped as a federally subsidized apartment complex for senior citizens. Los Angeles based Huntley Witmer, the company that most recently redeveloped the building in 2015, had the wisdom to change the name back to the name of the original building, with restoration of the original lobby, helping to preserve its spot in pro wrestling history, even if that history is largely lost through the sands of time.

The lobby of the Hotel President in the 1940s.
Photo from a vintage promotional tourism flyer.

The lobby looks much as it did in the 1940s, with the lobby atrium largely untouched and the wood railing around the second floor mezzanine thought to be original, standing just as it was on July 18, 1948 when the small group of Midwest promoters met there.

Lobby of the Hotel president after 2015 renovations and restoration.
Photo courtesy ApartmentGuide.com

 

That group in 1948 was led by Iowa sports promoter Paul "Pinkie" George, based out of Des Moines, who organized this meeting and hosted it as well. As a result, he is considered by historians as "the father of the NWA." George was a successful promoter in many different areas, including professional basketball, baseball, boxing, and wrestling. 

Joining Pinkie George that day in Waterloo were:

Max Clayton (Omaha, Nebraska)
Orville Brown (Kansas City, KS)
Sam Muchnick (St. Louis., MO)
Wally Karbo (representing Tony Stetcher, Minneapolis, MN)

Fred Kohler, the promoter in Chicago, IL, was part of the group but did not attend the July 18 meeting, but consented to the agreements made at the meeting by telegram. 

The group voted approval to several statutes, including recognizing one world champion, Orville Brown (who was also the promoter in Kansas City.) Brown is therefore recognized as the very first heavyweight champion of the NWA. (It's worth pointing out that the NWA traces its title lineage from Brown all the way back to George Hackenschmidt in 1905, generally regarded as the first ever professional wrestling champion.)

Sadly, there is no designation or commemoration on the site of this historically significant event that changed the course of pro-wrestling history. I would imagine that not a single person living or working in that building today has any clue of that history. Hopefully, I'm wrong.

WALKING WITH GHOSTS
While attending the 2022 Tragos-Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, I took the opportunity to travel just across the Cedar River to see and photograph the Hotel President. I wanted to get inside if possible, but my first attempt made late one evening proved futile, as all the doors were locked. The next day, I, along with my buddy Matty Montcalm made a second attempt and this time we were able to enter the lobby and make our way up a side staircase that led to the second floor mezzanine and the entrance to what remains of the original Gold Room, where the promoters met in 1948.

Looking out through the doors of the only room left that has a connection to the spot
where the NWA promoters gathered in 1948, across the mezzanine into the atrium
of the Hotel President lobby.
Photograph by Dick Bourne

 

As we entered that room, walking through the large wooden doors, I will admit I got cold chills, thinking about those five men gathering in that very place and making agreements that would literally change the course of professional wrestling history. it was a cool moment.

COMING UP NEXT
In my next story in this series (Waterloo: The First Ever NWA World Heavyweight Title Defense), I'll take look at the professional wrestling card that took place later that same evening at historic Electric Park in Waterloo. It was attended by the group of promoters who earlier that day formed the National Wrestling Alliance, which made the local news.

 ***

Special thanks to Tim Hornbaker and his book "National Wrestling Alliance"

Field of Dreams

REMARKS MADE BY DICK BOURNE AT THE INDUCTION BANQUET OF THE 2022 GEORGE TRAGOS / LOU THESZ PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME

February 23, 2022 - Waterloo Convention Center, Waterloo, Iowa

Thank you so much. I am so honored to be receiving the James C. Melby award from the Tragos/Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Jim Melby set the standard for all of us who write about wrestling history. I also want to congratulate all those receiving awards tonight, as well as those being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

When I look at the list of people who have previously received the Melby award, I am very humbled. I don’t see myself in their company. All of them have been inspirations to me in one way or another, and several of them have become friends, and they have been such a help to me over the years. It’s an honor to be included with them.

My friend David Chappell -- who is a prosecutor in Virginia, and a lifelong Mid-Atlantic Wrestling fan like myself - - we started our wrestling history website, the Mid-Atlantic Gateway, back in 2000. In 2008, I published my first book with the help of belt expert and good friend Dave Millican. It was titled “Ten Pounds of Gold” and it was really more of a photo essay about NWA World Heavyweight Title belt that Jack Brisco and others wore in the 70s and 80s. But with the success of that first book, I learned how to publish, and that led to the more historical writing about title histories, which is my main area of interest now.  

Both the website and the books are my way of documenting some of the rich history of pro wrestling, to preserve the great stories that you guys told us as fans.

I want to thank just a handful of folks. First of all, Jim Miller and Gerald Brisco, and everyone at the Dan Gable Museum. Chad Olsen and all the volunteers who give up their time selflessly to make that museum such a special place and this such a special weekend. I want to also thank David Chappell and all our many contributors to the Mid-Atlantic Gateway website, and the great Bob Caudle - - the voice of Mid-Atlantic Wrestling for over three decades - - who has enthusiastically supported us since the beginning. Also to Dave Millican, Bill Murdock, Conrad Thompson, and Tim Hornbaker. To all of those folks, I would not be receiving this award without their help and support. 

Before I finish up, I want to tell you it is such a thrill - - and a bit terrifying - - to be standing here in front of some people who are my heroes. Many of you were very important to me as a fan growing up, and along with the rest of you here tonight, part of this great Hall of Fame, I have such respect for you all.

Lastly, I want you to know how much I’ve enjoyed coming to Iowa for the first time, to Waterloo, such a beautiful city. I’ve had such fun here over the past three days. Tomorrow, I’m going to take a ride over to Dyersville to see the Field of Dreams movie site. Dyersville might be the Field of Dreams for baseball fans, but my Field of Dreams will now always be right here in Waterloo, right down the street at the Dan Gable Museum. That is a special place. 

I will never forget my trip here, receiving the Melby award - -  it is one of the highest honors I’ve ever received, and I thank you very much.

The 2022 Tragos/Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame

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WATERLOO NWA HISTORY SERIES

Walking With Ghosts - A Visit to the Hotel President, Birthplace of the NWA

Waterloo: The First Ever Defense of the NWA World Heavyweight Title

Orville Brown and the Very First NWA Heavyweight Title Belt

The 2022 Tragos-Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame

Dick Bourne, Trish Stratus, Jim Ross, and Mike Rotunda
(Photograph by Joyce Paustian / Slam Wrestling)

 
"Is this heaven?"     "No, it's Iowa."
                             - from the movie Field of Dreams

What a wonderful night at the 2022 George Tragos - Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Banquet at the Waterloo Convention Center in Waterloo, Iowa. I was very honored to receive the James C. Melby Award and to have the privilege to stand on stage with three great legends in pro wrestling: Trish Stratus, Jim Ross, and Mike Rotunda.

The James C. Melby Award is named for Jim Melby, a professional wrestling historian, writer, magazine editor, and publisher in the 1960s-1990s. The award recognizes excellence in professional wrestling journalism and historical preservation.

Stratus was the recipient of the prestigious Lou Thesz Award, given to someone within the pro wrestling industry for outstanding public service. The award is named for Lou Thesz who was the legendary multi-time world heavyweight wrestling champion from the late 1930s -1960s. The Tragos-Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, which he helped found, is named for him and his trainer, George Tragos.

Jim Ross was the recipient of the inaugural Gordon Solie Award,   Ross has spent a lifetime in various roles in professional wrestling including referee, broadcaster, producer, and talent coordinator. He was a right hand to Vince McMahon in the WWE in the 1990s and 2000s. As a broadcaster for nearly four decades in Mid-South Wrestling, WCW, WWE, and currently AEW, he is beloved by fans around the world, and is largely considered wrestling's most famous broadcaster ever. The award is named for broadcasting legend Gordon Solie of the 1960s -1990s. Solie is best remembered for his many years as host of Championship Wrestling from Florida and the nationally telecast Georgia Championship Wrestling during the territory era of professional wrestling.

Mike Rotunda was the sole inductee into the Tragos-Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame for 2022. Rotunda was a champion amateur wrestler at Syracuse University and a top pro wrestler in the 1980s-1990s during the territory years in Florida, the Mid-Atlantic, and then later during the national expansion era with WCW and WWF (WWE.) After retirement from the ring, he worked as an agent and producer for the WWE until 2020.

Dan Spivey received the Frank Gotch Award, but was unable to attend the 2022 induction ceremony. The Frank Gotch Award is given to a professional wrestler who brings positive recognition to professional wrestling through work outside the ring. It is named in honor of professional wrestler Frank Gotch from Iowa native who became one of the best-known athletes in the world during the early 1900s.

The Tragos-Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame is located within the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, IA. The Hall honors wrestlers with a strong amateur background who have made an impact on professional wrestling.

The organization holds a big Induction Weekend every July, attended by past hall-of-famers and award winners, current and retired pro-wrestlers, and fans from all over the country. Fan events are held at the Dan Gable Museum (which houses the Tragos-Thesz Hall of Fame),  a local wrestling event is presented, and a big banquet with the awards and induction ceremony finishes the weekend at the Waterloo Convention Center. 

The Dan Gable Museum is named for Dan Gable, a native of Waterloo, Iowa, who is America's most famous wrestler and considered one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. The museum houses the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa, the Alan and Gloria Rice Greco-Roman Hall of Champions, and the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.

On December 8, 2020, U.S. President Donald Trump awarded Dan Gable with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Please consider supporting this great organization. For more information visit The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum website. Come visit the museum during the annual Tragos-Thesz Hall of Fame Induction Weekend  - - and bring a friend!

- Dick Bourne       

Originally published 7/25/22.  Relocated to August 2022 Updates.

Related Links

Tragos/Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Announces 2022 Melby Award Winner
Mid-Atlantic Gateway

Dick Bourne announced as 2022 Melby Award winner
Slam Wrestling | Posted by Greg Oliver | Dec 30, 2021

Visit to the Tragos-Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
by Andy McDaniel, with lots of photos

Field of Dreams
Remarks by Dick Bourne at the Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame Weekend

National Wrestling Hall of Fame   |   Dan Gable Museum

LINK VERIFIED

Headed to Waterloo

 The Mid-Atlantic Gateway is on a mid-summer publishing hiatus. We look forward to being back with you soon with more great Mid-Atlantic Wrestling memories. 

Click For Schedule and Ticket Information

I am extremely honored to be receiving the 2022 James C. Melby Award from the Tragos-Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame and look forward to being in Waterloo, Iowa, in July for the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Weekend.
It is humbling to be recognized with an award previously given to others for whom I have such enormous respect.  - Dick Bourne

Tragos/Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Announces 2022 Melby Award Winner
Mid-Atlantic Gateway

Dick Bourne announced as 2022 Melby Award winner
Slam Wrestling | Posted by Greg Oliver | Dec 30, 2021

Visit to the Tragos-Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
by Andy McDaniel, with lots of photos

National Wrestling Hall of Fame   |   Dan Gable Museum
Tragos-Thesz Pro Wrestling HOF Weekend

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Tragos/Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Weekend

Click For Schedule and Ticket Information

I am extremely honored to be receiving the 2022 James C. Melby Award from the Tragos-Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame and look forward to being in Waterloo, Iowa, in July for the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Weekend.
It is humbling to be recognized with an award previously given to others for whom I have such enormous respect.  - Dick Bourne

Tragos/Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Announces 2022 Melby Award Winner
Mid-Atlantic Gateway

Dick Bourne announced as 2022 Melby Award winner
Slam Wrestling | Posted by Greg Oliver | Dec 30, 2021

Visit to the Tragos-Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
by Andy McDaniel, with lots of photos

National Wrestling Hall of Fame   |   Dan Gable Museum
Tragos-Thesz Pro Wrestling HOF Weekend

Tragos/Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Announces 2022 Melby Award Winner

Dick Bourne of the @magateway is an excellent choice for the Melby Award for contributions to pro wrestling journalism at next summer's @wrestlingmuseum Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame inductions in Waterloo, Iowa. My story at @slamwrestling: https://t.co/TXiYbHfYbn pic.twitter.com/jvyexso4MJ

— Greg Oliver (@gregmep) December 30, 2021

Thanks to Greg Oliver at Slam Wrestling for this article. I am extremely honored to be receiving the 2022 James C. Melby Award and look forward to being in Waterloo, Iowa, at the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Hall of Fame this July. It is humbling to be recognized with an award previously given to others for whom I have such enormous respect.

You can read Greg Oliver's article here:

Dick Bourne announced as 2022 Melby Award winner
Slam Wrestling | Posted by Greg Oliver | Dec 30, 2021

The George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame announced that Dick Bourne will be receiving the 2022 Jim Melby Award for his contributions to pro wrestling journalism.

Bourne and David Chappell operate the long-running Mid-Atlantic Gateway website.

>>> Read the entire article.

Visit to the Wrestling Hall of Fame in Waterloo

by Andy McDaniel
Mid-Atlantic Gateway Contributor

Mac Davis and Billy Strange wrote these words in 1968:

Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened through the ages just like wine

I have been a wrestling fan for well over 40 years. The many wonderful memories I have are surely pressed between the pages of my mind. Over the last many years the loss of so many legends and friends has caused the memories to become sweeter.

A recent visit to the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, was a true walk down memory lane. I would highly suggest to any serious wrestling fan that they make the trip to Waterloo if at all possible.

Upper left: Photo of Gordon Solie and Jack Brisco. Center left: Andy McDaniel (who wrote this article)
Lower left: Painting of Gerry Brisco
Right: Bill Murdock and Gerry Brisco with Jack Brisco exhibit.

Walking in the door was a treat as I was greeted by none other than Gerry Brisco and one of the key members of the museum, Bill Murdock. Bill and I have been friends for the last 20 years. It was great sharing a few stories with Gerry after I presented him with a copy of my County Hall reunion book. He had some funny Henry Marcus stories, including some memories of Miss South Carolina. Might have to share that later.

Walking around the museum for the first time I must say there is so much to take in you are almost overwhelmed. The pictures, the memorabilia, the art work; it is all amazing. However, there were several items that stood out to me.

The case holding Jack Brisco’s boots is right up front, and it truly stands out.

As I said, this was just the beginning. I realize that some might wonder if Mid-Atlantic wrestling has a strong presence at the museum. Let me assure you, there are some wonderful pieces here. When you turn the corner in the first art gallery, there sits Baron Von Raschke. (And that is “all the people need to know!”)

Left: Jack Brisco's boots and replica of the "Ten Pounds of Gold"
Right: Paintings of Baron Von Raschke and Jack Brisco

Another few turns and there is Jack and Gerry Brisco and then there is the incredible painting of Ric Flair and Harley Race in action.


The walk around the hall of fame portion is an absolute who’s who of pro wrestling and indeed, Mid-Atlantic wrestling is well represented. Abe Jacobs, Ric Flair, The Funks, Tim Woods, The Briscos, Ricky Steamboat, Ivan and Nikita, Dusty, Harley Race, Jimmy Valiant, just to name a few.

Upper left: Abe Jacobs' Japan tour jacket.   Upper right: Harley Race's bronzed boot.
Bottom: Painting of Harley Race vs. Ric Flair

One of the special items on display is a bronzed boot from Harley Race, along with a ring jacket and mask from Mr. Wrestling Tim Woods. Even a jumpsuit from Abe Jacobs when he was touring Japan.

The Lou Thesz displays are amazing. His NWA belt is there, his boots and robe, along with many pictures, wrestling cards from the shows he was defending the title on, and many items from Japan and countless other things.

Top: Lou Thesz display including his NWA World title belt.
Bottom left: Tim Woods' ring jacket.    Bottom right: Baron Von Raschke's amateur gear.

My review of the Hall of fame and museum here in Iowa are very high. It was great time seeing friends and seeing some items I had never seen before. If you are ever over this way, indeed take the time to visit, you will be glad you did. They have done a wonderful job preserving the history of wresting and the historical characters that were involved. If you are a fan of NWA and Mid-Atlantic wrestling you will not be disappointed, they are well represented. I will surely be going back, and hopefully next time have my friends from the Gateway with me.

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Andy McDaniel is the author of Reunion at County Hall: The Night the Legends Returned to Charleston, available on Amazon.com.

James J. Dillon on his way to the Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame Weekend in Waterloo

"The Leader of the Four Horsemen" James J. Dillon will be appearing once again at the Trago/Thesz Wrestling Hall of Fame Weekend at the Dan Gable Wrestling Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, July 20-23.

The weekend is a great gathering of pro-wrestling legends, modern day superstars, fans, journalists, and everyone in between as wrestling is celebrated there with great tradition.

"Anybody who is a wrestling fan, this has to be on your bucket list," J.J. told WrestlingINC.com in a video-podcast interview this week.  

Last year, J.J. was recognized with the Lou Thesz Award, presented to him by Charlie Thesz, the widow of the great heavyweight champion Lou Thesz, for whom the award is named.

Paul Orndorff and Dusty Rhodes will be inducted into the Hall of Fame along with Magnum T.A. (Lou Thesz World Heavyweight Championship Award), Stan Hansen (Frank Gotch Award), Mike Van Arsdale (George Tragos Award), and Scott Williams (Jim Melby Award).

Other distinguished guests confirmed to appear along with J.J. Dillon include Jim Ross, Gerry Brisco, Wes Brisco, Sabu, Chad Gable, Jason Jordan, Dan Gable, Shelton Benjamin, Brian Blair, Jim Brunzell, Baron Von Raschke, Larry Hennig, Penta el 0M, Magnum T.A., Paul Orndorff, Stan Hansen, Shane Strickland, Myron Reed, Curt Stallion, ACH, Chuck Taylor, AJ Smooth, Wade Keller, Bruce Hart, Jason Sanderson, Mike Van Arsdale, Bill Murdock and Charlie Thesz.

Honorees and distinguished guests at last year's Trago/Thesz Wrestling Hall of Fame Weekend in Waterloo

All-Access Passes (available from dgmstaff@nwhof.org or (319) 233-0745) provide an opportunity to attend all weekend events, including a ticket to the Hall of Fame Banquet, a ringside seat to the Impact Pro Wrestling show (while available), and preferred access at the autograph signing. There are also events that are limited to All-Access Pass Holders and distinguished guests.

J.J. will have with him copies of his highly respected autobiography "Wrestlers Are Like Seagulls" (co-written with Scott Teal) as well as the new book from the Mid-Atlantic Gateway "Four Horsemen." He recently said of the book on his podcast, "It's a great historical book and I look at it as kind of a diary, a journal of the peak of my career."

For more information on the big weekend in Waterloo, including a complete schedule of events over the weekend, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/791276277677764/ or visit NWHOF.org.

And don't miss J.J.'s excellent new podcast, The JJ Dillon Show, with co-host Rich Bocchini. A new episode primers every Thursday on the MLW Radio Network.

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Check Out this recent video podcast interview with J.J. Dillon by the good folks at WrestleINC.com.