The Cincinnati Garden opened during the first Golden Age of professional wrestling, a time when Gorgeous George was a national phenomenon and people honestly debated whether or not wrestling was a sport. The exploding growth of television propelled the popularity of pro wrestling and once WCPO and WLWT TV began studio production and broadcast of local wrestling shows, no longer would Music Hall or Parkway arena satisfy the local demand for live action. The new Garden fit the bill and during its first month of operation hosted two wrestling shows. Attendance was a meager 810 for the first show, an NWA World Heavyweight Title Match, but two weeks later 4,500 came to a Thursday night show and watched The Great Bolo, Al Lovelock and Lou Thesz win the night.
Locally, wrestling was supervised by the Cincinnati Boxing and Wrestling Commission. As pro wrestling evolved, the commission wasn't at all prepared for the antics and escapades of the promoters and the men and women grapplers they employed. Referee's were roughed up, wrestlers fined and sometimes suspended. At one point the commission considered a complete ban on women's matches. City politics and behind the scenes drama was only surpassed by the theatre in the squared circle.
Promoter, Jim Barnett, played a major role in developing pro wrestling in Cincinnati when he met with Cincinnati Gardens General Manager, Alex Sinclair and Executive VP, Tom Grace. He explained the success he was having with shows in other markets and sold them on his promotional ideas. Garden's management agreed to work with him and Barnett didn't let them down. The Garden's profited nicely from the arrangement and thanked Barnett who also acknowledged the importance of the WCPO wrestling show. Sinclair told the publication Wrestling Life, "We have to thank the televised studio wrestling every week for the big wrestling boom at the Gardens."
By1959 wrestling shows at the Gardens were so popular that the numbers of fans paying to watch favorite grapplers such as Cowboy Bob Ellis and Dick the Bruiser eclipsed those attending Cincinnati Royals basketball games.
Gardens favorites of the 60's and 70's included Flyin Fred Curry, Haystacks Calhoun, Andre The Giant, Bobo Brazil and The Sheik. Cable TV ushered a new cast of characters to the Gardens in the 80's and 90's including Dusty Rhodes, Rick Rude, Rick Flair and Sting. The last major wrestling show at the Gardens was November 7, 2013 and was broadcast on Spike TV.
Locally, wrestling was supervised by the Cincinnati Boxing and Wrestling Commission. As pro wrestling evolved, the commission wasn't at all prepared for the antics and escapades of the promoters and the men and women grapplers they employed. Referee's were roughed up, wrestlers fined and sometimes suspended. At one point the commission considered a complete ban on women's matches. City politics and behind the scenes drama was only surpassed by the theatre in the squared circle.
Promoter, Jim Barnett, played a major role in developing pro wrestling in Cincinnati when he met with Cincinnati Gardens General Manager, Alex Sinclair and Executive VP, Tom Grace. He explained the success he was having with shows in other markets and sold them on his promotional ideas. Garden's management agreed to work with him and Barnett didn't let them down. The Garden's profited nicely from the arrangement and thanked Barnett who also acknowledged the importance of the WCPO wrestling show. Sinclair told the publication Wrestling Life, "We have to thank the televised studio wrestling every week for the big wrestling boom at the Gardens."
By1959 wrestling shows at the Gardens were so popular that the numbers of fans paying to watch favorite grapplers such as Cowboy Bob Ellis and Dick the Bruiser eclipsed those attending Cincinnati Royals basketball games.Gardens favorites of the 60's and 70's included Flyin Fred Curry, Haystacks Calhoun, Andre The Giant, Bobo Brazil and The Sheik. Cable TV ushered a new cast of characters to the Gardens in the 80's and 90's including Dusty Rhodes, Rick Rude, Rick Flair and Sting. The last major wrestling show at the Gardens was November 7, 2013 and was broadcast on Spike TV.
Shows Remembered
1953 - May 16th. The third annual Crosley Tournament, sponsored by WLW Television set an attendance record at the Gardens. The official count of 14,164, topped the prior record set by the Ezzard Charles/Joey Maxim fight. The event was so popular that thousands were turned away at the Garden's gate. The tournament was heavily promoted on WLW-TV which included broadcast of weekly studio elimination matches. Interest grew steadily over a three month period as sixty participating grapplers were reduced to two finalists; Frankie Talaber and Buddy Rogers. They were the top of the card for show at the Garden's with the winner taking two of three falls. The tournament was televised live over WLW stations in Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus and for the first time included lady wrestlers.
Nell Stewart from Arkansas and Ida May Martinez of Mexico topped the women's card. When the bell rang, the enthusiastic crowd watched a hard fought battle eventually won by Stewart, a southern beauty known as the Marilyn Monroe of Women's Wrestling. She won the last fall with a sleeper hold.Action between the two heavyweights, Frankie Talaber and "Nature Boy," Buddy Roger was fast paced and began with Rogers drop kicking Talaber. The crowd went wild and Rogers ended up winning the first fall with a series of crotch and body lifts. The second fall went to Talaber by way of a grapevine leg scissors. In the end, Nature Boy, Rogers won the men's title taking the third fall by default after Talaber twisted his leg. Both Champions, Buddy Rogers and Nell Stewart were awarded a trophy, a sapphire studded belt and a cash purse; $3,000 to Rogers and $2,000 to Stewart.
1959 - March 7. Legendary promoter Jim Barnett drew a record wrestling crowd of 15,299 to the Garden's. The main event featured a tag team match with Yukon Eric and Wilbur Snyder besting Angelo Poffo and Bronko Lubich. Also on the card, Cowboy Bob Ellis defeated Baron Gattoni, Dick the Bruiser defeated Paul Bunyan, Johnny Weaver defeated Jack Allen and Shirley Strimple defeated Betty Hawkins. It was the fourth largest event in Garden's history.
1959 - April 25. A Saturday night crowd of 8,127 watched the tag team of Dick the Bruiser and Angelo Poffo defeat Yukon Eric and Wilbur Snyder. Ultimately Bruiser was the loser when during the match he leaped from the ring and pulled the wheelchair of a spectator, giving fans the impression that he might hurl the chunk of metal at his opponent. Catherine Brown, a polio victim said she suffered a bruised leg, fear and shock when she was bowled from her wheelchair. She filed a suit for $25,140 in damages against the Cincinnati Gardens, Jim Barnett, the promoter and Dick Afflis, aka Dick The Bruiser. She claimed Afflis is a person of uncontrolled temper and violence and the other defendants knew or should have known because he previously assaulted or threatened other spectators. The suit was settled out of court. Although the Bruiser apologized, the Cincinnati Boxing and Wrestling Commission revoked his license and suspended him indefinitely from making local appearances. In September, The Bruiser told the commission he had learned his lesson and his license was reinstated.
1961 - August 18. Buddy Rogers took the first and third falls from The Sheik to retain his recently-won NWA World Title. For many who were there, it was the first time they had seen The Sheik lose. Ironically, the attendance for this Friday night card was less than half of capacity. The card included grapplers Bobo Brazil, Johnny Barend and the tag team of brothers Art and Stan Neilson.
2013 - November 7. TNAW Impact Wrestling took over the Gardens. This polished production for Spike TV saw full metal mayhem and featured Dixie and Ethan Carter III, Bad Influence, Aces and Eights. The woman's knockout match featured OBD, Brooke and Velvet Sky. Kurt Angle and Austin Aries faced off in the Heavyweight Quarter Final. Cincinnati Bengals players Dequin Evans and Pacman Jones joined a brawl against Bad Influence.
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It was always a dream of mine to wrestle in the Cinci Gardens. Pat O' Conner, Buddy Rogers, Lou Thesz and Ric Flair all defended the NWA World Championship in the Gardens, as well as Starrcade being hosted via closed circuit TV in 1986. Not to mention the numerous WWE RAW and Smackdown! events held in the Gardens. -Jason Duggins, on Facebook
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I'll never forget Brian Pillman vs. Jushin' Thunder Liger live at the Cincinnati Gardens (Brian's home town). They tore the house down. - Anonymous at first-thoughts.org___________________________________
One of my favorite memories was getting into a shouting contest with Rowdy Roddy Piper outside the Gardens after a wrestling match. I knew what was up with wrestling and we were giving everyone a post- match show. - Darren Riggs, on Facebook
Share your memories of wrestling at the Cincinnati Gardens. Email: dwittkamp@cinci.rr.com
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