Don Curtis
Encyclopedia
Don Curtis, legally changed from Don Beitelman, (May 22, 1927 - March 6, 2008), was an American
professional wrestler
, best known for his tag team
with Mark Lewin
in the 1950s and 1960s. During his teaming with Lewin they won the NWA World Tag Team Championship
. He also promoted wrestling in Jacksonville, Florida
until 1981.
. During his early career, he worked in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
Beginning in 1958, he teamed with Mark Lewin
, after promoter Eddie Graham
put them together. Curtis and Lewin held the NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Northeast version)
twice in 1958, trading it with Graham and his "brother" Jerry
. They were also the first holders of the championship, defeating Hans Schmidt
and Dick the Bruiser.
Curtis teamed with Graham in May 1960 to win the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Florida version)
. He also held the title with Bob Ellis
in March 1964 and Jose Lothario
in March 1967.
In 1962, Curtis moved to Florida. In 1962, he teamed with Joe Scarpa
to win the NWA World Tag Team Championship (Florida version)
from Kurt and Karl Von Brauner. In January 1963, he won the title with Lewin from The Fabulous Kangaroos
(Al Costello
and Roy Heffernan
). After vacating the title, Curtis and Lewin regained it in December from the Assassins (Assassin 1 and 2). Lewin left the promotion the following month, and the title was once again vacated. In May 1964, Curtis teamed with Abe Jacobs
to hold the title for the last time. In Jacksonville, Florida
, Curtis promoted shows and managed the coliseum.
After wrestling Curtis was inducted into the U.B. Athletic Hall of Fame for wrestling and football
in 1980, as well as managing the Jacksonville Coliseum. In 2009, he was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum with Mark Lewin under the "Tag Team" category.
After retiring from professional wrestling, Curtis worked in real estate. On February 26, 2008, Curtis suffered a "massive stroke
", with his wife Dotty releasing a statement noting that it was "due to a blood clot breaking loose and hitting the left side of his brain." Curtis was admitted into the Mayo Clinic Hospice facility that day, and died on March 6, 2008 at the age of 80.
Finishing Move: The Sleeper Hold
Favorite Moves: Flying drop kick
The Sleeper
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional wrestler
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
, best known for his tag team
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
with Mark Lewin
Mark Lewin
-Career:Mark Lewin broke into wrestling in the early '50s and had great early success in a matinee-idol babyface tag team with Don Curtis, headlining in major territories like New York and Chicago. The team's brief heel turn was a shock to its many fans...
in the 1950s and 1960s. During his teaming with Lewin they won the NWA World Tag Team Championship
NWA World Tag Team Championship (Florida version)
The Florida version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship existed from 1961 until 1969.-Title history:-See also:*National Wrestling Alliance*NWA World Tag Team Championship*Florida Championship Wrestling...
. He also promoted wrestling in Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
until 1981.
Professional wrestling career
Curtis decided to become a professional wrestling in 1951, after working out with Lou TheszLou Thesz
Aloysius Martin "Lou" Thesz was a United States professional wrestler and 18-time world heavyweight champion, most notably holding the NWA World Heavyweight Championship three times. Combined, he held the NWA Championship for 10 years, three months and nine days , longer than anyone else in history...
. During his early career, he worked in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
Beginning in 1958, he teamed with Mark Lewin
Mark Lewin
-Career:Mark Lewin broke into wrestling in the early '50s and had great early success in a matinee-idol babyface tag team with Don Curtis, headlining in major territories like New York and Chicago. The team's brief heel turn was a shock to its many fans...
, after promoter Eddie Graham
Eddie Graham
Edward Gossett was a professional wrestler. He was also the promoter and booker for Championship Wrestling from Florida and President of the NWA in the 1970s. His son, Mike Graham, was also a professional wrestler.-Career:Edward F...
put them together. Curtis and Lewin held the NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Northeast version)
WWWF United States Tag Team Championship
The WWWF United States Tag Team Championship was a major tag team title in the World Wide Wrestling Federation from 1963 until 1967. Originally, the WWF was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance operating out of the Northeast and was called the Capitol Wrestling Corporation...
twice in 1958, trading it with Graham and his "brother" Jerry
Dr. Jerry Graham
Jerry Martin Matthews , better known by his ring name Dr. Jerry Graham, was an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his time spent in the World Wide Wrestling Federation and as the founder of the Graham wrestling family.Jerry Martin Matthews was adopted by his stepfather Harold...
. They were also the first holders of the championship, defeating Hans Schmidt
Hans Schmidt
Hans Schmidt is the name of:* Hans Schmidt , American Roman Catholic priest executed for committing murder* Hans Schmidt , stage name of Guy Larose, Canadian wrestler* Hans Schmidt , German bobsledder...
and Dick the Bruiser.
Curtis teamed with Graham in May 1960 to win the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Florida version)
NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Florida version)
The Florida version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship was a top tag team title in the National Wrestling Alliance's Florida territory, Championship Wrestling from Florida. It existed from 1960 until 1971, when the title was abandoned.-Title history:...
. He also held the title with Bob Ellis
Bob Ellis
Bob Ellis is an Australian writer, journalist, film-maker and political commentator. He was a student at the University of Sydney at the same time as other notable Australians including Clive James, Germaine Greer, Les Murray, John Bell, Ken Horler, and Mungo McCallum...
in March 1964 and Jose Lothario
Jose Lothario
Guadalupe Robledo is an American professional wrestler, best known by the ring name of Jose Lothario.-Career:Lothario competed in the National Wrestling Alliance for most of his career...
in March 1967.
In 1962, Curtis moved to Florida. In 1962, he teamed with Joe Scarpa
Joe Scarpa
Joseph Luke Scarpa is a former professional wrestler who was best known by his famous ring moniker, Chief Jay Strongbow...
to win the NWA World Tag Team Championship (Florida version)
NWA World Tag Team Championship (Florida version)
The Florida version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship existed from 1961 until 1969.-Title history:-See also:*National Wrestling Alliance*NWA World Tag Team Championship*Florida Championship Wrestling...
from Kurt and Karl Von Brauner. In January 1963, he won the title with Lewin from The Fabulous Kangaroos
The Fabulous Kangaroos
The Fabulous Kangaroos is a former professional wrestling tag team that existed in various forms from 1957 until 1983. The first incarnation of The Fabulous Kangaroos was formed when Italian Australian Al Costello teamed with Australia native Roy Heffernan and adopted an "Ultra Australian" gimmick...
(Al Costello
Al Costello
Giacomo Costa was an Italian Australian professional wrestler best known by his ring name, Al Costello. Costello was the first professional wrestler to be nicknamed "The Man of a Thousand Holds" because of his innovative and very technical style.Costello was the creator and original member of the...
and Roy Heffernan
Roy Heffernan
Laurence Roy Heffernan was an Australian professional wrestler. Roy Heffernan toured all over the world, but is most famous for being one half of the original version of the tag team the Fabulous Kangaroos...
). After vacating the title, Curtis and Lewin regained it in December from the Assassins (Assassin 1 and 2). Lewin left the promotion the following month, and the title was once again vacated. In May 1964, Curtis teamed with Abe Jacobs
Abe Jacobs
Abe Jacobs is a retired New Zealand professional wrestler. He was one of the first men to follow fellow New Zealander Pat O'Connor to the United States where, like O'Connor, Jacobs became a major star in the National Wrestling Alliance during the "Golden Age of Wrestling"...
to hold the title for the last time. In Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
, Curtis promoted shows and managed the coliseum.
After wrestling Curtis was inducted into the U.B. Athletic Hall of Fame for wrestling and football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
in 1980, as well as managing the Jacksonville Coliseum. In 2009, he was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum with Mark Lewin under the "Tag Team" category.
Personal life
Curtis attended the University of Buffalo, where he was an amateur wrestler. He was the team captain during 1949 and 1950.After retiring from professional wrestling, Curtis worked in real estate. On February 26, 2008, Curtis suffered a "massive stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
", with his wife Dotty releasing a statement noting that it was "due to a blood clot breaking loose and hitting the left side of his brain." Curtis was admitted into the Mayo Clinic Hospice facility that day, and died on March 6, 2008 at the age of 80.
Championships and accomplishments
- Cauliflower Alley ClubCauliflower Alley ClubThe Cauliflower Alley Club is a non-profit fraternal organization, which includes a newsletter and website, comprising both retired and active professional wrestlers and boxers in North America....
- Other honoree (1997)
- National Wrestling AllianceNational Wrestling AllianceThe National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
- NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Florida version)NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Florida version)The Florida version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship was a top tag team title in the National Wrestling Alliance's Florida territory, Championship Wrestling from Florida. It existed from 1960 until 1971, when the title was abandoned.-Title history:...
(3 times) - with Eddie GrahamEddie GrahamEdward Gossett was a professional wrestler. He was also the promoter and booker for Championship Wrestling from Florida and President of the NWA in the 1970s. His son, Mike Graham, was also a professional wrestler.-Career:Edward F...
(1), Bob EllisBob EllisBob Ellis is an Australian writer, journalist, film-maker and political commentator. He was a student at the University of Sydney at the same time as other notable Australians including Clive James, Germaine Greer, Les Murray, John Bell, Ken Horler, and Mungo McCallum...
(1), Jose LotharioJose LotharioGuadalupe Robledo is an American professional wrestler, best known by the ring name of Jose Lothario.-Career:Lothario competed in the National Wrestling Alliance for most of his career...
(1) - NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Northeast version)WWWF United States Tag Team ChampionshipThe WWWF United States Tag Team Championship was a major tag team title in the World Wide Wrestling Federation from 1963 until 1967. Originally, the WWF was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance operating out of the Northeast and was called the Capitol Wrestling Corporation...
(2 times) - with Mark LewinMark Lewin-Career:Mark Lewin broke into wrestling in the early '50s and had great early success in a matinee-idol babyface tag team with Don Curtis, headlining in major territories like New York and Chicago. The team's brief heel turn was a shock to its many fans... - NWA World Tag Team Championship (Florida version)NWA World Tag Team Championship (Florida version)The Florida version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship existed from 1961 until 1969.-Title history:-See also:*National Wrestling Alliance*NWA World Tag Team Championship*Florida Championship Wrestling...
(4 times) - with Mark LewinMark Lewin-Career:Mark Lewin broke into wrestling in the early '50s and had great early success in a matinee-idol babyface tag team with Don Curtis, headlining in major territories like New York and Chicago. The team's brief heel turn was a shock to its many fans...
(2), Joe ScarpaJoe ScarpaJoseph Luke Scarpa is a former professional wrestler who was best known by his famous ring moniker, Chief Jay Strongbow...
(1), Abe JacobsAbe JacobsAbe Jacobs is a retired New Zealand professional wrestler. He was one of the first men to follow fellow New Zealander Pat O'Connor to the United States where, like O'Connor, Jacobs became a major star in the National Wrestling Alliance during the "Golden Age of Wrestling"...
(1) - NWA World Tag Team Championship (Georgia version)NWA World Tag Team Championship (Georgia version)The Georgia version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship existed from 1954 until 1969.-Title history:-See also:*National Wrestling Alliance*NWA World Tag Team Championship*Georgia Championship Wrestling...
(1 time) - with Joe ScarpaJoe ScarpaJoseph Luke Scarpa is a former professional wrestler who was best known by his famous ring moniker, Chief Jay Strongbow...
- NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Florida version)
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
- Class of 2009 (Tag Team) - with Mark LewinMark Lewin-Career:Mark Lewin broke into wrestling in the early '50s and had great early success in a matinee-idol babyface tag team with Don Curtis, headlining in major territories like New York and Chicago. The team's brief heel turn was a shock to its many fans...
- Class of 2009 (Tag Team) - with Mark Lewin
Finishing Move: The Sleeper Hold
Favorite Moves: Flying drop kick
The Sleeper