Paul Boesch
Encyclopedia
Paul Max Boesch was a professional wrestling
promoter most famous for his work as an announcer and promoter for Houston Wrestling. He also spent several stints working with the Universal Wrestling Federation
, World Class Championship Wrestling
, and the World Wrestling Federation
.
During World War II
, Boesch left wrestling to enlist in the United States Army
, where he earned a Purple Heart, Silver Star and cluster, Bronze Star and cluster, and French Croix de Guerre with star. He also earned a Combat Infantryman Badge
, a Distinguished Unit Citation, and Distinguished Citizen's Award from the 121st Infantry Association.
After World War II, Boesch returned to wrestling, competing all over North America. In 1947, he was injured in a car accident, forcing his retirement from the ring. It was at this time that Houston Wrestling promoter Morris Sigel approached him to work for the growing Texas promotion. Boesch became an advisor to Sigel as well as a radio announcer, and two years later became the promotion's first television commentator when the show went live on television. He remained in that capacity for over 30 years as KHTV channel 39 (now KIAH, a CW Network affiliate) picked up the show for national broadcasting.
(World Class Championship Wrestling
) and wrestlers such as Barry Darsow
would repeatedly praise Boesch's abilities and honesty as a promoter. Boesch is also credited with the invention of mud wrestling
, as he came up with the concept for the match when booking a feud between Gus Sonnenberg
and Harnam Singh in Seattle, Washington
.
Together with his nephew Peter Birkholz, Boesch promoted Houston Wrestling as a top show, creating affiliations with Mid South Wrestling, World Wrestling Federation
, Universal Wrestling Federation
, and World Class Championship Wrestling
to ensure that top talent from all over the country would appear on his weekly Friday Night shows. During the time of professional wrestling nationalizing in the 1980s, most of Boesch's affiliates joined the National Wrestling Alliance
. Boesch eventually shut down Houston Wrestling in favor of signing with Vince McMahon
and the World Wrestling Federation, an affiliation that lasted only four months.
After 55 years of working in the industry as a wrestler, announcer, and promoter, Paul Boesch retired on August 28, 1987 due to health concerns. The now-WWE hosted the Paul Boesch Retirement Show in Houston in his honor, which drew a sell-out 12,000 fans. During the show, personal friend (and then-Vice President
) George Bush
had a telegram delivered praising and honoring Boesch.
. He was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
as a charter member in 1996. He was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
in 2005 as a non-wrestler participant in the business.
Houston Wrestling's legacy has been praised by many, including articles and books written about Boesch and the promotion by various participants within the wrestling business. The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame states that "his influence in professional wrestling cannot be overestimated" due to his expansive promoting throughout East and Central Texas.
WWE
wrestler Booker T
's Pro Wrestling Alliance
promotion has been stated (by Booker T himself) to be a means of continuing and reviving the Houston Wrestling legacy.
WWE
commentator Jim Ross
has stated in his blog
that he believes Boesch deserves a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame
.
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...
promoter most famous for his work as an announcer and promoter for Houston Wrestling. He also spent several stints working with the Universal Wrestling Federation
Universal Wrestling Federation
The name Universal Wrestling Federation may refer to:*Universal Wrestling Federation , an American professional wrestling promotion owned by Bill Watts...
, World Class Championship Wrestling
World Class Championship Wrestling
World Class Championship Wrestling ' was a regional professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Originally owned by promoter Ed McLemore, by 1966 it was run by Southwest Sports, Inc., whose president, Jack Adkisson, was better known as wrestler Fritz Von Erich...
, and the World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
.
Biography
Paul Boesch was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 2, 1912. In 1929, he graduated from Long Beach High School. In 1932, he placed third in the North Atlantic Coast Lifeguard Competition. Shortly thereafter, he became a professional wrestler. Boesch's first well known match was a 90 minute draw against Pat Meehan in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on November 25, 1938.During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Boesch left wrestling to enlist in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, where he earned a Purple Heart, Silver Star and cluster, Bronze Star and cluster, and French Croix de Guerre with star. He also earned a Combat Infantryman Badge
Combat Infantryman Badge
The Combat Infantryman Badge is the U.S. Army combat service recognition decoration awarded to soldiers—enlisted men and officers holding colonel rank or below, who personally fought in active ground combat while an assigned member of either an infantry or a Special Forces unit, of brigade size...
, a Distinguished Unit Citation, and Distinguished Citizen's Award from the 121st Infantry Association.
After World War II, Boesch returned to wrestling, competing all over North America. In 1947, he was injured in a car accident, forcing his retirement from the ring. It was at this time that Houston Wrestling promoter Morris Sigel approached him to work for the growing Texas promotion. Boesch became an advisor to Sigel as well as a radio announcer, and two years later became the promotion's first television commentator when the show went live on television. He remained in that capacity for over 30 years as KHTV channel 39 (now KIAH, a CW Network affiliate) picked up the show for national broadcasting.
Houston Wrestling
After Sigel died in 1966, Boesch bought out Houston Wrestling from Sigel's widow, realizing that he was in the best position to run the promotion and that he'd unintentionally been training the past twenty years for this time. It was at this point that Houston Wrestling gained its legacy as one of the most popular and lucrative promotions of its time. Promoters such as Gary HartGary Hart (wrestler)
Gary Richard Williams, was a former professional wrestling manager, as well as a professional wrestler in his early career, best known by his ring name Gary Hart...
(World Class Championship Wrestling
World Class Championship Wrestling
World Class Championship Wrestling ' was a regional professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Originally owned by promoter Ed McLemore, by 1966 it was run by Southwest Sports, Inc., whose president, Jack Adkisson, was better known as wrestler Fritz Von Erich...
) and wrestlers such as Barry Darsow
Barry Darsow
Barry Darsow is a former American professional wrestler who is known as Smash, one half of the tag team Demolition, and as Krusher Kruschev, Repo Man, and The Blacktop Bully...
would repeatedly praise Boesch's abilities and honesty as a promoter. Boesch is also credited with the invention of mud wrestling
Mud wrestling
Mud wrestling is defined as physical confrontation that occurs in mud or a mud pit. The popular modern interpretation specifies that participants wrestle while wearing minimal clothing and usually going barefoot, with the emphasis on presenting an entertaining spectacle as opposed to physically...
, as he came up with the concept for the match when booking a feud between Gus Sonnenberg
Gus Sonnenberg
Gustave Adolph Sonnenberg was an American football player and professional wrestler. As a wrestler, he was National Wrestling Association world heavyweight champion...
and Harnam Singh in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
.
Together with his nephew Peter Birkholz, Boesch promoted Houston Wrestling as a top show, creating affiliations with Mid South Wrestling, World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
, Universal Wrestling Federation
Universal Wrestling Federation
The name Universal Wrestling Federation may refer to:*Universal Wrestling Federation , an American professional wrestling promotion owned by Bill Watts...
, and World Class Championship Wrestling
World Class Championship Wrestling
World Class Championship Wrestling ' was a regional professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Originally owned by promoter Ed McLemore, by 1966 it was run by Southwest Sports, Inc., whose president, Jack Adkisson, was better known as wrestler Fritz Von Erich...
to ensure that top talent from all over the country would appear on his weekly Friday Night shows. During the time of professional wrestling nationalizing in the 1980s, most of Boesch's affiliates joined the National Wrestling Alliance
National Wrestling Alliance
The 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...
. Boesch eventually shut down Houston Wrestling in favor of signing with Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon
Vincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, announcer, commentator, film producer, actor and former occasional professional wrestler. McMahon is the current Chairman, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of professional wrestling promotion WWE...
and the World Wrestling Federation, an affiliation that lasted only four months.
After 55 years of working in the industry as a wrestler, announcer, and promoter, Paul Boesch retired on August 28, 1987 due to health concerns. The now-WWE hosted the Paul Boesch Retirement Show in Houston in his honor, which drew a sell-out 12,000 fans. During the show, personal friend (and then-Vice President
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
) George Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
had a telegram delivered praising and honoring Boesch.
Death and Legacy
Boesch died on March 7, 1989 after suffering a heart attack in Sugar Land, TexasSugar Land, Texas
Sugar Land is a city in the U.S. state of Texas within the metropolitan area and Fort Bend County. Sugar Land is one of the most affluent and fastest-growing cities in Texas, having grown more than 158 percent in the last decade. In the time period of 2000–2007, Sugar Land also enjoyed a...
. He was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is a professional wrestling hall of fame that recognizes people who make significant contributions to the sport. It was founded in 1996 by Dave Meltzer, editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is not...
as a charter member in 1996. He was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum is an American professional wrestling hall of fame and museum located in Amsterdam, New York. It was previously located in Schenectady, New York...
in 2005 as a non-wrestler participant in the business.
Houston Wrestling's legacy has been praised by many, including articles and books written about Boesch and the promotion by various participants within the wrestling business. The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame states that "his influence in professional wrestling cannot be overestimated" due to his expansive promoting throughout East and Central Texas.
WWE
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
wrestler Booker T
Booker Huffman
Robert Booker Tio Huffman , better known by his ring name Booker T, is a semi-retired American professional wrestler and currently signed to WWE, on its SmackDown brand, as part of the announcing team. Booker is best known for his time in both the World Wrestling Entertainment and World...
's Pro Wrestling Alliance
Pro Wrestling Alliance
Pro Wrestling Alliance is an independent professional wrestling promotion based in Houston, Texas. It was started in 2005 by Booker T.-History:The Pro Wrestling Alliance used to hold monthly events at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, Texas...
promotion has been stated (by Booker T himself) to be a means of continuing and reviving the Houston Wrestling legacy.
WWE
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
commentator Jim Ross
Jim Ross
James William "Jim" Ross is a professional wrestling commentator, former professional wrestling referee, restaurateur, occasional wrestler, and former company executive of WWE, where he currently works as a commentator on the WWE Raw brand...
has stated in his blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
that he believes Boesch deserves a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame
WWE Hall of Fame
The WWE Hall of Fame is a hall of fame for professional wrestlers maintained by WWE. It was officially created on the February 1, 1993 episode of the World Wrestling Federation's Monday Night Raw television program...
.
Championships and accomplishments
- Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI Stanley Weston Award (1987)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of FameWrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of FameThe Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is a professional wrestling hall of fame that recognizes people who make significant contributions to the sport. It was founded in 1996 by Dave Meltzer, editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is not...
(Class of 1996)
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
- (Class of 2005)