Pro Inductions a BIG Success

An enthusiastic group of fans came to Waterloo the weekend of July 10-11 for the 11^th annual inductions into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame – and to see firsthand how the museum has recovered from the devastating flood of 2008.

Last year’s inductions were nearly wiped out by the flood of June 10, 2008, which left the museum in shambles and closed for six months. However, the inductions were held two blocks away in the Five Sullivans Brothers Convention Center.

This year’s inductions were back in museum. The facility re-opened in January and has been working slowly but steadily toward the big July event, which included a Celebrity Golf Tournament on Friday, a pro wrestling show by Harley Race’s WLW company on Friday night and the inductions and inductions banquet on Saturday.

“It was a tremendous feeling to see the fans begin to come in on Friday,” said Mike Chapman, the museum’s director since it opened in 1999. “Last year was such a traumatic event for everyone concerned. But this year, we were back home, in the museum, and the compliments were overwhelming.”

“It’s amazing to see the museum back up and running and looking so great,” said Dan Hodge, Class of 2000. “I am just so impressed by everything I see here."

The Class of 2009 was inducted at noon in ceremonies in the pro hall of fame wing, named for legendary hookers George Tragos and Lou Thesz.  A native of Greece who came to the United States as a young man, Tragos was one of the most feared wrestlers in history. Living in St. Louis, he taught the young Lou Thesz the art of shooting and hooking.

The pro hall of fame inducts wrestlers who had a big impact on the business, and who could really wrestle as evidenced by either their amateur careers or the consensus of their peers. Each class is voted upon by living members of the hall of fame and four wrestling historians.

On hand to be inducted this year were Nick Bockwinkel and Fritz Von Goering, while Tony Nagurski, the son of the legendary Bronko Nagurski, was here to accept on behalf of his late father. All gave stirring speeches at the banquet on Saturday night, reflecting on their careers and the pride they felt at being inducted into the hall.

“I’ve always said when you honor one of us you honor all of us,” said Fritz, fighting back emotion. “It’s such an honor to be included with men like Lou Thesz, Bobby Managoff, Dick Hutton Danny Hodge and all the other great wrestlers. I didn’t have an amateur career – I learned the hard way, by getting the crap kicked out of me in the ring and in gyms by the great wrestlers I met through the decades.”

Nick talked about being started in the business by his father, Warren Bockwinkel, and his early memories of meeting Lou Thesz.

“I get choked up just thinking about what this place means to the history of wrestling,” said Nick, longtime AWA world heavyweight champion, and now president of the Cauliflower Alley Club (CAC).

Tony talked about the pride his father felt in his work, and how he traveled the nation night after night to fulfill his dates. Nagurski is already a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Professional Football Hall of Fame.

“I know being here, in this one, would mean a great deal to my father,” said Tony. “His plaque will go on the wall at the Bronko Nagurski Museum in International Falls, Minnesota (where Bronko lived his entire life).”

Ricky Steamboat was unable to attend at the last moment due to contractual commitments with the WWE. Karl Gotch and Luther Lindsay, the other honorees, are both deceased.

Ivan Koloff received the Frank Gotch Award but also was unable to attend due to prior commitments.

Mike Mooneyham, a newspaper writer and editor from Charlotte, N.C., gave a moving speech when accepting the Jim Melby Award of journalistic excellence. He told of the classic line in the movie “Field of Dreams,” where the Kevin Costner character is asked, “Is this heaven?” and he responds, “No, this is Iowa.”

“Being here in Waterloo at this event is like being in heaven to a wrestling fan,” said Mike.

Bill Kersten was presented with the Lou Thesz World Heavyweight Championship Award, given for meritorious public service. A legendary announcer from the Kansas City area, Bill delighted the crowd with stories from the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s, including a memorable trip he made with Andre the Giant in his car

“It is such an honor to  be a member of this hall of fame, named for people like Lou Thesz and George Tragos,” he said. “It’s one of the biggest thrills of my entire life.”

Fans seemed genuinely moved by the facility and the fact that it has come back so strong from last year’s tragedy.

“I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes,” said Louis Currie from Baltimore. “It’s truly amazing.”

“The hall of fame inductions were magnificent and memorable for me. I’m really looking forward to next year’s event,” said Todd Erickson, a fan who traveled down from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the weekend.

“Even though the golf tournament was rained out on Friday – the first time in 11 years that has happened to us – it was a great weekend,” said Mike Chapman. “People just raved about the facility and how nice it looked.

“But most important of all, everyone had a wonderful time and the emotions got flowing, just like in past years. After all, people is what the hall of fame is all about – people who have passed on and the people still here today, who love the sport of pro wrestling and its incredible heritage.

There were seven hall of fame members in attendance this year – Dan Hodge, Class of 2000; Jim Raschke and Bob Geigel, Class of 2002; Maurice “Mad Dog” Vachon, Class of 2003; Harley Race, Class of 2005; Bob Roop , Larry Hennig, Class of 2006.

Also, Charlie Thesz, widow of Lou Thesz, was at her 11^th consecutive inductions, and Laura Huth, the daughter of Bobby Managoff, Frank Gotch Winner of 2000, and her husband Fred were on hand as well.

On Thursday, July 16, a video crew from the WWE was at the museum for nearly eight hours, working on a documentary on the history of the world heavyweight championship. It is expected to be finished in late fall, and the museum will have a featured spot.

The next day, Friday, July 17, a video crew from Des Moines was at the museum to film a half-hour show on the museum that will be carried on an Iowa cable network this fall.