John Bilbo (wrestler)

Last updated

John Bilbo
Jules Strongbow 1951 (cropped).jpg
Bilbo in 1951
Birth nameJohn Ralph Bilbo
Born(1906-01-22)January 22, 1906 [1]
De Queen, Arkansas, U.S. [2]
DiedMay 13, 1975(1975-05-13) (aged 69) [1]
Spouse(s)
  • Betty L. Mast
    ​
    (m. 1928⁠–⁠1950)​
  • Ramona Rae Roten
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1951⁠–⁠1975)​
    [2]
Children2 [2]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)
  • Jules Strongbow.. [3]
  • Julius Strongbow
Billed height6 ft 4 in (193 cm) [3]
Billed weight285 lb (129 kg) [3]
Debut1931 [3]
Retired1948 [3]

John Ralph "Buster" Bilbo [4] (January 22, 1906-May 13, 1975), [1] better known by the ring name Jules Strongbow, was an American professional wrestler, wrestling promoter and commentator, actor and sporting venue owner. He was a key figure in the Los Angeles wrestling territory as a booker and promoter in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1959, Strongbow co-founded the North American Wrestling Alliance with Cal and Aileen Eaton [5] and is credited for creating some of its biggest stars. [6]

Contents

Early life

Bilbo was born in De Queen, Arkansas, [2] on January 22, 1906, [1] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] the only son of Hattie Catherine (née Burt; 1888–1962) and William Edward Bilbo (1883–1966). Promoted as a full-blooded Cherokee Indian during his wrestling career, [2] he actually had 3/8ths Cherokee ancestry. [12] Bilbo grew up alongside his younger sister Mary DeWanda (1913–1955) in Shawnee, Oklahoma [8] [12] Bilbo married his first wife, Betty Mast, on March 5, 1928, in Tecumseh, Oklahoma. John was employed as a lumberman and lived in Seminole County [13] and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma prior to becoming a professional wrestler. [9]

Professional wrestling career

Early career

About 1931 he started using the name Jules Strongbow. Wrestlingdata.com details Jules (Julius) Strongbow in over 1200 professional wrestling matches, [3] his debut match 2 Dec 1931 at Columbus where he was defeated by Ray Richards. On September 8, 1932, Strongbow was battling Dutch Heffner at the Hollywood Legion Stadium with Groucho Marx sitting at ringside. At one point in the match, Strongbow threw Heffner over the top rope and his opponent landed on the lap of Marx's female guest. Strongbow claimed years later on You Bet Your Life that Marx stood up and said "Mr. Strongbow, Mr. Heffner, I'd like you to meet my friend Miss Brown". [12] His last match 23 Jun 1948 at Los Angeles when he defeated, Jack Holland. At the peak of his professional wrestling he would have a match every 2 or 3 days.

Strongbow is knocked out of the ring during a wrestling match at the Grand Olympic Auditorium on May 16, 1937. Wrestler Jules Strongbow knocked out of the ring at the Olympic (1937).jpg
Strongbow is knocked out of the ring during a wrestling match at the Grand Olympic Auditorium on May 16, 1937.

Jules was primarily a singles wrestler but he was also part of several tag teams, Rebel Russell being just one of his many partnerships. [3] Other notable partners included Rudy LaDitzi, Dutch Hefner, Wee Willie Davis, Tiny Roebuck and Killer Karl Davis. Strongbow became the matchmaker for the Olympic Auditorium in 1937, a position he would hold for 38 years. One of his bouts at the Grand Olympic Auditorium, on October 11, 1939, recorded footage of one of the 45 matches with the opponent he fought more than anyone else, Hardy Kruskamp. [15] [3]

Strongbow continued working as a pro wrestler leading up to the 1940s. [10] Dubbed the "Cherokee Choker", [16] [17] Strongbow was counted among the top performers in the Los Angeles territory during the war years along with Gino Garibaldi, the four Dusek family brothers Emil, Ernie, Joe and Rudy, Wee Willie Davis, George Zaharias, Steve Casey and Baron Michele Leone. [18] He was also the opponent for ex-boxer Primo Carnera in his pro wrestling debut. [19] Strongbow, who then weighed about 350, was the biggest opponent Camera had ever faced at that point. [17]

Texas Heavyweight Champion

Strongbow took the title from Hans Schnabel, 11 May 1945 [20] at City Auditorium, Houston, Texas by winning his 2 out of 3 falls match. 14 May 1945 at the North Side Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas he defended his title against Roy Graham, winning by 2 falls to 0. 15 May 1945 at the Municipal Auditorium in San Antonio, Texas he defended his title, the rematch against Hans Schnabel ending without a winner as a time limit draw (20 minutes). 18 May 1945, back at the City Auditorium, he was defeated by Bobby Managoff by disqualification. [21]

Wrestling promoter and sports agent

By the 1950s, Strongbow was working full-time as a sports agent for the National Wrestling Alliance's Los Angeles booking office [11] and was an integral part of the California Combine. As well as announcing matches, he was a matchmaker, [22] sports agent, [11] booker, ringside commentator [23] and promoter. Some early highlights included serving as guest emcee for a tribute show honoring one of his old tag team partners, Tiny Roebuck, at the Wilmington Bowl on November 28, 1950. [24] [25] [26] In September 1952, Strongbow reportedly prevented a near-riot at the Olympic after Killer Karl Davis and Mr. Moto defeated Rito Romero and Vincent Lopez in the main event. After a 15-minute protest by the 7,000 fans present, he was able to calm down the crowd by promising to hold a rematch the following week. [27]

Starting as an interviewer on KTLA's "Wrestling from Hollywood" with Dick Lane, Strongbow became a regular host for the promotion's syndicated TV programing throughout the 1950s. He also co-hosted "Main Event Wrestling from Hollywood Legion Stadium" with Bill Welsh. In early 1953, Strongbow took part in a widely publicized 3-month weight loss campaign. Then weighing 377 pounds, [28] Strongbow aimed to lose a pound every day using diet pills [29] for a period of 90 days. [30] In addition to KTLA keeping audiences updated on his progress, [31] Strongbow also participated in public weigh-ins at popular drug stores such as Sav-On Drugs [32] and Thriftys. [33] Strongbow's efforts were especially popular with wrestling fans, resulting in high ratings on the weekly Hollywood Legion broadcasts. [34] The final night of Strongbow's 90-day campaign was celebrated at the Hollywood Legion Stadium on May 25, 1953. [35] Strongbow was successful in keeping the weight off and reported he was 291 pounds in a follow-up by the San Bernardino Sun two years later. [29]

In 1954, Strongbow began hosting "Championship Wrestling" from the Hollywood Legion Stadium. Created by California Combine promoter Hugh Nichols, it was broadcast on CBS and was one of the last live pro wrestling shows to air on a national U.S. network during the "Golden Age of Wrestling". "Championship Wrestling" was seen on 103 stations across the country and had an estimated worth of $5 million. [22] Although a six-year deal had been signed, CBS cancelled the show after 13 weeks when Nichols failed to find a sponsor to pay for the weekly $70,000 production costs [36]

TV footage produced by the American Sports Network 1954, May 24, Main Event Wrestling from Hollywood Legion Stadium, [23] has ringside commentator Jules 'Mr Wrestling' Strongbow and Bill Welsh; wrestlers Bill Cody V honest John Cretoria, Jack McDonald V Dave Levin, Joe Pazandak V Juan Sepeda and a Tag Match, Lord Layton and Lord Blears V Juan Szabo and Billy Varga

On July 10, 1954, Strongbow was made honorary mayor of Sepulveda, California. A number of film and TV stars attended the celebration including Roy Rogers, Edward Arnold and Eddie Dean. [37] An additional ceremony was held to present Strongbow with his badge of office three months later. [38] Strongbow was a guest star on the April 26, 1956 edition of You Bet Your Life with Groucho Marx. [12] Strongbow also appeared with Tiny Roebuck and Killer Karl Davis, the latter having recently become a born-again Christian, [39] at the Church of the Open Door for a Youth for Christ rally in June 1956. [40]

On February 14, 1959, a tribute show was held at the San Bernardino Arena to honor Strongbow's "silver anniversary" in pro wrestling. The main event featured Chief Big Heart battling Mr. Moto in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match. [41] Ten years later, promoter Mike LeBell held the "Parade of Champions" supercard in celebration of Strongbow's 35th year as matchmaker for the Olympic Auditorium. The show was headlined by Giant Baba defending the NWA International Heavyweight Championship against Gorilla Monsoon and NWA Americas Heavyweight Champion Mil Mascaras versus NWA Southern Heavyweight Champion Buddy Fuller in a champion vs. champion match. [42]

North American Wrestling Alliance

The Los Angeles booking office was one of several NWA territories that decided to leave the organization following the controversial 1957 title dispute between NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz and Édouard Carpentier in Montreal, Quebec. The California Combine continued to recognize Carpentier as world champion. Strongbow still maintained a good relationship with Thesz, however, and co-promoted an overseas tour of Australia with Thesz as NWA World Champion in August-October 1957, [43] and continued booking him in Los Angeles after the world champion broke away from the NWA. [6] Strongbow eventually co-founded the North American Wrestling Alliance (later known as Worldwide Wrestling Associates) with Cal and Aileen Eaton. [5] On June 12, 1961, Carpentier lost a match to Freddie Blassie which created the NAWA World Heavyweight Championship.

During this period, Strongbow used his influence to keep the promotional war between NWA San Francisco and Big Time Wrestling from spreading to southern California. He was able to mediate a resolution between NWA promoter Joe Malcewicz and his "outlaw" rival Roy Shire. By negotiating a working agreement between all parties, this prevented the situation from getting violent as a similar war in Texas a few years earlier had resulted in the famed Dallas Sportatorium being set on fire by arsonists. [6] [44]

After Malcewicz retired, Strongbow forged ties with the Japanese Wrestling Association and brought Rikidozan to the U.S. to feud with then WWA World Heavyweight Champion Freddie Blassie. [45] He is also credited for creating The Destroyer in 1962 [46] and helping establish him as a star in Japan. [47]

In late September 1962, Steve and Loretta Strelich sold the Stelrich Stadium, in Bakersfield, for a reported $100,000 to William J. Griffiths, Jerry Hill, and Jules Strongbow. [48] The stadium served as the base of operations for "Strongbow Enterprises". With the financial backing of the Eaton family, Strongbow built a wrestling territory that covered Bakersfield, San Diego, El Monte, San Bernardino, Long Beach and Costa Mesa, California. Strongbow was regarded as one of the most powerful wrestling promoters in southern California by the end of the decade [49]

Strongbow was able to negotiate with the World Wide Wrestling Federation to bring in one of its top stars, Bobo Brazil, who beat Buddy Austin for the WWA World Heavyweight Championship on September 2, 1966. [22]

Semi-retirement

Starting in the late-1960s, Gene and Mike LeBell, had taken over NWA Hollywood Wrestling. Strongbow had considerably less influence after the LeBells started promoting the Grand Olympic Auditorium. [6] He was still well regarded in the pro wrestling world, however, and oversaw the negotiations when Mike LeBell decided to rejoin the NWA in 1968. [50] On May 28, 1970, Strongbow served as master of ceremonies when Jim Londos was honored by the Helms Athletic Foundation at the Huntington Park Elks Club. [51] [52]

Death and legacy

Strongbow began suffering from poor health as the years went on and his wife began taking on his duties at Stelrich Stadium. With his death on 13 May 1975, [1] the stadium was put up for sale, being bought by Jules widow, Romona, and renamed in his memory the Strongbow Stadium. [53] Romona Strongbow held her first live event at the venue on June 19, 1975, [54] [55] and continued running shows for another two years. During this period, she held an annual memorial tournament with the winner being awarded the "Jules Strongbow Scientific Wrestler Trophy". [56] Chavo Guerrero won the inaugural tournament [57] and subsequently feuded with Roddy Piper over the trophy. Wrestling historian Steve Yohe has cited Jules Strongbow's death as speeding the decline of NWA Hollywood Wrestling. [6] Mike LeBell ceded the Los Angeles wrestling territory to World Wrestling Federation promoter Vince McMahon, Jr. in 1982, one of the first of the old-time NWA promoters to fall victim to the WWF's national expansion during the 1980s wrestling boom. [58] Strongbow Stadium was demolished in 2018. [48]

Filmography

Film appearances
YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1939 Madcap Melee HimselfSegment: Jules Strongbow vs. Hardy Kruskamp [15]
1941 Road to Zanzibar SolomonUncredited [59]
Television appearances
YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1956 December Bride HimselfEpisode: "The Wrestler" [60]
1956 You Bet Your Life HimselfEpisode: "211: Food" [12]

Championships and accomplishments

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 California, County Death Index| url= https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPHR-M9Y | title = Jules Strongbow| death date = May 13, 1975 | death location= Los Angeles | birth date = Jan 26, 1906 | birthplace = Arkansas
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "OLYMPIC WRESTLING MATCHMAKER DIES". Los Angeles Times . May 14, 1975. p. 50.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Jules Strongbow". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  4. ↑ "AROUND TOWN". San Bernardino Sun . May 20, 1975. p. 26. Roy Warner, who promoted wrestling and boxing for years as the G Street Arena in SB., knew the late Jules StrongBow better than anyone in the area. "Did you know his real name was Buster Bilbow? Few people know this, but I have a Christmas card signed by him that shows it," said Warner.
  5. 1 2 Solomon, Brian (2015). "6. Gentlemen's Agreement: The Glory Days of the Territory System". Pro Wrestling FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the World's Most Entertaining Spectacle. Milwaukee: Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN   978-1617136276.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Yohe, Steve (September 18, 2016). "Jules Strongbow". WrestlingClassics.com. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  7. ↑ 1910 US Census
  8. 1 2 "William E Bilbo", United States census,1920;Shawnee Ward 4, Pottawatomie, Oklahoma, USA; roll T625, page 49A, line 49.
  9. 1 2 "J R Bilbo", United States census,1930;Oklahoma City; roll 1921, page 30A, line 12.
  10. 1 2 "Jules Strongbow", United States census,1940;Los Angeles, California; roll T627, page 67B, line 48.
  11. 1 2 3 "Jules Strongbow", United States census,1950;Los Angeles, California; page 12, line 1.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Marx, Groucho (host) (April 26, 1956). "55-31 Food, Jules Strongbow and Rita Chalmers". You Bet Your Life. Season 6. Episode 31. NBC.
  13. ↑ Oklahoma County Marriages| url= https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q29M-HW5F | title = John R Bilbo marriage| year = 1928 | location= Pottawatomie, Oklahoma| page=488
  14. ↑ "Wrestler Jules Strongbow after being knocked out of the ring at the Olympic, Los Angeles". UCLA Library Digital Collections. Los Angeles Daily News. 1937. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  15. 1 2 "Jules Strongbow V Hardy Kruskamp". Madcap Melee. October 11, 1939.
  16. ↑ Clinton, Tige (September 29, 1952). "STRONGBOW OBJECTS". Wilmington Press Journal. Wilmington, California. pp. 1–2. Retrieved March 25, 2024. Then there was the time Jules Strongbow, known in those days as the "Cherokee Choker" and not the gentlemanly television announcer of mild manner of today, brought a moment of hushed tension to an arena.
  17. 1 2 "Camera, King Karl Clash Here Tonight". Wilmington Press Journal. Wilmington, California. March 28, 1953. p. 8. Retrieved March 25, 2024. Eight years ago when the so-called "Ambling Alp" made his U.S.A. debut as a grappler he took on Jules Strongbow, the old Cherokee Choker, now turned television star and sportscaster. Strongbow then weighed around 350 in heft and was the biggest opponent Camera ever faced. King Karl weighs 250 or more and measures up ot Carnera. Strongbow gave Camera a tough evening; King Karl is expected to make it double in spades.
  18. ↑ Grasso, Joe (2014). Historical Dictionary of Wrestling. p. 6.
  19. ↑ Page, Joseph S. (2014). Primo Carnera: The Life and Career of the Heavyweight Boxing Champion. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Co. p. 187. ISBN   978-0786457861. On August 16th Primo was granted a California wrestling license and four days later he met and defeated Jules Strongbow in Wilmington, California. He would meet the Oklahoman at least 10 more times in the next several years. Two days later, Carnera defeated long-time wrestling legend Tommy O'Toole in front of 10,000 fans at Los Angeles in front of 10,000 fans at Los Angeles' Olympic Auditorium and his career was off and running.
  20. ↑ Hoops, Brian (May 11, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history (May 11): Von Reich's vs. Verne & Don Leo Jonathon, Shane Douglas vs. 2 Cold Scorpio". F4Wonline.com. Wrestling Observer / Figure Four Online . Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  21. 1 2 "NWA Texas Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  22. 1 2 3 Hornbaker, Tim (2007). National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly That Strangled Professional Wrestling. Toronto: ECW Press. ISBN   978-1554902743.
  23. 1 2 "Main Event Wrestling". Main Event Wrestling. May 24, 1954.
  24. ↑ "'Tiny' Roebuck To Be Honored". Wilmington Press Journal. Wilmington, California. November 25, 1950. p. 8. Retrieved March 25, 2024. Jules Strongbow, the giant Cherokee Indian, who made a name as a wrestler and now is a KTLA channel 5 m.c. star, will be guest m.c. and will present Roebuck with, a present from Promoter Ernie Steffen and fans. It may be Roebuck's farewell to the ring.
  25. ↑ "Women Wrestling Fans Baking Cake For Roebuck". Wilmington Press Journal. Wilmington, California. November 27, 1950. p. 8. Retrieved March 25, 2024. Jules Strongbow, KTLA video announcer will be guest M. C. for the Roebuck ceremonies.
  26. ↑ "Noted Sports Figure To Appear At Bowl". Wilmington Press Journal. Wilmington, California. November 28, 1950. p. 8. Retrieved March 25, 2024. Roebuck soon may bid farewell to pro wrestling refereeing for a full-time job of preaching the gospel, so Promoter Ernie Steffen tonight will give district wrestling fans an opportunity to pay tribute to the once great Indian athlete. Jules Strongbow, another huge Indian football and wrestling star; who presently is making good as" a KTLA channel 2 wrestling announcer, will act as "guest" M. C. for the Roebuck ceremonial. Strongbow will present Roebuck with a huge cake, backed by a group of port women wrestling fans, and other gifts from well-wishers.
  27. ↑ "Mexican duo seeks revenge at Olympic". Los Angeles Daily News . October 1, 1952. p. 22. Retrieved March 25, 2024. There was violent demonstration from 7000 fans that lasted 15 minutes. Big Jules Strongbow quelled the tempest by announcing that the teams would undoubtedly be rematched. It proved to be an accurate prophecy.
  28. ↑ "MISCELLANY". Los Angeles Daily Motion. Wilmington, California. March 15, 1953. p. 35. Retrieved March 25, 2024. Biggest thing on TV these days is Jules Strongbow, the former wrestler, who is losing a pound a day from a peak of 377
  29. 1 2 "'I'M NOT DEAD," SAYS BIG JULES STRONGBOW". San Bernardino Sun. March 5, 1955. p. 25. Retrieved March 25, 2024. The reports began a couple of years ago shortly after the hefty ex-wrestler completed a much-publicized weight shedding stint with the use of reducing pills. Could it be some competitor of the pill manufacturers who is knocking Big Jules off with such regularity? He doesn't want to accuse anyone, but does note that never is he supposed to have been killed in automobile accident or of a heart attack. Always the reducing pills get mentioned. About eight years ago Jules retired from mat warfare. Now 49 he's kept busy as a television commentator for sports events.
  30. ↑ "Do You Know That..." Wilmington Press Journal. Wilmington, California. March 27, 1953. pp. 1–2. Retrieved March 25, 2024. Curious to learn if our ol' friend Jules Strongbow is fulfilling his vow of losing a pound-a-day for 90 days. When Jules started his reducing binge he weighed a trim 377. Under doctor's advice Jules had lost 17 pounds after 16 days of self-denial at the dinner table. The popular TV announcer used to weigh between 270 and 315 when he was wrestling top men in the mat game and at that time didn't carry an extra ounce of fat. There's one thing, though boss we'll bet his Hooper rating on TV will continue to go up as his weight goes' down!
  31. ↑ Danson, Tom E. (March 12, 1953). "Critic's Corner". Napa Valley Register . p. 29. Retrieved March 25, 2024. Radio is getting better than ever, especially when a TV station starts such ridiculous programming and promotion as the daily weighing in ceremony on almost all of their programs during the day, of one Jules Strongbow, who, according to the blurb, is making the supreme sacrifice to lose a few pounds weight. At least when they pulled such stunts on radio, all you had to do was to listen, while on TV it becomes more sickening because you see it, too. One announcement in particular, "Watch Jules Strongbow make the fight of his life!" What slosh!
  32. ↑ "STRONGBOW TO APPEAR AT SAV-ON DRUG STORE". San Bernardino Sun . May 6, 1953. p. 10. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  33. ↑ "HOW MUCH DOES JULES STRONGBOW WEIGH?". San Bernardino Sun. May 7, 1953. p. 9. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Sports Shorts; Progress in bulge warfare". Los Angeles Daily News. June 3, 1953. p. 35. Retrieved March 25, 2024. When Jules Strongbow, the grappling great, began streamlining a figure that originally looked like mankind's answer to Grant's Tomb, his weekly appearances on the Hollywood Legion mat programs not only made him the man of the hour among TV's vast wrestling audience, but also captured the fancy of other athletes who have been viewing with alarm the disturbing transformation of muscle into suet.
  35. ↑ "STRONGBOW TO HOST LEGION MAT PROGRAM". Los Angeles Daily News. May 25, 1953. p. 31. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  36. ↑ Hornbaker, Tim. "Los Angeles Wrestling Television History". LegacyOfWrestling.com.
  37. ↑ "Ned Cronin: Smacked In enter, see-er and smeller". Daily News . July 10, 1954. p. 29.
  38. ↑ "Sepulreda to Honor Jules Strong bow". Daily News . October 7, 1954. p. 34.
  39. ↑ "Karl Davis Hopes To Forget 'Crippler' Title in New Life". San Bernardino Sun . August 25, 1956. p. 10.
  40. ↑ "Wrestlers to Attend Rally". Los Angeles Times . June 30, 1956. p. 25.
  41. ↑ "Jules Strongbow To Be Honored At Arena Tonight". San Bernardino Sun . February 14, 1959. p. 26.
  42. ↑ "Wrestling Friday: Parade of Champions honors Jules Strongbow at Olympic". Belvedere Citizen / Eastside Journal. September 11, 1969. p. 9.
  43. ↑ Hornbaker, Tim (2015). Capitol Revolution: The Rise of the McMahon Wrestling Empire. Toronto: ECW Press. ISBN   978-1770906891. Behind Muchnick's back, Thesz began preparing an elaborate overseas tour with Los Angeles booker Jules Strongbow. The journey would begin in Australia in late August 1957 and continue into October, and for that period of time, the heavyweight champion would not be making any important appearances for members back home.
  44. ↑ McDonald, Chris (March 29, 2016). "Blood, Sweat and Fire: Dallas' Heroes Helped Make Wrestlemania a Sports Powerhouse". Dallas Observer . Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  45. ↑ Ojst, Javier (February 13, 2023). "The Tragic Killing of Rikidozan: The Father of Puroresu". ProWrestlingStories.com.
  46. ↑ Mooneyham, Mike (March 16, 2019). "Dick 'The Destroyer' Beyer: A lifetime of masks and memories". Post and Courier . Charleston, South Carolina.
  47. ↑ "The Destroyer: A heel gets respect in Japan". Tokyo Reporter . February 11, 2018.
  48. 1 2 Darling, Jim (July 15, 2008). "Sunday Forum: Wrecking ball can't destroy Dome storied history". Bakersfield Newsletter. Bakersfield, California.
  49. ↑ Nafius, Bob (April 7, 1972). "WRESTLING". Thousand Oaks Star. Thousand Oaks, California. p. 33. The man who brought the Freddie Blassies and John Tolos to Ventura was Jules Strongbow, an ex-wrestler who is literally and figuratively the "big daddy" of Southern California wrestling. Under the financial umbrella of Aileen Eaton's Olympic Auditorium group, Strongbow has a wrestling empire that extends to Bakersfield, San Diego, El Monte, San Bernardino, Long Beach, Costa Mesa and on through [Bob] Krupp's own promotions in Santa Maria and Paso Robles. Strongbow Enterprises both books the wrestlers and stages the events and thrives doing both in a wrestling-crazy area that supports two weekly television wrestling shows and pours enough money into the coffers to make Southern California, as Krupp says, "the area the wrestlers most like to work in because it pays the best."
  50. ↑ Hornbaker, Tim (2007). National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly That Strangled Professional Wrestling. Toronto: ECW Press. p. 270. ISBN   978-1554902743.
  51. ↑ "Hall Of Fame Great Londos To Be Honored; Golden Greek Took Name From Writer At Elks Luncheon". South Gate Press. South Gate, California. May 21, 1970. p. 25. Also included on the program are well-known sports authorities Jules Strongbow, Braven Dyer, Sr., Bill Schroeder and others who will reveal highlights of Londos' life
  52. ↑ "Testimonial to honor Londos". Times-Advocate . Escondido, California. May 27, 1970. p. 23. Under the supervision of Everett Sanders, a long-time friend and admirer of Londos, the luncheon will be highlighted by the presentation of a special award from the Helms Athletic Foundation, which will be presented by Bill Schroeder. Los Angeles area sports writer Braven Dyer will relate several anecdotes relative to Londos illustrious career and Jules Strongbow will serve as master of ceremonies.
  53. ↑ "Strelich Stadium becomes Strongbow Stadium tonight". The Bakersfield Californian. Bakersfield, California. December 11, 1976. p. 29.
  54. ↑ "Jules' widow to promote bouts". Bakersfield Californian . June 15, 1975. p. 26.
  55. ↑ "Pro mat card takes new, look at Strelich tonight". Bakersfield Californian . June 19, 1975. p. 25.
  56. ↑ "Death match at Strelich". Bakersfield Californian . July 17, 1975. p. 26.
  57. ↑ "Guerrero in mat win". Bakersfield Californian . August 1, 1975. p. 26.
  58. ↑ Hornbaker, Tim (2018). Death of the Territories: Expansion, Betrayal and the War that Changed Pro Wrestling Forever. Toronto: ECW Press. ISBN   978-1773052328.
  59. ↑ Freese, Gene (2017). Classic Movie Fight Scenes: 75 Years of Bare Knuckle Brawls, 1914-1989. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 32. ISBN   978-1-4766-2935-3.
  60. ↑ Eisner, Joel; Krinsky, David (1984). Television Comedy Series: An Episode Guide to 153 TV Sitcoms in Syndication. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 189. ISBN   0-89950-088-9.
  61. ↑ Will, Gary; Duncan, Royal (2000). "Texas: NWA Texas Heavyweight Title [Von Erich]". Wrestling Title Histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. pp. 268–269. ISBN   0-9698161-5-4.
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