50th State Big Time Wrestling
{{Short description|American professional wrestling promotion}}
{{Infobox Wrestling promotion
| name = 50th State Big Time Wrestling
| image = Blaisdell Arena - Honolulu 10-Feb-2010.jpg
| caption = The Neal S. Blaisdell Arena, formerly known as the Honolulu International Center, which was the home of 50th State Big Time Wrestling in the late-1970s.
| acronym =
| location = Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
| founder = Al Karasick
| owner = Al Karasick (1936–1961)
Ed Francis (1961–1979)
Steve Rickard (1979–1980)
Peter Maivia (1980–1982)
Lia Maivia (1982–1988)
| parent = Mid-Pacific Promotions
| sister =
| formerly = 50th State Big Time Wrestling (1936-1979)
Polynesian Pro Wrestling (1980-1988)
|}}
50th State Big Time Wrestling (sometimes referred to as NWA Hawaii or Mid-Pacific Promotions) was a professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii in the United States that promoted professional wrestling matches throughout Hawaii. The promotion was founded by Al Karasick in 1936 and became a member of the National Wrestling Alliance in 1949. In 1961, Karasick sold the promotion to "Gentleman" Ed Francis. Along with his business partner Lord James Blears, Francis created a "golden age" of professional wrestling in Hawaii that lasted throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, with 50th State Big Time Wrestling becoming one of Hawaii's most-watched programs. In 1979, Francis sold the promotion to Steve Rickard, who one year later sold it to Peter Maivia, who renamed it Polynesian Pro Wrestling (sometimes referred to as Polynesian Championship Wrestling).{{cite web|title=Mid-Pacific Promotions (Mid-Pacific)|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=8&nr=483|work=Cagematch.net|access-date=November 7, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Big Time Wrestling / Mid-Pacific Promotions|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/hi/nwa/|work=Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=November 7, 2017}} The promotion came to an end in 1988.
History
=== Mid-Pacific Promotion (1936–1961) ===
Mid-Pacific Promotions was founded in 1936 by Russian emigrant Al Karasick. Assisted by booker Bobby Bruns, Karasick staged weekly shows in Honolulu's Civic Auditorium, which he managed. Thanks to Hawaii's tropical climate, Mid-Pacific Promotions emerged as a popular destination for wrestlers looking for a "working vacation", with high-profile wrestlers such as Lou Thesz and Rikidōzan visiting Hawaii. In 1949, Karasick joined the National Wrestling Alliance. In the early-1950s, Karasick began expanding into Japan, lobbying NWA president Sam Muchnick to recognise Japan as his territory.{{cite book|author=Tim Hornbaker|title=National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly That Strangled Professional Wrestling|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=npQBhSTtvCsC&pg=PT31|year=2007|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=978-1-55490-274-3|pages=31}}{{cite book|author=Brian Solomon|title=Pro Wrestling FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the World's Most Entertaining Spectacle|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A5DqCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT92|date=2015|publisher=Backbeat Books|isbn=978-1-61713-627-6|pages=92}}{{cite book|author=Tim Hornbaker|title=Legends of Pro Wrestling: 150 Years of Headlocks, Body Slams, and Piledrivers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UuGLDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT60|date=2017|publisher=Skyhorse Publishing|isbn=978-1-61321-875-4|pages=59–60}}{{cite book|author=Josh Gross|title=Ali vs. Inoki: The Forgotten Fight That Inspired Mixed Martial Arts and Launched Sports Entertainment|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GPCGDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA55|date=2016|publisher=BenBella Books|isbn=978-1-942952-19-0|pages=55}} By the 1960s, Hawaii was established as a hub for American wrestlers travelling to and from Japan.
=== 50th State Big Time Wrestling (1961–1982) ===
In 1961, Karasick retired from promoting, selling the territory to "Gentleman" Ed Francis, who rebranded it "50th State Big Time Wrestling".{{cite web|title=Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox: Ed Francis|url=https://www.pbshawaii.org/long-story-short-with-leslie-wilcox-ed-francis/|date=December 2012|work=PBS Hawai'i|author=Leslie Wilcox|access-date=November 7, 2017}} Francis continued promoting weekly Wednesday shows at the Civic Auditorium, with the venue regularly sold-out.{{cite web|title=Former promoter pens Hawaii wrestling memoir|url=https://www.pressreader.com/usa/honolulu-star-advertiser/20121209/281500748561416|date=December 9, 2012|work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser (via PressReader.com)|access-date=November 8, 2017}} Shortly after Francis took over the promotion, a bout between Native Hawaiian wrestler King Curtis Iaukea and Samoan wrestler Neff Maiava resulted in a violent riot. Francis appointed Lord James Blears as booker, with Blears quickly gaining a name for his "outrageous" and "goofy" characters.{{cite web|title=Iaukea reminisces about 50th-state wrestling|url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2005/Jul/24/il/507240325.html|date=July 24, 2005|author=Rod Ohira|work=The Honolulu Advertiser|access-date=November 7, 2017}} The promotion's top stars included Johnny Barend, Curtis Iaukea, Don Muraco, Neff Maiava, Peter Maivia, and Sammy Steamboat. The promotion helped introduce several concepts that later became ubiquitous in professional wrestling, including the steel cage match and the backstage interview. Johnny Barend became infamous for his outlandish interviews, which began with him emerging from a coffin while smoking a cigar. In 1967, Barend married Annie Lum in the ring at the Honolulu International Center shortly before a title match.{{cite web|title=50th State Wrestling star enjoyed 'ordinary' life|url=https://www.pressreader.com/usa/honolulu-star-advertiser/20110921/283111360719799|date=September 21, 2011|work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser (via PressReader.com)|access-date=November 8, 2017|author=Gordon Pang}}{{cite web|title=A visit with 'Handsome' Johnny Barend|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2008/08/04/pf-6349696.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109023612/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2008/08/04/pf-6349696.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 9, 2017|date=August 21, 2008|work=Canoe.com|publisher=Postmedia Network|access-date=November 8, 2017|author=Greg Oliver}}
Francis secured a Saturday afternoon live television slot on KHVH-TV.{{cite book|author=Dan Cisco|title=Hawai'i Sports: History, Facts, and Statistics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s4QWvle-CR8C&pg=PA418|year=1999|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|isbn=978-0-8248-2121-0|pages=418–419}} As the promotion increased in popularity, it moved to KGMB and increased its output to two programs a week: a taped show featuring interviews, vignettes and replays on Friday nights and a live show on Saturday afternoons. Hosted by Francis and Blears, 50th State Wrestling was at one point the most watched television program in Hawaii.{{cite book|author=Kristian Pope|title=Tuff Stuff Professional Wrestling Field Guide: Legend and Lore|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jcRlZN7dIP0C&pg=PA151|date=2005|publisher=Krause Publications|isbn=1-4402-2810-8|pages=151}}{{cite web|title=When wrestling was king|url=http://archives.midweek.com/content/story/theweekend_coverstory/when_wrestling_was_king/|date=July 22, 2005|publisher=Black Press|work=MidWeek|access-date=November 8, 2017|author=Steve Murray|archive-date=November 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109023140/http://archives.midweek.com/content/story/theweekend_coverstory/when_wrestling_was_king/|url-status=dead}} Television tapings rotated between Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui. In 1973, the television program changed to International All-star Wrestling, a 90 minute show airing on KGMB each Saturday.
After the Civic Coliseum closed in 1974, Francis ceased promoting for three years. In June 1977, he revived the promotion in the Honolulu International Center and the Bloch Arena.{{cite book|first1=Bertrand|last1=Hébert|first2=Pat|last2=Laprade|title=The Eighth Wonder of the World: The True Story of André the Giant|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tYPCDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT230|date=2020|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=978-1-7730-5476-6|pages=230}} With costs rising and revenues falling, Francis sold the promotion to Steve Rickard in April 1979 and retired from promoting.{{cite book|author1=Steven Johnson|author2=Greg Oliver|author3=Mike Mooneyham|author4=J. J. Dillon|title=The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: Heroes and Icons|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0wxLpfRhZqcC&pg=PT375|date=2013|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=978-1-77090-269-5|pages=375}} With Francis no longer promoting, Verne Gagne's American Wrestling Association expanded into Hawaii.{{cite book|author1=Superstar Billy Graham|author2=Keith Elliot Greenberg|title=Superstar Billy Graham: Tangled Ropes|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B4wHqptt_j8C&pg=PA145|year=2006|publisher=Simon & Schuster|isbn=978-1-4165-0753-6|pages=145}}
Rickard ran weekly events at the Bloch Arena and monthly events at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena, retaining Lord James Blears as his booker and commentator. He operated the promotion for around one year before selling his territorial rights to Peter Maivia.
= Polynesian Pro Wrestling (1982–1988) =
Peter Maivia renamed the promotion "Polynesian Pro Wrestling". Following Maivia's death in June 1982, his wife Lia Maivia took over the promotion. In August 1985, Polynesian Pro Wrestling's "A Hot Summer Night" event drew thousands of fans to the Aloha Stadium, however "A Hot Summer Night II" the following August was markedly less successful. In the late-1980s, the promotion suffered from a lack of large cities to promote in Hawaii, high costs of bringing in wrestlers with star power, and a lawsuit from a competitor. The promotion ultimately folded in 1988.
Championships
| class="wikitable"
! Championship ! Created ! Abandoned ! Notes |
| NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship
|1937 |1979 |{{Small|The original Hawaii Heavyweight Championship was created in 1917. The revived version was established in 1937 when Oki Shikina won a tournament. The championship was vacated in 1979 when 50th State Big Time Wrestling was sold. The championship was briefly resurrected in 1979-1980 and again in 2000.}} |
| NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship
|1952 |1979 |{{Small|The Hawaii Tag Team Championship was created in 1952 when Bobby Bruns and Lucky Simunovich won a tournament. The championship was vacated in 1979 when 50th State Big Time Wrestling was sold. The championship was resurrected in 2000.}} |
| NWA Pacific International Championship
|1962 |1979 |{{Small|This championship was created in 1962 as the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Hawaii version). In 1968, it was renamed the NWA North American Championship (Hawaii version). In 1978, it was renamed again to the NWA Pacific International Championship. The championship was vacated in 1979 when 50th State Big Time Wrestling was sold. The championship was briefly resurrected in 1980.}} |
Alumni
- Johnny Barend
- Dick Beyer
- Joe Blanchard{{cite book|author=Harris M. Lentz III|title=Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2012|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V9hM_XbAOcQC&pg=PA31|date=2013|publisher=McFarland & Company|isbn=978-0-7864-7063-1|pages=31}}
- Lord James Blears
- Nick Bockwinkel{{cite book|author=John Grasso|title=Historical Dictionary of Wrestling|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KUsJAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA49|date=2014|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-7926-3|pages=49}}{{cite book|author=George Schire|title=Minnesota's Golden Age of Wrestling: From Verne Gagne to the Road Warriors|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r8PjMDAUwSAC&pg=PA194|year=2010|publisher=Minnesota Historical Society|isbn=978-0-87351-620-4|pages=194}}
- Russ Francis{{cite book|author1=James Dixon|author2=Arnold Furious|author3=Lee Maughan|title=Tagged Classics: Just The Reviews|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cdqNBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA399|year=2013|publisher=Lulu.com|isbn=978-1-291-42878-0|pages=399}}{{cite book|author=Christopher Price|title=New England Patriots New & Updated Edition: The Complete Illustrated History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KuhYLVCE3N0C&pg=PA42|date=2013|publisher=MVP Books|isbn=978-0-7603-4513-9|pages=42}}
- Mr. Fujiwara
- Giant Baba
- Ripper Collins
- Jim Hady
- Hard Boiled Haggerty
- King Curtis Iaukea
- Killer Kowalski
- Pampero Firpo
- Neff Maiava
- The Missing Link
- Sweet Daddy Siki{{cite book|author=Steven Verrier|title=Professional Wrestling in the Pacific Northwest: A History, 1883 to the Present|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4Ng5DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT105|date=2017|publisher=McFarland & Company|isbn=978-1-4766-7002-7|pages=105}}
- Sammy Steamboat
- Ray Stevens
- Tosh Togo
- Maurice Vachon{{cite book|author1=Bertrand Hébert|author2=Pat Laprade|title=Mad Dog: The Maurice Vachon Story|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yGW1DgAAQBAJ&pg=PT117|date=2005|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=978-1-77305-065-2|pages=116–117}}
- Bill Watts{{cite book|author1=Bill Watts|author2=Scott Williams|title=The Cowboy and the Cross: The Bill Watts Story: Rebellion, Wrestling and Redemption|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AOTLLXwEBXkC&pg=PA86|year=2006|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=978-1-55022-708-6|pages=86}}
- Billy White Wolf
Works
- Ed Francis (2012) Gentleman Ed Francis Presents: 50th State Big Time Wrestling!
Footnotes
{{reflist|refs=
}}
External links
- [http://www.50thstatebigtimewrestling.com/wrest1.html 50th State Big Time Wrestling]
- [https://www.cagematch.net/?id=8&nr=483 Mid-Pacific Promotions (Mid-Pacific)]
- [https://www.cagematch.net/?id=8&nr=465 National Wrestling Alliance Polynesian Wrestling (NWA Polynesian) at Cagematch.net]
- [http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/hi/nwa/ Mid-Pacific Promotions at WrestlingTitles.com]
{{National Wrestling Alliance}}
{{Professional wrestling in the United States}}
{{50th State Big Time Wrestling}}
Category:1936 establishments in Hawaii
Category:1979 disestablishments in Hawaii
Category:Companies based in Honolulu
Category:Defunct professional wrestling promotions
Category:Entertainment companies disestablished in 1979
Category:Entertainment companies established in 1936