Paul Boesch
Paul Boesch | |
---|---|
Born | Paul Max Boesch October 2, 1912 New York City, U.S. |
Died | March 7, 1989 Sugar Land, Texas, U.S. | (aged 76)
Debut | October 25, 1932 (as wrestler)[1] 1947 (as announcer) 1966 (as promoter) |
Retired | 1987 |
Military career | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | Croix de guerre with star (France) |
Other work | Professional wrestler, professional wrestling announcer and promoter |
Paul Max Boesch
Boesch was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021, as a part of the Legacy wing.[3]
Early life and education
Boesch was born in Brooklyn, New York, on October 2, 1912.[4] His family eventually moved from Brooklyn to nearby Long Beach, where Boesch graduated from Long Beach High School in 1929.[5] A gifted athlete, he became a lifeguard at the Long Island beaches near his home, and he was skilled enough as a swimmer to place third in the North Atlantic Coast Lifeguard Competition in 1932.[5] He was also credited with saving 130 or more lives from the water around New York.[4] Boesch began wrestling professionally during the 1930s, his first notable match being a 90-minute bout against Pat Meehan in Calgary on November 25, 1938, which ended in a draw.[5]
Military service
With the outbreak of
Houston Wrestling
Boesch returned to wrestling after World War II, competing in matches across North America. In October 1947, Boesch suffered a broken leg in a car collision with a trailer truck en route from San Antonio, Texas to Corpus Christi, effectively forcing him to retire from in-ring competition.
After Sigel died in 1966 after a long illness, Boesch bought out Houston Wrestling from Sigel's widow.
Together with his nephew Peter Birkholz, Boesch entered Houston Wrestling into affiliations with
After 55 years in the industry as a wrestler, announcer and promoter, Paul Boesch retired on August 28, 1987, due to health concerns.[5] The now-WWE hosted the Paul Boesch Retirement Show in Houston in his honor, which drew a sell-out crowd of 12,000 to the Sam Houston Coliseum.[9] During the show, personal friend and then-Vice President George Bush[5] had a telegram delivered praising Boesch for his lifelong commitment to service.[7] Approximately a year later, he made a brief return and helped Jim Crockett promoting in Houston, and served as a figurehead NWA Board member, soon retiring.[9]
Death
Boesch died on March 7, 1989, after suffering a
Legacy
Paul Boesch's contribution to the wrestling industry has been praised by numerous observers as well as by former wrestlers themselves.
Boesch's wife Valerie died on March 23, 2020.[6]
Bibliography
During his life, Boesch wrote four books:
- Road to Huertgen: Forest in Hell (1962), his story as a soldier in World War II.[4][5]
- Much of Me in Each of These (1966), a book of poetry composed by Boesch himself.[5]
- The Career of Paul Boesch-- One Man, One Sport, One Lifetime-- 50 years on the mat (1981), an autobiography.[6]
- Hey Boy- Where'd You Get Them Ears? (2001), a secondary autobiography including his later memoirs; he wrote it in 1988 and was published by his widow Valerie Boesch.[10]
Boesch was equally responsible for Whatever Happened to Gorgeous George? (1974), as the author Joe Jares quotes Boesch throughout and credits him for being open and accommodating during his research.[10]
Awards and accomplishments
- National Wrestling Alliance
- NWA Hall of Fame (Class of 2012)[12]
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Editors' Award (1987)[13]
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
- Class of 2005
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)[7]
- WWE
Military decorations
Badge | Combat Infantry Badge
| ||
---|---|---|---|
1st Row | Silver Star and cluster | ||
2nd Row | Bronze Star Medal and cluster | Purple Heart Medal | Croix de guerre with star (France)
|
1st Row | Distinguished Unit Citation |
---|
References
- ^ "Cagematch profile". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ^ "Texas Deaths, 1964–1998". MyHeritage. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ a b c WWE.com Staff (April 6, 2021). "WWE Hall of Fame Legacy Induction Ceremony - Classes of 2020 and 2021". WWE. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Johnson, Steven (November 10, 2020). "The heroic service of Paul Boesch". Slam! Wrestling. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Paul Boesch profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Lano, Dr. Mike (June 30, 2020). "Valerie Boesch | Celebrating Wrestling's Longtime Heart". Pro Wrestling Post. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Oliver, Greg (March 27, 2001). "Paul Boesch and Houston's wrestling legacy". Slam! Wrestling. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ a b Gonzales, J. R. (April 8, 2021). "Houston wrestling legend Paul Boesch named as legacy inductee into WWE Hall of Fame". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ a b c Slagle, Stephen Von (April 15, 2020). "Houston Territory". History of Wrestling. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ a b c Oliver, Greg (March 28, 2002). "Boesch book a classic". Slam! Wrestling. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ Ross, Jim (April 12, 2008). "Too Early to Think About the 2009 WWE Hall of Fame??.. Fox News Join Elitists Who Look Down Their Noses at Wrestling.. WWE Brand". J.R.'s Blog. Archived from the original on April 1, 2012. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (2012-11-17). "Sat. update: Great TV show, WWE multiple releases, Austin talks WWE Hall of Fame, Best night for Bellator, PPV predictions, NWA Hall of Fame, James Storm headlines benefit show, Devitt takes another title". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2012-11-17.
- ^ "PWI Awards". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Kappa Publishing Group. Archived from the original on January 21, 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
External links
- Paul Boesch at the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Kayfabe Memories' review of Boesch's book
- Paul Boesch at Wrestling-Titles.com
- Paul Boesch's profile at Cagematch.net