Pre-1940s

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Recommended for further information:

• HOOKER by Lou Thesz with Kit Bauman
• The Queen of the Ring: Sex, Muscles, Diamonds, and the Making of an American Legend by Jeff Leen
• Wrestling-Titles.com: United States

1931

02-18 Des Moines, IA
Pinkie George attempts to run his first wrestling show.

11-10 Waterloo, IA
Pinkie George runs his first successful wrestling card at Waterloo Athletic Club. In the main event, George Zaharias wins two out of three falls from Marshall Blackstock.

1937

01-28 Chattanooga, TN
Mildred Burke wins the women’s world title for the first time.

12-29 St. Louis, MO
Lou Thesz wins the world heavyweight title for the first time (recognized by the Ohio-based Midwest Wrestling Association).

1939

02-23 St. Louis, MO
Lou Thesz wins the National Wrestling Association world heavyweight title for the first time.

| >> 1940s