| WRESTLING MEMORIES |
| Wrestling From Roanoke, VA |
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| Wrestling From Roanoke, VA by Carroll Hall |
It was January 1962 when I discovered wrestling on Channel 7 WDBJ Roanoke, VA. This show was
broadcast live each Saturday evening. Hal Grant was the host and Roanoke Promoter Pete Apostolou
was the co-host. Mr. Apostolou ran weekly Friday shows in Lynchburg and Saturday shows in Roanoke.
He also ran spot shows in other Virginia towns. Below you will see two photo's from the TV show I got in a
trade last year with Thom Brewer of Roanoke, VA.
broadcast live each Saturday evening. Hal Grant was the host and Roanoke Promoter Pete Apostolou
was the co-host. Mr. Apostolou ran weekly Friday shows in Lynchburg and Saturday shows in Roanoke.
He also ran spot shows in other Virginia towns. Below you will see two photo's from the TV show I got in a
trade last year with Thom Brewer of Roanoke, VA.
I have told the stories many times over the years about the wooden ring posts and the two occasions I saw
one of the posts crack but because the show was live the show had to go on. The first time Swede Hanson
hit the turnbuckles so hard the post cracked an leaned inward. The second time Brute Bernard hit the
corner. Johnny Weaver was the opponent in both of these matches.
one of the posts crack but because the show was live the show had to go on. The first time Swede Hanson
hit the turnbuckles so hard the post cracked an leaned inward. The second time Brute Bernard hit the
corner. Johnny Weaver was the opponent in both of these matches.
Here is the front and back of a TV Photo Album that was produced in connection with the show. There is
no date on it. The two autographs on the back are Vince Bryant and Jimmy Smith. The last time they
appeared in the area was 1961. Update: The Boogie Man Jimmy Valiant has an 8 x 10 photo that is
featured in this album of Red Bastien. It is autographed and dated 1961.
no date on it. The two autographs on the back are Vince Bryant and Jimmy Smith. The last time they
appeared in the area was 1961. Update: The Boogie Man Jimmy Valiant has an 8 x 10 photo that is
featured in this album of Red Bastien. It is autographed and dated 1961.
This is the first photo in the Album. Hal Grant at his desk and promoter Pete Apostolou in the inset.
The Masked Red Demons
(Billy and Jimmy Hines) got
their biggest push on the
WDBJ show. They got more
interview time on this show
more than any other. It was on
this show that they asked
Homer O'dell to be their
manager. After O'dell declined
George Two Ton Harris
became their manager. Harris
wore a red tuxedo to match
their red outfits. The photo at
left is from one of their
matches with George Becker
and Johnny Weaver. Becker
and Weaver unmasked them in
December 1966.
(Billy and Jimmy Hines) got
their biggest push on the
WDBJ show. They got more
interview time on this show
more than any other. It was on
this show that they asked
Homer O'dell to be their
manager. After O'dell declined
George Two Ton Harris
became their manager. Harris
wore a red tuxedo to match
their red outfits. The photo at
left is from one of their
matches with George Becker
and Johnny Weaver. Becker
and Weaver unmasked them in
December 1966.
Any Fan that attended matches at
Starland Arena or Victory Stadium if
you have photo's, or any other
memorabilia that you would be
willing to share with Wrestling
Memories please e-mail us at
admin@wrestlingmemories.com
Thank you.
Starland Arena or Victory Stadium if
you have photo's, or any other
memorabilia that you would be
willing to share with Wrestling
Memories please e-mail us at
admin@wrestlingmemories.com
Thank you.
Johnny Heidman in
action during an early TV
episode on WDBJ.
action during an early TV
episode on WDBJ.
The clippings at left were submitted to us by
Boris Zhukov courtesy of Thom Brewer of
Roanoke VA. The first clipping is from
October 5, 1974. The second clipping is from
October 19, 1974.
Boris Zhukov courtesy of Thom Brewer of
Roanoke VA. The first clipping is from
October 5, 1974. The second clipping is from
October 19, 1974.
| ATTENTION! |
| Above photo submitted by Boris Zhukov |