Billy Wolfe
Encyclopedia
William Harrison “Billy” Wolfe (1896 - 1963) was a professional wrestling
promoter who was active from the 1930s to the 1950s. Wolfe was the husband and manager of Mildred Burke
and ran a traveling troupe of women wrestlers alongside her.
and began pursuing wrestling at a Kentucky duty station. As a competing middleweight, Wolfe claimed the Missouri State title in 1923, and established himself as a challenger to Charles “Midget” Fischer of Wisconsin
. He was revered by his peers for doing whatever was necessary to win a match.
. Billy decided to instruct women at his gymnasium. After a divorce from Margaret, Billy married wrestler Barbara Ware, known for competing with men.
, she defeated Clara Mortenson for the Women’s championship in January 1937.
In late 1949, Wolfe joined the National Wrestling Alliance
, making his stable of 30 women available to all promoters. At each show, he received a percentage of the gross, and his promotion of women grapplers earned him riches that resulted in extravagant living. On the road, he stood as a father figure to the women he trained and managed, but he also earned reputation as a womanizer. His marriage to Burke was not monogamous, as he enjoyed the companionship of women with whom he traveled.
Tensions emanated from the extramarital activity, and in 1952, Wolfe and Burke went their own ways. Wolfe retaliated as he froze Burke out of wrestling among all NWA channels. Burke consulted Jack Pfefer
for help. The Alliance attempted to reconcile the couple and the final result was that one would sell out to the other. Burke actually volunteered to sell for $50,000 but was rebuffed. On January 26, 1953, Wolfe sold to Burke, who created the company Attractions, Inc. The deal was for $30,000, all alimony was waived and Wolfe was barred from participating for five years. The pledge lasted only a few months as Wolfe started promoting wrestling in Columbus, Ohio
. Wolfe tempted many grapplers by offering 50 percent of the proceeds. Burke challenged him by offering 60 percent of the proceeds from her promotion but Wolfe settled on the figure of 75 percent.
Judge William Bryant. In a memorandum dated August 20, 1953, Wolfe announced that he was the booker for Burke and her stable of 27 wrestlers.
Burke disputed this claim on August 26, 1953, stating that the issue was settled in the courts. She stated that her contract prohibited Wolfe from competing in wrestling and was in breach of the binding agreement. Aligning herself with Leroy McGuirk
, she hoped to be vindicated by the Alliance at their September 1953 meeting in Chicago. The result was that the Alliance declined to recognize women’s wrestling. Wolfe had regained his stake. The result was that his son’s wife June Byers
(real name DeAlva Eyvonnie Sibley), was touted as world champ following a tournament in Baltimore
. Wolfe’s girlfriend Nell Stewart was recognized as Women’s U.S. Titleholder. Many women were loyal to Burke and refused to wrestle for Wolfe.
Despite listing 12 grapplers that she would work with, Wolfe used his influence to get her frozen from NWA members. The result was that her run in the Southeast with Cowboy Luttrall and Paul Jones in 1954 fizzled. Adding insult to injury, Burke wrestled Wolfe’s daughter-in-law June Byers. The match took place on August 20, 1954 in Atlanta and the match was a shoot. By having the local commission in his corner, Wolfe slid a friendly referee into the match. Despite giving up the first fall with the intention of competing stronger in the second, Burke never had the opportunity. Officials called the match, and the second fall never had a finish.
Burke left the ring believing that her title was safe because she had not lost two falls. Many in the press stated that Byers had defeated her and the image of Burke’s championship was tarnishing. Wolfe had done everything possible to discredit Burke and the result was one of the nastiest rivalries in wrestling history.
and was attended by a number of his peers and a number of women grapplers. Billy Wolfe, Jr. died on August 8, 1964 in Newark.
Negative stories about Wolfe by the women who wrestled for him are legion. In her autobiography Lillian Ellison
(aka The Fabulous Moolah) recalls his extreme chauvinism (he turned to managing women wrestlers only after failing as a wrestler and as a manager of male wrestlers), his financial misdealings and routine sexual harassment
of his "girls" before, during and after his marriage to Mildred Burke. Due to his managerial contract with her he was able to leave Burke penniless when she divorced him, taking all of their marital assets and leaving her with nothing to show for decades of hundreds of wrestling matches per year. The horror stories of Wolfe led to the success of the far more ethical manager Jack Pfeffer and of Moolah herself. In her autobiography, Moolah ultimately felt great sorrow for Wolfe because of the number of personal tragedies he suffered later in life. Despite being highly criticized for his morals, Wolfe was responsible for making women’s wrestling profitable. Instead of being viewed as a sideshow, Wolfe tried to make it respectable. Part of Wolfe’s contributions to women’s wrestling was the creation of a tag team title and the integration of African-American wrestlers.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
promoter who was active from the 1930s to the 1950s. Wolfe was the husband and manager of Mildred Burke
Mildred Burke
Mildred Bliss was an American professional wrestler, who wrestled under the name Mildred Burke. She is a member of the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame as well as the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame. Her heyday lasted from the mid-1930s to the mid-1950s, when she held the World Women's...
and ran a traveling troupe of women wrestlers alongside her.
Early life
Wolfe was the second child born to John and Lucinda Wolfe on July 4, 1896 in Daviess County, Missouri. He was drafted into the military in World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and began pursuing wrestling at a Kentucky duty station. As a competing middleweight, Wolfe claimed the Missouri State title in 1923, and established himself as a challenger to Charles “Midget” Fischer of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. He was revered by his peers for doing whatever was necessary to win a match.
Relocation to Kansas City
He married Margaret Johnson on February 22, 1922 and celebrated their first child George William Wolfe, branded “Billy Wolfe, Jr.” After the birth of their second child, Violet, the Wolfe family moved to Kansas CityKansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
. Billy decided to instruct women at his gymnasium. After a divorce from Margaret, Billy married wrestler Barbara Ware, known for competing with men.
Marriage to Mildred Burke
His marriage to Barbara Ware failed. While training aspiring women wrestlers, he was drawn to a young brunette named Mildred Bliss. Bliss, was an office stenographer by day, but had outstanding muscle development, and was hoping to become a wrestler. Wolfe tutored her and realized that she was the prospect for which he was waiting. The close proximity of training resulted in a relationship and ultimately marriage. Changing her name to Mildred BurkeMildred Burke
Mildred Bliss was an American professional wrestler, who wrestled under the name Mildred Burke. She is a member of the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame as well as the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame. Her heyday lasted from the mid-1930s to the mid-1950s, when she held the World Women's...
, she defeated Clara Mortenson for the Women’s championship in January 1937.
In late 1949, Wolfe joined the National Wrestling Alliance
National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
, making his stable of 30 women available to all promoters. At each show, he received a percentage of the gross, and his promotion of women grapplers earned him riches that resulted in extravagant living. On the road, he stood as a father figure to the women he trained and managed, but he also earned reputation as a womanizer. His marriage to Burke was not monogamous, as he enjoyed the companionship of women with whom he traveled.
Tensions emanated from the extramarital activity, and in 1952, Wolfe and Burke went their own ways. Wolfe retaliated as he froze Burke out of wrestling among all NWA channels. Burke consulted Jack Pfefer
Jack Pfefer
Jack Pfefer was an professional wrestling promoter during the early-to-mid 1900's. He pioneered an earlier form of sports entertainment, as he was one of the first promoters to visualize the pro wrestling business in the mold of theater...
for help. The Alliance attempted to reconcile the couple and the final result was that one would sell out to the other. Burke actually volunteered to sell for $50,000 but was rebuffed. On January 26, 1953, Wolfe sold to Burke, who created the company Attractions, Inc. The deal was for $30,000, all alimony was waived and Wolfe was barred from participating for five years. The pledge lasted only a few months as Wolfe started promoting wrestling in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
. Wolfe tempted many grapplers by offering 50 percent of the proceeds. Burke challenged him by offering 60 percent of the proceeds from her promotion but Wolfe settled on the figure of 75 percent.
Controversy over competing promotions
Attractions, Inc. went into bankruptcy and into the hands of receiver James Hoff of Columbus. Eight months later, Hoff named Wolfe as administrator and was approved by Franklin CountyFranklin County, Ohio
Franklin County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. In 2010 the population was 1,163,414, making it the second largest county in Ohio and the 34th largest county in population in the United States. Franklin County is also the largest in the eight-county Columbus, Ohio...
Judge William Bryant. In a memorandum dated August 20, 1953, Wolfe announced that he was the booker for Burke and her stable of 27 wrestlers.
Burke disputed this claim on August 26, 1953, stating that the issue was settled in the courts. She stated that her contract prohibited Wolfe from competing in wrestling and was in breach of the binding agreement. Aligning herself with Leroy McGuirk
Leroy McGuirk
Leroy Michael McGuirk was an American wrestler and professional wrestling promoter. He was involved in professional wrestling for more than fifty years. As one of the longest surviving members of the National Wrestling Alliance , he was affiliated with the promotion from 1949 to 1982.-Early...
, she hoped to be vindicated by the Alliance at their September 1953 meeting in Chicago. The result was that the Alliance declined to recognize women’s wrestling. Wolfe had regained his stake. The result was that his son’s wife June Byers
June Byers
DeAlva Eyvonnie Sibley , better known by her ring name of June Byers, was an American women's professional wrestler famous in the 1950s and early 1960s. She held the World Women's Championship for ten years and is a member of the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.-Early life:Born in Houston,...
(real name DeAlva Eyvonnie Sibley), was touted as world champ following a tournament in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
. Wolfe’s girlfriend Nell Stewart was recognized as Women’s U.S. Titleholder. Many women were loyal to Burke and refused to wrestle for Wolfe.
Discrediting Mildred Burke
Despite the fact that the NWA declined to recognize women’s wrestling, the Alliance was still at the center of many conflicts between Wolfe and Burke. In a letter to Alliance members on November 4, 1953, Burke refuted Wolfe’s claim that she would wrestle only one woman grappler.Despite listing 12 grapplers that she would work with, Wolfe used his influence to get her frozen from NWA members. The result was that her run in the Southeast with Cowboy Luttrall and Paul Jones in 1954 fizzled. Adding insult to injury, Burke wrestled Wolfe’s daughter-in-law June Byers. The match took place on August 20, 1954 in Atlanta and the match was a shoot. By having the local commission in his corner, Wolfe slid a friendly referee into the match. Despite giving up the first fall with the intention of competing stronger in the second, Burke never had the opportunity. Officials called the match, and the second fall never had a finish.
Burke left the ring believing that her title was safe because she had not lost two falls. Many in the press stated that Byers had defeated her and the image of Burke’s championship was tarnishing. Wolfe had done everything possible to discredit Burke and the result was one of the nastiest rivalries in wrestling history.
Death and legacy
Wolfe maintained membership in the Alliance until 1957 and promoted women’s wrestling until his death on March 7, 1963. Near Opal, Virginia, Wolfe became sick and was taken to Fauquier Hospital in Warrenton where he died. His funeral was in Newark, OhioNewark, Ohio
In addition, the remains of a road leading south from the Octagon have been documented and explored. It was first surveyed in the 19th century, when its walls were more apparent. Called the Great Hopewell Road, it may extend to the Hopewell complex at Chillicothe, Ohio...
and was attended by a number of his peers and a number of women grapplers. Billy Wolfe, Jr. died on August 8, 1964 in Newark.
Negative stories about Wolfe by the women who wrestled for him are legion. In her autobiography Lillian Ellison
The Fabulous Moolah
Mary Lillian Ellison , better known by her ring name The Fabulous Moolah, was an American female professional wrestler. She began her career working with promoter Billy Wolfe and his wife, wrestler and trainer Mildred Burke, as well as working alongside professional wrestler "Nature Boy" Buddy...
(aka The Fabulous Moolah) recalls his extreme chauvinism (he turned to managing women wrestlers only after failing as a wrestler and as a manager of male wrestlers), his financial misdealings and routine sexual harassment
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment, is intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors. In some contexts or circumstances, sexual harassment is illegal. It includes a range of behavior from seemingly mild transgressions and...
of his "girls" before, during and after his marriage to Mildred Burke. Due to his managerial contract with her he was able to leave Burke penniless when she divorced him, taking all of their marital assets and leaving her with nothing to show for decades of hundreds of wrestling matches per year. The horror stories of Wolfe led to the success of the far more ethical manager Jack Pfeffer and of Moolah herself. In her autobiography, Moolah ultimately felt great sorrow for Wolfe because of the number of personal tragedies he suffered later in life. Despite being highly criticized for his morals, Wolfe was responsible for making women’s wrestling profitable. Instead of being viewed as a sideshow, Wolfe tried to make it respectable. Part of Wolfe’s contributions to women’s wrestling was the creation of a tag team title and the integration of African-American wrestlers.