Joe Malcewicz

Joseph Malcewicz (March 17, 1897 – April 20, 1962) was an American professional wrestler and a promoter, best known for his nickname "The Utica Panther".[1] He is overall three-time world champion under different incarnations and recognitions.[2]

Joe Malcewicz
Birth name	Joseph Malcewicz
Born	March 17, 1897[1] Utica, New York, United States[1]
Died	April 20, 1962 (aged 65)[1] San Francisco, California[2]
Cause of death	Heart attack[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	Joe Malcewicz
Billed height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Billed weight	210 lb (95 kg)[2]
Billed from	Utica, New York[1]
Trained by	Farmer Burns[1] Herbert Hartley[1]
Debut	1913[2]
Retired	1938[2]

Malcewicz is acknowledge for his contributions of promotion professional wrestling in San Francisco, during his time as a promoter of NWA San Francisco.[1] Malcewicz is a charter member of the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.[3]

Early life

Malcewicz was born to Polish immigrants, being the oldest of five children.[1] While being a teenager, Malcewicz played football at Utica Free Academy and for the Utica Knights of Columbus.[1]

Professional wrestling career

Malcewicz began his training with Farmer Burns and Herbert Hartley, before entering the professional wrestling ranks in 1913.[2] Malcewicz earliest recorded match was against Charles Uberle on February 2, 1914, which ended in a draw.[1] On 1917, during the World War I, Malcewicz was drafted to the military when he served at Camp Jackson, reaching to the level of sergeant upon his return to wrestling.[1] On 1926, Malcewicz was a last-minute challenger for Joe Stecher's World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship.[2] When Stecher left the match as a sign of protest, Malcewicz was named as the title holder, however, was never awarded the championship itself.[2]

As a promoter, Malcewicz managed to promote wrestling at San Francisco, while running NWA San Francisco.[1] On November 1935, Malcewicz replaced Jack Ganson as the leaseholder of New Dreamland Auditorium, after buying Ganson's interest for $15,000 after Paul Bowser and Toots Mondt convinced him to step aside. Malcewicz held is first show on November 26, 1935.[4][5] On November 26, 1949, Malcewicz joined the newly-formed National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).[6] During his time with NWA, Malcewicz created the NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) and the second regional NWA World Tag Team Championship.[7][8][9]

On April 20, 1962, Malcewicz died after he suffered a fatal Heart attack.[1]

Championships and accomplishments

• Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
  • Class of 2015[3]

References

1. Johnson, Steve (March 25, 2015). "The legacy of Joe Malcewicz". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
2. Tim Hornbaker (2017). Legends of Pro Wrestling: 150 Years of Headlocks, Body Slams, and Piledrivers. Skyhorse Publishing. pp. 71–72. ISBN 978-1-61321-875-4.
3. Oliver, Greg (November 26, 2014). "Professional wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2015 announced". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
4. "New 'Rassling Promoter at Dreamland". The San Francisco Call. November 21, 1935. Jack Ganson, promoter of the grunt-and-groaners at Dreamland for two years, relinquished his position to Joe Malcewicz. The latter yesterday signed a lease for rental of the auditorium with Phil Ehrlich attorney representing the Dreamland corporation [...] Ganson was ordered by Bowser and Mondt to 'sell out' to Malcewicz, who came into the local picture by buying out Dan Koloff's concession as booking agent for wrestlers throughout northern California. All matches are made from a central office in Oakland. The money involved in the transaction was not announced but is reported to be approximately $15,000. Ganson at first belligerent, buckled down and said 'uncle' after talking with Bowser and Mondt. He either had to give in or fight back with a group of 'independent' wrestlers. He would have been unable to obtain such performers as O'Mahoney, Lopez, Dean, Steele, Browning, George, Sonnenberg or other 'big' names. Malcewicz's first show will be staged next Tuesday night.
5. Pat Laprade; Bertrand Hébert (2013). Mad Dogs, Midgets and Screw Jobs: The Untold Story of How Montreal Shaped the World of Wrestling. ECW Press. pp. 1, 764. ISBN 978-1-77090-296-1.
6. "San Francisco Booking Office". legacyofwrestling.com. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
7. Brian Solomon (2015). Pro Wrestling FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the World's Most Entertaining Spectacle. Backbeat Books. p. 232. ISBN 978-1-61713-627-6.
8. James Dixon; Arnold Furious; Lee Maughan (2013). Superstar Series: The Hart Foundation. Lulu.com. p. 77. ISBN 978-1-291-53841-0.
9. Tim Hornbaker (2017). Legends of Pro Wrestling: 150 Years of Headlocks, Body Slams, and Piledrivers. Skyhorse Publishing. p. 373. ISBN 978-1-61321-875-4.