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Bob's Corner
This space is being dedicated to the
history of professional wrestling.
The first installment is dedicated to Gorgeous George.
  
Gorgeous George is truly the original showman of professional
wrestling, and his flamboyant theatrics have unquestionably forever changed
the "sport" of professional wrestling. During his heyday (which began in the
late 1940's and lasted through to the early 1960's, a more famous or
controversial entertainment figure could not be found. It has been said that
during his prime, George was even more well known than the President. He
influenced generations of future wrestlers -- from Buddy Rogers to Adrian
Street, "Superstar" Billy Graham to Ric
Flair, "Adorable" Adrian Adonis to Goldust...even Mohammed Ali, Little
Richard, Liberace, and numerous other figures in both sports and
entertainment. One is hard pressed to think of a more influential public
figure, let alone a professional wrestler...Gorgeous
George was born George Wagner in Seward, Nebraska and began his wrestling
career during his teens. He competed for over a decade simply as George
Wagner, with very little success. Physically unimposing at just 5'9 and
weighing only 215 pounds, Wagner was a plain, less than average wrestler. But
that would change as the resourceful Wagner, who contemplated giving up on
trying to make it as a wrestler, developed the gimmick that would forever
change both him and the "sport".
He grew his hair out so it was long, could be curled and
pinned back with
gold-plated bobby pins, and dyed it platinum blond. He wore elegant robes,
dubbed himself "The Human Orchid" and was always escorted by one of his male
ring valets (Geoffrey or Thomas Ross) who would spray his his corner of the
ring, as well as George's opponents, with disinfectant and perfume. He was the
originator of using entrance music, and was always accompanied by his theme
"Pomp And Circumstance"...which would again be used some 40 years later by
Randy "Macho Man" Savage. Gorgeous George's ring entrances were legendary, and
often took nearly as long as his matches. The effeminate grappler worked
people into fits of laughter, curiosity, and outright rage with his pageantry
and theatrics. The consummate villain, George would cheat at every possible
opportunity, infuriating fans to the point of rioting on several occasions. So
riveted were they by George's theatrics, fans would flock in droves to see him
wrestle, and even more importantly, they tuned-in in record numbers to watch
Gorgeous George on the brand-new medium of television.
In a very real sense, Gorgeous George single-handedly
established the unproven new technology of television as a viable,
entertaining new medium that could reach literally millions homes all across
the country. Pro wrestling was TV's first real "hit" with the public -- the
first programs that ever drew any real numbers for the new technology, and
Gorgeous George was was directly responsible for all of the commotion. It was
a turning point for Wagner, wrestling, and the country itself. Gorgeous George
was probably responsible for selling more television sets in the early days of
TV than any other factor. There was once a well known
saying that Frank Gotch may have put wrestling on the map, but Gorgeous George
brought it to the world...
George Wagner died in 1963 but his influence is still being
seen today.
I'll be back next time with another installment of Bob's Corner
Return to www.devastationwrestling.com
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