Stanley E. Myslajek Papers, PC.1918
Abstract
Stanley E. Myslajek (1911-1995) started his career as a professional wrestler in 1932. In 1947, Myslajek began promoting matches in Raleigh and Durham. This collection of materials relates to the series of 26 matches that Myslajek made and promoted in Raleigh during a single season that lasted from September 4, 1947, to May 13, 1948, plus a single post-season match on June 25, 1948.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Stanley E. Myslajek Papers
- Call Number
- PC.1918
- Creator
- Stanley E. Myslajek
- Date
- 1947-1948
- Language
- English
- Repository
- State Archives of North Carolina
Collection Overview
Stanley E. Myslajek (1911-1995) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, was coached and trained
for professional wrestling by Joe Stecher, "the Nebraska Farm Boy" whose famous "body
scissors hold" gained him the United States heavyweight championship in 1915, 1920,
and 1925. Myslajek began professional wrestling in the midwest in 1932, then widened
his range over the next decade to take in Texas, California, and Seattle and the west
coast. During this period he adopted the ring name of Stan Mayslack. During World
War II he worked for the U.S. Navy in an arms plant and wrestled for the entertainment
of allied troops under the auspices of the United Service Organization. After the
war he returned to the wrestling circuit, taking part in matches on the eastern seaboard.
There having been no professional wrestling in Raleigh since 1938, Myslajek decided
in 1947 to attempt to revive it by arranging and promoting matches in Raleigh and
Durham.
This collection of materials relates to the series of 26 matches that Myslajek made
and promoted in Raleigh during a single season that lasted from September 4, 1947,
to May 13, 1948, plus a single post-season match on June 25, 1948. During this season
Myslajek brought in wrestlers of wide celebrity: Babe Zaharias, Fred Blassie, Jack
Dillon, Wally Dusek, Primo Carnera, Martin Levy ("the Blimp"), and Maurice Tillett
("the French Angel"). He also introduced North Carolina wrestlers into his Raleigh
matches: Eddie Pope of Rocky Mount, Bibber McCoy of Statesville (a Boston native).
Al Massey of Princeton, Pete Managoff of Newland, and Marvin Hutchinson of Charlotte.
Taking a hint from Jim Crockett (d. 1973) who had been promoting wrestling in Charlotte
since 1934, and who had successfully promoted matches between women wrestlers in the
Queen City, Myslajek brought women wrestlers to Raleigh in 1948: Nell Stewart, Mae
Weston, Helen Hild, Jaunita Coffman, Dottie Dotson, Rose Evans, and Theresa Theis.
His Raleigh referees included Jack Dempsey as well as local figures such as Joe Murnich
of Charlotte, wrestler and former University of North Carolina boxing star and coach.
The papers include press releases sent to the News and Observer or Raleigh Times newspapers
that sometimes include "biographical skits" of the wrestlers or referees; radio spot
announcements furnished to local radio stations WRAL, WPTF, and WNAO; newspaper clippings;
photographs; and wrestling posters. (Two of the posters are for matches Myslajek put
on at the armory in Durham.)
Ephemera include examples of tickets, passes, and a flyer for matches in Raleigh and
Durham. A nine-column financial journal dating from January 14 to June 30, 1948, records
the receipts and disbursements arising from the wrestling matches held in Raleigh
during that period.
Arrangement Note
Except for the posters, which are filed with oversize materials from private collections, and the volume of financial records, the papers in the collection are arranged chronologically under the date of each wrestling match.
Contents of the Collection
Subject Headings
Acquisitions Information
Gift