Stanley E. Myslajek Papers, PC.1918

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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

Series Quick Links

    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

  1. Fred Blassie
  2. Primo Carnera, 1906-1967
  3. Jaunita Coffman
  4. Dempsey, Jack, 1895-
  5. Jack Dillon
  6. Wally Dusek
  7. Helen Hild
  8. Marvin Hutchinson
  9. Bibber McKoy
  10. Pete Managoff
  11. Massey, Albert A.
  12. Mayslack, Stan.
  13. Myslajek, Stanley E.
  14. Clara Mortensen
  15. Joe Murnich
  16. Eddie Pope
  17. Maurice Tillett
  18. Mae Weston
  19. Babe Didrikson Zaharias, 1911-1956
  20. Women wrestlers
  21. Wrestlers
  22. Wrestling Matches
  23. Durham (N.C.)
  24. Raleigh (N.C.)
  25. Acquisitions Information

    Gift