By Steve Cichon
steve@buffalostories.com
@stevebuffalo
Sixty-five years ago, wrestling was treated like a legitimate sport on the pages of The News, with the comings and goings of wrestlers and blow-by-blow details of the matches detailed in words and photos. It was also covered live on Buffalo’s only TV station, The News’ Channel 4, as well as on radio stations, including WBEN.
What can only be described as the entrance of “Hollywood’s perfumed and marcelled wrestling orchid” Gorgeous George into Buffalo and his eventual defeat of Maurice “The Angel” Tillet were right there with Bisons news from Offermann Stadium.
The review of the match was written by Hall of Fame writer Cy Kritzer — who was best known for his nearly 40 years as The News’ main baseball writer.