Wild Bill Longson

Wild Bill Longson
Birth name Willard Rowe Longson[1]
Born (1906-06-08)June 8, 1906[1]
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States[1]
Died December 12, 1982(1982-12-12) (aged 76)[1]
St. Louis, Missouri, United States[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Purple Shadow[1]
Wild Bill Longson[1]
Billed weight 240 lb (110 kg)
Debut April 1931[1]
Retired 1960[1]

Willard Rowe Longson (June 8, 1906 – December 12, 1982) was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Wild Bill Longson.

Longson spent most of his career in St. Louis, Missouri under . He perfected the role of the arrogant heel, and is credited with inventing and popularizing the piledriver.[1]

Professional wrestling career

Longson was a 3-time National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Champion during the 1940s. He was also the last National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Champion, losing his title to Lou Thesz on July 20, 1948, when Thesz elevated onto Longson's shoulders from the piledriver position and fell into a Thesz press. As a result of this victory, Thesz unified the venerable National Wrestling Association Championship with his own new National Wrestling Alliance World Championship, beginning the process of consolidating all American world championships into one.

Longson retired from professional wrestling in 1960 after sustaining a broken pelvis while riding an unbroken horse. He continued to work in the professional wrestling industry as a booker and promoter until 1977.[1]

Longson died on December 10, 1982 in St. Louis.[1]

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Luce, Don. "Bill Longson". PWHF.com. Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved 2013-12-28.
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