Luther Lindsay

Although largely resulting in time limit draws, he was the first African-American to make a challenge to the title and earned Thesz's respect during these bouts publicly praising his wrestling ability.He moved to Sedalia but later resided in Gibsonville, North Carolina,[8] and later played college football for Norfolk State[9] and nearby Hampton Institute where he was also a CIAA wrestling champion.Taking the surname of his wife, Gertrude Lindsey,[8] his earliest recorded match was against Al Tucker in Chicago, Illinois, for promoter Leonard Schwartz on November 21, 1951.[13] In early 1953, he appeared in Washington where he faced George Dusette, the Masked Marvel, Carl Engstrom, Walter Kameroff, Jack Kiser, Bronko Lubich, Axel Cadier.According to promoter Paavo Ketonen, the winner was to receive a title shot against Lou Thesz for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.[15] On January 10, he won his first major title winning the vacant NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship with Bobby Burns in Honolulu.Later that year, he wrestled for promoter Ed Don George making occasional appearances at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium where he faced Johnny Molinda, Danno O'Shocker and Danny Malone during the next two months.[19] During the summer of 1955, he and George Dusette won the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship from Bulldog Curtis and Tommy Martinez on May 15.When referee Roy Carter was knocked unconscious outside the ring, wrestler Danny McShain made the count after Lindsay pinned Keomuka.A week later, Lindsay met Keomuka in a best 3-of-5 falls match which stipulated that their cornermen, Danny McShain and Tiny Mills, were to be locked in cages to prevent outside interference.He and McShain later took on Duke Keomuka and Tiny Mills for the NWA Texas Tag Team Championship in a best-of-3 falls match at The Sportatorium on January 24.He was scheduled to face Duke Keomuka in the opening rounds of a tournament to meet NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz.Defeating Duke Keomuka on December 11, Lindsay earned a title shot at then NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz.Later that year, he also fought to a draw with newly crowned NWA World Heavyweight Champion Whipper Billy Watson in Dayton, Ohio, on October 25, 1956.[24] In early 1959, he appeared in the Capitol Wrestling Corporation for Vince McMahon, Sr. and Toots Mondt where he faced Chris Tolos, Emile Duprée and Hard Boiled Haggerty.On April 15, he and Oattem Fisher defeated John Foti and Don Kindred for the Stampede International Tag Team Championship at the Victoria Pavilion.While defending the titles with Oattem Fisher, he also teamed with Tarzan Tourville who faced Mighty Ursus, Emile Koverly, Kit Fox, Jim Wright and Gypsy Joe.Although his stay was brief, he scored an impressive KO victory over Mike Marino at the Royal Albert Hall and Josef Zaranoff in a later televised match.He and Shag Thomas regained the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team titles defeating Ivan Kameroff and Soldat Gorky on July 24, 1963.On July 28, 1964, Lindsay was part of an 18-man battle royal which featured Gene Kiniski, Tosh Togo, Mr. Moto and King Curtis Iaukea.The following night, he appeared in the main event against Curtis Iaukea for the NWA Hawaii United States Championship which sold out the Civic Arena.[34] In early 1965, he was one of several African-American wrestlers to tour the Continental Wrestling Association with Sailor Art Thomas, King Toby and Tiger Conway, Sr.[46] Back in PNW, he and Dean Ho lost to NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Champions Moondog Mayne and Beauregard in Portland on September 19.During early 1970, Luther Lindsay faced the original Minnesota Wrecking Crew (Gene and Ole Anderson) teaming with a number of wrestlers such as George Scott, Abe Jacobs and Randy Curtis.He and Gene Anderson eventually met in a singles match fighting to a time limit draw in Greenville, South Carolina, on December 25, 1970.[50][51] Lindsay scored a string of victories the following spring defeating Art Nelson, Bill Bowman, Bobby Paul, Frank Morrell and Johnny Heidman within a six-week period.