Don Owen

Don Owen was the promoter of the Pacific Northwest territory, also known as **Portland Wrestling** or **Pacific Northwest Wrestling (PNW)**, which was one of the most successful and long-lasting wrestling territories in the United States. Owen's promotion was based in **Portland, Oregon**, and it operated from the early 1920s until the early 1990s. Under Owen's leadership, the Portland territory became known for its high-quality wrestling, charismatic local stars, and a strong regional following.

### **Early Beginnings: The Owen Family and Portland Wrestling**

- **The Owen Family's Start in Wrestling:**

- Don Owen was born into a wrestling family; his father, **Herbert "Colonel" Owen**, was a boxing and wrestling promoter who began running shows in Portland, Oregon, in the early 1920s. The senior Owen promoted both sports and built a local reputation for quality events.

- By the late 1940s, Don Owen had begun taking a more active role in his father's wrestling promotion, gradually taking over the business. He officially took the reins in the early 1950s after his father's death and continued to build on the foundation that had been established.

### **Formation of Pacific Northwest Wrestling (PNW)**

- **Joining the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA):**

- In the late 1940s, Owen's promotion joined the **National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)**, which provided a framework for cooperation among wrestling promoters across North America. As a member of the NWA, Owen could bring in outside talent and participate in inter-promotional bookings, which helped raise the profile of Portland Wrestling.

- The territory was known for its regular shows at the **Portland Sports Arena** and the **Eugene Armory** and for weekly television broadcasts on local station **KPTV**. The television exposure was crucial in establishing Portland Wrestling as a popular entertainment option in the Pacific Northwest.

### **Growth and Success in the 1950s and 1960s**

- **Rise of Local Stars and Booking Style:**

- Portland Wrestling, under Owen's guidance, became known for producing and promoting homegrown stars who were well-known in the region. Owen booked a mix of local wrestlers and traveling stars from other NWA territories, creating a unique blend of talent.

- Wrestlers like **Shag Thomas**, **Lonnie Mayne**, **Tony Borne**, **Dutch Savage**, and **Buddy Rose** became household names in the Pacific Northwest. The promotion was known for its family-friendly atmosphere, featuring technical wrestling, hard-hitting matches, and colorful characters.

- **Television Exposure:**

- The promotion's weekly TV show, **Portland Wrestling**, became a regional sensation. It aired every Saturday night and reached viewers throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and even parts of Canada. The TV show featured interviews, promos, and matches, building strong storylines that engaged fans.

- This regular television exposure made Portland Wrestling a mainstay in local pop culture and helped Don Owen maintain a loyal fan base. The TV show was one of the longest-running local wrestling programs in the United States, airing for over 38 years.

### **Peak Years: 1970s and Early 1980s**

- **Expansion and Peak Popularity:**

- The 1970s and early 1980s were the golden years for Don Owen's promotion. Wrestlers like **"Rowdy" Roddy Piper**, **Billy Jack Haynes**, **Rip Oliver**, **Tommy Rich**, **Jesse Ventura**, and **Jimmy Snuka** made significant impacts in the territory, either launching their careers or coming in as established stars to help draw crowds.

- The promotion also had a reputation for featuring excellent tag team wrestling, with teams like **The Royal Kangaroos**, **The Sheepherders (later known as The Bushwhackers in WWE)**, and **The Fabulous Freebirds** making appearances in the territory.

- **Booking Philosophy and Storylines:**

- Owen was known for his straightforward booking style, focusing on in-ring storytelling and less on the flashy theatrics that were becoming popular elsewhere. He preferred clean finishes to matches, logical feuds, and a strong emphasis on technical wrestling.

- Key rivalries, such as those involving **Buddy Rose** against **Roddy Piper** or **Rip Oliver** against **Billy Jack Haynes**, captivated audiences and were instrumental in maintaining high attendance at live events and good ratings for the TV broadcasts.

### **Decline and Challenges in the Late 1980s**

- **Impact of Cable TV and National Expansion:**

- The national expansion of the **World Wrestling Federation (WWF)**, led by **Vince McMahon**, and **Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP)** in the mid-1980s created new challenges for regional territories like Portland Wrestling. As these promotions expanded their reach through cable television, local territories struggled to compete with their larger budgets and national exposure.

- Many of Owen’s top stars, including **Roddy Piper** and **Jesse Ventura**, left for more lucrative offers with the WWF or other larger promotions, making it difficult for Owen to maintain the same level of star power in his promotion.

- **Loss of Television Contracts:**

- In the late 1980s, Portland Wrestling began to lose its foothold due to changes in the television landscape. Cable networks began to favor national promotions like the WWF, and the local stations that had carried Portland Wrestling for years started dropping the show in favor of other content.

- This led to decreased visibility for the promotion, lower attendance at live events, and a gradual decline in the territory’s prominence.

### **End of the Promotion and Don Owen's Retirement**

- **Closing the Promotion:**

- By the early 1990s, the wrestling business had shifted dramatically toward a few dominant national promotions, leaving smaller territories like Portland struggling to survive. Don Owen decided to retire in 1992 and sold the promotion to **Sandy Barr**, a referee and wrestler who attempted to keep it going under the name **Championship Wrestling USA (CWUSA)**.

- Despite Barr's efforts, the promotion struggled to maintain its footing without Owen's steady hand and eventually folded, marking the end of an era for wrestling in the Pacific Northwest.

### **Legacy of Don Owen and Portland Wrestling**

- **Influence on Wrestling:**

- Don Owen is remembered as one of the most honest and respected promoters in professional wrestling. Known for his fair treatment of wrestlers and his straightforward business practices, Owen helped create a thriving wrestling scene in the Pacific Northwest that lasted for over 60 years.

- Portland Wrestling served as a critical stepping stone for many future stars, and its television program is regarded as one of the longest-running and most successful local wrestling shows in U.S. history.

- **Posthumous Recognition:**

- After Owen’s retirement and passing in 2002, many wrestling historians and former wrestlers paid tribute to his impact on the industry. His commitment to honest promotion and fair booking practices helped establish Portland Wrestling as one of the most respected territories in the country.

- The Pacific Northwest region continues to have a passionate wrestling fan base, with many local independent promotions trying to carry on the spirit of what Don Owen built. His influence can still be felt in how these promotions operate and in the enduring love for professional wrestling in Oregon and its surrounding areas.

### **Conclusion**

Don Owen's promotion of Portland Wrestling remains a testament to the power of regional wrestling in the pre-national era. Through his leadership and dedication to presenting a straightforward, credible wrestling product, Owen created a unique and beloved wrestling territory that resonated with fans for decades. His contributions to professional wrestling are remembered for their impact on the careers of numerous legendary wrestlers and for fostering a deep love of wrestling in the Pacific Northwest.