Harry Light

Harry Light (1898-1971), Founding NWA Member, Detroit Promoter (1929-1959)

Harry Light was a pivotal figure in the development of professional wrestling in Detroit, Michigan, where he ran a highly influential wrestling territory from the 1940s through the early 1960s. His promotion, often referred to as "Big Time Wrestling," became a major player in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and helped establish Detroit as a key wrestling city in North America.

Founding of the Detroit Territory

• Early Days of Harry Light in Wrestling:

  • Harry Light was born in Paris, France in 1893 and emigrated to Canada in 1899 and served in the Canadian Navy in WW1, then started his career as a sports promoter in Detroit, initially working with boxing before transitioning to professional wrestling in the 1930s and 1940s. As a savvy businessman, Light recognized the potential of wrestling as a lucrative and popular form of entertainment.

  • Light's promotion began to gain traction in the 1940s by capitalizing on the post-World War II wrestling boom. Detroit, a major industrial hub with a large population, provided an ideal market for professional wrestling, and Light was quick to seize the opportunity.

• Formation of the Detroit Territory:

  • Harry Light formally established the Detroit territory in 1939, promoting wrestling events under the banner of Harry Light Booking Office. He focused on booking local and regional talent, as well as bringing in big names from other territories to attract a broader audience.

  • Light's shows took place at the 11,500 seat Detroit Olympia Stadium and later at the 12,000 seat Cobo Hall, both of which were major sports venues in the city. These venues became synonymous with wrestling in Detroit, drawing large crowds to the weekly events.

  • Light landed a TV show on Channel 7 in 1947 named Big Time Wrestling, that was seen nationwide at a time when Detroit was one of the Top 10 biggest cities in the US. It would outlast Light's career until the promotion folded in 1980.

    
    

Joining the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in 1949

• Becoming a Founding Member of the NWA:

  • In 1948, Light joined the group of promoters who came together to form the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). The NWA was created to unify the fragmented wrestling territories across North America, establish a single recognized world champion, and create a cooperative network among promoters.

  • As one of the early members of the NWA, Light’s territory was given exclusive rights to promote wrestling in the Detroit area. This arrangement protected his business from rival promoters and allowed him to benefit from the NWA’s cooperative booking arrangements.

• Impact of NWA Membership on Detroit Wrestling:

  • The NWA membership gave Light access to the NWA World Heavyweight Champion, a key attraction that drew large crowds and solidified Detroit's status as a premier wrestling market. Prominent wrestlers like Lou Thesz, Buddy Rogers, Pat O'Connor, and Dick Hutton defended the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in Detroit, creating memorable moments that contributed to the territory's prestige.

  • The cooperative nature of the NWA also allowed Light to exchange talent with other territories, ensuring a diverse and appealing roster for his shows.

  • One of Light's NWA Board assignments was the bi-national booking of midget wrestlers with his Montreal partner Jack Britton and Calgary Stampede Wrestling promoter Stu Hart. In 1949, the NWA crowned the first Midget World Championship when Sky Low Low won a 30 Midget Battle Royale in Paris, France. Other famous midget wrestlers of the 50's and early 60's that came under Light include Little Beaver, Farmer Pete Brooks and the man who trained the next generation of midget wrestlers, Lord Littlebrook. Vince McMahon Senior loved midget wrestling and brought it to the Northeast with WWWF, but Light might be the first promoter to put midget wrestling on TV with his television show dating back to 1947.

    
    

Peak Years of Big Time Wrestling (1950s-1960s)

• Promoting at the Detroit Olympia and Cobo Hall:

  • By the 1950s, Harry Light's Big Time Wrestling was one of the top attractions in Detroit. The shows were known for their hard-hitting style, charismatic wrestlers, and dramatic storytelling. Light’s promotion featured a mix of technical wrestling and the colorful personalities that characterized professional wrestling of the era.

  • Regular events at the Detroit Olympia and later Cobo Hall drew large crowds, often numbering in the thousands. The promotion showcased top talent from around the NWA, including stars like Lou Thesz, Verne Gagne, and Buddy Rogers.

• Key Wrestlers and Storylines:

  • Harry Light’s territory became a proving ground for several wrestlers who would go on to become major stars. Wrestlers such as The Sheik (Ed Farhat), Bobo Brazil, Dick the Bruiser, and Pampero Firpo became central figures in Detroit wrestling and were heavily featured in Light's promotion.

  • The promotion was known for its intense feuds and rivalries, many of which captivated the local audience. For example, the feud between The Sheik and Bobo Brazil became legendary in Detroit, with their matches drawing huge crowds and generating significant local interest.

    
    

The Influence of The Sheik and the Decline of Harry Light’s Control (1960s)

• Rise of The Sheik:

  • One of the most significant developments in the Detroit territory was the emergence of The Sheik (Ed Farhat) as both a top star and later as a promoter. The Sheik became one of the most notorious heels in professional wrestling, known for his wild, hardcore style and his bloodthirsty persona. His feud with Bobo Brazil became one of the most famous rivalries in wrestling history.

  • As The Sheik's popularity grew, he began to wield more influence within the Detroit territory. Light recognized The Sheik's drawing power and made him the centerpiece of his promotion. However, this also meant giving The Sheik more control over booking decisions and creative direction.

• Transition of Power:

  • By the late 1950s, Harry Light’s control over the Detroit territory began to diminish. Light, who was nearing retirement age, faced challenges from other promoters, including Balk Estes, Johnny Doyle & Jim Barnett, whose American Wrestling Alliance out of Indiana had started promoting in Cobo Hall in Detroit from 1959-1964 before moving to Australia and founding the first WCW. Light eventually entered into a partnership with The Sheik, Jack Britton, Bert Rubi and other promoters, but his role in the day-to-day operations decreased.

  • In 1964, Ed Farhat (The Sheik) bought out Harry Light’s interest in the promotion, effectively taking over the Detroit territory. Farhat rebranded the promotion as “Big Time Wrestling” and continued to run shows under this name until the late 1970s.

    
    

Harry Light's Legacy and Impact on Wrestling

• Pioneering Promoter:

  • Harry Light was one of the pioneering promoters in professional wrestling, known for his innovative approach to promotion and his ability to build a thriving wrestling market in Detroit. His work in the 1940s and 1950s helped establish Detroit as one of the major wrestling cities in the United States.

  • Light’s promotion was one of the founding members of the NWA, which laid the foundation for the modern wrestling landscape by unifying territories and creating a cooperative network of promoters.

• Contributions to the NWA:

  • Light’s participation in the formation of the NWA and his efforts to build a strong wrestling promotion in Detroit were critical in the early success of the NWA. His ability to bring top talent to Detroit and promote major championship matches helped enhance the prestige of the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

• Influence on Future Promoters:

  • Although Harry Light eventually stepped away from wrestling promotion, his impact was felt for decades. The Detroit wrestling scene continued to thrive under The Sheik, who took many of Light’s promotional strategies and adapted them to his unique style. The territory remained an important market for wrestling until the late 1970s, when competition and changing tastes began to erode its audience.

    
    

Conclusion

Harry Light’s tenure as the promoter of the Detroit wrestling territory was marked by innovation, growth, and a dedication to professional wrestling that helped build Detroit into a major wrestling city. His early adoption of the NWA model, his focus on high-quality talent, and his commitment to promoting compelling storylines set the standard for future wrestling promoters in Detroit and beyond. While his influence waned with the rise of The Sheik, his legacy as a foundational figure in the history of Detroit wrestling remains significant.