Johnny Doyle

Johnny Doyle was a key figure in the history of professional wrestling, known for his role as a promoter and territory operator. Over the course of several decades, Doyle held significant influence in multiple regions, including the West Coast of the United States, Los Angeles in particular, and parts of the Midwest, like Detroit and Chicago. He was instrumental in the formation and expansion of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and played a major part in the development of professional wrestling during the mid-20th century.

### **Early Career and Background**

- **Entry into Wrestling:**

- Johnny Doyle was born in New York City and began his career in professional wrestling during the 1920s as a booker and promoter. He quickly became known for his business acumen and ability to develop strong relationships with wrestlers and promoters. By the late 1930s, Doyle was already a well-known figure in the wrestling world, especially in the Northeast.

- **Transition to Promoter:**

- During the 1930s and 1940s, Doyle moved into promoting, working in various regions across the United States. He developed a reputation for running efficient, profitable shows and for his knack for booking compelling matches that drew large crowds. This reputation helped him secure promotions in several territories over the years.

### **The Los Angeles Territory (1940s–1950s)**

- **Moving to Los Angeles:**

- In the late 1940s, Doyle relocated to Los Angeles, California, and began promoting wrestling at the Olympic Auditorium, one of the most famous sports venues in the city. The Los Angeles territory, a key market in professional wrestling, had previously been dominated by **Leone "Cal" Eaton** and his wife **Aileen Eaton**, but Doyle managed to carve out a significant presence.

- **Partnership with Jules Strongbow:**

- Johnny Doyle eventually partnered with **Jules Strongbow**, another prominent wrestling promoter, to co-promote in Los Angeles. This partnership became highly successful and made the Los Angeles territory one of the most lucrative wrestling markets in the United States. Together, Doyle and Strongbow controlled the booking of talent and the production of wrestling events throughout Southern California, running shows that drew thousands of fans.

- **Affiliation with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA):**

- Doyle’s Los Angeles promotion was a key member of the NWA, which was founded in 1948 to unify the disparate wrestling promotions across North America. Doyle’s connections and influence helped him secure top stars from around the NWA to appear at his shows, and he played a significant role in building the NWA’s reputation on the West Coast.

- Through his NWA connections, Doyle was able to bring the NWA World Heavyweight Champion to Los Angeles regularly, a major draw that helped establish the credibility and success of his promotion.

### **Expansion to the Midwest (1950s–1960s)**

- **Detroit and Chicago Involvement:**

- In addition to his activities on the West Coast, Johnny Doyle also operated in the Midwest, particularly in Detroit, Michigan, and Chicago, Illinois. Doyle co-promoted in Detroit with **Harry Light**, and later partnered with **Jim Barnett** in Chicago. These partnerships allowed him to leverage his experience and influence to expand his reach across multiple territories.

- The Detroit territory, known for its tough, brawling style of wrestling, became another stronghold for Doyle. During his time in Detroit, Doyle promoted alongside **Jack Britton** and had connections to the Sheik, Ed Farhat, who would later come to dominate the Detroit wrestling scene.

- **Prominent Role in Chicago:**

- Chicago, under Doyle's influence, became a central hub for wrestling in the Midwest. Doyle's partnership with Barnett, known for their "All-Star Wrestling" program, was crucial in establishing a television presence for wrestling. Their promotion was one of the first to use television extensively to reach new audiences, broadcasting from Chicago’s Marigold Arena. This use of TV helped popularize wrestling beyond the live audience and into millions of homes across the United States.

### **The 1960s and the Split from the NWA**

- **Conflicts within the NWA:**

- By the early 1960s, Johnny Doyle had become one of the most powerful wrestling promoters in the United States, with territories spanning coast to coast. However, as his influence grew, he began to clash with other members of the NWA. Disputes arose over booking practices, talent exchanges, and the overall direction of the organization.

- Doyle, along with his partner Jim Barnett, began to envision a national expansion that would go beyond the traditional territory system. Their desire for greater autonomy and control led to tension with other NWA promoters, who were wary of their ambitions.

- **Break from the NWA and Founding of the World Wrestling Association (WWA):**

- In 1961, Johnny Doyle and Jules Strongbow broke away from the NWA and founded the **World Wrestling Association (WWA)** in Los Angeles. The WWA was established as an independent wrestling promotion that would compete directly with the NWA, with Doyle and Strongbow positioning themselves as rivals to the NWA's dominance.

- The WWA featured its own World Heavyweight Championship and drew upon Doyle's existing connections with wrestlers and promoters to build a competitive roster. Doyle and Strongbow continued to promote at the Olympic Auditorium and other venues in Los Angeles, maintaining a strong presence in the region.

### **Decline and Late Career (1960s–1970s)**

- **Declining Influence:**

- The split from the NWA ultimately proved detrimental to Doyle's long-term influence. While the WWA initially enjoyed success and featured many top stars, it struggled to compete with the more extensive network of NWA territories. Doyle’s independent status limited his access to NWA champions and made it harder to attract top talent from other regions.

- By the mid-1960s, Doyle's influence began to wane as the wrestling business became more fragmented and competitive. The rise of new promotions, along with the expansion of the **World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF)** on the East Coast, further diminished his standing in the industry.

- **Final Years and Death:**

- Johnny Doyle continued to promote wrestling into the early 1970s, but his role in the industry had significantly diminished. He eventually retired from wrestling promotion and lived out his final years away from the sport. Doyle passed away in 1973, leaving behind a complex legacy as one of the most influential wrestling promoters of his time.

### **Legacy of Johnny Doyle**

- **Pioneering Influence:**

- Johnny Doyle’s contributions to professional wrestling were significant, particularly his role in developing major territories like Los Angeles, Detroit, and Chicago. His innovative promotional strategies, use of television, and ability to draw large crowds made him a key figure in the growth of professional wrestling in the mid-20th century.

- Despite his eventual split from the NWA and the decline of his influence, Doyle is remembered as a promoter who helped shape the wrestling landscape during a pivotal era in the sport’s history. His efforts to promote wrestling on both coasts and in the Midwest contributed to the national reach of professional wrestling in the United States.

- **Impact on the Modern Wrestling Scene:**

- Doyle’s work with Jim Barnett and Jules Strongbow laid the groundwork for future promoters who would seek to expand wrestling beyond the confines of traditional territorial boundaries. His emphasis on television as a promotional tool foreshadowed the tactics used by later promoters, such as Vince McMahon, to build wrestling into a global entertainment phenomenon.

- Though his promotions eventually faded from prominence, Doyle's role in developing wrestling in key markets remains a testament to his vision and ambition as one of the sport’s pioneering promoters.