Mike London

Mike London was a professional wrestling promoter who operated primarily in the New Mexico territory during the mid-20th century. Although not as widely known as some of his contemporaries, London played a crucial role in establishing professional wrestling in New Mexico, particularly in Albuquerque, where he promoted regular wrestling shows. His promotion was part of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and became a fixture in the regional wrestling scene.

### **Early Career and Promotion Beginnings**

Mike London began his career in professional wrestling as a local promoter in the Southwest United States during the 1940s. Unlike larger wrestling territories in major cities, New Mexico's wrestling scene was still in its early stages, and there were few established promoters. London recognized the potential for growth in the region and decided to focus on building a wrestling territory in New Mexico, particularly around Albuquerque.

London started promoting wrestling events in Albuquerque and other smaller towns throughout New Mexico. He organized regular weekly and monthly wrestling cards, featuring local talent and, occasionally, regional stars. His shows quickly gained popularity, especially among the growing population in the area after World War II. He focused on affordable ticket prices and family-friendly events, which helped attract a diverse audience.

### **Joining the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) (1948)**

When the **National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)** was formed in **1948**, Mike London joined the alliance, becoming the primary NWA-affiliated promoter in New Mexico. Being a part of the NWA was advantageous for London, as it gave him access to nationally recognized wrestlers, including the NWA World Heavyweight Champion, who was often required to travel to different NWA territories to defend the title.

As an NWA member, London hosted numerous championship bouts featuring NWA titleholders and visiting stars. His affiliation with the NWA helped him secure talent and made his shows more attractive to local fans, who were eager to see the big-name wrestlers featured in magazines and on television.

### **Developing the New Mexico Territory**

Mike London promoted his wrestling shows primarily in Albuquerque, but he also ran events in other towns and cities across New Mexico, such as Santa Fe, Roswell, and Las Cruces. To build his territory, London booked a mix of local talent and established wrestlers from nearby territories in Texas, Arizona, and California. He had strong relationships with promoters like **Dory Funk Sr.** in West Texas and **Cal Eaton** in Los Angeles, which allowed for talent exchanges and cross-promotional matches.

London's shows featured a variety of wrestling styles, including the brawling style popular in Texas and the more technical style favored in California. His cards often included a mix of singles and tag team matches, as well as occasional special attraction bouts, such as midget wrestling or mixed-gender matches. This diversity of matches helped draw different segments of the population to his events.

### **Key Events and Talent**

During the 1950s and 1960s, Mike London was able to bring several big-name stars to New Mexico, including NWA World Heavyweight Champions like **Lou Thesz**, **Pat O'Connor**, and **Gene Kiniski**, who would defend their titles in the territory. London's promotion also served as a stepping stone for up-and-coming wrestlers who would later achieve national or international fame.

London promoted many future stars early in their careers, giving them the platform to develop their skills and build a fanbase. For example, **Dory Funk Jr.** and **Terry Funk** appeared in London’s New Mexico territory early in their careers, benefiting from the experience and exposure gained in Albuquerque before moving on to more prominent promotions.

### **Television and the Decline of the Territory**

The advent of television had a significant impact on professional wrestling, particularly for smaller territories like Mike London's in New Mexico. While larger territories benefited from televised wrestling shows, which reached a national audience, smaller territories struggled to compete. By the 1960s, wrestling fans in New Mexico could watch shows broadcast from Los Angeles, Texas, and even the East Coast, which featured higher production values and more star power.

London attempted to adapt by securing local television deals to broadcast his wrestling events, but the limited reach and resources made it challenging to compete with the larger promotions. As a result, the New Mexico territory began to decline in prominence, particularly as other promoters began expanding their reach into the region.

### **Final Years and Legacy**

By the late 1960s, the decline of the territorial system, coupled with the increasing dominance of televised wrestling from larger markets, led to the waning influence of Mike London's New Mexico promotion. London gradually stepped back from active promotion, and the territory was eventually absorbed into the wider NWA network, with other promoters occasionally running shows in New Mexico.

Though Mike London's name may not be as well-known as some other wrestling promoters, his efforts helped establish professional wrestling in New Mexico during a critical period. He built a base of loyal fans in Albuquerque and beyond, bringing professional wrestling to an underserved region and providing a platform for numerous wrestlers to hone their craft.

London's contributions to the regional wrestling scene in the Southwest are a testament to the spirit of the independent promoter, who helped build professional wrestling from the ground up in smaller markets across the United States. His work laid the foundation for future wrestling promotions in the Southwest and contributed to the growth and development of professional wrestling during the territory era.