Morris Sigel

Morris Siegel was a significant figure in professional wrestling, known for his promotion of the Houston territory. From the 1920s to the 1960s, Siegel built Houston into one of the most important and well-respected wrestling cities in the United States, known for its high-quality matches and strong local fan base.

### **Early Career and Entry into Promoting**

- **Background:**

- Born in 1900, Morris Siegel got his start in the sports promotion business in the early 1920s in Houston, Texas. Initially, he promoted boxing events, but by the late 1920s, Siegel had begun promoting professional wrestling, which was growing in popularity across the country.

- By the 1930s, Siegel had become the primary wrestling promoter in Houston, holding regular events at the **City Auditorium**. His early success was driven by his ability to attract top talent and create compelling matches that drew large crowds.

### **Building the Houston Territory (1930s-1940s)**

- **Promotion Style:**

- Siegel developed a reputation for running a high-class operation in Houston. He insisted on presenting wrestling as a legitimate and serious athletic competition, avoiding the more outlandish gimmicks that were common in other territories. His emphasis on in-ring action and athleticism helped him build a strong, loyal fan base in the city.

- He also had a keen eye for talent and was known for bringing in top wrestlers from around the country to compete in Houston, which elevated the status of his territory and made it a desirable location for wrestlers looking to make a name for themselves.

- **Affiliation with the National Wrestling Alliance (1948):**

- When the **National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)** was formed in 1948, Morris Siegel quickly became a member. His Houston territory became a key part of the NWA's network of promotions, and Siegel gained access to the NWA World Heavyweight Champion and other top stars.

- The NWA affiliation allowed Siegel to feature world title matches in Houston, which became a staple of his promotion. The city's status as a major wrestling market grew, and it became a regular stop for the NWA World Champion and other top competitors.

### **Golden Era of Houston Wrestling (1950s-1960s)**

- **Weekly Events and Stars:**

- During the 1950s and 1960s, Houston became a hotbed for professional wrestling. Siegel ran weekly shows, often on Friday nights, at the **Sam Houston Coliseum** after it opened in 1937. These events featured some of the best wrestling talent in the country, including **Lou Thesz**, **Buddy Rogers**, **Dory Funk Jr.**, **Johnny Valentine**, and many more.

- Siegel's commitment to providing high-quality matches and storylines made his shows must-see events for wrestling fans. He developed strong local stars, such as **Cyclone Anaya** and **"Wild" Bull Curry**, who became beloved by the local audience. The Houston territory was known for its exciting matches and intense rivalries, which helped maintain high attendance and strong ticket sales.

- **Championship Matches:**

- Houston was regularly featured in the rotation of cities hosting NWA World Heavyweight Championship defenses. The city's reputation for hosting major title matches drew considerable interest from fans and helped cement its status as a premier wrestling territory.

- One of the defining aspects of Siegel's promotion was his ability to bring in the NWA World Heavyweight Champion for regular title defenses. Matches featuring champions like Lou Thesz or Harley Race often sold out the Sam Houston Coliseum, and these events were viewed as marquee dates on the NWA calendar.

### **Business Practices and Promotion Strategies:**

- **Innovative Marketing:**

- Siegel was known for his innovative marketing strategies, including the use of radio and newspaper advertisements to promote his events. He had a knack for drawing attention to his shows and knew how to build excitement around his wrestlers and matchups.

- Siegel was also adept at developing relationships with local media, ensuring that his events received coverage in the Houston press. This media presence helped him build a strong following and kept wrestling in the public eye.

- **Maintaining a Reputation for Integrity:**

- Unlike some promoters who leaned heavily into the theatrical aspects of wrestling, Siegel maintained a reputation for treating his wrestlers fairly and running a clean business. He paid his wrestlers well and on time, earning their respect and loyalty.

- Siegel also cultivated relationships with local government officials and law enforcement, which helped him avoid many of the issues that plagued other promoters. His reputation for honesty and integrity served him well in building trust with both wrestlers and fans.

### **Decline and Transition (1960s-1966)**

- **Health Issues and Decline:**

- In the early 1960s, Siegel began to experience health problems that affected his ability to run the day-to-day operations of his wrestling promotion. Despite this, he continued to be involved in the business, although his influence began to wane.

- Siegel’s health issues led to a decline in his hands-on involvement, and as a result, the Houston territory began to lose some of its prominence within the NWA.

- **Sale to Paul Boesch (1966):**

- In 1966, Morris Siegel passed away. His death marked the end of an era in Houston wrestling. Siegel's protégé, **Paul Boesch**, who had been his trusted lieutenant and right-hand man, took over the promotion.

- Boesch, a former wrestler and commentator, had been involved in the promotion for many years and was well-respected by the wrestlers and fans alike. Under Boesch's leadership, the Houston territory continued to thrive, and it remained a key part of the NWA circuit until the mid-1980s.

### **Legacy of Morris Siegel**

- **Influence on Houston Wrestling:**

- Morris Siegel's influence on Houston wrestling was profound. He built the territory into a major force in the wrestling world and established it as a hub for top-tier wrestling talent. His emphasis on athleticism and in-ring action helped define the territory's style and reputation.

- The foundation he laid continued to be built upon by Paul Boesch, who further elevated the Houston territory's status and solidified its reputation as a premier destination for professional wrestling.

- **Contributions to Professional Wrestling:**

- Siegel's promotion was instrumental in bringing professional wrestling to a broader audience in Texas, and his work helped to legitimize wrestling as a popular form of entertainment in the region. His approach to promoting, which focused on quality matches and fair treatment of wrestlers, left a lasting impact on the business.

- Siegel is remembered as a key figure in the growth and development of professional wrestling in the United States, and his contributions helped shape the industry during a critical period of its history.

### **Conclusion**

Morris Siegel was a pioneering wrestling promoter who played a central role in developing the Houston wrestling scene from the 1920s to the 1960s. His dedication to high-quality wrestling, innovative promotional strategies, and commitment to fairness and integrity made Houston a key wrestling territory in the NWA and laid the groundwork for its future success under Paul Boesch. His legacy continues to be felt in the professional wrestling world today.