Orville Brown

Orville Brown (1908-1981),

1st NWA World Heavyweight Champ

13X World Champ (Pre-NWA), Kansas Promoter (1940-1958)

Orville Brown was a key figure in the early history of professional wrestling in the United States, particularly known for his role in the Kansas City territory and his involvement in the formation of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Brown was both a prominent wrestler and a successful promoter who helped lay the groundwork for the NWA's dominance in the wrestling world during the mid-20th century.

Early Life and Wrestling Career

• Background:

  • Born in 1908 in Sharon, Kansas, Orville Brown began his wrestling career in the 1930s. He was known for his rugged style, solid technical skills, and a background in legitimate wrestling and strength sports, which made him a credible competitor in the ring.

    
    

• Rise as a Wrestler:

  • Brown initially made a name for himself wrestling in the Midwest, particularly in Kansas and Missouri. He quickly gained popularity due to his toughness and ability to wrestle both in a legitimate and entertainment capacity. By the mid-1930s, he had become a notable figure in professional wrestling in the region, wrestling against top stars of the era.

    
    

Promotion and the Kansas City Territory

• Becoming a Promoter:

  • In 1940, Brown transitioned from being just a wrestler to also becoming a promoter in Kansas City, Missouri, a key city in the Midwest wrestling scene. He linked up with Al Haft's Midwest Wrestling Association in Columbus, OH and founded what became known as Central States Wrestling, becoming one of the most influential wrestling promoters in the Midwest.

    
    

  • Brown would hold the MWA World Heavyweight Championship several times, he would become a 13x World Heavyweights Champion by the time he retired in 1949.

    
    

  • Kansas City was a pivotal location due to its central location in the United States, making it an ideal hub for wrestling tours and television broadcasts. Brown leveraged this by building strong local shows and attracting some of the top wrestling talent of the time.

    
    

• Kansas City Wrestling Scene:

  • Brown ran shows primarily in Kansas City and expanded his promotion to cover parts of Kansas, Missouri, and surrounding states. He developed a reputation as a promoter who focused on credible, athletic wrestling matches, which appealed to both local fans and the wrestlers who worked for him.

    
    

  • Kansas City became known for its unique wrestling style, which combined technical wrestling with a brawling, hard-hitting approach. Brown promoted a mix of local talents and touring stars, ensuring that his shows remained popular and competitive.

    
    

Founding of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)

• Involvement in the NWA Formation (1948):

  • By the late 1940s, Brown had become one of the most respected promoters in the Midwest. Recognizing the fragmented state of professional wrestling and the constant battles over territory, talent, and championships, he sought a way to unify the industry and create a stable business environment.

    
    

  • In 1948, Brown, along with Pinkie George from Iowa and other promoters like Sam Muchnick (St. Louis), Al Haft (Ohio), Harry Light (Detroit), and Tony Stecher (Minneapolis), founded the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). The goal was to create a governing body that would regulate the business, prevent promotional wars, and establish a single, undisputed world champion.

    
    

  • Other promoters Orville Brown worked with as a wrestler before his retirement include Morris Sigel's Gulf Athletic Club out of Houston, Larry Tillman's Montana Sports Enterprises, Stu Hart's Klondike Wrestling from Calgary, George Zaharias' Rocky Mountain Sports Enterprises out of Colorado, Jack Pfeffer Promotions (Los Angeles), Johnny J Doyle Promotions (Los Angeles), Sam Avey's Tri-State Wrestling, Ray Fabiani Sports out of Philadelphia, Roy Welch & Nick Gulas Wrestling Enterprises (Nashville) & the Mississippi Valley Sports Club, ran by Tom Packs & Lou Thesz.

    
    

• Becoming the First NWA World Heavyweight Champion:

  • As one of the co-founders of the NWA, Brown was chosen to be the first NWA World Heavyweight Champion in 1948. His selection was based on his credibility, both as a legitimate wrestler and as a promoter who could be trusted to uphold the values and image of the NWA.

    
    

  • Brown defended the NWA World Heavyweight Championship throughout the Midwest and other territories, helping to establish the title’s legitimacy and importance. His reign was marked by numerous high-profile matches against top competitors from different regions.

    
    

Tragic Accident and Retirement

• Car Accident and the End of His Career (1949):

  • In November 1949, Brown was involved in a severe automobile accident that left him with significant injuries, including a fractured skull, multiple broken bones, and damage to his back and neck. This accident effectively ended his in-ring wrestling career.

    
    

  • Due to his injuries, Brown was forced to relinquish the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. The NWA then recognized Lou Thesz as the undisputed champion by default, further establishing Thesz as one of the greatest champions in professional wrestling history.

    
    

Post-Retirement and Legacy

• Transition to Full-Time Promoter:

  • After his accident, Brown focused entirely on his role as a promoter in Kansas City. He continued to be involved with the NWA and his local promotion, helping to shape the Kansas City wrestling scene. Under his guidance, Kansas City maintained its status as a vibrant wrestling market, with regular shows featuring top NWA talent.

    
    

  • Brown remained an influential figure in the NWA, working behind the scenes to support its growth and the interests of the member promoters. Although his career as an active wrestler was cut short, his work as a promoter helped maintain the stability of the NWA during its formative years.

    
    

• Influence on Midwest Wrestling:

  • Brown’s influence extended beyond just Kansas City. His work in promoting and booking matches helped develop the next generation of wrestling talent in the Midwest, and his territory remained a key area for developing wrestlers and refining their craft.

  • Wrestlers who competed in Kansas City often went on to achieve greater fame in other territories, further cementing Kansas City’s reputation as a breeding ground for future stars.

    
    

Later Years and Death

• Legacy in Wrestling:

  • Brown remained active in wrestling promotion and the business until his death in 1981. He is remembered as a pioneering promoter and an important figure in the creation of the NWA, a foundational organization that played a crucial role in shaping the wrestling industry for decades.

    
    

  • His work helped establish a framework for cooperation and collaboration among promoters, which stabilized the professional wrestling business during the mid-20th century.

    
    

Conclusion

Orville Brown’s impact on professional wrestling was significant, both as a champion wrestler and a promoter. As one of the founding members of the NWA and its first recognized world heavyweight champion, he helped set the standard for what a world champion should be. His efforts in the Kansas City territory helped make it a central part of the NWA network, and his leadership helped bring about a more unified wrestling industry. Although his career was tragically cut short due to injury, his contributions to professional wrestling remain influential and respected.