Pedro Martinez

Pedro Martinez was a significant figure in professional wrestling, particularly in the northeastern United States, where he was involved in promoting several territories. Pedro was originally from Spain but moved to the United States, where he found a passion for the wrestling business. Martinez is best known for his role in establishing the National Wrestling Federation (NWF), as well as for his promotional activities in Manhattan & Buffalo, New York, and Cleveland, Ohio. His efforts in the 1960s and 1970s helped shape the landscape of wrestling in these regions and played a part in the evolution of the professional wrestling industry as a whole.

### **Early Promotion: Upstate Athletic Club (Buffalo) (1949-1952)**

Pedro Martinez began his wrestling promotion career in Buffalo, New York, in the late 1940s. He became involved with the **Upstate Athletic Club**, a wrestling promotion that operated under the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) banner and was primarily run by **Ed Don George**, a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Martinez worked closely with George, helping to promote wrestling events in Buffalo, Rochester and the surrounding Western New York area.

However, by **1952**, Martinez and Ed Don George had a falling out, reportedly over business disagreements and conflicting promotional strategies. The split led Martinez to leave the Upstate Athletic Club and look for new opportunities in the professional wrestling industry.

### **Move to Manhattan Wrestling Enterprises (1952-1953)**

After his departure from the Upstate Athletic Club, Pedro Martinez moved to New York City to work with **Toots Mondt** at **Manhattan Wrestling Enterprises**. Mondt was a key figure in professional wrestling and partnered with **Jess McMahon** (and later his son, **Vince McMahon Sr.**) to form the precursor to what would eventually become the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), later WWE.

Martinez's time with Manhattan Wrestling Enterprises was brief, lasting from late **1952 to 1953**. He quickly clashed with Toots Mondt over creative and promotional differences. Martinez felt he was not given enough control or credit for his contributions to the promotion and decided to part ways with Mondt, leading to his return to the Buffalo area.

### **NWA Buffalo Promoter (1955-1970)**

In **1955**, Pedro Martinez returned to Buffalo and secured a license to promote wrestling events under the NWA banner. He took over the Buffalo territory and began running shows under the name **NWA Buffalo**. This promotion became the primary source of wrestling in the Western New York area, and Martinez successfully built it up over the next 15 years.

Martinez ran regular events at the **War Memorial Auditorium** in Buffalo, as well as in other cities in the region, such as Rochester and Syracuse. By the early 1960s, Martinez expanded his promotional efforts to Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland had a rich wrestling history, with a strong fan base and regular shows being held at venues like the Cleveland Arena. Martinez capitalized on this existing fan base by promoting shows under his own banner, developing his presence in both Buffalo and Cleveland simultaneously

He booked many of the top stars of the era, including **Lou Thesz**, **Buddy Rogers**, **Bobo Brazil**, **The Sheik**, and many others. During this period, Martinez became known for his willingness to take risks on new talent and creative storylines, which helped distinguish his promotion from others.

Despite being aligned with the NWA, Martinez was known for his independence and occasionally clashing with other NWA promoters, particularly when it came to talent-sharing agreements and booking practices.

### **Formation of the National Wrestling Federation (NWF) (1970-1974)**

Around **1970**, seeing an opportunity to expand his influence beyond the Buffalo region, Martinez decided to break away from the NWA and form his own promotion, the **National Wrestling Federation (NWF)**. The NWF was initially based in Buffalo and Cleveland, Ohio, but Martinez had ambitions to create a national promotion that could compete with the NWA and the growing World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF).

The NWF featured a strong roster of talent, including **Johnny Powers** (who became the promotion's top babyface), **Johnny Valentine**, **Ernie Ladd**, **The Sheik**, Dick The Bruiser, **Abdullah the Butcher**, and others. The promotion also created its own championships, such as the **NWF World Heavyweight Championship**, which Johnny Powers held several times, and the **NWF World Tag Team Championship** & NWF North American Heavyweight Championship. Martinez frequently used Powers as the centerpiece of his promotion, building storylines and feuds around him.

Martinez's NWF was known for its hard-hitting style, bloody feuds, and charismatic stars. It attracted significant crowds in Buffalo, Cleveland & Akron and gained some notoriety in wrestling circles. However, despite its success in these regional markets, the NWF struggled to expand nationally. The promotion faced competition from the larger and more established NWA and WWWF, and it struggled to secure consistent television deals.

By **1974**, the NWF was facing financial difficulties. Martinez, recognizing the challenges of competing against more powerful promotions, decided to sell his shares in the NWF to Johnny Powers and other investors. The NWF continued for a short time under Powers' leadership but ultimately closed its doors later that same year.

### **Later Career and Legacy (1974 and Beyond)**

After stepping back from the NWF, Pedro Martinez remained active in the wrestling business, although on a smaller scale. He continued promoting sporadic shows in Buffalo and other parts of New York throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. He also consulted with other promoters and maintained relationships with wrestlers and other industry figures he had worked with over the years.

Martinez is remembered as a resilient and innovative promoter who made a significant impact on the wrestling industry in the northeastern United States. His willingness to take risks and challenge the status quo helped foster a competitive wrestling environment in Buffalo and Cleveland. The NWF, despite its relatively short lifespan, is remembered for its high-quality matches and for giving a platform to several wrestlers who would go on to become stars in other promotions.

Pedro Martinez's career reflects the volatile nature of professional wrestling promotion during the mid-20th century, a time when territorial promoters had to navigate fierce competition, shifting alliances, and changing public tastes to stay afloat.