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Joe Pazandak

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American professional wrestler (1914–1982)
Joe Pazandak
Pazandak, circa 1951
Birth nameJoseph Eugene Pazandak
Born(1914-10-23)October 23, 1914
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedDecember 2, 1982(1982-12-02) (aged 68)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Joe Pazandak
The Dark Secret
Billed height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Billed weight230 lb (100 kg)
Debut1937
Retired1960

Joseph Eugene Pazandak (October 23, 1914 – December 2, 1982) was an American amateur wrestler and a professional wrestler, best known for his ring name Joe Pazandak. Pazandak received the nickname "The Champ" as he ruled the “Beat the Champ” segment on televised wrestling from Los Angeles.

Professional wrestling career

Pazandak made his professional wrestling debut in his hometown in Minneapolis at the age of 22, where he faced Al Loset which ended in a 20-minute time limit draw. As an amateur heavyweight, he won two AAU championships in the Northwest and went on to wrestle at the University of Minnesota before turning professional. Within a year, Pazandak was traveling around the country from Massachusetts to North Carolina to Maryland, mostly as a semi-main event performer. Pazandak served in the United States Army as a sergeant in Africa and Italy during World War II. Pazandak returned to the United States in 1944, after seeing 624 days of active combat. His first match since returning from the war took place in October 1945, where he defeated the highly skilled Ray Steele.

Pazandak's popularity rose in the beginning of June 1951 in Los Angeles. As the inaugural NWA "Beat the Champ" Television Championship, Pazandak defended the title for nine months against top challengers. Press-Telegram once named Pazandak "the most feared man in the wrestling ranks", in reference to his undefeated record on the West Coast.

With Pazandak's amateur wrestling background, in 1948, he was hired to coach amateur wrestlers in New Zealand, which saw him working alongside Karl Pojello. Pazandak also trained Verne Gagne.

Death

Pazandak died on December 2, 1983. He was 68 years old.

Championships and accomplishments

Amateur wrestling

Professional wrestling

References

  1. ^ Tim Hornbaker (2017). Legends of Pro Wrestling: 150 Years of Headlocks, Body Slams, and Piledrivers. Skyhorse Publishing. p. 145. ISBN 978-1-61321-875-4.
  2. ^ Johnson, Steve (May 20, 2016). "Celebrating Hall of Famer Joe Pazandak". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  3. "International Television Tag Team Title (Los Angeles)". Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2020.

External links

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