Big Time Wrestling (Boston)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Professional wrestling |
| Founded | 1960 |
| Founder | Tony Santos Sr. |
| Defunct | 1975 |
| Fate | Ceased operations |
| Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts , United States |
Area served | New England, Eastern Canada, briefly Miami, Florida |
Key people | Tony Santos Sr., Jack Pfefer, Tony Santos Jr., Gene Santos |
| Products | Professional wrestling events and promotions |
Big Time Wrestling was a professional wrestling organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, operating throughout New England from 1960 until 1975. Established by businessman Tony Santos Sr. after the passing of local promoter Paul Bowser, BTW rapidly emerged as Boston's premier wrestling enterprise and a significant rival to the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF).
By joining forces with Jack Pfefer, Santos gained control over the Boston Garden, positioning BTW as a dominant force within the regional wrestling scene. The promotion’s strategy involved hosting frequent events in New England’s popular summer vacation destinations and incorporating a variety of attractions such as female competitors, midget wrestling, and even wrestling animals, broadening its appeal to diverse audiences.
With Pfefer's guidance, BTW earned a reputation as an "outlaw" promotion by featuring "soundalike" wrestlers who imitated well-known figures from the National Wrestling Alliance and WWWF, using this tactic to gain a competitive edge. BTW also acknowledged the Atlantic Athletic Commission World Heavyweight Championship, although its prominence waned after the mid-1960s.
In 1963, the WWWF expanded its presence into Boston under Abe Ford’s leadership, sparking a rivalry centered on BTW’s leading star Frankie Scarpa and WWWF’s Bruno Sammartino. This rivalry drew substantial crowds, especially within Boston’s Italian-American community. However, as Sammartino's popularity grew and WWWF television broadcasts reached New England markets, BTW's audience share declined. Following Scarpa's fatal injury in the ring in 1969, BTW effectively ceased operations for a period.
The promotion experienced a short revival in the mid-1970s under Tony Santos Jr. and Gene Santos before ultimately closing in 1975. The BTW name was later revived by former wrestler Richard Byrne in 2006, expanding to national tours by 2013.
Origins
Tony Santos Sr. launched Big Time Wrestling (BTW) in 1960 following the death of Paul Bowser and Eddie Quinn’s exit from the Boston wrestling scene. Having promoted wrestling since 1952—initially staging events in Medford and Revere, Massachusetts—Santos transitioned to running shows at both Boston Arena and Boston Garden under the Big Time Wrestling banner. He worked alongside various promoters, including a short-lived partnership with Quinn and Johnny Doyle. After Doyle departed to establish World Championship Wrestling (Australia), Jack Pfefer assumed booking responsibilities. The roster featured prominent wrestlers such as Frankie Scarpa and cultivated homegrown talent including The Boston Bruiser, Bull Montana, Gypsy Joe, Jesse James, and Alma Mills. BTW also pioneered one of America’s earliest wrestling schools, contributing to its talent development.
Managing several wrestling teams simultaneously, BTW held events six nights per week during summer months, showcasing a wide range of acts like midget wrestling, women's matches, and even featuring a 300-pound bear named Black Ozzie participating in bouts. Although it did not maintain a regular studio television program, BTW occasionally secured broadcast slots on WMUR-TV (Manchester, NH) and WLNE-TV (Providence, RI).
BTW recognized Edouard Carpentier as its world champion following his 1957 victory over NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz. Even after the NWA reinstated Thesz as champion post-Eddie Quinn’s departure, Santos continued to support Carpentier as champion for his promotion—effectively establishing an independent world title—which led to friction with Northeast promoters like Vince McMahon Sr. and Toots Mondt who subsequently created their own world championship under the WWWF banner.
In April 1961, Bearcat Wright captured the BTW Heavyweight Championship from Killer Kowalski in Boston, marking one of the earliest instances of an African-American wrestler holding a major singles title during the territorial era. Additionally, BTW promoted regional championships including the BTW United States Heavyweight Championship (1959–1974), BTW Women's World Championship (1959–1970), and BTW World Tag Team Championship (1960–1964).
Early promotional conflicts in Boston
During the early 1960s, wrestling promoters engaged in intense competition over the Boston and New York markets, reminiscent of previous territorial disputes. Jack Pfefer joined forces with Tony Santos, a younger promoter, while Toots Mondt aligned with Vince McMahon Sr. Santos successfully secured the Boston Garden for Big Time Wrestling (BTW), establishing a dominant presence in Boston.
Santos encountered rivalry from former wrestler Dom Papaleo, who introduced nationally recognized performers like Dick the Bruiser and Verne Gagne to the Boston scene in an effort to grow his audience share. Despite initiatives such as featuring heavyweight boxer Tom McNeeley as a guest referee, Papaleo’s two events in 1962 did not achieve financial success, prematurely ending his challenge.
Subsequently, Abe Ford, representing the New York-based World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) under McMahon’s leadership, sought to penetrate the Boston market. Ford’s inaugural event in April 1963 was undermined by absences of key wrestlers including WWWF Champion Buddy Rogers, damaging his reputation. A follow-up show with poor attendance forced Ford to withdraw back to New York.
In retaliation, Santos and Pfefer employed aggressive promotional tactics by booking journeyman Isaac Rosario under the ring name "Bruno Sanmartino," deliberately imitating the rising star Bruno Sammartino to confuse audiences and attract media attention. They also introduced sound-alike versions of popular wrestlers such as "Hobo Brazil" and "Pierre Carpentier," leveraging these imitators as a competitive edge despite risks of brand dilution.
This approach helped define Big Time Wrestling's unique brand within Boston’s wrestling landscape, although it was short-lived following Pfefer’s exit. The use of imitation wrestlers became a distinctive feature of the promotion’s business strategy and market influence during this period.
Competition with the WWWF
Tony Santos remained Boston’s primary wrestling promoter until Abe Ford reappeared in 1965 with substantial support from Vince McMahon Sr., launching the WWWF's Heavyweight Wrestling program on WIHS-TV. Ford adopted a confrontational stance against the Santos-Pfefer alliance, including newspaper advertisements criticizing their use of “knockoff” wrestlers. Boston historian Tom Burke highlighted this acrimonious rivalry, emphasizing Ford’s efforts to revive wrestling’s popularity after a lull dominated by Santos and Pfefer.
Big Time Wrestling maintained control of the territory through early 1965; however, Ford’s "World Championship Wrestling" events ran only from July to October due to disappointing attendance figures. Afterward, Ford temporarily stepped away from wrestling to pursue other business interests. During this interval, Jackie Fargo and Buddy Fuller held world champion titles under Santos’ promotion before departing by 1966. In spring 1967, Santos organized a championship tournament awarding the prestigious Ed "Strangler" Lewis belt valued at $10,000. Frankie Scarpa emerged victorious and became Big Time Wrestling’s leading figure.
Ford made a comeback that April with expanded television exposure across four channels, extending his reach throughout New England. Featuring 29-year-old Bruno Sammartino as the main attraction, Ford’s shows attracted average crowds of approximately 10,000 by year-end. Scarpa and Sammartino competed for loyalty among Boston’s Italian-American fans, with Sammartino publicly labeling Scarpa a “phony” champion. The rivalry shifted in late 1967 when Sammartino engaged in a feud with Professor Toru Tanaka over the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship, generating strong fan interest and drawing large audiences at Boston Garden.
Although competition persisted, Scarpa never regained his previous stature as Sammartino gained popularity among younger spectators. Scarpa's death from a heart attack in January 1969 at age 53 dealt a significant setback to Big Time Wrestling, which soon entered an extended period of inactivity. Sammartino’s departure in early 1971 coincided with the WWWF rejoining the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), likely a calculated move by McMahon Sr. to maintain control over the Boston market and prevent any revival of Big Time Wrestling. Aligning with the NWA reinforced WWWF’s dominance in Boston while limiting Big Time Wrestling’s chances for resurgence despite its lasting cult appeal.
Territorial reach
Based in Boston, Big Time Wrestling organized shows twice monthly at the Boston Arena and Boston Garden, while also promoting events throughout New England locations such as Holyoke, North Attleboro, Revere, Springfield, Worcester, Massachusetts, Manchester, New Hampshire, and Portland, Maine.<ref> By collaborating with regional promoters, Santos extended the promotion’s scope to include summer tours in Eastern Canada, notably within The Maritimes and Quebec.<ref> In October 1964, Santos joined forces with Pfefer to co-promote events in Akron, Ohio after a pause in local promotions. Shortly before ceasing operations, Big Time Wrestling even held a show in Miami, Florida.<ref>
Paul Bowser was a pioneer of weekly wrestling broadcasts in Boston with the late 1950s program "Bedlam from Boston"; however, the television initiative was short-lived due to its negative impact on live event attendance.<ref> Santos, who had been mentored by Bowser, had minimal television exposure and instead concentrated on conventional advertising methods such as word of mouth, posters, newspaper advertisements, and producing "The Body Press," an official fan program distributed at live shows.<ref>
Many promoters opted out of expensive TV production by concentrating on events in smaller towns. For instance, Eddie Quinn operated without TV coverage in Boston, and John Cazana attracted large audiences in Knoxville without television support. This strategy also allowed wrestlers to maintain their roles as both "babyface" and "heel" across various territories without compromising kayfabe.<ref>
In 1965, Santos collaborated with Magna Films to create televised episodes believed to have aired on WMUR-TV (Manchester, NH) and WLNE-TV (Providence, RI), although these recordings are now lost. Boston wrestling historian Tom Burke possesses two surviving match tapes from the Boston Arena—the only known video footage of Big Time Wrestling.<ref>
Notable talent
The promotion featured a mix of local Boston talent alongside "journeymen" wrestlers from across the nation. Prominent figures like Killer Kowalski, Bearcat Wright, and Jackie Fargo appeared as Big Time's "traveling world champions" during the period from 1960 to 1964. Leveraging his Southeastern U.S. connections, Tony Santos brought in wrestlers such as Jackie Fargo and Buddy Fuller from NWA Mid-America. Frankie Scarpa emerged as a leading local "babyface" and was one of New England's top stars in the 1960s, notably engaged in a heated rivalry with Bull Curry.
Tony Santos established a wrestling school at 269 Massachusetts Avenue aimed at training new talent and overcoming industry barriers for outsiders. Promoted through publications like Wrestling Revue, the school employed instructors including Bull Montana (Fred Pantano), Gypsy Joe (Tony DeMore), and Gene Dundee (Gene Santos). The women's division was led by Alma Mills—longtime BTW Women's Champion and cousin to Al and Tiny Mills. Notable graduates encompassed Les Thatcher, Rufus R. Jones, Pat Patterson, Luke Graham, Duke Savage, Frank Shields, Carlos Colon, and Robbie Ellis.
Big Time Wrestling acted as an early career platform for wrestlers such as Chris Colt (The Magnificent Maurice Chevalier), Dominic DeNucci, Don Carson, Ron Dupree, Ron and Terry Garvin, Ronnie Hill, Mighty Ursus, Harley Race (under the ring name The Great Gilroy), Cowboy Ron Reed, Ricky Sexton, and Dusty Rhodes. Rhodes made his debut in 1967 after answering a newspaper advertisement; despite lacking prior experience, he used personal connections to secure an opportunity. His initial matches included competing for the BTW World Heavyweight title against Frank Scarpa.
The promotion consistently featured a women's division that included Alma Mills, Bambi Ball, Rita Cortez, Lucille Dupree, Margaret Garcia, Mary Jane Mull, Sylvia Torres, along with pioneering sister tag team Ann and Ruth Lake. Champions such as June Byers, Penny Banner, and Lorraine Johnson were recognized as NWA World Women's Champion and Tag Team Champions respectively. During the early 1960s, The Fabulous Moolah briefly held the women's championship. Following Alma Mills' retirement, Moolah was acknowledged as New England's undisputed women's champion. Additionally, Big Time Wrestling showcased midget wrestlers including Fuzzy Cupid, Irish Jack, Sonny Boy Cassidy, and Tom Thumb.
Style and controversy
Big Time Wrestling (BTW) operated similarly to classic carnival circuit promoters, staging shows at summer resorts throughout New England and presenting a variety of attractions such as midget wrestling, women's matches, and the unique inclusion of Tuffy Truesdale's wrestling animals. These animals featured acts like The Wrestling Alligator and bears including Black Ozzie and Smokey. Among the early popular draws was a series of matches between Black Ozzie and BTW Women's Champion Alma Mills, who had trained the bear for a year and a half prior to their 1959 debut at Martha's Vineyard. These events attracted significant tourist interest, reportedly drawing notable figures such as Senator John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy.
At fairs and carnivals, BTW engaged audiences by offering cash prizes to anyone who could pin company wrestlers, often experienced "shooters" like Killer Curt Douglas and Ronnie Hill. One particular match nearly escalated into a riot when spectators attempted to interfere physically, necessitating intervention by police officers and carnival staff to regain control.
Tony Santos' promotional tactics were shaped by Jack Pfefer, the company's booker during the 1960s, who introduced "sound-alike" wrestlers imitating famous stars to exploit market trends. Examples included performers such as "Hobo" Brazil (Austin Johnson), "Ted" Blassie (Don Carson), and The Great Mortimer (Harley Race), among others, effectively broadening BTW's audience reach.
The wrestling school operated by Santos cultivated strong professional connections; wrestlers like Pat Patterson, Ronnie and Terry Garvin, and Les Thatcher often shared living quarters to reduce expenses. Many leading wrestlers maintained supplementary employment—Boston Bruiser worked as a taxi driver while Frankie Scarpa held a toll collector position. The promotion fostered a culture of frequent practical jokes or "ribs," underscoring the close-knit nature among performers.
One memorable episode involved Terry Garvin placing a false call to a Boston newspaper falsely announcing Santos' death in retaliation for a prank. Additionally, newcomer Joe "Red" Sasso once mistakenly expelled Jack Pfefer from the locker room under the impression he was a homeless person.
In 1963, following The Fabulous Moolah’s loss of the women's championship to Rita Cortez, she severed ties with Pfefer after disputes involving her manager and common-law spouse Buddy Lee.
Legal disputes
In May 1962, Black Ozzie—a 450-pound Canadian black bear featured in BTW’s wrestling acts—escaped while being transported on U.S. Route 1 in Massachusetts. Tony Santos, who had recently sold the bear but remained involved, assisted law enforcement officials including twenty state troopers and local police in an overnight effort to recapture Ozzie. Santos and referee Ken Barbetti pacified the bear with sugar before safely returning her to captivity.
The promotion also encountered legal challenges when Manuel Silvia, an attendee injured after being struck by a wrestler thrown into the front row during an event in September 1962, filed suit against Santos Wrestling Enterprises and venue owner Raymond J. Woodhouse seeking $75,000 in damages. The defense contended Silvia assumed inherent risks by sitting courtside and argued that wrestlers were independent contractors outside Santos’ direct control. Despite this, a jury in Bristol County Superior Court awarded Silvia $7,300. This lawsuit underscored potential liabilities connected with live wrestling shows and influenced the company’s approach to risk management.
Closure
By the year 1970, Boston represented the last remaining segment of the WWWF's so-called "Northeast Triangle," which also included Pittsburgh, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Abe Ford, who had previously served as the local promoter, was replaced by Bobby Harmon and manager Ernie Roth following a dispute with Vince McMahon Sr. Subsequently, Ford initiated legal action against McMahon, accusing him of monopolistic behavior. Wrestling historian Tom Burke posits that McMahon allied with the Santos family to facilitate Ford’s removal from the promotion.
In 1974, Tony Santos Sr. retired from his wrestling career to pursue opportunities in the country music sector alongside producer Buddy Lee at his talent agency. He transferred ownership of Big Time Wrestling (BTW) to his sons, Gene and Tony Jr., who recruited Dr. Jerry Graham from the WWWF to serve as their primary villainous character. Despite this effort, the resurgence was brief; BTW ceased operations in 1975. Gene exited the wrestling scene, whereas Tony Jr. took on the role of chief road agent for the WWWF across Maine and parts of Massachusetts. Later in the 1980s, he collaborated with Killer Kowalski’s International Wrestling Federation and Angelo Savoldi’s International Championship Wrestling.
Sheldon Goldberg, founder of New England Championship Wrestling, identified the rivalry between Ford and the Santos family as a significant chapter in Boston’s wrestling legacy. Jim Cornette characterized Big Time Wrestling as one of America’s earliest "outlaw" wrestling promotions. In 2011, Tom Burke honored the Santos family by inducting them into the New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame, with Tony Sr.’s children Charlotte and Richard Santos accepting the recognition on their behalf.
Resurgence
In 2006, Richard Byrne inaugurated his own version of Big Time Wrestling in Reading, Massachusetts; Byrne had previously performed under Tony Santos during the 1970s. With endorsement from the Santos family, this enterprise is promoted as the legitimate continuation of the original BTW. It achieved attendance milestones within the U.S. independent wrestling circuit during the mid-2000s, including a Killer Kowalski Tribute Show in 2006 that drew 1,100 spectators and a 2009 Danburymania event attended by 1,687 fans featuring John Walters defending the BTW Heavyweight Championship. Starting in 2013, BTW broadened its scope to include national touring schedules.
Personnel
Big Time Wrestling (Boston) functioned as a professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts from 1960 until 1975. Its roster encompassed wrestlers, managers, commentators, announcers, interviewers, and referees.
Male Competitors
| Birth name | Ring name(s) | Years active |
|---|---|---|
| Template:Sort | Mr. Hito | 1961 |
| Template:Sort | Dick the Bruiser | 1960 |
| Template:Sort | Bummy Rogers / Bunny Rogers Rip Collins |
1960–1961 1963 |
| Template:Sort | Ronnie Garvin | 1960 1966–1967 |
| Template:Sort | Mighty Ursus | 1962 |
| Template:Sort | Don Eagle | 1963 |
| Template:Sort | Antonino Rocca Argentina Rocca |
1960–1961 1963 |
| Template:Sort | Guy Brunetti | 1960 |
| Template:Sort | Paul Christy | 1964 |
| Template:Sort | Pat Patterson | 1961–1962 |
- The roster further includes prominent names such as Verne Gagne (active in 1960), Killer Kowalski (1960–1961), Pedro Morales (1962), Dusty Rhodes (1967), among others who played key roles in advancing the promotion's prominence and industry stature during its tenure.*
Female wrestlers
}Midget wrestlers
| Birth name | Ring name(s) | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gloria Barattini | 1961–1962 | ||
| Judy Grable | 1962 | ||
| Sylvia Torres | 1964–1965, 1967 | ||
| Pat Sherry | 1964–1965, 1967 | ||
| Ann Casey | 1962 | ||
| Bambi Ball | 1960–1962 | ||
| Doris Dorsey | 1965–1967 | ||
| Slave Girl Moolah | 1962 | ||
| Fran Gravette | 1962 | ||
| Sweet Georgia Brown | 1962, 1964–1965 | ||
| Alma Mills | 1960–1962, 1964–1965, 1967–1970 | ||
| Cora Coombs | 1968 |
| Birth name | Ring name(s) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Template:Sort | Frenchie LaMont | 1968 |
| Template:SortTemplate:Ref | Cowboy Bradley | 1965–1966 |
| Template:Sort | Brown Panther | 1962 |
| Template:SortTemplate:Ref | Irish Jackie | 1962, 1966 |
| Template:Sort | Dolly Darcel | 1962 |
| Template:SortTemplate:Ref | Sky Low Low | 1962 |
| Template:SortTemplate:Ref | Little Brutus | 1966 |
| Template:SortTemplate:Ref | Little Beaver | 1962 |
| Template:SortTemplate:Ref | Billy the Kid | 1962, 1965–1966 |
Stables and tag teams
| Tag Team/Stable | Members | Active Years |
|---|---|---|
| 'The Bavarian Brothers' | 'Bavarian Brother #1 and Bavarian Brother #2' | '1960' |
| 'Joe & Guy Brunetti' | 'Joe Brunetti and Guy Brunetti' | '1960' |
| 'Fidel & Rafael Castro' | 'Fidel Castro and Rafael Castro' | '1963' |
| 'Bull Curry & Fred Curry' | 'Bull Curry and Fred Curry' | '1965' |
| 'The Fabulous Fargos' | 'Jackie Fargo and Sonny Fargo' | '1962' |
| 'The Fabulous Kangaroos' | 'Al Costello and Roy Heffernan' | '1961' |
| 'Doc & Mike Gallagher' | 'Doc Gallagher and Mike Gallagher' | '1961' |
| 'Terry Garvin & Ronnie Garvin' | 'Terry Garvin and Ronnie Garvin' | '1966–1967' |
| 'The Kalmikoffs (Ivan & Nikita Kalmikoff)' | 'Ivan Kalmikoff and Nikita Kalmikoff' | '1962' |
| 'Ed & Dan Miller' | 'Ed Miller and Dan Miller' | '1960' |
| 'The Scufflin' Hillbillies' | 'Rip Collins and Chuck Conley (1963); Cousin Alfred and Mike Alfred (1966)' | |
| 'Bob & Steve Stanlee' | 'Bob Stanlee and Steve Stanlee' | '1962' |
| 'The Tennessee Hillbillies ' | 'Lil Abner and Big Luke' | '1965' |
| 'The Texas Rebels' | 'Texas Rebel #1 and Texas Rebel #2' | '1960' |
Animal wrestlers
| Birth name | Ring name(s) | Duration active |
|---|
| Birth name | Ring name(s) | Tenure |
|---|
| Company Name and Years Active | |
|---|---|
| Years: | |
| " 1960–1975 | |
Active Titles
| Big Time Wrestling | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Championship | Current Titleholder(s) | Number of Reigns | Date Secured | Duration Held | Venue | Reference |
| BTW Heavyweight Championship | Danny Miles | 1 | 2022 | N/A | N/A | |
Discontinued Titles
... [Additional defunct titles summarized similarly to reduce length] ...| Original Era (1960–1975) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Championship | Introduction Date | Inaugural Champion(s) | Retirement Date | Last Champion(s) | Active Span (Years) | Remarks |
| BTW New England Women's Championship | May 1953 | Lulu Lamar | December 1967 | Lucille Dupree | 14 years | Regional women's title affiliated with Big Time Wrestling. |
| BTW East Coast Tag Team Championship | June 1954 | Jesse James and Antonio Leone | June 1958 | Pat Sullivan and Bob Russell | 4 years | Regional tag team championship under Big Time Wrestling. |
| BTW East Coast Heavyweight Championship | December 1955 | Chief Blue Eagle | August 1970 | Jesse James | 15 years | |
| Revival Period (2006–present) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Championship | Introduction Date | First Champion(s) | Retirement Date | Final Champion(s) | Duration Active (Years) | Remarks |
| BTW Dog Collar Championship | August 31, 2007 | Mr. T.A. |
Mr. T.A. |
Over 1 year |
||
Further reading
External links
- American companies established in 1960
- Companies based in Boston
- Entertainment companies established in 1960
- Entertainment companies disestablished in 1975
- Independent professional wrestling promotions based in Massachusetts
- 1960 establishments in Massachusetts
- 1975 disestablishments in Massachusetts
- Defunct professional wrestling promotions
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment