A lost footage of Lou Thesz from a major wrestling event has resurfaced on the internet.
Pro wrestling legend Lou Thesz is widely considered to be one of the most influential figures of the sport. An accomplished amateur wrestler in his youth, Thesz would solidify himself as a wrestling juggernaut with multiple world title reigns across the AWA and NWA.
His influence spanned outside the ring as Thesz helped train the likes of Killer Kowalski and young Japanese wrestlers alongside Billy Robinson and Karl Gotch. He is also credited with inventing the German Suplex and the Thesz Press, later adopted by Steve Austin and other prominent wrestlers.
While many wrestling matches featuring Lou Thesz in action have been lost to time, never-before-seen footage of the legendary shooter recently found its way to the internet — courtesy of Joe Dombrowski’s Pro Wrestling Library on YouTube.
Lou Thesz competes in six-man tag team action in lost footage
The clip in question shows a 59-year-old Lou Thesz as he teams with Nelson Royal & Luis Martinez against IWA Tag Team Champions The Mongols (Geto & Bolo) and Eric The Red from 1975. For context about Thesz’s longevity, he started his pro wrestling career in the thirties and would continue well into the nineties.
Here’s an excerpt from the footage’s description: “Our recent search to compile the best, most unique, and historic footage still surviving for the ‘IWA International Championship Wrestling 50th Anniversary Set’ took us down a rabbit hole of wrestling gems. We looked to properly convey the gravity and innovation that was a wrestling company bucking the territorial set-up of the era, and going national via touring and television syndication. From the day’s headliners like Mil Mascaras and Ernie Ladd to cult favorites like The Mighty Igor and Dick ‘Bulldog’ Brower, to young talent just starting their journeys like Afa & Sika, Terry Gordy, and Carlos Colon, they are all represented well on this six-hour compilation. But the true historical scope of the time and place is not felt until you see the great Lou Thesz in action.
“At the time 59-years-old but still in incredible physical condition, Lou had some of his final matches that would be televised in the United States on IWA programming. Widely considered to be the greatest World’s Heavyweight Champion certainly up to that point, if not all-time to this day, Mr. Thesz’s name was already wrestling royalty by the IWA’s run in 1975. While it was a bit jarring at times to see him in such a wild and over-the-top environment, Lou approached it with the same grace, class, and seriousness he approached his most historic title fights.”
Keep checking back with WrestleZone for more from the world of pro wrestling.
