Birth name Richard Hutton Role Professional wrestler Name Dick Hutton | Debut 1952 Ring name(s) Dick Hutton | |
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Born October 4, 1923Amarillo, Texas ( 1923-10-04 ) Education Oklahoma State University–Stillwater | ||
RIP Dead Wrestlers: Richard Hutton
Richard "Dick" Hutton (October 4, 1923 – November 24, 2003) was an American amateur and professional wrestler. He was a three-time NCAA champion and, as a professional, held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
Contents
- RIP Dead Wrestlers Richard Hutton
- Early life
- Professional wrestling career
- Retirement
- Amateur wrestling
- Professional wrestling
- References
Early life
Hutton was born in Amarillo, Texas to Bailey and Gladys Hutton. He had one brother, Jerald Hutton. He moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he became a two-time state finalist for Daniel Webster High School. later on Dick joined the army and was a veteran of World War II. He attended Oklahoma A&M and went on to Oklahoma State University.
While at Oklahoma State University he was the NCAA wrestling champion three times, in 1947, 1948 and 1950 (In 1949 he lost in the finals to Verne Gagne, future professional wrestler).
Also while at Oklahoma State University, he went to the 1948 Olympic Games. He came 5th in Freestyle wrestling.
Professional wrestling career
Hutton made his debut in 1952, in a loss against Bill Longson. Hutton left Tulsa, as it was primarily a territory for light-heavyweight wrestlers, and went to Texas.
While in Columbus, Ohio, in a territory run by Al Haft, Hutton would wrestle members of the audience. Beating Hutton would've earned the fan $1,000. No one ever won.
Hutton developed a friendship with Lou Thesz. Thesz chose Hutton to be the next NWA Champion, winning the title from himself. On November 14, 1957, in Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens 10,000 people saw Hutton beat Thesz for the belt after 35:15, when Thesz submitted to an abdominal stretch.
He teamed regularly with Gene Kiniski in Toronto.
On January 9, 1959, after a championship reign of 421 days, Hutton dropped the belt to Pat O'Connor.
Hutton never really had much other success in professional wrestling. He was criticised by some people for having a lack of charisma with poor drawing ability. However, many other wrestlers praised his wrestling ability.
Retirement
Hutton was forced into retirement because of heart trouble and other injuries. He lived out the rest of his life with Katherine, his second wife. He died on November 24, 2003.