Birth name Willard Rowe Longson Role Professional wrestler Name Wild Longson | Debut April 1931 Billed weight 240 lb (110 kg) Retired 1960 | |
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Ring name(s) Purple ShadowWild Bill Longson Died December 12, 1982, St. Louis, Missouri, United States | ||
Nwa world heavyweight championship lou thesz c vs wild bill longson part 1
Willard Rowe Longson (June 8, 1906 – December 12, 1982) was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Wild Bill Longson. He spent most of his career in St. Louis, Missouri. He perfected the role of the arrogant heel, and is credited with inventing and popularizing the piledriver.
Contents
- Nwa world heavyweight championship lou thesz c vs wild bill longson part 1
- Nwa world heavyweight championship lou thesz c vs wild bill longson part 2
- Professional wrestling career
- In wrestling
- Championships and accomplishments
- References
Nwa world heavyweight championship lou thesz c vs wild bill longson part 2
Professional wrestling career
Longson was a 3-time National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Champion during the 1940s. He was also the last National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Champion, losing his title to Lou Thesz on July 20, 1948, when Thesz elevated onto Longson's shoulders from the piledriver position and fell into a Thesz press. As a result of this victory, Thesz unified the venerable National Wrestling Association Championship with his own new National Wrestling Alliance World Championship, beginning the process of consolidating all American world championships into one.
Longson retired from professional wrestling in 1960 after sustaining a broken pelvis while riding an unbroken horse. He continued to work in the professional wrestling industry as a booker and promoter until 1977.
Longson died on December 10, 1982 in St. Louis.