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Posts Tagged ‘Joe Tangaro’

Bill Apter and Ed Smith Inducted into the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame

Posted by flairwhoooooo on October 23, 2015

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Jimmy Harris, Bill Apter, Herb Simmons and Tony Casta with SICW ring announcer Dr. Drew in the background.

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Ed Smith’s family proudly receive his plaque in his honor.

Missouri Wrestling Revival was on hand for the final two inductions into the 2015 St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame in East Carondelet, Illinois at SICW on October 17th. Earlier this summer at the historic South Broadway Athletic Club wrestlers Ken Patera and Joe Tangaro were inducted and the final honorees wrestling journalist Bill Apter and Wrestling at the Chase referee Ed Smith were entered into the Hall.

Fans were thrilled to meet Bill Apter prior to the event to meet him and purchased his new book “Is Wrestling Fixed? I Didn’t Know It Was Broken: From Photo Shoots and Sensational Stories to the WWE Network, Bill Apter’s Incredible Pro Wrestling Journey “.

Though Ed Smith is no longer with us, his memory is very much alive as many family members were in attendance including his son and former wrestler Keith Smith, and grandson and 3rd generation wrestler Keith Smith Jr.

Congratulations to all of those that were honored in 2015.

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Ken Patera and Joe Tangaro Inducted into the St. Louis Hall of Fame

Posted by flairwhoooooo on July 20, 2015

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Pictured in the photo are SICW Promoter Herb Simmons, MMWA Promoter Tony Casta, ring announcer Ben Simon, Hall of Fame committee member Nick Ridenour, 2015 Hall of Famer Ken Patera and MMWA’s Tim Miller.

By Brian Kelley

The St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame showcases talents that flourished during the days of (and prior to) the St. Louis Wrestling Club. The Hall features 33 legends including: Lou Thesz, Ric Flair, Harley Race, Bill Longson, Bruiser Brody, Penny Banner, and Sam Muchnick.

The 2015 inductees are: Ken Patera, Joe Tangaro, Eddie Smith, and Bill Apter. The first two, Patera and Tangaro, were honored at the historic South Broadway Athletic Club on July 11th.

Former NWA Missouri Champion and Olympic strongman Ken Patera was in attendance for his induction. On April 25th, 1980, Patera defeated Kevin Von Erich for the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship and lost the title to Ted DiBiase on November 21. He dethroned Jack Brisco to regain the belt on October 23, 1981. Patera would go on to wrestle for the AWA and the WWF in the 80’s.

Joe Tangaro was also honored July 11th at South Broadway. Tangaro was a wrestler, referee, and restaurant manager who won the hearts of fans in Saint Louis. He passed away in 1997 at age 70 after suffering from ALS. He was the president of the local chapter of ALS research and helped to raise thousands of dollars to battle the disease locally and nationally.

The Hall of Fame was founded in 2007 by legendary Saint Louis announcer Larry Matysik, promoter Herb Simmons, promoter Tony Casta, sports journalist Keith Schildroth, and longtime fan Nick Ridenour. All except Schildroth remain on the Board.

The inductions are split for two dates. Eddie Smith and Bill Apter are to be formally inducted at an SICW event in October.

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