Luther Lindsay

Infobox Wrestler
name=Luther Jacob Goodall

img_capt=
names= Luther Lindsay
Luther Lindsey
height= height|ft=6|in=4
weight= convert|235|lb|kg|abbr=on|lk=on
birth_date = birth date|1924|12|30
death_date = death date and age|1972|2|21|1924|12|30
birth_place = Norfolk, Virginia, United States
death_place = Charlotte, North Carolina
resides=
billed=Norfolk, Virginia
Los Angeles, California
trainer=Stu Hart
debut=c. 1951
retired=
website=|

Luther Jacob Goodall (December 30, 1924–February 21, 1972) was an American professional football player and wrestler, known by his ringname Luther Lindsay or Lindsey, who competed throughout the United States with the National Wrestling Alliance as well as international promotions such as All-Japan Pro Wrestling, Joint Promotions and Stampede Wrestling.

For much of the early 1950s and '60s, Lindsay was billed as the U.S. Colored (or Negro) Heavyweight Champion and took part in the first interracial professional wrestling matches held in the United States. Between 1953 and 1956, he faced NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz in a series of matches. Although largely resulting in time limit draws, he was the first African-American to make a challenge to the title and earned Thesz's respect during these bouts publicly praising his wrestling ability.

Career

Early career

As early as 1953, Lindsay was billed as the U.S. Colored or Negro Heavyweight Champion. He was one of the few African-Americans in professional wrestling and, in accordance with state segregation laws at the time, he was only allowed to travel with and compete against other African-American wrestlers during his early career. One of his most frequent opponents was Shag Thomas who he later claimed knew better then any other opponent. [ cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingperspective.com/blacklikeme.html |title=Black Like Me |accessdate= |author=Phantom of the Ring |authorlink= |coauthors=Paul MacArthur and David Skolnick, ed. |date= |year=2000 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=WrestlingPerspective.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] During the late 1950s, he became the first African-American south of Washington D.C. to compete in a wrestling event when he faced Ron Wright in Kingsport, Tennessee. Although the National Guard was brought in amid fears of rioting, the crowd unexpectedly favored Lindsay against Wright. As a result of Lindsay's success in the area, other African-American wrestlers were also brought into the area such as Bearcat Wright and Bobcat Brown [ cite web |url=http://www.kayfabememories.com/Interviews/ronwright-2.htm |title=KM Interviews... Ron Wright |accessdate= |author=Webber, Steve |authorlink= |coauthors=Ron Gott |date=2002-11-11 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=KayfabeMemories.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

Pacific Northwest Wrestling

On October 10, Lindsay defeated Bronko Nagurski in a best 2-of-3 match during the main event at the Tacoma Armory. Nagurski had pinned him after a series of flying tackles and a full body press, however Lindsay recovered to score the second fall after making Nagurski submit to a neckbreaker. Lindsay was eventually awarded the match when referee Freddie Steele disqualified Nagurski after refusing to break a hold. According to promoter Paavo Ketonen, the winner was to receive a title shot against Lou Thesz for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

He was one of several wrestlers who challenged the Seattle Ramblers to a football game known as the "Muscle Bowl" at Lincoln Bowl on October 11. The event was attended by 7,265 fans and was successful in raising as much as $5,000 for the Associated Boys' Clubs of the Tacoma-area. Among the wrestlers who participated, a half-dozen were former collegiate football stars including Lindsay, Pepper Gomez and Frank Stojack. Bronko Nagurski also participated in a dozen plays. Other wrestlers included Ivan Kameroff, the Masked Marvel, Dr. John Gallagher, The Ram, Abe Yourist and Glen Detton. Despite the addition of several players loaned by the Seattle Ramblers, most notably Mel Light, they lost the game 20-6. Lindsay injured his right pinky finger during the game, however the wrestlers later celebrated at Steve's Restaurant.

On October 16, he took part in a 7-man battle royal involving Don Kindred, Bronko Nagurski, Dale Kiser, "Red" Vagnone, Jack O’Reilly, Jack Kiser and the eventual winner Carl Engstrom. Lindsay was the fifth man eliminated in the battle royal and, that same night, fought Jack O’Reilly to a draw. [ cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingclassics.com/wawli/REDUXNos.51-60.html |title=Nagurski To Appear Here |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2003 |month= |format= |work=WAWLI Redux No. 55-56 |publisher=WrestlingClassics.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] He faced Lou Thesz again in a series of matches during late-November. Their first meeting in Tacoma, on November 24, resulted in another draw however he lost to Thesz in Tacoma on November 27 and in Eugene the next night.

NWA Texas

In January 1956, he entered the Dallas-Fort Worth area then promoted by Ed McLemore. On January 10, he faced Duke Keomuka in a best 2-of-3 falls match at the The Sportatorium. Although taking the first pinfall, Keomuka pinned Lindsay with the help of outside interference by Tiny Mills. When referee Roy Carter was knocked unconscious outside the ring, wrestler Danny McShain made the count after Lindsay pinned Keomuka. Although controversial, the third fall was granted to Lindsay by referee decision.

A week later, Lindsay met Keomuka in a best 3-of-5 falls match which stipulated that their cornermen, Danny McShain and Tiny Mills, were to be locked in cages to prevent outside interference. However, both men broke out of their cages during the match and began brawling in the ring. The four men were broken up by referees Ray Gunkel and Otto Kuss who were forced to declare a no-contest. Later during the main event between McShain and Mills, Lindsay appeared to help McShain in his match. He and McShain later took on Duke Keomuka & Tiny Mills for the NWA Texas Tag Team Championship in a best-of-3 falls match at The Sportatorium on January 24. He and McShain lost the third fall by disqualification when Lindsay threw Mills over the top rope.

He returned to the area four months later teaming with Pepper Gomez in a best 2-of-3 falls match against "Iron" Mike DiBiase and Danny Plechas as one of a series of matches for the vacant NWA Texas Tag Team titles on May 22. Plechas pinned Gomez for the third fall and, despite an argument for the match to be awarded to Gomez and Lindsay, Mike DiBiase and Danny Plechas were declared the winners.

Both teams claimed the title however and a rematch was scheduled several days later. He and Gomez were forced to forfeit the match when Lindsay injured his leg during the match. Both Lindsay and Gomez faced Mike and Danny Plechas in singles matches later that night. Lindsay defeated Danny Plechas via disqualification when his partner interfered. Gomez lost his bout with Mike DiBiase when he was counted out.

Martinez & McMahon

tampede Wrestling

Return to Portland

He and Shag Thomas regained the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team titles defeating Ivan Kameroff & Soldat Gorky on July 24, 1963. He and Thomas successfully defended the titles against Soldat Gorky & Dean Ho in August 9. He defeated Dean Ho in a singles match at the end of the month. On September 2, he also teamed with Danny Hodge to defeat Dean Ho & The Destroyer. Several days later, Lindsay became involved in a car accident when he smashed his car into a utility pole to avoid hitting another vehicle. Escaping from the car, he was picked up by passing motorist who brought him to a local hospital for "emergency surgery". [ cite web |url=http://www.legacyofwrestling.com/Auto_Accidents.html |title=Wrestlers Involved in Automobile Accidents |accessdate= |author=Hornbaker, Tim |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2007 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=LegacyOfWrestling.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] He was replaced by Hodge and lost the tag team titles to The Destroyer & Art Michalik in Salem on September 9, 1963.

He and Thomas managed to regain the titles on January 15 although they eventually lost the titles back to The Destroyer & Art Michalik on January 22. Lindsay left the territory soon after.

From Honolulu to Portland

During a brief stint in NWA Hawaii, he enjoyed a brief reign as NWA Hawaii United States Heavyweight Champion before losing the title back to King Curtis Iaukea in June 1964. On July 28, 1964, Lindsay was part of an 18-man battle royal which featured Gene Kiniski, Tosh Togo, Mr. Moto and King Curtis Iaukea. This event was later aired on the first episode of "Big Time Wrestling", a weekly television show which broadcast the first wrestling matches from the Honolulu International Center, and was attended by over 14,000 fans (5,300 of these watched the event live at the Civic Auditorium). The following night, he appeared in the main event against King Curtis Iaukea for the NWA Hawaii United States Championship which sold out the Civic Arena. [ cite web |url=http://www.50thstatebigtimewrestling.com/history2.html |title=The History of Pro-Wrestling in Hawaii |accessdate= |author=Atkinson, Bill |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2007 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=50thStateBigTimeWrestling.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

He returned to the Pacific Northwest later that year and was one of several tag team partners of Pepper Martin. [ cite web |url=http://caulifloweralleyclub.blogspot.com/2007/03/little-about-2007-reunion-mc-pepper.html |title=A little about the 2007 Reunion M.C. Pepper Martin |accessdate= |author=Dollar, Morgan |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2007-03-28 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Cauliflower Alley Club |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] On October 26, he and Pepper Martin defeated Pat Patterson & The Hangman for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team titles. He and Martin successfully defended the title against Pat Patterson & Don Manoukian, although they lost the title back to Pat Patterson & The Hangman in Portland on September 18. Lindsay and Martin continued to feud with the tag team champions defeating Patterson & El Shereef by disqualification on September 21 and El Shereef, Patterson & The Hangman in a 6-man tag team match with Dean Ho on October 5.

He and Martin continued to pursue Pat Patterson & The Hangman defeating them on October 26, however they lost to them twice the following month. He and Dean Ho also lost to Haru Sasaki & The Hangman on November 10. After defeating them on November 20, Lindsay faced Pat Patterson in a singles match and fought him to a draw on December 4. After defeating El Shereef, Patterson & The Hangman in another 6-man tag team match on December 10, he defeated Pat Patterson in a singles match the following night.

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling

Death

Lindsay scored a string of victories the following spring defeating Art Nelson, Bill Bowman, Bobby Paul, Frank Morrell and Johnny Heidman within a six-week period. Despite losing a rematch to Frank Morrell in Charleston, South Carolina on February 11, he and Frank Hester defeated Joe Soto & Tony Romano in Raleigh, North Carolina the following week. On the night of February 21, 1972, Lindsay was facing local wrestler Bobby Paul at Park Center in Charlotte. After only ten minutes into the match, Linsey pinned his opponent with a diving belly-flop. He apparently suffered a fatal heart attack when he made the pin and died on top of his opponent. [ cite web |url=http://www.dory-funk.com/kay-fabe.html |title=Old School Wrestling Stories |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2007 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Dory-Funk.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

When Lindsay did not respond to the referee after scoring the pinfall, the police were called. Lindsay was taken back to the dressing room where he was declared dead shortly thereafter. His body was kept at his old alma mata, Hampton Institute, for a week before his burial. His funeral was attended by several well-known wrestlers including Les Thatcher who was one of the pallbearers.

Championships and accomplishments

Further reading

*Dillon, J.J., Scott Teal and Philip Varriale. "Wrestlers Are Like Seagulls" from McMahon to McMahon". Crowbar Press, 2005. ISBN 0-9745545-2-9
*Erb, Marsha. "Stu Hart: Lord of the Ring". Toronto: ECW Press, 2002. ISBN 1-55022-508-1
*Thesz, Lou. "Hooker: An Authentic Wrestler's Adventures Inside the Bizarre World of Professional Wrestling". Norfolk, Virginia: Wrestling Channel Press, 2001. ISBN 0-9706516-0-0

References

External links

* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/l/luther-lindsay.html Profile at Online World of Wrestling]

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Luther Lindsay

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