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Abe Jacobs

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For the Broadway sound designer, seeAbe Jacob.

Abe Jacobs
Jacobs being pinned byDavid Von Erichin 1981
Birth nameAbner Robert Jacobs
Born(1928-06-18)18 June 1928
Chatham Islands,New Zealand
Died21 August 2023(2023-08-21)(aged 95)
Charlotte, North Carolina,U.S.
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)
  • Abe Jacobs
  • Red Pimpernel
Billed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1]
Billed weight230 lb (100 kg)[1]
Billed fromWellington,New Zealand[2]
Trained byThe Zebra Kid
Debut1958
Retired1981

Abner Robert Jacobs(18 June 1928 – 21 August 2023) was a New Zealandprofessional wrestler.He was one of the first men to follow fellow New ZealanderPat O'Connorto the United States where, like O'Connor, Jacobs became a major star in theNational Wrestling Allianceduring the "Golden Age of Wrestling".One of the most recognisable"babyfaces"during this period, he was billed as the "Jewish Heavyweight Champion" and wrestled in a number of high-profile matches with many stars of the era including numerous bouts againstNWA World Heavyweight ChampionsLou Thesz,Gene Kiniski,Buddy Rogers,Dick Huttonand Pat O'Connor. His bout against O'Connor in 1961, which aired onCapitol Wrestling's weekly television show, was the first time two New Zealanders wrestled for achampionship titleon foreign soil.

Jacobs was also an established journeyman wrestler, touring Europe and Japan on several occasions, travelling around the world four times and wrestling over 8,000 matches in his 30-year career. Although never reaching the heights of O'Connor as a singles wrestler, he was very successful as a "tag teamspecialist "winning theNWA Florida-version of theNWA World Tag Team ChampionshipwithDon Curtis,theNWA Los Angeles International Television Tag Team ChampionshipwithHaystacks Calhoun,and theNWA Western States Tag Team ChampionshipwithPez Whatley.Other partners included George Becker,Antonino Rocca,Sailor Art Thomas,Klondike Bill,Man Mountain Mikeand "Coloured Heavyweight Champion"Luther Lindsay.

Jacobs spent the final years of his career in the Carolinas where he became a mainstay for Jim Crockett'sNWA Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestlingduring the 1970s and early-1980s. Best remembered by "modern" American wrestling fans as an undercard wrestler, he was the first opponent of"The Nature Boy" Ric Flairwhen making his debut in the promotion in 1974. Flair's victory over an established veteran such as Jacobs was a critical step in his early career and is partially credited for helping Flair become a major star in the Mid-Atlantic territory.

During his 10-year career in theamateur ranks,Jacobs won seven provincial titles, was a runner-up to the nationals and a winner of the national championships. Jacobs is credited for creating the "Kiwi Leg Roll", a modified amateur submission hold, which was especially popular among fans and to date has never been duplicated. He was also widely respected in the industry, managingRicky Steamboat's gym during the 1990s, and was officially inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Hall of Fame in 2008. Although he was not as well known in his native country in his professional career, Jacobs was named one of the "Top Ten New Zealand Born Wrestlers" by Fight Times Magazine, and was alsofeatured on a special commemorative editionof theNew Zealand ten-dollar note.

Early life and amateur career[edit]

Abner Robert Jacobs was born on 18 April 1928,[3]on the isolatedChatham IslandsinNew Zealand,where he was also raised. His father managed acattle stationwith 6,000 head of sheep and a few thousand cattle. Jacobs had a very rural upbringing working on the station and regularly travelled long distances by horseback;[4]he once rode 85 miles in a two-day ride. At the age of 13, Jacobs broke his first horse and herded 1200 head of sheep on a three-day trip to be shipped to the mainland, and began trainingsheep dogs.He also attended a localelementary schooland completedhigh schoolvia acorrespondence course.He saw his first automobile as a young man inChristchurch[5][6]and his first television set while competing in Hawaii years later.[7]

In the late-1940s, he became interested in professional wrestling while listening to live radio broadcasts, aired twice a week by theDominion Wrestling Union,[5]and reading the local newspapers. He was once able to hear a match betweenGorgeous Georgeand George Temple being broadcast inSan Diegofor 20 minutes before the signal faded. He would later have the opportunity to wrestle many of these wrestlers while competing professionally in the United States.[7][8]

Jacobs began weightlifting which, in addition to working on his family's ranch, would give him a distinct strength advantage when he started his amateur wrestling career as a teenager. Although conventional wisdom discouraged weight training at the time, then believed that becoming "muscle bound" would slow speed and agility, Jacobs continued working out after reading a magazine article which claimed that the fastest Olympian was an Egyptian lightweight power lifter.[8]He was invited to an Easter Camp, where amateur wrestlers had the opportunity to train with the 1952 light heavyweight Olympic Champion, but was forced to leave by the head of the wrestling association for his weightlifting.[9]

Despite this setback, he eventually won three Canterbury Provincial Titles, four Wellington Provincial Titles and runner-upsilver medalistin the New Zealand Nationals. Jacobs later won the New Zealand Championship[5]and held the title until 1953 when he was defeated byJohn da SilvainWellington.[10]He also tried out for the1956 Olympics[4][6][8]but lost to another wrestler by one point.[7]

Professional career[edit]

Early career (1958-1959)[edit]

After the Olympic trials, Jacobs decided to wrestle as a professional and was trained byThe Zebra Kid.He was assisted byAl Costello,whom he trained with as an amateur, and future tag team partnerDon Curtis.[7][11]Jacobs made his professional debut against his trainer, the Zebra Kid, inHastingsin 1958;[5]substituting for George McKay, their match served as the main event. It was during this match that he debuted his trademark submission hold, the "Kiwi Roll", which was covered by local newspapers the following day.[9]After wrestling nearly a dozen matches for theNew Zealand Wrestling Union,among his opponents being Ricky Waldo, Tony Olivas,Dick Hrstich,Andre Drapp, Fred Wright and Jack Bence, he was brought over to the United States where he worked for promoter Al Karasick in Hawaii.[5][6][8]This was one of the most popular territories to work for at the time due to its high salaries, little travel time and, due to the promotion running only three shows a week, there was generally plenty of recreational time.[4][12]

Capitol Sports and Jim Crockett Promotions (1958-1965)[edit]

Three months later, he arrived in the continental United States and spent a year forVince McMahon, Sr.inCapitol Sports,[8][12]then based inWashington D.C.,and began appearing on their weekly television show in 1958. As one of their up-and-coming"babyfaces",Jacobs was billed as the "Jewish Heavyweight Champion".[13][14]He took on the promotion's top"heel"NWA United States Heavyweight Champion"Nature Boy" Buddy Rogersthat same year which sawHaystacks Calhouninterfere in the match.[15]The match was recorded onkinescopeand, later featured onWrestling's Greatest Villains of the Golden Era,[16][17]is one of the oldest surviving matches from that era. Jacobs met Buddy Rogers on eight occasions during his career, the majority for the United States Championship, and at least once for theNWA World Heavyweight Championship.[18]

On 23 February 1959, Jacobs made his debut at its home arena atMadison Square GardeninNew York Cityappearing on the undercard againstkayfabeNazi sympathizerKarl Von Hessdefeating him via disqualification. His feud with Von Hess caused some controversy when, during a pre-match interview with announcerRay Morgan,Von Hess said that Jacobs' family"better start saying theKaddish"(Jewish Prayer for the Dead); his threatening words generated telephone calls, hate mail and resulted in a probe by theFederal Bureau of Investigation.[19]He later scored victories over Kenny Ackles,[20]Johnny Valentine,The Sheik,"Wild" Bull CurryandDr. Jerry Graham.[18]He also briefly teamed withAntonino Roccaand together fought Dr. Jerry &Eddie Graham.[21]In January 1960, Jacobs facedBruno Sammartinowho later became the promotion's top star for over a decade.[4][22]

Shortly afterwards, Jacobs began touring in other parts of the United States and in Canada where he won the NWA North American Championship inNorth Bay.On 28 February 1961, he wrestled then NWA World Heavyweight ChampionPat O'Connorat Sunnyside Garden inQueens, New York.[21][23]This was not only the first meeting between the two men but was the first time two New Zealanders wrestled for achampionship titlein a foreign country.[18]This match later aired on Capitol Wrestling's TV show however, unlike his bout with Rogers, no known footage survives of this match.[4]On 5 July of that year, Jacobs wrestled also Rogers for the NWA World title inNorfolk, Virginia.[24]The two wrestled for 55 minutes before Jacobs fell from the ring after missing a flying tackle and injured his shoulder. Jacobs also wrestled in Detroit and Chicago and, while in the latter city, he took part in the firstComiskey Parkshow wrestling"Rubberman" Johnny Walkerin front of 36,000 fans.[12][18][25]

WhenJim Crockett, Sr.was looking for outside talent, Jacobs was recommended by McMahon and brought intoJim Crockett Promotionsin early 1961. His first run in the territory lasted a year and a half during which time he wrestledSwede Hanson[26]and teamed with George Becker[27]andHaystack Calhoun.He also teamed with The Flying Scotts (George&Sandy Scott) in 6-man tag team matches.[28]In later years, Crockett paired him with other "big men" such as Sailor Art Thomas,Klondike Billand Man Mountain Mike.[29]Jacobs eventually left the Mid-Atlantic area for the West Coast to team withHaystack Calhounin the fall of 1962. Together they won theNWA Los Angeles International Television Tag Team Championshipfrom Sir Alan Garfield & Karl Von Schober on 31 October, and lost the titles toThe DestroyerandDon Manoukianthe following month.[4]Though he returned to the Carolinas afterwards, Jacobs continued to travel throughout the United States and elsewhere for much of his career.[8][21]

In between wrestling for Crockett, he won the NWA North American Championship inNorth Bay, Canada.On 5 May 1964, he andDon CurtisdefeatedHiro Matsuda&Duke KeomukainTampa, Florida,to win theNWA World Tag Team ChampionshipinNWA Florida.[11]The two held the titles for over a month before losing the belts toChris&John TolosinJacksonville.[30][31]In late 1964, he and Curtis competed in a 10-man tag team tournament held by promoter Cowboy Luttrell in Tampa and Miami to earn a title shot against to meetEddie Graham&Sam Steamboatfor theNWA Florida Tag Team Championship.The other four teams includedTarzan Tyler& Joe McCarthy,Tony Marino& Steve Bolus, The Russian Wolfmen, andThe Executioners.Jacobs and Curtis defeated The Russian Wolfmen to advance to the finals where they lost to The Executioners.[32]Jacobs also challenged several NWA World Heavyweight Champions during the mid-to-late 1960s.[4][8]On 11 February 1965, he took onLou Theszin front of over 2,500 fans at the Norfolk Arena.[18][21]This match was a besttwo out of three falls matchand lasted nearly 30 minutes with Thesz taking the first and third falls. Their match also received significant coverage from local media, most notably,The Virginian-Pilot.[6][33]Jacobs again faced Thesz in Richmond on 5 November 1965.[34]

Travels around the world (1966-1981)[edit]

Like many New Zealand wrestlers, Jacobs also competed internationally during this period wrestling in 25 different countries and travelling around the world four times. In 1966, Jacobs travelled to Japan where he wrestled as themasked wrestlerRed Pimpernel.He returned to Japan three or four times and, as a "heel" wrestler, was a frequent opponent ofAntonio Inoki.[12]These matches were very popular with Japanese audiences and, according to Jacobs, he was once hit with an umbrella by a fan during one of their bouts.[9]As Red Pimpernel, he wrestled Lou Thesz for the NWA World Championship there as well. He also spent time in most ofSoutheast Asia,Australasia,South America,andEurope.[4][5][6]Though he spent the majority of his time in the United States, Jacobs was much more financially successful when wrestling internationally. In South Africa, for example, he received 25% of the gate as well as a winner/loser purse.[21]

As in Japan, South African promoters usedheavyweight wrestlersand had strict weight requirements. Jacobs usually weighed around 250 pounds during his career, but had increased to around 270 pounds for his tour.[8]On his way to South Africa, he had a case offood poisoningfrom aChinese restaurantinIndiaand his weight had dropped to 240 by the time he arrived.[6]

On the day of his arrival in South Africa, Jacobs was unexpectedly picked up by a promoter from hisJohannesburghotel and brought before the South Africa Wrestling Commission. Though he had previously sent publicity information, pictures and other promotional material, he was required to wrestle in front of the athletic commission before he could receive a licence. Despitetravel fatigueand the high altitude (Johannesburg being 6,000 feet above sea level) Jacobs defeated three different wrestlers.[12]

The promoter, Bull Heffer, was upset upon seeing Jacobs and had believed he lied about his weight. Heffer was also concerned about putting Jacobs against the South African Champion, a nearsuper heavyweight,since Jacobs looked so small in comparison. Two weeks after meeting with the South Africa Wrestling Commission, while wrestling inPretoria,he and other wrestlers were weighed by the promoter. Jacobs, then wrestling with a"heel"cowboyin-ring persona,secretly put weights in his pockets andcowboy bootsin order to pass the weight requirements.[12]

Jacobs drew particular ire from South African wrestling fans when, shortly before his upcoming match with the South African Champion, he confessed in a newspaper interview he did not even know the name of his opponent. Around this time, Jacobs and several other wrestlers were attending arugby gamein Johannesburg when, while wearing his cowboy hat, he was recognised by the crowd. Many of the 10,000 people in attendance began chanting "Hey Yankee – Go Home" and soon began pelting him with oranges. He and the other wrestlers were eventually forced to leave the stadium, however, Jacobs decided to change his clothes and, putting on a friend's jacket and baseball cap, he and the other wrestlers returned to the stadium and watched the rest of the game undisturbed.[12]

Returning to North America between his overseas trips, Jacobs wrestled throughout Canada as well as the United States. In the former country, his travels took him tothe Maritimes,Montreal,Toronto,Vancouver,andOntario.Once inNova Scotia,Jacobs was challenged by a disruptive wrestling fan who had been harassing wrestlers and the crowd alike. At one point, this fan had to be escorted from the building after entering the ring and using the house microphone to taunt the wrestlers. After breaking into the locker room to confront the wrestlers, the promoter agreed to pay Jacobs to wrestle the fan. Jacobs was easily able to put the man in a submission hold during their match and made the fan apologise to the crowd before releasing the hold.[8]While in Nova Scotia, Jacobs teamed with and, at least on one occasion, wrestled another fellow New Zealander,Steve Rickard,while inHalifax,and later reunited in the Carolinas years later.[4]

He also travelled toAustraliawhere he wrestled forWorld Championship Wrestling.On one tour, he wrestled every night he was there and appeared on three televised shows inBrisbane,Sydney,andMelbourne.While in the Pacific, he made occasional appearances in New Zealand[18]for promoter Ernie Pinches, where he teamed with popular Samoan wrestler Tau Paa Paa,[4][18]and later in Steve Rickard's All Star Pro-Wrestling near the end of his career.[4]

Later career in NWA Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (1965-1983)[edit]

Throughout his career, Jacobs maintained a very heavy ring schedule regularly wrestling five or six matches a week. With the exception of 10-minute televised bouts, his average matches lasted at least 30 minutes with many going over an hour.[6][8]He travelled an average of around 3,000 miles per week and headlined cards with some of the top wrestlers in Canada and North America including Lou Newman, "Big" Bill Miller, Buddy Rogers, Dick the Bruiser, Ray Stevens, Hans Schmidt, "Whipper" Billy Watson and Wilbur Snyder.[18]He also met a number of NWA World Heavyweight Champions during this period includingGene Kiniski,[35]Dick Hutton,Buddy RogersandDory Funk, Jr.[36]during the mid-to late 1960s.

One of the reasons Jacobs was able to eventually immigrate to the United States was because he was wrestling at a "World Championship"level. When Jacobs competed in the US, he was under awork visawhich limited his time wrestling in the country. There were times when would be unable to compete in the country at all due tonational origins quotasset by theUnited States Immigration and Naturalization Service.With the passage of theImmigration Act of 1965,Jacobs was able to apply for permanent residence and eventual citizenship. As part of the application process, he was required to show that he was not taking any work away from US citizens and, meeting with the Immigration and Labor Department, he presented to immigration officials proof with posters advertising himself wrestling Lou Thesz for the World Title in Miami in 1964.[21][37]

For much of the 1960s and early 1970s, Jacobs headlined shows forJim Crockett'sNWA Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling.By this time in his career, Jacobs was well known as a "tag team specialist",the territory being known as a" hotbed "for tag teams at the time, having teamed withSailor Art Thomas,Klondike Bill andMan Mountain Mike[29]and faced teams such as Aldo Bogni &Bronco Lubich[38]and Atlantic Coast Tag Team ChampionsRip Hawk&Swede Hanson(managed by General Homer O'Dell).[21][39]One of his most favourite tag team partners during this period wasLuther Lindsay[40]who, similar to Jacobs, was once billed as the "Coloured (or Negro) Heavyweight Champion". They feuded with themasked tag teamThe Infernos with manager Jimmy Dykes, one of their matches nearly selling out theDorton ArenainRaleigh, North Carolina,[9]as well as theMinnesota Wrecking Crew(Gene&Ole Anderson) during the late 1960s.[41]The two were ranked #15 of the top 20 tag teams in the world byRing Wrestlingin December 1968.[42]

Within a few years, however, Jacobs began cutting back on his ring schedule, making his last Japanese tour in 1973,[43]and settled down in the Carolinas, where he purchased a horse ranch,[18]and wrestled primarily for Jim Crockett for the rest of his career. Crockett's promotion, NWA Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, was one of the major territories of the decade and where he had started early in his career. AfterGeorge Scotttook over as booker, he was used as anundercard wrestlerand faced younger up-and-coming wrestlers. In May 1974, Jacobs was the first opponent of"The Nature Boy" Ric Flairduring his first run in the territory, defeating him at theCharlotte Coliseum,[44]and wrestled tag team matches against Flair andRip Hawkwith a number of different partners.[4]Flair's victory over Jacobs, then an established veteran, was partially credited for the young wrestler's early success in the promotion and his eventually becoming one of its biggest stars during the next decade.[9][45]Though he had been a popular wrestler in the territory while wrestling for Crockett, Jacobs was of the few older veterans who did not win any titles. However, he did win theNWA Western States Tag Team Championshipwith"Pistol" Pez Whatley[4][6][8]inAmarillo, Texas,two years later.

In the summer and fall of 1975, Jacobs wrestled for promoterFritz Von Erich'sWorld Class Championship Wrestlingwhere he facedSteve Strong,Skip Young,John Tolos,Mike Paidousis, Hans Schroeder, Bruiser Blackwell,Buddy Wolfe,andRed Bastien.[46]That same year, he wrestledSuperstar Billy Grahamat theGreensboro Coliseumon 3 April 1975.[47]In Georgia, Jacobs feuded with another young wrestler,Randy Savage,during the summer of 1977. During one of these meetings, he andRoberto Sotodefeated Savage and Bill Howard in a tag team match at the Atlanta City Auditorium on 3 June 1977.[48]He was also brought toMaple Leaf Wrestlingby Toronto promoterFrank Tunneywhere, on 22 October 1978, he fought British wrestler Geoff Portz to a lime-limit draw at theMaple Leaf Gardens.[49]When George Scott left for theWorld Wrestling Federationin 1981,Ole Andersontook over as head booker for the promotion. Due to personal differences with Anderson, Jacobs was no longer booked in the territory.[9]

Jacobs spent the rest of the year wrestling for promoterPaul JonesinGeorgia Championship Wrestlingwhere he took on such foes asThe Masked Superstar[50]and"Iron" Mike Sharpe,and teamed with Ted Oates andGeorge Welles.[51]On 5 September edition ofGeorgia Championship Wrestling (1971–1982) on WTBSwhere he and Ken Hall unsuccessfully challengedNWA National Tag Team ChampionsJimmy Snuka&Terry Gordy.[52][53]He also worked inFlorida Championship Wrestling.One of his last matches in the United States was againstDavid Von ErichinMiamion 16 December 1981,[54]and made appearances forSteve Rickard's All Star Pro-Wrestling in New Zealand, before retiring that same year.[4]By the end of his career, he had wrestled in over 8,000 matches in 25 different countries.[8]

Jacobs briefly came out of retirement for the first nine months of 1983 and wrestled a number of opponents including"Wild" Bill White,Ken Timbs,Masa Fuchi,Ricky Harris,Kelly Kiniski,The Magic Dragon, and John Bonello. On 9 April 1983, he andMike DaviswrestledThe Great Kabukiin ahandicap match.He also took part in tag team matches with Mark Fleming and Glen Lane against Frank Monte & Jim Dalton and Masa Fuchi & Ricky Harris respectively. His last match was against John Bonello at theMemorial AuditoriuminGreenville, South Carolina,on 19 September 1983.[55]

Post-retirement[edit]

In the years following his retirement, Jacobs remained in North Carolina and managed several gyms includingRicky Steamboat's facility inCharlotte.While living in Charlotte, he also made occasional visits to his family ranch in New Zealand. On 20 May 1995, he was one of several legendary wrestlers in attendance forSmoky Mountain Wrestling's "Carolina Memories"supercardat the Grady Cole Center includingMr. Wrestling,Nelson Royal,Swede Hanson,Johnny Weaver,Magnum T. A.and ex-refereeTommy Young.[56][57]While looking after Steamboat's gym, Jacobs was contacted by the manager ofAbe Jacobs, Jr.,an independent wrestler then competing on the local"indy circuit",who invited him to be in his corner in an upcoming match inAsheville.She later brought Abe Jacobs, Jr. to the gym and wanted him to teach her wrestler how to perform the "Kiwi Leg Roll" finisher. Jacobs declined both offers.[9]

Jacobs later began spending time between Charlotte and New Zealand where he bought a sheep and cattle ranch in the Chatham Islands. He has been involved in a number of local charity events, especially charity golf tournaments, organised by retired NFL playersRoman GabrielandBrad Johnson.[9]In 1999, he wasfeatured on a special commemorative editionof theNew Zealand ten-dollar noteby theChatham Islands Note Corporationfor theMillennium.[5]

Jacobs was also recognised by theinternet wrestling communityin the early 21st century. In January 2004, arranged viaGeorge South,Jacobs was interviewed by MidAtlanticGateway.com where he discussed both his amateur and professional career.[7]In December 2007, he was interviewed bySLAM! Sports.As well as discussing his career, Jacobs stated that he no longer watches professional wrestling, partly due to being unfamiliar with most of the current stars, as well as commenting on the dangerous risks wrestler's take in regards to modernhardcore wrestlingwarning that "no one can get away with such a style and walk away without incurring serious injuries". Jacobs also talked about the end of the television era and the dominance ofWorld Wrestling Entertainmentin professional wrestling.[8]In recent years, he has also been interviewed byWrestling Perspective Newsletter[58]and often made appearances at legend's reunions and conventions such as the annualCauliflower Alley Club.[4]

In February 2008, Jacobs was among the Mid-Atlantic territorial wrestlers and wrestling personalities who attended the funeral ofJohnny WeaverincludingIvan Koloff,Sandy Scott,Wally andDon Kernodle,Rene Goulet,Nikita Koloff,Tony Romano,Bill White,Jim Nelson,Belle Starr,Jim Holiday, Rick McCord,George South,Mike Weddle,Penny Banner,wrestling broadcasters Bob Caudle and Rich Landrum, referees Tommy Young and Stu Schwartz, and a promoter Jackie Crockett.[59]He had also been in attendance for the funeral ofMr. Wrestlingseveral years earlier,[9]and quoted inThe Post and Courierupon the deaths of George Becker,[27]Sailor Art Thomas,[29]Bronco Lubich[38]andSandy Scott.[28]

Four months later, Jacobs was honoured by the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum and officially inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Hall of Fame along withRoddy Piper,Masanouri Saito,Penny Banner,Stu Hart,Ray Gunkel,andLeo Nomelliniin a special ceremony held inWaterloo, Iowa.[4][8][60][61]Bob Leonard wrote in a later editorial that Jacobs "proved to be a vibrant speaker, and a personable addition to the great social atmosphere of the event".[5]In March 2009, he was named one of "Top Ten New Zealand Born Wrestlers" by Fight Times Magazine.[62]

Personal life and death[edit]

After retirement, Jacobs and his wife resided inCharlotte, North Carolina.Abe Jacobs died on 21 August 2023, at the age of 95.[63][64]

The "Kiwi Leg Roll"[edit]

TheKiwi Leg Roll,or simply theKiwi Roll,is aprofessional wrestling submission holdwhich was created by Abe Jacobs and used as his finisher throughout his career.[1]It was developed by Jacobs during his amateur wrestling days, while working out in the gym, and first used it against his former trainerThe Zebra Kidin his debut match in 1958. This move was later covered in by local newspapers the following day and, wrestling in the United States years later, by the American media.[9]

Though little footage exists of Jacobs performing the move, it has been described as a modifiedfigure four leglockin which he would grab an opponent's leg, like the said hold, and roll the man around the mat in an almost circular motion putting pressure across the ankle and causing his opponent to submit.[9][65]Jacobs never revealed how to perform the Kiwi Leg Roll despite being asked by dozens of wrestlers, claiming in later interviews that he had forgotten how, and to date it has rarely been duplicated.[1]Its uniqueness was very popular among fans of thetelevision eraand Jacobs has since long remained associated with the hold.[4][9]

Championships and accomplishments[edit]

Amateur wrestling[edit]

  • Seven provincial championship titles[5]
  • Runner-up silver medalist in the New Zealand Nationals[5]
  • Winner in the New Zealand Championship[5]

Professional wrestling[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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  5. ^abcdefghijkLeonard, Bob (14 December 2008)."Right on the Money".Board Briefs (2008).Cauliflower Alley Club.Archived fromthe originalon 10 July 2010.Retrieved26 July2010.
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  8. ^abcdefghijklmnKamchen, Richard (13 December 2007)."SLAM! Wrestling: Abe Jacobs's fantastic wrestling voyage".SLAM! Wrestling Bios and Stories.SLAM! Sports.Retrieved8 May2023.
  9. ^abcdefghijklChappell, David (January 2004)."The Abe Jacobs Interview: Part Four".Mid-Atlantic Gateway Interviews.MidAtlanticGateway.com. Archived fromthe originalon 17 December 2010.Retrieved26 July2010.
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  11. ^ab"Phantom – R.I.P. Don Curtis".Columns.ProWrestlingDigest.com. 12 March 2008.Retrieved26 July2010.
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  14. ^Cole, Brian (11 December 2003)."Ask 411 Wrestling 12.11.03: Adonis, Wrestling II, Bolsheviks, Martel & More".News.411mania.com.Retrieved26 July2010.
  15. ^Solomon, Brian.WWE Legends.New York: Simon & Schuster, 2006. (pg. 224)ISBN0-7434-9033-9
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  19. ^Burke, Tom (12 August 2009)."Karl Von Hess (08/12/09)".2009 Finishes.Cauliflower Alley Club.Archived fromthe originalon 18 September 2010.Retrieved26 July2010.
  20. ^Johnson, Steven (2006)."Steel Belt Wrestling – Hopewell – 1959".Results: Pennsylvania.SteelBeltWrestling.com.Retrieved26 July2010.
  21. ^abcdefghChappell, David (January 2004)."The Abe Jacobs Interview: Part Three".Mid-Atlantic Gateway Interviews.MidAtlanticGateway.com. Archived fromthe originalon 17 December 2010.Retrieved26 July2010.
  22. ^"1960".Results: 1960.NYProWrestling.com.Retrieved26 July2010.
  23. ^"1961".Results: 1961.NYProWrestling.com.Retrieved26 July2010.
  24. ^"Records of NWA World Championship Matches: 1961".Wrestling-Titles.com.Puroresu Dojo. 2003.Retrieved26 July2010.
  25. ^"July 29, 1960 in Chicago, IL".Chicago.ProWrestlingHistory.com.Retrieved26 July2010.
  26. ^Phantom of the Ring (October 2002). "The late Swede Hanson, a wrestler with heart – Phantom of the Ring – Obituary".Wrestling Digest.
  27. ^abMooneyham, Mike (23 July 2000)."George Becker Carolinas Legend".Profiles.MikeMooneyham.com.Retrieved26 July2010.
  28. ^abMooneyham, Mike (12 March 2010)."Wrestling great Sandy Scott dead at 75".The Post and Courier.Archivedfrom the original on 22 July 2010.Retrieved26 July2010.
  29. ^abcMooneyham, Mike (23 March 2003)."Sailor Art Thomas Dies at Age 79".Profiles.MikeMooneyham.com.Retrieved26 July2010.
  30. ^Gamble, Ron (3 June 2003)."Official 411 Wrestling Almanac For June (Part 1)".411mania.com. Archived fromthe originalon 24 June 2003.Retrieved26 July2010.
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  32. ^Bison, Buddy."Profile".BuddyBison.com.Retrieved26 July2010.
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Further reading[edit]

  • Sugar, Bert Randolph andLou Albano(2000).The Complete Idiot's Guide to Pro Wrestling(2nd ed.). New York: Alpha Books.ISBN0-02-863961-8.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abe_Jacobs&oldid=1234296105"