Name: - Lou Thesz
Height: - 6'2” (188cm)
Weight: - 225lb (102kg)
Born: - April 24, 1916
From: - Banat, Michigan
Trained by: - George Tragos, Ad Santel, Ed “Strangler” Lewis
Debut: - 1932
Retired: - 1979/1990
Died: - April 28, 2002 (complications after surgery)
Finishers: - Belly to back suplex, STF, Thesz press

Toured Australia: - 1957

Considered one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Debuted in 1932 and came to the attention of Strangler Lewis, who taught him how to 'stretch' an opponent. Won his first major World title in 1937, aged 21, the youngest ever world champion. Went on to become one of the most decorated wrestlers in history, including 3 stints with the NWA World title.

Was awarded his first NWA title when champ Orville Brown was injured in a car accident and forced to retire in 1948. Came to Australia during his second title reign, defending the title against Lord Blears, Sky Hi Lee and Ricky Waldo, and also defended in Japan against Rikidozan. He lost the title for the last time in 1966 to Gene Kiniski, but continued to wrestle part-time. He retired in 1979, but came out of retirement for a one-off exhibition match against Masa Chono, one of his proteges, on Boxing Day, 1990.

Titles held: - NWA World Hwt (3), NWA (Association) World Hwt (3), (Boston) AWA World Hwt, (Ohio) AWA World Hwt, (Los Angeles) WWA World Hwt, TWWA World Hwt, MAC World Hwt (4), UWA World Hwt, NWA International Hwt, Texas Hwt (3), NWA Southern Jr Hwt (2), NWA Southern Tag (w/ Jackie Fargo), Pacific Coast Tag (w/ The Outlaw [Dory Funk Sr])

Credit: Mark Dalgleish, Wikipedia, Puroresu.com, Libnan Ayoub's 100 Years of Australian Professional Wrestling
Photo credit: Wrestlingclassics.com