2021/08/16
Welcome to AustralianWrestling.org!
The website devoted to preserving the history of Australian wrestling.
We're in the process of renovating and moving some things around so some things may look a little strange but the aim is to minimise disruption.
This website was designed in 2012 with a scope of covering present and past wrestling in Australia.
The scope will change to prioritise the older stuff and make that a bit more accessible.
Thank you for your patience.
I also have another website (with my good buddy Greg) The Wrestling Roadshow which has more of a global scope. We have a podcast by the same name too and discuss all sorts of wrestling.
-CD
Ernie Ladd
Name :- Ernie Ladd
Height :- 6' 9" (206cm)
Weight :- 320lb (145kg)
Born :- November 28, 1938
From :- Rayville, Louisiana
Trained by :- Bobo Brazil
Debut :- 1961
Retired :- 1986
Died :- March 10, 2007
Also known as :- Ernie "The King" Ladd, Ernie "The Big Cat" Ladd
Toured Australia :- 1976
Was a sporting star in college, excelling in football and basketball. Eventually chose football as his specialty. Played with the San Diego Chargers from 1961, also dabbling in wrestling around the Los Angeles area.
Wrestled part-time through the 60s, during the football off-season. Famously wrestled Lou Thesz in an NWA World title match in Houston in 1963, the match finishing in no result. During the 60s, Ladd became so popular that he eventually dropped football altogether. By 1969, his knees had become a liability on the football field, so he began wrestling fulltime.
Wrestled in several territories in the 70s, including Southern California, Indiana, Texas and WWWF. Briefly toured Australia in 1976, have some disputed matched with Austro-Asian champion Ron Miller. Feuded with many top names, including Bruno Sammartino, Bob Backlund, Andre the Giant and Wahoo McDaniel. Traveled to Mid-South in 1980, where he wound down his in-ring activities and began managing wrestlers, such as The Samoans.
Retired in 1986, making his debut as a commentator in WWF. Was diagnosed with colon cancer in early 2004, eventually passing in 2007.
Titles held :- NWA Americas Hwt (3), (Florida) Southern Hwt, Florida Hwt, American Hwt, (Mid-South) North American Hwt, Texas Hwt, (Tri-States) North American Hwt (5), NWF World Hwt, WWA World Hwt, NWF North American Hwt (6), NWF Brass Knuckles, (Texas) NWA Brass Knuckles, WWC North American Hwt, Arkansas Hwt, Louisiana Hwt (2), (Indiana) WWA World Tag (w/ Baron von Raschke), Mid-South Tag (2, w/ Leroy Brown), (LA) WWA World Tag (w/ Ed Carpentier), (LA) WWA Inernational TV tag (w/ Ed Carpentier), (Tri-States) US Tag (w/ The Assassin), Georgia Tag (w/ Ole Anderson), Central States Tag (w/ Bruiser Brody)