Edward Nye "Ed Don" George Jr. (June 3, 1905 â€" September 18, 1985)
was an American amateur and professional wrestler, and wrestling
promoter.George was born in North Java, New York. He wrestled for both
St. Bonaventure University and for the University of Michigan. He also
represented the United States in freestyle wrestling at the 1928
Amsterdam Olympics, placing fourth in the heavyweight class (87 kg).
During the years 1926â€"29, Ed Don George attended the University of
Michigan, with his concentration of study in engineering. Later on, in
1929, at St. Bonaventure University, he graduated with a college
degree.Quick and powerful, he took on the name "Ed Don George" and
began his professional career shortly after returning from the
Olympics. He captured the AWA World Heavyweight Championship on
December 10, 1930, from Gus Sonnenberg. Double-crossed by Ed
"Strangler" Lewis in Los Angeles on April 13, 1931, George dropped the
title to the Strangler, but promoter Paul Bowser maneuvered it back to
George, who held it for nearly four years, finally losing it to Danno
O'Mahony on June 30, 1935. George remained one of the top box office
draws of the 1930s, and on April 5, 1937, defeated Al Perreira in
Paris to capture the European version of the world title.In March 1942
he joined the US Navy. There he taught hand-to-hand combat to naval
air cadets. In December 1945 he left the navy with the rank of
Commander.
was an American amateur and professional wrestler, and wrestling
promoter.George was born in North Java, New York. He wrestled for both
St. Bonaventure University and for the University of Michigan. He also
represented the United States in freestyle wrestling at the 1928
Amsterdam Olympics, placing fourth in the heavyweight class (87 kg).
During the years 1926â€"29, Ed Don George attended the University of
Michigan, with his concentration of study in engineering. Later on, in
1929, at St. Bonaventure University, he graduated with a college
degree.Quick and powerful, he took on the name "Ed Don George" and
began his professional career shortly after returning from the
Olympics. He captured the AWA World Heavyweight Championship on
December 10, 1930, from Gus Sonnenberg. Double-crossed by Ed
"Strangler" Lewis in Los Angeles on April 13, 1931, George dropped the
title to the Strangler, but promoter Paul Bowser maneuvered it back to
George, who held it for nearly four years, finally losing it to Danno
O'Mahony on June 30, 1935. George remained one of the top box office
draws of the 1930s, and on April 5, 1937, defeated Al Perreira in
Paris to capture the European version of the world title.In March 1942
he joined the US Navy. There he taught hand-to-hand combat to naval
air cadets. In December 1945 he left the navy with the rank of
Commander.
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