Willard Rowe Longson (June 8, 1906 â€" December 12, 1982) was an
American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Wild
Bill Longson. He spent most of his career in St. Louis, Missouri. He
perfected the role of the arrogant heel, and is credited with
inventing and popularizing the piledriver.Longson was a 3-time
National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Champion during the
1940s. He was also the last National Wrestling Association World
Heavyweight Champion, losing his title to Lou Thesz on July 20, 1948,
when Thesz elevated onto Longson's shoulders from the piledriver
position and fell into a Thesz press. As a result of this victory,
Thesz unified the venerable National Wrestling Association
Championship with his own new National Wrestling Alliance World
Championship, beginning the process of consolidating all American
world championships into one.Longson retired from professional
wrestling in 1960 after sustaining a broken pelvis while riding an
unbroken horse. He continued to work in the professional wrestling
industry as a booker and promoter until 1977.Longson died on December
10, 1982 in St. Louis.
American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Wild
Bill Longson. He spent most of his career in St. Louis, Missouri. He
perfected the role of the arrogant heel, and is credited with
inventing and popularizing the piledriver.Longson was a 3-time
National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Champion during the
1940s. He was also the last National Wrestling Association World
Heavyweight Champion, losing his title to Lou Thesz on July 20, 1948,
when Thesz elevated onto Longson's shoulders from the piledriver
position and fell into a Thesz press. As a result of this victory,
Thesz unified the venerable National Wrestling Association
Championship with his own new National Wrestling Alliance World
Championship, beginning the process of consolidating all American
world championships into one.Longson retired from professional
wrestling in 1960 after sustaining a broken pelvis while riding an
unbroken horse. He continued to work in the professional wrestling
industry as a booker and promoter until 1977.Longson died on December
10, 1982 in St. Louis.
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