Baron Michele Leone
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Michele Leone (June 8, 1909 – November 26, 1988), known by his ring name Baron Michele Leone, was an Italian professional wrestler. He was one of the biggest stars and most prominent heels of the early television era of wrestling and, in May 1952, was a part of professional wrestling's first $100,000 gate, when he faced Lou Thesz in a title vs. title bout.


Early life

Leone was born to parents Giovanni and Anna Leone in Pettorano sul Gizio, in the Abruzzo region of Italy; the same home region as fellow professional wrestler
Bruno Sammartino Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino (October 6, 1935 – April 18, 2018) was an Italian-born American professional wrestler, best known for his work with the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF, now WWE). There, he held the WWWF World Heavywe ...
. Though his parents disapproved, Michele began wrestling at a young age. According to Leone he was champion of his area by age 14. Any money he earned in his initial wrestling endeavours were reinvested into wrestling lessons. Little is known of his early wrestling career. He reportedly became moderately well known on the European circuit and once visited South America to wrestle.


Professional wrestling career


New York, East Coast and D.C. territories

After completing his training and gaining ring experience in Europe around 1935, Leone migrated to the United States, arriving in New York City in early 1938. On April 18, Leone won his American debut by defeating Vanka Zelezniak in New York City. On June 28, 1938, he wrestled his first known main event in the U.S. against Dr. John "Dropkick" Murphy. In June, 1940, Leone began wrestling in Joe Turner’s Washington, D.C., territory. It was whilst wrestling here that the United States entered
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
. The U.S. was now at war with Leone's native Italy, which made him an instant heel. As an Italian citizen, Leone was exempt from being drafted into the military and as more and more wrestlers were drafted, it opened up new spots on cards for Leone as a top heel. He would become a headliner in DC, notably feuding in headline bouts against “Gentleman” Lou Plummer. Attendance rose steadily with Leone in the main event. Memorably, he headlined one such event against Hans Kampfer, a German, where he worked as the heel. It is said that this match illustrated his abilities as a 'bad guy', having gotten boos from the fans in a match against a German during World War II. Leone left the D.C. territory at the end of the war in 1945 and began wrestling throughout the East Coast. He briefly returned to Europe in 1947 before returning to the U.S. East Coast in 1948. Leone known for his rough style and heelish tactics would sometimes be cheered as a baby face. Such instance occurred on November 27, 1944, in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Facing Duke Keomuka (a Hawaiian portraying and evil Japanese wrestler) Leone went out prior to their match and gave a passionate promo against the Japanese. For his effort, he sold $2,000 is U.S. War Bonds prior to defeating Duke Keomuka. He would also appear at charity events to sell U.S. War bonds in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania often taking place at the Navy Yard Receiving Station in that city. On June 26, 1944, Leone received his first "World" title match against Babe Sharkey (claimant to an East Coast version) in Wilmington, Delaware. Leone lost but it was noted that this title match drew one of the biggest crowds ever in Wilmington. The weekly average was roughly 900 but this match drew over 1,800 fans. On January 19, 1949, Leone made his return to the D.C. territory, wrestling in a losing effort against
Gorgeous George George Raymond Wagner (March 23, 1915 – December 26, 1963) was an American professional wrestler known by his ring name Gorgeous George. In the United States, during the First Golden Age of Professional Wrestling in the 1940s–1950s, Gorgeous ...
in the main event. The show also featured a young
Stu Hart Stewart Edward Hart (May 3, 1915 – October 16, 2003) was a Canadian amateur and professional wrestler, wrestling booker, promoter, coach, trainer, football player and sailor. He is best known for founding and handling Stampede Wrestling, a ...
on the card.


California territory

Michele made his debut in Johnny Doyle's Los Angeles/Southern California territory in October 1949, where he took up the mantle of "Baron" Michele Leone, an Italian aristocrat. It is here that he would find his greatest success. With an abundance of wrestling television outlets in Southern California, and possessing the gift of the gab, Leone - working for Doyle - became the biggest star in the L.A. territory. The still relatively new medium of television helped transform him from journeyman to superstar. Leone headlined several events at the
Olympic Auditorium The Grand Olympic Auditorium is a former sports venue in southern Downtown Los Angeles, California. The venue was built in 1924 at 1801 South Grand Avenue, now just south of the Santa Monica Freeway. The grand opening of the Olympic Auditorium ...
against opponents such as Leo Garibaldi, Jack Claybourne and Kimon Kudo. He would also tag with former opponent Gorgeous George. On March 8, 1950, Leone wrestled future WWF Hall of Famer Antonino Rocca in front of a sold out 10,400 fans. 6,000 fans were also reportedly turned away at the gate.


World Heavyweight Championship and Feud with Lou Thesz

Leone faced Enrique Torres at the Olympic Auditorium on November 22, 1950, in front of a reported 10,400 fans in a two-out-of-three falls match for the Los Angeles version of the World Heavyweight Championship. He captured the second and third falls of the match to win the world title. As world champion and with a growing television audience, Leone became one of the biggest sports stars in Southern California and the biggest draw in the territory. Appearing on television shows such as ''Charlie Aldridge'', ''Dennis Day'' and ''Horace Heidt's Family Night Show'', Leone raised his profile, with few wrestlers throughout the United States getting the exposure he was. An appearance at a store in the city of
Oxnard Oxnard () is a city in Ventura County, California, United States. On California's South Coast, it is the most populous city in Ventura County and the 22nd-most-populous city in California. Incorporated in 1903, Oxnard lies approximately west ...
drew over 1,000 fans, despite heavy rain. Leone gave female fans an
orchard An orchard is an intentional plantation of trees or shrubs that is maintained for food production. Orchards comprise fruit- or nut-producing trees which are generally grown for commercial production. Orchards are also sometimes a feature of ...
and gave every fan an autographed photo of himself.” Leone, with a combination of heel heat and broad appeal, carried the territory to new financial heights. NWA World Heavyweight champion
Lou Thesz Aloysius Martin "Lou" Thesz (April 24, 1916 – April 28, 2002) was an American professional wrestler. He was a three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion and held the title for a combined total of 10 years, three months and nine days (3,749 ...
came to the territory in July 1951 and, finding himself overshadowed by Leone, was reportedly unhappy with this status. Thesz addressed these concerns at the annual NWA member's meeting in
Tulsa Tulsa () is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 47th-most populous city in the United States. The population was 413,066 as of the 2020 census. It is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with ...
, where the prospect of eliminating the California-version of the world title (held by Leone) was discussed. Doyle - a member of the championship committee - agreed to not book Michele Leone (or Enrique Torres) as champions outside of California. This did not assuage the NWA's concerns of a growing regional "world champion" and Doyle, who had been suspended briefly by the NWA, agreed to a unification bout. On May 21, 1952, Leone lost the L.A. "Olympic" version of the world title to Lou Thesz at Hollywood's Gilmore Field in L.A. in a unification match. The event drew 25,256 fans and took $103,277.75 at the gate, making it the first professional wrestling match to garner over $100,000 at the gate


Junior Heavyweight Championship and later career

Though having lost the championship, the Baron remained the top draw in the Southern California territory. In December 1952, he defeated
Rito Romero Rito Romero Loza (May 19, 1927 - January 18, 2001) was a successful luchador who wrestled in Mexico and in the NWA territories of Texas and Los Angeles. He appeared in several films in his native country along with a number of other luchadors. H ...
at the Olympic Auditorium to win the Pacific Coast heavyweight championship. Leone would go on to defeat Danny McShane for the
NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship The NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world championship in the National Wrestling Alliance. Created in 1945, the title is competed for by junior heavyweight wrestlers. History The first NWA World Junior ...
on August 16, 1953, at Hollywood's Legion Stadium in Hollywood. Leone's television popularity made him an in-demand talent and he was able to take bookings throughout the United States. He remained a regular performer in Los Angeles while working a semi-regular schedule in the Georgia territory. He left L.A. in 1954, and relocated to Texas. He would wrestle Lou Thesz in losing efforts three more times for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship; on February 16, 1954, in El Paso, Texas, October 13, 1954, in Tulsa, Oklahoma and February 25, 1955, in Miami, Florida.


Later life and death

Shortly after his final bout with Thesz, Leone retired from professional wrestling, being independently wealthy from his career. He returned to Italy along with his wife, Billie, whom he married 1954. They returned to the United States and relocated back to Leone's apartment building in Santa Monica. Michele and Billie travelled frequently and Leone spent his later days partaking in various leisure activities by the Pacific Ocean. Whilst crossing the street near his home on November 14, 1988, Leone was struck by a motorist. He died at UCLA Medical Center on November 26, 1988.


Personal life

Leone married his wife Billie in 1954, with whom he remained for the rest of his life. During his career, he became a star in Southern California, and outside of wrestling he was hired by ABC to host a television programme, "Advice to the Lovelorn", offering advise to couples.


Legacy

Michele Leone was one of the first wrestling stars of the television era. His colorful interviews, 'bad guy' characteristics and affable personality, endeared him to viewing audiences as an entertaining performer. He was one of the first professional wrestlers, along with the likes of
Gorgeous George George Raymond Wagner (March 23, 1915 – December 26, 1963) was an American professional wrestler known by his ring name Gorgeous George. In the United States, during the First Golden Age of Professional Wrestling in the 1940s–1950s, Gorgeous ...
, to be famed for his showmanship as well as his in-ring prowess. In the 2000s , his wife Billie donated $100,000 in Michele's memory to the Santa Monica Historical Society Museum. Symbolically, this was the same amount which Leone drew with Lou Thesz during their May, 1952 bout for the NWA Heavyweight championship; the first $100,000 gate in wrestling. The amount was donated to help support construction of the museum's relocation. Billie Leone stated: “my husband moved to Santa Monica in 1949, and that began his lifelong love affair with Santa Monica. He loved everything about the city.” The museum now houses a permanent exhibit featuring the highlights of The Baron’s career.


Championships and accomplishments

* National Wrestling Alliance ** World Heavyweight Championship ''(Los Angeles version)'' (1 time) **
NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship The NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world championship in the National Wrestling Alliance. Created in 1945, the title is competed for by junior heavyweight wrestlers. History The first NWA World Junior ...
(1 time) **NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Championship (Los Angeles version) (2 times) *
Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) and Museum is an American professional wrestling hall of fame and museum located in Wichita Falls, Texas currently closed to water leaks. The museum was founded by Tony Vellano in 1999, and was previo ...
**Class of 2019 *
WWE World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., d/b/a as WWE, is an American professional wrestling promotion. A global integrated media and entertainment company, WWE has also branched out into other fields, including film, American football, and vari ...
**
WWE Hall of Fame The WWE Hall of Fame is a hall of fame which honors professional wrestlers and professional wrestling personalities maintained by WWE. Originally known as the "WWF Hall of Fame", it was created in 1993 when André the Giant was posthumously i ...
(
Class of 2020 ''Class of 2020'' is a 2020 Hindi web series created and produced by Vikas Gupta for Ekta Kapoor's video on demand platform ALTBalaji. It stars Rohan Mehra and Joyita Chatterjee in lead roles. The web series revolves around the lives of a few t ...
)


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Leone, Michele 1909 births 1988 deaths Italian male professional wrestlers American professional wrestlers of Italian descent Pedestrian road incident deaths Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum WWE Hall of Fame Legacy inductees Sportspeople from the Province of L'Aquila 20th-century professional wrestlers NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champions