WRESTLING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 140, 14 May 1940, Page 2

WRESTLING.

THURSDAY’S BIG ATTRACTION. Now Zealanders are proving their support of the attitude adopted by the Dominion of Now Zealand Wrestling Union in electing to continue with professional wrestling this season and the attendances for the early matches have boon better than in any previous season. This is due, no doubt, to the class of nialmcn comprising tin's season’s team. Each man had to prove himself in stern competition before Mr Walter Miller, who selected the team, would give them liis approval. One of the stars of the 1940 contingent is Dick Raines, who was here two seasons ago. Since lie last wrestled in New Zealand Raines has been toppling the headliners. Among his victims are Bronko Nagurski, Ali Baba, Dean Dolton, Joe Savoldi and Gus Sonncnberg, former world champions. Ali Baba had not been beaten at Minneapolis in 176 matches until Raines turned the trick and 7500 patrons saw him do it with his celebrated back-breaker. When ho met Nagurski. there were 10,000 at the Auditorium. Raino is not only a wrestler of the rugged type, ho is also a clover matman as he. has demonstrated on more than one occasion and scorns tho 'ideal typo of opponent for Earl McCready, against whom he will he pitted at flic Opera House .on Thursday. This will be the first meeting of the pair and in view of Raines’s performances against the former world champions and McCrcady’s recognised ability there should be an epic contest when they meet. Another professional’contest on tho same programme which should provide much excitement is Monastra versus Scott. . The box plans opened to-day at. Collinson and Cunninghamc’s, all prices (including ladies’) being plus tax. McCREADY BEATS CORBETT. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Ma~ 13. Fitter and more formidable than ever Earl McCready heat a clever and active wrestler in Joe Corbett bv a single fall to-night. McCready obtained a fall in the sixth round, when lie ducked a flying tackle and sent Corbett flying to the mat to be easily pinned. Corbett, with repeated attempts to trap McCready in liis specialty hold, the Japanese keylock, kept the bout lively.