Posted on by bdamage1
Brian Damage
Grappling with Tragedy is a series of articles that deal with unfortunate, tragic incidents that have occurred throughout the history of professional wrestling. It is unlike the ‘Wrestling with Sin’ series that deals more with the seedier side of wrestling like arrests, murders and suicides. Grappling looks more at particular tragic incidents that have in some instances altered pro wrestling in some way.
Baron Michele Leone
He was born in the Abruzzo region of Italy, which was the same area the legendary Bruno Sammartino was born. Leone started his wrestling career at the early age of 14 years old and for the most part was self taught. Whatever money he earned wrestling, he saved to pay for professional training. After two years competing on the European circuit, Leone ventured to the United States seeking fame and fortune.
Michele Leone wrestled throughout the territories in the 1930’s, ultimately finding his greatest success in Los Angeles. He adopted the moniker of ‘Baron’ Michele Leone…an Italian aristocrat and became a huge star. The advent of television helped Leone’s rise to stardom portraying a dastardly heel. Leone, along with Gorgeous George used showmanship as well as their wrestling skills to become TV wrestling stars.
In 1950, Leone secured his first world title by defeating Enrique Torres in Los Angeles to win that territory’s version of the world championship. His popularity grew and soon Leone was making guest appearances on various television shows during that era. It also led promoters to book Baron Leone against the reigning NWA World champion Lou Thesz. The two had several encounters usually with Thesz emerging victorious. They would draw over 25,000 fans to Hollywood’s Gilmore Field and had a gate of over $100,000 (Which was a first for pro wrestling)
Leone would retire from full time wrestling in 1954, although he still dabbled in the business for several years after wrestling in several territories. Because he made a great deal of money while wrestling, Leone wasn’t at the beckon call of promoters and chose when he wanted to wrestle and where.
On November 14th, 1988, while crossing the street near his home in Santa Monica, Leone was hit by a car. He was rushed to a local hospital and died 12 days later. Baron Michele Leone was 79 years old at the time of his death.