James Dean
All Star
Previous Write up Here: Unsung Wrestlers 2: Ernie Ladd
BirthPlace: Gurdon, Arkansas 1/30/1924
Height: 6’ 1”
Weight: 299 lbs
Trained By: Jimmy Demetral
Debut: 1943
Retired: 1981
Finisher/Signature: Bearhug
Titles & Accomplishments: Held titles in NWA & WWA. WWE HOF inductee.
Death: 3/20/2003 Cancer
Not much is said about the man known as the Sailor, but you better believe that during his heyday, Art Thomas was one of the better big men workers of his time. He was born in Gurdon, Arkansas to Alfred and Jessie Thomas on January 30, 1924. His mother died during his early years of life. Shortly after, he and his family movied to Madison, Wisconsin. It was there he grew up and turned to the US Merchant Marine. Serving 27 months. After leaving the marines, Thomas turned to the world of bodybuilding. Honing his massive physique and style. It was there where promoter, Jimmy Demetral spotted thomas. Soon thereafter, Jimmy took up Thomas and convinced him to join the world of professional wrestling. He made his debut in 1943 as a babyface. His original gimmick was that of a discharged Navy Seman. A play on his actual former lifestyle.
Thomas would spend the next decade around the local wrestling circuit. Traveling the world and meeting the eye of some of the bigger promotions of the time. By the early 1960s, Thomas would work for the now defunct WWA promotion. Winning a series of Tag Team championships with wrestling great, Lou Thesz and others with John Paul Hennig in the NWA. He also teamed and won NWA Tag Team championships with fellow unsung great, Bobo Brazil. By the mid 60s, Thomas would go on to work for the WWWF. Teaming again with Bobo Brazil and Bruno Sammartino.
Thomas returned to the WWA in the 1970s. Now as an accomplished and decorated tag team wrestler. Wanting to tackle more, he would go on to the world of singles competition. He won the NWA Texas Heavyweight title. And would then go on to win the WWA World Heavyweight in April of 1972. He defeated reigning champion Baron Von Raschke. Thomas only held the title for a month, after the title was held up during a draw. He spent his final years in the WWA, before retiring in 1981.
Thomas was a father of seven children. He would live until 2003, before succumbing to cancer just after a month of being diagnosed.
BirthPlace: Gurdon, Arkansas 1/30/1924
Height: 6’ 1”
Weight: 299 lbs
Trained By: Jimmy Demetral
Debut: 1943
Retired: 1981
Finisher/Signature: Bearhug
Titles & Accomplishments: Held titles in NWA & WWA. WWE HOF inductee.
Death: 3/20/2003 Cancer
Not much is said about the man known as the Sailor, but you better believe that during his heyday, Art Thomas was one of the better big men workers of his time. He was born in Gurdon, Arkansas to Alfred and Jessie Thomas on January 30, 1924. His mother died during his early years of life. Shortly after, he and his family movied to Madison, Wisconsin. It was there he grew up and turned to the US Merchant Marine. Serving 27 months. After leaving the marines, Thomas turned to the world of bodybuilding. Honing his massive physique and style. It was there where promoter, Jimmy Demetral spotted thomas. Soon thereafter, Jimmy took up Thomas and convinced him to join the world of professional wrestling. He made his debut in 1943 as a babyface. His original gimmick was that of a discharged Navy Seman. A play on his actual former lifestyle.
Thomas would spend the next decade around the local wrestling circuit. Traveling the world and meeting the eye of some of the bigger promotions of the time. By the early 1960s, Thomas would work for the now defunct WWA promotion. Winning a series of Tag Team championships with wrestling great, Lou Thesz and others with John Paul Hennig in the NWA. He also teamed and won NWA Tag Team championships with fellow unsung great, Bobo Brazil. By the mid 60s, Thomas would go on to work for the WWWF. Teaming again with Bobo Brazil and Bruno Sammartino.
Thomas returned to the WWA in the 1970s. Now as an accomplished and decorated tag team wrestler. Wanting to tackle more, he would go on to the world of singles competition. He won the NWA Texas Heavyweight title. And would then go on to win the WWA World Heavyweight in April of 1972. He defeated reigning champion Baron Von Raschke. Thomas only held the title for a month, after the title was held up during a draw. He spent his final years in the WWA, before retiring in 1981.
Thomas was a father of seven children. He would live until 2003, before succumbing to cancer just after a month of being diagnosed.
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