PAGE OF FAME: Hans Schmidt

Hans Schmidt

Hans Schmidt
Real name: Guy Larose
From Quebec, but billed as a German. Given the Schmidt name by Boston promoter Paul Bowser. One of the top heels in the business in the 1950s. Was particularly a huge draw in Chicago, where, in 1954, he was called "probably the greatest drawing card in the past decade in the mat game."
Wrestled in a tough, rule-breaking style, and frequently used a backbreaker as his finisher. Initially had hair, but then shaved his head like most ersatz Germans.
Challenged Lou Thesz for the NWA title several times between 1952 and 1956. Wrestled Whipper Billy Watson for the title in main events in Toronto and St. Louis in 1956. Also wrestled for the NWA title against champions Pat O'Connor (1959, 1961), Buddy Rogers (1962), Lou Thesz (1963, 1965), and Gene Kiniski (1966). Had a final world title shot against Jack Brisco in St. Louis in 1975.
Made his Toronto debut in 1953 and was in the main event in his second Maple Leaf Gardens appearance. Feuded with Watson in Toronto that year and had additional main event martches against Yukon Eric, Don Leo Jonathan, and Killer Kowalski. Continued to wrestle in Toronto off-and-on until the end of 1975. Wrestled regularly in Montreal in the early 1970s, billed from Chicago.
"Hans Schmidt, currently top man of the villains operating in Milwaukee, is reported by his wife to be a sheep in wolf's clothing. The 27 year old father of a 21 month old son tiptoes around the house so as not to disturb the baby. A far cry from the use he makes of his legs in the ring." (From THE RING, October 1952)
"They call Hans Schmidt the Teuton Terror. The German heavyweight may be unethical but it must be admitted that there is plenty of turmoil when he wrestles." (From WRESTLING AS YOU LIKE IT, Jan. 24, 1953)
"He has been rated as Public Enemy No. 1 in sports by a half dozen national magazines. And in seven years of grappling in all major cities of the U.S., his reputation for wickedness has surpassed those of Frederich Von Schacht, Wild Bill Longson, and even the Dusek brothers." (From WRESTLING AS YOU LIKE IT, May 1, 1954)

Prominent Titles:

NWA U.S. champion (Chicago), 1956-57
2-time International champion (Montreal), 1961, 65
NWA Southern tag champion (Georgia), 1968