Mitch Hartsey had a good idea. Well, he’s had a few actually, but this one really could click in the cold (or mild) of winter for St. Louis wrestling fans.

Since Sam Muchnick always wanted to start the new year with a blockbuster bill that drew well, why not take a random look at some of those cards. Doing a little research, that turned out to be most interesting with the names and events as they happened.

Wise ole Sam had a couple of good reasons for that hot start when the calendar turned over. One, after the holidays he wanted to catch the fans’ attention and remind them of all the excitement wrestling provided. Two, starting a new fiscal year, he wanted a good crowd so the business side started on a strong note. Many, though not all, did hit capacity. History shows Sam hit his goals regularly.

For instance, on January 5, 1962, at Kiel Auditorium, a sellout crowd of 12,601 saw the following lineup…

In a double main event, Johnny Valentine downed Rip Hawk and “Cowboy” Bob Ellis whipped Buddy “Killer” Austin. A tag team duel saw John Paul Henning and Yukon Eric take two of three falls from Don Leo Jonathan and Stan Stasiak.

Cowboy Bradley won a midget match from Bull Brummel. Judy Glover, Millie Stafford and Barbara Baker won from Jessica Rogers, Mae Goodson and Dot Dotson. Duke Keomuka beat Guy LaRose. Lorenzo Parente took Danny Dusek. El Diablo and Littrle Eagle went to a draw.

And here’s a unique lineup from January 1, 1965 that also drew some 12,000 for a sellout…

In the main event, Pat O’Connor and Fritz Von Erich won a handicap tag match from Gene Kiniski when O’Connor pinned Kiniski with Whipper Billy Watson the referee. Afterward, Kiniski and Von Erich staged a monumental donnybrook.

Betty Nicoli, Joann Phillips and Jean Antone took straight falls from Kay Noble, Sherri Lee and Mae Goodson. Wilbur Snyder beat Ralph Bartleman.

Dick the Bruiser and Hercules Graham went to a 30 minute, one fall each, draw against Johnny Valentine and John Paul Henning. Lorenzo Parente pinned Bulldog Dan Plechas. Ronnie Etchison whipped Joe Tomasso. Johnny Kace and Ray Gordon went to a draw.

And remember..on January 7, 1966, Gene Kiniski ended the last reign of Lou Thesz as NWA champion at Kiel!!!

But by the next decade, the gold belt had gone to Dory Funk, Jr. And on January 9, 1970, another sellout of over 11,000 came to see Dory Jr. defeated Dick the Bruiser in a controversial match. Bruiser pinned Dory for the first fall. Dory won the second fall by disqualification, which sent Bruiser into a rage and he attacked Dory with a chair between falls. That led to another DQ on Dick and a win for Funk.

Wilbur Snyder and Dewey Robertson won a handicap bout from Von Raschke, with Snyder pinning Raschke in 43 seconds after Raschke flattened Dewey. Black Jack Lanza, Waldo Von Erich and Bob Geigel won from Lou Thesz, Ernie Ladd and Tommy Martin.

Pat O’Connor decked Luke Graham. The Crimson Knight (Bill Miller) dumped Ronnie Etchison. Frank Hester took the measure of Mike Rolinsky. Thor Hagen whipped The Viking.

The Bruiser was still at it on January 3, 1975, when he challenged Jack Brisco for the crow before still another sellout.. Each man won a fall before Dick popped a gasket and flattened the referee three times to earn another disqualification. (In 1979, Dick was STILL on top and lost via count out of the ring against then champion Harley Race)

Back in ’75, Dory Jr. and Bobo Brazil won from Harley Race and Lord Alfred Hayes. Pat O’Connor pinned Von Raschke. Dick Murdoich drew with Rufus R. Jones. Bill Miller beat Ronnie Etchison (hmm..poor Ronnie, nightmares from 1970) Tommy Martin, Ted Oates and Frank Martinez won from Rock Riddle, Ricky Hamilton and Rene Goulet.

And in 1980, as the golden era of St. Louis wrestling was red hot and nobody anticipated what the future would hold only three years later, here was the action that against drew a sellout crowd over 11,000.

Harley Race kept the NWA laurels by going to a one hour draw against David Von Erich.

Kevin Von Erich kept the Missouri title when he and Dick Murdoch were both disqualified. Bob Backlund retained the WWF prize by downing Tom Andrews. Interesting top three bouts, true?

Plus, Leilani Kai and Judy Martin triumphed over Winona Little Heart and Kandi Maloy. Lord Alfred Hayes and Pat O’Connor battled to a draw. Bulldog Bob Brown and Ed Wiskoski topped Ronnie Etchison and Sailor Art Thomas. Eddie Gilbert defeated Ron McFarlane.

And one last thought…surely all have noted that the numbers for sellouts were always different. Much depended on how the Convention Hall at Kiel was set up and whether or not another event was in the building before or after wrestling. Plus, some seats were lost in a remodeling around 1970.

Just in case anyone wondered!

And, hopefully, there a few memories and some great names from the past to warm the coldest of January nights.