Dick Hutton
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| Dick Hutton | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Ring name(s) | Dick Hutton |
| Born | October 4, 1923 Amarillo, Texas |
| Died | November 24, 2003 |
| Trained by | Ed Lewis |
| Debut | 1952 |
Dick Hutton was a professional wrestler who was trained by Ed 'Strangler' Lewis. Notably, he won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship on November 14, 1957 from Lou Thesz.
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[edit] Early life
Dick Hutton, born Richard Hutton, was born on October 4, 1923 in Amarillo, Texas to Bailey and Gladys Hutton. He had one brother, Jerald Hutton. He moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma later on. Dick joined the army and was a veteran of World War II. He attended Oklahoma A&M and went on to Oklahoma State University.
While at Oklahoma State University he was the NCAA wrestling champion three times, in 1947, 1948 and 1950 (In 1949 he lost in the finals to Verne Gagne, future professional wrestler).
Also while at Oklahoma State University, he went to the 1948 Olympic Games. He came 5th in Freestyle wrestling.
[edit] Professional Wrestling Career
Dick Hutton made his debut in 1952, in a loss against Bill Longson. Ed Lewis took Dick "under his wing".
Hutton left Tulsa, as it was primarily a territory for light-heavyweight wrestlers. He first went to Texas.
While in Columbus, Ohio, in a territory run by Al Haft, Hutton would wrestle members of the audience. Beating Hutton would've earned the fan $1,000. No one ever won.
Hutton developed a friendship with Lou Thesz. Thesz chose Hutton to be the next NWA Champion, winning the title from himself. On November 14, 1957, in Toronto, Canada's Maple Leaf Gardens 10,000 people saw Hutton beat Thesz for the belt after 35:15, when Thesz tapped out of an abdominal stretch.
He teamed regularly with Gene Kiniski in Toronto.
On January 9, 1959, Hutton dropped the belt to Pat O'Connor.
Hutton never really had much other success in professional wrestling. He was criticised by some people for being a boring character with poor drawing ability. However, many other wrestlers praised his wrestling ability.
In the early 1960s he went to California for promoter Jules Strongbow. He also made a trip to Japan.
[edit] Retirement
Dick Hutton was forced into retirement because of heart trouble and other injuries. He lived out the rest of his life with Katherine, his second wife.
He died on November 24, 2003. He was 80 years old.
[edit] Championships and Accomplishents
- 1-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion
- 1-time NWA North American Tag Team Championship (with Dory Funk)
- 3-time NCAA wrestling champion (1947, 1948, 1950)
- 1948 Olympic Freestyle Wrestling - 5th place
- NCAA Hall Of Fame inductee
- Oklahoma State University Wrestling Hall of Fame
- National Wrestling Hall of Fame (Stillwater, Oklahoma)
[edit] External links
