The Texas Rasslin' War(s) of the 1950s

In the 1950s, television changed professional wrestling, and the sport would never be the same. In Texas, this played out as a state-wide, 18-month wrestling war, where the promoters in Houston and Dallas grappled for control of the state booking office. Houston, led by Morris Sigel, had the established wrestlers and the backing of the powerful wrestling cartel, the NWA. Dallas, led by Ed McLemore, had two popular television shows, Texas Rasslin’ and The Big “D” Jamboree, both filmed in the “world famous Sportatorium." It was the proverbial unstoppable force against the immovable object, Texas style.

The Texas Rasslin’ War(s) of the 1950s by Greg Klein tells the story of Houston vs. Dallas, promoter vs. promoter, and the 18-month war over Texas that was as dramatic as the matches themselves.