Joseph Raymond "Toots" Mondt was an American professional wrestler and promoter who revolutionized the wrestling industry in the early to mid-1920s and co-promoted the World Wide Wrestling Federation.
26 Facts About Toots Mondt
2.
Some stars Mondt helped create from the 1920s through the 1960s included Wayne Munn, Jim Londos, Antonino Rocca, Bruno Sammartino, Stu Hart and Cowboy Bill Watts.
3.
Joseph Raymond Toots Mondt was born in Garden Grove, Iowa on January 18,1894.
4.
The Toots Mondt family moved to Weld County, Colorado in 1904.
5.
However, this was an unsuccessful move and Toots Mondt returned to wrestling matches.
6.
Toots Mondt received his big break when he was discovered by wrestling pioneer Farmer Burns during one of his scouting trips.
7.
Toots Mondt joined the camp of Ed "Strangler" Lewis with the recommendation of Farmer Burns.
8.
Toots Mondt served in many capacities as a sparring partner, trainer, sometimes as an opponent and as a police officer.
9.
Toots Mondt conceived a solution and combined features of a boxing ring, Greco-Roman, freestyle wrestling, and the old-time lumber camp-style of fighting.
10.
Toots Mondt convinced Ed Lewis and his manager Billy Sandow of forming their own promotion as opposed to having different promoters controlling them.
11.
Toots Mondt instituted time limits as wrestling matches would often go three or four hours.
12.
Toots Mondt then formed a partnership with Philadelphia promoter, Ray Fabiani.
13.
At Curley's funeral, one of his sons approached Toots Mondt about taking over New York and was not aware that Toots Mondt had a plan.
14.
Toots Mondt gained help from other bookers such as Jack Pfeffer, the Johnston Brothers and Jess McMahon.
15.
Toots Mondt found former wrestler turned millionaire Bernarr McFadden, who gave Toots Mondt the financial backings.
16.
Bernarr McFadden helped Toots Mondt promote in NYC and gain access into Madison Square Garden.
17.
In that same year Toots Mondt was in search for another champion.
18.
Toots Mondt was not able to keep Rocca happy and Vince McMahon Sr.
19.
In 1954, Toots Mondt signed up Rafael Halperin a rabbi from Israel who wrestled in a blue and white costume emblazoned with the Jewish star.
20.
Toots Mondt parted ways with NWA President Sam Muchnick on good terms so that the WWWF would not be seen as an enemy.
21.
When Buddy Rogers was crowned NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Toots Mondt controlled the bookings for Rogers' title defenses.
22.
In 1965, Toots Mondt stepped down as promoter at Madison Square Garden and Vince McMahon, Sr.
23.
Toots Mondt called Sammartino the future of the company because people instantly liked and responded to him.
24.
Toots Mondt was an arena booker and was never able to get a handle on television like McMahon.
25.
Toots Mondt sold off his share to McMahon in the mid-60s.
26.
Toots Mondt died on June 11,1976 at the age of 82 after a long battle with an illness.