Joe Pazandak

Joseph Eugene Pazandak (October 23, 1914 – December 2, 1982) was an American amateur wrestler and a professional wrestler, best known for his ring name Joe Pazandak.^[1][2] Pazandak received the nickname "The Champ" as he ruled the “Beat the Champ” segment on televised wrestling from Los Angeles.^[2]

Joe Pazandak
Pazandak, circa 1951
Birth name	Joseph Eugene Pazandak
Born	(1914-10-23)October 23, 1914[1] Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.[2]
Died	December 2, 1982(1982-12-02) (aged 68)[1][2] Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	Joe Pazandak[1][2] The Dark Secret[1]
Billed height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1]
Billed weight	230 lb (100 kg)[1]
Debut	1937[1]
Retired	1960[1]

Professional wrestling career

Pazandak made his professional wrestling debut in his hometown in Minneapolis at the age of 22, where he faced Al Loset which ended in a 20-minute time limit draw. As an amateur heavyweight, he won two AAU championships in the Northwest and went on to wrestle at the University of Minnesota before turning professional. Within a year, Pazandak was traveling around the country from Massachusetts to North Carolina to Maryland, mostly as a semi-main event performer. ^[2] Pazandak served in the United States Army as a sergeant in Africa and Italy during World War II.^[2] Pazandak returned to the United States in 1944, after seeing 624 days of active combat.^[2] His first match since returning from the war took place in October 1945, where he defeated the highly skilled Ray Steele.^[2]

Pazandak's popularity rose in the beginning of June 1951 in Los Angeles.^[1] As the inaugural NWA "Beat the Champ" Television Championship, Pazandak defended the title for nine months against top challengers.^[1][2] Press-Telegram once named Pazandak "the most feared man in the wrestling ranks", in reference to his undefeated record on the West Coast.^[2]

With Pazandak's amateur wrestling background, in 1948, he was hired to coach amateur wrestlers in New Zealand, which saw him working alongside Karl Pojello.^[2] Pazandak also trained Verne Gagne.

Death

Pazandak died on December 2, 1983. He was 68 years old.^[1][2]

Championships and accomplishments

Amateur wrestling

• Amateur Athletic Union
  • Northwest AAU Championship (1935–1936)^[1]

Professional wrestling

• NWA Los Angeles
  • NWA "Beat the Champ" Television Championship (1 time)
  • NWA International Television Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Lord James Blears^[3]
• Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
  • Class of 2016^[2]