Wayne Munn

Wayne Munn (February 19, 1896 – January 9, 1931) was an American professional wrestler and collegiate football player from the University of Nebraska. As a wrestler, Munn was a World Heavyweight Champion. His world title win is historic as it was the first time that a pure performer (as opposed to a legitimately skilled wrestler) had won a world championship in professional wrestling.^[2]

Wayne Munn

Munn in 1925
Personal information
Born	(1896-02-19)February 19, 1896 Colby, Kansas, U.S.
Died	January 9, 1931(1931-01-09) (aged 34)[1] Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Cause of death	Bright's disease
Alma mater	University of Nebraska
Professional wrestling career
Ring name	Wayne Munn
Billed height	6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Billed weight	230 lb (104 kg)
Trained by	Mike Gibbons
Debut	1924
Retired	1926
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Army
Rank	First lieutenant
Conflicts	World War I

Professional wrestling career

Munn's fame from playing football attracted the attention of wrestling star, Ed Lewis and promoters Toots Mondt and Billy Sandow, who prematurely pushed Munn as the next big star in the sport. Munn won the World title from Lewis in 1925, despite his limited wrestling and shoot fighting ability.^[1] This backfired on Lewis and his camp, as Munn subsequently lost the title to Stanislaus Zbyszko in a famous double-cross, as Zbyszko legitimately pinned Munn, despite agreeing to lose to him prior to the match. Munn, unable to defend himself against Zbyszko's holds, was beaten decisively. Munn held the title for a little over three months.

Munn went into retirement shortly afterwards, and spent some years in the oil business, before his death from kidney problems at the Fort Sam Houston base hospital in San Antonio, Texas on January 9, 1931. He was survived by his wife and a daughter, Mary Ann Munn.^[3]

Munn had also served as an infantry first lieutenant during World War I.^[4]

Championships and accomplishments

• National Wrestling Association
  • World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship (1 time)
• Nebraska Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
  • Class of 2022