257. Ed Francis

Published in WWE
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A master of the sleeper hold who cut his teeth in the Ohio territory and the Pacific Northwest, Ed Francis would become better known for his role in performing and promoting the Hawaii territory throughout the 1960’s. and the 1970’s.

As a wrestler Ed Francis would win multiple heavyweight championships, most notably in Ohio, Oregon and Hawaii and his style made him an effective main eventer. In Hawaii, he would procure the NWA Hawaii Territory in 1962, which he would run for 17 years before he sold it to Peter Maivia. Under his guidance, the 50th State Wrestling program would draw good crowds and more notably good houses.

Notably, his son Russ who played pro football for the San Francisco 49ers would compete in the NFL/WWF battle royal at Wrestlemania 2.

The Bullet Points

Other Aliases: Sir Edmund Francis
Billed From: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
Key Championships Held:
MWA Junior Heavyweight (2)

NWA (Texas) Heavyweight

NWA World Junior Heavyweight

NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team w/Henry Lenz

Pacific Coast Junior Heavyweight

NWA (Vancouver) Pacific Coast Heavyweight

MWA Ohio Heavyweight

MWA Ohio Tag Team (2) 1w/Ray Stevens & 1w/Leon Graham

NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight (4)

NWA Pacific Northwest (3) Tag Team w/Tony Borne, 1w/Bill Freeman, 1w/Bill Savage

NWA Hawaii Heavyweight (3)

NWA (Calgary) Canadian Heavyweight

NWA Hawaii Tag Team (3) 2w/Pedro Morales & 1w/Ripper Collins

AWA World Tag Team w/Billy Robinson
Why they will get in: He was a respected promoter.
Why they won't get in: The folklore of Hawaiian promoting in regards to the WWE folklore falls to Peter Maivia.
Five Greatest Matches/Moments: 1. Beat Bill Savage for his first NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship (8/29/58)
2. Purchased the NWA Hawaii Territory (1962)
3. Defeats Mad Dog Mayne for the NWA Hawaii Title (10/27/71)
4. Became a champion in the AWA winning the World Tag Team Titles with Billy Robinson (12/15/72)
5. Won the Hawaii Title by beating the Sheik (1/17/73)