The Ring Post: A Legacy of Championships and Innovation
Good morning! I hope you had a fantastic weekend. Welcome to this week’s edition of The Ring Post, your top source for match results, the latest news, and must-see videos. This week, we feature a special profile on Les Thatcher, who is celebrating his birthday today.
Be sure to explore the links below to stay current on all the latest results, news, and exciting videos!
This Weekend’s Results
WDWA held Last Rites on Saturday in Martinsburg, WV. Check out the results.
Pure Pro Wrestling hosted Tank Town Rumble on Saturday night in Montvale, VA. Find the results here.
NXT Halloween Havoc took place last night in Hershey, PA. Results are available.
On October 19, Pure Pro Wrestling held an event in Yanceyville, NC. View the results.
The Latest News
Must-See Videos
Before discussing Les Thatcher, I wanted to let someone who knows him well talk about him. I asked Mike Mooneyham to comment on him and here’s what he had to say:
Few performers have worn more hats in the wrestling business than Les Thatcher. Whether it was announcing alongside Gordon Solie and Bob Caudle, or trading holds with Ric Flair and Harley Race, Les always was a perfect fit. Even at the age of 84, Les remains the eternal teenager, a jack of all trades and an important link between generations of professional wrestling, a true hall of famer who has left an indelible mark on the industry.
Les Thatcher, born Leslie Malady on October 28, 1940, in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a distinguished figure in professional wrestling with a multifaceted career spanning over six decades. Beginning his journey in wrestling at 12 at his local YMCA, he made his professional debut on July 4, 1960, against "Cowboy" Ronnie Hill in Blue Hill, Maine.
Throughout the 1960s, Thatcher succeeded in tag team wrestling, partnering with Roger Kirby and Dennis Hall to capture several regional championships, including the NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-America) with Hall and the NWA United States Tag Team Championship with Kirby, Bearcat Brown, and Nelson Royal. He was recognized for his achievements early on and named NWA Rookie of the Year in 1967. Transitioning to singles competition, he became celebrated as a junior heavyweight, known for his high-flying dropkicks and technical prowess.
In the 1970s, Thatcher expanded into broadcasting, working alongside renowned personalities like Gordon Solie, Bob Caudle, Lance Russell, and Jim Ross. His work with Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling and Georgia Championship Wrestling added insightful commentary to fans' viewing experience. Beyond the ring, Thatcher made history by producing the first wrestling T-shirt in 1972, and he published the first color WWWF Magazine in 1978.
After retiring from active competition, Thatcher focused on training wrestlers. He founded "Les Thatcher's Main Event Pro Wrestling Camp" and co-founded Elite Pro Wrestling Training in Cincinnati with Harley Race and Ricky Steamboat, guiding numerous talents to success in major promotions. Thatcher's contributions to wrestling education earned him several prestigious awards, including the Cauliflower Alley Club's Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005 and the inaugural Jack Brisco Spotlight Award from the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2023. Thatcher was also inducted into the Smoky Mountain Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Mid-Atlantic Hall of Heroes in 2013.
Beyond training, Thatcher promoted events, notably organizing the Brian Pillman Memorial Shows, honoring the late wrestler, and showcasing talent across promotions. He also founded the Heartland Wrestling Association and served as a longtime board member of the Cauliflower Alley Club. Now 84, Thatcher's contributions—as a wrestler, commentator, trainer, and promoter—solidify his legacy as a cornerstone of the wrestling industry.