Dick Hutton

Richard Heron Avis Hutton[1] (October 4, 1923 – November 24, 2003) was an American amateur and professional wrestler. He was a three-time NCAA champion and, as a professional, held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, making him a one-time world champion in professional wrestling.

Dick Hutton
Birth nameRichard Hutton
Born(1923-10-04)October 4, 1923
Amarillo, Texas
DiedNovember 24, 2003(2003-11-24) (aged 80)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Dick Hutton
Trained byEd Lewis
Debut1952

Early life

Hutton was born in Amarillo, Texas to Bailey and Gladys Hutton. He had one brother, Jerald Hutton. He moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he became a two-time state finalist for Daniel Webster High School. later on Dick joined the army and was a veteran of World War II. He attended Oklahoma A&M.

While at Oklahoma A&M he was the NCAA wrestling champion three times, in 1947, 1948 and 1950 (In 1949 he lost in the finals to Verne Gagne, future professional wrestler).

Also while at Oklahoma A&M, he went to the 1948 Olympic Games. He came 7th in Freestyle wrestling.

Professional wrestling career

Hutton made his debut in 1952, in a loss against Bill Longson.[2] Hutton left Tulsa, as it was primarily a territory for light-heavyweight wrestlers, and went to Texas.

While in Columbus, Ohio, in a territory run by Al Haft, Hutton would wrestle members of the audience. Beating Hutton would've earned the fan $1,000. No one ever won.

Hutton developed a friendship with Lou Thesz. After several competitive training contests with Hutton, Thesz considered him to be the best wrestler he'd ever faced and chose Hutton to be the next NWA World Champion, winning the title from himself. On November 14, 1957, in Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens 10,000 people saw Hutton beat Thesz for the belt after 35:15, when Thesz submitted to an abdominal stretch.

He teamed regularly with Gene Kiniski in Toronto.

On January 9, 1959, after a championship reign of 421 days, Hutton dropped the belt to Pat O'Connor.

Hutton never really had much other success in professional wrestling. He was criticised by some people for having a lack of charisma with poor drawing ability.[2] However, many other wrestlers praised his wrestling ability.[3]

Retirement

Hutton was forced into retirement because of heart trouble and other injuries. He lived out the rest of his life with Katherine, his second wife. He died on November 24, 2003.

Championships and accomplishments

Amateur wrestling
  • National Collegiate Athletic Association
    • NCAA Wrestling Championship (3 times) - in 1947, 1948, and 1950
    • NCAA Hall Of Fame Inductee
  • Oklahoma
    • Oklahoma State University Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee
    • National Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Olympic Games
    • 1948 Olympic Freestyle Wrestling - 7th place

Professional wrestling

References
  1. Olympic Games - Richard Heron Avis Hutton
  2. Cameron, Dave (June 2007). "We Lose Dick Hutton". From The Archives. Fighttimes.com. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
  3. Symkus, Ed and Vinnie Carolan. Wrestle Radio U.S.A.: Grapplers Speak. Toronto: ECW Press, 2004. (pg. 185) ISBN 1-55022-646-0
  4. Hoops, Brian (January 18, 2019). "Pro wrestling history (01/18): Ivan Koloff defeats Bruno Sammartino for WWWF title". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  5. "Ventura given Museum's top honour". Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. August 4, 2003. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
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