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Dave Meltzer and I are back on Wrestling Observer Radio talking all the latest news in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter including stories Triple H’s strategy of surprises, WrestleMania ticket sales and strategy, and the latest on the G1 Climax 32.
We also go into Dave’s bio on Judo Gene, the latest on AEW ratings and AEW and WWE house show business.
Join us for All Out weekend at Dave and Bryan’s Q&A.
“Judo” Gene LeBell, a legendary name in the martial arts world but also a well-known stuntman and pro wrestling personality, passed away on 8/9.
He was 89 at the time of his death.
LeBell, whose behind-the-scenes legendary stories inspired the character of Cliff Booth, the character played by Brad Pitt in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” He was the son of Aileen Eaton, a Hall of Fame boxing promoter who headed the Hollywood Boxing & Wrestling Club. She took over the promotion after the death of her husband and Gene’s stepfather Cal Eaton in 1966.
His older brother, Mike LeBell, was the promoter of the Southern California territory from 1966 officially, although he started working there years earlier than that until he closed it in 1982 after business had gotten so bad.
Gene LeBell was around the pro wrestling scene from 1955 when he debuted doing judo matches a few months after winning his second national championship in the sport. He remained affiliated with pro wrestling until the promotion closed down.
Judo Gene LeBell, best known for his catch wrestling technique that later became an influence in both pro wrestling and mixed martial arts, has passed away at 89 years old.
Bas Rutten wrote on Facebook that LeBell had passed away.
“My deepest condolences to his lovely wife Midge, his kids and all his other family members and friends,” he wrote. “You will be greatly missed Gene, I love you my friend, till we meet again!”
LeBell started catch wrestling at the age of 7, training under Ed “Strangler” Lewis and later trained in judo. He was also trained by the likes of Karl Gotch and Lou Thesz. In 1963, he accepted a challenge to fight boxer Milo Savage in an early mixed martial arts bout that saw LeBell score the win with a rear naked choke.
In pro wrestling, he was part of NWA’s Los Angeles territory, NWA Hollywood Wrestling, from 1968 through 1982. He worked as a TV announcer and sometimes wrestled. The territory was owned by Mike LeBell, Gene’s brother. He also served as the referee for the Muhammad Ali/Antonio Inoki match that took place in 1976. He wrestled his final pro wrestling match in 1981, against Peter Maivia in NWA Hollywood Wrestling.
In recent years, he had accompanied Ronda Rousey to the ring during mixed martial arts matches. He also judged MMA fights through 2018.
