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Ray Steele

Ray Steele

Title History

  • California State Heavyweight title defeating Vic Christy (June 8, 1932);
  • California State Heavyweight title defeating Jim McMillen (March 29, 1933);
  • MWA (Ohio) World Heavyweight title Awarded (February 5, 1937);
  • NWA (National Wrestling Association) World Heavyweight title defeating Bronko Nagurski (March 7, 1940);
  • NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) World Heavyweight title Awarded (November 3, 1943);
  • NWA World Junior Heavyweight title defeating Marshall Estep (March 24, 1947);

 Career Highlights (courtesy of wikipedia.com)

  • Peter Sauer known by the ring name Ray Steele.
  • Steele was born and raised in Norka, a German colony in Russia, in 1900 before immigrating to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1906.
  • Steele worked a catch wrestling style in his early career.
  • Steele gained some notoriety in 1936 when he faced heavyweight boxing contender Kingfish Levinsky in a mixed match, which Steele won in 35 seconds.
  • Steele’s biggest accomplishment in the sport was winning the National Wrestling Association’s World Heavyweight Championship from Bronko Nagurski in St. Louis, Missouri on March 7, 1940.
  • Steele would hold the belt for over a year before losing it back to Bronko Nagurski on March 11, 1941 in Houston, Texas.
  • Sauer served as a mentor to many young stars, including Lou Thesz before his death of a heart attack in September 1949.
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Trained By

Debut

Birthday

Hometown

Gender

Height

6'0"

Weight

210 lbs

Finishing Move(s)

Favorite Move(s)

Notable Feuds

Status