R.I.lP New Zealand born pro wrestler Abe Jacobs passes away at 95
New Zealand-born professional wrestler Abe Jacobs, who made his way to the United States and remained in Charlotte, NC passed away on 8/21, according to Mike Mooneyham of the Post and Courier in the Carolinas. Jacobs, 95 at the time of his passing, was the oldest professional wrestler in the world.
Born in New Zealand, Jacobs was an amateur wrestler who came here to the United States and worked for a number of high profile NWA territories, including Mid-Atlantic, Florida and Hollywood among others, including Capitol Wrestling in the Northeast, which eventually moved on to become WWE. Usually working as a babyface, often billed as the "Jewish Heavyweight Champion" and worked against many of the most famous top stars of the era, including Lou Thesz, Buddy Rogers, Pat O'Conor and Gene Kiniski.
Jacobs won multiple Tag Team Championships over the course of his career, including The Florida territory iteration of the NWA World Tag Team Championship with Don Curtis, the NWA Los Angeles International Television Tag Team Championship with Haystacks Calhoun and the NWA Western States Tag Team Championship with Pez Whatley.
Later in his career, Jacobs settled down in the Charlotte area and worked regularly for Jim Crockrtt Promotions. When Ric Flair debuted for the promotion, Jacobs was his first ever opponent, setting Flair up with legitimacy right out of the gate with that victory.
After retiring, Jacobs managed Ricky Steamboat's gym in the Carolinas.
In 2008, Jacobs was officially inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in Waterloo, Iowa.
