Steve Casey
Encyclopedia
Stephen "Steve" Casey was an Irish
sport rower
and world champion professional wrestler
. He was the second Irish wrestler, after Danno O'Mahoney, to become a world champion.
in rowing
but were disqualified for Steve and Paddy being professional wrestlers because Steve had wrestled two professional matches before the Olympics.
promoter Paul Bowser
brought Casey to the United States.
On February 11, 1938, he received the biggest victory of his career when he defeated Lou Thesz
to win the National Wrestling Association world heavyweight championship. On August 26, he wrestled Danno O'Mahony
to a draw after ten five-minute rounds in the European style
. In September 1938, Casey was stripped of the NWA title, officially for being out of the country. He continued to be recognized as champion by the Boston-based American Wrestling Association. On September 18, he beat Danno O'Mahony in Munster in a finish match in 18 rounds and 97 minutes.
On March 2, 1939, Casey lost the AWA world title to Marvin Westenberg in Boston. On March 29, he beat Gus Sonnenberg
to start his second reign as AWA world champion, losing the title to Ed Don George
on April 18 in Albany, New York
. He defeated George to win his start his third reign as AWA world champion on November 29, 1939, dropping the title to The French Angel on May 13, 1940. In the same year, he beat Richard Codman for the Governor's Cup in Cambridge, Massachusetts
. He defeated the U.S. boxing champion Tiger Warrenton and issued a challenge to Joe Louis
which went unanswered. On November 12, 1941, he challenged Earl McCready
for the British Empire Heavyweight Championship
but the match was fought to no contest.
On May 13, 1942, Casey beat French Angel for his fourth reign as AWA champion. While still champion, Casey joined the United States Army
during World War II
, serving from 1942 to 1944. On June 6, 1945 in Boston, he defeated Frank Sexton to start his sixth reign as AWA champion and lost the title back to Sexton three weeks later. In 1947, he announced his retirement at age 38. He opened a liquor store
near Nantasket Beach
in Hull, Massachusetts
.
Ronnie Delaney
.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
sport rower
Sport rowing
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
and world champion professional wrestler
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
. He was the second Irish wrestler, after Danno O'Mahoney, to become a world champion.
Rowing
Casey was the eldest of seven sons of Mike Casey, a bare-knuckle boxer. Steve Casey rowed in the Sneem senior crew with his father and the O'Connor Brothers. The Sneem/Casey Team won the Tug-O-War Munster Championship in 1932. Casey went on to win the Salter Challenge Cup with his brothers during 1930 to 1933. In 1936, he became the All-England Rowing Champion with his brothers Paddy, Tom and Mick. In the same year, the Caseys qualified for the Olympics1936 Summer Olympics
The 1936 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was held in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. Berlin won the bid to host the Games over Barcelona, Spain on April 26, 1931, at the 29th IOC Session in Barcelona...
in rowing
Rowing at the 1936 Summer Olympics
Rowing at the 1936 Summer Olympics featured 7 events, for men only.The competitions were held from August 11, 1936 to August 14, 1936. They were held on a regatta course at Grünau on the Langer See.-Medal summary:-Medal table:-References:*...
but were disqualified for Steve and Paddy being professional wrestlers because Steve had wrestled two professional matches before the Olympics.
Professional wrestling
In 1935, Steve and his brother Paddy Casey joined the British Amateur Wrestling Team. Steve Casey debuted as a professional wrestler on March 3, 1936 by beating the Irish Canadian Heavyweight Champion Paul Duveen in a non-title match. In October 1936, BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
promoter Paul Bowser
Paul Bowser
Paul Forbes Bowser was a professional wrestling promoter who was active from the 1920s to the 1950s in the Boston area.-Wrestler:...
brought Casey to the United States.
On February 11, 1938, he received the biggest victory of his career when he defeated Lou Thesz
Lou Thesz
Aloysius Martin "Lou" Thesz was a United States professional wrestler and 18-time world heavyweight champion, most notably holding the NWA World Heavyweight Championship three times. Combined, he held the NWA Championship for 10 years, three months and nine days , longer than anyone else in history...
to win the National Wrestling Association world heavyweight championship. On August 26, he wrestled Danno O'Mahony
Danno O'Mahony
Danno O'Mahony was an Irish professional wrestler. His surname was usually spelled "O'Mahoney" during his wrestling career...
to a draw after ten five-minute rounds in the European style
Professional wrestling in the United Kingdom
Professional wrestling in the United Kingdom spans over 100 years but became popular when the then new Independent Television station - ITV began showing it in 1955 firstly on Saturday afternoons and then also in a late night mid week slot...
. In September 1938, Casey was stripped of the NWA title, officially for being out of the country. He continued to be recognized as champion by the Boston-based American Wrestling Association. On September 18, he beat Danno O'Mahony in Munster in a finish match in 18 rounds and 97 minutes.
On March 2, 1939, Casey lost the AWA world title to Marvin Westenberg in Boston. On March 29, he beat Gus Sonnenberg
Gus Sonnenberg
Gustave Adolph Sonnenberg was an American football player and professional wrestler. As a wrestler, he was National Wrestling Association world heavyweight champion...
to start his second reign as AWA world champion, losing the title to Ed Don George
Ed Don George
Edward Nicholas "Ed Don" George was an American professional wrestler and wrestling promoter.-Career:George was born in North Java, New York. He wrestled for both St. Bonaventure University and for the University of Michigan...
on April 18 in Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
. He defeated George to win his start his third reign as AWA world champion on November 29, 1939, dropping the title to The French Angel on May 13, 1940. In the same year, he beat Richard Codman for the Governor's Cup in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent...
. He defeated the U.S. boxing champion Tiger Warrenton and issued a challenge to Joe Louis
Joe Louis
Joseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949. He is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time...
which went unanswered. On November 12, 1941, he challenged Earl McCready
Earl McCready
Earl Gray McCready was an amateur wrestler who competed in the U.S. for Oklahoma State University in folkstyle, and as a Canadian freestyle sport wrestler who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics....
for the British Empire Heavyweight Championship
NWA British Empire Heavyweight Championship (Toronto version)
The Toronto version of the NWA British Empire Heavyweight Championship was a major singles title in that city's NWA affiliate, Maple Leaf Wrestling, from 1941 until 1967, when the title was abandoned.-Title history:...
but the match was fought to no contest.
On May 13, 1942, Casey beat French Angel for his fourth reign as AWA champion. While still champion, Casey joined the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, serving from 1942 to 1944. On June 6, 1945 in Boston, he defeated Frank Sexton to start his sixth reign as AWA champion and lost the title back to Sexton three weeks later. In 1947, he announced his retirement at age 38. He opened a liquor store
Liquor store
In the United States, Australia and Canada, a liquor store is a type of store that specializes in the sale of alcoholic beverages. In South Africa and Namibia these stores are generally called bottle stores....
near Nantasket Beach
Nantasket Beach
Nantasket Beach is a beach in Hull, Massachusetts. The shore has fine, light gray sand and is one of the busiest beaches in Greater Boston. At low tide, there are acres of tide pools.-Name:...
in Hull, Massachusetts
Hull, Massachusetts
Hull is a peninsula town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 10,293 at the 2010 census. Hull is the smallest town by land area in Plymouth County and the fourth smallest in the state...
.
Personal life
In 1983, the Casey family organized a family reunion in Sneem, Ireland. On January 10, 1987, he died at age 78.Championships and accomplishments
In 1982, Casey was awarded the Irish Hall of Fame award by 1956 Olympic Gold Medalist1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
Ronnie Delaney
Ron Delany
Ronald Michael Delany , better known as Ron or Ronnie is a former Irish athlete, who specialised in middle distance running.Born in Arklow, Delany moved with his family to Dublin when he was 6...
.
Professional wrestling
- American Wrestling Association (Boston)
- AWA World Heavyweight Championship (Boston version) (5 times)
- National Wrestling AssociationNational Wrestling AssociationThe National Wrestling Association was an off-shoot of the National Boxing Association, formed to sanction professional wrestling. This NWA is not the same organization as the National Wrestling Alliance, which was formed in 1948....
- NWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipWorld Heavyweight Championship (National Wrestling Association)The World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship of the National Wrestling Association , an offshoot of the National Boxing Association...
(1 time)
- NWA World Heavyweight Championship
- Other titles
- Governor's Cup (1940)