Abe Coleman
| Abe Coleman | |
|---|---|
 Abe Coleman at his 100th birthday party on September 18, 2005. |
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| Ring name(s) | Abe Coleman[1] Hebrew Hercules[1] Jewish Tarzan[1] Little Hercules[2] |
| Billed height | 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)[2] |
| Billed weight | 220 lb (100 kg)[1] |
| Born | September 20, 1905[2] Żychlin, Poland[2] |
| Died | March 28, 2007 (aged 101)[2] Queens, New York, U.S.[2] |
| Billed from | Los Angeles, California |
| Debut | 1928 |
| Retired | 1958 |
Abe Kelmer[2] / Abba Kelmer[1] (September 20, 1905 – March 28, 2007) was a Polish professional wrestler, known by the ring names Abe Coleman, Hebrew Hercules, and Jewish Tarzan.[1] At the time of his death, Coleman was believed to be the oldest professional wrestler in the world.
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[edit] Early life
Kelmer was born in Żychlin, Poland.[2] His father was a coal-seller.[1] Kelmer had 15 older brothers and sisters, some of whom perished in the Holocaust.[1] In 1923, he emigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and later moved to New York City in the United States.[1][2]
[edit] Professional wrestling career
According to the Canadian Online Explorer's Greg Oliver, there is debate regarding Kelmer's debut in professional wrestling. In 1929, local promoter Rudy Miller offered Coleman $25 to wrestle after seeing him work out in a Brooklyn gym.[2] Despite this, an "Abe Coleman" wrestled to a draw with George Deslonchamps on March 19, 1928 at Madison Square Garden, but it is unknown if it was Kepler or another wrestler with the same ring name.[2]
Coleman is also credited with the invention of the dropkick, claiming the move was inspired by kangaroos he saw on a tour of Australia in 1930.[1][2]
Coleman was never a champion, but was regarded as a solid midcard worker.[2] In the 1930s, Coleman defeated Jim Londos in a match in a Mexico City bullring in front of 60,000 spectators.[2] During a 1936 match against Man Mountain Dean in front of 36,000 people, Coleman slammed Dean to the ground, breaking the ring mat and dropping the pair down to the arena floor.[1][2]
Following his retirement from active in-ring competition, Coleman became a professional wrestling referee.[1] He also promoted several wrestling shows with Bill Johnston.[2]
[edit] After wrestling
Following his retirement from wrestling, Kelmer inspected license plates for the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.[1]
[edit] Personal life
Kelmer met June Miller in 1936, stating he met her in Madison Square Garden when he landed in her lap after being thrown from the ring.[1] They married three years later in 1939.[1] The couple had no children, and Miller died in 1987.[1] Kelmer lived in Forest Hills, New York.[2] It was in Forest Hills that Kelmer subdued two attempted muggers when he was in his 80s.[1][2]
Outside of wrestling, Kelmer's interests included poker and horse racing.[1]
In his final years, Kelmer was confined to a wheelchair and lived at the Meadow Park Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Flushing, New York.[2] Kelmer died on March 28, 2007 in a nursing home in Queens, New York of kidney failure.[3]
[edit] In wrestling
- Signature moves
[edit] Championships and accomplishments
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
- Class of 2012 (Pioneer category)[4]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Martin, Douglas (April 2, 2007). "Abe Coleman, 101, Wrestler Known as Hebrew Hercules". The New York Times. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60A14F935540C718CDDAD0894DF404482#. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Oliver, Greg (March 28, 2011). "Depression era grappler Abe Coleman, 101, dies". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/03/28/3860797.html. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
- ^ "Oldest pro wrestler passes away today". Wrestling Observer. 2007-03-28. http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=19072. Retrieved 2007-12-10.
- ^ Oliver, Greg (December 3, 2011). "Superfly, JYD, Samoans, Cornette among 2012 PWHF inductees". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/12/03/19064426.html. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
