More Highlights for Wrestling

• “Wrassling” and Heavyweight Boxing Champ Joe Louis

  During the 1960’s, the highest rated locally-produced show in the Raleigh/Durham television market was WRAL’s Championship Wrestling. The program was produced weekly in studio A and aired each Saturday afternoon at five o’clock. The show was produced by promoter Joe
• Championship wrestling at WRAL-TV

  Professional wrestlers mix it up in Channel 5 Studio A in early 1959. Hundreds of spectators crammed into the studio each week to watch the action.

• Earl Ashe first director at WRAL

  Earl Ashe was the first director to be hired at WRAL-TV. Ashe shares his stories about the weeks leading up to sign-on in December, 1956. He also shares his background as a pioneer in eastern North Carolina television prior to his arrival in Raleigh. Ashe worked with legendary WRAL personalities Ray Reeves, Bill Armstrong, Bob Knapp, and more. He tells an interesting story about meeting President Ford.

• Joe Murnick

  WRAL-TV sales representative and wrestling promoter in 1960s staff photo

• Bob Caudle

  Weatherman and wrestling announcer in 1960s staff photo