Age, Biography and Wiki

Sam Muchnick (Jeshua Muchnick) was born on 22 August, 1905 in Novohrad-Volynskyi, Russian Empire (now Zviahel, Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine), is an American wrestling promoter. Discover Sam Muchnick's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 93 years old?

Popular As Jeshua Muchnick
Occupation Professional wrestling promoter
Age 93 years old
Zodiac Sign Leo
Born 22 August, 1905
Birthday 22 August
Birthplace Novohrad-Volynskyi, Russian Empire (now Zviahel, Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine)
Date of death 30 December, 1998
Died Place St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Nationality Ukraine

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 22 August. He is a member of famous Professional with the age 93 years old group.

Sam Muchnick Height, Weight & Measurements

At 93 years old, Sam Muchnick height not available right now. We will update Sam Muchnick's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Sam Muchnick's Wife?

His wife is Helen Wildefong (m. 1947-1981)

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Helen Wildefong (m. 1947-1981)
Sibling Not Available
Children 3

Sam Muchnick Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Sam Muchnick worth at the age of 93 years old? Sam Muchnick’s income source is mostly from being a successful Professional. He is from Ukraine. We have estimated Sam Muchnick's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income Professional

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Timeline

1905

Samuel Muchnick (born Jeshua Muchnick, August 22, 1905 – December 30, 1998 ) was an American professional wrestling promoter from St. Louis, Missouri.

Muchnick was born in Ukraine to a Jewish family on August 22, 1905, but moved to the United States in 1911.

He grew up in St. Louis, and his name was changed to Samuel when his father decided that Jeshua (Jesus or Joshua) was an inappropriate name for a Jewish child.

While attending school, he worked various jobs to help out his family before earning his high school degree (though he ditched his graduation to attend a live wrestling event at the Odeon Theatre, where he watched the great Wladek Zbyszko in action).

1924

In 1924, he took a job with the U.S. Post Office; and in 1926, he joined the sports staff at the St. Louis Times newspaper, where he covered the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team while developing many influential acquaintances (including Babe Ruth, Al Capone, and others).

Muchnick also covered professional wrestling, where he formed a friendship with Tom Packs, who was the Midwest's top sports promoter.

1932

In 1932, the Times merged with the rival St. Louis Star, and Muchnick left the paper for a position as Packs' publicist, where he handled public relations, finances and even booking duties.

For nine years, Muchnick served as Tom Packs' righthand man while learning the ropes under one of the nation's most powerful promoters.

1941

However, Muchnick was insulted when Packs awarded him a paltry $200 bonus following the duo's successful promotion of the Joe Louis vs. Tony Musto heavyweight title bout in April 1941 (a fight that drew profits of $14,000).

Muchnick then decided to leave his mentor when longtime wrestling champion Jim Londos (who was also on the outs with Packs) convinced him to start his own organization.

1942

Despite facing heavy resistance from Packs (who possessed much political clout with the State Athletic Commission), Muchnick promoted his first shows in May 1942 before enlisting in the Air Force during World War II.

1945

Upon returning, Muchnick continued to face competitive pressures from Packs; though he filed several court injunctions to promote his first show at St. Louis' renowned Kiel Auditorium on December 5, 1945.

With the help of maverick Ohio promoter Jack Pfefer (who sent Sam several wrestlers to help him get started), Muchnick drew 3,771 fans to the arena while featuring such veteran wrestling stars as Ed "Strangler" Lewis, Roy Dunn, and others.

Over the next few years, Muchnick was often forced to use old-timers past their primes as Packs employed most of the top talent (including reigning World Champion Lou Thesz).

1948

He is often regarded as wrestling's equivalent of Pete Rozelle (the forward-thinking commissioner who revolutionized the NFL), and he was instrumental in establishing the National Wrestling Alliance, which became the industry's top governing body, in 1948.

Then, in mid-1948, Muchnick was approached by Iowa's Pinky George and Minnesota's Tony Stecher about forming a new wrestling union.

Up until this time, all pro wrestling regulations had come from the National Wrestling Association, which was made up of various athletic commissions.

Their idea was to form a coalition of promoters, which would then share the bookings of the World Champion and top wrestlers while also splitting the gate draws.

As a result, on July 19, 1948, Muchnick met with fellow promoters Pinky George, Wally Karbo (representing Tony Stecher), Orville Brown, Max Clayton, and Al Haft at the President Hotel in Waterloo, Iowa to form what was named the National Wrestling Alliance.

Pinky George was named the organization's first President while Orville Brown was subsequently recognized as the first NWA World Heavyweight Champion.

Shortly thereafter, Muchnick became the beneficiary of talent exchanges with various territories that joined the NWA.

As a result, he was then able to secure the services of an innovative young heel named "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, who had previously been wrestling in Jack Pfefer's Toledo, Ohio territory.

Rogers' outspoken persona and charismatic personality allowed him to outdraw even the great Lou Thesz (who by now had taken over much of Tom Packs' operation) while adding legitimacy to Muchnick's company.

Eventually, the two St. Louis groups would merge while starting a promotional war angle; Muchnick kept a controlling interest in the territory by holding two percentage points more than Thesz.

1949

Then, on November 27, 1949, Thesz unified the National Wrestling Association and National Wrestling Alliance World Titles after Brown was injured in an auto accident prior to their scheduled match.

1950

Muchnick served as the NWA's president from 1950 to 1960 and again from 1963 to 1975.

He operated the St. Louis Wrestling Club, one of the primary members of the NWA, based in St. Louis.

In 1950, Sam Muchnick was named the new president of the NWA, a position to which he was unanimously re-elected for the next nine years due to the immense trust that he inspired among the various members of the organization.

With Muchnick at the helm, the NWA became the dominant governing body in pro wrestling, as nearly every major wrestling territory across the country joined the Alliance in order to gain access to the treasure chest that was the NWA World Heavyweight Champion, who was universally recognized as the industry's premier star.

Under Muchnick's leadership, the NWA would also donate thousands of dollars to help fund the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team.

1959

Then, in the late 1950s, Sam Muchnick formed the St. Louis Wrestling Club while producing a new television program titled Wrestling at the Chase on KPLR-TV, which ran from May 23, 1959, to Sept. 10, 1983.

There were approximately 1,100 episodes made during that time span.

The show would become one of the most popular local productions in St. Louis television history, as it turned pro wrestling into a nationally popular entertainment while bringing the many stars of the NWA into the homes of its fans.

1960

By 1960, Sam Muchnick stepped aside as NWA president so that the organization could benefit from new ideas.

He served as executive secretary under Frank Tunney, Fred Kohler and Karl "Doc" Sarpolis.

1963

Consequently, Muchnick was unanimously re-installed as NWA president in 1963 and held the office until 1975, thus contributing a total of 25 years as the industry's most influential promoter.

During his second reign, Muchnick maintained the NWA's position as wrestling's top power while he also displayed an uncanny eye for scouting future talent, as his St. Louis territory groomed such eventual champions as Johnny Valentine, Gene Kiniski, Harley Race, Dory Funk Jr.., Terry Funk, Ric Flair, and many others.

Moreover, he expanded the NWA globally by inking agreements with territories in Mexico, the Far East, Europe, and the Caribbean.

1982

Muchnick promoted his last card on January 1, 1982, which was subsequently named "Sam Muchnick Day" in St. Louis by Mayor Vincent Schoemehl.

Shortly afterward, the St. Louis Wrestling Club was purchased by Bob Geigel, Pat O'Connor and Harley Race.