Thought I would share this with you and not in my copy of Ray's Index.
Ray does list this as probably the first show.
1931 January 24th
NEWCASTLE
Henri Irslinger 2-1 Bert Assirati .... Douglas Clark 1-1 Owen Duffy .... Andy Powers 1-0 Carl Dodge .... Half Nelson Keyes 2-1 Billy Harrison
The 2nd show and the next one with the actual advert. We have so little from early 1931 and these bouts really are pretty much a duplicate of what was put on round the country in the early months of 31.
The promoters realised it was more sensible to start the shows earlier particularly so people from outlying areas could get their buses etc home also a lot of people would stay in town after the Newcastle match grab a beer or some food then head into St James, it worked well for shop workers who finished by 6pm too . It was definitely a factor in the good attendances once it was established.
I've had a good look at all the Newcastle papers from January 1931 and am very sceptical of the bills listed for Tuesday 6th January and Saturday 24th January. The Newcastle Daily Chronicle of 24th January has an advert for boxing at the New St James Hall that night, no mention of wrestling, so I reckon we can definitely rule that one out. Even in 1931 with limited resources Assirati v Irslinger three times in a month seems unlikely. Previews (see Ron's intro) and reports of the 24th February show (below) make reference to 24th February show being the first opportunity to watch wrestling at the hall.
"Commence 7:45" prompt. Good example for some 2022 promoters
Had not spotted this from 6th given by Ost. 1931 January 6th NEWCASTLE
Ernie Hart 1-0 Sniffer Benson .... Henri Irslinger 1-0 Bert Assirati .... Alec Munro 2-1 Owen Duffy
It was a very low key start so the Newspaper coverage is weak. One reporter states that he was told about the plans months ago before the launch and the plans looked poor. The first shows also were flat. Going back to the sport going public on Dec 15th 1930 , we always had a contradiction that a few local shows were on record. I think some trials and exhibitions did happen and Dec 15 was Oakeley's and Irslinger's official launch night for the new sport in big cities.. I have some more for 1931.
Interesting that 6th Jan , 24th Jan and 3rd March were all Irslinger v Assirati.
Some names are very familiar whilst others are maybe local. The end of 1930 it seems had been a frantic search for talent with try outs. It had been a bad year and poorly received and in talking to the press , the plans for the game were to bring in more people from USA to give it a lift. I don't think they managed many. Billy Bartush was one and a few Europeans , but the signs are it struggled in 1932 and by the number of shows picked up in 1933 , with what seems to be a more established nationwide Roster , It would seem progress. But I am not so sure of that as 1934 looks to be blank. Has anyone got any 1934 shows. I think there was some reference to the early shows being exhibitions so it is possible that the 6th Jan Irslinger/ Assiratti was a short show and maybe not classed as a full programme. It could have been on with boxing , but as far as the papers go it looked hard work for the new game to get coverage.
Whatever it is nice to have these early shows for such a big venue and it's history.
First one I have from Ray's files was January 6th, 1931
Thanks Ron. Your advert for the February show seems to suggest this was the first time, so the jury is still out.