Billy Darnell

Billy Darnell (February 25, 1926 – September 7, 2007) was an American professional wrestler and major star of the 1940s and 1950s, with his career spanning over twenty years with championships in the National Wrestling Alliance and World Wide Wrestling Federation.

Early life Darnell was born in Camden, New Jersey. At age 16, while working as a lifeguard in Wildwood, New Jersey, he was playfighting with co-workers when a wrestling promoter spotted him and asked him to help with his roster, as many current ones were seeing action in World War II. In 1954, he worked with Sam Muchnick in St. Louis and also booked for an Indiana promotion. In a televised match on 20 May 1961, Darnell beat Ali Pasha (Alexander Vieira Fontes) who died of a heart attack after being slammed down. NWA World Tag Team Championship (Los Angeles version) (1 time) - with Sandor Szabo Midwest Wrestling Association Ohio Heavyweight Championship (2 times) Ohio Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Rocco Columbo Worldwide Wrestling Associates WWA International Television Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Sandor Szabo Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum 2007 Senator Hugh Farley Award recipient Other Titles World Heavyweight Championship (Jack Pfeffer version)