Sam Avey

Sam Avey (February 5, 1895 – August 9, 1962) was an American businessman and sports promoter. Best known as the wrestling promoter of little big men, he is also credited for helping to create the Tulsa wrestling territory later used by the National Wrestling Alliance.

Early life Sam Avey was born in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, on February 5, 1895. Prior to wrestling, Avey was a merchant in the family grocery, located in Cherryvale, Kansas. While growing up in Cherryvale, the community’s most prominent sports celebrity was Billy Sandow. Sandow was the manager of Ed “Strangler” Lewis, and Sandow was the catalyst for Avey’s interest in professional wrestling.

Professional wrestling After serving in World War I, Avey returned to Cherryvale and was recruited by Sandow to embark upon a wrestling career. and owned the Tulsa Oilers hockey club in the 1940s. On September 20, 1952, the building was burned to the ground after it was struck by lightning. The building’s wooden roof accelerated the fire.

In January 1958, Avey sold out the wrestling promotion to McGuirk. He left to concentrate on his role as senior vice president with the Farmers and Merchants State Bank. He was still linked to the NWA and remained as Treasurer until August 1960.

Charitable Work Avey was the director of the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce, president of the Rotary Club and was involved in numerous charities. Said charities included the annual Milk Fund wrestling spectacular every March and a celebrated Christmas party for children.

Part of Avey’s wrestling legacy is that he gave Tulsa a structured promotion, which McGuirk ran with great success. Avey died on August 9, 1962, the age of 67.