Mask, a novelty

[dannygoddard]

Does anyone remember when a mask was a novelty and a very rare thing in a territory? I guess the first masked wrestler I remember was the Great Bolo. Later came the Assassins and the Mysterious Medics. Then the Masked Herculeas (Bobby Graham), the Outlaw, and then the Pro (Doug Gilbert). It later got to where just about everyone wanted to donn a mask, at least in the past few years. I remember the highlight of the match was when the face almost got the mask untied, most had laces like a wrestling boot, but they just never ever could get that thing off! Those were the days!

[fan50]

I remember that in most face vs. masked heel matches, when the face was winning, instead of going for a pin or concession hold would start trying to get the mask off the heel. At the time, it never occurred to me (or the rest of the crowd in Columbus) that the face should just win the match. Everyone cheered for the fact to unmask the heel, even when the heel held a title and it was at stake in the match.