George Wagner was just your average professional wrestler in the 1930s. He wasnt very big and wasnt considered to be a great shooter. After George met his wife later that decade, they decided to get married in front of a crowd in the middle of a wrestling ring. The live wedding was a hit, so they did it again and again before different arenas. He was onto something. Eventually, George, who already had a fun-loving and big personality, took a concept started by a wrestler named Lord Patrick Lansdowne and turned the volume all the way up. Wagner purchased custom robes covered in sequins, bleached his hair, turned his nose up, and hired a male valet named Jeffries who threw rose petals on the way to the ring while spraying perfume. Wrestlings first antagonist was born. More people bought televisions in the 1940s and 50s to see "The Human Orchid" Gorgeous George than any other entertainer on the planet. His act not only inspired Muhammad Alis overbearing personality, but it created the market for people paying to see someone lose. These tactics are still used in entertainment today and we have Gorgeous George to thank.
Eric Delgado has been writing about professional wrestling for five years and has been involved in the professional wrestling business as a performer for ten. He is also the former host of Steel Cage Radio and has an irrational love for The Ryback.
