Joltin' Joe Blanchard 1970s Boyd Pierce and similar items

JOE BLANCHARD 3.5" x 5.5" Black White photo card with a blank back Created by Boyd Pierce who was a professional wrestling ring announcer and color commentator for over 30 years. Known for his bold, colorful suits and his southern accent, he worked over the years for such wrestling territories as World Class Wrestling Association and Mid-South. Known as a gimmick salesman, he worked merchandise tables with various gimmicks such as clothing, pens and these cards. First released around 1968, but did not take off in popularity until the early 1970s. Unknown how many exist. Joseph Edgar Blanchard (December 7, 1928 ? March 22, 2012) was an American football player, professional wrestler and promoter. His son is original Four Horseman member Tully Blanchard and his granddaughter is former Impact Champion Tessa Blanchard. Blanchard graduated from Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS where he played football and was a star for the college wrestling team and won the Big 7 Conference wrestling tournament in 1950. He played his first three seasons of professional football with the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League, eventually playing in the 1952 Grey Cup, a 21?11 loss to the Toronto Argonauts. His teammates included future pro wrestling stars Gene Kiniski and Wilbur Snyder, along with Ted Tully. His last football season was with the Calgary Stampeders in 1954. In 1953, Blanchard made his debut in pro wrestling in Calgary for Stampede Wrestling. Within all the territories he wrestled, he had the most success in Hawaii for 50th State Big Time Wrestling (twice winning the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship with Lord James Blears) and in Texas for NWA Big Time Wrestling (twice winning the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship). In 1978, Blanchard founded Southwest Championship Wrestling (SCW) in San Antonio, where he retired from active competition later that year after 25 years. He returned to the ring in December 1984 for one last match losing to Jonathan Boyd. Blanchard ran the promotion until selling it to Fred Behrend in April 1985, changing its name to Texas All-Star Wrestling (TAW). In 1989, he joined the American Wrestling Association (AWA), replacing Stanley Blackburn as President of the company. He would remain with the promotion until its closure in 1991. Blanchard is also known for training Dusty Rhodes, King Curtis Iaukea, and his son, Tully Blanchard. The card is complete and in EXCELLENT condition with some overall light wear.