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Don Owen (March 16, 1912 – August 1, 2002) was an American professional wrestling promoter. For several decades, he owned and operated the highly successful Pacific Northwest Wrestling (PNW) under his parent company, Don Owen Sports, which was based out of Portland, Oregon.
- Overview
- Career
- Personal life
Don Owen (1912 – 2002) was an American promoter. For several decades, he owned and operated the highly successful Pacific Northwest Wrestling (PNW) under his parent company, Don Owen Sports, which was based out of Portland, Oregon.
Born in Eugene, Oregon to boxing/wrestling promoter Herb Owen, Don and his brother Elton began working in the family business in the mid 1920s, selling popcorn and drinks to the audience. Early on, Don and Elton even stepped into the ring on occasion to box or wrestle. In time, Don moved more and more into the promoting side, eventually taking over completely after his father died in 1951. His career as a promoter spanned over 60 years throughout the heyday of territorial pro wrestling. Owen was an early member of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
Under management of Don Owen Sports, Pacific Northwest Wrestling became one of the leaders of the National Wrestling Alliance, the chief reason being Don Owen's reputation as the best payoff promoter in the wrestling business. Owen was known for dealing fairly with all his wrestlers, paying them exactly what he promised and never trying to stiff them, a mentality not shared with the vast majority of his fellow promoters. Because of this, every major star in the 1960s and '70s wished to wrestle in the Northwest. Among those who wrestled and/or got their start under Don Owen's management are Stan Stasiak, Dizzy Hogan, Curt Hennig, Mad Dog Vachon, Nick Bockwinkel, Jesse Ventura, Roddy Piper, Billy Jack Haynes, Omar Atlas, Shag Thomas, Dutch Savage, Lonnie "Moondog" Mayne, Jimmy Snuka, and George Wagner (in the years before he attained international fame as Gorgeous George).
Owen was married with two sons, Barry and Mark. Mark is married with two children. Barry worked for his father's wrestling promotion from a young age and took over uncle Elton's duties after his retirement in 1982.
Don Owen was the highly respected Promoter of the Portland territory (known as Pacific Northwest Wrestling) in the old NWA.. Don Owen gave many up and comers their start, when other regionals wouldn’t (IE: Roddy Piper, Siva Afi, Jimmy Snuka)..
Sep 24, 1999 · “Don Owen was the best payoff promoter in the business,” remembered former NWA World champion Dory Funk Jr. During his tenure as NWA champ, Portland was a regular stop for Funk where he wrestled such stars as Stan Stasiak, Dutch Savage and Lonnie Mayne. “Don paid the boys what he said right down to the penny,” continued Funk. “He was a classy guy.”
Don Owen (March 16 1912 – August 1 2002) was an American professional wrestling promoter. For several decades, he owned and operated the highly successful Pacific Northwest Wrestling (PNW) under his parent company, Don Owen Sports, which was based out of Portland, Oregon.
Sep 23, 1999 · Regarded as one of the best offices to work for during wrestling’s territorial days, Don Owen’s PNW was the longest-running promotion in the United States. The main reason why it endured for so long was because of Don’s reputation as the classiest and most respected promoter in the business.
May 6, 2023 · It’s Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame season and if Portland Wrestling promoter Don Owen doesn’t make it in this year, he’ll fall off the ballot. On this special episode of The Portland Wrestlecast, historian Matt Farmer and I talk about the merits of Owen as a candidate.
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