Overview

Edward Leon Baxter (June 4, 1938 – August 15, 2019) was an American professional wrestler who achieved regional fame in the 1960s and 1970s. He performed most famously under a mask as "The Wrestling Pro," and also used the ring name Tarzan Baxter. His career is principally associated with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), a network of regional promotions that dominated North American pro wrestling during that era.

Persona and Ring Names

Baxter's masked persona, Wrestling Pro, followed a long tradition in professional wrestling where masks create mystique, protect a wrestler's private identity, and allow a character to become larger than the person beneath it. Outside the mask he sometimes billed himself as Tarzan Baxter, a name that emphasized athleticism and a rugged, swinging character suitable for the territories in which he competed.

Career and Style

Active primarily in the 1960s and 1970s, Baxter wrestled for various NWA-affiliated promotions. His in-ring style reflected the era's emphasis on technical grappling and regional storytelling rather than today's sports-entertainment presentation. He worked both as a singles competitor and in tag matches, using holds, counters, and occasional brawling when storylines demanded more intensity.

Notable Feuds and Matches

Baxter engaged in high-profile rivalries that brought him into contention for prominent NWA championships. Among his better-known opponents were Ken Mantell, with whom he contested the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship, and Jack Brisco, a leading figure in the NWA heavyweight ranks and a frequent challenger for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. These feuds helped establish Baxter as a credible contender in the junior and heavyweight pictures within the territories where he worked.

Legacy and Context

While Baxter did not become a universally famous national figure, his work as Wrestling Pro illustrates how the masked wrestler archetype and the territorial system of the NWA combined to create enduring local stars. Performers like Baxter contributed to the depth and variety of mid-20th-century professional wrestling, providing memorable matches and regional attractions that sustained the business for decades. For further reading on the era and regional wrestling history, see relevant sources.

Notable Facts

  • Best known ring name: Wrestling Pro (masked).
  • Also billed as Tarzan Baxter.
  • Key rivals included Ken Mantell and Jack Brisco.
  • Career centered in NWA-affiliated promotions during the 1960s–70s.