Misplaced Pages

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) This article's use of external links may not follow Misplaced Pages's policies or guidelines. Please improve this article by removing excessive or inappropriate external links, and converting useful links where appropriate into footnote references. (January 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (January 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Samuel Thomas Hesser (1923–1974) was an American professional wrestler who competed throughout the United States and Canada as Mighty Jumbo and Man Mountain Dean Jr..

Professional wrestling career

Hesser served in the United States Marines during World War II before he became a wrestler in 1950. He made his debut in Chicago as Man Mountain Dean Jr.

In 1952, he debuted for Maple Leaf Wrestling in Toronto. He lost to Antonio Rocca in a Best 2 Out of 3 Falls match. He stayed in Toronto until 1953 and went to Minnestoa.

During his career, he continued to work in New York, Texas and California. At some point in his career, he changed his name to Mighty Jumbo. In 1959, he worked for Capitol Wrestling Corporation in New York City.

He returned to Toronto in 1960. Then in 1961, he began working for Nick Gulas's NWA Mid-America, and continued to do so for much of his later career. In 1965, he worked for Georgia Championship Wrestling, and retired later that year.

Personal life

Hesser owned a tourist attraction known as the Ocala Caverns in his later years.

Death

Hesser died from complications from brain tumor on September 3, 1974, at a Des Moines hospital at 51. He had the tumor for two years.

References

1. "Profile". Wrestlingdata. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
2. Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Man Mountain Dean Jr. « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database".
3. Reese, Carlton (October 9, 2023). "Gone But Not Forgotten". Ocala Magazine. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
4. "Mighty Jumbo; Online World of Wrestling".

External links

• "Mighty Jumbo". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
• "MIGHTY JUMBO' HELD; Accused of Stabbing Second Wrestler After Drinking". New York Times. New York City, New York. September 22, 1959. p. 33.

• 1923 births
• 1974 deaths
• 20th-century male professional wrestlers
• American male professional wrestlers
• People from Omaha, Nebraska
• Professional wrestlers from Nebraska