Ellie Ellis

Cowboy Bob Ellis was a major draw in Arizona over the years. Usually, he was involved in bloody brawls that could put the latter-day "hardcore" promotions such a ECW to shame. His matches with the likes of Eddie Sullivan, The Comancheros, Don Kent and Jack Ringer were epic blood baths. He was the essential good guy, the great White Knight in a cowboy hat rather than armor.

Sound alike names and fake relatives are and were nothign new in wrestling, with promoters wanting to  capitalize on a good thing. There was a Hobo Brazil, a Bummy Rogers and my own favorite, Bruno SaNmartino. There was a Tom Debiase, a Billy Valentine and a Buddy Rogers Jr. These are just a few examples.

Thus it was not surprising to see an Elinor or "Ellie" Ellis arrive on the scene. I know little about her, but seriously doubt that she was any kin to Cowboy Bob. Whether Bob ever endorsed her as a sister or not is again something I would have to gaze into a crystal ball to find out. Suspiciously, I cannot find them working on any cards together in Arizona, which may be a tell-tale sign.

Though Ellie made some appearances in Phoenix, she was used more often by Rod Fenton in Tucson, Flagstaff, Casa  Grande  and Yuma in the early 1960s. Her opponents varied. Most often they were women brought in from California to do the job, but there were never any major feuds or extended grudge matches taking place. Back then, women were for better or worse, an added attraction on the cards. As one promoter back in the Eastern circuit put it when asked about women wrestlers, "Who cares if they can work! The people come to see their ass." So, Ellie was seen as a sex symbol, though the little data remaining on her does indicate she did know how to wrestle effectively. Promoters back then may well have missed the boat by not pushing the women further and for longer feuds.

Ellie used the signature Cowboy Bob Ellis bulldog headlock, which seems odd for a woman to do. But with a name like Ellis, what did you expect?

Her name does crop up in other places, so she evidently made the rounds before either adopting another alias or quitting. Results from the past show her on the cards in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana as well, though again never staying for a great length of time.