HAMMERLOCKS, HEADBUTTS AND HUMOR

BY PETER VUONO

   Wrestling fans know very well that gimmicks and special personas have always been part of the sport.

In the 40's Gorgeous George(George Wagner), wore beautifully sequined robes. exquisitely  coiffed hair and, of course, his "Georgie Pins". Years later, wrestler Benny Ramirez wore a bandaged costume from head to foot and called himself  "The Mummy". Later, the giant George Gonzalez wore a body suit resembling Bigfoot. One would wonder, then, why no wrestler took on one of the Stooges as his squared circle persona. Well; one actually did!

    Donald Zalesky was born in Chicoutimi Quebec on 4/3/62. At a young age, he and his folks migrated south to New Jersey. He graduated Essex Catholic High School and while attending there, became a state HS wrestling champ. Not quite enough, Donald wanted to turn pro and it was well known that one of the best teachers was former WWWF "heel" Johnny Rodz who had a school at Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn. At least one source states that Zalesky's training was assisted by legendary wrestlers Taz and Tommy Dreamer

    At first, Zalesky tried the name Diesel Don. However, being a big fan of the Three Stooges, he got a better idea. The 394 lb. Zalesky shaved his head and studied the mannerisms of Curly Howard. He imitated the voice beautifully and was very adept with the Curly Shuffle. A very agile man, he was capable at this extreme weight of performing flying drop kicks.

   In 1990, wrestling was enjoying an amazing resurgence and many an independent organization sprung up. Among them was International Championship Wrestling owned by famed New Jersey WWWF "heel" Angelo Savoldi. Being a family man, Savoldi relished the thought of a living manifestation of Curly Howard gracing the ring. He thought that it would endear both families and kids. In the wrestling vernacular, being popular is called being "over" and this new wrestler, "Curly Moe" was indeed that.

   Curly Moe would have a signature finishing  maneuver similar to the big splash called the "Soitenly Splash". He would be the perfect foil for many a "heel" which continued to delight audiences. As time went by two unfortunate occurrences started to unfold. Not being able to get a major TV network to pick up the ICW, the company folded. Shortly after, Zalesky's weight increased to over the 700 range and he'd have to undergo a gastric bypass. His career over, he dropped 340lbs and became an English as a second language teacher in his native Belville translating Portuguese to English.

   Sadly, after the turn of the millennium, Zalesky would contract liver cancer and pass on 7/1/15.

Like the famed comedian Curly Howard, Don lived a short but full life creating laughter in front of all who would see him perform. His brother wrote in his obituary, "He made us laugh until it hurt". What one among us could ever ask for a better epitaph?