Real Name - Joe Ginsberg
Lifespan - ?/?/1898-4/20/1962
?'?" 190 lbs. - Utica, NY
Aliases - none
Athletic background - Wrestling (Utica)
Peak Years - 1920s

Place in History - Joe Malcewicz was a successful professional wrestler and became a long-running promoter in Northern California. He was an excellent amateur out of New York and became known as the “Utica Panther” for his ferocious style, which also earned him the nickname “Elbows.” In the mid-1920s, Malcewicz was a blue chipper for Boston promoter Paul Bowser. He had a memorable match with “Strangler” Lewis, where he raised his stock in a losing effort. Malcewicz also stepped in a ring with Joe Stecher, who walked out instead of squaring off with the young grappler. Then came his controversial “win” over World Champion Earl Caddock that did not give him the title as Caddock went on to drop it to Stecher soon after. Despite the fact Malcewicz had the legitimate ability and the sand to rough people up, he never fully lived up to his promise as a world-beater. While he did enjoy some time on top, Malcewicz was peehaps never large enough, never political enough and some might say never motivated enough to secure that spot. Instead, Malcewicz took over the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1930s as a promoter. It was a solid operation for three decades and Malcewicz earned his money there. The veteran grappler, now nicknamed “Old Waffle Ears” (for his distinct cauliflower ears), was promoting the next generation during the 1940s. He, like many others, had television, but was not of that generation and never utilized past building his houses with free exposure. He was an NWA member throughout the 1950s, but when Roy Shire moved into San Francisco in the early 1960s, Malcewicz could not put up a fight. Shire’s strong television, exciting new stars and dynamic product overwhelmed the aging promoter. Shortly after Malcewicz passed away and the promotional war was decidely over. Malcewicz's career might best be summed up by the word "complacency." He was complacent with being an able wrestler, even if he was not the champion. He was complacent with running a city and making his money, even if he was not packing houses or presenting an innovative product.