| Babe Zaharias, a seemingly career-long heel, made his way into Georgia during the mid 1930s. Much to fans chagrin, he rarely left the area after settling here in 1944. Despite being billed as a Zaharias brother, he was actually a cousin to George, Tom, and Chris. In a period of more than twenty years, the ‘Babe’ faced all of the top men who came through the state, most notably a challenge for the NWA World Heavyweight Title of Bill Longson in May 1945. Zaharias’ feuds with fan favorites such as Don McIntyre, Al Massey, Nick Carter, and Dick Lever lasted for many years. s final run here ended in 1952, but the Babe returned off and on until 1957. After substituting for Jack O’Brien in Savannah match, Zaharias was found dead in his hotel room the following morning at the age of forty-two, on August 9, 1957. |
