Vintage Beefcake : Bill Melby

Through the years, pro wrestling has been a venue for bodybuilders to showcase their strength and physiques. One such bodybuilder-turned-wrestler was Bill Melby, one of the superstars of wrestling back in the 1950s. If you do an internet search on Melby, you'll see that not only was he popular as a wrestler, he was also known for his physique modelling photographs (some of which I'm reposting here). You can read more about him here. Watch him in action here and here.

With Steve Reeves (Hollywood actor who starred in Hercules)

"A Couple of Beautiful Boys..."

That's what commentator Russ Davis calls Bill Melby and Sam Meyers in this televised match circa 1955. Watch the match (and listen to Russ) here and here.

Vintage Beefcakes of Wrestling - Bill Melby

Bill Melby was a champion bodybuilder in the 1940s before becoming a pro wrestler in the 1950s. Impressive in its time, Melby's physique was featured in many beefcake/muscle magazines in the post-war era. As a wrestler, Melby was a fan favorite and he often battled the most vicious heels. The screen caps below are from a 1957 bout of Melby going up against the dreaded Sheik; you can watch the action here. (Thanks to Mark for leaving a comment on Melby in the previous Vintage Beefcakes of Wrestling post.)

Bill Melby faces The Sheik

The Sheik seems to be pointing at a hidden foreign object.