Peter Sauer

Peter Sauer, better known by the ring name Ray Steele, was an American professional wrestler born and raised in Norka, a German colony in Russia, in 1900 before immigrating to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1906.
Steele worked a catch wrestling style in his early career. 16 May 1934 he wrestled Orville Brown to a 30-minute draw. He gained some notoriety in 1936 when he faced heavyweight boxing contender Kingfish Levinsky in a mixed match, which Steele won in 35 seconds. Steele's biggest accomplishment in the sport was winning the National Wrestling Association's World Heavyweight Championship from Bronko Nagurski in St. Louis, Missouri on March 7, 1940. Steele would hold the belt for over a year before losing it back to Bronko Nagurski on March 11, 1941 in Houston, Texas.
Sauer served as a mentor to many young stars, including Lou Thesz before his death of a heart attack in September 1949.

Championships and accomplishments

• National Wrestling Association

• World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)

• Other awards

• George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (2002)
• Pioneer Era inductee to the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (2008)