He perfected the role of the arrogant heel, and is credited with inventing and popularizing the piledriver.

Longson won his second title from Bobby Managoff before losing to Whipper Billy Watson.

The following year, Thesz was awarded National Wrestling Alliance World Championship by default after champion Orville Brown was forced to retire after an automobile accident.

Following this, the Alliance withdrew recognition of Brown's reign in favor of a lineage traced via the Association's lineage - ultimately back to George Hackenschmidt in 1905 - beginning the process of consolidating all American world championships into one.

Longson retired from professional wrestling in 1960 after sustaining a broken pelvis while riding an unbroken horse.