The One Opponent Gotch Could Not Beat

På December 16, 1917, Frank Alvin Gotch lost a three week battle with uremic poisoning. Doctors attempted to keep his kidneys going through an operation in Chicago but it provided only temporary relief. Gotch intended to travel to Hot Springs, Arkansas to try and restore his health. The operation ended this hope. Gotch spent the last couple weeks only able to take short walks in his hometown of Humboldt, Iowa.

Frank Gotch compiled one of the most impressive wrestling records in American professional wrestling history. After being defeated by Martin “Farmer” Burns in 1899, Burns took the 21 year-old Gotch under his wing. Med en sådan utmärkt tränare, Gotch soon won the American Heavyweight Championship.

Gotch scored his biggest triumph in 1908 when he defeated George Hackenschmidt for the recognized World Wrestling Championship. Three years later, he defeated “Den ryska Lion” in the rematch. In between these matches, he defeated future World Champion Stanislaus Zbyszko.

Unlike many other champions, Gotch retired as champion in 1913 när han var 35 år gammal. With the birth of his son Robert, Gotch bestämde sig för att gå i pension med sin familj på gården. Ingen kunde ha vetat att den starka och friska Gotch bara skulle leva fyra år till.

Prior to advances in medicine, uremic poisoning was a deadly killer. Many St. Louis poliser, who died in the line of duty, had survivable wounds but died from uremic poisoning. I dag, Gotch skulle sannolikt ha levt ett långt och produktivt liv på gården och fortsatte att träna brottare som hans mentor Burns.

With the death of Gotch, legitimate wrestling also died. Legitimate competitions were almost completely replaced with prearranged matches. Gotchs död markerade slutet på en era.

What do you think of when you hear of a young person like Frank Gotch passing away? You can leave a comment or ask a question about this or any post on my Facebook-sida och Twitter-profil.

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