In this episode, I discuss the early career of Reggie Siki, the first nationally known African-American wrestler. I also review the documentary Memphis Heat. Update Heny Moses Dufur working matches. Notes from Verne: Inside and Outside the Ring by Brian Ferguson (affiliate link) During 1947-1948 NCAA wrestling season, Verne wrestled Ray Gunkel (Ohio State), Mike DiBiase (Nebraska), Joe Blanchard (Kansas […]
» Read more
On Friday, January 22, 1932, Jack Claybourne, one of the first nationally known African American professional wrestlers, wrestled Billy Wolfe at the Athletic Hall in Moberly, Missouri. 36-year-old Billy Wolfe started wrestling professionally in 1922. Claybourne and Wolfe main evented the card. In the opening match, Wolfe’s second wife, Barbara Ware, wrestled Ruth Case of Kirksville, Missouri. Ware won the […]
» Read more
In this episode, I discuss Billy Riley, founder of Wigan’s Snake Pit, wrestling in the United States during 1922 and 1923. I look at Jack Claybourne’s 1940 five month tour of Massachusetts. I also review WWE Unreal Season 2 on Netflix. Update The first two UFC cards on Paramount Plus have been excellent. WWE Unreal was more compelling than the […]
» Read more
In this episode, I look at two murders involving wrestlers or related to wrestling. Update Bruiser Brody in October and November 1983. Larry’s last show on October 29, 1983. Brody wrestles for Central States for the first time on November 3, 1983. We look at the November 17, 1983 Kansas City card and first St. Louis card after Larry’s promotion […]
» Read more
In this episode, I discuss Harry Hill, New York sporting man and collar-and-elbow professional wrestler, who played a large role in professional wrestling and prizefighting in the 1860s and 1870s. Update I learned something knew about Vince McMahon taking over the Wrestling at the Chase time frame, which we will discuss in the review section. We received news this week […]
» Read more
This post is an exerpt from the second edition of St. Louis’ Civil War: The Streetcar Strike of 1900 (Second Edition). Saint Louis Police arrested transit security officer Ora Havill for the third time in a week on Sunday, June 3, 1900. Havill shot multiple men in two previous incidents. Havill claimed self-defense on both occasions. Havill fired six to […]
» Read more
In this episode, I discuss a mixed styles contest between Marin Plestina and Taro Miyake in 1920. Update Brock Lesnar and Minoru Suzuki are sharing a barber. WWE CM Punk vs. Bron Breaker on January 5th Raw With WWE, you can skip most of the matches because they all look the same. You rarely have someone stand out in the […]
» Read more
In this episode, I discuss Stanislaus Zbyszko “winning” his first world title in May 1921. I also review a Southeastern Championship card from 1984. Update John Cena may be responsible for that terrible finish in his last match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. AEW and White Castle promoting a combo. I finished The Wrestling Observer Complete Collection 1985 (affiliate link). […]
» Read more
In this episode, I discuss a two-match series between Yusuf Ismail and Ernest Roeber from New York City in March-April, 1898. Update John Moxley versus Josh Alexander on AEW New Year’s Smash was one of the best matches I saw in 2025. I am starting on the next wrestling book about 19th Century pioneer professional wrestlers. UFC is debuting on […]
» Read more
In this episode, I discuss Frank Goch’s brief foray into professional boxing. I also compare two Los Angeles cards in 1925. Finally, I discuss the 2026 podcast schedule. Recommendations 1985 Wrestling Observer Yearbook (affiliate link) A Deadly Affair by Carla Simpson (affiliate link) Review Kenneth Dix’s Card on Thursday, July 30, 1925 in Vernon, California Main Event: Joseph “Toots” Mondt […]
» Read more