Combat Sports Historian and Martial Artist
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/q2bpuf/Episode_266py6d.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, I discuss the 1917 and 1920 World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship matches between Joe Stecher and Earl Caddock. Update A special thank you to listener Shannon Bertrand, who let me know that I loaded the wrong episode for Episode 25. I have corrected the episode and it should be available on all
When World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion William Muldoon retired in 1889, he hoped his protege Ernest Roeber would be recognized as the new champion. However, Muldoon won his title in Greco-Roman wrestling, which was the German-born Roeber’s expertise. Unfortunately, the exploits of Martin “Farmer” Burns and Evan “The Strangler” Lewis catapulted catch-as-catch-can wrestling into the dominant style. Roeber did have a
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/axyw2v/Episode_258ridr.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, we discuss an 1884 mixed styles match between J.H. McLaughlin and Duncan C. Ross. Update Shut Up and Wrestle Interview with Mike Chapman – Why I normally don’t read other historians of the time frame that I study. Based on the interview, I am going to research two matches I viewed
Taro Miyake originally came to prominence as a jiu jitsu expert fighting legitimate mixed styles contests with professional boxers and wrestlers. Miyake used the legitimate contests, most of which he won, to generate interest in jiu jitsu. Like many judo and jiu jitsu instructors, Miyake discovered how hard it was to make a sustainable income from martial arts instruction. Taro
World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis was scheduled to meet former champion Stanislaus Zbyszko at the St. Louis Coliseum on Thursday, December 14, 1922 but the match was almost called off due to disagreements over the selection of a referee. It was only after the intercession of St. Louis promoter John Contos that both men agreed to St. Louis
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/fa8auy/Episode_247r7qx.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, I discuss the career of unknown World Champion Jim Browning. Update I recently made thirteen of my non-fiction books available to bookstores and libraries in paperback. I hope you will see them in your local bookstore or library soon. Main Content While reading about the double-crosses of the early 1930s, I
In March 1893, newspapers across the country carried the story of a proposed match between current world light heavyweight boxing champion Jack McAuliffe and Saint Louis boxing instructor Mike Mooney. Although the match would seem odd because Mooney was such a lightly regarded challenger, the lure of $2500 a side is probably what brought the champion to the table. Adjusted
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/w5zan5/Episode_239uf6l.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, I discuss professional wrestling matches conducted under Sumo Rules in the 1880s. Update While I hate UFC merging with WWE, you do have to salute Vince McMahon selling his company for more than it’s worth. Vince also managed to stay in charge of the company. Vince McMahon won the promotional wars
On Tuesday, December 12, 1916, local favorite, John “The Nebraska Tigerman” Pesek wrestled fellow shooter, Al “Dutch” Mantell, in a worked match. Pesek recently trained with fellow Nebraska wrestler and recognized World Champion Joe Stecher prior to this match. Pesek developed a notorious reputation for shooting with other wrestlers. However, Pesek was a 22-year-old up-and-comer still learning to wrestle, when
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/spskyr/Episode_22b5y7p.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, my cousin Dan and I discuss the evolution of pro wrestling since the late 1970s and its influence on our fandom. We agreed wrestling had to change because of the emergence of cable television. One of the wrestling companies was going to go national. Although they did not necessarily have to