Combat Sports Historian and Martial Artist
On Monday, December 6, 1932, 41-year-old Ed “Strangler” Lewis wrestled one of his last legitimate contests to settle a promotional dispute in New York. After initially being allies in promotion, Jim Londos broke away from Jack Curley’s group in New York. To restore peace, the parties decided on a legitimate contest or “shoot” to settle the dispute. Joseph “Toots” Mondt
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/j6x3j4/Episode_127k6rj.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadUpdate I finished Shooting or Working? The History of the American Heavyweight Wrestling Championship earlier than expected. It is available on Amazon during this soft launch period. Main Content “Little Demon” Joe Acton arrived in the United States in 1882 to challenge Edwin Bibby for the catch-as-catch-can wrestling championship, which developed into the American
On Tuesday, March 28, 1899, current American Heavyweight Wrestling Champion Dan S. McLeod wrestled Charles Wittmer in a two-out-of-three-falls mixed styles match. Since the champion only defended the title in catch-as-catch-can matches, McLeod wrestled Wittmer in a non-title match. Wittmer, a Greco-Roman wrestling specialist, demanded he and McLeod wrestle at least one fall under Greco-Roman rules. The St. Paul Athletic
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/wk6gsp/Episode_117iqi8.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, we discuss when an author has a duty to correct a book the author published earlier. Update I have completed the manuscript for the history of the American Heavyweight Wrestling Championship. I will release the book in mid-November 2022. Main Content While researching the history of the American Heavyweight Wrestling Championship,
If wrestling fans know of Anton “Tony” Stecher, it is as the long-time promoter of professional wrestling in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Stecher started promoting professional wrestling in the Twin Cities during 1933. Stecher built the Minneapolis Boxing and Wrestling Club into a powerful local wrestling promotion. Stecher was also one of the early members of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Stecher
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/qqups9/Episode_109lwdy.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, we will be talking about John “The Nebraska Tigerman” Pesek. Update I have completed the first draft of the history of the American Heavyweight Wrestling Championship. I expect releasing the finished book at the end of October or beginning of November 2022. We also briefly discuss the situation in All Elite
Scottish wrestler Duncan C. Ross wrestled professionally but also took part in strength and athletic contests after arriving in the United States in the late 1870s. An all-around athlete, Ross wrestled skillfully in both catch-as-catch-can wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling. On Monday, February 26, 1883, Ross wrestled former World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion Theobaud Bauer. Bauer brought the World Championship from France
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/qa5x3a/Episode_96v6p8.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadEpisode Preview In this episode, I will be talking about Frank Gotch’s toughest opponent, Tom Jenkins. Introduction Tony Khan has some real problems with the recent altercation between his top star and his Executive Vice Presidents. Main Content I have almost completed the history of the American Heavyweight Wrestling Championship. I have a solid
Joe Stecher made his professional wrestling debut in late 1912 or early 1913. Stecher proved to be a dangerous professional from the beginning of his career. Martin “Farmer” Burns, the storied wrestler and trainer, brought one of his proteges, Yussiff Hussane, to test Stecher in a legitimate contest during June 1913. Burns and most followers of the sport expected Hussane
On Tuesday, October 21, 1913, Ed “Strangler” Lewis defended his newly won American Heavyweight Wrestling Championship against William Demetral. Lewis wrestled Demetral at Lexington’s Auditorium on a mat instead of a ring. The mat setup played a role in the finish of the match. Promoter Jerry Walls placed a mat on the elevated stage, a common setup before the widespread