Combat Sports Historian and Martial Artist
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/a77q3j4bp23crd8x/Episode_807a480.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, I discuss how the Divided Championship Era began to expose the worked nature of professional wrestling. Update BBC recently made a decision about the BBC Sounds app that is truly irritating. I will be giving a St. Louis history presentation at Eugene Field House on April 5, 2025. The Divided Championship
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/3jrikmpxikbjmkp5/Episode_799nh51.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, I discuss William Muldoon wrestling a contest that was not much of a contest. Between falls, Muldoon demonstrated his system of physical training. WWE put on their first disappointing card of the Paul Levesque era with Elimination Chamber 2025. The last ride of the Over the Hill Gang ruined an underwhelming
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/bgiyc9p9ddr8pmhj/Episode_7881qcq.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, Dan and I discuss two notable omissions from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. I discuss Chris Jericho’s disappointing run in AEW. In the main content, I discuss two glaring omissions, Paul Bowser and Cora Livingston from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. Paul Bowser developed into a solid
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/sis8sp3iwczcpy4v/Episode_77bs1hb.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, we discuss Bernarr MacFadden’s professional wrestling career in St. Louis, Missouri. Update I discuss a recent email and provide an update on the Divided Championship project. Main Content For years, I could not find any account of Bernarr MacFadden’s exploits as a professional wrestler in St. Louis. While research the beginnings
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/r5y6br9bc4e3dbqf/Episode_766doid.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, I discuss Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeating the Masked Marvel during the 1915 New York International Wrestling Tournament. Update After years of looking for Bernarr MacFadden’s wrestling matches in St. Louis, I stumbled across a reporter’s recollections of the best wrestling matches he covered during his twenty year career. MacFadden wrestled as
On Sunday, November 9, 1913, African American boxer Sam McVea, or McVey, battled Professor Stevenson, a Jujitsu practitioner, in a mixed styles bout in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia. McVea and Stevenson fought ten, five-minute rounds, with three-minute intermission between rounds. McVea and Stevenson fought for $100 a side. In grappler vs. boxer matches, the grappler usually won, but McVea
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/cz2xtr79w47uuznn/Episode_756r8g9.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, we discuss former World Champion Wayne “Big” Munn and his lesser known brother, Glen Munn. Update Damian Harmony and Ed Blaylock recently invited me on the Geek History of Time podcast. I thoroughly enjoyed the interview. I recommend their podcast to anyone interested in professional wrestling, history, popular culture, and interesting
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/t3idm7n7cbe5dsbr/Episode_748avea.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, we discuss one of the first nationally known African American wrestlers, Reginald Siki. Update My cousin Dan returns to the podcast. We discuss a shocking result in the NFL playoffs, Vince McMahon making a settlement with the SEC, and my thoughts on the AEW cards I have been watching on Max.
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/8icv7evwqh77tjc5/Episode_739bw5v.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, I discuss the first of three matches in 1926 between World Champion Joe Stecher and John “The Nebraska Tigerman” Pesek. I also discuss the two big wrestling companies debuting on Netflix and Max. Main Content I discuss the first of three matches in 1926 between World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion Joe Stecher
When the great Jack Johnson defeated Tommy Burns for the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship, the boxing establishment started searching for a “white hope” to defeat Johnson. In desperation to find someone to defeat Johnson, promoters and sports writers started lobbying former World Heavyweight Champion James J. Jeffries to end his retirement to fight Johnson. Jeffries retired undefeated in 1905. After