Combat Sports Historian and Martial Artist
During the 19th century, both prizefighters and duelists took advantage of the sandbar islands in the Mississippi River, around St. Louis, Missouri, to hold prizefights or duels. Authorities have frowned on duels to the death in any location. However, both Illinois and Missouri also outlawed prizefighting. Bloody Island in the middle of the Mississippi River just north of Downtown St.
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/cmbp5xc7yxmqkviu/Episode_616q81g.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, I am joined by my cousin Dan as we discuss the controversial 1887 match between Evan “Strangler” Lewis and English catch wrestler Tom Connors. Update I finished the edits of the John Pesek book this week. After proofreading and editing, it should be out the first week in September 2024. The
In the early morning hours of August 5, 1933, four safe burglars broke a window at the Marshfield Brewing Company in Marshfield, Wisconsin. The burglars knocked a dial off the safe and removed $1,550.00 in federal stamps. In 2024 dollars, the burglars stole over $37,000.00. The same burglars successfully took another $1,000 in federal stamps from the Wausau Brewing Company
Early in his career, Fred Beell wrestled Gus “Americus” Schoenlein in 1904 and 1905. During the 1904 match, Beell won the only fall and match. Schoenlein wanted to avenge this defeat. In May 1905, Schoenlein’s manager secured a rematch in Schoenlein’s hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. Schoenlein stood five feet, ten inches tall and weighed 210 pounds. Beell usually faced a
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/did8ub8hmszincxc/Episode_609wvte.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, I discuss the development of the St. Louis wrestling promotion under Tom Packs and Sam Muchnick. Update We will issue two episodes next month on August 12, 2024, and August 26, 2024. I will not publish the John “The Nebraska Tigerman” Pesek book until the end of August or middle of
D. A. McMillan served as a competent journeyman wrestler during the last two decades of the 19th Century. McMillan wrestled American Heavyweight Wrestling Champion Martin “Farmer” Burns in a worked gambling scheme that a newspaper reporter exposed. While McMillan never won the American title, McMillan beat lesser competition before the better wrestlers like Burns defeated him. On December 22, 1888,
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/bjrqaetkjeqib4ih/Episode_5974mk0.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, we discuss how Hubert and Charley Pesek affected the career of John “The Nebraska Tigerman” Pesek. Update We are still a few episodes from Dan coming back on the podcast. He is recovering slowly but surely. I also briefly talk about AEW Forbidden Door and WWE Money in the Bank. Main
In the fall of 1921, Jack Curley and Tex Rickard engaged in a promotional feud that started in professional boxing but spread to professional wrestling. Curley and Rickard settled their feud in a legitimate contest in November 1921. Curley selected John “The Nebraska Tigerman” Pesek to act for him against Rickard’s wrestler Marin Plestina. Before Curley and Rickard could arrange
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/f3p7uaja28cwn5zw/Episode_5868af3.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, I discuss the federal government prosecuting a gambling ring in 1910. The case exposed how wrestlers worked matches to bilk fans betting on the matches. Update I discuss Janel Grant’s legal team pausing Ms. Grant’s lawsuit as the federal government continues their investigation. I also discuss AEW’s need to correct course
On Thursday, October 7, 1884, Colonel James Hiram McLaughlin wrestled Henry Moses Dufur for what both men claimed would be the last time. The 40-year-olds specialized in collar-and-elbow wrestling. The men wrestled in Detroit, Michigan, the home territory of McLaughlin. The match took place at the Detroit Opera House in front of a small crowd. Professional wrestling had not developed