Episode 118 – Jiu Jitsu vs. Wrestling

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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 […]

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Police Arrest Transit Detective

st-louis-police-badge-from-early-20th-century

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 […]

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Episode 117 – The Champ is Here

ed-strangler-lewis-shakes-hands-with-stanislaus-zbyszko-before-their-1921-world-title-match

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). […]

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Episode 116 – Fake! But It Isn’t

yusuf-ismail-billed-as-yousouf-the-terrible-turk-in-the-united-states

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 […]

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Episode 115 – Gotch the Boxer

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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 […]

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Episode 113 – Catch in a Jacket

clarence-whistler-greco-roman-wrestling-specialist-in-early-1880s

In this episode, I discuss an odd arrangement for a catch-as-catch-can wrestling match in 1881. I also recommend a compilation Chicago wrestling card from 1950-1951 and review one of Sam Muchnick’s cards after the formation of the National Wrestling Alliance. Update The Wrestling Observer 1985 book (affiliate link) on Amazon Main Content On March 31, 1881, Clarence Whistler wrestled Henry […]

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