Burns popiera spojenie so Stecherom

In early 1916, Martin “Poľnohospodár” Burns, ktorý trénoval a viedol Franka Gotcha na majstrovstvá sveta v ťažkej váhe, začal popierať, že sa z neho vyvinul súčasný americký šampión v ťažkej váhe Joe Stecher. Toto tvrdenie sa zdalo zvláštne, pretože Burns so Stecherom spolupracoval už niekoľko rokov. Burns pomohol Stecherovi pripraviť sa na jeho majstrovský zápas s Charliem Cutlerom 1915.

Svojím spôsobom, what Burns said was true because Stecher learned from both his brother Tony and wrestling coaches in Nebraska before meeting “Poľnohospodár” Burns. While a senior in high school and only 16 rokov, Stecher almost defeated professional wrestler Dr. Benjamin Roller. Stecher received excellent training before he met “Poľnohospodár” Burns.

Však, Burns polished Stecher, who he met after Stecher turned pro in 1912. While Burns was touring with Yussif Mahmout, who was challenging all comers in a carnival setting, Stecher answered his challenge. Mahmout had to bite Stecher to be disqualifed after being caughter in Stecher’s scissor hold.

Stecher defeated Cutler for the vacant American Heavyweight Championship, under Burn’s tutelage. So why would Burns distance himself from Stecher? It was actually quite simple. The men were preparing for a “worked” or prearranged exhibition with former undisputed World Champion Frank Gotch.

The wrestling public and more importantly the sporting press were skeptical of the legitimacy of wrestling bouts. Charges of “faking” outcomes dogged the sport since at least the 1870s. Gotch worked many legitimate matches in his career but also took part in “worked” exhibitions. Gotch was motivated to put Stecher over and pass the torch to his and Burns’ young protege because Gotch was tired of being challenged.

After his 1911 marriage to his wife Gladys, Frank Gotch wrestled fewer and fewer matches. He retired as reigning world champion after beating Georg Lurich in 1913. Však, wrestlers such as Aleksander “Alex” Aberg continued to challenge him over the next couple of years. Gotch was like the retired gunfighter that every young gunsel wanted to make a reputation on.

If Gotch lost to Stecher, it would end all the challenges. The public already looked at Stecher as Gotch’s successor, so this victory would cement the prevailing view. Both Gotch and Burns liked Tony and Joe Stecher. They saw it as a win-win for everyone.

Však, Gotch was injured in training during 1916 and the match never occurred. Gotch died at only 40 years of age from blood poisoning in December 1917. Despite not “defeating” Gotch, the wrestling public continued to recognize Stecher as the champion. Burns would be free to continue working with Stecher.

Stecher won the world championship several times before retiring in 1934. He later suffered some type of breakdown and spent 30 years in an assisted living facility.

Lou Thesz held Tony Stecher, who by the 1930s was a promoter, in high regard. He met Joe Stecher several times. While he was impressed by Joe’s accomplishments and was very kind when they met, Thesz also said Joe’s mental health challenges were obvious to anyone who interacted with him. He died at 80 years of age in 1974.

What do you think of the plan for working a match between Gotch and Stecher? Môžete zanechať komentár alebo položiť otázku týkajúcu sa tohto alebo akéhokoľvek príspevku v sekcii komentárov nižšie alebo na mojom Facebook page alebo Twitter profil.

Source: St. Louis Star-Times, Február 1, 1916 edition, p. 9 a Hooker by Lou Thesz

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