Episodes of It Was Almost Real: The Pro Wrestling History Podcast.
In this episode, we discuss an 1886 match between Evan “The Strangler” Lewis and British wrestling champion Tom Cannon. News and Update UFC is going to lose 30 million dollars on the White House UFC card. Jon Jones should take advantage of their need to recoup the loss by approaching them about a fee to let Jones fight Francis Ngannou […]
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In this St. Louis-centric episode, I discuss Jim Londos wrestling Dan Kolov (Koloff) on one of the early John Contos-Tom Packs cards in 1923. I also discuss WWF trying to capitalize on St. Louis history in 1986. News and Updates The furor around Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano watched by 12 million on Netflix UFC cuts Ketlen Viera Ludwig Kaiser […]
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In this episode, I discuss the early matches of longtime St. Joseph, Missouri wrestling promoter Gust Karras. I also review two of Karras’ cards. Update One Fighting Championship just terminated a number of executives including Rich Franklin and Mark Hume. Hopefully, it is just a restructure and not a sign that the company is going out of business. I saw […]
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In this episode, I discuss the May 28, 1910 in St. Louis, Missouri between Stanislaus Zbyszko and Charley Olson. I also review the Netflix documentary on Hulk Hogan. Update Readers bought copies of Scufflers, Shooters, and Workers before I launched the official marketing campaign. Sean Strickland recently won the UFC Middleweight Championship. Main Content Stanislaus Zbyszko would not have been […]
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In this episode, I discussed the lessons I learned writing Scufflers, Shooters, and Workers: Pioneer Wrestlers of the 19th Century, Vol. 1. I also discuss Sam Muchnick establishing Ted DiBiase as a main event wrestler from 1978 to 1980. Main Content I learned how popular collar-and-elbow wrestling was in the 1860s and 1870s. The Civil War interupted the careers of the […]
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In this episode, I discuss a March 1901 match between Frank Gotch and Oscar Wasem in Burlington, Iowa. I also review a World Class Championship Wrestling show from May 1983. Update Brock Lesnar reportedly surprised everyone by retiring after his match with Oba Femi at Wrestlemania 42. Darby Allin wins the AEW World Championship on the April 15, 2026 episode […]
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In this episode, we discuss a horrible contest between Clarence Whistler and Duncan C. Ross in November 1881. I also review a WWF card from November 1986 in St. Louis that my cousin Dan and I attended. Update Happy to be close to the end on the new book project. Toupe suicida update Main Content After several months of wrangling, […]
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In this episode, we discuss Stanislaus Zbyszko finally winning the world title in 1921. I also review a Fred Kohler Chicago card from 1936. Updates Melissa Gotto incident at UFC Fight Night: Mociano vs. Duncan WWE/TKO policies starting to wear on WWE fan base Main Content Stanislaus Zbyszko traaveled to the United States in 1909 to wrestle Frank Gotch. After […]
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In this episode, I discuss two early supercards in 1911 and 1934. I also review Wrestlemania III, WWF’s biggest show of the national expansion. Main Content Labor Day Card on Labor Day, September 4, 1911 (34,000) Charles Postl versus Young Sampson in the opening match. Postl won in two straight falls Joe Rodgers wrestled Fred Erler in a one fall match […]
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In this episode, I discuss the match between James E. Owens, who had a claim to the American Collar-and-Elbow Wrestling Championship, and his first cousin, the powerful John McMahon. I also review the May 16, 1984 episode of Championship Wrestling from Florida. Update Megan Bayne almost kills herself on one of those stupid toupe suicidas during March 28, 2026 AEW […]
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