Episodes of It Was Almost Real: The Pro Wrestling History Podcast.
In this episode, I discuss a possible circuit of working collar-and-elbow wrestlers in the 1860s and 1870s. Intro Hulk Hogan has received a lot of glowing tributes upon his passing. We always tend to look a little more fondly and generously on someone after they have died. The only exception I take is to those calling Hogan a great wrestler. […]
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In this episode, I will be discussing the other Zbyszko, Wladek Zbyszko, and his early days in America between 1913 and 1915. Update Divided Championship is now available on Amazon in e-book, audiobook, paperback, and hardcover. Website update Roman Reigns is back in WWE and looks to be reunited with his cousin Jey against Bron Breaker and Bronson Reed. Comparing […]
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In this episode, I discuss the recent passing of Hulk Hogan. I also name who I think the most comparable historical wrestler is to Hogan. Recommendation Hulk Hogan’s Unreleased Classics on WWE Vault Channel on YouTube. You can leave a comment or ask a question about this or any post on my Facebook page.
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In this episode, I discuss Yusuf Ismail versus Tom Jenkins. I also discuss the first St. Louis card I attended with my sister Vicky. First Card I Attended with My Sister Vicky On Friday, June 12, 1981, my oldest sister Vicky took me to the first St. Louis wrestling card that we attended. The card was headlined by NWA World […]
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In this episode, I discuss the July 4, 1916 match between Earl Caddock and William Demetral in Anita, Iowa. Update Divided Championship is available and already had a handful of sales despite not promoting the book yet. I review AEW, WWE, and the UFC possibly hosting a White House event on July 4, 2026. I recommend Warrior (Cinemax 2019 series) […]
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In this episode, I discuss the murder of a professional wrestler in the 1860s, who gamblers thought worked a match to bilk them out of gambling money. Update I knew J.H. McLaughlin wrestled professionally in the late 1860s. I finally found a match between McLaughlin and Homer Lane. Homer Lane won the match. Divided Championship is now available on Amazon […]
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In this episode, I discuss the limited damage exposes have done to the worked nature of professional wrestling. Main Content I started thinking about this week’s topic while watching Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion (1950). The movie starts out with Bud Abbott as a wrestling promoter/booker talking with two pro wrestlers about “the script.” The wrestlers are portrayed […]
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In this episode, I discuss the first father-son professional wrestlers, Bob Managoff and Bobby Managoff, Jr. Update I have tentatively scheduled The Divided Championship for June 22, 2025. Main Content Robert M. Manoogian was born in Armenia on April 15, 1883. Manoogian wrestled as Bob Managoff and Bob “Turtle” Fredericks. He was not known as Bob Managoff, Sr. until he […]
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In this episode, I discuss finding the deciding contest between Ed “Strangler” Lewis and Joe Stecher. I also discuss why the myth about Joe Stecher’s 1925-1928 World Title reign persist. Update I found the contest between Ed “Strangler” Lewis and Joe Stecher where Lewis finally defeated Stecher. I will be slowly rebuilding the website over the next two to three […]
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In this episode, I discuss why promoters liked to schedule big cards for holidays. Update The reach of the podcast continues to amaze me. Besides the United States, listeners have downloaded episodes in the Netherlands, Seychelles, Turkey, Canada, Germany, Finland, United Kingdom, Japan, Austria, Estonia, France, Ireland, and Poland. I will try to release more episodes going forward. Main Content […]
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