Episodes of It Was Almost Real: The Pro Wrestling History Podcast.
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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In this episode, I discuss the professional wrestling career of NFL great Bronko Nagurski. I give some facts from Dan’s bio, discuss how he ended up being the regular co-host, and his contributions to the increased frequency of the episodes.
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In this episode, I discuss the recent passing of my co-host and cousin Dan Zimmerman. I discuss a mixed styles bout between Ray Steel and Kingfish Levinsky in St. Louis during November 1935. Update On Saturday, April 26, 2025, my cousin Dan Zimmerman passed away at the age of 53. Dan was my sometimes co-host and the closest I have […]
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In this episode, I discuss a controversial referee’s decision in the 1905 match between Fred Beell and Gus “Americus” Schoenlein. Recommendation – Triple H’s Hall of Fame Speech
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In this episode, I review a closed door match between Tom Jenkins and Fred Beell. I also review The Iron Claw (2023). Update I gave a presentation What are Yeggmen? The intersection of Building History and True Crime at the Eugene Field House and Toy Museum on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Last week, A Geek History of Time podcast released […]
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In this episode, I will be talking about an Illinois select committee’s investigation into professional boxing and wrestling in Chicago, Illinois. In part two, we discuss the revelations that made Sandow and Lewis look bad. Update I tapped out on Heels but highly recommend La Cage. The voice of my childhood was not Jim Ross. It was Larry Matysik at […]
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