Episode 12 – “Little Demon”

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Update

I finished Shooting or Working? The History of the American Heavyweight Wrestling Championship earlier than expected. It is available on Amazon during this soft launch period.

Main Content

“Little Demon” Joe Acton arrived in the United States in 1882 to challenge Edwin Bibby for the catch-as-catch-can wrestling championship, which developed into the American Heavyweight Wrestling Championship.

Acton’s career illustrated the difficulties for professional wrestlers in securing matches and being able to live off their ring offerings.

While Acton held the title from 1882 to 1887, Acton averaged two to three matches a year. Acton only defended the title a handful of times as most wrestlers feared wrestling Acton in a catch wrestling match.

Acton supplemented his wrestling income by organizing foot and dog races at Pasttime Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The race and gambling income from this business exceeded Acton’s wrestling income.

In 1887, Acton wrestled a series of matches with Evan “Strangler” Lewis, the only wrestler on his level in catch wrestling.

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