Episode 117 – The Champ is Here
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In this episode, I discuss Stanislaus Zbyszko “winning” his first world title in May 1921. I also review a Southeastern Championship card from 1984.
Update
John Cena may be responsible for that terrible finish in his last match at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
AEW and White Castle promoting a combo.
Ed “Strangler” Lewis shaking hands with Stanislaus Zbyszko before their 1921 World Title Match (Public Domain)
I finished The Wrestling Observer Complete Collection 1985 (affiliate link). Vince did not win the wrestling war because of his wrestling knowledge. He won the wrestling war because of his business acumen.
Main Content
On May 6, 1921, Ed “Strangler” Lewis defended the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship against the recently returned Stanislaus Zbyszko. It was Zbyszko’s first world title shot since June 1, 1910.
Zbyszko won the match and started a ten-month title reign.
Jack Curley’s Wrestling Card on Friday, May 6, 1921 at 22nd Regiment Armory
Main Event – Stanislaus Zbyszko defeated Ed “Strangler” Lewis for the World Champion
Co-Main Event – Ivan Linow, “The Russian Lion” versus Hjalmar Johnson, a Brooklyn heavyweight – Linow beat Johnson after 34 minutes, 20 seconds with a double-arm wristlock and leg scissors combination
Opener – George “Farmer” Bailey wrestled Stanley Stossack, also from Poland, to a draw.
Ed “Strangler” Lewis front facelocking Ivan Linow in 1920 (Public Domain)
Recommendation
Verne Gagne versus Roy McClarity from Chicago in 1954
Review
I look at a studio show, Southeastern Championship Wrestling Show from December 22, 1984. Promotion based in Southern Alabama and Northern Florida.
I never saw these shows until the last few years. The wrestling magazines also did not cover this promotion much in the 1980s.
Charlie Platt and Rick Stuart were the announcers. Rick Stuart was the Central States announcer in 1986 and maybe 1985.
Show starts with preview of the show and is interrupted about 1 minute into the show by the new Southeastern Champion Jimmy Golden and his manager/cousin Ron Fuller. Golden had beaten former champion Austin Idol.
“The Raging Bull” Randy Barber versus Mr. Olympia (Jerry Stubbs in a mask) in the opening match – Olympia gave Barber quite a bit of the four-minute match before pinning him after a flying shoulder tackle off the second rope. Stubbs is one of the wrestlers, where the masked helped his appearance in the ring.
Robert Fuller announced he was going into semi-retirement.
Second match was Jimmy Golden versus Austin Idol – Match went 30 seconds before Ron Fuller interfered and referee DQed Golden. Stud stable attacked Idol and left him bleeding from the mouth.
Bill Ash, an unimpressive looking individual, who had the Jr. Heavyweight title, complained about Scott Armstrong getting the shot at Denny Brown, the NWA Jr. Heavyweight Champion. Plays a tape of Denny Brown.
Robert Fuller said he is going to step in for the injured Austin Idol and wrestle Jimmy Golden.
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