Episode 119 – Harry Hill

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In this episode, I discuss Harry Hill, New York sporting man and collar-and-elbow professional wrestler, who played a large role in professional wrestling and prizefighting in the 1860s and 1870s.

Update

I learned something knew about Vince McMahon taking over the Wrestling at the Chase time frame, which we will discuss in the review section.

We received news this week that “Big, Bad” Bobby Duncum, Bobby Duncum Sr., died on January 21, 2026 at 81 years of age. In an odd coincidence of history, Bobby Duncum, Jr., died on January 24, 2000, at 34 years of age, three days shy of exactly twenty-six years ago.

Recommended match – Bobby Duncum vs. Dick Slater from Houston in 1981

I am dividing the book on 19th Century pioneer wrestlers by focusing the first half on the top collar-and-elbow wrestlers, while the second half will focus on the Greco-Roman wrestlers.

Main Content

Harry Hill, a skilled collar-and-elbow wrestler in his own right, owned a “sporting house,” also known as a tavern, catering to boxers, wrestlers, and their fans. Organized criminals also preferred to hang out at Hill’s tavern, 26 East Houston Street, in the Bowery neighborhood of New York City. The “sordid crowd” drew the ire of New York City authorities, who tried to put Hill out of business from time to time.

Hill barred profane language and did not allow his patrons to fight. Despite his strict rules and Hill’s willingness to physically remove violators from his tavern, the patrons gave Hill’s establishment an infamous reputation.

Considered scrupulously honest, Hill attended every major prize fight in the United States from the 1860s to the 1880s, as the participants always had Hill hold the money. Hill gave the purse to the winner at the end of each fight. Despite the large sum of money involved, Hill turned over every nickel of the purse to the winner.

Hill defeated Lieutenant Ainsworth, a nationally known collar-and-elbow wrestler, in the mid-1860s. It was in collar-and-elbow wrestling that Hill had his biggest impact on professional wrestling. Hill organized what may have been the first group of “working” wrestlers in the United States.

In 1867, Homer Lane wrestled Harry Hill in a collar-and-elbow wrestling match. Hill won but Lane impressed Hill enough that Hill took Lane as a protégé. Hill managed Lane setting up matches for Lane.

Review

Central States All-Star Wrestling aired on December 18, 1983 and December 25, 1983 in place of Wrestling at the Chase, because the St. Louis Wrestling Club tapings were cancelled. KPLR gave SLCWW notice in September 1983 that they were ending their relationship but I wasn’t aware.

1 Bobby Fulton vs. Scott Ferris ended without a winner as a time limit draw
2 Doug Somers defeated Tom Jones
3 Jerry Brown and Roger Kirby defeated Booker T and Angelo Mosca Jr.
4 Tiger Mask defeated Grizzly Evans
5 Paul Orndorff defeated Ron Ritchie
6 Bob Brown and Buzz Tyler defeated 666 and The Mongol
7 Ric Flair defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 (13 minutes)
8 Bruiser Brody vs. Kamala ended without a winner as a double countout
9 NWA World Heavyweight Title Match – Harley Race (c) defeated Ted DiBiase (17 minutes)

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