Episode 126 – Wasem versus Caroll

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In this episode, I discuss a contest between Oscar Wasem and Joe Caroll, who is better known as J.C. Marsh or Ollie Marsh, in 1907.

Update

UFC 326 Holloway vs. Oliveira – Underwhelming card particularly for what would have been a pay-per-view. A lot of older fighters with 50/50 or worse records.

Why UFC is so nervous about gambling schemes

A local Rutland, Vermont deputy sheriff has to arrest John McMahon, the champion collar-and-elbow wrestling champion, in February 1874 over an expired bail bond.

Main Content

Oscar Wasem started his career in St. Louis, Missouri under the tutelage of George Baptiste. Wasem was a good enough wrestler that Wasem defeated a young Frank Gotch in 1901. Wasem, the St. Louis Champion, pinned Gotch, the Iowa Champion.

On Monday, November 25, 1907, Wasem wrestled Joe Carroll, an English wrestler who trained Dr. Benjamin Roller and later Bert Assirati. Carroll possessed solid catch-as-catch-can wrestling skills. Carroll’s participation in a 1910 gambling ring under his later name Ollie Marsch followed him through the rest of his career.

Wasem wrestled Carroll at the Norfolk Municipal Auditorium in Norfolk, Nebraska about 100 miles from Omaha. The fans missed a rarity, an interesting legitimate contest or “shoot” between two better-than-average catch wrestlers.

Few fans know of Oscar Wasem today. I only discovered Wasem during my research of Frank Gotch’s career despite Wasem’s connection to St. Louis and success in the 1900s. Wasem’s pursuit of a bakery business and part-time wrestling scheduled robbed him of noteriety that his in-ring exploits earned for him.

Review

WWE- C.M. Punk’s stiff line on Monday Night Raw. If you were tempted to spend $30 for one month to watch a WWE PLE, Punk and Roman are trying to get you to part with it for this PLE.

AEW – I still do not understand Tony Khan’s booking at time. I like the build to Moxley versus Takeshita. I have scratched my head with the Page-MJF build and the quick title switch from Statlander, who is one of his few wrestlers with star power.

Barry Windham versus The Great Muta on February 21, 1993 – Meant to setup Ric Flair’s return match as Flair was ringside after leaving WWF. Ric reminded everyone that he left with the World Title and no one had beaten him for the belt.

WWE released almost three hours of Muta matches from 1989 through their WCW channel on YouTube.

You can leave a comment or ask a question about this or any post on my Facebook page.