Episode 133 – Gone But Not Forgotten

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In this episode, we discuss a horrible contest between Clarence Whistler and Duncan C. Ross in November 1881. I also review a WWF card from November 1986 in St. Louis that my cousin Dan and I attended.

Update

Happy to be close to the end on the new book project.

Toupe suicida update

Main Content

After several months of wrangling, Clarence Whistler met Duncan C. Ross on Monday, November 7, 1881 in a best three-out-of-five falls match.

They agreed to wrestle two catch-as-catch-can wrestling falls, two collar-and-elbow wrestling falls, and if a fifth fall was necessary, the men would wrestle the last fall according to Greco-Roman wrestling rules. Oddsmakers made Ross the favorite based on Ross’ experience with both catch wrestling as well as collar-and-elbow wrestling.

The match took place at the Athenaeum in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Ross and Whistler kept the crowd waiting, while they argued over the referee selection.

The men rushed at each other but the powerful Whistler lifted Ross up and brought him down to his knees.  Ross stayed in this position for the next hour and 35 minutes, while Whistler tried to twist Ross onto his shoulders.

After not making much of an effort for over 90 minutes, Ross announced that he would give Whistler the first fall rather than keep defending.  Whistler was furious but Johnstone declared him the winner.

The rest of the match proved as controversial as today’s episode will show. The result left a bad taste in the St. Paul fans. The reporter for the St. Paul Daily Globe stated his belief that the terrible match would prevent future professional wrestling matches in St. Paul.

Recommendation

My cousin Dan’s favorite wrestler was “Macho Man” Randy Savage followed closely by Undertaker. This week’s recommendation is in memory of Dan.

“Macho Man” Randy Savage Mixtape on WWE Vault

Review

WWF Card from St. Louis on November 8, 1986 at Kiel Center – 7.400 attendees of which two were Dan and me. It was the first WWF card I ever attended.

First Match – Sivi Afi defeated Steve Lombardi. This match made no impression on me.

Second Match – Kamala defeated Gary Jackson, a local St. Louis wrestler. Jackson did get booked by the major promotions as an enhancement talent because despite being short, he had a great physique. “Jack Attack” is still wrestling and has to be in his late 50s or early 60s.

Third Match – Billy Jack Haynes defeated Brutus Beefcake by disqualification. I would have been happy with the result because I did not like Bruti as a face or heel.

Fourth Match – Greg Valentine wrestled Koko B. Ware to a time limit draw. This match proves that it doesn’t matter how great a wrestling match is. If the fans do not care, it does not get over. I’m sure it was a great match that we slogged through.

Fifth Match – Don Muraco defeated Hillbilly Jim. I’ve been in gyms for the last forty years but I have never seen anyone with shoulders as wide as Muraco. Dan and I liked Muraco and cheered for him irritating the fans around us.

Sixth Match – Hulk Hogan defeated Paul Orndorff in an eleven minute cage match. After eleven minutes in the ring and his posing routine, which we left in the middle of, Hogan probably needed oxygen after the match.

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