Episode 143 – Hack in St. Louis

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In this episode, I disccuss the 1905 match in St. Louis between George (Georg) Hackenschmidt and George Baptiste. I also make an announcement about the show including a co-host returning in late July or early August.

Main Content

Frank Gotch wanted to wrestle George (Georg) Hackenschmidt in St. Louis during the 1904 World’s Fair. “Hack” did not travel to the United States until 1905, when he wrestled current American Heavyweight Wrestling Champion Tom Jenkins at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Hack wrestled another match in Buffalo, New York, before traveling to Saint Louis for his third match.

In Saint Louis, “Hack” wrestled three men, who he agreed to throw in ninety minutes or forfeit the match to the three men. Hackenschmidt wanted to call the match off because of malaria. When the organizers begged him to go on, Hackenschmidt wrestled the match.

The trip to the United States left a bad taste in Hackenschmidt’s mouth because of the widespread use of “working,” or prearranging the outcomes of professional wrestling matches. “Hack” did not return to the United States until 1908.

Reviews and Recommendations

Teach You a Lesson on Netflix

How to Live in Health and Strength by George Hackenschmidt (affiliate link) on Amazon Kindle

Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) on Shut Up and Wrestle podcast with Brian R. Solomon

Central States All-Star Wrestling from April 21, 1984

These early shows in 1984 were the best we would ever get. It only went downhill from here.

Tom “Boogaloo” Shaft vs. Paul Kelly and Dusty Wolf

Fans cheered Dusty Wolf. Paul Kelly kept walking away from the tag. Dusty Wolf flying mares Kelly into the ring. Shaft does one of the worst power slams I’ve ever seen. Shaft pins both wrestlers in succession.

Segment 2 – Ric Flair match against Pat Rose on Georgia Championship Wrestling.

Local promo – “Crazy” Luke Graham and the Grapplers for April St. Louis card

Tommy Rogers vs. T.G. Stone

Not the Fantastics Tommy Rogers. Good back-and-forth 8 to 10 minute match, which Rogers wins with a sunset flip. As Rogers is leaving, T. G. Stone hits Rogers in the head with a chair. Marty Jannetty makes the save setting up Rogers’ and Jannetty’s tag team, “The Uptown Boys.”

Segment 5 – Match from earlier in 1984 in Kansas City between “King Kong” Bruiser Brody and Kimala, the Ugandan Giant. It is not their match from November 1983 at Memorial Hall. They only showed about five minutes of the match.

Segment 6 – Interview with Tommy Rogers and Marty Janetty

Local Promo – Harley Race for St. Louis card

Buzz “Avalance” Tyler vs. “Crazy” Luke Graham

Buzz is Central States Champion. The main event for this show and cards in Kansas City is the second match in a St. Louis card of sevent matches.

Graham started out working an armbar but the match devolves into a brawl. Both men are bleeding after about 6 minutes of the match. Ends in a double countout as they brawl through the arena.

News and Update

Caleb will be rejoining me as co-host in late July or early August.

I am adjusting the schedule for the remainder of this calendar year to three episodes a month.

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