Episode 150 – Santel versus Managoff, Sr.

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In this episode, Caleb and I discuss the second Gotch vs. Hackenschmidt match, a 1916 match between Ad Santel and Bob Managoff, Sr. as well as reviewing theWrestlemania I build up, main event, and aftermath.

Update

Reviewing the second Gotch versus Hackenschmidt match.

Main Content

Santel wrestled one of these rematches on Tuesday, January 11, 1916, at the Dreamland Rink. Santel wrestled Bob Managoff, Sr. in a two-out-of-three-falls mixed styles wrestling match. Santel and Managoff wrestled, one fall under Greco-Roman wrestling rules, and one fall under catch-as-catch-can wrestling rules. If they needed to wrestle a third fall to determine the winner, the winner of the quickest fall picked the wrestling rules for the third fall.

Santel and Managoff wrestled the first fall under Greco-Roman wrestling rules, which Managoff had an advantage over Santel. During this fall, one of the ringside spectators unhooked Managoff’s foot from under the bottom rope because the fan thought Greco-Roman wrestling rules barred using the legs.

When referee “Demon” Dittmar, who also wrestled professionally, called Santel and Managoff to the center of the ring to restart wrestling away from the ropes, Bob Managoff, Sr. punched Dittmar without warning.

Momentarily stunned, Dittmar fell to the mat. Managoff told Dittmar, “That was for letting the fan butt in!” Dittmar regained his feet and punched Managoff twice, knocking Managoff onto the mat. The San Francisco Police flooded into the ring to break up the fight.

As Dittmar tried to explain to the police officers what happened, Santel grabbed Managoff as Managoff stood up and started wrestling again. The police officers saw the wrestlers restarting the match, so they slid out of the ring not to interfere with the match.

Managoff used his thirty-pound weight advantage to good effect pinning Santel with a body lock in thirty-three minutes, thirty-six seconds. After a fifteen-minute rest, Santel and Managoff started the second fall.

Santel possessed the catch wrestling advantage. Santel used a toe hold to take the second fall in twenty-seven minutes, forty-six seconds. Since Santel won the quickest fall, he chose the rule set for the third fall. Santel chose catch-as-catch-can wrestling rules for the third fall.

Bob Managoff, Sr. proved he had not forgotten the fan removing his foot from underneath the ropes. Before Dittmar started the third fall, Managoff spit from the ring onto the fan. Instead of causing a riot, the ringside fans laughed at the fan. They agreed with Managoff that the fan should not have interfered in the match.

Santel won the third fall and match with a second toe hold in nineteen minutes, thirty seconds. Santel still held the Pacific Coast Championship.

Reviews and Recommendations

Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff Training for Wrestlemania I (video)

Hulk Hogan and Mr. T versus Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff (video)

Piper’s Pit on Saturday Night’s Main Event (video)

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