Episode 152 – Arson and Other Felonies

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In this episode, I discuss a 1893 match between Martin “Farmer” Burns and Jack King. I also catch up on the latest MMA and pro wrestling news.

News and Update

I want to start the show by acknowledging Tony Khan dedicating an episode to Rebel and her fight with ALS. The show brought a lot of focus on the fight against ALS and on Rebel’s fight. “Rebel Heart” is one of the classiest things I have seen on a wrestling program in a very long time.

Gable Steveson was recently knocked out at UFC 331. The UFC was getting ready to book Steveson versus Josh Hokit in a heel versus heel program. With Tom Aspinall out, they are booking Hokit to fight for the heavyweight title against Cyril Gane. After Gane knocks Hokit into the middle of next week, maybe we’ll see Steveson versus Hokit.

I have discovered how Santel became known for his challenges with judo and jiu jitsu black belts. After Santel defeated the first two, the judo and jiu jitsu community in the United States tried to find a champion to defeat Santel. The martial arts community sent the challengers after Santel.

We have had so many deaths in professional wrestling over the past month. Diana La Cazadora died on August 8, 2026 at only 47 years old. El Solar II died on August 23, 2026 at 66. Paul LeDuc died on August 30, 2026, at 89 years old.  Jerry Oates died on September 1, 2026, at 79. Andy “The Butcher” Williams died on September 5, 2026, at only 48. “Superstar” Bill Dundee died on September 6, 2026, at 82 years old. Finally, Marc Mercier died on September 7, 2026, at 68 years of age.

I recommend Jerry Oates’s appearances on the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel. Besides the episode on George, he also talked about the Kansas City promotion in 1975.

Main Content

On Tuesday, March 7, 1893, Martin “Farmer” Burns, the top contender for the American Heavyweight Wrestling Championship, wrestled Jack King in Decorah, Iowa. As often happened, the match ended up being a long, boring contest, which damaged wrestling in Iowa more than it helped develop the sport.

Recommendations and Reviews

A Good Hand (Headlock Holmes Book 2) by David Louden (affiliate link)

Besides Oba Femi committing a dozen felonies by beating up a bunch of uniformed police officers. Not really. They were wrestling school trainees but they were dressed as regular police officers. After this series of crimes with very little reason behind it, Royce Keys and his two new partners tooks some tools and destroyed the Usos’ SUV. Not satisfied with only committing felony property damage, the heels set the SUV on fire, to add arson to their list of felonies.

In the last six months of professional wrestling content, I have seen multiple assaults on supposed civilians, kidnappings, felony property damage, arson, and attempted murder (remember the Death Riders giving Osprey a plastic bag to put on Kenny Omega’s head). We are experiencing a serious crime outbreak in the United States and it is at every arena booked by AEW and WWE.

I caught up on the One Fighting Championship shows: One Fight Night 45, One Fight Night 46, and One Fight Night 47.

One Fight Night 45 (affiliate link): A MMA bout heavy card but the two best fights on the card were the Muay Thai main event and co-main event. Suablack and Stephen Irvine had the best back and forth fight on the card. The main event was a razor-close fight between Luke Lessei and Mohamed Younes Rabah, a great fight that I hope they run back at some time.

One Fight Night 46 (affiliate link): A strong card from top to bottom. My favorite fights were the MMA fight between Viet Ahn Do and Davi Brandau and the razor close kickboxing bout between Kana and Yu Yau Pui.

One Fight Night 47 (affiliate link): The September card headlined by Stamp Fairtex versus Selina Flores. Macarena Aragon versus Gabi Fujimoto was a good mixed martial arts fight. Jaosuayai versus Estupinan was the best fight on the card.

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