Põllumees põletab lahinguid Evan Lewis

The biggest American pro wrestling match of the 19th Century occurred on April 21, 1895 in Chicago, Illinois. Evan “Strangler” Lewis defended his American Heavyweight Wrestling Championship against Martin “Farmer” Burns. The 34-year-olds were both skilled with “hooks” or submission holds making them the top of the food chain in legitimate professional wrestling.

Lewis had been undisputed champion since 1893 but Burns was considered the toughest challenge of his career. The match would be contested 3 out of 5 falls. Burns entered the ring at 165 naela, while Lewis weighed 200 naela. Lewis had a significant size advantage but he was considerably overweight. Lewis’ peak wrestling weight was around 180 naela.

The match began at 8:45 Pärastlõunal. Lewis, one of the most vicious wrestlers in history, was the aggressor from the beginning. Burns was content to employ his defensive wrestling to counter Lewis’ attacks.

Lewis put Burns on his hands and knees almost immediately. Lewis tried to turn Burns with a hammerlock but Burns slipped out of it. Lewis also applied a half-Nelson. Burns again broke free. Lewis caught another hammerlock, which enabled him to finally turn Burns for the pin and first fall.

The second fall began like the first but this time Burns trapped Lewis’ arm as Lewis attempted to apply the half-Nelson. Burns rolled Lewis to his back and stayed on top of Lewis.

Lewis struggled like a demon but Burns grabbed a hammerlock forcing Lewis’ shoulders to the mat for the second fall. The majority of the crowd was cheered wildly for Burns, the favorite of 80 percent of the spectators.

Burns was more aggressive to start the third fall but Lewis soon secured a full-Nelson. Burns slipped out. Lewis secured a body hold flipping Burns head over heels to the mat. Burns landed on his back. Referee Charlie Duplessis of Chicago, Illinois rightly awarded the fall to Lewis to the boos of the crowd. The reaction was so negative that Duplessis made a speech to the crowd defending his decision.

The fourth fall turned out to be a flash throw. Burns feinted for a leg hold but instead grabbed a half-Nelson. Burns threw Lewis to the ground for the fourth fall in only a minute.

The men were tied at two falls apiece entering the fifth fall. Lewis pulled out all the stops by applying his dreaded strangle hold, known as a guillotine choke today. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t get it around Burns’ neck. Siiski, Lewis had a strong enough squeeze that his arm across Burns’ nose and mouth caused blood to flow from Burns’ nose.

Burns slowly started to work his head loose. Pärast 2 protokoll, Burns pulled his head from the hold. The blood probably helped him escape by making their skin slippery. Burns then went on the attack. Lewis appeared fatigued after the long squeeze.

Burns picked Lewis up and tried to dump him on his back but Lewis basically used his head and neck muscles to keep him off the mat. Burns held Lewis upside down for several minutes until he was finally able to flip Lewis to the floor.

Burns grabbed a hammerlock and started turning Lewis. Lewis resisted like a cornered tiger but was unable to break the lock. Burns slowly forced Lewis’ shoulders to the mat for the fifth fall. When the referee awarded the title to Burns, the 2,000 fans cheered lustily.

Lewis accepted his defeat and made his way from the ring back to the dressing room. While Lewis would remain one of the top wrestlers in the United States, he never held the American title again. Lewis retired four years later in 1899.

Burns defended the championship for two years. Even after losing the title, Burns would remain a force in wrestling as both a wrestler and, veelgi tähtsam, a trainer. Burns would lead Frank Gotch to greatness as the recognized World Champion in 1908.

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Source: Fort Worth Daily Gazette, Aprill 22, 1895 edition, p. 3

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