Gotch Avenges Loss

On Sunday, ธันวาคม 17, 1906, แคนซัสซิตี้, มิสซูรีพิสูจน์ตัวเองอีกครั้งว่าเป็นแหล่งเพาะมวยปล้ำอาชีพ 8,000 แฟน ๆ ต่างพากันหนาแน่นใน Convention Hall เพื่อดูการแข่งขันระหว่าง Frank Gotch และ Fred Beell. Beell won the American Heavyweight Wrestling Championship from Gotch three weeks earlier in New Orleans, หลุยเซีย.

Gotch อ้างว่าการสูญเสียเป็นความบังเอิญ, while Beell asserted he would beat Gotch decisively this time. The first victory was controversial as Gotch struck his head after falling off the mat in the first match. Gotch appeared dazed and unable to defend himself for the remainder of the match.

The Kansas City crowd strongly supported Frank Gotch, who wrestled defensively but effectively. Beell frequently charged Gotch but his offense was ineffective against his larger opponent. Beell ได้รับการจดทะเบียนอย่างไม่เห็นแก่ตัวที่ 5’06”, 165 ปอนด์. Gotch stood a full 5’11” and weighed 200 ปอนด์. Beell was powerful for his size but Gotch was likely stronger.

Beell lunged at Gotch for the first 10 minutes without ever securing a hold. Beell’s only successful offense in the match came after Gotch slipped on the mat at the 15 minute mark. Beell jumped on Gotch and secured a crotch hold and half-Nelson. <ช่วง bbox_x = "543" bbox_y = "1491" bbox_w = "56" bbox_h = "20" fsize fweight = "14" = "3" สีแดง = "255" สีเขียว = "255" สีฟ้า = "255" อัลฟา = ", Gotch shoved him off.

Beell jumped in for a headlock and looked like he might secure a takedown. <ช่วง bbox_x = "543" bbox_y = "1491" bbox_w = "56" bbox_h = "20" fsize fweight = "14" = "3" สีแดง = "255" สีเขียว = "255" สีฟ้า = "255" อัลฟา = ", Gotch grabbed Beell’s ankles and flipped Beell over Gotch’s shoulders. Beell landed on his head and appeared dazed. Gotch pinned Beell with the English cross hold at 19 นาที, 16 seconds.

Normally, intermissions between falls were 10 minutes long but a boxing bout was held between the first and second falls giving Beell almost 30 minutes to recover. It didn’t change the outcome though.

Contested mostly standing for the first 35 minutes of the second fall, Gotch went for his toehold at the “35 นาที” announcement. Beell was able to push out of the attempt but Gotch grabbed a second toe hold. Beell escaped a second time but left himself vulnerable to a counter hold.

Gotch secured a crotch hold and half-Nelson. Gotch worked for a few minutes before he was able to turn Beell onto his shoulders. Gotch won his title back in two straight falls. The second fall took 38 นาที, 16 seconds.

Although Gotch wrestled many contests, I believe this series was worked. The outcome of the first match would make the long-standing champion look vulnerable and sell more tickets in the long run. After so many years of dominance, fans can lose interest in the championship matches figuring no one can beat the champion.

It also helped Fred Beell, a talented but smaller grappler. His title run, despite it’s brevity, helped build Beell’s credibility.

Beell was a good wrestler for Gotch to drop the title to as well. It is highly unlikely Beell could actually defeat Gotch in a contest. Gotch could simply take the title back, if Beell didn’t want to work the return match.

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Source: The Kansas City Star and Kansas City Times, ธันวาคม 18, 1906 edition, พี. 1

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