Gotch Crushes Jenkins for Title

On Thursday, January 27, 1904, Tom Jenkins defended his American Wrestling Championship against an up-and-coming wrestler from Iowa.  After the first fall, the fans realized it was the toughest match of the c

Frank Alvin Gotch, the Humboldt, Iowa farm boy who would defeat Georg Hackenschmidt for the World Heavyweight Championship in 1908, was Jenkins’ challenger.  Jenkins had defeated Gotch’s trainer, Martin “Farmer” Burns for the title in late 1897.  Gotch exacted revenge for his trainer.

Frank Gotch was a master of leg locks.  Jenkins was very careful to avoid the leg locks of the 190 pound Gotch.  210 pound Jenkins could not avoid Gotch’s slams though.

Gotch picked up Jenkins and slammed him to the floor four straight times.  After the fourth slam to the ground, Gotch easily pinned Jenkins.  Jenkins’ corner men carried him back to his stool and hand to vigorously revive him.

The writer for the January 29, 1904 edition of the St. Louis Republic surmised that Jenkins knew he could not beat Gotch, so he decided to give up his title on a foul instead of another pin.

Jenkins first attempted a strangle hold which was outlawed for this bout.  Gotch shrugged off Jenkins’ attempt, so he swung a hard right hand at Gotch’s head.  Many ringside observers believed that the punch would have knocked Gotch out if it landed.

Frank Gotch would sometimes resort to rough stuff himself, like surprising guys with tackles off the customary handshake, but this flagrant violation of wrestling protocol.  The referee had to forcibly restrain Gotch from attacking Jenkins.

The referee disqualified Jenkins who dropped his title to Gotch.  It would not be the last match between the men.

Jenkins semi-retired from the ring in 1905 to take a position teaching wrestling and boxing at West Point.  Jenkins taught at the academy until 1942 when he was 70 years old.  Jenkins retired from the ring for good in 1914.

Jenkins and Gotch wrestled several more times over the next three years. For the time being, Gotch held the advantage.

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

Sources: St. Louis Republic, January 29, 1904, p. 6

Gotch vs. Hackenschmidt: The Matches That Made and Destroyed Legitimate American Professional Wrestling is available on Amazon in both paperback and e-book.

Pin It