Gotch Fouls His Way to Title
On April 3, 1908, American Wrestling Champion Frank Gotch met World Wrestling Champion George Hackenschmidt for the World Title at Dexter Park Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois. Hackenschmidt was undefeated as a professional but had been World Champion for approximately 7 years. Gotch was a year older but considered an up and comer. Fans and reporters covering the sport considered Gotch the greatest American wrestler up to that time.
Frank Gotch from the Public Domain
George Hackenschmidt later claimed that he was ill and injured before the bout and wrestled against doctor’s orders. While Hackenschmidt entered the ring injured for the second match in 1911, no one brought his injuries up at the time of the first bout. Hackenschmidt stressed that he was not making excuses. Hack told reporters that Gotch was the better man.
If Hackenschmidt did want to make excuses, Hack could have simply pointed to Gotch’s tactics as the reason Hackenschmidt lost his title. Gotch often used tactics during the bout, which should have resulted in Gotch’s disqualification.
George Hackenschmidt from the Public Domain
Gotch was always known for rough and questionable tactics. In one match, Gotch tackled Stanislaus Zbyszko off the handshake for a quick fall. In other matches, Gotch fouled the opponent to gain an advantage.
Gotch entered the ring weighing 196 pounds to Hackenschmidt’s 208. As always, Gotch’s trainer, Martin “Farmer” Burns, went with his protege to the ring. To start the match, Hackenschmidt attempted to lock up with Gotch, but Gotch kept wiggling free. In one exchange, Gotch thumbed Hackenschmidt in Hack’s eye causing swelling and difficulty seeing.
As the match progressed, Hackenschmidt secured a grip on Gotch only for Gotch to palm strike Hackenschmidt in the face. At one point, Gotch clearly struck Hack in the face with three to four closed fist punches.
George Hackenschmidt When He Was World Wrestling Champion from the Public Domain
Referee Ed Smith should have disqualified Gotch for punching, but Smith showed no intention of interfering. Hackenschmidt continued complaining to Smith, who told him “Wrestle on!” The match continued this way until the two-hour mark. Gotch then became offensive and tried to grab an armlock. Hack threw him off easily but was huffing and puffing.
Two to three more punches from Gotch put Hack face down on the canvas. Gotch was famous for his toehold and began to work for it as Hack pleaded with the referee. Hack was bleeding from his nose, lips and both eyes were almost swollen shut. Hackenschmidt looked like he was in a mixed martial art fight not a wrestling match.
Gotch Fouling Hackenschmidt from the April 4, 1908 edition of New York Evening World
Referee Smith interpreted Hackenschmidt’s appeals as giving up and stopped the match. Smith awarded Gotch the match. Hackenschmidt made no protest about the decision. After seven years, Hackenschmidt lost his championship.
Gotch reigned for five years before retiring. Why Smith allowed Gotch to foul so much in Gotch’s title win is still a mystery today. Why do you think Smith allowed Gotch to foul without penalty? You can leave a comment or ask a question about this or any post on my Facebook page and Twitter profile.
You can read more about this legendary feud in Gotch vs. Hackenschmidt: The Matches That Made and Destroyed Legitimate American Professional Wrestling available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, audiobook and e-book.
Gotch vs. Hackenschmidt is available at Amazon in paperback and on e-book.
