Гоч фолів свій шлях до заголовка

Квітень 3, 1908, Американський чемпіон з вільної боротьби Френк Готч зустрівся World Wrestling вазі Джордж Hackenschmidt за титул чемпіона світу в Dexter парковий павільйон в Чикаго, Іллінойс. Hackenschmidt був непереможним, як професіонал, але він був чемпіоном світу протягом приблизно 7 років. Готч був на рік старший, але вважався перспективним. Fans and reporters covering the sport considered Gotch the greatest American wrestler up to that time.

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, ніхто не приніс свої травми в момент часу першого бою. Hackenschmidt stressed that he was not making excuses. Hack told reporters that Gotch was the better man.

Якщо Hackenschmidt дійсно хотів виправдовуватися, Hack could have simply pointed to Gotch’s tactics as the reason Hackenschmidt lost his title. Gotch often used tactics during the bout, який міг призвести до дискваліфікації Гоч в.

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, Мартін “Фермер” Бернс, 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.

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.

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 сторінки і Twitter профіль.

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.

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