Lewis Shoots with Wykoff

On April 13, 1936, Ed “Strangler” Lewis wrestled his final legitimate contest with Lee Wykoff at the Hippodrome in New York City. Promoters once again called on Lewis to settle a promotional conflict.

The opposing group selected Lee Wykoff, a 36-year-old shooter from Kansas. Wykoff stood six feet, one inches tall and weighed two hundred eighteen pounds.

The 44-year-old Lewis stood five feet, ten inches tall and weighed two hundred forty-five pounds. Entering the match, trachoma left Lewis nearly blind. Well-past his prime, gamblers still made Lewis the favorite entering the match.

A couple of weeks before the contest, Lewis injured his clavicle in training. Lewis could not withdraw from the match because Lewis and his backers already posted money for a guarantee. If Lewis pulled out of the bout, Lewis’ group had to surrender the money to Wykoff’s backers.

When Lewis told Lou Thesz about the match years later, Thesz asked Lewis why he did not postpone the match. Lewis replied sheepishly that he still thought he could beat Wykoff with one good arm.

When Lewis and Wykoff entered the ring on April 13, 1936, fans did not realize what they were about to see. I have said many times in the past that professional wrestling evolved into a worked exhibition because legitimate contests between evenly matched opponents often resulted in a long, boring, and inconclusive contest. This match represented that problem.

Lewis and Wykoff spent over two hours tied up in collar and elbow positions. Neither man went to the mat one time.

Wykoff knew about Lewis’ injury, so Wykoff struck Lewis’ clavicle repeatedly. However, despite Lewis’ obvious agony, Wykoff could not pierce Lewis’ defense.

After about two hours, the referee George Bothner told the men neither could defeat the other. Bothner told the men to spill out to the floor. Bothner would count both men out and declare the match a draw.

Lewis and Wykoff maneuvered to the ropes, fell through the ropes together and laid on the floor long enough for Bothner to count to ten. Bothner declared the match a draw.

Lewis’ last legitimate contest came to an anti-climatic end. However, I cannot think of another blind, middle-aged wrestler capable of holding off the challenge of a younger shooter while dealing with such a severe injury. Ed “Strangler” Lewis was one-of-a-kind.

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

Pin It