Oscar Wasem Defeats Joe Carroll

Oscar Wasem started his career in St. Louis, Missouri under the tutelage of George Baptiste. Wasem was a good enough wrestler that Wasem defeated a young Frank Gotch in 1901. Wasem, the St. Louis Champion, pinned Gotch, the Iowa Champion.

While Gotch went on to be America’s greatest legitimate professional wrestler, Wasem remained a solid journeyman. Wasem supplemented his professional wrestling earnings as a baker, first in St. Louis, then in Omaha, Nebraska. From 1905 on, Wasem lived in Omaha and wrestled part-time.

On Monday, November 25, 1907, Wasem wrestled Joe Carroll, an English wrestler who trained Dr. Benjamin Roller and later Bert Assirati. Carroll possessed solid catch-as-catch-can wrestling skills.

Wasem wrestled Carroll at the Norfolk Municipal Auditorium in Norfolk, Nebraska about 100 miles from Omaha. Norfolk had about 3,000 citizens in 1907 but most stayed away from the card because the paying crowd disappointed the local organizers.

The fans missed a rarity, an interesting legitimate contest or “shoot” between two better-than-average catch wrestlers. Wasem and Carroll were equal in both skill and size, being around 175 pounds. Wasem’s strength advantage proved a decisive factor in the contest.

After the referee started the match, Carroll took the offensive by taking Wasem down with a single-leg takedown. Wasem powered out of the bad position and Carroll’s subsequent attempts to gain a hold.

Wasem wrestled offensively in spurts. After defending against Carroll’s offense for about twenty minutes, Wasem sprung on the tiring Carroll. Wasem secured an arm scissors.

While Carroll struggled with the arm scissors, Wasem reached down to secure a leg hold. Carroll quickly submitted for the first fall at twenty-two minutes, twenty-five seconds.

The second fall was more even with Wasem wrestling aggressively. At around the fifteen-minute mark, Wasem secured a back and arm hold on Carroll. Wasem transitioned to an arm and crotch hold before turning it into a back roll a pin at sixteen minutes, five seconds. Wasem took the match in two straight falls.

Carroll said he should have been in better condition for the match. However, Carroll credited Wasem with a fair victory.

Despite Wasem’s commanding victory over Joe Carroll and a rare win over Frank Gotch, few fans know of Oscar Wasem today. I only discovered Wasem during my research of Frank Gotch’s career despite Wasem’s connection to St. Louis and success in the 1900s.

Wasem’s pursuit of a bakery business and part-time wrestling scheduled robbed him of noteriety that his in-ring exploits earned for him.

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

Sources: The Norfolk Weekly News-Journal (Norfolk, Nebraska), November 29, 1907, p. 3

Pin It