Episode 78 – Hall of Fame

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In this episode, Dan and I discuss two notable omissions from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. I discuss Chris Jericho’s disappointing run in AEW. In the main content, I discuss two glaring omissions, Paul Bowser and Cora Livingston from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. Paul Bowser developed into a solid middleweight professional wrestler before marrying Cora […]

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Episode 77 – Don’t Call Me Barney!

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In this episode, we discuss Bernarr MacFadden’s professional wrestling career in St. Louis, Missouri. Update I discuss a recent email and provide an update on the Divided Championship project. Main Content For years, I could not find any account of Bernarr MacFadden’s exploits as a professional wrestler in St. Louis. While research the beginnings of what would become Tom Packs’ […]

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Episode 76 – Solving the Masked Marvel

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In this episode, I discuss Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeating the Masked Marvel during the 1915 New York International Wrestling Tournament. Update After years of looking for Bernarr MacFadden’s wrestling matches in St. Louis, I stumbled across a reporter’s recollections of the best wrestling matches he covered during his twenty year career. MacFadden wrestled as B.A. McFadden in St. Louis. I […]

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Sam McVea Battles Jujitsu Fighter

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On Sunday, November 9, 1913, African American boxer Sam McVea, or McVey, battled Professor Stevenson, a Jujitsu practitioner, in a mixed styles bout in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia. McVea and Stevenson fought ten, five-minute rounds, with three-minute intermission between rounds. McVea and Stevenson fought for $100 a side. In grappler vs. boxer matches, the grappler usually won, but McVea […]

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Episode 75 – Fabulous Munn Brothers

In this episode, we discuss former World Champion Wayne “Big” Munn and his lesser known brother, Glen Munn. Update Damian Harmony and Ed Blaylock recently invited me on the Geek History of Time podcast. I thoroughly enjoyed the interview. I recommend their podcast to anyone interested in professional wrestling, history, popular culture, and interesting conversation. Main Content Wayne “Big” Munn […]

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“Farmer” Burns Trains Jeffries

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When the great Jack Johnson defeated Tommy Burns for the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship, the boxing establishment started searching for a “white hope” to defeat Johnson. In desperation to find someone to defeat Johnson, promoters and sports writers started lobbying former World Heavyweight Champion James J. Jeffries to end his retirement to fight Johnson. Jeffries retired undefeated in 1905. After […]

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Episode 72 – Miyake vs. Santel

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Update I am giving away Wayfarer in a Foreign Land: Sorakichi Matsuda Wrestles in America between Monday, December 30, 2024 to Friday, January 3, 2025. Dan and I will release the next episode on Monday, January 13, 2025. Main Content I discuss the October 1916 mixed styles match between Taro Miyake and Ad Santel. The earlier accounts presented a one-sided […]

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