Episode 89 – Strangler Wins

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In this episode, I discuss finding the deciding contest between Ed “Strangler” Lewis and Joe Stecher. I also discuss why the myth about Joe Stecher’s 1925-1928 World Title reign persist. Update I found the contest between Ed “Strangler” Lewis and Joe Stecher where Lewis finally defeated Stecher. I will be slowly rebuilding the website over the next two to three […]

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Episode 88 – Memorial Day

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In this episode, I discuss why promoters liked to schedule big cards for holidays. Update The reach of the podcast continues to amaze me. Besides the United States, listeners have downloaded episodes in the Netherlands, Seychelles, Turkey, Canada, Germany, Finland, United Kingdom, Japan, Austria, Estonia, France, Ireland, and Poland. I will try to release more episodes going forward. Main Content […]

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First Card with My Sister Vicky

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Recently, I went through St. Louis Wrestling Club cards from 1981 trying to find the first card I attended with my sister Vicky. My big sister taking me to the wrestling matches in St. Louis every three weeks led to my interest in professional wrestling history. When my mom married my stepdad, Ernest C. Diaz, I got five bonus sisters. […]

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Slattery Exposes Wrestling

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During June 1927, the Illinois state legislature rocked the professional boxing and professional wrestling worlds when a subcommittee started investigating the state athletic commission. The legislature believed that promoters were putting on “fake” contests in both sports. Before the committee concluded its work, it suspended the boxing and wrestling licenses of 130 athletes. These revelations further disillusioned wrestling fans aggravated […]

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Episode 86 – R.I.P. Dan

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In this episode, I discuss the recent passing of my co-host and cousin Dan Zimmerman. I discuss a mixed styles bout between Ray Steel and Kingfish Levinsky in St. Louis during November 1935. Update On Saturday, April 26, 2025, my cousin Dan Zimmerman passed away at the age of 53. Dan was my sometimes co-host and the closest I have […]

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Bernarr MacFadden in Saint Louis

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Bernarr MacFadden, born Bernard Adolphus McFadden in Mill Spring, Missouri, on August 16, 1868, founded a publishing company in 1899 that still operates today. MacFadden, an early proponent of physical culture, authored books and published magazine about physical culture, early bodybuilding training. MacFadden moved into pulp magazines like True Detective in the 1920s. Before MacFadden made his fortune as a publisher […]

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Jim Londos Wrestles in Co-Main Event

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Jim Londos developed a national reputation as one of the top professional wrestlers during the 1910s. However, Londos’ career took a major step forward when Londos started wrestling for the fledgling St. Louis promotion in the early 1920s. Londos headlined the first card in late 1921. Londos wrestled on the second card on Thursday, January 26, 1922, as well. Current […]

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