Stecher og Lewis på det igen

Ed “Strangler” Lewis enjoyed one of the most successful careers in professional wrestling. Although Lewis wrestled in mostly staged exhibitions, he possessed legitimate wrestling skills. Future protege Lou Thesz said many times Lewis could beat any wrestler at any time, så han var den ideelle verdensmester i den moderne æra med forudaftalte kampe.

Men, early in his career, Lewis could not defeat everyone at will. Hans rival Joe Stecher gav en stædig udfordring for Lewis. Whether they did not trust each other or just disliked each other, their early matches ended in a number of controversies. Lewis would eventually Tag sit første verdensmesterskab fra Stecher in a bout, hvor Stecher ikke ville droppe bæltet til Lewis.

When they first met in 1915 og 1916, Stecher var lige i dygtighed til Lewis. At bekæmpe Stechers offensive evne med saks holder, Lewis employed a defensive style. Fans fandt denne stil irriterende, Men Lewis fortsatte med at undgå Stechers hold. When the men met on July 4, 1916, in Omaha, Nebraska, Stecher havde nok.

18,000 Fans dukkede op på Omaha Fair Grounds i det, der udgjorde et hjembysted for Stecher, who was born in Dodge, Nebraska. The gate was $30,000, en gigantisk sum penge i 1916.

Den 22-årige stecher og 24-årige gik ind i ringen i spidsbelastning. Stecher forfulgte aggressivt Lewis, Hvem fortsatte med at undgå Stechers forsøg på at sikre en saks, der holder rundt i hans talje. Stecher fik en saks hold på Lewis’ arm, Men den 230 pund Lewis rystede af den slankere stecher.

Frustrated and sick of “The Strangler’s” evasion, Stecher faldt ned på jorden og opfordrede Lewis til at sætte ethvert greb på, han ville have. Lewis forsøgte at låse på en tå hold to gange, men Stecher spundet og trak benet ud hver gang. Lewis began to evade the contest again.

After four hours, referee Ed Smith, Sporting Editor of the Chicago American, foreslog at suspendere kampen. Stecher og Lewis kunne fortsætte kampen den følgende nat. Stecher var enig, men Lewis insisterede på, at kampen fortsatte.

Since it was getting dark, En assistent kørte en bil op til ringside. Driveren brugte bilens forlygter til at belyse ringen.

Despite wanting to continue, Lewis did not change his tactics. Ved det fem timers mærke, Ed Smith declared the match a draw and left the ring. Stecher og Lewis stirrede på hinanden i et par minutter, før de rejste. Mens stirringen ned kunne have været teatre for at fremme fremtidige kampe, Stecher var rasende over Lewis for sin taktik. Ed Lewis kunne lige ikke lide Joe Stecher. Period.

Ed “Strangler” Lewis formørkede til sidst Joe Stecher, who had a good but not as remarkable career as Lewis. Stecher ville bevise Lewis's hårdeste rival og den ene mand, der truede Lewis’ reputation.

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Sources: The Ogden Standard, Juli 5, 1916 udgave, p. 2

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