Stecher vs. Sonnenburg in 1930
На January 30, 1930, Gus Sonnenberg defended his AWA World Title, based in the Boston promotion of Paul Bowser, in Boston Arena against former world champion Joe Stecher. Two minutes of film survived from the hour-long match.
Gus Sonnenberg traded on his celebrity as a professional football player to become a wrestling star. Sonnenberg helped the Providence Steam Roller win the 1928 NFL Championship.
10,000 fans braved a snow storm and crowded into the Boston Arena to watch the high-profile match. Promoter Paul Bowser estimated the card drew $25,000.
Stecher dominated the match tossing Sonnenberg around with a flying beel. Sonnenberg looked vulnerable until Sonnenberg staggered back into the ropes. Sonnenberg used the momentum to hit Stecher with a flying tackle. Sonnenber pinned Stecher for the first fall in twenty-five minutes.
Джо Стечър с шампионския си пояс (Public Domain)
Stecher dwarfed Sonnenberg, who stood five feet, seven inches tall and weighed 200 паунда. Stecher stood six feet, one inches tall and weighed 220 паунда.
Stecher used his size advantage to beel headlock Sonnenberg around the ring to start the second fall. Stecher applied a toe hold before pinning Sonnenberg with a leg scissors in twenty-four minutes, forty-five seconds for the second fall. Stecher and Sonnenberg were tied at one fall apiece.
Stecher dominated the first five minutes of the third fall. Sonnenberg turned the momentum with a flying tackle.
Stecher rose and applied a leg scissors but Stecher was too close to the ropes. After Stecher released the hold, Sonnenberg scrambled back to his feet.
Stecher put another leg scissors on Sonnenberg. Sonnenberg fell backwards on top of Stecher. The impact knocked the air out of Joe Stecher.
Sonnenberg backed up and hit Stecher with a succession of flying tackles. Sonnenberg pinned Stecher after the third tackle. Sonnenberg won the third fall and match in nine minutes, fifty seconds.
Stecher and Sonnenberg worked an exciting match. Had the men wrestled legitimately, Stecher would have crushed Sonnenberg in two straight falls. Stecher was one of the greatest hookers of all-time. Sonnenberg could perform a match competently but was a sitting duck for an actual wrestler.
Stecher stayed busy in the 1930s trying to recoup the fortune that stock swindlers stole from Stecher. The strain of constant touring led to Stecher’s nervous breakdown in 1934.
Enjoy this short look at wrestling’s past.
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Sources: The Boston Globe, Януари 31, 1930, стр.. 31
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