Episode 31 – Evan Lewis’ Schedule

it-was-almost-real-podcast-art

In this episode, we discuss the wrestling schedule of Evan “Strangler” Lewis during 1886. Update Dan and I discuss where we were at on September 11, 2001. We also discuss the recent death of the “Exotic” Adrian Street. Main Content In this episode, we discuss the wrestling schedule of Evan “Strangler” Lewis in 1886. In the next episode on September […]

» Read more

Sorakichi Matsuda Dies in New York

artist-rendering-of-sorakichi-matsuda

Sorakichi Matsuda travelled to the United States in late 1883 to begin his professional wrestling career. Matsuda intended to learn American professional wrestling and return to his homeland to start his own wrestling promotion. Matsuda’s manager made claims about his training in Japan, which could not be verified. Matsuda trained in sumo wrestling with the famous Isegahama stable but did […]

» Read more

McLaughlin Mixes It Up with Ross

artist-rendering- james-hiram-mclaughlin-in-1887-for-allen-ginter-cigarettes

On Thursday, April 10, 1884, America’s first full-time professional wrestler, J.H. McLaughlin wrestled all-around Scottish athlete and wrestler Duncan C. Ross at Detroit’s Opera House. The men wrestled a three-out-of-five falls mixed styles match. McLaughlin specialized in collar-and-elbow wrestling. The men wrestled two falls under collar-and-elbow rules. Ross favored side hold rules. The men wrestled two falls by securing side […]

» Read more

McLaughlin Wins Tournament

artist-rendering- james-hiram-mclaughlin-in-1887-for-allen-ginter-cigarettes

On March 10, 1870, Colonel James Hiram McLaughlin competed on the last night of the International Wrestling Tournament in Detroit, Michigan. The tournament ran for almost two months before the finale on March 10th. Wrestling historians frequently credit J. H. McLaughlin as being the first professional wrestler to live only on his earnings as a professional wrestler. Most professional wrestlers […]

» Read more

Episode 23 – Sumo Wrestling in the U.S.

sorakichi-matsuda-posing-in-his-prime

In this episode, I discuss professional wrestling matches conducted under Sumo Rules in the 1880s. Update While I hate UFC merging with WWE, you do have to salute Vince McMahon selling his company for more than it’s worth. Vince also managed to stay in charge of the company. Vince McMahon won the promotional wars of the 1980s and 1990s because […]

» Read more

Bibby Too Much for Matsuda

edwin-bibby-19th-century-english-catch-wrestler

In the early 1880s, Sorakichi Matsuda, or Matsada in most American newspapers, traveled to the United States to wrestle professionally. Japan did not have a developed professional wrestling circuit, so Matsuda thought he would bring the sport back to Japan after an apprenticeship in the United States. After training for a while, Matsuda signed an agreement to wrestle the first […]

» Read more

Episode 21 – Yusuf Ismail

it-was-almost-real-podcast-art

In this episode, I discuss the short but impactful career of the original Terrible Turk, Yusuf Ismail. Update Endeavor recently bought World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and merged it into a company with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Merging a worked exhibition with legitimate contests may not be the great idea Endeavor envisioned. Main Content The “Terrible Turk”, Yusuf Ismail, arrived […]

» Read more

Episode 20 – Sorakichi Matsada

it-was-almost-real-podcast-art

In this episode, I discuss the career of Sorakichi Matsada, a 19th Century Japanese pro wrestler. Update I discuss the new podcast schedule. Hopefully, Caleb will be back with me for the next episode. I will release an episode on the second Monday of every month. If scheduling allows, a second episode will be released on the fourth Monday of […]

» Read more
1 2 3 4 5 6 11