Episode 88 – Memorial Day

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https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/mruimj9fnisutejb/Episode_88b80eq.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn 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

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Episode 87 – Bronko Nagurski

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https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/5cgj2nsipv7ft68x/Episode_877km8r.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, I discuss the professional wrestling career of NFL great Bronko Nagurski. Update I give some facts from Dan’s bio, discuss how he ended up being the regular co-host, and his contributions to the increased frequency of the episodes. Main Content Bronislau “Bronko” Nagurski was born on November 3, 1908 in Rainy

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Episode 86 – R.I.P. Dan

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https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/z8ypec9ms634as58/Episode_866uybh.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn 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

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Episode 84 – Closed Door Match/Iron Claw

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https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/nd78b7jmtzvbix6w/Episode_84aukfm.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, I review a closed door match between Tom Jenkins and Fred Beell. I also review The Iron Claw (2023). Update I gave a presentation What are Yeggmen? The intersection of Building History and True Crime at the Eugene Field House and Toy Museum on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Last week, A

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Episode 82 – Unwanted Attention, Part 1

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https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/vpwseg5xt5s9swey/Episode_827hd3h.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, I will be talking about an Illinois select committee’s investigation into professional boxing and wrestling in Chicago, Illinois. In part one, we discuss the revelations that made Joe Stecher look bad. Introduction and Update The Starz series Heels and my early thoughts The Divided Championship will be available in June 2025

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Episode 80 – Exposing the Business

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https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/a77q3j4bp23crd8x/Episode_807a480.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, I discuss how the Divided Championship Era began to expose the worked nature of professional wrestling. Update BBC recently made a decision about the BBC Sounds app that is truly irritating. I will be giving a St. Louis history presentation at Eugene Field House on April 5, 2025. The Divided Championship

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Episode 78 – Hall of Fame

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https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/bgiyc9p9ddr8pmhj/Episode_7881qcq.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn 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

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Episode 76 – Solving the Masked Marvel

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https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/r5y6br9bc4e3dbqf/Episode_766doid.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn 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

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