Stecher vs. Sonnenburg in 1930

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On 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

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Jenkins’ and Beell’s Closed Door Match

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Tom Jenkins had the distinction of being the only wrestler to defeat Frank Gotch multiple times. Jenkins and Gotch traded the American Heavyweight Wrestling Championship between 1902 and 1906. At the time of this match, Jenkins was the champion again. Fred Beell had been campaigning for a match with Jenkins for months. Beell finally convinced Jenkins to meet him but

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“Toots” Mondt’s Injured in 1922

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Joseph “Toots” Mondt wrestled professionally from the early 1910s through the 1930s but he made his real mark as a booker, booking agent and promoter.  While Ed “Strangler” Lewis considered Mondt his equal in a legitimate wrestling match, Mondt has a genius for creating angles and finishes in worked wrestling exhibitions. Mondt would join Lewis and his manager Billy Sandow

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Taro Miyake Wrestles in St. Louis

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From late 1921 to 1923, John Contos promoted professional wrestling in St. Louis, Missouri.  However, Contos decided to leave promotion to focus on managing the career of budding star Dan Kolov.  Prior to leaving St. Louis, Contos sold the promotion to Tom Packs, his nephew and assistant in the promotion. Packs’ first card was scheduled for Friday, January 4, 1924. 

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Lewis Wrestles Mondt in Kansas City

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World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis wrestled hundreds of legitimate wrestling matches with Joseph “Toots” Mondt over the years.  During conversations with his young protégé, Lou Thesz, Lewis said he only had to worry about losing to two wrestlers in his long career.  Only Mondt and Stanislaus Zbyszko had a chance of defeating him in a legitimate contest. One

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