Pro Wrestling History Nerds

It's a story of newfound fame out east, a private match with Tom Jenkins, the importance of a loudmouth manager, and a couple of riots. It's the story of Fred Beell, Part 7!   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Fred Beell fell into a career slump in 1903, only to break out on the nation stage in Baltimore at the close of 1904. Listen to that journey unfold, along with some wild side quests and wild stories of the midwest in the early 1900s. Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

A match against a living legend, a look at the Gotch gang, a whole lotta strangling, a fake Turk, and a wild ad for vitality pills. It's the story of Fred Beell, part 5. Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Wins, losses, angry letters, and attempt to move west, and a box office bomb against a wrestling legend. It's the story of Fred Beell, part 4!   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

A tale of bait-and-switch booking, stacking the betting odds, a wrestler with upset stomach, and why you can't answer a public challenge from the dark woods of the frontier. It's the story of Fred Beell, part 3!   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Learn about the impact of disease in warfare, the horrors of pre-OSHA railroad work, an ill-fated attempt to swindle a "Jay In The Woods" town, trash talking in the sports pages, and more! Join Nick and Heidi for the story of Fred Beell, part two! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Today Nick and Heidi discuss the railroad expansion into the post-Civil War Midwest, why fire is bad, old timey language that makes us giggle, and of course the early life and career of Fred Beell.   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Today we discuss a man of many stolen gimmicks. A man with multiple shots at the NWA title. A man who set fires, committed crimes, did prison time, and was the body guard of a Mafia boss, who went on to be a movie icon. Nick and Heidi tell the story of Lenny Montana! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers. -The Godfather Wars, by Mark Seal. From the March, 2009 Vanity Fair.

How did an all-women's show impact the Colorado Wrestling Scene? How do women wrestlers navigate the  world of regional pro wrestling? Why did Priscilla Kelly kick Heidi Howitzer in the face? Listen up as we solve these mysteries and tell wild stories from Respect Women's Wrestling!   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Murder, scandals, intervention by the supreme court, Nazi in-laws, a Texas Death match, and the hottest short run a tag team could ask for. Today Nick and Heidi discuss the life and career of Sam Sheppard! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Join Nick and Nova Mente BJJ Instructor Troy Everett for a look back at the world of martial arts instructional VHS tapes. So wash your gi, buy a black belt online, and get ready to kick your friends in the head while learning karate in your basement!   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

The end of an era, the decline of the Howard Theater, the Bowsers enjoy the success of their Boston promotion, and of course a few arrests, rumors, and drama. It's the conclusion of our look at the life and times of Cora Livingston! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Returning to Boston, a pretender to the title, an audience member gets slapped, and more. Nick and Heidi continue the story of Cora Livingston! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Nick and Heidi discuss the dawn of the 1920s, the impact of the Great War on women's wrestling, The origin of masked wrestling, the purpose of submission holds, and Cora's marital status in advertisements. It's the story of Cora Livingston, Part 9!   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Circus wrestling, Freak show questions, Intergender challenges, Angry Women's groups, and an idiot who gambled a fortune on a wrestling match. All this and more, as Nick and Heidi continue the story of Cora Livingston.   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Cora joins the circus! Are charity shows a scam? Why did Cora's matches lose their viciousness? Why was the Howard Theater's ad department so good? Listen up and learn, as Nick and Heidi continue the story of Cora Livingston. Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Changing the finish, a light house, getting thrown through a painting, women's suffrage, and ref bumps. Nick and Heidi continue the wild story of Cora Livingston.   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

A big match against Laura Bennett! DQs galore! Why toe-holds got so popular! Why wouldn't Lottie Oliver wrestle men? Why did church groups protest wrestling? Listen to Nick and Heidi continue the story of Cora Livingston to find out! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

More strangling, more violence, near riots, a drunken woman on a rampage, and more! Nick and Heidi continue the exciting and strange tale of Cora Livingston.   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

More challenges, more strangling, a possible vacation for marriage and motherhood, and an outraged police officer who shut down a match. All this and more, as Nick and Heidi talk about Cora Livingston! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Strangling! Mysterious challenges from the balcony! A wrestler who saw a Ghost! All this and more as Nick and guest host Heidi Howitzer continue the story of Cora Livingston. Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.  

From life as an orphan in a convent, to the cirus as a runaway, to the theater stage as a champion. Today Nick and guest Heidi Howitzer talk about the early life of Cora Livingston.   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Let's look at the rematch between Hackenschmidt and Gotch, and how it affected the wrestling world. Tom Jenkins has his final run as a wrestler, but a longer run as a coach at west point. Two world wars, the loss of his greatest rival, and the end of the story of Tom Jenkins. Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American, Canadian, and British Newspapers.

Gotch wants to retire, Jenkins can't get days off work, Zbyszko learns not to shake hands after the bell, Jack Carkeek goes to Jail, the Fight of the Century drives racists to violence, checkers are in the sports pages, and Hackenschmidt might not be taking the biggest match of his life very seriously. All this and more! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American, Canadian, and British Newspapers.

From Holiday matches in Montreal, to living in the shadow of Gotch vs Hackenschmidt, and a showdown with another Terrible Turk. It's the story of Tom Jenkins, Part Nine! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American, Canadian, and British Newspapers.

Tom Jenkins took the American championship with him to West Point, where he coached wrestling and boxing. The sporting world and his top challengers were outraged! What would it take to get Tom Jenkins back in the ring, and against whom? Listen up and find out!   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and British Newspapers.

The aftermath of Tom Jenkins vs Fred Beell, another visit to England, an Advertisement for "medicinal" whiskey, and a job offer from President Theodore Roosevelt Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and British Newspapers.

George Hackenschimdt comes to America, Frank Gotch talks trash to the press, Fred Beell calls out Tom Jenkins, and so much more! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Tom Jenkins returns to the US with a loss to Hackenschmidt and without the pay to make it worth while. How will he return to the American spotlight, and will he be able to regain the title from Frank Gotch? Listen up and find out!   Thanks to Lydia, Mark, and Kyle for reseach donations! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

How do you wrestle a boxer? How do you protect the title when facing a man who only wrestles for real? How can everything go wrong on a trip to England? Listen up and find out in part four of our look at Tom Jenkins' career!   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Jenkins begins his title reign by... asking for a boxing match? What's with all the handicapped match? Did he nearly lose a leg? Who was the "Klondike Champion" he took on? Listen and learn about this, and so much more.   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

From a snooze-fest with yet another Turkish giant, to a title shot against Dan McLeod in Cleveland; Nick rambles about the years 1900 & 1901 in the life of Tom Jenkins! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

From a horrifying childhood accident to the rigors and risks of pre-OSHA industrial work to the wrestling stage against an onslaught of Terrible Turks: it's the story of Tom Jenkins! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert   Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

It was the first attempt at a sustainable alternative to the UFC in the United States. It was the home of breakout stars, the earliest high level competitive fights in the sport, and had a strong corporate backer to make it happen. So what could possibly go wrong? Join Nick and Chango as they discuss Battlecade Extreme Fighting! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary Sources: -The New York Times -https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2014/4/22/5367516/mma-origins-battlecade-extreme-fighting-igor-Zinoiev-ralph-gracie-maurice-smith-john-perretti

Join Nick and Chango for a tale of bitterness, vengeance, snitching to the press, and... cannibalism? Things get wild as our look at Clarence Whistler's life continues! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary Sources: -Cited newspaper articles -William Muldoon: The Solid Man Conquers Wrestling and Physical Culture, by Ken Zimmerman Jr -Shooters: The Toughest Men in Profession Wrestling, by Jonathan Snowden

It's a story of raw strength, strong booze, weird lies, carnival tours, and the usual insanity you subscribed for! Today Nick and Chango discuss "The Kansas Cyclone" Clarence Whistler! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary Sources: -Cited newspaper articles -William Muldoon: The Solid Man Conquers Wrestling and Physical Culture, by Ken Zimmerman Jr -Shooters: The Toughest Men in Profession Wrestling, by Jonathan Snowden

In the final episode of our series on "Parson" Davies, Nick and Chango talk about violent after parties, accidental poisonings, the weird spiral of John L Sullivan after retirement, the title matches of Evan "The Strangler" Lewis, and why you should never pee off the back of a moving train. Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary Sources: -Chicago's Greatest Sportsman- Charles E "Parson" Davies, by Mark T Dunn -Evan "The Strangler" Lewis: The Most Feared Wrestler of the 19th Century, by Ken Zimmerman Jr -Cited newspapers

Listen up, nerds! John L Sullivan vs Jake Kilrain proved that boxing can indeed be pro wrestling. A young Dan McLeod challenges Evan Lewis. Jack Wannop gets worked over in Chicago... but Sarah Cox from Grapplingwithhistory.com has another opinion. Chango talks about breaking arms, and Nick talks about sitting in jail after a fight. All this, and plenty more madness! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary Sources: -Chicago's Greatest Sportsman- Charles E "Parson" Davies, by Mark T Dunn -grapplingwithhistory.com -Evan "The Strangler" Lewis: The Most Feared Wrestler of the 19th Century, by Ken Zimmerman Jr -Cited newspapers

Chango makes his triumphant return for a tale of violence, politics, bar brawls, a well armed stenographer, a blasting-cap suicide, big money matches, in ring brutality, and much more. Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary Sources: -Chicago's Greatest Sportsman- Charles E "Parson" Davies, by Mark T Dunn -Evan "The Strangler" Lewis: The Most Feared Wrestler of the 19th Century, by Ken Zimmerman Jr -Cited newspapers  

It's a tale of immigration, presidential assassination plots, Footraces, murder, labor riots, and even some pro wrestling. Get ready for a wild one, as Nick talks about wrestling promoter Charles "Parson" Davies! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary Sources: -Chicago's Greatest Sportsman- Charles E "Parson" Davies, by Mark T Dunn -Evan "The Strangler" Lewis: The Most Feared Wrestler of the 19th Century, by Ken Zimmerman Jr -Cited newspapers

The "Turkish Invasion" of the Parisian wrestling world crossed the Atlantic to challenge the greatest American wrestlers of the day. How would the US greats like Roeber, Jenkins, and the original "Strangler" Lewis contend against the Ottoman Giant? Find out when we explore the US tour of Yusuf Ismail, The Terrible Turk!   PRIMARY SOURCES- -Cited newspaper articles -Evan "The Strangler" Lewis: The Most Feared Wrestler of the 19th Century, by Ken ZImmerman Jr --Shooters: The Toughest Men in Profession Wrestling, by Jonathan Snowden

Nick is rambling solo this week; spinning tales of WWF Superstars in the arcade, MUSCLE creatures, Japanese wrestling Manga, Slender King, Mat Mania, and how some poor bastard had to explain to Vince McMahon what a video game is.   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

In 1994 wrestler turned promoter Satoru Sayama launched the Vale Tudo Japan. What were the pro wrestling roots? Why did it have a Brazilian Portuguese title? Why was Rickson Gracie booked? How did it create the Pro-Wrestling vs Brazilian Jiu Jitsu rivalry in the early years of PRIDE FC? Venmo research donations to @nicholas-gossert

Last year I interviewed Victorian Wrestling Historian Sarah Cox, from grapplingwithhistory.com The inverview was distorted from a bad internet connection, so it took quite a while to get it recovered and fixed. I think you'll agree that it was worth the wait! Open your ears, turn on your brain, and learn all about Victorian Era wrestling and boxing, the life of Jack Wannop, the excitement of researching obscure figures in sports history, and the mystery of a giant women wrestler who disappeared from the record. Check out Sarah Cox's work at grapplingwithhistory.com and follow her on twitter at @wrestling1880s

The title was unified, wrestling was hot, but the champion was seen as past his prime and a star of yesterday. What came next would shape the wrestling business for years to come. Hear how it unfolds in our latest episode! Venmo research donations to @nicholas-gossert   Sources: -Ed Lewis: Facts Within A Myth, by Steve Yohe -The Nebraska Tigerman- The John Pesek Story", by Geoff Pesek -Fall Guys: The Barnums of Bounce, by Marcus Griffin -Double-Crossing The Gold Dust Trio: Stanislaus Zbyszko's Last Hurrah, By Ken Zimmerman Jr. -American Newspaper archives, various

After years of bitterness, brutality, schemes, double crosses, screw jobs, and financial politicking, it finally happened: Ed Lewis vs Joe Stecher in a title unification match. Listen to Nick and Chango discuss the intrigue, the build up, and the initial fall out of the biggest match of 1928! -Research donations to @nicholas-gossert on venmo   Sources: -Ed Lewis: Facts Within A Myth, by Steve Yohe -The Nebraska Tigerman- The John Pesek Story", by Geoff Pesek -Fall Guys: The Barnums of Bounce, by Marcus Griffin -Double-Crossing The Gold Dust Trio: Stanislaus Zbyszko's Last Hurrah, By Ken Zimmerman Jr. -American Newspaper archives, various

 Did Ad Santel really beat the best of Japan in 1921? Did Ed Lewis really mentor Frank Gotch Jr? Did John Pesek really think it was a good idea to double cross Joe Stecher? Learn the answers to these burning questions, and so much more when Nick and Chango discuss the year 1926 in pro wrestling! -Research donations to @nicholas-gossert on venmo   Sources: -Ed Lewis: Facts Within A Myth, by Steve Yohe -The Nebraska Tigerman- The John Pesek Story", by Geoff Pesek -Fall Guys: The Barnums of Bounce, by Marcus Griffin -Double-Crossing The Gold Dust Trio: Stanislaus Zbyszko's Last Hurrah, By Ken Zimmerman Jr. -American Newspaper archives, various

Holy crap, it's our 50th episode! In 1925 Billy Sandow attempted the most ambitious move in the history of Wrestling championships, only to be betrayed by the least likely man on the roster. Why did it happen? Who was behind it? Find out when Nick and Chango tell a tale of trust, conspiracy, betrayal, revenge, and maybe even a little wrestling.   Research donations accepted at Venmo @nicholas-gossert Sources: -Ed Lewis: Facts Within A Myth, by Steve Yohe -The Nebraska Tigerman- The John Pesek Story", by Geoff Pesek -Fall Guys: The Barnums of Bounce, by Marcus Griffin -Double-Crossing The Gold Dust Trio: Stanislaus Zbyszko's Last Hurrah, By Ken Zimmerman Jr. -American Newspaper archives, various

Why was Ed "Strangler" Lewis' title reign growing stale? How many people can he punch without going to jail? Could William Muldoon be hated even more than last year? Did Stanislaus Zbyszko hit rock bottom? Would wrestling catch on in LA? Find out when you listen to Nick and Chango discuss the year 1924 in American Pro-Wrestling! Research donations accepted at Venmo @nicholas-gossert -Ed Lewis: Facts Within A Myth, by Steve Yohe -The Nebraska Tigerman- The John Pesek Story", by Geoff Pesek -Fall Guys: The Barnums of Bounce, by Marcus Griffin -Double-Crossing The Gold Dust Trio: Stanislaus Zbyszko's Last Hurrah, By Ken Zimmerman Jr. -American Newspaper archives, various

An Olympic Silver Medalist gets lured into a trap, Lewis kills the reputation of his policeman, the return of Joe Stecher, and more madness as Nick & Chango talk about the year 1923 in wrestling! Venmo research donations to @nicholas-gossert -Primary Sources -Ed Lewis: Facts Within A Myth, by Steve Yohe -The Nebraska Tigerman- The John Pesek Story", by Geoff Pesek -Fall Guys: The Barnums of Bounce, by Marcus Griffin -Double-Crossing The Gold Dust Trio: Stanislaus Zbyszko's Last Hurrah, By Ken Zimmerman Jr. -American Newspaper archives, various

In 1922 an effort was make to put Jack Dempsey in the ring with Ed "Strangler" Lewis. Was it a money making scheme or a legitimate attempt at mixed style competition? Listen to Nick and Chango sort it out as they explore the year 1922 in pro wrestling! *CONTENT WARNING* If discussions of sexual abuse is upsetting, skip 19:10-24:41.   -Primary Sources -Ed Lewis: Facts Within A Myth, by Steve Yohe -The Nebraska Tigerman- The John Pesek Story", by Geoff Pesek -Fall Guys: The Barnums of Bounce, by Marcus Griffin -Double-Crossing The Gold Dust Trio: Stanislaus Zbyszko's Last Hurrah, By Ken Zimmerman Jr. -American Newspaper archives, various