Tag: Frank Gotch
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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: The history of the American Heavyweight title
This week’s DKK Classic Wrestling Show is a 1000 Hours edition focusing on pioneers of pro wrestling and taking a look back at one of the earliest and most important championships of the pioneer era: the American Heavyweight title. It was a time when it seemed like every wrestler billed themselves as “champion of America”…
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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: The history of wrestling at Madison Square Garden continues
One of the biggest matches so far in my series looking at pro wrestling history at Madison Square Garden takes place this episode as Tom Jenkins faces Frank Gotch. Did you know the legendary Gotch never won a match at MSG? I talk about that and more plus yet another giant Turk shows up squashing…
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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: The Life and Times of Frank Gotch
In this 15th part of our history of pro wrestling series, we take a look at 1916-17 and the final year of the life of all-time legend Frank Gotch. A few of the topics I touched upon: The aftermath of the Manhatten Opera House International tournament The world title chase featuring Earl Caddock, Joe Stecher, Ed…
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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: Gotch vs. Hackenschmidt II
Karl Stern’s longform history of pro wrestling series continues today, this time looking at the big rematch between Frank Gotch and George Hackenschmidt and the fallout from the biggest match in history up to that point. Who were the big stars following Gotch vs. Hackenschmidt II? Topics covered on this week’s episode — Frank Gotch faces George…
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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: The first World Champion
We enter 1905 and finally get a true World Heavyweight Champion of professional wrestling on today’s episode of Karl Stern’s longform look at the industry’s history — but not without significant shenanigans. Topics covered on this week’s episode of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling show: American Champion Tom Jenkins loses to Frank Gotch. Tom Jenkins gets involved in…
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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: A look at the Frank Gotch era
On the tenth part of the longform history of pro wrestling series, we cover 1900-1904 today and talk a lot about Frank Gotch, his scam tour of the Yukon, the rise of George Hackenschmidt, Tom Jenkins, and more. But before we begin, the first segment of the show addresses the death of Jimmy Snuka. On this…
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DragonKingKarl Show: Mail bag! Free! Pioneer era, plus Demolition, WWE HOF
DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Audio Show: FREE EDITION! Tell your friends! Today is a mailbag show with a wide range of questions and topics including: The pioneers of wrestling what referees were in the days of Frank Gotch, Ed “Strangler” Lewis, and Joe Stecher. The conversation also includes how state atheletic commissions played into things during…