It Was Almost Real: The Pro Wrestling History Podcast

In this episode, I discuss one of the first regular Atlanta cards in February 1926. I end the podcast with bonus content about famed hooker Ad Santel.

In this episode, I discuss 19th Century pioneer wrestler Sorakichi Matsuda, the first Japanese professional wrestler in the United States.

In this episode, I discuss misconceptions that I had going into writing projects. I also discuss discoveries and things that shocked me.

In this episode, I discuss one of the greatest "hookers" of all time, Ad Santel. I also discuss how Clash of Champions 9 demonstrated all the warts of WCW in 1989.

In this episode, I discuss an out-of-control exhibition between Clarence Whistler and Andre Christol in 1882

In this episode, I discuss three cases that led to police arresting wrestlers.

In this episode, I discuss Jim Londos importance to the St. Louis promotion as well as St. Louis' importance to the development of Jim Londos.

In this episode, I review The Wrestler (1974) and discuss the 1891 wrestling match between former American Heavyweight Wrestling Champion Joe Acton and future World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Bob Fitzsimmons.

In this episode, we discuss a potential double-cross in 1916.

In this episode, I discuss a possible circuit of working collar-and-elbow wrestlers in the 1860s and 1870s.

In this episode, I will be discussing the other Zbyszko, Wladek Zbyszko, and his early days in America between 1913 and 1915.

In this episode, I discuss the recent passing of Hulk Hogan. I also name who I think the most comparable historical wrestler is to Hogan.

In this episode, I discuss Yusuf Ismail versus Tom Jenkins. I also discuss the first St. Louis card I attended with my sister Vicky.

In this episode, I discuss the July 4, 1916 match between Earl Caddock and William Demetral in Anita, Iowa.

In this episode, I discuss the murder of a professional wrestler in the 1860s, who gamblers thought worked a match to bilk them out of gambling money.

In this episode, I discuss the limited damage exposes have done to the worked nature of professional wrestling.

In this episode, I discuss the first father-son professional wrestlers, Bob Managoff and Bobby Managoff, Jr.

In this episode, I discuss finding the deciding contest between Ed "Strangler" Lewis and Joe Stecher. I also discuss why the myth about Joe Stecher's 1925-1928 World Title reign persist.

In this episode, I discuss why promoters liked to schedule big cards for holidays.

In this episode, I discuss the professional wrestling career of NFL great Bronko Nagurski.

In this episode, I discuss the recent passing of my co-host and cousin Dan Zimmerman. I discuss a mixed styles bout between Ray Steele and Kingfish Levinsky in St. Louis during November 1935.

In this episode, I discuss a controversial referee's decision in the 1905 match between Fred Beell and Gus "Americus" Schoenlein.

In this episode, I review a closed door match between Tom Jenkins and Fred Beell. I also review The Iron Claw (2023).

In this episode, I will be talking about an Illinois select committee’s investigation into professional boxing and wrestling in Chicago, Illinois. In part two, we discuss the revelations that made Sandow and Lewis look bad.

In 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.

In this episode, I will be talking a wrestler who need “liquid courage” to climb in the ring with Evan “The Strangler” Lewis.

In this episode, I discuss how the Divided Championship Era began to expose the worked nature of professional wrestling.

In this episode, I discuss William Muldoon wrestling a contest that wasn't much of a contest and demonstrating his system of physical training.

In this episode, Dan and I discuss two notable omissions from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.

In this episode, we discuss Bernarr MacFadden's professional wrestling career in St. Louis, Missouri.

In this episode, I discuss Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeating the Masked Marvel during the 1915 New York International Wrestling Tournament.

In this episode, we discuss former World Champion Wayne "Big" Munn and his lesser known brother, Glen Munn.

In this episode, we discuss one of the first nationally known African American wrestlers, Reginald Siki.

In this episode, I discuss the first of three matches in 1926 between World Champion Joe Stecher and John "The Nebraska Tigerman" Pesek. I also discuss the two big wrestling companies debuting on Netflix and Max.

In this episode, I discuss the mixed styles match between Taro Miyake versus Ad Santel in October 1916.

In this episode, I discuss why the Divided Championship Era lasted for three years from 1925 to 1928. I also review the original Survivor Series 1987.

In this episode, I discuss the recently discovered film of the 1908 match between George Hackenschmidt and Joe Rogers.

In this episode, we discuss Martin "Farmer" Burns training James J. Jeffries for his bout with Jack Johnson on July 4, 1910.

In this episode, I discuss the beginnings of the regular St. Louis wrestling promotion in 1921. I also discuss the Mr. McMahon documentary on Netflix.

In this episode, Dan and I talk about a number of the news stories surrounding AEW and WWE.

In this episode, I discuss the professional wrestling and refereeing career of St. Louis' first professional wrestler, George Baptiste.

In this episode, we discuss 1925-1928, when both Ed "Strangler" Lewis and Joe Stecher claimed the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship.

In this episode, we look at Taro Miyake's challenge matches in England and review one of the few double-crosses after the formation of the National Wrestling Alliance.

In this episode, we discuss the controversial 1887 match between Evan "Strangler" Lewis and English catch wrestler Tom Connors.

In this episode, I discuss the development of the St. Louis wrestling promotion under Tom Packs and Sam Muchnick.

In this episode, we discuss how Hubert and Charley Pesek affected the career of John "The Nebraska Tigerman" Pesek.

In this episode, I discuss the federal government prosecuting a gambling ring in 1910. The case exposed how wrestlers worked matches to bilk fans betting on the matches.

In this episode, I talk about the upcoming podcast schedule and website revisions to kenzimmermanjr.com.

In this episode, we discuss wrestlers and jiu jitsu fighters working matches in Brazil. We also review WWE's King and Queen of the Ring.

In this episode, I talk about the 1924 match between Jim Browning and Taro Miyake.

Technical difficulties led to this podcast being more of a compilation. We discuss an odd decision by the New York State Althletic Commission in 1921.

In this episode, I discuss the backstage video from AEW at Wembley, talk about pro wrestling before the modern promotion system, and review Wrestlemania XL Day 2.

In this episode, I discuss the possible reasons for the falling out between Tex Rickard and Jack Curley. I also review the first night of Wrestlemania XL.

In this episode, we discuss the threat that Marin Plestina posed to the wrestling trust between 1917 and 1921.

In this episode, we discuss how World War I affected American professional wrestling. We also reveal who said, "Repetition is the key when dealing with goofs."

In this solo episode, I look at John "The Nebraska Tiger Man" Pesek settling two promotional wars in the 1920s.

In this episode, we discuss the origins of professional wrestling stories and legends around events through history.

In this episode, we discuss the careers of Jim Londos and Primo Carnera leading into a review of their 1950 wrestling match.

In this episode, we discuss William Muldoon vs. Clarence Whistler as we try to be more positive this week.

In this episode, we discuss the Vince McMahon scandal, the dirty deeds of promoters in the past, and review the 2024 Royal Rumble. We end this long episode talking about wrestling on TV in St. Louis during the 1980s.

In this episode, I discuss the first five years of Ed "Strangler" Lewis' career.

In this episode, we discuss the boxer vs. wrestler bout between "Battling" Levinsky vs. Ray Steele.

In this episode, we discuss how gambling schemes fed into professional wrestling's unsavory reputation.

In this episode, we discuss a new discover about Ed "Strangler" Lewis, why Mort Henderson was picked to be the Masked Marvel, and a look at Jerry Lawler vs. "Dirty" Dutch Mantel.

In this episode, we discuss a Christmas Night wrestling fiasco in 1911.

In this episode, we discuss how and when Billy Sandow and Ed "Strangler" Lewis really met.

In this episode, we discuss the famous double-cross of "Big" Wayne Munn and the Gold Dust Trio by Stanislaus Zbyszko.

In this episode, we discuss news, the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame, Joe Stecher in the 1910s, and review a match from Mid-Atlantic in 1983.

In this episode, we discuss Stanislaus Zbyszko's last match of his first tour of America. We finish with his return to the United States in 1920.

In this episode, we discuss Stanislaus Zbyszko's campaign for Frank Gotch's World Title.

In this bonus episode, we discuss the documentary 350 Days about pro wrestling in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.

In this episode, we look at a match from 1878. It was a challenge keeping my co-hosts focused this week.

In this episode, we look at Ed "Strangler" Lewis' wrestling schedule in the first six months of 1913.

In this episode, I discuss Ed "Strangler" Lewis taking revenge on Man Mountain Dean in St. Louis during December 1935.

In this episode, we discuss Evan "Strangler" Lewis' wrestling schedule in 1886.

In this episode, we discuss Dick Shikat double-crossing Danno O'Mahony in 1936. Plus we have a very special guest in studio.

Yes, we are releasing an episode out of order. With three recent high profile deaths in pro wrestling, we wanted to release a bonus episode now to talk about them. We also inadvertantly insult a few people and have an interesting conversation about "cougars."

In this episode, we discuss Jim Londos early career in St. Louis. We also review Jim Londos vs. Dick Shikat from 1930 plus a bonus review.

In this episode, my cousin Dan and I review the April 28, 1986 edition of WWF's Prime Time Wrestling.

In this episode, I discuss what I learned researching the career of Sorakichi Matsuda, the first Japanese professional wrestler in the Untied States.

In this episode, I discuss the 1917 and 1920 World Title matches between Earl Caddock and Joe Stecher.

In this episode, we discuss an 1884 mixed styles match between J.H. McLaughlin and Duncan C. Ross.

In this episode, I discuss the career of unknown World Champion Jim Browning.

In this episode, I discuss professional wrestling matches conducted under Sumo Rules in the 1880s.

In this episode, my cousin Dan and I discuss the evolution of pro wrestling since the late 1970s and its influence on our fandom.

In this episode, we discuss the short but impactful career of the original Terrible Turk, Yusuf Ismail.

In this episode, we look at the career of pioneering 19th Century Japanese pro wrestler Sorakichi Matsada.

In this episode, I discuss the 1891 wrestling match between Joe Acton and future heavyweight boxing champion Bob Fitzsimmons.

In this episode, I discuss the 1923 shoot contest between John "The Tigerman" Pesek and Nat "Panther" Pendleton.

In this episode, I discuss what I learned during my combat sports book projects.

In this episode, I read an account of Edwin Bibby vs. Duncan C. Ross from Shooting or Working: The Story of the American Heavyweight Wrestling Championship.

In this episode, we discuss Ed "Strangler" Lewis' Last Two Legitimate Contests.

In this episode, I discuss the early career of the first recognized Women's World Wrestling Champion, Cora Livingston.

In this episode, we discuss a dangerous decision Tom Jenkins made on Christmas Night 1902.

In this episode, I discuss the career of the "Little Demon" Joe Acton.

In this episode, we discuss when an author has a duty to correct a previous publication.

In this episode, we discuss John "The Nebraska Tigerman" Pesek.

In this episode, we discuss Frank Gotch's toughest opponent, Tom Jenkins.

In this episode, I discuss the development of the professional wrestling promotional system in the late 1910s and 1920s.

In this episode, I welcome my new co-host, Caleb Zimmerman. We discuss the first masked wrestler in the United States, the Masked Marvel. We also discuss Harley Race vs. David Von Erich from St. Louis' Wrestling at the Chase in 1979.