On this date 105 years ago...........

wrestlingcardking

On this date 105 years ago – April 3, 1908 -- the much-anticipated “Match of the Century” featured an Iowa wrestler named Frank Gotch, challenging the defending world champion, George Hackenschmidt.

For those of you who haven't heard of this, if you have a few minutes take a little google time.

wrestlingcardking

First, a quick introduction to the wrestlers. Both were born in 1878, thousands of miles apart, with vastly different upbringings. The challenger, Gotch, was a farm boy from Humboldt, Iowa, who stood 5’11” and weighed in at 196 pounds of muscle gained from plowing fields and hoisting hay bales. Hackenschmidt, the champ, was nicknamed “the Russian Lion” (though born in Estonia). As a teenager Hack learned scientific weight-training and strength-building techniques from a physician to the czar of Russia. That’s how the 5’9” Hackenschmidt acquired a physique that was the talk of the sports world; his neck, chest and waist measurements were within an inch of those of 2000 NCAA heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar of Minnesota in his college prime. A number of Gotch’s friends and fans feared for the Iowan’s safety, thinking their man might be crushed by Hack’s powerful bearhug that forced more than one foe to submit. Most of Hack’s matches were over in ten minutes or less.

The April 3, 1908 Gotch-Hackenschmidt match was held at night at Dexter Park Pavilion, a giant shed-like facility in Chicago, southwest of downtown, in front of more than 10,000 fans. After just over two hours of wrestling, the champ Hackenschmidt said, “I surrender the title to you, Mr. Gotch.” There was a new world wrestling champion.

Three-and-a-half years later, the two met again in a ring in Chicago, this time at the original Comiskey Park, then home to the White Sox. This time, the match was over much more quickly, but the outcome was the same; Gotch defeated the once-mighty Russian Lion, and the world title remained on American soil.

Gotch remained the world champ until he retired in 1913. In late 1916, his health took a sudden turn for the worse, and one year later, he died of kidney failure before his 40th birthday. Hackenschmidt, who retired from the ring after losing to Gotch twice, passed away in 1968 at age 90.

eagles33

Was wrestling in those days closer to college wrestling or boxing... Or was it more like the wwf? In other words.. We're the outcomes pre determined or not? I'm amazed how inexpensive the 1909 gotch card is. I scooped it up for 25 bucks

Jakt

Cool story. Thanks for posting.

Bosox1976

Hackenschmidt:



Gotch:

bobbydigital731

<< <i>Hackenschmidt:



Gotch:

>>



WOW! What was this guy eating? That is really big for that era

billwaltonsbeard

That was before real wrestling. I bet those guys just rolled around on the floor together.

No capes, no masks, no folding chairs. No flying off the top rope finishing moves. No loud-mouthed managers, no sexy female sidekicks. What were fans supposed to watch?

gregmo32

Pure 100% competition in that era. The line slowly blurred beginning decades later.

wrestlingcardking

Hackenschmidt was heavily photographed because his build was so extraordinary. It really is amazing to see how he compares to others in that era with the absence of PEDs.