Fakirs At Work
Chapter Six: Frank Gotch Versus Georges Hackenschmidt, 1908
#PWHS #Article #FakirsAtWork #FAW #Hippodrome #Gotch #Hackenschmidt #MatchOfTheCentury #WorldChampionship
A look at the moments in history which made audiences cry-out, "Hippodrome!"
April 3, 1908
Match Of The Century: Championship of the World
Dexter Park Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois
Attendance: 6,000
Frank Gotch defeated Georges Hackenschmidt
Match Of The Century: Championship of the World
Dexter Park Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois
Attendance: 6,000
Frank Gotch defeated Georges Hackenschmidt
March 14, 1908 - NY Evening World
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The match of the century. That's what it has been referred to since it happened. In truth though no-one thought Frank Gotch had a chance of winning the bout. He was the underdog by a considerable amount. For the most part the betting odds were against the native of Iowa 5-to-1. No-one had ever seen a force quite as unstoppable as Georges Hackenschmidt, of course there was the Masked Wrestler of Paris, France, but he disappeared shortly after his arrival. Georges had been ruling the whole world for the best part of the century up until his contest with Gotch.
I think we all know that Frank Gotch won that match and became the first ever American born universally recognized World Heavyweight Champion. But, was this a work? Did Gotch and the Russian Lion plan the actions of that day? Well, we are going to take a look through the events of the day and also leading up to the event to see if we can make some sense of it.
February 25, 1905 - Washington Times
The Build Up To the Match
For over a month before the bout it was promoted solidly across the North of America, and papers around the world covered the upcoming battle for the World Heavyweight Championship. As I'm sure you can imagine not only have you got two wrestlers who are possibly the very best in the world meeting to settle their differences. You also have the whole America Vs. Europe angle to the affair which was further magnified by Gotch being a Catch-as-Catch-Can expert and Hackenschmidt being more heavily versed in Graeco-Roman.
Although Catch had originated in England, the Americans had claimed it as their own and changed it up from it's original form and they had chosen that over the Graeco-Roman a style that had all but completely faded out of the American mainstream by the time these two met. The majority of Europeans on the other hand still maintained Graeco-Roman as their preferred style.
Both men had faced Tom Jenkins in the years leading up their fight, whilst Gotch had beat Jenkins he had also suffered losses to him. Hackenschmidt had fairly easily disposed of Jenkins on any occasion that they had met. The original challenge from Gotch had been made in early 1905, following his first victory over Jenkins, the trading of the American Heavyweight Championship between the two then came following Hackenschmidt refusing to face Gotch at that time.
By the time 1908 came around Gotch had pretty much risen to be seen in the eyes of America as almost invincible with any loss he had received being a freak occurrence (See the Fred Beell match from December 1, 1906). Yet, in the run up to the match both men took on Joe Rogers. Hackenschmidt met Rogers first and defeated him without any trouble, pinning him twice.
When Gotch met Rogers it was a handicap contest where Gotch had to pin Rogers five times in 60 minutes to win. He successfully pinned Rogers twice, yet failed to get the five pins needed to be declared the winner. That totally swayed the opinion of everyone interested in the contest. Gotch was now officially the underdog, how could he defeat Hackenschmidt when he couldn't even defeat Rogers? The history with Tom Jenkins and the past of both men was also brought up in the press.
Hackenschmidt also defeated Hjalmar Lundin and John Perrilli in a handicap match whilst Gotch just about managed to beat Lundin in a Mixed styles contest. Not only was there a difference in wrestling styles though, but, it was well noted how Hackenschmidt had the strength advantage and would easily overpower Gotch, whilst Gotch was a more well versed wrestler. It was very rare Hackenschmidt would go over thirty minutes in a match, if that long. Whilst Gotch could go as long as he had to.
With all this information out there for the public to chew over and play with in their minds of what may possibly happen on the big day of April 3, 1908, the interest could not have been higher. Billed as the Battle of the Century, it truly was going to be one heck of a show whatever happened.
For over a month before the bout it was promoted solidly across the North of America, and papers around the world covered the upcoming battle for the World Heavyweight Championship. As I'm sure you can imagine not only have you got two wrestlers who are possibly the very best in the world meeting to settle their differences. You also have the whole America Vs. Europe angle to the affair which was further magnified by Gotch being a Catch-as-Catch-Can expert and Hackenschmidt being more heavily versed in Graeco-Roman.
Although Catch had originated in England, the Americans had claimed it as their own and changed it up from it's original form and they had chosen that over the Graeco-Roman a style that had all but completely faded out of the American mainstream by the time these two met. The majority of Europeans on the other hand still maintained Graeco-Roman as their preferred style.
Both men had faced Tom Jenkins in the years leading up their fight, whilst Gotch had beat Jenkins he had also suffered losses to him. Hackenschmidt had fairly easily disposed of Jenkins on any occasion that they had met. The original challenge from Gotch had been made in early 1905, following his first victory over Jenkins, the trading of the American Heavyweight Championship between the two then came following Hackenschmidt refusing to face Gotch at that time.
By the time 1908 came around Gotch had pretty much risen to be seen in the eyes of America as almost invincible with any loss he had received being a freak occurrence (See the Fred Beell match from December 1, 1906). Yet, in the run up to the match both men took on Joe Rogers. Hackenschmidt met Rogers first and defeated him without any trouble, pinning him twice.
When Gotch met Rogers it was a handicap contest where Gotch had to pin Rogers five times in 60 minutes to win. He successfully pinned Rogers twice, yet failed to get the five pins needed to be declared the winner. That totally swayed the opinion of everyone interested in the contest. Gotch was now officially the underdog, how could he defeat Hackenschmidt when he couldn't even defeat Rogers? The history with Tom Jenkins and the past of both men was also brought up in the press.
Hackenschmidt also defeated Hjalmar Lundin and John Perrilli in a handicap match whilst Gotch just about managed to beat Lundin in a Mixed styles contest. Not only was there a difference in wrestling styles though, but, it was well noted how Hackenschmidt had the strength advantage and would easily overpower Gotch, whilst Gotch was a more well versed wrestler. It was very rare Hackenschmidt would go over thirty minutes in a match, if that long. Whilst Gotch could go as long as he had to.
With all this information out there for the public to chew over and play with in their minds of what may possibly happen on the big day of April 3, 1908, the interest could not have been higher. Billed as the Battle of the Century, it truly was going to be one heck of a show whatever happened.
March 14 1908 - NY Tribune
The Match
For two hours and three minutes the two men fought. It's noted in all papers that Gotch was wrestling a very defensive style making Hackenschmidt come at him. At the time Hackenschmidt was the heavier of the two, so, it would seem like a great game plan on the surface from Gotch.
Several times during the contest Hackenschmidt let out exclamations of a foul from Gotch using roughhousing tactics that were prominent in America. Such tactics as eye gouging, scratching, and even the odd punch or headbutt. Depending on where you read about Gotch, what newspaper, what historian you listen to, will dictate whether Gotch was a sadistic individual or an honest and fair gentleman.
At one point Hackenschmidt actually called for the bout to be halted whilst the two combatants went to have a bath as he felt Gotch was heavily oiled preventing him from getting a good grip on the Iowan. All his protests fell on deaf ears as the referee and joint promoter of the event, Ed Smith, allowed the contest to continue.
Finally at the two hour and three minute mark Hackenschmidt quit the first fall and then simply walked away refusing to get back on the stage and forfeited the title there and then. He shook hands with Gotch and all seemed to end amicably. Following the contest Hackenschmidt proclaimed Gotch was the greatest wrestler he ever faced.
Post-Match
Newspapers were split between calling Gotch plain out dirty and viciously dominating. None of them suggested the contest had been a fix though. What they did all lean toward though was that Gotch had used underhanded tactics against his superior opponent. They all wanted to see a rematch.
Once Hackenschmidt had gotten out of America he started to bad mouth Gotch and point out all the fouls Gotch had made in the match. The negativity towards the American continued as Gotch made a tour of England in an attempt to show the country he was not a bad wrestler. Hackenschmidt was now fully reflecting what some newspapers had originally reported. Claims that the referee was bias in favor of Gotch were made as well as the feeling that the crowd were so heavily in favor of the American was unfair.
Obviously both Gotch and the referee denied any accusations made against them and in America the population shrugged it all off choosing to believe in their new hero, their World Heavyweight Champion. Outside of America the reception was much more frosty, many feeling Hackenschmidt should still be champion and had been cheated out of the title or in some cases that he simply had not lost it. Although, by the time Gotch left England, the people of the United Kingdom had a much warmer appreciation of the talented Iowan.
A match was actually teased while Gotch was in England, Hackenschmidt had been there since he left America. With some feeble excuses and a lot of politics the match never happened though. Another match was then set to take place in Australia during January 1910; it was signed just shortly after Gotch left England to go back to America at the beginning of 1909. Once again this match never happened though.
The rematches that never happened could have been put off for a number of reasons. Some say it was due to the promoters not agreeing on where it should be held, i.e. who would make the most money. In newspapers it said the location was a problem because Hackenschmidt wanted it in Europe or neutral grounds whereas Gotch only wanted to wrestle in America. When the Australian match was cancelled it was reported Gotch was ill, Hackenschmidt questioned this. It could be that all these rematches were never meant to take place and they were used to build the anticipation for when it did really happen or very possibly the promoters and wrestlers involved really were so busy quibbling over money that they missed the chance to do a set of three matches which was almost certainly how it was supposed to go down.
For two hours and three minutes the two men fought. It's noted in all papers that Gotch was wrestling a very defensive style making Hackenschmidt come at him. At the time Hackenschmidt was the heavier of the two, so, it would seem like a great game plan on the surface from Gotch.
Several times during the contest Hackenschmidt let out exclamations of a foul from Gotch using roughhousing tactics that were prominent in America. Such tactics as eye gouging, scratching, and even the odd punch or headbutt. Depending on where you read about Gotch, what newspaper, what historian you listen to, will dictate whether Gotch was a sadistic individual or an honest and fair gentleman.
At one point Hackenschmidt actually called for the bout to be halted whilst the two combatants went to have a bath as he felt Gotch was heavily oiled preventing him from getting a good grip on the Iowan. All his protests fell on deaf ears as the referee and joint promoter of the event, Ed Smith, allowed the contest to continue.
Finally at the two hour and three minute mark Hackenschmidt quit the first fall and then simply walked away refusing to get back on the stage and forfeited the title there and then. He shook hands with Gotch and all seemed to end amicably. Following the contest Hackenschmidt proclaimed Gotch was the greatest wrestler he ever faced.
Post-Match
Newspapers were split between calling Gotch plain out dirty and viciously dominating. None of them suggested the contest had been a fix though. What they did all lean toward though was that Gotch had used underhanded tactics against his superior opponent. They all wanted to see a rematch.
Once Hackenschmidt had gotten out of America he started to bad mouth Gotch and point out all the fouls Gotch had made in the match. The negativity towards the American continued as Gotch made a tour of England in an attempt to show the country he was not a bad wrestler. Hackenschmidt was now fully reflecting what some newspapers had originally reported. Claims that the referee was bias in favor of Gotch were made as well as the feeling that the crowd were so heavily in favor of the American was unfair.
Obviously both Gotch and the referee denied any accusations made against them and in America the population shrugged it all off choosing to believe in their new hero, their World Heavyweight Champion. Outside of America the reception was much more frosty, many feeling Hackenschmidt should still be champion and had been cheated out of the title or in some cases that he simply had not lost it. Although, by the time Gotch left England, the people of the United Kingdom had a much warmer appreciation of the talented Iowan.
A match was actually teased while Gotch was in England, Hackenschmidt had been there since he left America. With some feeble excuses and a lot of politics the match never happened though. Another match was then set to take place in Australia during January 1910; it was signed just shortly after Gotch left England to go back to America at the beginning of 1909. Once again this match never happened though.
The rematches that never happened could have been put off for a number of reasons. Some say it was due to the promoters not agreeing on where it should be held, i.e. who would make the most money. In newspapers it said the location was a problem because Hackenschmidt wanted it in Europe or neutral grounds whereas Gotch only wanted to wrestle in America. When the Australian match was cancelled it was reported Gotch was ill, Hackenschmidt questioned this. It could be that all these rematches were never meant to take place and they were used to build the anticipation for when it did really happen or very possibly the promoters and wrestlers involved really were so busy quibbling over money that they missed the chance to do a set of three matches which was almost certainly how it was supposed to go down.
April 3 1908 - NY Evening World
Conclusion
As both Gotch and Hackenschmidt had been accused of working bouts in the past, it's very hard to not cast a suspicious eye across a contest between the two men. The main argument for it being legitimate is why were there no cries of fake claimed in the papers? In my opinion there's a simple element that can not be proved, but would answer that, we know that papers today and back then were open to bribery when it comes to what is or isn't to be printed, so, I'm going to take the stance that what was printed was exactly what the promoters and the managers of wrestlers had wanted to be printed.
Now, it makes sense to look at the build of the match first, with the way the two competed against similar opponents in the the years before, but especially the last few months prior to the match. To me it just screams an angle to sway the bets in favor of Hackenschmidt allowing a bigger win for both wrestlers when Gotch prevailed as the winner. If Gotch had been favored by the bookmakers everyone involved would not have been able to pick up a huge chunk of extra money from the Hackenschmidt on top of the already unbelievably large pay-offs everyone involved received.
The easy win over Rogers for Hackenschmidt, yet failing to win for Gotch. The handicap match for Hackenschmidt, whilst Gotch only took part in a mixed styles contest with one of Hackenschmidt's handicap opponents. The earlier losses of Gotch against Beell and Jenkins, whilst Hackenschmidt had easily rolled over opponents since prior to 1905.
During the match itself, it had to look as real as possible. Assuming it was a work, the outcome and how it was to be presented would have been decided beforehand, with only the exact action left to be decided in the ring. Gotch being the home town hero in America was naturally the "bad guy" to the rest of the world. Hackenschmidt though was loved by many Americans also and President Theodore Roosevelt even said if he were not President he'd want to be Hackenschmidt, but national pride conquers a liking for someone.
If nothing else could be said for Hackenschmidt when he wasn't being accused of being a fraud, he was always labeled as very clean cut, fair and gentle wrestler, as far as one could be. Often stating he never wanted to hurt anyone and the game to him was to pin someone's shoulders to the ground without causing serious damage.
When you look into how the match worked, Gotch would back off "playing the cowardly heel," forcing the "face" to come after him and take the fight in a manly like manner. Hackenschmidt who was not used to long drawn out contests would get a hold of Gotch, Gotch would use a foul and get the advantage for a little while until Hackenschmidt could get away and take a break crying foul to the referee and so on.
It's very possible they laid it out to help Hackenschmidt last through the great length that was needed to help keep the realism of the contest. Naturally with all this going on a rematch was inevitable. The Americans who were obviously on the side of their hero wanted to see their champion finally shut up the whining Hackenschmidt. Everyone else in the world wanted to see the 'bully' Gotch get put in his place by the "gentleman's" wrestler, Hackenschmidt.
Just over three years later they would meet again and it paid off, the crowd more than quadrupled from 6,000 to 25,000 people. I can't say for definite this match was a work, but the elements just fit together way too nicely for it not to be considered seriously. For it to work out the way it did without any help would have to be said to be a perfect storm of events.
Also worth baring in mind is the company these men kept, Hackenschmidt had been managed by Charles B. Cochran who admittedly arranged fixed wrestling matches for his clients, as well as explaining to Hackenschmidt the need for contests to last more than five minutes. Gotch had been managed by J.C. 'Ole' Marsh who would be arrested and sentenced to jail in 1909 for fixing wrestling matches for many years as part of the Mabray Gang scandal.
There were others who were of questionable nature also in the circles of both men, but, of course it would be wrong to say they are guilty simply by association. Both men had also had various claims against them by wrestlers who stated that they wouldn't wrestle unless it was a hippodrome, it could be said that these men were just bitter because they didn't get a match though.
Either way, if indeed it was a work, it's genuinely a shame that we have no proof it was - some newspapers a few months after the fact and more so years later would state it was a completely worked contest, others cited it this and the rematch were the last two true sporting events in wrestling - this was as close to the perfect angle as you could get. It was personal, intense, filled with controversy, and made everyone involved a lot of money whether they were on the losing side, the winning side, or the promotional side. In fact the only people to lose out were the people who foolishly bet on the favorite to win.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Fakirs At Work: Chapter Six.
Author: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: September 11, 2014.
Article: #66.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Fakirs At Work: Chapter Six.
Author: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: September 11, 2014.
Article: #66.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Fakirs At Work: Chapter Seven - Read Here.
Fakirs At Work: Chapter Five - Read Here.
Other articles by Jimmy can be Read Here.