William Muldoon
Pioneer
#PWHS #Article #Muldoon #Pioneer
The chief proponent of Greco-Roman wrestling after the Civil War was William Muldoon.(1) He was the first major star in American professional wrestling, and was also known as the "father of American wrestling".(2)
Early years
He was said to have been born on May 25, 1845, in Belfast, New York(3), although his actual birthdate was May 25, 1852.(4) At a young age, he was a drummer boy for the Union Army in the Civil War, where he first learned to wrestle. On the side, he would engage in wrestling bouts in the camps, and would begin to build a reputation. His name would become known in the company, and several soldiers "tried their luck" with him.(5)
After the surrender of General Lee, Muldoon would return home, where he discovered that boxing and wrestling matches were going on some of the local taverns. He would make the rounds, wrestling at many of these places.(6) When the Franco-Prussian War broke out, he would travel to Europe and join the French army, then go on to train soldiers in wrestling techniques.(7)
When Muldoon returned to the United States, in 1876, he would join the New York Police Department, where he would start the Police Athletic Association.(8) On his nights off, he continued to wrestle in the taverns.(9) He would quickly shoot through the ranks. In 1880 he would defeat Thebaud Bauer for the World Greco-Roman championship, a title he would hold until his retirement in 1891.(10) As a result, he would quit the force so he could concentrate on wrestling exclusively.(11)
Clarence Whistler
Muldoon's most fierce competitor was Clarence Whistler, who he met in two long, hard-fought matches, which both ended in draws.(12) Muldoon would later say, "I was convinced Whistler could not have thrown me, and I don't think I could have beaten him. He was a wonderful man, and very difficult to handle..."(13)
Early years
He was said to have been born on May 25, 1845, in Belfast, New York(3), although his actual birthdate was May 25, 1852.(4) At a young age, he was a drummer boy for the Union Army in the Civil War, where he first learned to wrestle. On the side, he would engage in wrestling bouts in the camps, and would begin to build a reputation. His name would become known in the company, and several soldiers "tried their luck" with him.(5)
After the surrender of General Lee, Muldoon would return home, where he discovered that boxing and wrestling matches were going on some of the local taverns. He would make the rounds, wrestling at many of these places.(6) When the Franco-Prussian War broke out, he would travel to Europe and join the French army, then go on to train soldiers in wrestling techniques.(7)
When Muldoon returned to the United States, in 1876, he would join the New York Police Department, where he would start the Police Athletic Association.(8) On his nights off, he continued to wrestle in the taverns.(9) He would quickly shoot through the ranks. In 1880 he would defeat Thebaud Bauer for the World Greco-Roman championship, a title he would hold until his retirement in 1891.(10) As a result, he would quit the force so he could concentrate on wrestling exclusively.(11)
Clarence Whistler
Muldoon's most fierce competitor was Clarence Whistler, who he met in two long, hard-fought matches, which both ended in draws.(12) Muldoon would later say, "I was convinced Whistler could not have thrown me, and I don't think I could have beaten him. He was a wonderful man, and very difficult to handle..."(13)
Edward Bibby
Muldoon would later face Edwin Bibby, the Catch-as-Catch-Can Middleweight Champion from Britain, in two matches.(14) Although Bibby had greater speed, and Muldoon was injured in the first match, Muldoon would use his strength advantage and resourcefulness to win the matches and keep his championship.(15)
Various Challengers
Muldoon would face challengers to his title from all over the world, such as Prof. Carlos Martino of Spain; Jules Rigal and Pietro Delmas of France, who contested the French championship; Donald Dinnie of Britain; Carl Abs of Germany; and Matsada Sorakichi.(16) It was said that he went undefeated throughout his career, although this has been disputed.
Passing The Torch...
In his later career, he would "pass the torch", so to speak, to Ernest Roeber, who would become the next champion.(17) Evan "Strangler" Lewis would later win the belt and cement his own place in wrestling history.(18) Muldoon would become a member of the New York Athletic Commission, where he would remain active until his death.(19)
Legacy
As Nat Fleischer wrote: "How great an athlete was William Muldoon among the wrestlers past and present? In Graeco-Roman, which is probably the most severest test in grappling and grips...a matter of the extreme in strength and skill in the science of leverage and muscle control against the unimpaired power of the man before you--William Muldoon, if not the greatest of all exponents of this type of wrestling of which he was the champion for more than ten years, at least, was second to no man past or present."(20)
However, Muldoon would be eclipsed by an even bigger star, Frank Gotch.
Muldoon would later face Edwin Bibby, the Catch-as-Catch-Can Middleweight Champion from Britain, in two matches.(14) Although Bibby had greater speed, and Muldoon was injured in the first match, Muldoon would use his strength advantage and resourcefulness to win the matches and keep his championship.(15)
Various Challengers
Muldoon would face challengers to his title from all over the world, such as Prof. Carlos Martino of Spain; Jules Rigal and Pietro Delmas of France, who contested the French championship; Donald Dinnie of Britain; Carl Abs of Germany; and Matsada Sorakichi.(16) It was said that he went undefeated throughout his career, although this has been disputed.
Passing The Torch...
In his later career, he would "pass the torch", so to speak, to Ernest Roeber, who would become the next champion.(17) Evan "Strangler" Lewis would later win the belt and cement his own place in wrestling history.(18) Muldoon would become a member of the New York Athletic Commission, where he would remain active until his death.(19)
Legacy
As Nat Fleischer wrote: "How great an athlete was William Muldoon among the wrestlers past and present? In Graeco-Roman, which is probably the most severest test in grappling and grips...a matter of the extreme in strength and skill in the science of leverage and muscle control against the unimpaired power of the man before you--William Muldoon, if not the greatest of all exponents of this type of wrestling of which he was the champion for more than ten years, at least, was second to no man past or present."(20)
However, Muldoon would be eclipsed by an even bigger star, Frank Gotch.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
William Muldoon.
Author: Julie Hankinson.
Published: May 5, 2015.
Article: #88.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
William Muldoon.
Author: Julie Hankinson.
Published: May 5, 2015.
Article: #88.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Image Sources
1. From Milo to Londos.
2. From the San Bernardino County Sun (June 4, 1933).
Information Sources
1. Beekman, Scott. Ringside. pg. 22.
2. Beekman, pg. 22.
3. Fleischer, Nat. From Milo To Londos. pg. 32.
4. William Muldoon (1852-1933) - Find A Grave Memorial. www.findagrave.com
5. Fleischer, pg. 34.
6. Fleischer, pg. 35.
7. Fleischer, pg. 35.
8. Fleischer, pg. 35.
9. Fleischer, pg. 35.
10. Fleischer, pg. 35-36.
11. Fleischer, pg. 36.
12. Fleischer, pg. 36-39.
13. Fleischer, pg. 38.
14. Fleischer, pg. 40.
15. Fleischer, pg. 41-43.
16. Fleischer, pg. 43.
17. Fleischer, pg. 48.
18. Snowden, Jonathan. Shooters. pg. 21.
19. Hornbaker, Tim. Legends of Pro Wrestling. pg. 31.
20. Fleischer, pg. 48-49.
Editor
William Muldoon announced his retirement during the 1880s. He returned the mat after several months and had to defeat Professor Theibaud Bauer to once again be the undisputed Graeco-Roman Champion.
1. From Milo to Londos.
2. From the San Bernardino County Sun (June 4, 1933).
Information Sources
1. Beekman, Scott. Ringside. pg. 22.
2. Beekman, pg. 22.
3. Fleischer, Nat. From Milo To Londos. pg. 32.
4. William Muldoon (1852-1933) - Find A Grave Memorial. www.findagrave.com
5. Fleischer, pg. 34.
6. Fleischer, pg. 35.
7. Fleischer, pg. 35.
8. Fleischer, pg. 35.
9. Fleischer, pg. 35.
10. Fleischer, pg. 35-36.
11. Fleischer, pg. 36.
12. Fleischer, pg. 36-39.
13. Fleischer, pg. 38.
14. Fleischer, pg. 40.
15. Fleischer, pg. 41-43.
16. Fleischer, pg. 43.
17. Fleischer, pg. 48.
18. Snowden, Jonathan. Shooters. pg. 21.
19. Hornbaker, Tim. Legends of Pro Wrestling. pg. 31.
20. Fleischer, pg. 48-49.
Editor
William Muldoon announced his retirement during the 1880s. He returned the mat after several months and had to defeat Professor Theibaud Bauer to once again be the undisputed Graeco-Roman Champion.
Other articles by Julie can be Read Here.