Early 20th Century
Forging a Path
#PWHS #Article #ForgingAPath #Hackenschmidt
Upon the retirement of William Muldoon at the end of the 19th century, many other figures would come forth to claim the mantle that he laid down. Wrestling would continue to evolve on an international stage, as several of them would go on to write themselves places in the annals of wrestling history.
Great Gama
Perhaps the most remarkable of these men was the Great Gama of India. He was born Ghulam Mohammad Baksh, around 1878.(1) Legend has it that he was undefeated during his entire wrestling career, which lasted into his 70s.(2) He supposedly claimed the World Championship for four decades.(3)
Gama would defeat Stanislav Zbyszko twice, and on the second occasion, vanquish him in ten seconds.(4) He would never face Frank Gotch, so we could only speculate what would have happened if these two titans had met.(5)
Great Gama
Perhaps the most remarkable of these men was the Great Gama of India. He was born Ghulam Mohammad Baksh, around 1878.(1) Legend has it that he was undefeated during his entire wrestling career, which lasted into his 70s.(2) He supposedly claimed the World Championship for four decades.(3)
Gama would defeat Stanislav Zbyszko twice, and on the second occasion, vanquish him in ten seconds.(4) He would never face Frank Gotch, so we could only speculate what would have happened if these two titans had met.(5)
George Hackenschmidt
George Hackenschmidt's place in history cannot be ignored either. He was born in Dorpat, Estonia, on July 20, 1877.(6) He was known for his remarkable strength and conditioning, as well as his expertise in the Greco-Roman style.(7) Even at the time of his professional wrestling debut in June 1900, he had already proven himself, by nature of the tournaments he had won in Europe.(8)
Hackenschmidt would win his first world title in 1901.(9) He would defend it successfully for the next several years, against a cavalcade of opponents all across Europe and the United States, until he met his greatest opponent, Frank Gotch.(10) I have detailed the history of the Gotch-Hackenschmidt matches here.
After the second Gotch-Hackenschmidt match, Hackenschmidt would retire and become an accomplished scholar and writer.(11) He would write several books on wrestling and body-building.(12) He would die on February 19, 1968.(13) Hackenschmidt will be remembered mostly for the Gotch-Hackenschmidt matches, but in his own right, his contributions to the sport were more than significant.
George Hackenschmidt's place in history cannot be ignored either. He was born in Dorpat, Estonia, on July 20, 1877.(6) He was known for his remarkable strength and conditioning, as well as his expertise in the Greco-Roman style.(7) Even at the time of his professional wrestling debut in June 1900, he had already proven himself, by nature of the tournaments he had won in Europe.(8)
Hackenschmidt would win his first world title in 1901.(9) He would defend it successfully for the next several years, against a cavalcade of opponents all across Europe and the United States, until he met his greatest opponent, Frank Gotch.(10) I have detailed the history of the Gotch-Hackenschmidt matches here.
After the second Gotch-Hackenschmidt match, Hackenschmidt would retire and become an accomplished scholar and writer.(11) He would write several books on wrestling and body-building.(12) He would die on February 19, 1968.(13) Hackenschmidt will be remembered mostly for the Gotch-Hackenschmidt matches, but in his own right, his contributions to the sport were more than significant.
Tom Jenkins
Tom Jenkins was of a different school--he was a catch-as-catch-can wrestler--but his bouts with Hackenschmidt, Gotch, and several other notable wrestlers were legendary. He was born on August 3, 1872 in Cleveland, Ohio.(14) His first major match was against Farmer Burns, whom he would defeat in two straight falls.(15) He would go on to defeat Dan McLeod for the American title on November 7, 1901.(16) Although McLeod would later regain the title, Jenkins would take it back from him, and he would keep it until Frank Gotch would come forth to claim it on January 28, 1904.(17) Jenkins' style of wrestling was highly aggressive, and Jenkins had brought out more aggression in Gotch's style in the course of a string of matches between the two men.(18)
Upon Jenkins' retirement, he would become the wrestling instructor at West Point, and he would teach thousands of recruits during his 37 year tenure.(19) Among his students were Dwight Eisenhower and George Patton.(20) He would die on June 19, 1957, leaving behind a distinguished legacy.(21)
Stanislaus and Wladek Zbyszk
Tom Jenkins was of a different school--he was a catch-as-catch-can wrestler--but his bouts with Hackenschmidt, Gotch, and several other notable wrestlers were legendary. He was born on August 3, 1872 in Cleveland, Ohio.(14) His first major match was against Farmer Burns, whom he would defeat in two straight falls.(15) He would go on to defeat Dan McLeod for the American title on November 7, 1901.(16) Although McLeod would later regain the title, Jenkins would take it back from him, and he would keep it until Frank Gotch would come forth to claim it on January 28, 1904.(17) Jenkins' style of wrestling was highly aggressive, and Jenkins had brought out more aggression in Gotch's style in the course of a string of matches between the two men.(18)
Upon Jenkins' retirement, he would become the wrestling instructor at West Point, and he would teach thousands of recruits during his 37 year tenure.(19) Among his students were Dwight Eisenhower and George Patton.(20) He would die on June 19, 1957, leaving behind a distinguished legacy.(21)
Stanislaus and Wladek Zbyszk
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I cannot conclude this page without mentioning two brothers who emigrated from Krakaw, Poland, to the United States in the tail end of the period, and would have an impact on the business in the 1910s-1920s. Stanislaus Cyganiewicz, who would later be known as Staislaus Zbyszko, had engaged in tournaments in Europe and proved his mettle.(22) When he came to the US in 1909, he "wanted nothing more than a match with the unconquerable World Champion Frank Gotch."(23) However, when he finally got his match, he would lose in two straight falls, the first coming in only six seconds.(24) However, he would later win the coveted belt on more than one occasion, which I cover here.
Stanislaus' brother Wladyslaw Cyganiewicz, who would also take the name Zbyszko, would follow his brother to the US in 1912.(25) He would also become a major player in the world title scene. More details are offered here.
All of these men were significant, in an era that would bridge the gap between the 19th century and the 1920s, a period that would bring changes that would continue to influence the modern age of professional wrestling. However, the most dominant figure of the period is the man discussed here.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Early 20th Century.
Author: Julie Hankinson.
Published: May 26, 2015.
Article: #92.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Early 20th Century.
Author: Julie Hankinson.
Published: May 26, 2015.
Article: #92.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Image Sources
1. Scientific Wrestling.
2. Science of Wrestling.
3. Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.
4. Salt Lake Tribune.
5. Chicago Inter Ocean.
Information Sources
1. Hornbaker, Legends Of Wrestling. pg. 14.
2. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 14.
3. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 14.
4. Fleischer, From Milo To Londos pg. 14.
5. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 14.
6. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 16.
7. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 16.
8. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 16.
9. Fleischer, pg. 162.
10. Fleischer, pg. 162-178.
11. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 17.
12. Fleischer, pg. 153.
13. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 16.
14. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 17.
15. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 17.
16. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 18.
17. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 18.
18. Chapman, Mike. The Life and Legacy of Frank Gotch. pg. 14-15.
19. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 18.
20. Chapman, Catch. pg. 14.
21. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 17.
22. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 52.
23. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 52.
24. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 52.
25. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 53
1. Scientific Wrestling.
2. Science of Wrestling.
3. Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.
4. Salt Lake Tribune.
5. Chicago Inter Ocean.
Information Sources
1. Hornbaker, Legends Of Wrestling. pg. 14.
2. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 14.
3. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 14.
4. Fleischer, From Milo To Londos pg. 14.
5. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 14.
6. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 16.
7. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 16.
8. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 16.
9. Fleischer, pg. 162.
10. Fleischer, pg. 162-178.
11. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 17.
12. Fleischer, pg. 153.
13. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 16.
14. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 17.
15. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 17.
16. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 18.
17. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 18.
18. Chapman, Mike. The Life and Legacy of Frank Gotch. pg. 14-15.
19. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 18.
20. Chapman, Catch. pg. 14.
21. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 17.
22. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 52.
23. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 52.
24. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 52.
25. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 53
Other articles by Julie can be Read Here.