Ed "Strangler" Lewis
Innovator and Ambassador
#PWHS #Article #Strangler #Innovator #Ambassador
In the years after Frank Gotch retired, a number of contenders would take their crack at holding the World Championship belt. None, however, would be as revered as Ed "Strangler" Lewis. He was known as one of the best "hookers" in the sport, and with his scientific approach to wrestling, he would be able to conquer opponents with ease.
Early years
Lewis was born on June 30, 1891, in Wood County, Wisconsin. His birth name was Robert Herman Julius Friedrich, but he would take his wrestling name from Civil War era wrestler Evan "Strangler" Lewis.(1) He was a natural athlete who excelled at several sports in his childhood.(2) Lou Thesz would state: "His stamina was absolutely amazing for a man so bulky. He was like a long-distance runner in a field of quarter-milers and sprinters and he could--and did--wrestle for hours without noticeably tiring. When he saw that his opponent was beginning to weaken, that was when he turned on the heat. That remarkable stamina, coupled with his confidence in his abilities and his knack for focusing completely on what he was doing, accounted for his attitude, and that was really his winning edge..."(3)
Origin Of The Stranglehold
Nat Fleischer stated that, at a young age, Lewis would learn strategies he would base his career around: "From his early youth, he would apply himself to the science of wrestling. He made a close study of the sport and through proper application, he mastered all the intricacies of the grappling art...While at Kentucky, Lewis studied anatomy and made a special study of the nervous system. By learning where the most sensitive nerves were located, he soon gained a big advantage over opponents in wrestling because he applied pressure to such centers and invariably caused his rivals considerable worry..."(4) He constructed a replica of a human head to practice his signature move, the headlock, which he worked on for years until he perfected it.(5) Nobody could have done the maneuver with more precision."When Lewis put on a headlock, they thought the other guy's skull was going to crack..."(6) Freddie Blassie would remark.
Early years
Lewis was born on June 30, 1891, in Wood County, Wisconsin. His birth name was Robert Herman Julius Friedrich, but he would take his wrestling name from Civil War era wrestler Evan "Strangler" Lewis.(1) He was a natural athlete who excelled at several sports in his childhood.(2) Lou Thesz would state: "His stamina was absolutely amazing for a man so bulky. He was like a long-distance runner in a field of quarter-milers and sprinters and he could--and did--wrestle for hours without noticeably tiring. When he saw that his opponent was beginning to weaken, that was when he turned on the heat. That remarkable stamina, coupled with his confidence in his abilities and his knack for focusing completely on what he was doing, accounted for his attitude, and that was really his winning edge..."(3)
Origin Of The Stranglehold
Nat Fleischer stated that, at a young age, Lewis would learn strategies he would base his career around: "From his early youth, he would apply himself to the science of wrestling. He made a close study of the sport and through proper application, he mastered all the intricacies of the grappling art...While at Kentucky, Lewis studied anatomy and made a special study of the nervous system. By learning where the most sensitive nerves were located, he soon gained a big advantage over opponents in wrestling because he applied pressure to such centers and invariably caused his rivals considerable worry..."(4) He constructed a replica of a human head to practice his signature move, the headlock, which he worked on for years until he perfected it.(5) Nobody could have done the maneuver with more precision."When Lewis put on a headlock, they thought the other guy's skull was going to crack..."(6) Freddie Blassie would remark.
First Championships
Lewis' first title was the American title, which he would win from Dr. Benjamin Roller in 1913.(7) In 1920, he would take the World Championship belt for the first time, emerging from a highly competitive field.(8) He would later drop it to Stanislaus Zbyszko.(9) Upon regaining it, he would hold it for almost three years.(10)
Joe Stecher
Some of Lewis' most competitive matches were against Joe Stecher, also known as the "scissor king", who would become perhaps his toughest opponent. At one point, Stecher would simultaneously hold the World Championship belt with Lewis.(11) Lewis would defeat Stecher definitively in 1928,(12) but later drop the belt to upcomer Gus Sonnenberg, a football player-turned wrestler.(13)
1930's-40s
In the 1930s, Lewis would become out-of-shape and begin to lose his sight, as a result of the eye disease trachoma, but he would continue to wrestle. On April 3, 1931, he would win his sixth title over Ed Don George, then suffer a double-cross at the hands of vengeful promoter Paul Bowser. In a match in Montreal on May 4, 1931, Lewis would lose the title to Henri DeGlane via disqualification as a result of a controversial referee's decision.(14) Lewis would engage in a rivalry with Jim Londos, in a series of matches that would culminate with a victory for Londos at Wrigley Field on September 20, 1934.(15) He would go on to occasionally wrestle through the 1940s, entertaining troops during WWII.(16)
Billy Sandow
Lewis would associate himself with trainer/manager Billy Sandow early in his career.(17) Sandow helped him to balance his wrestling style, to not rely on the headlock as much.(18) He also helped to sharpen his business sense. Lewis' business associations and the politics behind them are discussed here.
Sandow-Lewis Library
Also noteworthy of mention is that Lewis and Sandow would write a series of books together in 1926, known as the Sandow-Lewis Library. They helped to hype Lewis' career, but they also provided instruction in wrestling, self-defense, and what was known as "The Sandow-Lewis Kinetic System of Physical Training". They would offer a good deal of common-sense, strategic advice to wrestlers-to-be, such as "Out-think your opponent. Then you are sure to out-wrestle him."(19)
NWA [National Wrestling Alliance]
Lewis would fail in the several business dealings he engaged in during the later stages of his career.(20) After his retirement, though, he was named an "ambassador of good will" to the NWA.(21) He was looked at as a mentor for the younger talent, most notably the champion Lou Thesz.(22) He would develop a relationship with Thesz that would endure for at least 10 years.(23) As Thesz stated: "Our association lasted several years, and it was a privilege for me to be in his company. The hours I spent with him, listening to his stories of the old days and absorbing his advice, were some of the richest of my life...It's impossible for me to describe the depth fo my feeling for the man. He was my idol, my mentor, my advisor, my mentor, and my great friend. He loved life, and he lived his with such gusto; for every slice of bread the average man ate, Ed ate a loaf. He created our profession on the strength of his abilities and his personality, and I was honored just to try to follow in his footsteps."(24)
Later Years
Lewis worked with the NWA until he went completely blind in 1960.(25) He would spend the rest of his days "living off his wife, acquaintances, and donations to survive."(26) He would die on August 7, 1966, in a nursing home in Tulsa, OK.(27)
Legacy
"There wasn't a more likable guy in professional wrestling than Ed "Strangler" Lewis. He emerged from the era of Cutler, Stecher, Caddock and Gotch to immortalize himself...His charisma was palpable, giving him the upper hand in the ballyhoo department...A gentleman, Lewis was beloved by sports editors, promoters and leaders of charities, and his kindness was almost mythical in proportion. Most importantly, Lewis was phoenomenal with wrestlers. He gave guidance and, in many ways, acted as a father figure."(28) Ed "Strangler" Lewis was an intimidating presence in the ring and a true leader outside of it.
And he helped usher in A New Era.
Lewis' first title was the American title, which he would win from Dr. Benjamin Roller in 1913.(7) In 1920, he would take the World Championship belt for the first time, emerging from a highly competitive field.(8) He would later drop it to Stanislaus Zbyszko.(9) Upon regaining it, he would hold it for almost three years.(10)
Joe Stecher
Some of Lewis' most competitive matches were against Joe Stecher, also known as the "scissor king", who would become perhaps his toughest opponent. At one point, Stecher would simultaneously hold the World Championship belt with Lewis.(11) Lewis would defeat Stecher definitively in 1928,(12) but later drop the belt to upcomer Gus Sonnenberg, a football player-turned wrestler.(13)
1930's-40s
In the 1930s, Lewis would become out-of-shape and begin to lose his sight, as a result of the eye disease trachoma, but he would continue to wrestle. On April 3, 1931, he would win his sixth title over Ed Don George, then suffer a double-cross at the hands of vengeful promoter Paul Bowser. In a match in Montreal on May 4, 1931, Lewis would lose the title to Henri DeGlane via disqualification as a result of a controversial referee's decision.(14) Lewis would engage in a rivalry with Jim Londos, in a series of matches that would culminate with a victory for Londos at Wrigley Field on September 20, 1934.(15) He would go on to occasionally wrestle through the 1940s, entertaining troops during WWII.(16)
Billy Sandow
Lewis would associate himself with trainer/manager Billy Sandow early in his career.(17) Sandow helped him to balance his wrestling style, to not rely on the headlock as much.(18) He also helped to sharpen his business sense. Lewis' business associations and the politics behind them are discussed here.
Sandow-Lewis Library
Also noteworthy of mention is that Lewis and Sandow would write a series of books together in 1926, known as the Sandow-Lewis Library. They helped to hype Lewis' career, but they also provided instruction in wrestling, self-defense, and what was known as "The Sandow-Lewis Kinetic System of Physical Training". They would offer a good deal of common-sense, strategic advice to wrestlers-to-be, such as "Out-think your opponent. Then you are sure to out-wrestle him."(19)
NWA [National Wrestling Alliance]
Lewis would fail in the several business dealings he engaged in during the later stages of his career.(20) After his retirement, though, he was named an "ambassador of good will" to the NWA.(21) He was looked at as a mentor for the younger talent, most notably the champion Lou Thesz.(22) He would develop a relationship with Thesz that would endure for at least 10 years.(23) As Thesz stated: "Our association lasted several years, and it was a privilege for me to be in his company. The hours I spent with him, listening to his stories of the old days and absorbing his advice, were some of the richest of my life...It's impossible for me to describe the depth fo my feeling for the man. He was my idol, my mentor, my advisor, my mentor, and my great friend. He loved life, and he lived his with such gusto; for every slice of bread the average man ate, Ed ate a loaf. He created our profession on the strength of his abilities and his personality, and I was honored just to try to follow in his footsteps."(24)
Later Years
Lewis worked with the NWA until he went completely blind in 1960.(25) He would spend the rest of his days "living off his wife, acquaintances, and donations to survive."(26) He would die on August 7, 1966, in a nursing home in Tulsa, OK.(27)
Legacy
"There wasn't a more likable guy in professional wrestling than Ed "Strangler" Lewis. He emerged from the era of Cutler, Stecher, Caddock and Gotch to immortalize himself...His charisma was palpable, giving him the upper hand in the ballyhoo department...A gentleman, Lewis was beloved by sports editors, promoters and leaders of charities, and his kindness was almost mythical in proportion. Most importantly, Lewis was phoenomenal with wrestlers. He gave guidance and, in many ways, acted as a father figure."(28) Ed "Strangler" Lewis was an intimidating presence in the ring and a true leader outside of it.
And he helped usher in A New Era.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Ed "Strangler" Lewis.
Author: Julie Hankinson.
Published: June 6, 2015.
Article: #94.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Ed "Strangler" Lewis.
Author: Julie Hankinson.
Published: June 6, 2015.
Article: #94.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Image Sources
Provided by Tim Hornbaker of Legacy of Wrestling.
Provided by the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Information Sources
1. Hornbaker, Tim. Legends Of Wrestling. pg. 22.
2. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 21.
3. Thesz, Lou. Hooker. (chapter 4).
4. Fleischer, Nat. From Milo To Londos pg. 202.
5. Fleischer, pg. 202-203.
6. Blassie, Fred. pg. 9.
7. Snowden, Jonathan. Shooters. pg. 67.
8. Beekman, Scott. Ringside. pg. 57.
9. Beekman, pg. 57.
10. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 22.
11. Fleischer, pg. 254.
12. Beekman, pg. 61.
13. Beekman, pg. 62.
14. Hornbaker, Tim. National Wrestling Alliance (Monopoly). pg. 71.
15. Hornbaker, Monopoly. pg. 73.
16. Hornbaker, Monopoly. pg. 74.
17. Beekman, pg. 57.
18. Snowden, pg. 72.
19. Lewis, Ed and Sandow, Billy. Vol. 6. pg. 21.
20. Hornbaker, Monopoly. pg. 74.
21. Hornbaker, Monopoly. pg. 75.
22. Hornbaker, Monopoly. pg. 75.
23. Hornbaker, Monopoly. pg. 75.
24. Thesz, Hooker. (Chapter 12.)
25. Hornbaker, Monopoly. pg. 76.
26. Hornbaker, Monopoly. pg. 76.
27. Hornbaker, Monopoly. pg. 76.
28. Hornbaker, Monopoly. pg. 76.
Provided by Tim Hornbaker of Legacy of Wrestling.
Provided by the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Information Sources
1. Hornbaker, Tim. Legends Of Wrestling. pg. 22.
2. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 21.
3. Thesz, Lou. Hooker. (chapter 4).
4. Fleischer, Nat. From Milo To Londos pg. 202.
5. Fleischer, pg. 202-203.
6. Blassie, Fred. pg. 9.
7. Snowden, Jonathan. Shooters. pg. 67.
8. Beekman, Scott. Ringside. pg. 57.
9. Beekman, pg. 57.
10. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 22.
11. Fleischer, pg. 254.
12. Beekman, pg. 61.
13. Beekman, pg. 62.
14. Hornbaker, Tim. National Wrestling Alliance (Monopoly). pg. 71.
15. Hornbaker, Monopoly. pg. 73.
16. Hornbaker, Monopoly. pg. 74.
17. Beekman, pg. 57.
18. Snowden, pg. 72.
19. Lewis, Ed and Sandow, Billy. Vol. 6. pg. 21.
20. Hornbaker, Monopoly. pg. 74.
21. Hornbaker, Monopoly. pg. 75.
22. Hornbaker, Monopoly. pg. 75.
23. Hornbaker, Monopoly. pg. 75.
24. Thesz, Hooker. (Chapter 12.)
25. Hornbaker, Monopoly. pg. 76.
26. Hornbaker, Monopoly. pg. 76.
27. Hornbaker, Monopoly. pg. 76.
28. Hornbaker, Monopoly. pg. 76.
Other articles by Julie can be Read Here.