A New Era
The Fix Is In
#PWHS #Article #ANewEra #TheFixIsIn
Even in the days of Muldoon and Gotch, although established wrestling was real and pure, at least some of the time, not all wrestling was. In the tours many wrestlers did at the time, matches were often "fixed" or "rigged" so as not to cause injury to the wrestlers.(116) "This practice would emerge out of the carnival subculture...Most carnivals and many circuses at the time included an athletic show...attraction that included boxers, wrestlers and strongmen. Carnivals hired these athletes to compete against carnival attendees. At show wrestlers engaged in rough bouts where a local challenger would receive a monetary prize if he managed to last in the ring until the end (usually fifteen minutes) or successfully pin the carnival wrestler. Under these circumstances, the wrestlers employed by the carnivals had to obtain falls as quickly as possible...To generate interest in these matches, carnival operators employed two wrestlers to work together. The 'inside' man, the carnival champion, met all comers; the outside wrestler, or 'stick', pretended to be a normal audience member. The stick would then volunteer to accept the at show champion's challenge, and the two then emerged in a spirited bout in which the outside man either emerged victorious or lasted the time limit, making the at show wrestler look weak and beatable..."(117) Following this, the at show wrestler would take challenges for all comers, and wagers would be placed on these challenges, allowing the carnivals to separate the festival goers from their money.
Many legitimate pro wrestlers emerged out of the carnivals, which would extend into the 1950s.(118)
As "carnival" notions began prevalent in pro wrestling, the whole landscape of wrestling would change. A secret language, called "carny", that was used in the carnivals would be in common use. It was a kind of pig latin that wrestlers would use amongst themselves to conceal the workings of the business from the general public.(119) One term that evolved from carny was "kayfabe", or the code of silence that wrestlers practiced to hide the industry's secrets.(120) Kayfabe would continue to be official until the 1980s, when Linda McMahon would admit that wrestling was "staged" to avoid taxes for sporting events on tickets for WWF live events.(121) To a large degree, it is still practiced.
Even in the days of Muldoon and Gotch, although established wrestling was real and pure, at least some of the time, not all wrestling was. In the tours many wrestlers did at the time, matches were often "fixed" or "rigged" so as not to cause injury to the wrestlers.(116) "This practice would emerge out of the carnival subculture...Most carnivals and many circuses at the time included an athletic show...attraction that included boxers, wrestlers and strongmen. Carnivals hired these athletes to compete against carnival attendees. At show wrestlers engaged in rough bouts where a local challenger would receive a monetary prize if he managed to last in the ring until the end (usually fifteen minutes) or successfully pin the carnival wrestler. Under these circumstances, the wrestlers employed by the carnivals had to obtain falls as quickly as possible...To generate interest in these matches, carnival operators employed two wrestlers to work together. The 'inside' man, the carnival champion, met all comers; the outside wrestler, or 'stick', pretended to be a normal audience member. The stick would then volunteer to accept the at show champion's challenge, and the two then emerged in a spirited bout in which the outside man either emerged victorious or lasted the time limit, making the at show wrestler look weak and beatable..."(117) Following this, the at show wrestler would take challenges for all comers, and wagers would be placed on these challenges, allowing the carnivals to separate the festival goers from their money.
Many legitimate pro wrestlers emerged out of the carnivals, which would extend into the 1950s.(118)
As "carnival" notions began prevalent in pro wrestling, the whole landscape of wrestling would change. A secret language, called "carny", that was used in the carnivals would be in common use. It was a kind of pig latin that wrestlers would use amongst themselves to conceal the workings of the business from the general public.(119) One term that evolved from carny was "kayfabe", or the code of silence that wrestlers practiced to hide the industry's secrets.(120) Kayfabe would continue to be official until the 1980s, when Linda McMahon would admit that wrestling was "staged" to avoid taxes for sporting events on tickets for WWF live events.(121) To a large degree, it is still practiced.
The first major promoter of the "worked" era was Jack Curley.(122) He started in the turn-of-the-century, and promoted several of Gotch's matches, as well as Jack Johnson's.(123) However, he began to feel that the the American public was losing patience with the long "shoot" matches that were occurring at the time, and that in order to add more "entertainment value", time limits would be in place, along with referee decisions and one-fall matches.(124) Most importantly, wrestling matches had to be "fixed".(125)
There were a good deal of claimants to Frank Gotch's title, and after the smoke cleared, the heir to Frank Gotch's title had been Joe Stecher, whom Curley believed "did not possess the name recognition or charisma of Gotch."(126) In April 1917, Stecher would drop the belt to Earl Caddock, and Caddock would keep it until December of that year.(127) Curley would then hold a tournament that would supposedly determine the next champion, but he had his heart set on Caddock keeping the belt.(128) However, a disagreement emerged between Caddock and Curley, and Curley ended up crowning Wladek Zbyszko as the champion.(129) In 1918, a match would take place between Caddock and Zybszko, and it would be determined that Caddock would win back the title at that point.(130) The title would continue to see a revolving door of claimants into the future.
When the United States entered World War I, Caddock, Stetcher, and several other wrestlers, including Ed "Strangler" Lewis, were drafted into the US Army.(131) As Wladek Zbyszko was ineligible for service, he would once again become champion.(132) When Stecher returned, he would exchange the title with Zbyszko in numerous matches, all promoted by Curley.(133) It proved to be a profitable arrangement for him, and it helped to cement his dominance.
When Earl Caddock received his military discharge, late in 1919, a unification match would be held between him and Stecher--it would be one of the most successful bouts in history, and it would be Curley's swan song.(134) As new regulations were enforced on wrestling by the New York State Athletic Commission, and he lost control of Madison Square Garden, his decline would commence.(135)
There were a good deal of claimants to Frank Gotch's title, and after the smoke cleared, the heir to Frank Gotch's title had been Joe Stecher, whom Curley believed "did not possess the name recognition or charisma of Gotch."(126) In April 1917, Stecher would drop the belt to Earl Caddock, and Caddock would keep it until December of that year.(127) Curley would then hold a tournament that would supposedly determine the next champion, but he had his heart set on Caddock keeping the belt.(128) However, a disagreement emerged between Caddock and Curley, and Curley ended up crowning Wladek Zbyszko as the champion.(129) In 1918, a match would take place between Caddock and Zybszko, and it would be determined that Caddock would win back the title at that point.(130) The title would continue to see a revolving door of claimants into the future.
When the United States entered World War I, Caddock, Stetcher, and several other wrestlers, including Ed "Strangler" Lewis, were drafted into the US Army.(131) As Wladek Zbyszko was ineligible for service, he would once again become champion.(132) When Stecher returned, he would exchange the title with Zbyszko in numerous matches, all promoted by Curley.(133) It proved to be a profitable arrangement for him, and it helped to cement his dominance.
When Earl Caddock received his military discharge, late in 1919, a unification match would be held between him and Stecher--it would be one of the most successful bouts in history, and it would be Curley's swan song.(134) As new regulations were enforced on wrestling by the New York State Athletic Commission, and he lost control of Madison Square Garden, his decline would commence.(135)
One of Curley's acquisitions was Ed "Strangler" Lewis, one of the leading wrestlers at the time. He would go on to form an alliance with manager Billy Sandow early in his career.(136) When Curley transferred the belt from Stecher to Lewis in 1920, it would be a major tactical error on his part.(137) After Lewis dropped the belt to Stanislaus Zbyszko in 1921, Lewis, Sandow, and Zbyszko conspired to have Lewis regain the belt. Subsequently Lewis would leave Curley's employ with the belt, and Curley's decline would be complete.(138) Although he would continue to control wrestling in New York, he would not have the clout over other promoters that he once had, and with the loss of Madison Square Garden, his options for showing events were limited.(139)
Lewis and Sandow would be joined by a former wrestler named Joe "Toots" Mondt, and they would overtake Curley as the dominant force in pro wrestling.(140) They would be known as the "Gold Dust Trio".(141) The Gold Dust Trio was more creative than Curley in developing ways of "working" matches that would stir up crowds and keep them wanting more: "Finishes that became staples of professional wrestling, such as out-of-ring count outs, double count outs...and "broadways" (time limit draws that ended just as one wrestler was about to win), all originated with the Gold Dust Trio."(142)
At the time, there was a shortage of legitimate challengers for Lewis, so Sandow came to an intriguing conclusion: "With a wrestler's grappling skills no longer the determining factor in match decisions, Sandow recognized that a charasmatic individual, with little or no actual wrestling ability, could be built into a champion."(143) This is still very much the case. As a result, Sandow developed University of Nebraska football star Wayne Munn, a wrestling novice, into a "giant capable of beating more experienced wrestlers into submission."(144) Munn would win the title from Lewis in 1925, and Sandow had planned for Lewis to take it back, but this never happened.(145) Stanislaus Zbyszko would wind up taking the belt instead, in a "shoot" with Munn, and would turn it over to Stecher.(146)
This would mark the downfall of the Gold Dust Trio. Other promoters would emerge--Curley was still in the game (although he didn't have the power he once had) as well as several others, and a network of wrestling territories came into existence.(147) During this period, it would not be unusual for each territory to claim its own individual "champion", which obviously caused a great deal of confusion.(148) I will go more into this later when I cover the territories.
In the late 1920s, a new concept would come into play--the idea of creating "personas" for wrestlers, namely "faces" and "heels".(149) Jim Londos, also known as the "Golden Greek", "possessed a drawing power that more than overcame his very average mat skills."(150) Londos would be known as one of the first "babyfaces" in pro wresting, based on the selling power of his good looks, charisma, and clean-cut image. ""Babyfaces" were often young, handsome wrestlers or former college stars; "Heels" were often older...or foreign-born wrestlers."(151) This concept is a landmark of professional wrestling, and promoters would successfully use it to market the sport to the present day.
Lewis and Sandow would be joined by a former wrestler named Joe "Toots" Mondt, and they would overtake Curley as the dominant force in pro wrestling.(140) They would be known as the "Gold Dust Trio".(141) The Gold Dust Trio was more creative than Curley in developing ways of "working" matches that would stir up crowds and keep them wanting more: "Finishes that became staples of professional wrestling, such as out-of-ring count outs, double count outs...and "broadways" (time limit draws that ended just as one wrestler was about to win), all originated with the Gold Dust Trio."(142)
At the time, there was a shortage of legitimate challengers for Lewis, so Sandow came to an intriguing conclusion: "With a wrestler's grappling skills no longer the determining factor in match decisions, Sandow recognized that a charasmatic individual, with little or no actual wrestling ability, could be built into a champion."(143) This is still very much the case. As a result, Sandow developed University of Nebraska football star Wayne Munn, a wrestling novice, into a "giant capable of beating more experienced wrestlers into submission."(144) Munn would win the title from Lewis in 1925, and Sandow had planned for Lewis to take it back, but this never happened.(145) Stanislaus Zbyszko would wind up taking the belt instead, in a "shoot" with Munn, and would turn it over to Stecher.(146)
This would mark the downfall of the Gold Dust Trio. Other promoters would emerge--Curley was still in the game (although he didn't have the power he once had) as well as several others, and a network of wrestling territories came into existence.(147) During this period, it would not be unusual for each territory to claim its own individual "champion", which obviously caused a great deal of confusion.(148) I will go more into this later when I cover the territories.
In the late 1920s, a new concept would come into play--the idea of creating "personas" for wrestlers, namely "faces" and "heels".(149) Jim Londos, also known as the "Golden Greek", "possessed a drawing power that more than overcame his very average mat skills."(150) Londos would be known as one of the first "babyfaces" in pro wresting, based on the selling power of his good looks, charisma, and clean-cut image. ""Babyfaces" were often young, handsome wrestlers or former college stars; "Heels" were often older...or foreign-born wrestlers."(151) This concept is a landmark of professional wrestling, and promoters would successfully use it to market the sport to the present day.
Starting into the 1930s and extending into the 1940s, "gimmicks" would start to become prevalent, another idea that evolved from carnival culture.(152) Gimmicks are characters, or character "types", such as the "All-American Boy", the "Foreign Villian", and most noticeably, the "Sideshow Freak".(153) Maurice Tillet, the "French Angel", was the first of these "freaks" to become popular, becoming the AWA champion in 1940.(154) Several other "Angels" would follow, such as the "Swedish Angel", "Polish Angel", "Czech Angel", etc.(155) Tor Johnson, the "Super Swedish Angel", would become the most successful of these "Angels", as his wrestling career would springboard into a movie career.(156)
Gimmick matches would become more and more outrageous--"matches took place in ice, ice cream and piles of fish. To attract crowds, promoters had wrestlers compete in rings filled with substances linked to their local economies; matches were held in rings filled with blueberries, tomatoes, molasses, coal, and iron shavings..."(157) Also, another gimmick from the carnival days resonated with promoters--pitting wrestlers against animals, namely bears.(158)
Tag-team matches were developed in the 1930s, and remain the most successful of the gimmick matches.(159) "Recognizing that matches slowed down (and crowds grew restless) as wrestlers grew winded late in matches, promoters began holding matches in which two teams of two wrestlers competed...these types of encounters kept the in-ring action well-paced, allowed heels to carry out their assigned role through illegal double teaming, and presented opportunities to have four wrestlers in the ring at once."(160)
Later gimmick matches would include steel cage matches, ladder matches, no disqualification matches, falls count anywhere matches, last man standing matches, among others.
WWII was a lean period for wrestling, as many wrestlers entered the war, and gas rations made it difficult for those who stayed to travel from match to match.(161) All major titles were frozen.(162) However, the business managed to survive, and after the war, a development would occur that would change pro wrestling, as well as the country in general.
Joe Stecher
Gimmick matches would become more and more outrageous--"matches took place in ice, ice cream and piles of fish. To attract crowds, promoters had wrestlers compete in rings filled with substances linked to their local economies; matches were held in rings filled with blueberries, tomatoes, molasses, coal, and iron shavings..."(157) Also, another gimmick from the carnival days resonated with promoters--pitting wrestlers against animals, namely bears.(158)
Tag-team matches were developed in the 1930s, and remain the most successful of the gimmick matches.(159) "Recognizing that matches slowed down (and crowds grew restless) as wrestlers grew winded late in matches, promoters began holding matches in which two teams of two wrestlers competed...these types of encounters kept the in-ring action well-paced, allowed heels to carry out their assigned role through illegal double teaming, and presented opportunities to have four wrestlers in the ring at once."(160)
Later gimmick matches would include steel cage matches, ladder matches, no disqualification matches, falls count anywhere matches, last man standing matches, among others.
WWII was a lean period for wrestling, as many wrestlers entered the war, and gas rations made it difficult for those who stayed to travel from match to match.(161) All major titles were frozen.(162) However, the business managed to survive, and after the war, a development would occur that would change pro wrestling, as well as the country in general.
Joe Stecher
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
A New Era.
Author: Julie Hankinson.
Published: June 26, 2015.
Article: #95.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
A New Era.
Author: Julie Hankinson.
Published: June 26, 2015.
Article: #95.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Image Sources
Best Boxing Rec.
Professional Wrestling Hall Of Fame.
Scott Beekman, author of Ringside.
Scott Teal of Crowbar Press.
Information Sources
1. Beekman, Scott. Ringside. pg. 39.
2. Beekman, pg. 40.
3. Thesz, Lou. Hooker. Kindle Edition, Chapter 2.
4. Beekman, pg. 40.
5. Blassie, Freddie. Listen, You Pencil Necked Geeks. pg. 16.
6. Beekman, pg. 40.
7. Assael, Shaun. Sex, Lies and Headlocks. pg. 83.
8. Beekman, pg. 53.
9. Beekman, pg. 53.
10. Beekman, pg. 54.
11. Beekman, pg. 54.
12. Beekman, pg. 52.
13. Beekman, pg. 54.
14. Beekman, pg. 55.
15. Beekman, pg. 55.
16. Beekman, pg. 55.
17. Beekman, pg. 55.
18. Beekman, pg. 55.
19. Beekman, pg. 55.
20. Beekman, pg. 56.
21. Beekman, pg. 57.
22. Beekman, pg. 56.
23. Beekman, pg. 57.
24. Beekman, pg. 57.
25. Beekman, pg. 57.
26. Beekman, pg. 57.
27. Beekman, pg. 57.
28. Beekman, pg. 57.
29. Beekman, pg. 58.
30. Beekman, pg. 59.
31. Beekman, pg. 59.
32. Beekman, pg. 59.
33. Beekman, pg. 59.
34. Beekman, pg. 70.
35. Beekman, pg. 64.
36. Beekman, pg. 64.
37. Beekman, pg. 64.
38. Beekman, pg. 74.
39. Beekman, pg. 74.
40. Beekman, pg. 75.
41. Beekman, pg. 75.
42. Beekman, pg. 75.
43. Beekman, pg. 78-79.
44. Beekman, pg. 79.
45. Beekman, pg. 79.
46. Beekman, pg. 79.
47. Beekman, pg. 79-80.
48. Beekman, pg. 80.
Best Boxing Rec.
Professional Wrestling Hall Of Fame.
Scott Beekman, author of Ringside.
Scott Teal of Crowbar Press.
Information Sources
1. Beekman, Scott. Ringside. pg. 39.
2. Beekman, pg. 40.
3. Thesz, Lou. Hooker. Kindle Edition, Chapter 2.
4. Beekman, pg. 40.
5. Blassie, Freddie. Listen, You Pencil Necked Geeks. pg. 16.
6. Beekman, pg. 40.
7. Assael, Shaun. Sex, Lies and Headlocks. pg. 83.
8. Beekman, pg. 53.
9. Beekman, pg. 53.
10. Beekman, pg. 54.
11. Beekman, pg. 54.
12. Beekman, pg. 52.
13. Beekman, pg. 54.
14. Beekman, pg. 55.
15. Beekman, pg. 55.
16. Beekman, pg. 55.
17. Beekman, pg. 55.
18. Beekman, pg. 55.
19. Beekman, pg. 55.
20. Beekman, pg. 56.
21. Beekman, pg. 57.
22. Beekman, pg. 56.
23. Beekman, pg. 57.
24. Beekman, pg. 57.
25. Beekman, pg. 57.
26. Beekman, pg. 57.
27. Beekman, pg. 57.
28. Beekman, pg. 57.
29. Beekman, pg. 58.
30. Beekman, pg. 59.
31. Beekman, pg. 59.
32. Beekman, pg. 59.
33. Beekman, pg. 59.
34. Beekman, pg. 70.
35. Beekman, pg. 64.
36. Beekman, pg. 64.
37. Beekman, pg. 64.
38. Beekman, pg. 74.
39. Beekman, pg. 74.
40. Beekman, pg. 75.
41. Beekman, pg. 75.
42. Beekman, pg. 75.
43. Beekman, pg. 78-79.
44. Beekman, pg. 79.
45. Beekman, pg. 79.
46. Beekman, pg. 79.
47. Beekman, pg. 79-80.
48. Beekman, pg. 80.
Other articles by Julie can be Read Here.