Joe Stecher
The Scissor King
#PWHS #Article #Stecher #ScissorKing
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In the 1920s, the professional wrestling scene was extremely competitive, and many top stars would emerge. During that time, Ed "Strangler" Lewis would exercise his dominance, but perhaps his most prominent challenger was Joe Stecher. He was able to prove himself to the promoters of the time, who pushed him for a long title reign. His biggest move was the leg scissors, thereby earning his nickname.
Early Career
Joe Stecher was born in Dodge, Nebraska, on April 5, 1893.(1) He would be trained by noted wrestler B. F. Roller.(2) Interestingly enough, his first match would be against Earl Caddock, whom he would later engage in a rivalry with for the World Heavyweight Title.(3)
First Championship
When Frank Gotch retired, several wrestlers claimed the belt, causing chaos within the industry.(4) In 1915 Stecher would defeat Charles Coulter to win the title and become the "generally recognized title claimant."(5) He would hold the title until 1917, when he was defeated by Earl Caddock.(6)
Unification
Both Caddock and Stecher would go on to fight in WWI, but Stecher would return first, in the early part of 1919.(7) He would begin a fierce rivalry with Wladek Zbyszko, who had the belt at that time, and the title changed hands on several occasions.(8) When Caddock returned, there would be a unification match for the title between Caddock and Stecher, and Stecher would emerge victorious.(9)
Early Career
Joe Stecher was born in Dodge, Nebraska, on April 5, 1893.(1) He would be trained by noted wrestler B. F. Roller.(2) Interestingly enough, his first match would be against Earl Caddock, whom he would later engage in a rivalry with for the World Heavyweight Title.(3)
First Championship
When Frank Gotch retired, several wrestlers claimed the belt, causing chaos within the industry.(4) In 1915 Stecher would defeat Charles Coulter to win the title and become the "generally recognized title claimant."(5) He would hold the title until 1917, when he was defeated by Earl Caddock.(6)
Unification
Both Caddock and Stecher would go on to fight in WWI, but Stecher would return first, in the early part of 1919.(7) He would begin a fierce rivalry with Wladek Zbyszko, who had the belt at that time, and the title changed hands on several occasions.(8) When Caddock returned, there would be a unification match for the title between Caddock and Stecher, and Stecher would emerge victorious.(9)
Championship Run
In the mid-1920s, Stecher's star would rise. He would win the title once again from Stanislav Zbyszko in May 1925, and wouldn't look back.(10) He would defeat everyone put in front of him, including Ivan Poddubny, Dick Daviscourt, Jim Londos, Jim Browning, Renato Gardini, Wladek Zbyszko, and a multitude of other challengers.(11)
Ed "Strangler" Lewis
Stecher's matches with Ed "Strangler" Lewis were legendary. On December 13, 1920, Lewis would win his first championship from Stecher in a hard-fought match.(13) In his later career, Stecher would lose the title to Lewis in February 20, 1928,(14) which would mark the decline of his career. His moment in the sun would be over, but it was a glorious one.
Later Years
In 1934 he would announce his retirement after sustaining an injury.(15) And unfortunately, in 1937, Stecher would endure a nervous breakdown and spend the rest of his life at a VA hospital.(204) He would pass away on March 26, 1974.(16)
Legacy
Stecher's legacy speaks for itself. It cannot be disputed. His talent and contributions to the business mark him as one of the greatest of all time.
Lou Thesz
In the mid-1920s, Stecher's star would rise. He would win the title once again from Stanislav Zbyszko in May 1925, and wouldn't look back.(10) He would defeat everyone put in front of him, including Ivan Poddubny, Dick Daviscourt, Jim Londos, Jim Browning, Renato Gardini, Wladek Zbyszko, and a multitude of other challengers.(11)
Ed "Strangler" Lewis
Stecher's matches with Ed "Strangler" Lewis were legendary. On December 13, 1920, Lewis would win his first championship from Stecher in a hard-fought match.(13) In his later career, Stecher would lose the title to Lewis in February 20, 1928,(14) which would mark the decline of his career. His moment in the sun would be over, but it was a glorious one.
Later Years
In 1934 he would announce his retirement after sustaining an injury.(15) And unfortunately, in 1937, Stecher would endure a nervous breakdown and spend the rest of his life at a VA hospital.(204) He would pass away on March 26, 1974.(16)
Legacy
Stecher's legacy speaks for itself. It cannot be disputed. His talent and contributions to the business mark him as one of the greatest of all time.
Lou Thesz
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Joe Stecher.
Author: Julie Hankinson.
Published: July 15, 2015.
Article: #96.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Joe Stecher.
Author: Julie Hankinson.
Published: July 15, 2015.
Article: #96.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Image Sources
Sara Weber via the University of Notre Dame Library Jack Pfeffer Collection.
Public Domain.
Information Sources
1. Hornbaker, Tim. Legends Of Wrestling. pg. 45.
2. Beekman, Scott. Ringside. pg. 52.
3. Hornbaker, pg. 45.
4. Beekman, pg. 52.
5. Beekman, pg. 52.
6. Beekman, pg. 54.
7. Beekman, pg. 55.
8. Beekman, pg. 55.
9. Beekman, pg. 56.
10. Fleischer, Nat. From Milo To Londos. pg. 233-235.
11. Fleischer, pg. 236-247.
12. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 46.
13. Beekman, pg. 61.
14. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 46.
15. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 46.
16. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 46.
17. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 46.
Sara Weber via the University of Notre Dame Library Jack Pfeffer Collection.
Public Domain.
Information Sources
1. Hornbaker, Tim. Legends Of Wrestling. pg. 45.
2. Beekman, Scott. Ringside. pg. 52.
3. Hornbaker, pg. 45.
4. Beekman, pg. 52.
5. Beekman, pg. 52.
6. Beekman, pg. 54.
7. Beekman, pg. 55.
8. Beekman, pg. 55.
9. Beekman, pg. 56.
10. Fleischer, Nat. From Milo To Londos. pg. 233-235.
11. Fleischer, pg. 236-247.
12. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 46.
13. Beekman, pg. 61.
14. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 46.
15. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 46.
16. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 46.
17. Hornbaker, Legends. pg. 46.
Other articles by Julie can be Read Here.