Sixty Minutes Just Not Enough
Professional Wrestling's Longest Matches
#PWHS #Article #SixtyMinutes #JustNotEnough #LongestMatches
When someone talks about the "Sixty Minute Man" any wrestling fan will instantly think of Ric Flair. Everyone knows of his legendary sixty minute draws, the two out of three fall classics as well as countless other matches that went an hour in length. None of them even come close to the longest wrestling match in history. Which leaves the question, who really could go all night long?
For most people the answer is actually pretty disappointing. I've seen some react in such a negative manner to the only match known in history to have taken up a whole half a day of the participant's lives that they've found ways to justify it away. They'd rather hold onto what they had always believed.
One match that is often brought up as a contender is the unbelievable contest at the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games between Martin Klein and Alfred Asikainen. The two men clocked an astonishing eleven hours and forty minutes by the time a decision was arrived at. Even if it was not twenty minutes shy of the actual lengthiest bout, it was of course an amateur affair, not a professional one. Those who have done some reading on the early days of professional wrestling throw around names like the professors Thiebaud Bauer and, William Miller; the Great Gama; Clarence Whistler; Stanislaus Zbyszko; William Muldoon; Georges Hackenschmidt and of course Frank Gotch. All of whom certainly proved that they were truly iron men.
As it happens none of the above men or their peers were involved in the longest match. In fact, not one of the above wrestlers were even alive when it took place. November 6, 2010 marked the date of the occasion.. It was held inside of the Shelby County Fairgrounds, Sidney, Ohio under the banner of Shockwave Impact Wrestling. The pros wrestled under the iron man rules which means the man with most pinfalls or submissions within the time limit would be the winner. I already mentioned that the time limit was indeed twelve hours.
The reason people give for it not counting is that it was a six-man iron man match. Frankly though, that is just irrelevant. Does it make it any less impressive? Sure, to a degree. It spread the responsibility of keeping the action flowing for the full period. Rather than all of the pressure and physical toll being on only two wrestlers. Regardless of that it is indeed the "longest (known) professional wrestling match," the Guinness Book of World Records actually has an entry for it which can be seen on their website.
You have to go back one hundred and eleven years to get to the next closest total time. Maurice Gambier and Michael Hitzler were involved, however, their bout was not continuous. Due to time constraints it actually took place over the course of four days. Next up was the fairly well known encounter between the aforementioned professors Thiebaud Bauer and William Miller in the year of 1877. These two men were on the mat for a total time of seven hours and thirty minutes, although it was reported by one newspaper as lasting nine hours and eleven minutes.
Unfortunately with the pre-World War I matches, people often neglect to mention that they had rest periods within them and thus times are regularly exaggerated. How the rest periods worked was varied and normally agreed upon by the individuals involved. They could have been issued once every hour unless a fall was garnered and a break would then be given as most matches were two out of three falls with some being three out of five falls. Some matches only granted a period of rest following a fall. Some matches would have rest periods given during the actual struggle if they had not been agreed upon before and it turned into a long encounter. The allotted time was normally between five and twenty minutes, again agreed upon by the men involved.
Below are the matches which lasted in excess of two hours. I've compiled it from my own research there are no matches from the territory days included, to the best of my knowledge there were no two hour long matches in those days or since then, bar the one in Ohio [See Notes Below]. Thanks to Ronald's research it's meant where applicable European matches could be included on top of my own American, Canadian and Australian results. Plus there is an entry from Bulgaria which was provided by Phil Lions. Included are two more matches that went over seven hours and one that went over six hours and the numbers just increase in each section until we get back to the sixty minute mark.
For most people the answer is actually pretty disappointing. I've seen some react in such a negative manner to the only match known in history to have taken up a whole half a day of the participant's lives that they've found ways to justify it away. They'd rather hold onto what they had always believed.
One match that is often brought up as a contender is the unbelievable contest at the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games between Martin Klein and Alfred Asikainen. The two men clocked an astonishing eleven hours and forty minutes by the time a decision was arrived at. Even if it was not twenty minutes shy of the actual lengthiest bout, it was of course an amateur affair, not a professional one. Those who have done some reading on the early days of professional wrestling throw around names like the professors Thiebaud Bauer and, William Miller; the Great Gama; Clarence Whistler; Stanislaus Zbyszko; William Muldoon; Georges Hackenschmidt and of course Frank Gotch. All of whom certainly proved that they were truly iron men.
As it happens none of the above men or their peers were involved in the longest match. In fact, not one of the above wrestlers were even alive when it took place. November 6, 2010 marked the date of the occasion.. It was held inside of the Shelby County Fairgrounds, Sidney, Ohio under the banner of Shockwave Impact Wrestling. The pros wrestled under the iron man rules which means the man with most pinfalls or submissions within the time limit would be the winner. I already mentioned that the time limit was indeed twelve hours.
The reason people give for it not counting is that it was a six-man iron man match. Frankly though, that is just irrelevant. Does it make it any less impressive? Sure, to a degree. It spread the responsibility of keeping the action flowing for the full period. Rather than all of the pressure and physical toll being on only two wrestlers. Regardless of that it is indeed the "longest (known) professional wrestling match," the Guinness Book of World Records actually has an entry for it which can be seen on their website.
You have to go back one hundred and eleven years to get to the next closest total time. Maurice Gambier and Michael Hitzler were involved, however, their bout was not continuous. Due to time constraints it actually took place over the course of four days. Next up was the fairly well known encounter between the aforementioned professors Thiebaud Bauer and William Miller in the year of 1877. These two men were on the mat for a total time of seven hours and thirty minutes, although it was reported by one newspaper as lasting nine hours and eleven minutes.
Unfortunately with the pre-World War I matches, people often neglect to mention that they had rest periods within them and thus times are regularly exaggerated. How the rest periods worked was varied and normally agreed upon by the individuals involved. They could have been issued once every hour unless a fall was garnered and a break would then be given as most matches were two out of three falls with some being three out of five falls. Some matches only granted a period of rest following a fall. Some matches would have rest periods given during the actual struggle if they had not been agreed upon before and it turned into a long encounter. The allotted time was normally between five and twenty minutes, again agreed upon by the men involved.
Below are the matches which lasted in excess of two hours. I've compiled it from my own research there are no matches from the territory days included, to the best of my knowledge there were no two hour long matches in those days or since then, bar the one in Ohio [See Notes Below]. Thanks to Ronald's research it's meant where applicable European matches could be included on top of my own American, Canadian and Australian results. Plus there is an entry from Bulgaria which was provided by Phil Lions. Included are two more matches that went over seven hours and one that went over six hours and the numbers just increase in each section until we get back to the sixty minute mark.
Longer Than Average
DECEMBER 13, 1883 (THURSDAY)
Howard Atheneum, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 'Large'
Announcer: Colonel Eland
Referee: William J. Mahoney
Umpires: Steve O'Donnell (McMahon) & Nat Hutchins (Dufur)
1 - World Collar & Elbow Championship - Two out of Three Falls
H.M. Dufur (of Marlboro, Mass.) def. John McMahon (of Bakersville, Vt.) (c),
Forfeit - NEW CHAMPION
Notes:
J.W. Saxe a member of the audience fell dead at ringside during the bout due to "heart-disease brought on by excitement."
It was announced around 2 hours into the match by McMahon's umpire that his mother had passed away recently and thus McMahon was very out of shape. The match was stopped and Dufur declared the winner with a rematch to take place at a later date. Papers allude to the title not changing hands due to the circumstances surrounding McMahon's mother.
MARCH 23, 1876 (THURSDAY)
Detroit, Opera House, Detroit, Michigan
Attendance: 'Packed'
Tickets: $1.00 & $2.00
1 - World Collar & Elbow championship - Two out of Three Falls
J.H. McLaughlin (of Detroit) (c) Vs. Jacob H. Martin (of Yspilanti),
Time-Limit Draw - Martin Secured One Fall (F1 02:00:00 - TL ??:??:??)
Notes:
The New York Times listed it as the American Collar & Elbow Championship.
A draw was declared by the referee due to it being 01:40 and there was a dispute over whether McLaughlin had been fouled or not.
MARCH 24, 1884 (MONDAY)
Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California
Attendance: 'Large Crowd'
1 - Graeco-Roman Championsip - Two out of Three Falls - For $1,000
Clarence Whistler Vs. William Muldoon,
Draw - No Falls (02:00:00+)
Note:
Muldoon said he was tired during the third hour and the match was declared a draw as it was not going anywhere.
JULY 24, 1898 (SUNDAY)
O'Conner Ring, Virginia, Minnesota
Attended: "Well"
Tickets: $0.25
1 - Range Middleweight Cornish Championship - Two out of Three Falls
Jerry O'Brien (of Sparta) Vs. William Johnson (of Virginia, MN),
Draw - One Fall Each (F1 ??:??:?? - F2 ??:??:?? - 02:00:00 - C 02:00:00+)
MARCH 30, 1899 (THURSDAY)
Jacques' Auditorium, Waterbury, Connecticut
1 - Alex Swanson Vs. John E. Kelly,
Time-Limit Draw (02:00:00+)
NOVEMBER 29, 1917 (THURSDAY)
City Auditorium, Canton, Ohio
1 - Two out of Three Falls
Ed 'Strangler' Lewis def. Jimmy Londos 'the Boy Wonder' (of Greece),
Two Falls to None - Forfeit (02:00:00+)
Note:
After Lewis won fall number one, Londos was too injured to continue.
MAY 25, 1927 (WEDNESDAY)
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
1 - Russell Vis Vs. Tommy Henderson,
Result Unknown
2 - George Kotsonares Vs. Renato Gardini,
Result Unknown
3 - Paul Jones def. Nick Lutze,
Decision (02:00:00+)
JUNE 11, 1919 (WEDNESDAY)
Omaha, Nebraska
1 - Two out of Three Falls
Ed 'Strangler' Lewis def. Jim Londos (of Canton, Ohio),
Two Falls to None (F1 01:34:45 - F2 00:27:30 - C 02:02:15)
Note:
Londos is listed as Greek Champion.
JUNE 14, 1919 (SATURDAY)
Gordon, Nebraska
Attendance: 5,000
1 - John Pesek (of Shelton) def. Wladek Zbyszko (of Poland)
(02:03:15)
OCTOBER 20, 1915 (WEDNESDAY)
Evansville, Indiana
Gate: $3,000
1 - World Heavyweight Championship
Joe Stecher (c) def. Ed "Strangler" Lewis (of Wisconsin),
Forfeit (02:03:00)
Notes:
Stecher is listed as a claimant to the title in some papers.
Lewis avoided Stecher through-out the match before finally withdrawing from the contest after being thrown into the ropes.
It's said that the audience was charged three times the price of normal admission. Due to the fiasco the match became, Mayor Ben Bosse held onto the gate receipts and stated he would give a third of the money back to the promoter to pay the wrestlers and etc., while he would keep two thirds to give to charitable organizations.
Lewis was determined by a physician to be healthy.
The Bosse also stated he would be banning any future wrestling taking place here.
MARCH 2, 1920 (TUESDAY)
Referee: George Bothner
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Attendance: 10,000+
1 - Demtritrius Tofalos (a Greek) def. Alex Jarvis (of Philadelphia)
(00:14:05)
2 - Monsieur Raymond Cazeaux (of France) Vs. Ivan Linow 'the Horrible Cossack',
Time-Limit Draw (00:15:00)
3 - Earl Caddock (formerly of the United States Army) def. Adjutant Salvadore Chevalier (of France)
(00:58:11)
4 - Ed 'Strangler' Lewis def. Jim Londos
(02:04:43)
Notes:
The first two matches are both said to be 'more humorous then competitive.'
At one point during the main event when Lewis had Londos in a 'vise-like grip for two minutes,' it's said 'A man who cannot be convinced that the Civil War was a 'frame up' raised up his squeak near the press seats: "These guys ain't tryin'," said he. "They belong to the Big Four."'
Linow was said to have the upperhand in wrestling but Cazeaux in roughness. Although overall the match is to resemble 'a mixture of boxing, football, la savate, and anything else but wrestling.'
Londos is billed as the Greek Heavyweight Champion.
The order of who would go on for the two main events was decided via a coin toss.
In the build up to the event Chevalier was billed as the 'Inter-allied Champion.'
JANUARY 30, 1920 (FRIDAY)
Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York
Attendance: 10,000
Tickets: $2.20-$22.00
Gate: $80,000
Referee: George Bothner
1 - World Heavyweight Championship
Joe Stecher (of Nebraska) def. Earl Caddock (of Iowa) (c)
(02:05:30) - NEW CHAMPION
SEPTEMBER 28, 1936 (MONDAY)
Promoter: Ray Fabiani
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1 - World Heavyweight Championship
Dean Detton (of Salt Lake City) def. Dave Levin (of Jamaica, N.Y) (c)
(02:05:52) - NEW CHAMPION
JANUARY 1, 1858 (FRIDAY)
Mr. J. Winterbottom's, Higginshaw - Oldham, Greater Man chester, England
Attendance: 4,000+
Referee: Wm. Taylor
1 - Lancashire Style - Two out of Three Falls
D. Heywood (of Hollinwood - with Joseph Etchells, alias "Old Joe") def. J. Matley (of Ashton),
Two Falls to None (F1 00:08:00 - F2 01:58:00 - C 02:06:00)
Note:
Said to be Matley's first defeat.
JULY 18, 1859 (MONDAY)
White Lion, Hackney Wick, Greater London, England
Attendance: 1,000+
Referee: Mr. Hake
Umpires: Messrs. Bartley & Westlake
1 - George Bickle (of Devon) Vs. John Bescombe (of Cornwall),
Postponed (02:08:00)
Notes:
Bickle is listed as the Devonshire Champion.
The match had to be postponed due to the lateness of time. It was set to continue the next day.
JANUARY 31, 1903 (SATURDAY)
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
1 - Two out of Three Falls
Kanetez Idone def. J. Martin,
Two Falls to One
2 - Graeco-Roman - Two out of Three Falls
John Kamerer def. Gus Holtz,
Two Falls to One
3 - Two out of Three Falls
John Kelly Vs. Leonhardt,
Draw - One Fall Each
4 - Two out of Three Falls
Nick Elliot def. Louis Whistler,
Two Falls to None
5 - Tom Jenkins Vs. John Piening,
Curfew Draw (02:10:00)
Note:
Police called a stop to the match to avoid breaking the Sunday law.
JUNE 4, 1919 (WEDNESDAY)
Portland, Oregon
1 - World Middleweight Championship
Ted Thye (of Spokane) def. Walter Miller (of Los Angeles) (c)
(02:10:00) - NEW CHAMPION
OCTOBER 15, 1927 (SATURDAY)
Melbourne Stadium, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
1 - World Light Heavyweight Championship
Ted Thye (of America) (c) def. Mike Yokel (of America),
Time-Limit Draw (02:10:00)
DECEMBER 17, 1915 (FRIDAY)
International Wrestling Tournament
Manhattan Opera House, Manhattan, New York
Referee: George Bothner
1 - Graeco-Roman
Alexander Aberg (of Esthonia) def. Wilhelm Muller (of Germany)
(00:06:40)
2 - Graeco-Roman
Sulo Hevonpaa (of Sweden) def. Wilhelm Ernst (of Germany)
(00:18:20)
3 - Catch-as-Catch-Can
Karl Pospisil (of Bohemia) def. George Sandele (of America)
(00:14:32)
4 - Catch-as-Catch-Can
Edward Delivuk (of Austria) def. Karl Sanderson (of Norway)
(00:10:55)
5 - Catch-as-Catch-Can
Ivan Linow 'the Terrible Cossack' Vs. Renardo Gardini (of Italy),
Time-Limit Draw (00:20:00)
6 - Catch-as-Catch-Can
The Mysterious Masked Marvel Vs. Wladek Zbyszko 'the Russian Pole',
Curfew Draw (02:13:00)
Notes:
One paper lists the time of the final bout as 01:58:00.
During the contest the Marvel had to change his match due to sweat.
FEBRUARY 20, 1920 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Jack Curley
71st Regiment Armory, New York, New York
Attendance: 'Jammed Inside - Thousands Left Outside'
1 - Selvador Chevalier (of France) def. Dawson (of Kansas City)
(00:03:21)
2 - World Heavyweight Championship
Joe Stecher (c) def. Jim Londos
(02:13:34)
Notes:
After twenty-five minutes of wrestling the match paused to introduce Stanislaus Zbyszko, but he was booed so badly for interrupting the match by crawling into the ring, they cancelled the introduction and continued the contest.
Said to be Chevalier's American debut.
APRIL 28, 1919 (MONDAY)
Chicago Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois
Attendance: 6,000
Gate: $8,000
Referee: Delaney
1 - Lou Talaber Vs. Mike Nestor,
Time-Limit Draw (00:33:00)
2 - Wladek Zbyszko (of Poland) def. Ed 'Strangler' Lewis
(02:14:09)
3 - One Fall
Jim Londos def. Dr. B.F. Roller
(00:15:00)
JULY 18, 1932 (MONDAY)
Los Angeles, California
1 - Two out of Three Falls
Jim Londos (of New York) Vs. Ray Steele (of Glendale, Cal.),
Time-Limit Draw - One Fall Each (02:15:00)
JANUARY 13, 1877 (SATURDAY)
McCormick Hall, Chicago, Illinois
Attendance: 300
Referee: W. B. Curtis
Umpires: Oliver Collyer (Brink) & Michael Hartnett (Becker)
1 - Collar & Elbow - Two out of Three Falls
Horace A. Brink (of Chicago) def. Capt. Becker (of Oswego, N.Y.),
Two Falls to None (F1 01:13:00 - F2 01:03:00 - C 02:16:00)
FEBRUARY 28, 1907 (THURSDAY)
Des Moines, Iowa
1 - Charles Hackenschmidt Vs. Dan McLeod,
Time-Limit Draw (02:18:00)
Note:
Hackenschmidt broke a finger.
JULY 2, 1884 (MONDAY)
Grand Opera House, San Francisco, California
1 - Graeco-Roman - Two out of Three Falls
Clarence Whistler def. Tom Cannon,
Two Falls to One (02:20:00)
Notes:
This is from an 1887 biographical account of Cannon.
Possibly actually the May 31, 1883 match with a favorable view of Cannon's performance.
MAY 10, 1922 (WEDNESDAY)
Boston Arena, Boston, Massachusetts
1 - John Klonis def. Pinky Gardner
(00:38:15)
2 - Joe Turner def. Charles Metro
(00:22:15)
3 - George Calza def. Jim Londos
(02:28:00)
JUNE 30, 1877 (SATURDAY)
American Institute, New York, New York
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Mr. Palmer
Timekeeper: Mr. Laflin
Announcer: Mr. Whittaker
Seconds: William Austin (Miller) & Emil Regnier (Bauer)
1 - Graeco-Roman - Two out of Three Falls
Prof. William Miller Vs. Thiebaud Bauer,
Police Stoppage - One Fall Each (F1 01:13:00 - F2 00:16:00 - F3 01:00:00 - C 02:29:00)
Note:
The police stopped the bout just after midnight declaring they could not continue to wrestler as it was Sunday morning.
FEBRUARY 20, 1928 (MONDAY)
Promoter: Tom Packs
St. Louis, Missouri
Attendance: 8,000
Gate: $50,000-$60,000
Tickets: $5 - $25
Referee: Harry S. Sharpe
1 - World Heavyweight Championship - Two out of Three Falls
Ed 'Strangler' Lewis def. Joe Stecher (c)
Two Falls to One (F1 02:16:00 - F2 00:00:56 - F3 00:12:50 - C 02:29:46) - NEW CHAMPION
SEPTEMBER 7, 1875 (TUESDAY)
Wilson's Palace Amphitheater, San Francisco, California
Attendance: 300
Referee: Thomas Chandler
Judges: Mr. Harvey (Lane) & Murray (Farrell)
1 - Collar & Elbow
William M. Farrell (of San Francisco) def. Homer Lane,
Two Falls to None (F1 01:30:00 - F2 01:00:00 - C 02:30:00)
JUNE 12, 1909 (SATURDAY)
Calumet Theater, Calumet, Michigan
Referee: Jones
1 - Cornish Style Match
Jack Rowett Vs. Joe Ziehr,
Curfew Draw (02:30:00)
Note:
Local officers put a stop to the match at midnight.
MAY 23, 1916 (TUESDAY)
Portland, Oregan
1 - World Middleweight Championship
Walter Miller (c) Vs. Eddie O'Connell,
Time-Limit Draw (02:30:00)
JUNE 21, 1918 (FRIDAY)
Promoter: Oscar Thorson
Des Moines Coliseum, Des Moines, Iowa
Attendance: "Monster"
Referee: Ed Smith
1 - Grover Titus 'Des Moines Wrestling Policeman' def. Ed Tomashea(?) (of Camp Dodge)
(00:47:00)
2 - Unknown Vs. Unknown,
Cancelled
3 - World Heavyweoght Championship - Two out Three Falls
Earl Caddock (c) def. Ed 'Strangler' Lewis (of Kentucky),
Points (02:30:00)
Note:
The second match was cancelled to allow time for the main event.
MAY 20, 1878 (MONDAY)
Riverside Park, Boston, Massachusetts
Referee: James Lathrop
1 - American Collar & Elbow Championship - Two out of Three Falls
Henry M. Dufur (of Marlboro) def. Edward Cox (of Fairfield),
Two Falls to None (F1 00:45:00 - F2 01:47:00 - C 02:32:00)
Notes:
Dufur is listed as the New England Champion.
Cox is listed as the Vermont Champion.
SEPTEMBER 10, 1910 (SATURDAY)
Promoter: John Bull
The Stadium, Shepherd's Bush, Greater London, England
Tickets: 5d. & 21s.
1 - World Heavyweight Catch-as-Catch-Can Championship
Gama 'The Lion of the Punjaab' Vs. Stanislaus Zbyszko 'The Bear',
Time-Limit Draw (02:35:00)
Notes:
It's said that Gama was unbeaten for 200 contests going into this match.
The match was adjourned until 3PM the following Saturday.
FEBRUARY 17, 1921 (THURSDAY)
Boston, Massachusetts
1 - World Middleweight Championship
Pinky Gardner (of Schenectady, N.Y.) def. Waino Ketonen (of Finland) (c)
(02:35:10) - NEW CHAMPION
DECEMBER 28, 1889 (SATURDAY)
Promotion: Buffalo Athletic Club
Music Hall, Buffalo, New York
Referee: Tom McMahon
1 - American Middleweight Championship
Tom Connors (c) Vs. Hugh Leonard (of Belfast, N.Y.),
Curfew Draw (02:36:00)
Notes:
Leonard is said to be a pupil of Muldoon.
The Sunday curfew was enforced.
NOVEMBER 14, 1895 (THURSDAY)
Canterbury Music Hall, London, Greater London, England
Attendance: "Fairly Crowded"
Announcer: Frank Hinde
Referee: Jack Wannop
1 - World Mixed Styles Championship (Graeco-Roman/Catch-as-Catch-Can) - Two out of Three Falls
Paul Pons (of France) Vs. Memich "Imperial Wrestler-in-Chief to the Sultan" (of Turkey),
Time-Limit - To Be Continued (02:37:00)
Notes:
Preceded by vaudeville entertainment.
It's said Pons claims the World Graeco-Roman Championsip, but is listed as the French Graeco-Roman Champion.
Pons is said to have "had a rough crossing from France of the previous night and did not look so fit as his rival."
Memich is said to claim the World Catch-as-Catch-Can Championship.
AUGUST 28, 1902 (THURSDAY)
Rochester, New York
1 - Two out of Three Falls
John Little def. Bert Caire,
Two Falls to None (F1 00:11:05 - F2 00:09:20 - C 00:20:25)
2 - Two out of Three Falls
Harvey Parker def. Max Wiley,
Two Falls to None (F1 00:58:40 - F2 01:39:45 - C 02:38:25)
DECEMBER 9, 1912 (MONDAY)
Chicago, Illinois
1 - Two out of Three Falls
Charles Cutler (of Chicago) def. Illa Vincent (of Cuba),
Two Falls to (F1 00:58:22 - F2 01:40:00 - C 02:38:00)
Note:
This is said to be the first time Vincent has had his shoulders pinned to the mat.
MARCH 12, 1879 (WEDNESDAY)
Boston Theatre, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 3,000
1 - World Collar & Elbow Championship - Three out of Five Falls
Col. J.H. McLaughlin Vs. John McMahon,
Time-Limit Draw - One Fall Each (F1 01:05:00 - F2 00:30:00 - F3 01:03:00+ - C 02:38:00+)
Notes:
At sixty-three minutes in the third fall McLaughlin threw McMahon and the referee awarded him the fall, he then changed his mind and declared it no fall. When the third fall was restarted it went to the curfew and the match was a draw.
MAY 19, 1919 (MONDAY)
Chicago Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois
Attendance: 6,000
Gate: $9,000
1 - World Heavyweight Championship - Two out of Three Falls
Ed 'Stangler' Lewis def. Wladek Zbyszko,
Two Falls to One (F1 01:36:42 - F2 00:48:35 - F3 00:12:56 - C 02:38:23) - NEW CHAMPION
AUGUST 4, 1875 (WEDNESDAY)
Racine, Pennsylvania
1 - Three out of Five Falls
Homer Lane (of New York) def. Jas. Arbuckle (of Niles, Mich.),
Three Falls to Two (02:40:00)
JUNE 10, 1905 (SATURDAY)
"Private Gymnasium", New York, New York
Attendance: 100
1 - Catch-as-Catch-Can - Two out of Three Falls
Tom Jenkins (of Cleveland) def. Fred Beell (of Wisconsin),
Two Falls to One (F1 02:43:00 - F2 00:01:13 - F3 ??:??:?? - C 02:44:13+)
Note:
Jenkins is listed as the "Old champion."
NOVEMBER 16, 1858 (TUESDAY)
Snipe Inn, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, England
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Mr. G. Piers
1 - Lancashire Style
John Cross (of Hooley Hill) Vs. Jas. Matley (alias Barrel)
Time-Limit Draw (02:45:00)
Note:
The men proclaimed they were equals. Neither man superior. They said they would never face each other again.
FEBRUARY 22, 1911 (WEDNESDAY)
Ogden, Utah
Referee: Ed Ferguson 'the Fireman wrestler'
1 - Two out of Three Falls
Brig Harbetson def. Leo Holstrom,
Two Falls to None (00:10:00)
2 - 'Young' Gotch (of Seattle) def. Arthur Chester (of Ogden),
Decision (00:30:00)
3 - Two out of Three Falls
Jack Harbetson def. Adolph Lindros,
Two Falls to None - Forfeit (F1 01:46:00 - F2 00:59:00 - C 02:45:00)
Note:
Lindros is listed as welterweight champion of Finland.
OCTOBER 29, 1912 (TUESDAY)
Graeco-Roman Tournament: Final Day
Promoter: Joseph Haupt (Munich)
Kurhaus, Salzburg, Austria
1 - Georg Rissbacher def. Masked Wrestler
(02:45:00)
Notes:
This is the last day of the tournament which started on October 16, 1912.
According to a Salzburg newspaper Rissbacher was given a "Professional Olympic Medal" by Haupt.
Platzierung / Placement:
1. Georg Rissbacher.
AUGUST 6, 1920 (FRIDAY)
River Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Attendance: 2,000
1 - Police Championship - Two out of Three Falls
'Sergeant' John Albrecht (od Minneapolis) Vs. 'Constable' Tom Johnstone (of Winnipeg),
Time-Limit Draw - One Fall Each (F1 01:00: 00 - F2 01:05:00 - TL 02:45:00)
Note:
Who, if anyone, is the champion going in is not stated.
FEBRUARY 24, 1857 (TUESDAY)
Jolly Caulkers, Rotherhithe, Greater London, England
Attendance: "Several"
1 - Three out of Five Falls
Bescomp def. Cox,
Three Falls to One (02:50:00)
JUNE 29, 1857 (MONDAY)
Ground of Mr. N. Warren, (near) Ashton-Under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, England
Attendance: 3,000+
Referee: Geo. Piers
Umpires: J. Simpson & W. Skilhorn (Matley) & W. Swann & J. Hilton (Lord)
1 - Lancashire, Catch-as-Catch-Can - Two out of Three Falls
James Matley (alias Barrel - of Ashton) Vs. Peter Lord (of Oldham),
Stoppage (02:50:00)
Notes:
Swann is listed as the Lancashire Champion.
The match is stopped due to heavy rain for the duration of the contest.
NOVEMBER 14, 1877 (WEDNESDAY)
Central Park Garden, New York, New York
Attendance: "Large"
1 - American Lightweight Graeco-Roman Championship - Three out of Five Falls
W.J. Austin (of New York) (c) def. H. Howard (of Gelncoe, L.I.)
(02:50:00)
MAY 9, 1921 (TUESDAY)
Los Angeles, California
1 - Ted Thye (of Portland) Vs. Walter Miller (of Los Angeles),
Time-Limit Draw (02:59:23)
FEBRUARY 22, 1854 (WEDNESDAY)
Saville House, Leicester Square, Greater London, England
Attendance: "Large"
1 - French Style
M. Henry (of France) def. "Another Frenchman"
2 - Cornish Style - Two out of Three Falls
Cockyer Vs. M. Pierre Maison,
One Fall to None (03:00:00)
Notes:
Henry offered a gold watch to anyone who could throw him. No-one took him up on the offer. However Scott, Ivison and other wrestlers from the "north country" spoke up to face him for it next Wednesday.
Cockyer is listed as a "Cornish wrestler."
After Cockyer won the first fall it was decided to postpone the rest of the match until next Wednesday due to the late hour.
???? ??, 1861 (????)
Fort Lyon, Virginia
1 - James Hiram McLaughlin def. Duval Wilcox
(03:00:00)
Note:
From a biographical account of McLaughlin in 1881.
???? ??, 1864 (????)
Boston, Massachusetts
1 - John McMahon def. Uzil Prickett
(03:00:00)
Note:
This is from an 1877 biographical account of McMahon.
JULY 22, 1873 (TUESDAY)
Harmony Hall, Troy, New York
Attendance: 'Large'
Referee: John Messer (of New York)
Umpires: John Murphy (Copeland) & Homer Lane (McMahon)
1 - World Championship - Two out of Three Falls
John McMahon (of Rutland) (c) def. Thomas Copeland (of Montreal),
Two Falls to One (03:00:00) - NEW CHAMPION
Notes:
Copeland is listed as the Champion of Canada.
It's said McMahon is recognized as the World Champion following this contest.
JULY 15, 1876 (SATURDAY)
Ford's Opera House, Baltimore, Maryland
1 - World Graeco-Roman Championship - Three out of Five Falls
William Miller Vs. Thiebaud Bauer,
Draw (03:00:00)
Note:
The police stopped the match and it was declared a draw, disorder had broken out in the venue.
OCTOBER 16, 1877 (TUESDAY)
Gilmore's Garden, New York, New York
Attendance: 3,000
Stakeholder: Spirit of the Times
Referee: Bill Clark
Judges: Emile Regnier (Bauer) & William Austin (Miller)
1 - World Graeco-Roman Championship - Two out of Three Falls
William Miller def. Theobaud Bauer,
One Fall to None (03:00:00)
NOVEMBER 12, 1877 (MONDAY)
Music Hall, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Edward Plummer
UmpireS: H. Debrion (Bauer) & Noble Ray (Miller)
1 - Graeco-Roman - Two out of Three Falls
Theobaud Bauer def. William Miller,
One Fall to None (03:00:00)
AUGUST 6, 1878 (TUESDAY)
Emmet Guards Grand Picnic
Rensselaer Park, Troy, New York
Attendance: 30,000
1 - American Championship - Two out of Three Falls
Matthew D. Grace (of New York City) def. Perry Higley (of Bridgeport),
Two Falls to One (F1 00:34:00 - F2 00:47:00 - F3 01:39:00 - C 03:00:00)
Note:
Grace is listed as the former Dublin Champion.
DECEMBER 29, 1883 (SATURDAY)
San Francisco, California
AttendancE: 3,000
1 - World Graeco-Roman Championship
William Muldoon def. Theobaud Bauer (c)
(03:00:00) - NEW CHAMPION
MARCH 24, 1884 (MONDAY)
Germania Assembly Rooms (Houston & First Street), The Bowery, New York
Attendance: 1,000
Amateur Championship Gold Medal - Two out of Three Falls
1 - Ernst Roeber def. Young Bibby (c),
One Fall to None (03:00:00)
NEW CHAMPION
Note:
One source states it was a "$50 Gold Medal", Roeber recalls he won the "Amateur Championship" on this night.
APRIL 30, 1885 (THURSDAY)
Clarendon Hall, New York, New York
Attendance: 500
Tickets: $1.00
Gate: $500
Referee: Edward Mallahan
1 - Carl Abs 'the German Giant' def. Edwin Bibby,
One Fall to None (F1 02:20:00 - TL 03:00:00)
OCTOBER 10, 1887 (MONDAY)
Chicago, Illinois
1 - Graeco-Roman
Charles Moth Vs. Frank Whitmore,
Time-Limit Draw (03:00:00)
FEBRUARY 29, 1912 (THURSDAY)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Referee William Findlay
1 - John Berg Vs. Chet McIntyre,
Time-Limit Draw (03:00:00)
Note:
Also featured boxing.
MAY 15, 1917 (TUESDAY)
San Francisco, California
1 - Marin Plestina def. Ad Santel,
Decision (03:00:00)
DECEMBER 13, 1920 (MONDAY)
San Francisco, California
1 - Two out of Three Falls
Earl Caddock def. Jim Londos,
Two Falls to One - Decision (F1 00:11:05 - F2 01:34:00 - TL 03:00:00)
Note:
Londos is listed as the Greek Champion.
JULY 1, 1926 (THURSDAY)
Braves Field, Boston, Massachussetts
1 - Two out of Three Falls
Ed Lewis Vs. Joe Malcewicz,
Time-Limit Draw, One Fall Each (03:00:00)
Getting Longer: Three Hours and Over
APRIL 19, 1898 (TUESDAY)
Opera House, Montpelier, Vermont
Attendance: 800
Announcer: Sheriff C.F. Smith
Referee: H.M. Dufur
1 - Two out of Three Falls
Edward Deso (of St. Albans) Vs. R.E. Henderson (of Wells River),
Curfew Draw - One Fall Each (F1 02:00:00 - F2 01:00:00 - F3 ??:??:?? - C 03:00:00+)
Note:
Dufur is listed as the former World Collar & Elbow Champion.
FEBRUARY 7, 1898 (MONDAY)
Youngstown, Ohio
1 - Graeco-Roman - Two out of Three Falls
Harvey Parker (of Erie) def. Martin Muldoon (of Warren),
Two Falls to None (F1 03:00:00 - F2 00:01:00 - C 03:01:00)
Note:
Said to be "the longest record in a wrestling bout."
JUNE 23, 1922 (FRIDAY)
Boston Arena, Boston, Massachuesetts
Attendance: 8,000
1 - Frank Lurch (of Cambridge) Vs. Joe Varga (of Cleveland),
Time-Limit Draw(?) (00:23:00)2
2 - Two out of Three Falls
George Calza Vs. Stanislaus Zbyszko,
Time-Limit Draw - One Fall Each (F1 00:26:30 - F2 00:21:30 - TL 03:01:00)
DECEMBER 31, 1897 (FRIDAY)
Fort Wayne Athletic Club, Fort Wayne, Indiana
1 - Herbert Hale def. "Hank" West (of Auburn)
(03:07:00)
Note:
Hale is listed as the Welterweight Champion of Indiana and the World.
JUNE 2, 1909 (WEDNESDAY)
Cleveland, Ohio
1 - World Welterweight Championship
Otto Sutter (c) (of Cleveland) def. John E. Billeter (of Toledo),
Decision (03:15:00)
MARCH 10, 1919 (MONDAY)
Kansas City, Missouri
1 - Two out of Three Falls
Wladek Zbyszko (of Poland) def. Joe Stecher (of Dodge, Nebraska),
Two Falls to One (F1 00:14:03 - F2 02:15:00 - F3 00:45:53- C 03:15:00)
Note:
At this point both men were both claiming the World Heavyweight Championship, although most people recognized Ed Lewis as the champion. Earl Caddock is said to have retired by this point [It was a very brief retirement though]. The winner of this match was to go on to face Ed Lewis at a later date to decide the champion.
MAY 16, 1922 (TUESDAY)
Promoter: John 'Doc' Krane
Chicago Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois
Referee: Emil Thiry
Judges: Charley Postl & Charley Lavine
1 - Charles Pesek def. Otto Propotnick
(00:01:20 - Second Round)
2 - Charlie Hanson (of Omaha) def. William Demetral,
Decision (Six Rounds)
3 - John Pesek (of Shelton, Neb.) Vs. Marin Plestina (of Chicago),
No Contest (03:15:07)
Notes:
Charles is said to be brother of John.
The main bout is said to resemble their brawl in New York with fouling and all.
Ald. Lyle called for the main match to be stopped and a decision to be announced, the referee and judges called it a draw.
Fights broke out in the audience during the main match, they were said to be very disgruntled with proceedings.
JANUARY 29, 1911 (SUNDAY)
CLB Armory, St Johns, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada
Attendance: 4,000
1 - Andrew O’Keefe def. E.J. Goodland
2 - Otto Oppelt def. Young Olson
(03:20:00)
APRIL 29, 1878 (MONDAY)
Central Park Garden, New York, New York
1 - New York State Championship - Two out of Three Falls
Charles Conner (of Vermont) Vs. Charles Murphy 'the New-York Blacksmith',
Time-Limit Draw - One Fall Each (F1 00:58:00 - F2 02:27:00 - C 03:25:00)
Notes:
Conner is said to be a pupil of the John McMahon.
The wrestlers decided to call it a draw at the end of the second fall.
NOVEMBER 15, 1858 (MONDAY)
Snipe Inn, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, England
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Mr. G. Piers
1 - Lancashire Style
John Cross (of Hooley Hill) Vs. Jas. Matley (alias Barrel),
Time-Limit Draw (03:35:00)
Note:
Cross was trained by Enoch Walker. Matley by Sam Hurst (alias the Infant).
OCTOBER 27, 1913 (MONDAY)
Auditorium, Salt Lake City, Utah
Attendance: 6,000
1 - World Middleweight Championship - Two out of Three Falls
Mike Yokel (c) def. Chris Jordan (of Greece),
Two Falls to None (F1 03:36:00 - F2 00:01:00 - C 03:37:00)
DECEMBER 11, 1873 (THURSDAY)
Hill's Varieties, New York, New York
Attendance: "Crowded"
Referee & Stakeholder: Harry Hill
Umpires: Homer Lane (Bragg) & W.C. Browning (Ellis)
1 - American Devonshire Style Championship - Two out of Three Falls
Albert Ellis (of London, England) Vs. Thomas Bragg (of Hibernia, N.J.),
Draw - One Fall Each (F1 00:48:00 - F2 00:55:00 - F3 01:50:00 - C 03:43:00)
Notes:
Ellis is listed as the English and New York Champion.
Bragg is listed as the New Jersey Champion.
A rematch to get a decisive winner was made for December 24 when the draw was declared.
FEBRUARY 12, 1904 (FRIDAY)
Victoria Rifles Armory, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
1 - Eugene Tremblay Vs. Harvey Parker,
Time-Limit Draw (03:47:00)
OCTOBER 3, 1928 (WEDNESDAY)
Los Angeles, California
1 - World Heavyweight Championship - Two out of Three Falls
Ed 'Strangler' Lewis (c) def. Joe Malcewicz 'the Utica Panther',
Two Falls to None (F1 01:20:00 - F2 02:30:00 - C 03:50:30)
APRIL 9, 1916 (MONDAY)
Omaha, Nebraska
Attendance: 'Largest to Ever See a Wrestling Match In This City'
1 - World Heavyweight Championship - Two out of Three Falls
Earl Caddock def. Joe Stecher (c),
Two Falls to One - Forfeit (F1 01:22:00 - F2 02:35:00 - C 03:57:00) - NEW CHAMPION
Note:
Frank Gotch was present to give his blessing.
NOVEMBER 20, 1880 (SATURDAY)
Lyric Hall, New York, New York
Attendance: 800-900
Referee: Harry Hill
1 - Graeco-Roman
Clarence Whistler Vs. Edwin Bibby,
Time-Limit Draw (04:00:00)
Note:
The crowd were intense with excitement.
MAY 13, 1886 (THURSDAY)
Great Wrestling Tournament For The Pacific Coast Middleweight Championship
Promoter: J.C. Seymour
Platt's Hall, San Francisco, California
Attendance: 500
Tickets: $0.25, $0.50 & $1.00
Referee: Charles Moth
Judge: Theo. Bauer
1 - Final - Two out of Three Falls
Andre Christol Vs. Samuel Matthews (c)
One Fall - Two to Go (03:00:20 - TL 04:00:00)
???? ??, 1893 (????)
Adrianopolis [Edirne], Mamara, Turkey
1 - Halil Adali def. Yousouf Ishmaelo
(04:00:00)
Note:
This is according to Antonio Pierri, the manager of Halil Adali, in 1898.
APRIL 12, 1912 (FRIDAY)
Empire Theater, Toledo, Ohio
Attendance: 1,000
1 - Two out of Three Falls
Johnny Billeter Vs. Matty Matsuda,
Time-Limit Draw (04:00:00)
APRIL 19, 1898 (TUESDAY)
Opera House, Montpelier, Vermont
Attendance: 800
Announcer: Sheriff C.F. Smith
Referee: H.M. Dufur
1 - Two out of Three Falls
Edward Deso (of St. Albans) Vs. R.E. Henderson (of Wells River),
Curfew Draw - One Fall Each (F1 02:00:00 - F2 01:00:00 - F3 ??:??:?? - C 03:00:00+)
Note:
Dufur is listed as the former World Collar & Elbow Champion.
FEBRUARY 7, 1898 (MONDAY)
Youngstown, Ohio
1 - Graeco-Roman - Two out of Three Falls
Harvey Parker (of Erie) def. Martin Muldoon (of Warren),
Two Falls to None (F1 03:00:00 - F2 00:01:00 - C 03:01:00)
Note:
Said to be "the longest record in a wrestling bout."
JUNE 23, 1922 (FRIDAY)
Boston Arena, Boston, Massachuesetts
Attendance: 8,000
1 - Frank Lurch (of Cambridge) Vs. Joe Varga (of Cleveland),
Time-Limit Draw(?) (00:23:00)2
2 - Two out of Three Falls
George Calza Vs. Stanislaus Zbyszko,
Time-Limit Draw - One Fall Each (F1 00:26:30 - F2 00:21:30 - TL 03:01:00)
DECEMBER 31, 1897 (FRIDAY)
Fort Wayne Athletic Club, Fort Wayne, Indiana
1 - Herbert Hale def. "Hank" West (of Auburn)
(03:07:00)
Note:
Hale is listed as the Welterweight Champion of Indiana and the World.
JUNE 2, 1909 (WEDNESDAY)
Cleveland, Ohio
1 - World Welterweight Championship
Otto Sutter (c) (of Cleveland) def. John E. Billeter (of Toledo),
Decision (03:15:00)
MARCH 10, 1919 (MONDAY)
Kansas City, Missouri
1 - Two out of Three Falls
Wladek Zbyszko (of Poland) def. Joe Stecher (of Dodge, Nebraska),
Two Falls to One (F1 00:14:03 - F2 02:15:00 - F3 00:45:53- C 03:15:00)
Note:
At this point both men were both claiming the World Heavyweight Championship, although most people recognized Ed Lewis as the champion. Earl Caddock is said to have retired by this point [It was a very brief retirement though]. The winner of this match was to go on to face Ed Lewis at a later date to decide the champion.
MAY 16, 1922 (TUESDAY)
Promoter: John 'Doc' Krane
Chicago Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois
Referee: Emil Thiry
Judges: Charley Postl & Charley Lavine
1 - Charles Pesek def. Otto Propotnick
(00:01:20 - Second Round)
2 - Charlie Hanson (of Omaha) def. William Demetral,
Decision (Six Rounds)
3 - John Pesek (of Shelton, Neb.) Vs. Marin Plestina (of Chicago),
No Contest (03:15:07)
Notes:
Charles is said to be brother of John.
The main bout is said to resemble their brawl in New York with fouling and all.
Ald. Lyle called for the main match to be stopped and a decision to be announced, the referee and judges called it a draw.
Fights broke out in the audience during the main match, they were said to be very disgruntled with proceedings.
JANUARY 29, 1911 (SUNDAY)
CLB Armory, St Johns, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada
Attendance: 4,000
1 - Andrew O’Keefe def. E.J. Goodland
2 - Otto Oppelt def. Young Olson
(03:20:00)
APRIL 29, 1878 (MONDAY)
Central Park Garden, New York, New York
1 - New York State Championship - Two out of Three Falls
Charles Conner (of Vermont) Vs. Charles Murphy 'the New-York Blacksmith',
Time-Limit Draw - One Fall Each (F1 00:58:00 - F2 02:27:00 - C 03:25:00)
Notes:
Conner is said to be a pupil of the John McMahon.
The wrestlers decided to call it a draw at the end of the second fall.
NOVEMBER 15, 1858 (MONDAY)
Snipe Inn, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, England
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Mr. G. Piers
1 - Lancashire Style
John Cross (of Hooley Hill) Vs. Jas. Matley (alias Barrel),
Time-Limit Draw (03:35:00)
Note:
Cross was trained by Enoch Walker. Matley by Sam Hurst (alias the Infant).
OCTOBER 27, 1913 (MONDAY)
Auditorium, Salt Lake City, Utah
Attendance: 6,000
1 - World Middleweight Championship - Two out of Three Falls
Mike Yokel (c) def. Chris Jordan (of Greece),
Two Falls to None (F1 03:36:00 - F2 00:01:00 - C 03:37:00)
DECEMBER 11, 1873 (THURSDAY)
Hill's Varieties, New York, New York
Attendance: "Crowded"
Referee & Stakeholder: Harry Hill
Umpires: Homer Lane (Bragg) & W.C. Browning (Ellis)
1 - American Devonshire Style Championship - Two out of Three Falls
Albert Ellis (of London, England) Vs. Thomas Bragg (of Hibernia, N.J.),
Draw - One Fall Each (F1 00:48:00 - F2 00:55:00 - F3 01:50:00 - C 03:43:00)
Notes:
Ellis is listed as the English and New York Champion.
Bragg is listed as the New Jersey Champion.
A rematch to get a decisive winner was made for December 24 when the draw was declared.
FEBRUARY 12, 1904 (FRIDAY)
Victoria Rifles Armory, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
1 - Eugene Tremblay Vs. Harvey Parker,
Time-Limit Draw (03:47:00)
OCTOBER 3, 1928 (WEDNESDAY)
Los Angeles, California
1 - World Heavyweight Championship - Two out of Three Falls
Ed 'Strangler' Lewis (c) def. Joe Malcewicz 'the Utica Panther',
Two Falls to None (F1 01:20:00 - F2 02:30:00 - C 03:50:30)
APRIL 9, 1916 (MONDAY)
Omaha, Nebraska
Attendance: 'Largest to Ever See a Wrestling Match In This City'
1 - World Heavyweight Championship - Two out of Three Falls
Earl Caddock def. Joe Stecher (c),
Two Falls to One - Forfeit (F1 01:22:00 - F2 02:35:00 - C 03:57:00) - NEW CHAMPION
Note:
Frank Gotch was present to give his blessing.
NOVEMBER 20, 1880 (SATURDAY)
Lyric Hall, New York, New York
Attendance: 800-900
Referee: Harry Hill
1 - Graeco-Roman
Clarence Whistler Vs. Edwin Bibby,
Time-Limit Draw (04:00:00)
Note:
The crowd were intense with excitement.
MAY 13, 1886 (THURSDAY)
Great Wrestling Tournament For The Pacific Coast Middleweight Championship
Promoter: J.C. Seymour
Platt's Hall, San Francisco, California
Attendance: 500
Tickets: $0.25, $0.50 & $1.00
Referee: Charles Moth
Judge: Theo. Bauer
1 - Final - Two out of Three Falls
Andre Christol Vs. Samuel Matthews (c)
One Fall - Two to Go (03:00:20 - TL 04:00:00)
???? ??, 1893 (????)
Adrianopolis [Edirne], Mamara, Turkey
1 - Halil Adali def. Yousouf Ishmaelo
(04:00:00)
Note:
This is according to Antonio Pierri, the manager of Halil Adali, in 1898.
APRIL 12, 1912 (FRIDAY)
Empire Theater, Toledo, Ohio
Attendance: 1,000
1 - Two out of Three Falls
Johnny Billeter Vs. Matty Matsuda,
Time-Limit Draw (04:00:00)
Even Longer: Four Hours and Over
???? ??, 1858 (????)
New Paltz-Ireland Corners, New York
Attendance: 206
Stakeholder: Elias Ireland
1 - Side-Hold/Square-Hold-Flop/Back-Hold - Two out of Three Falls
Dr. Frazier (of Troy) def. Abram Herrington (of Waterville)
Two Falls to One (F1 00:45:00 - F2 01:10:00 - F3 02:15:00 - C 04:10:00)
Notes:
The two men had originally met with the intention of trading horses. They ended up have a $20 a side wrestlng match and the winner to pay for the drinks.
When Herrington requested the stakes he was informed by Ireland that the money was already spent covering drinks an hour ago and that he owed the barkeeper $4.37-and-a-quarter. In return to this Herrington challenged Ireland and the barkeeper to wrestle next Monday.
During the match the men are said to have wrestled under a wagon and agaisnt a shed. They fell on bricks and broken glass. They took the match into the cattle yard, the pig pen and Herrington cut his leg on a tin pan. In the end Frazier tripped on a piece of scantling, which caused him to fall onto Davis' dog; killing it instantaneously. Davis intends to sue Frazier.
This took place sometime after the Morrisey-Heenan prizefight (October 20, 1858) and the earliest newspaper I have found is January 28, 1859. It was still being printed in newspapers as late as June 1859.
NOVEMBER 9, 1875 (TUESDAY)
Grand Opera House, New York, New York
Judges: James O'Neal (Miller) & Emil Regnier (Christol)
1 - American Graeco-Roman Championship
Prof. William Miller (c) Vs. Andre christol,
Draw (F1 02:30:00 - F2 00:13:00 - F3 01:30:00+ - C 04:13:00+)
Notes:
Christol is still listed as a claimant as he claims in the last match (October 12) he twisted his ankle on a loose corner of padding on which they wrestled and thus gave a momentary advantage.
The match was stopped by the referee and declared a draw due to the punishment they had dished out to each other through-out the contest.
???? ??, 1896 (????)
Imperial Court, Constantinople, Mamara, Turkey
1 - Two out of Three Falls
Kara Ossman def. Hali Adali,
Two Falls to None - Decision (F1 00:29:30 - F2 04:00:15 - C 04:29:45)
Note:
The court stopped the second fall and gave the bout to Ossman.
FEBRUARY 28, 1877 (WEDNESDAY)
Horticultural Hall, Worcester, Massachuessetts
1 - Moses Dufur (of Marlboro, Mass) def. James Owens (of Fairfield),
Disqualification (04:30:00-)
Note:
Owens is listed as "The champion."
NOVEMBER 17, 1898 (THURSDAY)
Empire Theater, Indianapolis, Indiana
Referee: Tom Cannon
1 - Catch-as-Catch-Can
Sam Murbarger (of Indianapolis) Vs. Harvey Parker (of Erie, Penn.)
Draw (04:30:00)
Note:
It was stated that it'd be cruel to keep the men on any longer.
DECEMBER 21, 1880 (TUESDAY)
The Rink, New York, New York
Attendance: 'Large Crowd'
Referee: W. Childs
Umpires: Christopher Hoffler (Bibby) & James Pilkington (Whistler)
1 - American Graeco-Roman Championship - Two out of Three Falls - For $500
Clarence Whistler 'the Western Wonder' Vs. Edwin Bibby,
Time-Limit Draw (04:50:00)
Notes:
The New York Times does not bill it as a for a title, the New York Sun does.
Bibby was billed as the English champion.
Both men said they had tried and could now throw each other and wil never face each other again.
MAY 30, 1877 (WEDNESDAY)
Terrace Garden Theater, New York, New York
Stakeholder/Referee: Harry Hill
1 - American Collar & Elbow Championship - Two out of Three Falls
James Owens (of Vermont) def. Jacob L. Martin (of Ypsilanti) (c),
Two Falls to One (05:00:00) - NEW CHAMPION
Notes:
Owens is listed as the Vermont Champion.
Martin is listed as the Michigan Champion.
SEPTEMBER 2, 1879 (TUESDAY)
Detroit Opera House, Detroit, Michigan
1 - Mixed Style
Andre Christol Vs. Robert Wright (of Detroit),
Time-Limit Draw (05:00:00)
APRIL 3, 1916 (MONDAY)
Chestnut Street Theatre, Lancaster, Ohio
1 - Harold Lawrence def. George Brown
(00:12:10)
2 - Herman Sheline Vs. Robert Eaton,
Time-Limit Draw (01:00:00)
3 - Two out of Three Falls
Henry Nick Vs. Raymond Carpenter,
Time-Limit Draw (05:00:00)
Longer Still: Five Hours and Over
APRIL 10, 1879 (THURSDAY)
Academy of Music, Baltimore, Maryland
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Norman W. Palmer (of New York)
1 - Combined Greco-Roman Style - Three out of Five Falls
J.H. McLaughlin (of Detroit) Vs. Wm. Miller (of Baltimore),
Time-Limit Draw - One Fall Each (F1 02:16:00 - F2 00:18:00 - F3 02:30:00 - TL 05:04:00)
DECEMBER 27, 1876 (WEDNESDAY)
Referee: Dr. John P. Ordway
Music Hall, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 4,000 (Some list as 2,500-3,000)
1 - American Collar & Elbow Championship - Two Out of Three Falls
James Owens def. James H. McLaughlin (c),
Two Falls to None (05:30:00) - NEW CHAMPION
Notes:
Following the bout McLaughlin stated he had an injured ankle.
It's said in a biographical acount of 1881 that, "the belt won in Detroit was not in controversy."
???? ??, 1871 (????)
????, England
1 - England Middleweight Championship
Tom Cannon def. Frank Robinson (c)
(06:00:00-) - NEW CHAMPION
Notes:
This is from a biographical account of Cannon in 1887.
Possibly took place in late 1870 or early 1872.
AUGUST 23, 1877 (THURSDAY)
Emmet Picnic
Renselaer Park, Troy, New York
1 - James Owens (of Fairfield Vt.) Vs. Matt Grace (of New York),
Time-Limit Draw - One Fall Each (06:00:00)
Note:
Owens is listed as the American Collar & Elbow Champion.
MARCH 16, 1880 (TUESDAY)
Boston, Massachusetts
1 - World Collar & Elbow Championship
John McMahon (of Rutland, Vt.) Vs. H.M. Dufur (of Marlboro, Mass.),
Time-Limit Draw (06:00:00)
Notes:
The referee had to call the match a draw due to the lease of the hall expiring.
Papers declare the match stopped 2:45, but no starting time is given. The length of the match comes from the Gannon-Schäfer files.
JANUARY 26, 1881 (THURSDAY)
Terrace Garden Theatre, New York, New York
Attendance: 'About 2000'
Referee: Professor William C. McCellan
1 - Greco-Roman Championship Medal - Two out of Three Falls
William Muldoon (of New York City) (c) Vs. Clarence Whistler 'the Wonder of the West' (of Kansas),
Curfew Draw (06:00:00)
Notes:
Muldoon weighed 198 pounds, Whistler 172.
Quigley was Muldoon's trained, Patrick Kelly his umpire. Whistler's umpire was Samuel Berry (of Philadelphia).
Muldoon was not favored by the audience. In the fifth hour cries of, "Get up, Muldoon, and give us a show or, or I'll claim my dollar back." When Muldoon tried to combat these cries by making a clear effort only to be overpowered by Whistler, fans could be heard shouting things such as, 'Let him up and see if he can stand.'
John McMahon, Edwin Bibby, Mackeson and Thiebaud Bauer were in attendance.
At the end of each hour of wrestling the duo stopped for a 10 minute rub down and rest, with exception of between the fifth and sixth hour where there appears to have been only five minutes.
Neither man wanted the bout to end in a draw and neither did the audience. Time was called when the owner of the venue turned the gas lights and the main lights off shortly before four in the morning. People in the audience offered to pay an extra $1 a piece to turn the lights back on to continue with the contest, but the owner would not agree. It was agreed that they would meet at a later date to decide a winner.
Even Longer Still: Over Six Hours
MARCH 23, 1880 (TUESDAY)
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Attendance: 3,000
Tickets: $0.50 & $1
Referee: Prof. McClellan
1 - World Graeco-Roman Championship
[William] Muldoon (c) Vs. [William] Miller,
Time-Limit Draw (07:00:00)
Notes:
Time was called at 8:20AM.
The match was described as being boring and it fans were unhappy with it: "The few spectators who remained were unanimous in the opion that $10 or 10 days would be a very light sentence."
JUNE 29, 1876 (THURSDAY)
Whitney's Opera House, Detroit, Michigan
1 - Collar & Elbow Style
Jacob B. Martin (of Ypsilanti) Vs. James Hiram McLaughlin (of Detroit),
Time-Limit Draw (07:45:00)
Note:
Time includes rest periods.
***Rest periods varied per match and was agreed upon by opponents, they normally ranged between 5 and 15 minutes once every hour, so this time could actually be as little as six hours or as much as seven hours and ten seconds. Alternatively, sometimes rest periods were not scheduled, but may have been given by the referee if a match went long***
OCTOBER 7, 1900 (SUNDAY)
Großer Preis von Budapest / Grand Prix of Budapest: Day 9 - Afternoon Show (11:00-18:15)
Thiergarten Circus, Budapest, Central Hungary, Hungary
Graeco-Roman Tournament
1 - Giovanni Raicevich def. Celestin Moret
(07:15:00)
Note:
With the first two matches included the total time of wrestling was eleven hours and fifteen minutes.
MARCH 20, 1877 (TUESDAY)
Metropolitan Riding Academy, New York, New York
Attendance: 4,040
Referee: William Clark
Umpires: Emil Regnier (Bauer) & Richard Pennell (Miller)
1 - Graeco-Roman - Two out of Three Falls
Thiebaud Bauer (of Alsace, France) Vs. William Miller (of Chesire, England - Now Australia),
Time-Limit Draw - Bauer Scored only Fall (F1 00:40:00 - TL 07:30:00)
Notes:
The match started on this day at 8:55PM and finished at 5:26AM on Wednesday 21 and is listed as being 9 hours and 11 minutes long by the New York Times. Obviously that time is impossible unless the starting or finishing time is typed wrong or may-be the overall time is wrong as listed by them. On looking in other papers the New York Clipper pretty much states the same as the Times, although it does not list the match as being 9 hours long. The Reading Times lists the match as finishing at 6:40 in the morning. The 7 hours and 30 minutes I have stated comes from the times as stated in the Times and corroborated by the Clipper, minus the rest periods which took place.
Times as states by the Times/Clipper:
08:55 - The Match Started.
09:35 - Bauer got the only fall.
10:02 - Match restarts after rest period.
01:44 - Cries of foul are unleashed against Miller for butting Bauer, it is ruled accident, and a rest period is allowed.
01:58 - Match restarts.
02:49 - Rest period is allowed.
02:54 - Match restarts.
03:30 - Rest period is allowed
03:54 - Match restarts when Bauer refuses to accept a draw.
05:26 - Bauer finally agrees to call the match a draw on the provision that Miller no longer talks about him in the newspapers.
Can You Believe They Wrestled That Long: Over Ten Hours
NOVEMBER 3, 1899 (FRIDAY)-DECEMBER 5, 1899 (TUESDAY)
„Championnat du Monde de Lutte“: Final Day
Promotion: Sports newspaper „Journal des Sports“
Casino de Paris, Paris, Ile-de-France, France
Graeco-Roman Tournament
Note:
During this tournament Michael Hitzler & Maurice Gambier wrestled a match which lasted ten hours and forty-four minutes. It took place over the course of four days of the tournament.
Almost Unbelievable: The Longest Known Match In Pro-Wrestling History
NOVEMBER 6, 2010 (SATURDAY)
Promotion: Shockwave Impact Wrestling
Shelby County Fairgrounds, Sidney, Ohio
1 - SWI Ironman Championship
"Lightning" Tim Lutz def. American Kickboxer II, Dark Angel, DJ Tom Sharp, Logan Cross and Sid Fabulous
(12:00:00)
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Article Information
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End Notes
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Other Articles By Jimmy
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Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Sixty Minutes Just Not Enough.
Author: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: November 26, 2015.
Article: #128.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Sixty Minutes Just Not Enough.
Author: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: November 26, 2015.
Article: #128.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
A match that I left out of my first draft was brought to my attention by both Fumi Saito and Hisaharu Hanabe. It was the Ganryujima island match between Antonio Inoki and Masa Saito. It lasted two hours five minutes fourteen seconds until Inoki finally came out the victor. More information can be seen over at the Wrestling Classics Forum.
Larry King has pointed out to me since the posting of this article that Dory Funk Sr. and "Iron" Mike Dibiase went three hours and ten minutes to a draw. It was a Texas death match that was eventually stopped by Kirby Suggs of the Texas Athletic Commission at 1 A.M. rendering it a curfew draw which meant that Funk retained his North American Championship.
Dave Newman nudged me in the direction of the Chris Hero (Kassius Ohno) infinity gauntlet match. Hero wrestled for three hours for the Benefit of ALS Canada against the following opponents: Rip Impact, Facade, Jason Kincaid, Brent Banks, Rich Swann, Tarik, Sebastian Suave, Tyler Thomas. Some of the men wrestled him more than once and there was minimal resting between matches within the gauntlet. In addition to the three hour gauntlet match, Tarik came down for one more shot at Hero following the final bell to offer Hero $180 for charity to go ten more minutes with him because he wanted to prove he could beat Hero. They had three matches in approximately four minutes which involved Tarik knocking Hero out with the belt to accomplish three wins.
As mentioned matches were all listed from pre-WWII results. There were many sixty minute matches and a fair few ninety minute matches through-out the territory days. If there are any unusually long matches from that time period or missing from the time period covered you can leave us a message on our Facebook Group or e-mail us at contactus@prowrestlinghistoricalsociety.com.
Larry King has pointed out to me since the posting of this article that Dory Funk Sr. and "Iron" Mike Dibiase went three hours and ten minutes to a draw. It was a Texas death match that was eventually stopped by Kirby Suggs of the Texas Athletic Commission at 1 A.M. rendering it a curfew draw which meant that Funk retained his North American Championship.
Dave Newman nudged me in the direction of the Chris Hero (Kassius Ohno) infinity gauntlet match. Hero wrestled for three hours for the Benefit of ALS Canada against the following opponents: Rip Impact, Facade, Jason Kincaid, Brent Banks, Rich Swann, Tarik, Sebastian Suave, Tyler Thomas. Some of the men wrestled him more than once and there was minimal resting between matches within the gauntlet. In addition to the three hour gauntlet match, Tarik came down for one more shot at Hero following the final bell to offer Hero $180 for charity to go ten more minutes with him because he wanted to prove he could beat Hero. They had three matches in approximately four minutes which involved Tarik knocking Hero out with the belt to accomplish three wins.
As mentioned matches were all listed from pre-WWII results. There were many sixty minute matches and a fair few ninety minute matches through-out the territory days. If there are any unusually long matches from that time period or missing from the time period covered you can leave us a message on our Facebook Group or e-mail us at contactus@prowrestlinghistoricalsociety.com.
Other articles by Jimmy can be Read Here.