Joe Acton
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According to the United States branch of the Snake Pit Acton was born on March 8, 1852. He was born in Lincoln, Lancashire, England - The home of Catch-as-Catch-Can wrestling. Not too much is known about his early career, it is said he defeated Edwin Bibby five out of nine times before going to America in late 1881.
He was paired to match Edwin Bibby for the first time in America for the first time on August 7, 1882. In a match where Bibby was billed as the American champion and Acton as the English champion. Acton came out on top winning two falls to one in just over 45 minutes, he was dubbed the World Catch-as-Catch-Can Champion, it is disputed as to whether this actually counts as a true world heavyweight championship though. Only 300 people witnessed the bout.
Acton managed to be a long reigning champion, but his drawing power was not the best. Catch-as-Catch-Can was still not really sold to the wrestling fans. William Muldoon was still at the height of his popularity and Acton was somewhat left in Muldoon's shadow. His reign would end up lasting all the way until April 1887 nearly five full years.
His opponent was 'the Strangler' Evan Lewis at the Chicago Battery D Armory. Lewis defeated Acton three falls to one. That was practically the end of Acton's active career. He wrestled a couple of matches afterward but would retire within two years. At first he moved down to San Francisco in 1889 where he was appointed the wrestling expert at the prestigious Olympic Club. For eight years he stayed there, with a side business of growing wine.
At the end of the eight years he moved up to Portland where he was a trainer at the Multnomah Athletic Club. He stayed there for a number of years training the next generation of wrestlers. When he left he became a bridge tender before getting a job on the Lionel Webster ferryboat where he worked right up to his death. He passed away from paralysis on June 26, 1917.
In his obituary his listed as having wins over the following men; Joseph Pizy, Jim Jewell, Billy Knight, Jack Ashert, Johnny Knuttle, Lidger Looney, William Petty, and Miles Sweeney. Acton certainly earned his place in history; it is just a shame so much of his early career is currently unknown of.
According to the United States branch of the Snake Pit Acton was born on March 8, 1852. He was born in Lincoln, Lancashire, England - The home of Catch-as-Catch-Can wrestling. Not too much is known about his early career, it is said he defeated Edwin Bibby five out of nine times before going to America in late 1881.
He was paired to match Edwin Bibby for the first time in America for the first time on August 7, 1882. In a match where Bibby was billed as the American champion and Acton as the English champion. Acton came out on top winning two falls to one in just over 45 minutes, he was dubbed the World Catch-as-Catch-Can Champion, it is disputed as to whether this actually counts as a true world heavyweight championship though. Only 300 people witnessed the bout.
Acton managed to be a long reigning champion, but his drawing power was not the best. Catch-as-Catch-Can was still not really sold to the wrestling fans. William Muldoon was still at the height of his popularity and Acton was somewhat left in Muldoon's shadow. His reign would end up lasting all the way until April 1887 nearly five full years.
His opponent was 'the Strangler' Evan Lewis at the Chicago Battery D Armory. Lewis defeated Acton three falls to one. That was practically the end of Acton's active career. He wrestled a couple of matches afterward but would retire within two years. At first he moved down to San Francisco in 1889 where he was appointed the wrestling expert at the prestigious Olympic Club. For eight years he stayed there, with a side business of growing wine.
At the end of the eight years he moved up to Portland where he was a trainer at the Multnomah Athletic Club. He stayed there for a number of years training the next generation of wrestlers. When he left he became a bridge tender before getting a job on the Lionel Webster ferryboat where he worked right up to his death. He passed away from paralysis on June 26, 1917.
In his obituary his listed as having wins over the following men; Joseph Pizy, Jim Jewell, Billy Knight, Jack Ashert, Johnny Knuttle, Lidger Looney, William Petty, and Miles Sweeney. Acton certainly earned his place in history; it is just a shame so much of his early career is currently unknown of.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Biography of Joe Acton.
Author: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: July 2014.
Biography: #4.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Updated: June 13, 2019.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Biography of Joe Acton.
Author: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: July 2014.
Biography: #4.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Updated: June 13, 2019.