Author
Chapter Two: Mark Hewitt - The Wild and Wooly Antics of Pro-Wrestling
#PWHS #Interview #MarkHewitt #ProWrestling #Wrestling #CACC #CatchWrestling #CatchAsCatchCan #WWE #CWC
Karl & Le Von Hess with Mark Hewitt in 1999
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Question 1
Can you describe your latest project?
Answer
I always have about five things on the fire at any given time with a few more sitting on the back burners. One of my biggest current projects is documenting the life and times of Joe Turner and the pro wrestling scene in Washington DC 1900-1930's. For many years, Turner claimed the world middleweight championship and proudly held his Police Gazette trophy belt. In addition to his stellar mat career, Turner was one of the major promoters of his day. His promotion was bought out by Jess McMahon and Toots Mondt and became the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, which in turn became today's WWE.
Another area of never-ending fascination and research is the history of mixed-style matches-wrestler versus boxer, western wrestler versus Japanese martial artist, boxer versus kickboxer. etc. Lastly, one other ongoing area of research is the old-time carnival athletic shows with their take-on-all-comers wrestlers and boxers.
Question 2
Which stories from your first two books (Catch Wrestling, Catch Wrestling Round Two) particularly resonated with you?
Answer
Charles Olson's no-holds-barred contest with Prof. Ono in Asheville, NC in 1905; and the catch wrestling showdown between John Pesek and Nat Pendleton in Boston in 1923.
Question 3
Can you describe your research process?
Answer
Newspaper and magazine research. Thankfully, the internet has made that source of research so much easier. One can now sit in their living room and access newspaper archives from around the world. Another important tool is interviewing old-time wrestlers and/or their families. There was a loose network of us crazy researchers, including the late J Michael Kenyon, Don Luce and Steve Yohe and we corresponded by phone and mail sharing and discussing our research and trying to make some sense of all the wild and wooly antics of pro wrestling's early days. Of course, email made all this much simpler and a whole host of eager and competent researchers have joined the party.
Question 4
Who are your greatest influences?
Answer
Greatest influences: In life, I am thankful to God and all His blessings first and foremost. My maternal grandfather Colonel Caesar Aiello and an uncle Nic Cartagena, both made lasting impressions on me with their zest for life and dedication to family. My parents instilled in me a strong work ethic and the concept of personal responsibility. As to wrestling, the aforementioned Luce and Kenyon helped both guide and encourage me. Karl and Le Von Hess and the Tigerman's daughter Mary Lee Pesek were great sources of inspiration to my research and are truly missed.
Julie Hankinson
Thank you for your time, Mark.
For anyone who is interested in the first two books released by Mr. Hewitt, he is hopeful they will be republished in the very near future. We'll keep you all informed on how that pans out.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Interview with Mark Hewitt.
Interviewer: Julie Hankinson.
Published: September 11, 2019.
Author Interview: #2.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Interview with Mark Hewitt.
Interviewer: Julie Hankinson.
Published: September 11, 2019.
Author Interview: #2.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Other interviews on the #PWHS website can be Read Here.