Loss

American Classics #11 (02:14:59) Matches from March-April 1951 HANS SCHNABEL & FRITZ SCHNABEL vs EL HOMBRE MONTANA & RAMON CERNADES (03/30/1951; NWA Chicago; 00:38:28) KILLER KOWALSKI vs PETE MANAGOFF (03/30/1951; NWA Chicago; 00:15:01) LOU THESZ vs MIGHTY ATLAS (03/30/1951; NWA Chicago; 00:26:36) GORGEOUS GEORGE vs JESSE JAMES (04/09/1951; NWA Los Angeles; 00:24:07) GYPSY JOE vs LEON KIRILENKO (04/20/1951; NWA Chicago; 00:12:06) DONN LEWIN vs GINO GARIBALDI (04/30/1951; NWA Los Angeles; 00:18:41)

American Classics #10 (02:12:58) Matches from January-February 1951 EL HOMBRE MONTANA & RAMON CERNADES vs AL WILLIAMS & RUDY KAY (01/05/1951; NWA Chicago; 00:27:15) MIGHTY ATLAS vs CHIEF DON EAGLE (01/05/1951; NWA Chicago; 00:27:21) LOU THESZ vs BUDDY ROGERS (01/26/1951; NWA Chicago; 00:51:08) DAVE LEVIN & LORD JAMES BLEARS vs TONY MORELLI & ANGELO CISTOLDI (02/05/1951; NWA Los Angeles; 00:27:14)

History of Pro Wrestling #6 (04:15:48) Matches from January-May 1951 EL HOMBRE MONTANA & RAMON CERNADES vs AL WILLIAMS & RUDY KAY (01/05/1951; NWA Chicago; 00:27:15) MIGHTY ATLAS vs CHIEF DON EAGLE (01/05/1951; NWA Chicago; 00:27:21) LOU THESZ vs BUDDY ROGERS (01/26/1951; NWA Chicago; 00:51:08) Pretty disappointing compared to other Thesz matches at the time. DAVE LEVIN & LORD JAMES BLEARS vs TONY MORELLI & ANGELO CISTOLDI (02/05/1951; NWA Los Angeles; 00:27:14) HANS SCHNABEL & FRITZ SCHNABEL vs EL HOMBRE MONTANA & RAMON CERNADES (03/30/1951; NWA Chicago; 00:38:28) KILLER KOWALSKI vs PETE MANAGOFF (03/30/1951; NWA Chicago; 00:15:01) LOU THESZ vs MIGHTY ATLAS (03/30/1951; NWA Chicago; 00:26:36) GORGEOUS GEORGE vs JESSE JAMES (04/09/1951; NWA Los Angeles; 00:24:07) Comedy wrestling fans will find plenty to enjoy here. GYPSY JOE vs LEON KIRILENKO (04/20/1951; NWA Chicago; 00:12:06) This is not the same Gypsy Joe that has also been around forever. DONN LEWIN vs LEO GARIBALDI (04/30/1951; NWA Los Angeles; 00:18:41) The writers Segunda Caida called this mat clinic their 1951 Match of the Year. 4 1/2*** LEO GARIBALDI vs BILLY MCDANIEL (05/23/1951; NWA Los Angeles; 00:17:51)

American Classics #9 (02:05:36) Matches from December 1950-January 1951 ENRIQUE TORRES vs TED CHRISTY (12/28/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:28:38) ACE FREEMAN vs BILLY VARGA (1950; NWA Los Angeles; 00:16:41) DANNY MCSHAIN vs GINO GARIBALDI (1950; NWA Los Angeles; 00:22:36) GORGEOUS GEORGE vs LARRY MOQUIN (1950; NWA Los Angeles; 00:12:05) SANDOR SZABO vs ROGER MACKAY (1950; 00:21:26) BUDDY ROGERS vs CYCLONE ANAYA (01/05/1951; NWA Chicago; 00:28:10)

American Classics #8 (02:15:51) Matches from September-November 1950 BOB GEIGEL vs BUCK WEAVER (09/09/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:13:14) BOBO BROWN vs JOHNNY BALBO (09/09/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:13:16) ROY MCCLARITY & JACK GUY vs KIMON KUDO & WALTER ACHIU (09/13/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:19:50) LORD JAMES BLEARS vs IVAN THE TERRIBLE (09/27/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:13:39) LOU THESZ vs WALTER PALMER (10/10/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:15:58) VERNE GAGNE vs BILLY GOELZ (10/10/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:15:13) GORGEOUS GEORGE vs HANS SCHMIDT (11/03/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:21:31) MIGHTY ATLAS vs MR. MOTO (11/03/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:23:10)

History of Pro Wrestling #5 (04:17:11) Matches from September 1950-January 1951 BOB GEIGEL vs BUCK WEAVER (09/09/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:13:14) Some interesting technique in this one. BOZO BROWN vs JOHNNY BALBO (09/09/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:13:16) Bozo the Clown was also a Chicago original, which now has me wondering (a) which came first and (b) if one influenced the other. Would love to hear any information that anyone might have on this. ROY MCCLARITY & JACK GUY vs KIMON KUDO & WALTER ACHIU (09/13/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:19:50) LORD JAMES BLEARS vs IVAN THE TERRIBLE (09/27/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:13:39) Ivan also wrestled as Cowboy Rocky Lee and Don Lee. LOU THESZ vs WALTER PALMER (10/10/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:15:58) VERNE GAGNE vs BILLY GOELZ (10/10/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:15:13) GORGEOUS GEORGE vs HANS SCHNABEL (11/03/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:21:31) Effective showcase for George here, working Schnabel into a frenzy and winning the match by DQ. MIGHTY ATLAS vs MR. MOTO (11/03/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:23:10) Match goes to a 20-minute time-limit draw. ENRIQUE TORRES vs TED CHRISTY (12/28/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:28:38) You might recognize the ring announcer as Jules Strongbow. FRANK SEXTON vs YVAR MARTINSON (1950; French Catch; 00:01:44) Sexton defends the original AWA World Heavyweight title, which he did throughout Europe at the time. Some pretty advanced wrestling for the time, as Martinson does a surfboard and Sexton breaks out a giant swing! ACE FREEMAN vs BILLY VARGA (1950; NWA Los Angeles; 00:16:41) DANNY MCSHAIN vs GINO GARIBALDI (1950; NWA Los Angeles; 00:22:36) Your mileage may vary on this one but I thought they knocked it out of the park. A really incredible mix of fast-paced mat wrestling and intense brawling with a fight over even the smallest moments of dominance. Genuinely one of my favorite matches of the 1950s. It’s kind of amazing that they could maintain this level of intensity for 20 minutes. 5*** GORGEOUS GEORGE vs LARRY MOQUIN (1950; NWA Los Angeles; 00:12:05) SANDOR SZABO vs ROGER MACKAY (1950; 00:21:26) BUDDY ROGERS vs CYCLONE ANAYA (01/05/1951; NWA Chicago; 00:28:10) Rogers hits what is probably the oldest piledriver on tape in this 3 3/4*** match. Thanks to Superstar Sleeze for the star ratings, except for McShain-Garibaldi, which was all me. Sleeze’s blog is highly recommended.

WON HOF Series: Gorgeous George #1 (02:07:14) Matches from 1946-1950 GORGEOUS GEORGE vs BUDDY ROGERS (04/1946; 00:03:07) GORGEOUS GEORGE vs LARRY MOQUIN (11/26/1947; 00:06:25) GORGEOUS GEORGE vs PETE PETERSON (10/20/1948; Promotions Eddie Quinn; Montreal, Quebec; 00:00:48) GORGEOUS GEORGE vs FRANKIE TALABAR (04/14/1950; NWA Chicago; 01:00:19) GORGEOUS GEORGE vs CYCLONE ANAYA (05/23/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:36:11) GORGEOUS GEORGE vs CHIEF DON EAGLE (05/26/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:20:24)

American Classics #7 (02:01:20) Matches from April-June 1950 GREAT MOTO vs IVAN RASPUTIN (04/14/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:17:37) CHIEF DON EAGLE vs WALTER PALMER (04/28/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:19:15) VERNE GAGNE & BOBBY BRUNS vs RUDY KAY & AL WILLIAMS (05/12/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:29:48) GORGEOUS GEORGE vs CYCLONE ANAYA (05/23/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:36:11) VERNE GAGNE VS BILLY GOELZ (06/21/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:18:29)

American Classics #6 (02:03:56) Matches from March-April 1950 WILBUR SNYDER vs WARREN BOCKWINKEL (03/04/1950; (NWA Chicago; 00:07:53) LOU THESZ vs RUFFY SILVERSTEIN (03/17/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:27:41) BUDDY ROGERS vs ANTONINO ROCCA (03/27/1950; Cleveland, OH, 00:01:33) FRITZ SCHNABEL vs BENITO GARDINI (04/14/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:26:30) GORGEOUS GEORGE vs FRANKIE TALABAR (04/14/1950; NWA Chicago; 01:00:19)

History of Pro Wrestling #4 (04:15:40) Matches from March-June 1950 WILBUR SNYDER vs WARREN BOCKWINKEL 03/04/1950; (NWA Chicago; 00:07:53) Yes, Warren is Nick’s dad. He’s not someone for whom we have a lot of footage. LOU THESZ vs RUFFY SILVERSTEIN (03/17/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:27:41) Look for Dick York (the original Darren from Bewitched) at ringside, with 1948 Republican nominee for President Thomas Dewey and actual President Lyndon B. Johnson sitting on either side of him. Silverstein was apparently a shooter and Thesz always felt like he needed to stay guarded with him, but was proud of their matches together. Excellent match! 4 1/4*** BUDDY ROGERS vs ANTONINO ROCCA (03/27/1950; Cleveland, OH, 00:01:33) Brief clip of what was billed locally at the time as the “Match of the Century”, for an advertised $10,000 purse. This thread has more information on this match and rematch that probably happened but one where we are missing results. FRITZ SCHNABEL vs BENITO GARDINI (04/14/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:26:30) GORGEOUS GEORGE vs FRANKIE TALABAR (04/14/1950; NWA Chicago; 01:00:19) Talabar was a pretty big regional star in the Midwest. Gorgeous George looks great here, showing that even if you set aside the gaga around his act, he could wrestle. GREAT MOTO vs IVAN RASPUTIN (04/14/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:17:37) There is some good work worth seeing here, but this is on the slow side even by the standards of the time. CHIEF DON EAGLE vs WALTER PALMER (04/28/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:19:15) VERNE GAGNE & BOBBY BRUNS vs RUDY KAY & AL WILLIAMS (05/12/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:29:48) GORGEOUS GEORGE vs CYCLONE ANAYA (05/23/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:36:11) Starts slow but turns into a really good match. 3 1/4*** GORGEOUS GEORGE vs CHIEF DON EAGLE (05/26/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:20:24) Some interesting information in this thread about how this match was to set up a George-Thesz match that ended up not happening. VERNE GAGNE vs BILLY GOELZ (06/21/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:18:29) Gagne looks fantastic here! An incredible technical wrestling clinic. 4 1/2*** Thanks to Superstar Sleeze for the star ratings. His blog is highly recommended.

WON HOF Series: Ed Don George (00:38:40) Matches from 1931-1937 ED DON GEORGE vs JACK WAGNER (01/09/1931; Chicago, IL; 00:18:49) ED DON GEORGE vs HENRI DEGLANE (01/21/1931; Daro Inc; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:17) ED DON GEORGE vs EVERETT MARSHALL (03/04/1931; Daro Inc; Los Angeles, CA; 00:14:43) ED DON GEORGE vs ED STRANGLER LEWIS (04/13/1931; Daro Inc; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:22) ED DON GEORGE vs DANNO O'MAHONEY (12/16/1935; MSG; New York, NY; 00:00:57) ED DON GEORGE vs HENRI DEGLANE (03/08/1937; Paris, France; 00:01:35)

WON HOF Series: Jim Londos (02:00:49) Matches from 1930-1950 JIM LONDOS vs DICK SHIKAT (06/06/1930; Ray Fabiani Sports; Philadelphia, PA; 00:18:30) JIM LONDOS vs LEO GARIBALDI (11/17/1930; Jack Curley Promotions New York, NY; 00:01:32) JIM LONDOS vs MIKE ROMANO (12/15/1930; Chicago, IL; 00:01:46) JIM LONDOS vs JIM MCMILLEN (01/26/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:04) JIM LONDOS vs RENATO GARDINI (03/19/1931; Detroit, MI; 00:01:32) JIM LONDOS vs HERB FREEMAN (03/23/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:41) JIM LONDOS vs RAY STEELE (05/01/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:57) JIM LONDOS vs RAY STEELE (06/29/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:44) JIM LONDOS vs MATROS KIRILENKO (11/02/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:39) JIM LONDOS vs GINO GARIBALDI (11/19/1931; 00:05:05) JIM LONDOS vs MATROS KIRILENKO (12/01/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; Washington, DC; 00:01:46) JIM LONDOS vs RAY STEELE (12/21/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:02:03) JIM LONDOS vs ABE COLEMAN | JIM LONDOS vs OKI SHIKINA (1931; 00:02:58) JIM LONDOS vs SAMMY STEIN (01/25/1932; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:14) JIM LONDOS vs RUDY DUSEK (02/11/1932; Chicago, IL; 00:01:49) JIM LONDOS vs JIM MCMILLEN (02/15/1932; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:41) JIM LONDOS vs PAUL JONES (03/02/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:24) JIM LONDOS vs ABE COLEMAN (05/25/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:16) JIM LONDOS vs KARL SARPOLIS (07/12/1932; San Francisco, CA; 00:04:56) JIM LONDOS vs RAY STEELE (07/18/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:08:09) JIM LONDOS vs JOE SAVOLDI (08/31/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:21) JIM LONDOS vs JOE STETCHER | ERNIE DUSEK vs GINO GARIBALDI (10/28/1932; Philadelphia, PA; 00:01:39) JIM LONDOS vs GEORGE ZAHARIAS (12/14/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:22) JIM LONDOS vs RAY STEELE (1932; Italy; 00:01:59) JIM LONDOS vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER-FLOATING RING (1932; Miami Beach, FL; 00:00:54) JIM LONDOS vs ABE COLEMAN (01/11/1933; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:57) JIM LONDOS vs RAY STEELE (02/08/1933; Los Angeles, CA; 00:02:02) JIM LONDOS vs OKI SHIKINA (02/22/1933; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:19) JIM LONDOS vs KOLA KWARIANI (10/22/1933; Athens, Greece; 00:04:39) JIM LONDOS vs JIM MCMILLEN (11/22/1933; Chicago, IL; 00:00:46) JIM LONDOS vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER (1933; 00:00:23) JIM LONDOS vs JIM BROWNING (06/25/1934; Long Island, NY; 00:04:19) JIM LONDOS vs GEORGE ZARYNOFF (08/13/1934; San Francisco, CA; 00:00:45) JIM LONDOS vs ED STRANGLER LEWIS (09/20/1934; Chicago, IL; 00:00:45) JIM LONDOS vs EVERETT MARSHALL (11/19/1934; MSG; New York, NY; 00:02:00) JIM LONDOS vs MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN (01/09/1935; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:11) JIM LONDOS vs DANNO O'MAHONEY (06/27/1935; AWA Boston, MA; 00:00:27) JIM LONDOS vs GEORGE PENCHEFF (10/26/1937; London, England; 00:01:09) JIM LONDOS vs JIM MCMILLEN (03/08/1938; 00:01:09) JIM LONDOS vs BRONCO NAGURSKI (11/18/1938; Philadelphia, PA; 00:14:35) JIM LONDOS vs PRIMO CARNERA (02/03/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:13:34)

WON HOF Series: Gus Sonnenberg (01:28:52) Matches from 1928-1938 GUS SONNENBERG vs ED STRANGLER LEWIS (06/30/1928; AWA Boston, MA; 00:02:56) GUS SONNENBERG vs ED STRANGLER LEWIS (01/04/1929; AWA Boston, MA; 00:00:22) GUS SONNENBERG vs HOWARD CANTONWINE (02/03/1929; AWA Boston, MA;; 00:07:30) GUS SONNENBERG vs JOE MALCEWICZ (03/15/1929; AWA Boston, MA; 00:14:20) GUS SONNENBERG vs MARIN PLESTINA (05/28/1929; AWA Boston, MA; 00:02:19) GUS SONNENBERG vs BOB MCCOY (01/09/1930; AWA Boston, MA; 00:02:10) GUS SONNENBERG vs JOE STETCHER (01/30/1930; AWA Boston, MA; 00:01:11) GUS SONNENBERG vs COUNT ZARYNOFF (04/24/1930; AWA Boston, MA; 00:21:02) GUS SONNENBERG vs HENRI DEGLANE (05/22/1930; AWA Boston, MA; 00:07:02) GUS SONNENBERG vs JACK GANSON (03/08/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:07:24) GUS SONNENBERG vs ABE COLEMAN (08/19/1931; Daro Inc; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:14) GUS SONNENBERG vs WONG BOCK CHEUNG (08/25/1934; Sydney, Australia; 00:06:02) GUS SONNENBERG vs BRONCO NAGURSKI (08/03/1838; Los Angeles, CA; 00:15:20)

SoCal Classics #1 (02:08:44) Matches from 1931-1939 ED DON GEORGE vs HENRI DEGLANE (01/21/1931; Daro Inc; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:17) ED DON GEORGE vs EVERETT MARSHALL (03/04/1931; Daro Inc; Los Angeles, CA; 00:14:43) ED STRANGLER LEWIS vs ED DON GEORGE (04/13/1931; Daro Inc; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:22) GUS SONNENBERG vs ABE COLEMAN (08/19/1931; Daro Inc; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:14) JIM LONDOS vs PAUL JONES (03/02/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:24) FRITZ KLEY vs SANDOR SZABO (04/04/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:02:04) JIM LONDOS vs ABE COLEMAN (05/25/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:16) DICK DAVISCOURT vs ABE COLEMAN | RAY STEELE vs VIC CHRISTY (06/08/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:16:54) JIM LONDOS vs RAY STEELE (07/18/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:08:09) JIM LONDOS vs JOE SAVOLDI (08/31/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:21) GEORGE ZAHARIAS vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER (12/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:15) JIM LONDOS vs ABE COLEMAN (01/11/1933; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:57) JIM LONDOS vs RAY STEELE (02/08/1933; Los Angeles, CA; 00:02:02) JIM LONDOS vs OKI SHIKINA (02/22/1933; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:19) ED STRANGLER LEWIS vs JIM BROWNING (06/07/1933; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:31) SAMMY STEIN vs JIM BROWNING (06/28/1933; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:37) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs GEORGE ZAHARIAS (08/15/1934; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:40) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs HOWARD CANTONWINE (09/12/1934; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:56) JOE SAVOLDI vs MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN (09/26/1934; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:58) JIM LONDOS vs MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN (01/09/1935; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:11) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER (09/21/1935; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:56) ERNIE DUSEK vs GEORGE ZAHARIAS (10/14/1935; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:39) TINY ROEBUCK vs RAUL MATAN (04/08/1936; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:27) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs HOWARD CANTONWINE (05/13/1936; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:33) BRONCO NAGURSKI vs VINCENT LOPEZ (08/11/1937; Los Angeles, CA; 00:11:16) NICK LUTZE vs PIO PICO-BOXER vs WRESTLER (08/11/1937; Los Angeles, CA; 00:02:52) BATTLE ROYAL (03/10/1938; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:42) GUS SONNENBERG vs BRONCO NAGURSKI (08/03/1838; Los Angeles, CA; 00:15:20) DUTCH SMITH vs BILL LEWIN-UNDERWATER WRESTLING (01/23/1939; Palm Springs, CA; 00:01:03) ALI BABA vs RED BRANNIGAN (10/11/1939; Los Angeles, CA; 00:05:00) VIC HILL VS JACK GACEK (10/11/1939; Los Angeles, CA; 00:06:10) DR. JOHN DROPKICK MURPHY & NICK LUTZE VS LAVERNE BAXTER & HARDBOILED HAGGERTY (1939; Los Angeles, CA; 00:08:57) NICK LUTZE & TINY ROEBUCK vs VINCENT LOPEZ & EL PULPO-TORNADO ELIMINATION (1939; Los Angeles, CA; 00:10:19)

American Classics #5 (01:58:37) Matches from 1940-1950 MAURICE TILLET vs JERRY MONOHAN (03/07/1940; 00:01:02) GOLDEN TERROR vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER (04/01/1940; 00:00:48) BOBBY MANAGOFF vs ERNIE DUSEK (04/17/1940; AWA Boston, MA; 00:01:00) OTTO VAN SCHACHT vs BOBBY BRUNS | SWEDISH ANGEL vs JUAN OLAGUIVEL (05/13/1940; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:15) FRENCH ANGEL vs LEN MACALUSO (10/09/1940; Hammond, IN; 00:01:35) MARVIN WESTENBERG vs JOE COX (01/01/1941; AWA Boston, MA; 00:00:57) MARTIN LEVY vs BOBBY BRUNS (03/27/1941; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:57) MILDRED BURKE vs PATSY MILLER (04/03/1941; 0:01:20) ACE FREEMAN vs BILLY VENABLE | BILLY RABURN vs JACK HAGEN (1941; 00:10:15) DEAN DETTON vs RICK RAINES (1941; 00:06:24) WILD RED BERRY vs YUKON JAKE (1941; 00:07:52) MARTIN LEVY vs PIERRE DEGLANE | MUSTAP HA HAMID vs KING KONG MARSHALL (01/05/1942; Washington, DC; 00:01:32) ASH MAHONEY vs HERMAN RODHE (1943; 00:04:59) BABE SHARKEY vs DON EVANS (1943; 00:04:47) BUDDY ROGERS vs GORGEOUS GEORGE (04/1946; 00:03:07) BERT ASSIRATI vs GEORGE GREGORY (1946; 00:00:39) BUTCHER BUKOVAC vs JACKKNIFE JOHNSON (1946; 00:01:13) REX GALLE vs BEN VILLE (1946; 00:00:54) MILDRED BURKE vs MAE WESTON (03/20/1947; AWA Boston, MA; 00:07:09) GORGEOUS GEORGE vs LARRY MOQUIN (11/26/1947; 00:06:25) DUSEK BROTHERS vs LARRY MOQUIN-WHIPPER WATSON (1948; 00:01:19) LEE HENNIG & BILL LONGSON & RAY ECKERT vs PETE PETERSON & YVON ROBERT & LARRY MOQUIN (1948; 00:09:32) SKY LOW LOW & LORD LITTLEBROOK vs IVAN THE TERRIBLE & COWBOY BOB BRADLEY (1949; 00:09:43) WILD RED BERRY vs ANGELO MARTINELLI (1949; 00:06:57) ANTONINO ROCCA vs BENITO GARDINI (02/03/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:08:18) GENE STANLEE vs KOLA KWARIANI (02/03/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:07:57)

American Classics #4 (02:09:51) Matches from 1936-1940 5-MAN BATTLE ROYAL (1936; Lake Worth, FL; 00:01:21) BLINDFOLD BATTLE ROYAL (1936; Lake Worth, FL; 00:01:18) BATTLE ROYAL (01/13/1937; Lake Worth, FL; 00:01:51) MARTIN LEVY vs FITZPATRICK COHEN (02/04/1937; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:08) WEE WILLIE DAVIS vs LAVERNE BAXTER (04/15/1937; Washington, DC; 00:01:20) CLARA MORTENSEN vs RITA BAKER (04/26/1937; Washington, DC; 00:01:16) BRONCO NAGURSKI vs VINCENT LOPEZ (08/11/1937; Los Angeles, CA; 00:11:16) NICK LUTZE vs PIO PICO-BOXER vs WRESTLER (08/11/1937; Los Angeles, CA; 00:02:52) CLARA MORTENSEN vs DOLORES GONZALES (09/1937; San Antonio, TX; 00:01:34) CARL VON ZUPPE vs PIETRO MARCONI (09/15/1937; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:36) SANDOR SZABO vs PRINCE BHU PINDER-MUD WRESTLING (10/05/1937; San Francisco, CA; 00:00:54) BATTLE ROYAL (01/18/1938; Richmond, VA; 00:01:19) JIM LONDOS vs JIM MCMILLEN (03/08/1938; 00:01:09) BATTLE ROYAL (03/10/1938; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:42) BATTLE ROYAL (03/21/1938; Lake Worth, FL; 00:00:45) UNKNOWN WRESTLER vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER (04/13/1938; Hippodrome Theater; New York, NY; 00:01:12) JESSE JAMES vs KIMON KUDO (04/25/1938; MSG; New York, NY; 00:00:57) BATTLE ROYAL (05/30/1938; USA; 00:01:14) DANNO MAHONEY vs WLADYSLAW TALUN (07/29/1938; Buffalo, NY; 00:00:54) GUS SONNENBERG vs BRONCO NAGURSKI (08/03/1838; Los Angeles, CA; 00:15:20) FRANK BROWN vs GOLDEN TERROR (11/18/1938; Philadelphia, PA; 00:03:01) JIM LONDOS vs BRONCO NAGURSKI (11/18/1938; Philadelphia, PA; 00:14:35) CLARA MORTENSEN vs RITA MARTINEZ (1938; 00:09:10) DUTCH SMITH vs BILL LEWIN-UNDERWATER WRESTLING (01/23/1939; Palm Springs, CA; 00:01:03) ALI BABA vs RED BRANNIGAN (10/11/1939; Los Angeles, CA; 00:05:00) VIC HILL VS JACK GACEK (10/11/1939; Los Angeles, CA; 00:06:10) COWBOY KARL DAVIS vs TERRY MCGINNIS (10/25/1939; 00:08:40) DR. JOHN DROPKICK MURPHY & NICK LUTZE VS LAVERNE BAXTER & HARDBOILED HAGGERTY (1939; Los Angeles, CA; 00:08:57) NICK LUTZE & TINY ROEBUCK vs VINCENT LOPEZ & EL PULPO-TORNADO ELIMINATION (1939; Los Angeles, CA; 00:10:19) RAW FISH BATTLE ROYAL (1939; USA; 00:01:10) PAUL BOESCH vs DICK SHIKAT | PAUL BOESCH vs JACK SHERRY (1930s; 00:03:12) BATTLE ROYAL (1930s; 00:04:50) TOMATO BATTLE ROYAL (01/08/1940; 00:00:47) FRENCH ANGEL vs LUIGI BACIGALUPI (01/24/1940; AWA Boston, MA; 00:00:44) MAURICE TILLET vs JOE COX (02/24/1940; Brooklyn, NY; 00:01:18)

History of Pro Wrestling #3 (04:19:53) Matches from 1938-1950 JESSE JAMES vs KIMON KUDO (04/25/1938; MSG; New York, NY; 00:00:57) BATTLE ROYAL (05/30/1938; USA; 00:01:14) RAY STEELE vs RUDY DALITZI (06/20/1938; Sydney, Australia; 00:01:37) Ray Steele debuts in Australia at Sydney Stadium. This thread includes some excerpts of newspaper reports of the match. SAMMY STEIN vs PAUL JONES (07/25/1938; Sydney, Australia; 00:01:04) DANNO O’MAHONEY vs WLADYSLAW TALUN (07/29/1938; Buffalo, NY; 00:00:54) GUS SONNENBERG vs BRONCO NAGURSKI (08/03/1838; Los Angeles, CA; 00:15:20) PAT O’SHOCKER vs BROTHER JONATHAN (08/15/1938; Sydney, Australia; 00:00:59) Brother Jonathan drew record houses in Sydney, as explained in this article. FRANK BROWN vs GOLDEN TERROR (11/18/1938; Philadelphia, PA; 00:03:01) JIM LONDOS vs BRONCO NAGURSKI (11/18/1938; Philadelphia, PA; 00:14:35) GREAT MATCH! If you’re looking for great matches for which we have a decent amount of footage, this is probably the earliest example. BILLY MEESKE vs PAT GALLAGHER-MUD WRESTLING (12/15/1938; Sydney, Australia; 00:01:02) The card, which was a combination of this mud wrestling match and “midget car racing”, drew a horrendous crowd of only a few hundred people. There are some newspaper article excerpts in this thread. CHICK KNIGHT vs BILLY WELLS-WRESTLER vs BOXER (12/16/1938; London, England; 00:00:24) ALI BABA vs DICK LEVER (1938; 00:03:17) CLARA MORTENSEN vs RITA MARTINEZ (1938; 00:09:10) DUTCH SMITH vs BILL LEWIN-UNDERWATER WRESTLING (01/23/1939; Palm Springs, CA; 00:01:03) The match takes place at the Mirador Hotel. Oh, wrestling. BILLY HANSON vs ANDY MOEN (04/17/1939; Sydney, Australia; 00:01:19) GEORGE ZAHARIAS vs VIC CHRISTY (06/19/1939; Sydney, Australia; 00:01:13) This thread contains some excerpts of newspaper articles covering the match. ALI BABA vs RED BRANNIGAN (10/11/1939; Los Angeles, CA; 00:05:00) VIC HILL VS JACK GACEK (10/11/1939; Los Angeles, CA; 00:06:10) Watch Gacek apply an early version of the sharpshooter! JOSE SEVILLA vs KO KOVERLEY (10/18/1939; 00:04:35) This thread contains some interesting stories about Ko Koverley. COWBOY KARL DAVIS vs TERRY MCGINNIS (10/25/1939; 00:08:40) JOHNNY PARADISE vs TAMPLIN (10/30/1939; Australia; 00:00:58) KARL POJELLO vs CHARLES MANOOGIAN (11/29/1939; Genoa, Italy; 00:01:41) Some interesting information about Charles Manoogian here. DR. JOHN DROPKICK MURPHY & NICK LUTZE VS LAVERNE BAXTER & HARDBOILED HAGGERTY (1939; Los Angeles, CA; 00:08:57) Celtic punk band The Dropkick Murphys named themselves after the wrestler in this match. NICK LUTZE & TINY ROEBUCK vs VINCENT LOPEZ & EL PULPO-TORNADO ELIMINATION (1939; Los Angeles, CA; 00:10:19) RAW FISH BATTLE ROYAL (1939; USA; 00:01:10) IVAN MANAGOFF vs SERGEI KALMIKOFF (1930s; 00:01:49) PAUL BOESCH vs DICK SHIKAT | PAUL BOESCH vs JACK SHERRY (1930s; 00:03:12) Yes, the same Paul Boesch that went on to be the legendary promoter of Houston Wrestling. BATTLE ROYAL (1930s; 00:04:50) KAROL KRAUSER vs CHIEF BAMBA TABU (1930s; 00:01:24) OLGA BARANOFF vs HANKA KAVETZKA (1930s; 00:02:22) TOMATO BATTLE ROYAL (01/08/1940; 00:00:47) Just like it sounds. A battle royal with a ring filled with tomatoes. FRENCH ANGEL vs LUIGI BACIGALUPI (01/24/1940; AWA Boston, MA; 00:00:44) This is the debut match of Maurice Tillet, and because of his unique look, he immediately received coverage all over the country. MAURICE TILLET vs JOE COX (02/24/1940; Brooklyn, NY; 00:01:18) MAURICE TILLET vs JERRY MONOHAN (03/07/1940; 00:01:02) GOLDEN TERROR vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER (04/01/1940; 00:00:48) BOBBY MANAGOFF vs ERNIE DUSEK (04/17/1940; AWA Boston, MA; 00:01:00) OTTO VAN SCHACHT vs BOBBY BRUNS | SWEDISH ANGEL vs JUAN OLAGUIVEL (05/13/1940; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:15) JACK DEMPSEY vs COWBOY LUTTRELL (07/01/1940; Atlanta, GA; 00:09:19) The authenticity of this match/fight is heavily debated to this day. Here’s a great summary on the Classic Boxing Matches YouTube channel. FRENCH ANGEL vs LEN MACALUSO (10/09/1940; Hammond, IN; 00:01:35) MARVIN WESTENBERG vs JOE COX (01/01/1941; AWA Boston, MA; 00:00:57) MARTIN LEVY vs BOBBY BRUNS (03/27/1941; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:57) MILDRED BURKE vs PATSY MILLER (04/03/1941; 0:01:20) ACE FREEMAN vs BILLY VENABLE | BILLY RABURN vs JACK HAGEN (1941; 00:10:15) DEAN DETTON vs RICK RAINES (1941; 00:06:24) WILD RED BERRY vs YUKON JAKE (1941; 00:07:52) MARTIN LEVY vs PIERRE DEGLANE | MUSTAP HA HAMID vs KING KONG MARSHALL (01/05/1942; Washington, DC; 00:01:32) PRIMO CARNERA vs ERVIN SELZER (03/02/1942; Italy; 00:01:40) ASH MAHONEY vs HERMAN RODHE (1943; 00:04:59) Our first look at the legendary “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers, wrestling as Rodhe here, before he took on the persona that made him a star. BABE SHARKEY vs DON EVANS (1943; 00:04:47) MILDRED BURKE vs MAE WESTON (12/08/1944; Houston, TX; 00:02:29) This match happened in remarkable context, as it was part of the sixth war bond drive to fund World War II. The show did a staggering $20 million gate. There is more information about the match and show in the above thread. BUDDY ROGERS vs GORGEOUS GEORGE (04/1946; 00:03:07) BERT ASSIRATI vs GEORGE GREGORY (1946; 00:00:39) This site contains a program for the show. BUTCHER BUKOVAC vs JACKKNIFE JOHNSON (1946; 00:01:13) REX GALLE vs BEN VILLE (1946; 00:00:54) Great action in this short clip! MILDRED BURKE vs MAE WESTON (03/20/1947; AWA Boston, MA; 00:07:09) GORGEOUS GEORGE vs LARRY MOQUIN (11/26/1947; 00:06:25) GORGEOUS GEORGE vs PETE PETERSON (10/20/1948; Promotions Eddie Quinn; Montreal, Quebec; 00:00:48) DUSEK BROTHERS vs LARRY MOQUIN-WHIPPER WATSON (1948; 00:01:19) TEDDY BOYS vs GILBERT CESCA & RENE BEN CHEMOUL (1948; French Catch; 00:17:10) KILLER LETEUR vs HAIRY HESSLE (1948; 00:00:58) LEE HENNIG & BILL LONGSON & RAY ECKERT vs PETE PETERSON & YVON ROBERT & LARRY MOQUIN (1948; 00:09:32) SKY LOW LOW & LORD LITTLEBROOK vs IVAN THE TERRIBLE & COWBOY BOB BRADLEY (1949; 00:09:43) WILD RED BERRY vs ANGELO MARTINELLI (1949; 00:06:57) ANTONINO ROCCA vs BENITO GARDINI (02/03/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:08:18) GENE STANLEE vs KOLA KWARIANI (02/03/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:07:57) JIM LONDOS vs PRIMO CARNERA (02/03/1950; NWA Chicago; 00:13:34) These matches were on a show at Chicago Stadium that drew the biggest gate of the year.

WON HOF Series: Ed Strangler Lewis (00:30:32) Matches from 1928-1934 ED STRANGLER LEWIS vs GUS SONNENBERG (06/30/1928; AWA Boston, MA; 00:02:56) ED STRANGLER LEWIS vs GUS SONNENBERG (01/04/1929; AWA Boston, MA; 00:00:22) ED STRANGLER LEWIS vs MARIN PLESTINA (04/02/1930; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:36) ED STRANGLER LEWIS vs ED DON GEORGE (04/13/1931; Daro Inc; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:22) ED STRANGLER LEWIS vs DICK SHIKAT (06/09/1932; Long Island, NY; 00:20:19) ED STRANGLER LEWIS vs JOE SAVOLDI (05/22/1933; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:41) ED STRANGLER LEWIS vs JIM BROWNING (06/07/1933; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:31) ED STRANGLER LEWIS vs JIM LONDOS (09/20/1934; Chicago, IL; 00:00:45)

American Classics #3 (01:59:47) Matches from 1932-1936 FRITZ KLEY vs SAMMY STEIN (07/12/1932; Bronx, NY; 00:01:38) JIM LONDOS vs KARL SARPOLIS (07/12/1932; San Francisco, CA; 00:04:56) UNKNOWN WRESTLER vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER-UNDERWATER WRESTLING (07/13/1932; Silver Spring, FL; 00:00:55) JIM LONDOS vs RAY STEELE (07/18/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:08:09) JIM LONDOS vs JOE SAVOLDI (08/31/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:21) JIM LONDOS vs JOE STETCHER | ERNIE DUSEK vs GINO GARIBALDI (10/28/1932; Philadelphia, PA; 00:01:39) JIM LONDOS vs GEORGE ZAHARIAS (12/14/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:22) ABE COLEMAN vs LOU PLUMMER (12/28/1932; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:38) GEORGE ZAHARIAS vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER (12/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:15) JIM LONDOS vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER-FLOATING RING (1932; Miami Beach, FL; 00:00:54) JIM LONDOS vs ABE COLEMAN (01/11/1933; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:57) JIM LONDOS vs RAY STEELE (02/08/1933; Los Angeles, CA; 00:02:02) JIM LONDOS vs OKI SHIKINA (02/22/1933; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:19) ED STRANGLER LEWIS vs JOE SAVOLDI (05/22/1933; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:41) JERRY MONAHAN vs SOL SLAGEL (06/06/1933; Bronx, NY; 00:01:46) ED STRANGLER LEWIS vs JIM BROWNING (06/07/1933; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:31) SAMMY STEIN vs JIM BROWNING (06/28/1933; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:37) DICK SHIKAT vs JIM MCMILLEN (09/26/1933; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:43) JIM BROWNING vs JOE SAVOLDI (10/02/1933; MSG; New York, NY; 00:00:51) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs JOE SAVOLDI (11/20/1933; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:29) JIM LONDOS vs JIM MCMILLEN (11/22/1933; Chicago, IL; 00:00:46) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs ERNIE DUSEK (12/18/1933; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:27) JIM LONDOS vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER (1933; 00:00:23) GEORGE ROMANOFF vs JACK ADAMS (04/01/1934; Lake Worth, FL; 00:00:40) WHITNEY HEWITT vs PAUL HARPER (04/16/1934; USA; 00:09:21) JIM LONDOS vs JIM BROWNING (06/25/1934; Long Island, NY; 00:04:19) JIM LONDOS vs GEORGE ZARYNOFF (08/13/1934; San Francisco, CA; 00:00:45) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs GEORGE ZAHARIAS (08/15/1934; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:40) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs HOWARD CANTONWINE (09/12/1934; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:56) JIM LONDOS vs ED STRANGLER LEWIS (09/20/1934; Chicago, IL; 00:00:45) JOE SAVOLDI vs MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN (09/26/1934; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:58) JIM LONDOS vs EVERETT MARSHALL (11/19/1934; MSG; New York, NY; 00:02:00) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs HOWARD CANTONWINE | MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN VS PAT OSHOCKER (12/19/1934; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:58) JIM LONDOS vs MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN (01/09/1935; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:11) HANS SCHNABEL vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER (04/15/1935; MSG; New York, NY; 00:02:11) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs GEORGE ZAHARIAS (06/10/1935; MSG; New York, NY; 00:00:32) JIM LONDOS vs DANNO O'MAHONEY (06/27/1935; AWA Boston, MA; 00:00:27) DANNO O'MAHONEY vs CHIEF LITTLE WOLF (07/08/1935; MSG; New York, NY; 00:03:16) VINCENT LOPEZ vs MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN (07/24/1935; Los Angeles, CA; 00:09:59) DANNO O'MAHONEY vs JOE SAVOLDI (08/06/1935; Washington, DC; 00:01:26) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER (09/21/1935; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:56) ERNIE DUSEK vs GEORGE ZAHARIAS (10/14/1935; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:39) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs FLOYD MARSHALL (10/21/1935; Chicago, IL; 00:01:12) SERGEI KALMIKOFF vs FLOYD MARSHALL (10/30/1935; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:25) DANNO O'MAHONEY vs ED DON GEORGE (12/16/1935; MSG; New York, NY; 00:00:57) TED COX vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER (12/26/1935; USA; 00:01:08) MAE STEIN vs MARY O'NEILL (1935; Miami, FL; 00:02:02) KING KONG NICK GEORGE vs TONY SIANO (01/07/1936; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:09) SERGEI KALMIKOFF vs IVAN MANAGOFF (01/13/1936; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:20) DANNO O'MAHONEY vs DICK SHIKAT (03/02/1936; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:16) ERNIE DUSEK vs ED MESKE | DEAN DETTON vs RUSTY WESTCOATT (03/02/1936; MSG; New York, NY; 00:02:04) VINCENT LOPEZ vs WEE WILLIE DAVIS (03/18/1936; Seattle, WA; 00:08:36) TINY ROEBUCK vs RAUL MATAN (04/08/1936; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:27) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs HOWARD CANTONWINE (05/13/1936; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:33) DEAN DETTON vs DAVE LEVIN (11/18/1936; MSG; New York, NY; 00:00:41) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs CHIEF LITTLE WOLF | TINY ROEBUCK VS ABE GOLDBERG (11/18/1936; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:50) SAILOR JACK ADAMS vs BARNEY COSNECK (12/1936; Lake Worth, FL; 00:02:14)

American Classics #2 (02:10:09) Matches from 1930-1932 JIM LONDOS vs LEO GARIBALDI (11/17/1930; MSG; Jack Curley Promotions New York, NY; 00:01:32) JIM LONDOS vs MIKE ROMANO (12/15/1930; Chicago, IL; 00:01:46) DICK SHIKAT vs IVAN VACTUROFF (1930; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:41) ED DON GEORGE vs JACK WAGNER (01/09/1931; Chicago, IL; 00:18:49) ED DON GEORGE vs HENRI DEGLANE (01/21/1931; Daro Inc; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:17) JIM LONDOS vs JIM MCMILLEN (01/26/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:04) ED DON GEORGE vs EVERETT MARSHALL (03/04/1931; Daro Inc; Los Angeles, CA; 00:14:43) GUS SONNENBERG vs JACK GANSON (03/08/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:07:24) JIM LONDOS vs RENATO GARDINI (03/19/1931; Detroit, MI; 00:01:32) JIM LONDOS vs HERB FREEMAN (03/23/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:41) ED STRANGLER LEWIS vs ED DON GEORGE (04/13/1931; Daro Inc; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:22) JIM LONDOS vs RAY STEELE (05/01/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:57) JIM LONDOS vs RAY STEELE (06/29/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:44) GUS SONNENBERG vs ABE COLEMAN (08/19/1931; Daro Inc; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:14) SANDOR SZABO vs RAY STEELE (10/12/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:02:19) JIM LONDOS vs MATROS KIRILENKO (11/02/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:39) JIM LONDOS vs GINO GARIBALDI (11/19/1931; 00:05:05) JIM LONDOS vs MATROS KIRILENKO (12/01/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; Washington, DC; 00:01:46) JIM LONDOS vs RAY STEELE (12/21/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:02:03) JIM LONDOS vs ABE COLEMAN | JIM LONDOS vs OKI SHIKINA (1931; 00:02:58) GEORGE CALZA vs SANDOR SZABO (01/12/1932; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:29) HENRI DEGLANE vs NICK LUTZE (01/21/1932; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:29) JIM LONDOS vs SAMMY STEIN (01/25/1932; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:14) UNKNOWN MALE WRESTLER vs UNKNOWN FEMALE WRESTLER (02/09/1932; 00:01:08) JIM LONDOS vs RUDY DUSEK (02/11/1932; Chicago, IL; 00:01:49) JIM LONDOS vs JIM MCMILLEN (02/15/1932; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:41) LEO PINETZKI vs ELEPHANT (02/25/1932; West Hempstead, NY; 00:01:10) JIM LONDOS vs PAUL JONES (03/02/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:24) DICK SHIKAT vs SAMMY STEIN (03/14/1932; MSG; New York, NY; 00:02:01) DICK SHIKAT vs LEO PINETZKI (03/21/1932; MSG; New York, NY; 00:00:58) FRITZ KLEY vs AL PIEROTTI (03/21/1932; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:31) FRITZ KLEY vs SANDOR SZABO (04/04/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:02:04) JIM LONDOS vs ABE COLEMAN (05/25/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:16) WALTER BROWNING vs ALEX LUNDYN (05/28/1932; Sydney, Australia; 00:01:55) DICK DAVISCOURT vs ABE COLEMAN | RAY STEELE vs VIC CHRISTY (06/08/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:16:54) ED STRANGLER LEWIS vs DICK SHIKAT (06/09/1932; Long Island, NY; 00:20:19)

History of Pro Wrestling #2 (04:00:22) Matches from 1932-1938 FRITZ KLEY vs AL PIEROTTI (03/21/1932; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:31) FRITZ KLEY vs SANDOR SZABO (04/04/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:02:04) JIM LONDOS vs ABE COLEMAN (05/25/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:16) WALTER BROWNING vs ALEX LUNDYN (05/28/1932; Sydney, Australia; 00:01:55) DICK DAVISCOURT vs ABE COLEMAN | RAY STEELE vs VIC CHRISTY (06/08/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:16:54) Steele wins the Pacific Championship. ED STRANGLER LEWIS vs DICK SHIKAT (06/09/1932; Long Island, NY; 00:20:19) Shikat was furious about being asked to lose this title match, having already made the champion’s deposit to promoters, which led to his infamous 1936 shoot on Danno O’Mahoney. HARRY MAMOS vs SAM CLAPHAM (06/25/1932; Sydney, Australia; 00:01:35) FRITZ KLEY vs SAMMY STEIN (07/12/1932; Bronx, NY; 00:01:38) JIM LONDOS vs KARL SARPOLIS (07/12/1932; San Francisco, CA; 00:04:56) The match takes place at the famous Dreamland auditorium and skating rink. UNKNOWN WRESTLER vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER-UNDERWATER WRESTLING (07/13/1932; Silver Spring, FL; 00:00:55) Wrestling always had its quotient of the absurd. JIM LONDOS vs RAY STEELE (07/18/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:08:09) JIM LONDOS vs JOE SAVOLDI (08/31/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:21) Not the famous 1933 screwjob on Londos from Chicago. (Yes, that type of thing happened an awful lot in this era.) JACK PYE vs BEN SHERMAN (09/05/1932; London, England; 00:01:15) I’ll talk a lot about these old clips being surprisingly good, but this is surprisingly bad looking work. ANDERS LARSSON vs FRITZ SUNGDUIST (10/12/1932; France; 00:03:03) JIM LONDOS vs JOE STETCHER | ERNIE DUSEK vs GINO GARIBALDI (10/28/1932; Philadelphia, PA; 00:01:39) Stetcher had defeated London in 1926, which played heavily into the build and made Londos defeating Stetcher a big deal. There is a thread about this match on Wrestling Classics. JIM LONDOS vs GEORGE ZAHARIAS (12/14/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:22) ABE COLEMAN vs LOU PLUMMER (12/28/1932; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:38) GEORGE ZAHARIAS vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER (12/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:15) JIM LONDOS vs RAY STEELE (1932; Italy; 00:01:59) BULL MONTANA vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER (1932; Sydney, Australia; 00:00:49) Bull Montana had an interesting second career as a recurring movie extra. There is a thread about him on Wrestling Classics. JIM LONDOS vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER-FLOATING RING (1932; Miami Beach, FL; 00:00:54) JIM LONDOS vs ABE COLEMAN (01/11/1933; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:57) JIM LONDOS vs RAY STEELE (02/08/1933; Los Angeles, CA; 00:02:02) JIM LONDOS vs OKI SHIKINA (02/22/1933; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:19) Shikina was the first Japanese major star in pro wrestling and later trained the legendary Rikidozan. ED STRANGLER LEWIS vs JOE SAVOLDI (05/22/1933; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:41) WHISKERS BLAKE vs JOE VARGA (06/1933; New Zealand; 00:01:53) JERRY MONAHAN vs SOL SLAGEL (06/06/1933; Bronx, NY; 00:01:46) Both wrestlers were presented as “contortionists” for the match. ED STRANGLER LEWIS vs JIM BROWNING (06/07/1933; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:31) SAMMY STEIN vs JIM BROWNING (06/28/1933; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:37) TOM LURICH vs WHISKERS BLAKE (09/11/1933; Sydney, Australia; 00:01:27) This match drew 12,000 fans to Sydney Stadium. DICK SHIKAT vs JIM MCMILLEN (09/26/1933; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:43) JIM BROWNING vs JOE SAVOLDI (10/02/1933; MSG; New York, NY; 00:00:51) JIM LONDOS vs KOLA KWARIANI (10/22/1933; Athens, Greece; 00:04:39) This match reportedly drew 110,000 spectators! Wrestling Classics has a thread that includes photos of the event. MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs JOE SAVOLDI (11/20/1933; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:29) JIM LONDOS vs JIM MCMILLEN (11/22/1933; Chicago, IL; 00:00:46) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs ERNIE DUSEK (12/18/1933; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:27) JIM LONDOS vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER (1933; 00:00:23) TOM LURICH vs JOE DAWSON (02/17/1934; Sydney, Australia; 00:01:28) BILLY EDWARDS vs GLEN WADE | BILL THORNTON vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER (03/19/1934; Sydney, Australia; 00:06:22) GEORGE ROMANOFF vs JACK ADAMS (04/01/1934; Lake Worth, FL; 00:00:40) WHITNEY HEWITT vs PAUL HARPER (04/16/1934; USA; 00:09:21) JIM LONDOS vs JIM BROWNING (06/25/1934; Long Island, NY; 00:04:19) Time Magazine wrote an article about this match at the time. TOM LURICH vs HARBAN SINGH (06/30/1934; Sydney, Australia; 00:01:39) This match takes place at Leichhardt Stadium in Australia. This thread at Wrestling Classics has more information about the match, including some quotes from Australian newspapers at the time. JIM LONDOS vs GEORGE ZARYNOFF (08/13/1934; San Francisco, CA; 00:00:45) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs GEORGE ZAHARIAS (08/15/1934; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:40) There are occasionally eBay auctions of press photos of this match. GUS SONNENBERG vs WONG BOCK CHEUNG (08/25/1934; Sydney, Australia; 00:06:02) Sonnenberg debuts in Australia in a match at Sydney Stadium. MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs HOWARD CANTONWINE (09/12/1934; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:56) CARVER DOONE vs IZZY VAN DUTZ (09/17/1934; London, England; 00:01:01) This site has an interesting bio of Carver Doone. JIM LONDOS vs ED STRANGLER LEWIS (09/20/1934; Tribune Corporation; Chicago, IL; 00:00:45) This match drew more than 35,000 fans to Wrigley Field. It took place on a tribute show that also featured boxing. HENRI DEGLANE vs KOLA KWARIANI (09/24/1934; Paris, France; 00:02:13) JOE SAVOLDI vs MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN (09/26/1934; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:58) JIM LONDOS vs EVERETT MARSHALL (11/19/1934; MSG; New York, NY; 00:02:00) A link to the New York Times article about this match. CHARLES RIGOULOT vs ELMAR SONNTAG (12/12/1934; Paris, France; 00:01:49) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs HOWARD CANTONWINE | MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN VS PAT OSHOCKER (12/19/1934; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:58) GEORGE ROMANOFF vs JACK ADAMS (1934; 00:01:28) JIM LONDOS vs MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN (01/09/1935; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:11) BONNIE MUIR vs CHARLIE SANTEN (03/04/1935; Paris, France; 00:00:55) HENRI DEGLANE vs LEN HALL (03/04/1935; Paris, France; 00:01:13) HANS SCHNABEL vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER (04/15/1935; MSG; New York, NY; 00:02:11) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs GEORGE ZAHARIAS (06/10/1935; MSG; New York, NY; 00:00:32) JIM LONDOS vs DANNO O'MAHONEY (06/27/1935; AWA Boston, MA; 00:00:27) Danno is being groomed for a major push and wins the NYSAC World Heavyweight Title in front of 28,000 fans at Femway Park. DANNO O'MAHONEY vs CHIEF LITTLE WOLF (07/08/1935; MSG; New York, NY; 00:03:16) O’Mahoney wins his first title defense. VINCENT LOPEZ vs MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN (07/24/1935; Los Angeles, CA; 00:09:59) Lopez, billed as “Champion of Mexico”, was trained by Ed “Strangler” Lewis. DANNO O'MAHONEY vs JOE SAVOLDI (08/06/1935; Washington, DC; 00:01:26) TOM LURICH vs TIGER DUALA (08/17/1935; Sydney, Australia; 00:01:34) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER (09/21/1935; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:56) ERNIE DUSEK vs GEORGE ZAHARIAS (10/14/1935; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:39) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs FLOYD MARSHALL (10/21/1935; Chicago, IL; 00:01:12) SERGEI KALMIKOFF vs FLOYD MARSHALL (10/30/1935; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:25) DANNO O'MAHONEY vs ED DON GEORGE (12/16/1935; MSG; New York, NY; 00:00:57) TED COX vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER (12/26/1935; USA; 00:01:08) MAE STEIN vs MARY O'NEILL (1935; Miami, FL; 00:02:02) I believe this is the oldest women’s match that exists on film. KING KONG NICK GEORGE vs TONY SIANO (01/07/1936; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:09) SERGEI KALMIKOFF vs IVAN MANAGOFF (01/13/1936; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:20) This match was billed as “Russians in the U.S.” to the MSG crowd. DANNO O'MAHONEY vs DICK SHIKAT (03/02/1936; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:16) Historic match! Upset with promoters for a variety of reasons, Shikat goes into business for himself, shooting on rising star Mahoney to take his title! Newspaper coverage the following day exposed the shoot and wrestling’s inner workings, which led to the gradual decline of the 1930s wrestling boom. The distrust among promoters ended the national harmony that was in place at the time and led to the territory system that was the primary wrestling model from the postwar period through the early 80s. Dave Meltzer wrote an excellent biography of O’Mahoney, a young and good looking Irish wrestler, in the April 13, 2020 issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter where he told the story of this match. ERNIE DUSEK vs ED MESKE | DEAN DETTON vs RUSTY WESTCOATT (03/02/1936; MSG; New York, NY; 00:02:04) VINCENT LOPEZ vs WEE WILLIE DAVIS (03/18/1936; Seattle, WA; 00:08:36) TINY ROEBUCK vs RAUL MATAN (04/08/1936; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:27) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs HOWARD CANTONWINE (05/13/1936; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:33) DOUGLAS CLARK VS TOM LURICH (05/30/1936; Sydney, Australia; 00:01:36) Lurich wins the British Empire Heavyweight Championship at Sydney Stadium. TOM LURICH vs MIKE MCGILL (10/10/1936; Sydney, Australia; 00:01:15) DEAN DETTON vs DAVE LEVIN (11/18/1936; MSG; New York, NY; 00:00:41) MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN vs CHIEF LITTLE WOLF | TINY ROEBUCK VS ABE GOLDBERG (11/18/1936; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:50) TOM LURICH vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER (11/23/1936; Sydney, Australia; 00:00:38) SAILOR JACK ADAMS vs BARNEY COSNECK (12/1936; Lake Worth, FL; 00:02:14) 5-MAN BATTLE ROYAL (1936; Lake Worth, FL; 00:01:21) BLINDFOLD BATTLE ROYAL (1936; Lake Worth, FL; 00:01:18) Yep. Everyone is blindfolded. BATTLE ROYAL (01/13/1937; Lake Worth, FL; 00:01:51) MARTIN LEVY vs FITZPATRICK COHEN (02/04/1937; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:08) Levy was billed at 625 lbs and has to be one of the largest wrestlers in history. HENRI DEGLANE vs ED DON GEORGE (03/08/1937; Paris, France; 00:01:35) WEE WILLIE DAVIS vs LAVERNE BAXTER (04/15/1937; Washington, DC; 00:01:20) CLARA MORTENSEN vs RITA BAKER (04/26/1937; Washington, DC; 00:01:16) BRONCO NAGURSKI vs VINCENT LOPEZ (08/11/1937; Los Angeles, CA; 00:11:16) NICK LUTZE vs PIO PICO-BOXER vs WRESTLER (08/11/1937; Los Angeles, CA; 00:02:52) CHIEF LITTLE WOLF vs SAMMY STEIN (08/31/1937; Sydney, Australia; 00:01:47) CLARA MORTENSEN vs DOLORES GONZALES (09/1937; San Antonio, TX; 00:01:34) CARL VON ZUPPE vs PIETRO MARCONI (09/15/1937; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:36) SANDOR SZABO vs PRINCE BHU PINDER-MUD WRESTLING (10/05/1937; San Francisco, CA; 00:00:54) Interesting setup here, as this was billed as “Hindu Rules”, which prohibited holds beneath the waist. Reporters and the referee wore rubber to protect themselves from the mud. (Source) JIM LONDOS vs GEORGE PENCHEFF (10/26/1937; London, England; 00:01:09) Just a few weeks before this, these two had a match in Baltimore where a grandstand collapsed and four people were hospitalized. (Source) HENRI DEGLANE vs AL PEREIRA (11/01/1937; Paris, France; 00:01:35) Pereira was billed as the Portuguese and European champion. JACK SHERRY vs KOLA KWARIANI (12/02/1937; Manchester, England; 00:01:57) This match actually took place a few days earlier, but was released in theaters on December 2. BATTLE ROYAL (01/18/1938; Richmond, VA; 00:01:19) JIM LONDOS vs JIM MCMILLEN (03/08/1938; 00:01:09) Link to the New York Times article on this match. BATTLE ROYAL (03/10/1938; Los Angeles, CA; 00:00:42) BATTLE ROYAL (03/21/1938; Lake Worth, FL; 00:00:45) UNKNOWN WRESTLER vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER (04/13/1938; Hippodrome Theater; New York, NY; 00:01:12)

American Classics #1 (02:09:19) Matches from 1920-1930 JOE STETCHER vs EARL CADDOCK (01/30/1920; MSG; New York, NY; 00:25:50) GUS SONNENBERG vs ED STRANGLER LEWIS (06/30/1928; AWA Boston, MA; 00:02:56) GUS SONNENBERG vs ED STRANGLER LEWIS (01/04/1929; AWA Boston, MA; 00:00:22) GUS SONNENBERG vs HOWARD CANTONWINE (02/03/1929; AWA Boston, MA; 00:07:30) GUS SONNENBERG vs JOE MALCEWICZ (03/15/1929; AWA Boston, MA; 00:14:20) GUS SONNENBERG vs MARIN PLESTINA (05/28/1929; AWA Boston, MA; 00:02:19) DICK SHIKAT vs TOOTS MONDT (08/27/1929; 7:47) DICK SHIKAT vs GEORGE CALZA (11/25/1929; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:17:13) GUS SONNENBERG vs BOB MCCOY (01/09/1930; AWA Boston, MA; 00:02:10) BABE HERMAN vs LOUIS PAGANTIS (01/27/1930; AWA Boston, MA; 00:00:49) GUS SONNENBERG vs JOE STETCHER (01/30/1930; AWA Boston, MA; 00:01:11) DICK SHIKAT vs JIM MCMILLEN (02/10/1930; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:32) ED STRANGLER LEWIS vs MARIN PLESTINA (04/02/1930; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:36) GUS SONNENBERG vs COUNT ZARYNOFF (04/24/1930; AWA Boston, MA; 00:21:02) GUS SONNENBERG vs HENRI DEGLANE (05/22/1930; AWA Boston, MA; 00:07:02) JIM LONDOS vs DICK SHIKAT (06/06/1930; Ray Fabiani Sports; Philadelphia, PA; 00:18:30)

History of Pro Wrestling #1 (04:03:00) Matches from 1899-1932 PAUL PONS vs MAGNUS BECH-OLSEN (10/01/1899; Denmark; 00:00:41) The match drew between 10-12K fans and featured the top French star of the era against the top Danish star of the era. GIOVANNI CARPINI vs RAOUL LE BOUCHER | RAOUL LE BOUCHER vs SIMON ANTONITSCH (12/28/1906; Vienna, Austria; 00:04:38) Odd exhibitions that take places against a life-sized painting of the great outdoors. JOSEF STEINBACH vs BRUNO HACKENSCHMIDT (Vienna, Austria; September 17, 1911; 0:30) This looks like it could be a military exercise, as German troops surround the wrestlers. CHAMBERS ZIPPS vs LUKA KOPYEV (1912; Moscow, Russia; 00:01:25) GUSTAV FRISTENSKY vs JOSEF SMEJKAL (1913; Prague, Czechoslovakia; 00:08:12) The earliest footage that looks like wrestling as we know it, taking place in an elevated ring in front of paying spectators. JACK JOHNSON vs FRED MARCUSSEN (01/22/1914; Hamburg, Germany; 00:00:48) This blog suggests that this could be the first MMA fight ever. JOE STETCHER vs EARL CADDOCK (01/30/1920; MSG; New York, NY; 00:25:50) Insane that we even have 25 minutes of a match from 1920. I won’t pretend that it’s interesting viewing by any means, but it’s a remarkable preservation of history. This match set a gate for MSG that wasn’t topped until the Bruno Sammartino era more than 40 years later. GUS SONNENBERG vs ED STRANGLER LEWIS (06/30/1928; AWA Boston, MA; 00:02:56) Sonnenberg had only been a pro wrestler for about 6 months at this point. GUS SONNENBERG vs ED STRANGLER LEWIS (01/04/1929; AWA Boston, MA; 00:00:22) Sonnenberg wins the original AWA World Championship. GUS SONNENBERG vs HOWARD CANTONWINE (02/03/1929; AWA Boston, MA; 00:07:30) Sonnenberg’s football-heavy wrestling style doesn’t really resonate with me, but the audience seems to love it. GUS SONNENBERG vs JOE MALCEWICZ (03/15/1929; AWA Boston, MA; 00:14:20) GUS SONNENBERG vs MARIN PLESTINA (05/28/1929; AWA Boston, MA; 00:02:19) DICK SHIKAT vs TOOTS MONDT (08/27/1929; 7:47) Great footage. Shikat and Mondt were both tremendous wrestlers, and this has about 5 minutes of excellent grappling accompanied by some pre-match and post-match footage. Think BattlARTS on a family farm. DICK SHIKAT vs GEORGE CALZA (11/25/1929; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:17:13) Another excellent outing from the awesome Dick Shikat. GUS SONNENBERG vs BOB MCCOY (01/09/1930; AWA Boston, MA; 00:02:10) BABE HERMAN vs LOUIS PAGANTIS (01/27/1930; AWA Boston, MA; 00:00:49) An early boxer (Herman) vs wrestler (Pagantis) match. GUS SONNENBERG vs JOE STETCHER (01/30/1930; AWA Boston, MA; 00:01:11) DICK SHIKAT vs JIM MCMILLEN (02/10/1930; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:32) Brief clip of a two-hour match. ED STRANGLER LEWIS vs MARIN PLESTINA (04/02/1930; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:36) You can find a news clip from the New York Times covering this match here. GUS SONNENBERG vs COUNT ZARYNOFF (04/24/1930; AWA Boston, MA; 00:21:02) You can find the AP’s coverage of this match here. GUS SONNENBERG vs HENRI DEGLANE (05/22/1930; AWA Boston, MA; 00:07:02) JIM LONDOS vs DICK SHIKAT (06/06/1930; Ray Fabiani Sports; Philadelphia, PA; 00:18:30) Some interesting background on Shikat and Londos. ATHOLL OAKLEY vs BILL GARMON (11/17/1930; London, England; 00:01:41) JIM LONDOS vs LEO GARIBALDI (11/17/1930; MSG; Jack Curley Promotions New York, NY; 00:01:32) This match took place in front of 20,000 fans. JIM LONDOS vs MIKE ROMANO (12/15/1930; Chicago, IL; 00:01:46) DICK SHIKAT vs IVAN VACTUROFF (1930; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:41) NAT PENDLETON vs UNKNOWN BOXER | NAT PENDLETON vs UNKNOWN WRESTLER-BOXER VS WRESTLER (1930; 8:30) This is the only surviving footage of Nat Pendleton at this point to my knowledge. Pendleton was a silver medalist at the 1920 Olympics and a pet project of promoter Jack Curley. He never made it as a star in pro wrestling, but had a run as a supporting actor in Hollywood. This thread at the Wrestling Classics forum has more information about Pendleton. ED DON GEORGE vs JACK WAGNER (01/09/1931; Chicago, IL; 00:18:49) ED DON GEORGE vs HENRI DEGLANE (01/21/1931; Daro Inc; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:17) A few months before their famous “original Montreal screwjob” match. JIM LONDOS vs JIM MCMILLEN (01/26/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:04) ED DON GEORGE vs EVERETT MARSHALL (03/04/1931; Daro Inc; Los Angeles, CA; 00:14:43) This match headlined a sold out Olympic Auditorium. GUS SONNENBERG vs JACK GANSON (03/08/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:07:24) Ganson was a Lithuanian wrestler. JIM LONDOS vs RENATO GARDINI (03/19/1931; Detroit, MI; 00:01:32) JIM LONDOS vs HERB FREEMAN (03/23/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:41) A link to the New York Times article about this match. ED STRANGLER LEWIS vs ED DON GEORGE (04/13/1931; Daro Inc; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:22) This match acted as the impetus for the aforementioned “original Montreal screwjob”. JIM LONDOS vs RAY STEELE (05/01/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:57) JIM LONDOS vs RAY STEELE (06/29/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:44) A link to the New York Times article about this match. GUS SONNENBERG vs ABE COLEMAN (08/19/1931; Daro Inc; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:14) SANDOR SZABO vs RAY STEELE (10/12/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:02:19) ATHOLL OAKLEY vs FRANCOIS BERTHOD (10/26/1931; London, England; 00:02:19) JIM LONDOS vs MATROS KIRILENKO (11/02/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:01:39) JIM LONDOS vs GINO GARIBALDI (11/19/1931; 00:05:05) JIM LONDOS vs MATROS KIRILENKO (12/01/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; Washington, DC; 00:01:46) JIM LONDOS vs RAY STEELE (12/21/1931; Jack Curley Promotions; New York, NY; 00:02:03) JIM LONDOS vs ABE COLEMAN | JIM LONDOS vs OKI SHIKINA (1931; 00:02:58) GEORGE CALZA vs SANDOR SZABO (01/12/1932; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:29) A link to the New York Times article about this match. JIM LONDOS vs SAMMY STEIN (01/25/1932; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:14) About 15 minutes into the match, Stein tried a flying tackle, “hit the floor with his head and was unconscious for 10 minutes; it took five policemen to carry Stein to the dressing room.” UNKNOWN MALE WRESTLER vs UNKNOWN FEMALE WRESTLER (02/09/1932; 00:01:08) JIM LONDOS vs RUDY DUSEK (02/11/1932; Chicago, IL; 00:01:49) Londos wins with a triangle choke! JIM LONDOS vs JIM MCMILLEN (02/15/1932; MSG; New York, NY; 00:01:41) LEO PINETZKI vs ELEPHANT (02/25/1932; West Hempstead, NY; 00:01:10) An actual elephant, not a wrestler called Elephant as a gimmick! The elephant’s name was Rosie. JIM LONDOS vs PAUL JONES (03/02/1932; Los Angeles, CA; 00:01:24) DICK SHIKAT vs SAMMY STEIN (03/14/1932; MSG; New York, NY; 00:02:01) DICK SHIKAT vs LEO PINETZKI (03/21/1932; MSG; New York, NY; 00:00:58) A link to the New York Times article about this match.

To me, this is the time to push Wardlow, Keith Lee, Ricky Starks, Jungle Boy, Darby Allin and HOOK as much as possible and hope that at least one of them catches fire way more than expected. I also think tag teams should occupy the main event picture for a while. Young Bucks vs FTR III will have big appeal, and we know Young Bucks vs reDragon is coming eventually, although I hope it works out where Fish and O'Reilly are healthy by the time Omega returns. Part of me also thinks they need to also start running house shows so everyone is getting more reps, and just treat it as a loss leader. Injuries actually seem to go down when wrestlers work more frequently because their bodies have to adjust less to getting in the ring. I don't even think they need to necessarily feature all the top stars and run major markets. They can go for 500-1000 seat buildings in medium sized markets and people like the names above, Strickland, The Acclaimed, etc. can be the attractions. Just something to keep people working more, and give people like Jade Cargill who need ring time in the worst way a place to get it.

For whatever it's worth, I don't think they need to clear their normal PPV numbers for this to be considered a success. Mike Tenay supposedly thinks 90K is the magic number. For years to come, there will always be debate about whether the issue is that Americans don't know who all these New Japan guys are and aren't invested in seeing them, or if the injury bug is the problem. To me, AEW started peaking around this time last year and had an amazing summer and an even better fall. 2022 has been up and down, but the period since Revolution has felt like a major decline to me.