It Was Almost Real: The Pro Wrestling History Podcast: Recent Episodes
kenzimmermanjr
Pro wrestling podcast dedicated to wrestling history between 1870 and 1928 although we do occassionally range into the 1930s.
In this episode, I discuss John "The Nebraska Tigerman" Pesek's tour of Australia in 1929. I also review AEW All In 2023 from Wembley Stadium.
In this encore episode, we discuss Stanislaus Zbyszko finally winning the world title in 1921. I also review a Fred Kohler Chicago card from 1936. I start the podcast with a show announcement.
In this episode, I discuss American Heavyweight Wrestling Champion Dan McLeod wrestling George Baptiste in St. Paul, Minnesota during 1899. I end the show with a review of Summer Slam 1997.
In this episode, I go over recent MMA events, discuss Dan McLeod's arrest for bilking a Montreal barber, recommend a new wrestling based fiction series, and review Bruiser Brody: Wrestling's Last Rebel documentary.
In this episode, I discuss Ed "Strangler" Lewis defending his world title against Jim Londos in St. Louis during 1924.
In this episode, I discuss a part-time wrestler, full-time city constable Paul Kisselbach killed in the line of duty during September 1949. I also review the wrestling card from the Omni in Atlanta on April 22, 1984.
In this episode, I disccuss the 1905 match in St. Louis between George (Georg) Hackenschmidt and George Baptiste. I also make an announcement about the show including a co-host returning in late July or early August.
In this episode, I discuss a match between William Muldoon and Sorakichi Matsuda that the wrestlers intended to generate interest in a world title match.
In this episode, I discuss a 1918 World Title match between Earl Caddock and Wladek Zbyszko. I finish the episode with a review of Forbidden Door 2023.
In this episode, we discuss the fight for the estate of former professional wrestler, regular St. Louis wrestling referee, and St. Louis businessman George Baptiste.
In this episode, we discuss an 1886 match between Evan "The Strangler" Lewis and British wrestling champion Tom Cannon.
In this St. Louis-centric episode, I discuss Jim Londos wrestling Dan Kolov (Koloff) on one of the early John Contos-Tom Packs cards in 1923. I also discuss WWF trying to capitalize on St. Louis history in 1986.
In this episode, I discuss the early matches of longtime St. Joseph, Missouri wrestling promoter Gust Karras. I also review two of Karras' cards.
In this episode, I discuss the May 28, 1910 in St. Louis, Missouri between Stanislaus Zbyszko and Charley Olson. I also review the Netflix documentary on Hulk Hogan.
In this episode, I discussed the lessons I learned writing Scufflers, Shooters, and Workers: Pioneer Wrestlers of the 19th Century, Vol. 1. I also discuss Sam Muchnick establishing Ted DiBiase as a main event wrestler from 1978 to 1980.
In this episode, I discuss a March 1901 match between Frank Gotch and Oscar Wasem in Burlington, Iowa. I also review a World Class Championship Wrestling show from May 1983.
In this episode, we discuss a horrible contest between Clarence Whistler and Duncan C. Ross in November 1881. I also review a WWF card from November 1986 in St. Louis that my cousin Dan and I attended.
In this episode, we discuss Stanislaus Zbyszko finally winning the world title in 1921. I also review a Fred Kohler Chicago card from 1936.
In this episode, I discuss two early supercards in 1911 and 1934. I also review Wrestlemania III, WWF's biggest show of the national expansion.
In this episode, I discuss the match between James E. Owens, who had a claim to the American Collar-and-Elbow Wrestling Championship, and his first cousin, the powerful John McMahon. I also review Championship Wrestling from Florida on May 16, 1984.
In this episode, I discuss short title reigns that made the champions look like fluke champions. I also review 2026 AAA Rey de Reyes Tournament card.
In this episode, I discuss 19th Century professional wrestlers Andre Christol and Thiebaud Bauer plus review All Out 2021, AEW's highest selling pay-per-view to date.
In this episode, I discuss Charlie Olson accidentally killing a wrestler in the ring during January 1911. I also review a WWA All-Star Wrestling Show from Indianapolis on May 4, 1974.
In this episode, I discuss a contest between Oscar Wasem and Joe Caroll, who is better known as J.C. Marsh or Ollie Marsh, in 1907.
In this episode, I discuss Tom Sharkey, a professional boxer and part-time wrestler, wrestling "Sailor" Tom Piening, a professional wrestler in February 1904. I also review The Smashing Machine starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Mark Kerr.
In this episode, I discuss a mixed styles bout betweeen Henry Moses Dufur and Duncan C. Ross. I catch up on WWE Raw and review a Championship Wrestling from Florida show in 1982.
In this episode, we discuss the history of professional wrestling in the city of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
In this episode, I discuss the early career of Reggie Siki, the first nationally known African-American wrestler. I also review the documentary Memphis Heat.
In this episode, I discuss Billy Riley, founder of Wigan's Snake Pit, wrestling in the United States during 1922 and 1923. I look at Jack Claybourne's 1940 five month tour of Massachusetts. I also review WWE Unreal Season 2 on Netflix.
In this episode, I discuss Harry Hill, New York sporting man and collar-and-elbow professional wrestler, who played a large role in professional wrestling and prizefighting in the 1860s and 1870s.
In this episode, I discuss a mixed styles contest between Marin Plestina and Taro Miyake in 1920.
In this episode, I discuss Stanislaus Zbyszko "winning" his first world title in May 1921. I also review a Southeastern Championship card from 1984.
In this episode, I discuss a two-match series between Yusuf Ismail and Ernest Roeber from New York City in March-April, 1898.
In this episode, I discuss Frank Goch's brief foray into professional boxing. I also compare two Los Angeles cards in 1925. Finally, I discuss the 2026 podcast schedule.
In this episode, I discuss an odd arrangement for a catch-as-catch-can wrestling match in 1881. I review one of Sam Muchnick's cards after the formation of the National Wrestling Alliance.
In this episode, I talk about the conflating of two of the biggest double-crosses in professional wrestling. I also talk about a Jack Curley card from 1917.
In this episode, I discuss a collar-and-elbow match with Homer Lane in 1875. I also compare Tom Packs' and Sam Muchnick's St. Louis wrestling cards in April 1946.
In this episode, I discuss Larry Matysik starting an outlaw wrestling promotion in St. Louis during 1983.
In this episode, I discuss the career of 19th Century professional wrestler D.A. McMillan. I also discuss recent gambling schemes.
In this episode, I will discuss the incredible career of Aleksander "Alex" Aberg from 1914-1917 in the United States.
In this episode, I discuss the race to replace Frank Gotch in 1915, Ad Santel in Japan, AI in wrestling, and a personal update.
In this episode, I discuss one of the first regular Atlanta cards in February 1926. I end the podcast with bonus content about famed hooker Ad Santel.
In this episode, I discuss 19th Century pioneer wrestler Sorakichi Matsuda, the first Japanese professional wrestler in the United States.
In this episode, I discuss misconceptions that I had going into writing projects. I also discuss discoveries and things that shocked me.
In this episode, I discuss one of the greatest "hookers" of all time, Ad Santel. I also discuss how Clash of Champions 9 demonstrated all the warts of WCW in 1989.
In this episode, I discuss an out-of-control exhibition between Clarence Whistler and Andre Christol in 1882
In this episode, I discuss Jim Londos importance to the St. Louis promotion as well as St. Louis' importance to the development of Jim Londos.
In this episode, I review The Wrestler (1974) and discuss the 1891 wrestling match between former American Heavyweight Wrestling Champion Joe Acton and future World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Bob Fitzsimmons.
In this episode, I discuss a possible circuit of working collar-and-elbow wrestlers in the 1860s and 1870s.
In this episode, I will be discussing the other Zbyszko, Wladek Zbyszko, and his early days in America between 1913 and 1915.
In this episode, I discuss the recent passing of Hulk Hogan. I also name who I think the most comparable historical wrestler is to Hogan.
In this episode, I discuss Yusuf Ismail versus Tom Jenkins. I also discuss the first St. Louis card I attended with my sister Vicky.
In this episode, I discuss the July 4, 1916 match between Earl Caddock and William Demetral in Anita, Iowa.
In this episode, I discuss the murder of a professional wrestler in the 1860s, who gamblers thought worked a match to bilk them out of gambling money.
In this episode, I discuss the limited damage exposes have done to the worked nature of professional wrestling.
In this episode, I discuss the first father-son professional wrestlers, Bob Managoff and Bobby Managoff, Jr.
In this episode, I discuss finding the deciding contest between Ed "Strangler" Lewis and Joe Stecher. I also discuss why the myth about Joe Stecher's 1925-1928 World Title reign persist.
In this episode, I discuss the professional wrestling career of NFL great Bronko Nagurski.
In this episode, I discuss the recent passing of my co-host and cousin Dan Zimmerman. I discuss a mixed styles bout between Ray Steele and Kingfish Levinsky in St. Louis during November 1935.
In this episode, I discuss a controversial referee's decision in the 1905 match between Fred Beell and Gus "Americus" Schoenlein.
In this episode, I review a closed door match between Tom Jenkins and Fred Beell. I also review The Iron Claw (2023).
In this episode, I will be talking about an Illinois select committee’s investigation into professional boxing and wrestling in Chicago, Illinois. In part two, we discuss the revelations that made Sandow and Lewis look bad.
In this episode, I will be talking about an Illinois select committee’s investigation into professional boxing and wrestling in Chicago, Illinois. In part one, we discuss the revelations that made Joe Stecher look bad.
In this episode, I will be talking a wrestler who need “liquid courage” to climb in the ring with Evan “The Strangler” Lewis.
In this episode, I discuss how the Divided Championship Era began to expose the worked nature of professional wrestling.
In this episode, I discuss William Muldoon wrestling a contest that wasn't much of a contest and demonstrating his system of physical training.
In this episode, Dan and I discuss two notable omissions from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.
In this episode, we discuss Bernarr MacFadden's professional wrestling career in St. Louis, Missouri.
In this episode, I discuss Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeating the Masked Marvel during the 1915 New York International Wrestling Tournament.
In this episode, we discuss former World Champion Wayne "Big" Munn and his lesser known brother, Glen Munn.
In this episode, we discuss one of the first nationally known African American wrestlers, Reginald Siki.
In this episode, I discuss the first of three matches in 1926 between World Champion Joe Stecher and John "The Nebraska Tigerman" Pesek. I also discuss the two big wrestling companies debuting on Netflix and Max.
In this episode, I discuss the mixed styles match between Taro Miyake versus Ad Santel in October 1916.
In this episode, I discuss why the Divided Championship Era lasted for three years from 1925 to 1928. I also review the original Survivor Series 1987.
In this episode, I discuss the recently discovered film of the 1908 match between George Hackenschmidt and Joe Rogers.
In this episode, we discuss Martin "Farmer" Burns training James J. Jeffries for his bout with Jack Johnson on July 4, 1910.
In this episode, I discuss the beginnings of the regular St. Louis wrestling promotion in 1921. I also discuss the Mr. McMahon documentary on Netflix.
In this episode, Dan and I talk about a number of the news stories surrounding AEW and WWE.
In this episode, I discuss the professional wrestling and refereeing career of St. Louis' first professional wrestler, George Baptiste.
In this episode, we discuss 1925-1928, when both Ed "Strangler" Lewis and Joe Stecher claimed the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship.
In this episode, we look at Taro Miyake's challenge matches in England and review one of the few double-crosses after the formation of the National Wrestling Alliance.
In this episode, we discuss the controversial 1887 match between Evan "Strangler" Lewis and English catch wrestler Tom Connors.
In this episode, I discuss the development of the St. Louis wrestling promotion under Tom Packs and Sam Muchnick.
In this episode, we discuss how Hubert and Charley Pesek affected the career of John "The Nebraska Tigerman" Pesek.
In this episode, I discuss the federal government prosecuting a gambling ring in 1910. The case exposed how wrestlers worked matches to bilk fans betting on the matches.
In this episode, I talk about the upcoming podcast schedule and website revisions to kenzimmermanjr.com.
In this episode, we discuss wrestlers and jiu jitsu fighters working matches in Brazil. We also review WWE's King and Queen of the Ring.
Technical difficulties led to this podcast being more of a compilation. We discuss an odd decision by the New York State Althletic Commission in 1921.
In this episode, I discuss the backstage video from AEW at Wembley, talk about pro wrestling before the modern promotion system, and review Wrestlemania XL Day 2.
In this episode, I discuss the possible reasons for the falling out between Tex Rickard and Jack Curley. I also review the first night of Wrestlemania XL.
In this episode, we discuss the threat that Marin Plestina posed to the wrestling trust between 1917 and 1921.
In this episode, we discuss how World War I affected American professional wrestling. We also reveal who said, "Repetition is the key when dealing with goofs."
In this solo episode, I look at John "The Nebraska Tiger Man" Pesek settling two promotional wars in the 1920s.
In this episode, we discuss the origins of professional wrestling stories and legends around events through history.
In this episode, we discuss the careers of Jim Londos and Primo Carnera leading into a review of their 1950 wrestling match.
In this episode, we discuss William Muldoon vs. Clarence Whistler as we try to be more positive this week.
In this episode, we discuss the Vince McMahon scandal, the dirty deeds of promoters in the past, and review the 2024 Royal Rumble. We end this long episode talking about wrestling on TV in St. Louis during the 1980s.
In this episode, we discuss the boxer vs. wrestler bout between "Battling" Levinsky vs. Ray Steele.
In this episode, we discuss how gambling schemes fed into professional wrestling's unsavory reputation.
In this episode, we discuss a new discover about Ed "Strangler" Lewis, why Mort Henderson was picked to be the Masked Marvel, and a look at Jerry Lawler vs. "Dirty" Dutch Mantel.
In this episode, we discuss how and when Billy Sandow and Ed "Strangler" Lewis really met.
In this episode, we discuss the famous double-cross of "Big" Wayne Munn and the Gold Dust Trio by Stanislaus Zbyszko.
In this episode, we discuss news, the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame, Joe Stecher in the 1910s, and review a match from Mid-Atlantic in 1983.
In this episode, we discuss Stanislaus Zbyszko's last match of his first tour of America. We finish with his return to the United States in 1920.
In this episode, we discuss Stanislaus Zbyszko's campaign for Frank Gotch's World Title.
In this bonus episode, we discuss the documentary 350 Days about pro wrestling in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.
In this episode, we look at a match from 1878. It was a challenge keeping my co-hosts focused this week.
In this episode, we look at Ed "Strangler" Lewis' wrestling schedule in the first six months of 1913.
In this episode, I discuss Ed "Strangler" Lewis taking revenge on Man Mountain Dean in St. Louis during December 1935.
In this episode, we discuss Dick Shikat double-crossing Danno O'Mahony in 1936. Plus we have a very special guest in studio.
Yes, we are releasing an episode out of order. With three recent high profile deaths in pro wrestling, we wanted to release a bonus episode now to talk about them. We also inadvertantly insult a few people and have an interesting conversation about "cougars."
In this episode, we discuss Jim Londos early career in St. Louis. We also review Jim Londos vs. Dick Shikat from 1930 plus a bonus review.
In this episode, my cousin Dan and I review the April 28, 1986 edition of WWF's Prime Time Wrestling.
In this episode, I discuss what I learned researching the career of Sorakichi Matsuda, the first Japanese professional wrestler in the Untied States.
In this episode, I discuss the 1917 and 1920 World Title matches between Earl Caddock and Joe Stecher.
In this episode, we discuss an 1884 mixed styles match between J.H. McLaughlin and Duncan C. Ross.
In this episode, I discuss professional wrestling matches conducted under Sumo Rules in the 1880s.
In this episode, my cousin Dan and I discuss the evolution of pro wrestling since the late 1970s and its influence on our fandom.
In this episode, we discuss the short but impactful career of the original Terrible Turk, Yusuf Ismail.
In this episode, we look at the career of pioneering 19th Century Japanese pro wrestler Sorakichi Matsada.
In this episode, I discuss the 1891 wrestling match between Joe Acton and future heavyweight boxing champion Bob Fitzsimmons.
In this episode, I discuss the 1923 shoot contest between John "The Tigerman" Pesek and Nat "Panther" Pendleton.
In this episode, I read an account of Edwin Bibby vs. Duncan C. Ross from Shooting or Working: The Story of the American Heavyweight Wrestling Championship.
In this episode, I discuss the early career of the first recognized Women's World Wrestling Champion, Cora Livingston.
In this episode, we discuss a dangerous decision Tom Jenkins made on Christmas Night 1902.
In this episode, we discuss when an author has a duty to correct a previous publication.
In this episode, I discuss the development of the professional wrestling promotional system in the late 1910s and 1920s.
In this episode, I welcome my new co-host, Caleb Zimmerman. We discuss the first masked wrestler in the United States, the Masked Marvel. We also discuss Harley Race vs. David Von Erich from St. Louis' Wrestling at the Chase in 1979.
In this episode, we discuss two worked title matches between Frank Gotch and Fred Beell in 1906.
In this episode, I discuss the wild claims fans, wrestlers and wrestling historians make about professional wrestling matches.
In this episode, I discuss the biggest double-cross in the history of wrestling, Stanislaus Zbyszko shoots on Wayne "Big" Munn legitimately taking Munn's world title.
In this episode, I discuss three incidents from the career of Evan "The Strangler" Lewis.
In this episode, I discuss the biggest box office attraction of all time. We also discuss what makes one a performer, a shooter and a hooker.
In this episode, we discuss the fact and fiction around the two matches between Frank Gotch and George Hackenschmidt in 1908 and 1911.