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Episodes
Greco Roman and Catch as Catch Can, epic battles and Carny scams. Why were there two Strangler Lewises? What’s a Hippodrome? Find out when you listen, learn, and party with Nick and Heidi Howitzer: The Pro Wrestling History Nerds!
Episodes
Tuesday May 09, 2023
Tuesday May 09, 2023
Jenkins begins his title reign by... asking for a boxing match? What's with all the handicapped match? Did he nearly lose a leg? Who was the "Klondike Champion" he took on?
Listen and learn about this, and so much more.
Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert
Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
From a snooze-fest with yet another Turkish giant, to a title shot against Dan McLeod in Cleveland; Nick rambles about the years 1900 & 1901 in the life of Tom Jenkins!
Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert
Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.
Monday Apr 10, 2023
Monday Apr 10, 2023
From a horrifying childhood accident to the rigors and risks of pre-OSHA industrial work to the wrestling stage against an onslaught of Terrible Turks: it's the story of Tom Jenkins!
Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert
Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
It was the first attempt at a sustainable alternative to the UFC in the United States. It was the home of breakout stars, the earliest high level competitive fights in the sport, and had a strong corporate backer to make it happen.
So what could possibly go wrong?
Join Nick and Chango as they discuss Battlecade Extreme Fighting!
Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert
Primary Sources:
-The New York Times
-https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2014/4/22/5367516/mma-origins-battlecade-extreme-fighting-igor-Zinoiev-ralph-gracie-maurice-smith-john-perretti
Monday Mar 13, 2023
Monday Mar 13, 2023
Join Nick and Chango for a tale of bitterness, vengeance, snitching to the press, and... cannibalism?
Things get wild as our look at Clarence Whistler's life continues!
Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert
Primary Sources:
-Cited newspaper articles
-William Muldoon: The Solid Man Conquers Wrestling and Physical Culture, by Ken Zimmerman Jr
-Shooters: The Toughest Men in Profession Wrestling, by Jonathan Snowden
Tuesday Feb 28, 2023
Tuesday Feb 28, 2023
It's a story of raw strength, strong booze, weird lies, carnival tours, and the usual insanity you subscribed for!
Today Nick and Chango discuss "The Kansas Cyclone" Clarence Whistler!
Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert
Primary Sources:
-Cited newspaper articles
-William Muldoon: The Solid Man Conquers Wrestling and Physical Culture, by Ken Zimmerman Jr
-Shooters: The Toughest Men in Profession Wrestling, by Jonathan Snowden
Tuesday Feb 14, 2023
Tuesday Feb 14, 2023
In the final episode of our series on "Parson" Davies, Nick and Chango talk about violent after parties, accidental poisonings, the weird spiral of John L Sullivan after retirement, the title matches of Evan "The Strangler" Lewis, and why you should never pee off the back of a moving train.
Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert
Primary Sources:
-Chicago's Greatest Sportsman- Charles E "Parson" Davies, by Mark T Dunn
-Evan "The Strangler" Lewis: The Most Feared Wrestler of the 19th Century, by Ken Zimmerman Jr
-Cited newspapers
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Listen up, nerds! John L Sullivan vs Jake Kilrain proved that boxing can indeed be pro wrestling. A young Dan McLeod challenges Evan Lewis. Jack Wannop gets worked over in Chicago... but Sarah Cox from Grapplingwithhistory.com has another opinion. Chango talks about breaking arms, and Nick talks about sitting in jail after a fight.
All this, and plenty more madness!
Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert
Primary Sources:
-Chicago's Greatest Sportsman- Charles E "Parson" Davies, by Mark T Dunn
-grapplingwithhistory.com
-Evan "The Strangler" Lewis: The Most Feared Wrestler of the 19th Century, by Ken Zimmerman Jr
-Cited newspapers
Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
Chango makes his triumphant return for a tale of violence, politics, bar brawls, a well armed stenographer, a blasting-cap suicide, big money matches, in ring brutality, and much more.
Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert
Primary Sources:
-Chicago's Greatest Sportsman- Charles E "Parson" Davies, by Mark T Dunn
-Evan "The Strangler" Lewis: The Most Feared Wrestler of the 19th Century, by Ken Zimmerman Jr
-Cited newspapers
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
It's a tale of immigration, presidential assassination plots, Footraces, murder, labor riots, and even some pro wrestling.
Get ready for a wild one, as Nick talks about wrestling promoter Charles "Parson" Davies!
Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert
Primary Sources:
-Chicago's Greatest Sportsman- Charles E "Parson" Davies, by Mark T Dunn
-Evan "The Strangler" Lewis: The Most Feared Wrestler of the 19th Century, by Ken Zimmerman Jr
-Cited newspapers