It Was Almost Real: The Pro Wrestling History Podcast

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 why promoters liked to schedule big cards for holidays.

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.