It Was Almost Real: The Pro Wrestling History Podcast

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.

In this episode, I talk about the 1924 match between Jim Browning and Taro Miyake.

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, I discuss the first five years of Ed "Strangler" Lewis' career.

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.