Pro Wrestling History Nerds

It's a story of newfound fame out east, a private match with Tom Jenkins, the importance of a loudmouth manager, and a couple of riots. It's the story of Fred Beell, Part 7!   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Fred Beell fell into a career slump in 1903, only to break out on the nation stage in Baltimore at the close of 1904. Listen to that journey unfold, along with some wild side quests and wild stories of the midwest in the early 1900s. Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

A match against a living legend, a look at the Gotch gang, a whole lotta strangling, a fake Turk, and a wild ad for vitality pills. It's the story of Fred Beell, part 5. Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Wins, losses, angry letters, and attempt to move west, and a box office bomb against a wrestling legend. It's the story of Fred Beell, part 4!   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

A tale of bait-and-switch booking, stacking the betting odds, a wrestler with upset stomach, and why you can't answer a public challenge from the dark woods of the frontier. It's the story of Fred Beell, part 3!   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Learn about the impact of disease in warfare, the horrors of pre-OSHA railroad work, an ill-fated attempt to swindle a "Jay In The Woods" town, trash talking in the sports pages, and more! Join Nick and Heidi for the story of Fred Beell, part two! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Today Nick and Heidi discuss the railroad expansion into the post-Civil War Midwest, why fire is bad, old timey language that makes us giggle, and of course the early life and career of Fred Beell.   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Today we discuss a man of many stolen gimmicks. A man with multiple shots at the NWA title. A man who set fires, committed crimes, did prison time, and was the body guard of a Mafia boss, who went on to be a movie icon. Nick and Heidi tell the story of Lenny Montana! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers. -The G...

How did an all-women's show impact the Colorado Wrestling Scene? How do women wrestlers navigate the  world of regional pro wrestling? Why did Priscilla Kelly kick Heidi Howitzer in the face? Listen up as we solve these mysteries and tell wild stories from Respect Women's Wrestling!   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Murder, scandals, intervention by the supreme court, Nazi in-laws, a Texas Death match, and the hottest short run a tag team could ask for. Today Nick and Heidi discuss the life and career of Sam Sheppard! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Join Nick and Nova Mente BJJ Instructor Troy Everett for a look back at the world of martial arts instructional VHS tapes. So wash your gi, buy a black belt online, and get ready to kick your friends in the head while learning karate in your basement!   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

The end of an era, the decline of the Howard Theater, the Bowsers enjoy the success of their Boston promotion, and of course a few arrests, rumors, and drama. It's the conclusion of our look at the life and times of Cora Livingston! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Returning to Boston, a pretender to the title, an audience member gets slapped, and more. Nick and Heidi continue the story of Cora Livingston! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Nick and Heidi discuss the dawn of the 1920s, the impact of the Great War on women's wrestling, The origin of masked wrestling, the purpose of submission holds, and Cora's marital status in advertisements. It's the story of Cora Livingston, Part 9!   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Circus wrestling, Freak show questions, Intergender challenges, Angry Women's groups, and an idiot who gambled a fortune on a wrestling match. All this and more, as Nick and Heidi continue the story of Cora Livingston.   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Cora joins the circus! Are charity shows a scam? Why did Cora's matches lose their viciousness? Why was the Howard Theater's ad department so good? Listen up and learn, as Nick and Heidi continue the story of Cora Livingston. Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Changing the finish, a light house, getting thrown through a painting, women's suffrage, and ref bumps. Nick and Heidi continue the wild story of Cora Livingston.   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

A big match against Laura Bennett! DQs galore! Why toe-holds got so popular! Why wouldn't Lottie Oliver wrestle men? Why did church groups protest wrestling? Listen to Nick and Heidi continue the story of Cora Livingston to find out! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

More strangling, more violence, near riots, a drunken woman on a rampage, and more! Nick and Heidi continue the exciting and strange tale of Cora Livingston.   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

More challenges, more strangling, a possible vacation for marriage and motherhood, and an outraged police officer who shut down a match. All this and more, as Nick and Heidi talk about Cora Livingston! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Strangling! Mysterious challenges from the balcony! A wrestler who saw a Ghost! All this and more as Nick and guest host Heidi Howitzer continue the story of Cora Livingston. Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.  

From life as an orphan in a convent, to the cirus as a runaway, to the theater stage as a champion. Today Nick and guest Heidi Howitzer talk about the early life of Cora Livingston.   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Let's look at the rematch between Hackenschmidt and Gotch, and how it affected the wrestling world. Tom Jenkins has his final run as a wrestler, but a longer run as a coach at west point. Two world wars, the loss of his greatest rival, and the end of the story of Tom Jenkins. Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American, Canadian, and British...

Gotch wants to retire, Jenkins can't get days off work, Zbyszko learns not to shake hands after the bell, Jack Carkeek goes to Jail, the Fight of the Century drives racists to violence, checkers are in the sports pages, and Hackenschmidt might not be taking the biggest match of his life very seriously. All this and more! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited...

From Holiday matches in Montreal, to living in the shadow of Gotch vs Hackenschmidt, and a showdown with another Terrible Turk. It's the story of Tom Jenkins, Part Nine! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American, Canadian, and British Newspapers.