Greatest Pro Wrestler Ever??
**Disclaimer: While I was given a free copy by the author, this book review has not been solicited. I doubt the author even knows I have a blog.
When the debate arises among pro wrestling fans about the greatest of all-time, usually the debate focuses on Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Ricky Steamboat, and some others. Old-school wrestling fans will include the likes of Jack Brisco, Lou Thesz, Bruno Sammartino, Harley Race, and some others. Whoever is mentioned, usually that wrestler is someone who wrestled in worked matches (or pre-determined, or "fake" as the pro wrestling haters would say). There was a time, however, when pro wrestling was a true competitive sport. To find the true greatest pro wrestler of all-time, you need to look to the early 1900s. A new book, "The Life and Legacy of Frank Gotch," gives a pretty persuasive argument that Frank Gotch, the world heavyweight champion from 1908 to 1915, deserves the recognition as the greatest ever.
The book gives an overview of his career. It discusses his training under Farmer Burns and learning the catch-as-catch-can style of wrestling, with its focus of submission holds. You also learn about his legendary rivalries with Tom Jenkins and George Hackenschmidt, the latter being the one Gotch won the championship from. Gotch and Hackenschmidt had 2 matches, one in 1908 and one in 1911. The 1911 match is considered controversial by many. A Wikipedia article says that Gotch had a plant inside Hackenschmidt's training camp break George's leg. Author Mike Chapman goes in length to debunk the story, explaining that while the leg was injured, it wasn't done by a plant, nor was the injury all that serious.
The best part of the book is where Chapman evaluates Gotch's legacy. A very convincing case is made for Gotch's greatness over his peers. Ed 'Strangler Lewis, considered by many experts the best ever from this era, is quoted as saying he himself was no Gotch. Stanislaus Zbyszko, who wrestled many of the biggest names during a career spanning 5 decades, also believed Gotch to be the greatest ever.
The book also contains many rare photos, including pictures taken with former heavyweight boxing champions, rare advertising that used Gotch to promote products, and posed training sessions where Gotch demonstrates his famous toe hold.
If there's any disappointment to the book, it's that it is a short read. That said, Chapman has done a lot of research on his subject which comes through in this book. Gotch wrestled in a much different era than today's "sports entertainment" era of wrestling, back when pro wrestling was a legitimate sport, and the competitors were very hard men. It's hard to argue that anyone was harder than Humboldt, Iowa's very own Frank Gotch.
While not a 500-page epic like Bret Hart's tome, this book is a historical look into what pro wrestling once was. Strongly recommended for any wrestling fan.
The book is available here.
When the debate arises among pro wrestling fans about the greatest of all-time, usually the debate focuses on Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Ricky Steamboat, and some others. Old-school wrestling fans will include the likes of Jack Brisco, Lou Thesz, Bruno Sammartino, Harley Race, and some others. Whoever is mentioned, usually that wrestler is someone who wrestled in worked matches (or pre-determined, or "fake" as the pro wrestling haters would say). There was a time, however, when pro wrestling was a true competitive sport. To find the true greatest pro wrestler of all-time, you need to look to the early 1900s. A new book, "The Life and Legacy of Frank Gotch," gives a pretty persuasive argument that Frank Gotch, the world heavyweight champion from 1908 to 1915, deserves the recognition as the greatest ever.
The book gives an overview of his career. It discusses his training under Farmer Burns and learning the catch-as-catch-can style of wrestling, with its focus of submission holds. You also learn about his legendary rivalries with Tom Jenkins and George Hackenschmidt, the latter being the one Gotch won the championship from. Gotch and Hackenschmidt had 2 matches, one in 1908 and one in 1911. The 1911 match is considered controversial by many. A Wikipedia article says that Gotch had a plant inside Hackenschmidt's training camp break George's leg. Author Mike Chapman goes in length to debunk the story, explaining that while the leg was injured, it wasn't done by a plant, nor was the injury all that serious.
The best part of the book is where Chapman evaluates Gotch's legacy. A very convincing case is made for Gotch's greatness over his peers. Ed 'Strangler Lewis, considered by many experts the best ever from this era, is quoted as saying he himself was no Gotch. Stanislaus Zbyszko, who wrestled many of the biggest names during a career spanning 5 decades, also believed Gotch to be the greatest ever.
The book also contains many rare photos, including pictures taken with former heavyweight boxing champions, rare advertising that used Gotch to promote products, and posed training sessions where Gotch demonstrates his famous toe hold.
If there's any disappointment to the book, it's that it is a short read. That said, Chapman has done a lot of research on his subject which comes through in this book. Gotch wrestled in a much different era than today's "sports entertainment" era of wrestling, back when pro wrestling was a legitimate sport, and the competitors were very hard men. It's hard to argue that anyone was harder than Humboldt, Iowa's very own Frank Gotch.
While not a 500-page epic like Bret Hart's tome, this book is a historical look into what pro wrestling once was. Strongly recommended for any wrestling fan.
The book is available here.
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