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Ed Lewis

Ed Lewis

Nickname: Strangler

Height: 5' 10"

Weight: 265 lbs

From: Nekoosa, WI

Birthday: Jun 30th

Pro Debut: 1904

Aliases: Bob Friedrich, Robert Friedrich

Feds Worked For: TSW, AWA, Al Haft Sports (IL/OH), All Star Wrestling (NE), Championship Wrestling USA (OR), Eastern Sports Enterprises (CT/NJ/NY/PA), Georgia Championship Wrestling (GA), International Wrestling (Canada), Maple Leaf Wrestling (Canada), Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (NC/SC), Mid-Pacific Promotions (Hawaii), Midwest Wrestling Association (OH), Mississippi Valley Sports Club (MO), New York State Athletic Commission (NY), NWA Hollywood (CA), Pacific Northwest Wrestling (OR), San Francisco (CA),Southwest Sports (TX), St. Louis Wrestling Club (MO), Upstate Athletic Club (NY)

Finisher: Sleeper Hold

Signature Moves: Headlock

 

Career Highlights: -AWA (Boston) World Champion (2x)
-American Champion
-MWA Champion (2x)
-NWA Florida Champion
-NYSAC Champion
-World Champion (6x)

Affiliates: Lou Thesz, Billy Sandow

Notable Feuds: Stanislaus Zbysko, Orville Brown, Joe Stecher, Jim Londos, Dick Shikat, Freddie Beel, Jack Leon

Other Facts: -Real name was Robert Herman Julius Friedrich
-Was a sports star at the University of Kentucky until he quit school to play professional baseball
-Began wrestling at the age of 14 using Ed "Strangler" Lewis instead of his real name of Robert Frederich in tribute of 1890s star Evan "Strangler" Lewis, and because his parents did not approve of him wrestling.
-Won his debut match in Madison, WI against Fred Beel.
-July 4, 1916: Lewis was involved in the longest pro wrestling match on record; a 5 hour match against Joe Stecher that resulted in a time-limit draw.
-Was in a famous verbal war with boxing champion Jack Dempsey, but the two never fought; Dempsey later admitted he never did fight Lewis because he knew he couldn't beat him.
-Credited with inventing the sleeper hold.
-With Toots Mondt and Billy Sandow, they formed the “Gold Dust Trio”, who are credited with creating much of the “Worked” aspects of modern professional wrestling, including the idea of the “Screw-job finish” and the “programme”.
-Went into semi-retirement in 1935, but came out in 1942, despite being legally blind from trachoma..
-Lived in Tulsa after retiring from wrestling in 1947 until his death in 1966
-Named goodwill ambassador for the NWA in 1949.
-Served as a referee for Sam Avey in Oklahoma City during the 1940s.
-Helped to train Bob Ellis, Danny Hodge, Dick Hutton, Gene LeBell, Gus Sonnenberg, Lou Thesz, and Vince Lopez for pro wrestling
-According to Lewis' own notes, he appeared in over 6,200 matches (with only 33 losses) in his 44 year career and earned over $3 million.
-During his retirement, he was a restaurant operator, rancher, and director of a health club. He also acted in such movies as "Stranglehold" and "That Nazty Nuisance"
-Passed away on August 7, 1966 in Muskogee at the age of 76 of natural causes. He was blind at the time of his death.
-Buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA
-Posthumously inducted into the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame in 1996
-Posthumously inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1999
-Posthumously inducted into the International Wrestling Institute and Museum Hall of Fame in 1999
-Posthumously inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in 2002
-Posthumously inducted into the Legacy Wing of the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016
-A Wisconsin state historical marker commemorates his achievements in his hometown of Nekoosa.
-Featured in the books "Shooters: The Toughest Men in Professional Wrestling" in 2012 and "Ed 'Strangler' Lewis: Facts Within A Myth" in 2015
-Posthumously inducted into the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2021

Supplemental Information

Upcoming Events

Complete Calendar

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1964 Karl Kox def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 2004 Shane Morbid def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 2004 Codie Mullins def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Codie Mullins for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 2004 Pork Chop def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Pork Chop for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 2004 S.K. Fulton def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. S.K. Fulton for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 2006 Ryan Davidson def. Angel Williams for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 2011 Michael Barry def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 2016 Spyder became the SRPW United States Champion
  • 2016 Skylar Slice became the IZW Womens Champion
  • 2021 Lady Sensacion became the FIW Women’s Champion
  • 2021 Rodeo (Chandler Hopkins & Malico) def. Cam Cole & Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Tag Team Champions
  • 2022 Duke Cornell def. Blue Bolt for the WFC Prime Champion
  • 2022 Maddox Jones def. Striker for the EPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2022 Mike Gunns def. Jake Danielsson for the NAW Heavyweight Champion

Week of Sun 06-16 to Sat: 06-22

  • 06-16 1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-16 1970 Johnny Valentine def. Killer Kowalski for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-16 1984 Terry Taylor def. Krusher Khrushchev for the MSW Television Champion
  • 06-16 1986 Buzz Sawyer def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 06-16 2006 Bobby Burns def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-16 2006 Beau Dalton became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 06-16 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 06-16 2012 Big Business (Kevin Morgan & Damon Windsor) def. The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-16 2017 Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders & Chaz Sharpe) def. Cursed (Kuda & Blade [2nd]) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 06-16 2017 Nytronis A'Teo def. Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders, Shawn Sanders, & Chaz Sharpe) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 06-16 2023 Jason Simon became the MajCW Native American Champion
  • 06-16 2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-17 1957 Billy Raborn became the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-17 1958 Bull Curry def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-17 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. David Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-17 1983 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 06-17 2005 Kenny Campbell def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 06-17 2006 The Party Express (Mitch Carter & Cade Sydal) def. Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-17 2008 Kunna Keyoh def. El Culo Intruso for the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 06-17 2017 Prince Mahalli def. Paul Puertorico for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 06-17 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 06-17 2017 Randy Price def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 06-17 2023 Alex Royal def. Justin Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 06-18 1964 Karl Kox def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-18 2004 Shane Morbid def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2004 Codie Mullins def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Codie Mullins for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2004 Pork Chop def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Pork Chop for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2004 S.K. Fulton def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. S.K. Fulton for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2006 Ryan Davidson def. Angel Williams for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-18 2011 Michael Barry def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 06-18 2016 Spyder became the SRPW United States Champion
  • 06-18 2016 Skylar Slice became the IZW Womens Champion
  • 06-18 2021 Lady Sensacion became the FIW Women’s Champion
  • 06-18 2021 Rodeo (Chandler Hopkins & Malico) def. Cam Cole & Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Tag Team Champions
  • 06-18 2022 Duke Cornell def. Blue Bolt for the WFC Prime Champion
  • 06-18 2022 Maddox Jones def. Striker for the EPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-18 2022 Mike Gunns def. Jake Danielsson for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-19 1977 Fritz Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-19 2010 Aaron Neil def. John O'Malley for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-19 2015 Bree Ann def. Claudia for the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
  • 06-20 1972 The Continental Warriors (Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente) def. Tom Jones & Ivan Putski for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 06-20 1977 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
  • 06-20 1987 Barry Windham became the UWF Western States Heritage Champion
  • 06-20 2004 X-Cal def. John O'Malley for the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-20 2009 Dustin Heritage def. Dane Griffin for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 06-20 2009 BLK-OUT (Montego Seeka & Jermaine Johnson) def. Impact, Inc, (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-20 2014 Bree Ann def. Miss Diss Lexia for the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
  • 06-20 2021 DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) def. Malik Mayfield & Maui Mike for the ASP Tag Team Champions
  • 06-21 1982 Junkyard Dog def. Bob Roop for the MSW North American Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-21 1987 Al Perez def. The Dingo Warrior for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-21 2003 Kitty def. Manservant for the TPW Womens Champion
  • 06-21 2008 Tim Rockwell def. El Super Colibri for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 06-21 2008 Li'l Joe def. Xavior for the GPCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 06-21 2014 Buster Cherry def. Havoc for the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 06-22 2005 Phillip def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-22 2018 Joe Cuedo def. Brock Baker for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
06-18
  • Cam the CODA Jun 18th Today!
  • Andy Dalton Jun 18th Today!
  • Johnny Angel Jun 18th Today!
  • Sashimi Deluxe Jun 18th Today!
  • Bruiser Brody Jun 18th Today!
  • Abe Jacobs Jun 18th Today!
  • Bad Boy Jun 18th Today!
  • Billy the Kid Jun 19th
  • Miguel Padilla Jun 19th
  • Top Dollar Bill Jun 19th
  • Kodi Ocean Jun 19th
  • Canadian Red Devil Jun 19th
  • Wahoo McDaniel Jun 19th
  • Mike Two Jun 19th
  • Koko B. Ware Jun 20th
  • David Kyzer Jun 20th
  • Jon Cross Jun 20th
  • Professor Ito Jun 20th
  • Milton Winkelman Jun 21st
  • Super Star Jun 21st
  • Rick Russo Jun 21st
  • Jeff the Ref Jun 21st
  • Athena Jun 23rd
  • Don Kent Jun 24th
  • Gabe Wilder Jun 24th
  • Juan Sebastian Jun 24th
  • Kody Lane Jun 25th
  • X-Storms Jun 25th
  • Sylvia Richmond Jun 26th
  • Paul Puertorico Jun 26th
  • Ignition Jun 27th
  • Jason Kirby Jun 27th
  • Dan Barnhart Jun 27th
  • Reckless Jun 27th
  • Kuda Jun 27th
  • Kenny Mack Jun 28th
  • Damian Kincaid Jun 28th
  • Malico Jun 28th
  • Bill Dromo Jun 28th
  • Boris Malenko Jun 28th
  • Doc Hearon Jun 28th
  • J. J. Blake Jun 28th
  • John Tidwell Jun 28th
  • Barbara Galento Jun 29th
  • Voltio Santiago Jun 29th
  • Kenneth Caine Jun 30th
  • Terry Funk Jun 30th
  • Ed Lewis Jun 30th
  • Sung Yung Kang Jul 1st
  • Jake Hollister Jul 1st
  • Tim WarCloud Jul 1st
  • Li'l Joe Jul 1st

More Look Back In History

Card Results

1

Oklafan Quiz

Who held the SRPW Hardcore Title and was named King of Hardcore when he won a "Fans Bring Weapons" Match in SRPW and thus the Hardcore Title was retired?

  

  

  

  

  

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