May 19th 2024 03:11am

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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

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1937 Hugh Nichols def. Bobby Chick for the NWA World Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 1980 Gino Hernandez def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 1984 The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer 1 & Super Destroyer 2) def. The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 1989 Super Zodiac & Cactus Jack def. Jeff Jarrett & Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW World Tag Team Champion
  • 1989 Super Zodiac def. Eric Embry for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 2007 Brent Albright def. Rocco Valentino for the NWA-U Universal Heavyweight Champion
  • 2007 Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) def. Mass Destruction (Spoiler 2000 & The Bounty Hunter) for the NWA-U Universal Tag Team Champion
  • 2012 Ignition def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Champion
  • 2012 Super Skunk Ape, Jr. def. Se7en for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 2018 Jerry Dean/Jerry Storm became the BPW Lion Heart Champion
  • 2018 Aaron Anders def. Michael Wolf for the ComPro Heavyweight Champion
  • 2023 Brody Wortman def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 2023 Skidz def. Brody Wortman for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 2023 Jason Simon def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 2023 Drake Gallows def. Jason Simon for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 2023 Punk Synister def. Drake Gallows for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 2023 Jason Simon def. Punk Synister for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 2023 Brandon Groom def. Jason Simon for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 2023 Punk Synister def. Brandon Groom for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 2023 Jason Simon def. Punk Synister for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 2023 Nibira def. Jason Simon for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 2023 Mikey O'Shea def. Nibira for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion

Week of Sun 05-19 to Sat: 05-25

  • 05-19 1937 Hugh Nichols def. Bobby Chick for the NWA World Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-19 1980 Gino Hernandez def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-19 1984 The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer 1 & Super Destroyer 2) def. The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 05-19 1989 Super Zodiac & Cactus Jack def. Jeff Jarrett & Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW World Tag Team Champion
  • 05-19 1989 Super Zodiac def. Eric Embry for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-19 2007 Brent Albright def. Rocco Valentino for the NWA-U Universal Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-19 2007 Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) def. Mass Destruction (Spoiler 2000 & The Bounty Hunter) for the NWA-U Universal Tag Team Champion
  • 05-19 2012 Ignition def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Champion
  • 05-19 2012 Super Skunk Ape, Jr. def. Se7en for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 05-19 2018 Jerry Dean/Jerry Storm became the BPW Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-19 2018 Aaron Anders def. Michael Wolf for the ComPro Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Brody Wortman def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Skidz def. Brody Wortman for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Jason Simon def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Drake Gallows def. Jason Simon for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Punk Synister def. Drake Gallows for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Jason Simon def. Punk Synister for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Brandon Groom def. Jason Simon for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Punk Synister def. Brandon Groom for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Jason Simon def. Punk Synister for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Nibira def. Jason Simon for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Mikey O'Shea def. Nibira for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-20 1980 Junkyard Dog def. Terry Gordy for the MSW Louisiana Champion
  • 05-20 2006 Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) def. The Old School Assassins (Brad Michaels & Seth Allen) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-20 2006 John O'Malley became the IZW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 05-20 2017 Robyn Reid def. Erica for the IZW Womens Champion
  • 05-20 2017 Beach Bod Gods (Angel Camacho & Ray the Bae) def. Nemesis (Rage Logan & Damien Morte) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-20 2017 Kevin Morgan def. Johnny Z for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-20 2017 Riker def. Mr. Nasty for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-20 2022 Wesley Crane def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-20 2023 Royal Pimpin' (Alex Royal & Mr. Nasty) def. Southern Aristocracy (Eddie LeVaughn & Anthony Wild) for the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 05-20 2023 Cappuccino Jones def. Dan Webber for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-21 1971 Dusty Rhodes def. Bill Watts for the TSW North American Champion
  • 05-21 1984 Kevin Von Erich def. Killer Khan for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-21 2004 Cade Sydal def. X-Cal for the SRPW Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-21 2004 Michael Faith def. Butch Dalton for the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-21 2004 New Canada (AWOL & Jon Davis) def. Sexy Bologna (Anthony Jackson & Sudden Impact) for the TPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-21 2016 Skylar Slice def. Athena for the IZW Queens Champion
  • 05-21 2017 Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) def. The Arrow Club (Kyle Hawk & Ky-Ote) for the IWR Tag Team Champions
  • 05-21 2017 Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) def. The Arrow Club (Kyle Hawk & Ky-Ote) for the TCW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-22 1955 Mike Clancy def. Ricki Starr for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-22 1985 The Nightmare [1st]/The Masked Champion/The Champion def. Terry Taylor for the MSW North American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-22 2009 Texas Outlaws, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk & Bobby Burns & J. W. Hardin) became the TAP Tag Team Champions
  • 05-22 2021 DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) def. Rejecs LM (Elijah Sparks & Dr. Corvus) for the EPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-22 2021 Father Padge def. Revan for the BCW Buzzsaw Champion
  • 05-22 2021 Paul Puertorico became the XDWF New GenX Champion
  • 05-23 1984 The Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey & Bobby Eaton) def. The Rock-N-Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-23 2004 Se7en & Li'l Joe def. Bernie Donderwitz & Mr. Brown for the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-23 2004 Li'l Joe def. Bernie Donderwitz for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-23 2009 Maniac Mike def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-23 2009 Sage def. Rage Logan for the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 05-23 2010 Damien Morte def. Crisstopher Crow for the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 05-23 2015 Brad Michaels def. Jermaine Johnson for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-23 2020 Cody Burns def. Drake Gallows for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-23 2021 Luke Savage def. Garcia for the ASP Mid-American Champion
  • 05-23 2021 Malik Mayfield became the ASP Livestream Champion
  • 05-24 1954 Rocco Perez def. Frenchy Roy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-24 2020 Shawn Sanders became the ASP Mid-American Champion
  • 05-25 1986 Terry Taylor def. Buzz Sawyer for the UWF Television Champion
  • 05-25 2013 Brock Landers became the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 05-25 2013 The American Pitbulls (Craig Stevens & Jason Jaxon) def. The Investment (Jason Noal & Jay Sinn) for the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-25 2019 Zakk Sinizter def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Apex Champion
  • 05-25 2019 Simply the Future (Alex Royal & J. D.) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 05-25 2019 Proclamation (Ethan Cole & Reed) def. Simply the Future (Alex Royal & J. D.) for the UWE Tag Team Champions
05-19
  • Will Chambers May 19th Today!
  • Dick Slater May 19th Today!
  • Andre the Giant May 19th Today!
  • Bateman May 19th Today!
  • Buzz Markley May 19th Today!
  • Mongol May 19th Today!
  • Dale Veasey May 20th
  • Chuey Martinez May 21st
  • Ivan Kalmikoff May 21st
  • Donna Christanello May 23rd
  • Santana Jackson May 23rd
  • Babyface D'Amanti May 23rd
  • Slash May 23rd
  • Gemini [2nd] May 24th
  • Shane Rawls May 24th
  • Ricky Romero May 24th
  • Lucas May 24th
  • Dark Journey May 25th
  • Michael York May 25th
  • Dominique Lereaux May 25th
  • Quarky Storm May 25th
  • Guy Atticus May 25th
  • Reggie Lincoln May 26th
  • Tank Bryson May 26th
  • Justin Adams May 26th
  • Michael Duplanti May 26th
  • Kelly Kiniski May 27th
  • Crucifer May 27th
  • Jim Thorpe May 28th
  • Kamala May 28th
  • Edge Stone May 28th
  • Maria Star May 28th
  • Dean Lambert May 28th
  • Max McGuirk May 29th
  • Jimmy Kane May 29th
  • Samu May 29th
  • Psycho Mike May 29th
  • Jesse Storm May 30th
  • Boss Hardzog May 30th
  • Jake Roberts May 30th
  • Fuel May 31st
  • Mascara Purpura May 31st
  • Anna Jackson Jun 1st
  • Ross Von Erich Jun 1st
  • James Storm Jun 1st
  • Violet Payne Jun 1st
  • Bobby Burns Jun 1st

More Look Back In History

Most Active Members

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