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Review: Ed "Strangler" Lewis: Facts within a Myth

Review: Ed "Strangler" Lewis: Facts within a Myth

Posted: Oct 13th 2017 By: Steve Yohe

Easily the definitive work on Ed Lewis, and the heavyweight title picture of his era. Ed Lewis occupied that enormously important era of wrestling history between the Gotch era and the Thesz era, when the sport went from the slower, "realistic" Greco-Roman and catch-as-catch-can styles to the flashier, strictly performance-based style that we have today. Lewis and Co. help build the sport back up after the Gotch/Hackenschmidt fiasco, and along the way effectively commit a few similar travesties of their own, killing various towns over the years, but always steadily moving the sport forward. An impressive amount of research went into this work, by a murderer's row of pro wrestling historians and beaten into shape by the inimitable Steve Yohe.

The photos are wonderful, and the work is thoroughly cited with an enormous number of end notes used. In a lot of ways, as the title of the book alludes to, this book is both a biography of Lewis, and a partial debunking of his myth. Both "The Fall Guys" and "Hooker" are cited liberally, along with an unpublished autobiography Lewis had done, and every story compared to the newspaper coverage of the time. In fact, the end notes, over 480 of them, take up probably 20% of the book's page count, filling in a lot of detail that just didn't fit into the narrative of the main body. Some of them take up nearly half a page, and they offer not only expanded detail about the point referenced, but also provide a lot of Yohe's reasoning behind many of his conclusions about what may really have been behind the stories.

The biggest (only?) flaw, however, is that the book desperately needed one final pass by a proof reader to catch all the typos and grammatical errors. This book could really use a second edition, both to clean up the problems with the text, as well as possible fill in a bit more detail now that there are so many more newspaper archives available online. Another few dozen matches could be added to the record book appendix.

That said, this is an important work, and easily rivals Lou Thesz & Kit Bauman's "Hooker: The Authentic Wrestler's Adventures Inside the Bizarre World of Professional Wrestling" and Tim Hornbaker's "National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly That Strangled Pro Wrestling" as one of the most detailed and heavily researched books on the history of the "sport"

4/5 Stars

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1984 Killer Khan became the WCCW Television Champion
  • 2010 Cody Jones became the NWA-OK Texoma Champion
  • 2010 Jack Legacy def. Jeff Starchild for the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 2010 Dustin Heritage def. Shane Morbid for the MWA MAX-Division Champion
  • 2010 A. T. F. (Al Farat & Gurkha Singh) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 2010 La Reina de Corazones became the NWA-OK Women's Champion
  • 2011 Rudy Edwards def. Ryan Styles for the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 2011 Bernie D & Max McGuirk def. Nemesis (Rage Logan & Damien Morte) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 2016 Tyson Jaymes def. Brandon Groom for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2018 Jack Swagger became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 2018 The Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) became the WCR Tag Team Champions
  • 2018 Damon Windsor became the WCR Revolutionary Champion
  • 2021 Jerome Daniel Griffey def. Tino Valentino for the ASP Heavyweight Champion
  • 2022 Drake Gallows def. Oxley for the RDW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2022 Derek James became the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 2022 Luna Nightshade became the RDW Women's Champion
  • 2022 Brandon Groom def. Derek James for the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 2022 Becky def. Luna Nightshade for the RDW Women's Champion

Week of Sun 05-05 to Sat: 05-11

  • 05-05 1941 Maurice Shapiro became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock became the TSW United States Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock def. Sandor Kovacs for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1978 Jerry Brown & Bobby Jaggers def. Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 1982 King Kong Bundy def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1982 Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia def. The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 1986 Rick Rude def. Lance Von Erich for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-05 2002 Red Eagle def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2002 Terry Montana def. Red Eagle for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2007 The Compound Varsity (Romero Contreras & Justin Lee) became the FCW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-05 2012 Kareem Sadat def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2017 El Greengo Loco & Karnage def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 2024 Tzuki def. Guerrerito for the EDW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-06 1959 Pretty Boy Collins & Duke Scarbo became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1969 Ramon Torres & Alberto Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treacherous Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1974 Rip Tyler def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) def. The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer 1 & Super Destroyer 2) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes, & Buddy Roberts) for the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) became the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1985 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) became the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 2005 Shane Morbid def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 05-06 2005 The 918 Boyz (Timmy J & Cade Sydal) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-06 2011 Jeff Starchild became the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-06 2017 Lone Star, Inc. (Cody Burns & Trey Cole & The Longhorn Outlaw) def. Simply the Future (J. D. & Alex) for the WFC Tag Team Champions
  • 05-06 2017 Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) def. El Greengo Loco & Karnage for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 2023 Thrash def. Jason Jones for the WFC Prime Champion
  • 05-06 2023 MLP def. Red James for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-06 2023 Red James def. MLP for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-07 1984 Killer Khan became the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Cody Jones became the NWA-OK Texoma Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Jack Legacy def. Jeff Starchild for the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Dustin Heritage def. Shane Morbid for the MWA MAX-Division Champion
  • 05-07 2010 A. T. F. (Al Farat & Gurkha Singh) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-07 2010 La Reina de Corazones became the NWA-OK Women's Champion
  • 05-07 2011 Rudy Edwards def. Ryan Styles for the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 05-07 2011 Bernie D & Max McGuirk def. Nemesis (Rage Logan & Damien Morte) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-07 2016 Tyson Jaymes def. Brandon Groom for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2018 Jack Swagger became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2018 The Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) became the WCR Tag Team Champions
  • 05-07 2018 Damon Windsor became the WCR Revolutionary Champion
  • 05-07 2021 Jerome Daniel Griffey def. Tino Valentino for the ASP Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Drake Gallows def. Oxley for the RDW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Derek James became the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Luna Nightshade became the RDW Women's Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Brandon Groom def. Derek James for the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Becky def. Luna Nightshade for the RDW Women's Champion
  • 05-08 1970 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Buddy Roberts) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-08 1985 The Snowman became the MSW Television Champion
  • 05-08 1988 Kerry Von Erich def. King Parsons for the WCCW World Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Brandon Groom def. Michael Barry for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2004 John O'Malley became the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Kenny Campbell became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Luc Lapointe & Se7en became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-08 2010 Excellence Personified (Dustin Heritage & Se7en & Michael Barry & Jack Legacy) became the TAP Tag Team Champions
  • 05-08 2010 Wage def. Eric Rose for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-08 2010 John O'Malley def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2010 Michael H def. Tex for the 412PE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2010 J. R. Orullian & The Unknown def. The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Dennis Williams) for the 412PE Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 1967 Gorgeous George, Jr. & Jack Brisco def. The Assassins (Assassin #1 & Assassin #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-09 2004 John O'Malley def. Chris Matthews for the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-09 2004 Se7en became the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-09 2004 Bernie Donderwitz def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-09 2009 Crazy Beautiful (Brett Taylor & Michael York) def. Team SuperBad (El Super Colibri & Justin Lee) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2009 Dane Griffin def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-09 2009 BLK-OUT (Jermaine Johnson & Montego Seeka) def. Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2015 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Hurricane Ross & J. R. Orullian for the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2021 Erica def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Champion
  • 05-10 1966 The Assassins (Assassin 1 & Assassin 2) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-10 2008 Jerry Bostic became the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 05-10 2014 Billy Ray [1st] def. Running Wolf for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-10 2014 American Made def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE United States Champion
  • 05-10 2019 Kody Lane def. Latrell Upton for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 05-10 2023 Leo Fox def. The Wolf of War for the RDW Iron Man Champion
  • 05-11 1976 Karl Kox & Bob Sweetan def. Ted DiBiase & Dick Murdoch for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-11 1981 Ernie Ladd def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-11 2008 The Midnite Rider def. Outlaw for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-11 2008 Limited Edition (Les Mayne & Dane Griffin) def. The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-11 2013 Billy Ray [1st] became the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-11 2013 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Pretty In Pink (Mike Rose & Michael Duplanti) for the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-11 2019 Drake Gallows became the KCW National Champion
05-07
  • Hercules May 7th Today!
  • Richie Adams May 8th
  • Jake Danielsson May 9th
  • Rook Tyler May 10th
  • Tito Santana May 10th
  • Jerry Brown May 10th
  • Billy Brown May 10th
  • Sunny War Cloud May 10th
  • Charming Charles May 11th
  • Psycho May 11th
  • Big J May 11th
  • Brock Baker May 12th
  • Sol Yang May 12th
  • Sensei Jamo May 12th
  • Bill Howard May 12th
  • Prince Mahalli May 13th
  • Karl Krupp May 13th
  • Lars Manderson May 13th
  • Little Boy Blue May 13th
  • Maggie Rae May 13th
  • Pete Maguire May 13th
  • Stan Kowalski May 13th
  • Dave Ryda May 13th
  • Payton Scott May 13th
  • Danny Hodge May 13th
  • Shawn Bragan May 14th
  • Big Van Vader May 14th
  • C. M. Burnham May 14th
  • Steve Williams May 14th
  • Scott Irwin May 14th
  • Robert Fuller May 14th
  • Tommy Rogers May 14th
  • Joe Cuedo May 15th
  • Erwin IV May 15th
  • Andrew Bridge May 15th
  • Oscar Amazing May 15th
  • Koko May 15th
  • Kevin Von Erich May 15th
  • Ryan Martin May 16th
  • Buddy Knox May 16th
  • Buddy Roberts May 16th
  • Ryker James May 16th
  • Alan Jefferson May 16th
  • Wage May 17th
  • J. B. Pain May 17th
  • Billy Red Lyons May 17th
  • Mike Pappas May 17th
  • Dan Maestro May 17th
  • Kyle Hawk May 17th
  • Matt Riviera May 18th
  • Luna Nightshade May 18th
  • Gajo May 18th
  • Jimmy Snuka May 18th
  • Akuma Jones May 18th
  • Kristopher Haiden May 18th
  • J. R. Wind May 18th
  • Dick Slater May 19th
  • Andre the Giant May 19th
  • Mongol May 19th
  • Bateman May 19th
  • Buzz Markley May 19th
  • Will Chambers May 19th
  • Dale Veasey May 20th

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