The history of professional wrestling prior to 1948 is marked by a rich and diverse evolution from legitimate sport to a more entertainment-driven spectacle. During this period, professional wrestling developed from catch wrestling contests of the 19th century to become one of the most popular sports in the United States and around the world. Here’s an overview of its early history:
1800s: Origins of Professional Wrestling
Catch-as-Catch-Can Wrestling:
Wrestling has ancient roots, but modern professional wrestling in the U.S. can be traced back to the 19th century with catch-as-catch-can wrestling, a style that emerged in Lancashire, England, and spread to the United States. Unlike Greco-Roman wrestling, which restricts holds to the upper body, catch wrestling allowed holds and submissions on any part of the body.
Carnival and Circus Wrestling: In the late 1800s, wrestling became a popular attraction at carnivals and circuses. Wrestlers, known as "hookers," would issue open challenges to spectators or other wrestlers, often using their skills to beat untrained challengers.
The Emergence of Promoters and Touring Wrestlers:
By the late 19th century, wrestling began to be organized more formally, with promoters setting up matches between known wrestlers. These matches often took place in local athletic clubs, music halls, or theaters.
William Muldoon was one of the earliest wrestling stars in the U.S., known as the "Solid Man," and was instrumental in popularizing Greco-Roman wrestling in America. He later became the first recognized American Heavyweight Champion.
Early 1900s: The Rise of Professional Wrestling
Frank Gotch and the American Heavyweight Championship:
Wrestling began to achieve mainstream popularity with the emergence of Frank Gotch, who became the first true superstar of American professional wrestling. Gotch defeated George Hackenschmidt, the “Russian Lion,” in 1908 to win the World Heavyweight Championship, and their rematch in 1911 is considered one of the most significant matches in early wrestling history.
Gotch's victories and his reign as champion established him as a national hero, elevating the profile of professional wrestling in the United States.
The Development of Promoters and Trusts:
By the 1920s, promoters such as Jack Curley in New York, Tom Packs in St. Louis, and Toots Mondt and Billy Sandow began to shape the industry, working to organize wrestling into a more structured form of entertainment.
Toots Mondt, a former wrestler, innovated the business by creating the "Gold Dust Trio" with Ed "Strangler" Lewis and Billy Sandow. They developed new wrestling techniques, including "slam-bang western style wrestling," a blend of grappling, boxing, and entertainment, which became the foundation for modern professional wrestling. They also introduced the concept of regional promotions and booking control.
Regional Promotions and the Sanctioning of Titles:
Wrestling promoters started to operate in different regions or territories. Promoters controlled the "territories" and often determined which wrestlers were given pushes or allowed to hold titles. They had significant influence over matches, outcomes, and storyline development.
Regional Titles: Many promoters began creating their own regional titles to signify the top wrestlers in their territory, leading to a proliferation of regional championships.
1920s-1940s: The Golden Age of Professional Wrestling
National and International Expansion:
Wrestling expanded nationally, and wrestlers became household names due to their involvement in newspaper stories, radio broadcasts, and early television appearances.
Wrestlers like Ed “Strangler” Lewis, Jim Londos, and Gorgeous George became huge stars. Ed Lewis, in particular, was a dominant champion during the 1920s and 1930s and held multiple versions of the world title.
Television and the Entertainment Shift:
The advent of television in the late 1940s and early 1950s provided a new platform for professional wrestling. Promoters quickly realized that wrestling translated well to television because of its visual spectacle and built-in storylines.
Wrestling began to be broadcast on local and national television stations, which helped to further popularize the sport. This shift also began to emphasize the entertainment aspects of wrestling, with more scripted outcomes and dramatic characters to appeal to broader audiences.
The World Title Lineage and Early Promotional Alliances
World Heavyweight Championship Lineage:
Before the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) was formed in 1948, the World Heavyweight Championship was recognized by various promotions and associations, leading to multiple claimants to the title. Promoters would recognize different champions based on their bookings and agreements.
Wrestlers like Jim Londos, Danno O'Mahony, and Bronko Nagurski were recognized as world champions by different organizations. Promoters sometimes recognized different lineages or created new world titles altogether when disputes or splits occurred among the promoters.
Attempts at National Alliances:
Before the NWA, several promoters attempted to form national alliances to organize wrestling more effectively. For example, Paul Bowser and Jack Pfefer in the Northeast, Tom Packs in St. Louis, and others tried to create a unified structure for professional wrestling.
Despite these attempts, disputes among promoters, competition over top talent, and different visions for the business led to fractured alliances and multiple world champions being recognized by different factions.
1940s: The Stage is Set for the NWA
Decline of Legitimate Wrestling Matches:
By the 1940s, almost all professional wrestling had shifted from legitimate competition to entertainment-based performances with predetermined outcomes. Promoters focused on storytelling, colorful characters, and feuds to draw audiences, rather than presenting wrestling as a legitimate sport.
The end of World War II and the rise of television changed the entertainment landscape. Promoters saw an opportunity to market wrestling more effectively by collaborating and creating a national governing body.
Founding of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA):
The formation of the NWA in 1948 marked the end of this pre-1948 period, setting the stage for a more organized, unified approach to wrestling promotion. The NWA brought together many regional promoters under a single umbrella, with the goal of having one recognized world champion and a coordinated effort to share talent and television markets.
Conclusion: Pre-1948 Professional Wrestling
The history of professional wrestling before 1948 is characterized by its transformation from a legitimate sporting contest to a scripted form of entertainment. Promoters, regional alliances, and stars like Frank Gotch, Ed "Strangler" Lewis, and Gorgeous George shaped the development of wrestling into a popular spectacle that would become one of the cornerstones of American entertainment. The creation of the NWA in 1948 laid the groundwork for the modern professional wrestling industry, bringing about a more structured and cooperative approach among wrestling promoters.
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