It Was Almost Real: The Pro Wrestling History Podcast

Episode 85 - The Referee

In this episode, I discuss a controversial referee's decision in the 1905 match between Fred Beell and Gus "Americus" Schoenlein.

Episode 84 - Closed Door Match and The Iron Claw

In this episode, I review a closed door match between Tom Jenkins and Fred Beell. I also review The Iron Claw (2023).

Episode 83 - Unwanted Attention, Part 2

In this episode, I will be talking about an Illinois select committee’s investigation into professional boxing and wrestling in Chicago, Illinois. In part two, we discuss the revelations that made Sandow and Lewis look bad.

Episode 82 - Unwanted Attention, Part 1

In this episode, I will be talking about an Illinois select committee’s investigation into professional boxing and wrestling in Chicago, Illinois. In part one, we discuss the revelations that made Joe Stecher look bad.

Episode 81- Liquid Courage

In this episode, I will be talking a wrestler who need “liquid courage” to climb in the ring with Evan “The Strangler” Lewis.

Episode 80 - Exposing the Business

In this episode, I discuss how the Divided Championship Era began to expose the worked nature of professional wrestling.

Episode 79 - Flying Muldoon Style

In this episode, I discuss William Muldoon wrestling a contest that wasn't much of a contest and demonstrating his system of physical training.

Episode 78 - Hall of Fame

In this episode, Dan and I discuss two notable omissions from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.

Episode 77 - Don't Call Me Barney!

In this episode, we discuss Bernarr MacFadden's professional wrestling career in St. Louis, Missouri.

Episode 76 - Solving the Masked Marvel

In this episode, I discuss Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeating the Masked Marvel during the 1915 New York International Wrestling Tournament.