Pro Wrestling History Nerds

It's a story of newfound fame out east, a private match with Tom Jenkins, the importance of a loudmouth manager, and a couple of riots. It's the story of Fred Beell, Part 7!   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Fred Beell fell into a career slump in 1903, only to break out on the nation stage in Baltimore at the close of 1904. Listen to that journey unfold, along with some wild side quests and wild stories of the midwest in the early 1900s. Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

A match against a living legend, a look at the Gotch gang, a whole lotta strangling, a fake Turk, and a wild ad for vitality pills. It's the story of Fred Beell, part 5. Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Wins, losses, angry letters, and attempt to move west, and a box office bomb against a wrestling legend. It's the story of Fred Beell, part 4!   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

A tale of bait-and-switch booking, stacking the betting odds, a wrestler with upset stomach, and why you can't answer a public challenge from the dark woods of the frontier. It's the story of Fred Beell, part 3!   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Learn about the impact of disease in warfare, the horrors of pre-OSHA railroad work, an ill-fated attempt to swindle a "Jay In The Woods" town, trash talking in the sports pages, and more! Join Nick and Heidi for the story of Fred Beell, part two! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Today Nick and Heidi discuss the railroad expansion into the post-Civil War Midwest, why fire is bad, old timey language that makes us giggle, and of course the early life and career of Fred Beell.   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Today we discuss a man of many stolen gimmicks. A man with multiple shots at the NWA title. A man who set fires, committed crimes, did prison time, and was the body guard of a Mafia boss, who went on to be a movie icon. Nick and Heidi tell the story of Lenny Montana! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers. -The Godfather Wars, by Mark Seal. From the March, 2009 Vanity Fair.

How did an all-women's show impact the Colorado Wrestling Scene? How do women wrestlers navigate the  world of regional pro wrestling? Why did Priscilla Kelly kick Heidi Howitzer in the face? Listen up as we solve these mysteries and tell wild stories from Respect Women's Wrestling!   Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Murder, scandals, intervention by the supreme court, Nazi in-laws, a Texas Death match, and the hottest short run a tag team could ask for. Today Nick and Heidi discuss the life and career of Sam Sheppard! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.