When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture by DragonKingKarl

Hour 49 of the 1000 Hours podcast series is a packed one. The 1000 Hours series is my detailed, heavily researched look at the pioneer era of pro wrestling, or pro wrestling before the time of Frank Gotch. On today's episode I am asked about Davy Crockett, whose obituary following his death at the Alamo claimed he was a wrestler. What is the reality of that claim? Plus, we discuss the shooting of pioneer legend John McMahon whose working of matches caught up to him in San Francisco. Tons to talk about on this episode so let's get to it!

YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put "1000" in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 66

On this episode of my DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Podcast I take a look at the results of the latest match in the final eight of the GKT: Greatest Kayfabe Tournament pitting Brock Lesnar against Mitsuharu Misawa. These two would have had an incredible match in their primes and I discuss it along with your voting results. The bulk of the show is spent discussing the 1980s-1990s pro wrestling and how the lapsed wrestling fan is a real thing and how the problem is only increasing including all the dynamics in why, there really is a new generation of pro wrestling fan.

On this episode I continue the history of pro wrestling at Madison Square Garden podcast series with a detour to Yankee Stadium in 1931 where Jim Londos teams up with the William Randolph Hearst empire to hopefully draw one of the largest crowds in history up to that date. Well, they tried anyway. Then I transition to more talk about the glory era of pro wrestling in the southern United States with more discussion of Jerry Jarrett's Memphis wrestling empire, Ron Fuller's Continental Wrestling, and more.

Wrestling historian Karl Stern first covered the pioneer era wrestling special attraction Yousof Ismael- The Terrible Turk, on hour five of the 1000 Hours podcast series, but the Terrible Turk deserves a follow up as requested by one of our listeners. Now Karl tells you the latest information he has uncovered about the original Terrible Turk who came to America in 1898, beat the best in the country (including the American champion), then died on his way back to Europe... and how much of it was legitimate. This is hour 48 of 1000 hours, the podcast about the pioneers of pro wrestling.

YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put "1000" in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 66.

The early pioneer era has given us some very interesting people to learn about so far. Uzile Prickett, Col. McLaughlin, G.W. Flagg, and now let's meet Homer Lane. Homer Lane was one of the early American champions. A multi-time American champion as a matter of fact. He was also a straight up carny. Yes, even before 1870 pro wrestling had its workers as we have learned, and Homer Lane was one of them. He was also probably part of pro wrestling first (?) trust/syndicate/booking office along with John McMahon, Harry Hill, and others. This is hour 47 of 1000 hours.

YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put "1000" in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 65.

Wrestling historian Karl Stern returns with a detailed look at the month of May 1984 in pro wrestling history. It was one of the most significant months ever: Kerry Von Erich wins the NWA World title from Ric Flair in the largest show in Texas history, Ric Flair regains the title in Japan, Rick Martel becomes AWA World champion, Vince McMahon Sr dies, Andy Kaufman dies, and much more. If you are a fan of classic old school pro wrestling history then this is a great jumping on point.

DragonKingKarl Long Form History of Pro Wrestling - Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling Podcast — When It Was Cool - Pop Culture, Comics, Pro Wrestling, Toys, TV, Movies, and Podcasts

I have recently spent many hours digging through hundreds of pages of 1870 newspapers from Detroit, Chicago, Ontario, and beyond chronicling the real story of the biggest tournament in history of American pro wrestling in the pioneer era. The 1870 Detroit International tournament awarded an ornate championship belt to its winner Col. James H. McLaughlin, but McLaughlin did not become the American champion, at least not yet, but I give you that story too. Also, McLaughlin may have killed Barney Smith, but it probably did not happen here either. I also clear up a number of other myths and errors that history books have recorded about this milestone in pro wrestling history. This is hour 46 of 1000 hours.

Karl Stern returns to his roots on this edition of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show by discussing 1980s Southeastern and Continental wrestling. What made it so great? What are some of the myths about it? What did Ron Fuller get wrong recently on his podcast? Plus, the Greatest Kayfabe Tournament continues with discussion of Kurt Angle and Rikidozan plus a look at the final eight! A ton of pro wrestling history with historian and author Karl Stern!

The latest in the 1000 Hours Podcast series looking back at the pioneer (pre-1900) era of pro wrestling takes a look at the pioneer era of wrestling in Australia. Believe it or not, there was pro wrestling in the 1800s in Australia and one of America's top stars died there. The incredible story of the death of Clarence Whistler has been often told but the details are a bit incorrect. On this episode we will look at what is really known about how and why Clarence Whistler died while wrestling in Australia plus his last match there and why he was there to begin with. This is hour 45.

Karl is back with a look at the new WWE Network Bray Wyatt documentary which dives into his career, characters, and family which include classic era wrestlers Mike Rotundo, Blackjack Mulligan, and Barry and Kendal Windham. This was a very good documentary that fills in a lot of gaps about the death of Wyatt. Also, in the show we conclude the Bruno Sammartino biography from the pages of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter by Dave Meltzer.