1920s and 1930s

by Mark Long

Cool Timeline

1920
Joe Stecher defeats Earl Caddock in New York City
Madison Square Garden - historyofwrestling.com

Joe Stecher defeated Earl Caddock in New York City. The match was held in Madison Square Garden and drew a gate of $80,000 with an attendance of 10,000. The match was considered one of the greatest in wrestling history with both men boasting world championship caliber credentials. While Caddock was…
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Aleksander Aberg Dies at 38
Alex Aberg - historyofwrestling.com

Aleksander “Alex” Aberg, one of the top professional wrestlers in the world, died in Armavir, Armenia. Aberg was one of the great Estonian wrestlers of the day, along with Georg Lurich and George Hackenschmidt. A top contender for the World Heavyweight title after retirement of Frank Gotch, Aberg was on the outside…
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1923
“Tigerman” John Pesek Defeats Olympian Nat Pendleton
John Pesek - historyofwrestling.com

As the Gold Dust Trio (Strangler Lewis, Billy Sandow and Toots Mondt) ruled the wrestling world, promoter Jack Curley decided to  challenge the group’s supremacy. With the trio seeking a payday with boxing champion Jack Dempsey, Curley-backed wrestler made a challenge to the boxer as well, offering to meet him…
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1930
The National Wrestling Association Is Established
National Wrestling Association Belt - historyofwrestling.com

The National Wrestling Association, professional wrestling’s first recognized sanctioning body, is established. The NWA was an outgrowth of the National Boxing Association and, like the NBA, it was a collection of state athletic commissioners who oversaw the sport. However, unlike future sanctioning bodies, the National Wrestling Association was a regulatory…
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1933
“Jumping” Joe Savoldi Defeats Jim Londos in Chicago
Joe Savoldi - historyofwrestling.com

In one of the many double-crosses that were so prevalent during this infamous era of professional wrestling, “Jumping” Joe Savoldi defeats reigning the National Wrestling Association World champion Jim Londos in Chicago, Illinois. Referee Bob Managoff served a pivotal role in the bout, allowing Savoldi to take the title in…
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1937
Lou Thesz Wins His First World Title
Lou Thesz - historyofwrestling.com

December 29, 1937: Following a victory over Everett Marshall in St. Louis, Missouri, a 21 year-old Lou Thesz wins his first World title and becomes the youngest World champion in history by capturing the American Wrestling Association World Heavyweight title. While other young wrestlers have come close to matching Thesz’s…
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