Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1918
By: Karl Stern (@wiwcool)
Much of the text of this entry comes from issue 82 of the DragonKing Press Newsletter available as a downloadable .pdf in the digital downloads section.
The year in wrestling 1918 is covered on the Long Form History of Pro Wrestling Podcast - Click Here.
1918
01-04-1918: In Savannah, GA at the Liberty Theater: Ed “Strangler” Lewis and Wladek Zbyszko went to a draw at 75:00. Lewis is said to have broken two ribs during the match.
01-15-1918 - Maciste Turista (Maciste The Tourist), an Italian production about a Hercules-like Italian hero named Maciste, is released. This is one of the oldest film series in the world. The plot of this particular movie revolves around Maciste, traveling to Mexico on vacation and running into adventures. The lead role was played by Mexican strong-man and Lucha Libre pioneer Enrique Ugartechea.
01-29-1918: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Jack Curley Promoter: Wladek Zbyszko defeated John Olin to retain the World heavyweight title… Joe Stecher defeated Yussif Hussane… Sulo Hevonpaa defeated Carl Vogel.
02-08-1918: Earl Caddock defeated Wladek Zbyszko in Des Moines, IA to retain the World title by decision in front of 8,000 fans. In other matches: Guy Elliott battled Paul Prehn to a 20 minute draw… Fred Grubmeier defeated Grover Titus.
03-01-1918: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Wladek Zbyszko battled Joe Stecher to a draw before a sell out crowd of 12,000. Also on the show: Hilmar Johnson defeated John Trofsky… John Freberg defeated Harry Stevens… Yussif Hussane defeated Charlie Cutler.
03-13-1918: In Atlanta, GA: City Auditorium: Billy Sandow - Promoter: Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeated Dr. Benjamin F. Roller. Dr. Roller announces after the match he plans to retire.
03-14-1918: Young Hackenschmidt (Neil Olsen) defeats Louis Nelson in New York to win the World Welterweight title.
03-18-1918: In Atlantic City, NJ: George Bothner goes to a no contest with Frank Rice when Bothner broke his leg and was unable to continue.
03-19-1918: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 12,000 (sell out): Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeated Wladek Zbyszko via DQ. Wladek is disqualified for head butting Lewis after 37 minutes… Yussif Hussane defeated Mort Henderson… Joe Malcewicz defeated George Manich… Americus (Gus Schoenlein) defeated Jess Westergaard.
04-12-1918: Des Moines, IA: Earl Caddock defeated John Olin. Caddock won two straight falls over Olin. First fall with a toe hold in 54:10 and the 2nd fall with head scissors & a arm hold in 10:10.
04-26-1918: Ed “Strangler” Lewis goes to a two hour draw with Joe Stecher at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY in front of a sellout crowd of 12,000. Also on the show: Americus defeated Soldier Leavitt (AKA: Man Mountain Dean)… Anton Stecher defeated Cyclone Ress… Yussif Hussane battled Ivan Linow to a draw.
05-08-1918: Earl Caddock again defeats Wladek Zbyszko in Chicago, IL to retain the World title… A new title belt costing $2,250 was shown to newspapers to be awarded to the winner of the May 10 Ed “Strangler” Lewis verses Wladek Zbyszko match. Promoters from different parts of the country contributed to the cost of the belt which would become property of the champion after five successful defenses.
Ed “Strangler” Lewis marries Dr. Ada Scott in Mercer, PA.
05-10-1918: Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeated Wladek Zbyszko by decision in Louisville, KY.
06-12-1918: In Omaha, NE: Joe Stecher defeated Wladek Zbyszko via decision.
06-21-1918: In a clash of two world champions, the linear world champion Joe Stecher defeats Ed “Strangler” Lewis in Des Moines, IA to retain the World title. Attendance estimated around 5,000. Lewis continues to bill himself as world champion based on the John Olin version of the title that began in 1916.
09-20-1918: Cedar Rapids, IA: Greene’s Opera House: Promoter Art Reynolds: Martin “Farmer” Burns defeated “Dad” Clark for the Over 50 year old championship. Burns was 57 and Clark was 55… Henry Halkas battled Eshiao Jacobs to a draw.
11-26-1918: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Joe Stecher battled Wladek Zbyszko to a one hour draw. Said to be boring and drew a small crowd. In other matches: John Olin battled Renato Gardini to a draw… In a Jiu-Jitsu match: Will Bingham defeated Al Gross… Cyclone Ress battled John Kilonis to a draw… Tom Draak defeated Fred Pilakoff… Carl Johnson defeated Otto Samson… Gene Bruce defeated John Smithson… Leon Hood battled Gene Westergaard to a draw… Demetrius Tofalos defeated Harry Stevens.
12-08-1918: In New York City, NY: Joe Stecher defeated Wladek Zbyszko.
12-29-1918: From the Des Moines Register: Oscar Thorson, promoter, is retiring. He says: I do not expect to ever identify myself with the sports game as a promoter in the future. The wrestling game is too risky and too difficult to make it really profitable. Thorson is the man who developed Jess Westergaard, one of the leading wrestlers. Thorson himself was a wrestler in his younger days.
12-30-1918: In Chicago IL: Wladek Zbyszko defeated Steve Savage (2-0).
Earl Caddock
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