Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1928
By: Karl Stern
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 1928 is covered on the Long Form History of Pro Wrestling Podcast - Click Here.
1928
02-20-1928: Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeats Joe Stecher to finally unify the World heavyweight championship in St. Louis, MO. Strangler Lewis had been recognized as World champion in various areas while Joe Stecher held the linear championship belt. This match had been put off several times since 1925. While Ed “Strangler” Lewis now has the strongest claim as world champion, the New York State Athletic Commission decides to recognize Hans Steinke as champion.
03-06-1928: In Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium: World Heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeated Paul Jones.
03-19-1928: The first wrestling show at the third Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY takes place with a crowd of just 3,500: World heavyweight champion (New York) Hans Steinke defeated Renato Gardini… Jim Londos battled Ray Steele to a draw… John Pesek defeated Dan Koloff… Dick Shikat defeated Fred Meyer… Abe Coleman battled George DesLongchamps to a draw.
In Phoenix, AZ at Arcadia Hall: World heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeated Jack Washburn.
03-26-1928: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 7,000: World heavyweight champion (New York) Hans Steinke defeated Wladek Zbyszko… Jim Londos battled Paul Jones to a draw… Henri Deglane battled George Hills to a draw… Renato Gardini defeated Joe Zickmund.
05-02-1928: Philadelphia, PA: Arena: Attendance 10,000: Dick Shikat defeats Alec Zarlich… Dick Daviscourt defeats Pat McGuire… Jim Londos defeats John Pesek.
Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 9,000: Bruno Minkley battled Dr. P.A. Mullikan to a 30 minute draw… Henry (Milo) Steinborn defeats Sanza Kozak… World Heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeats Nick Lutze by referee stoppage in 1 fall.
06-16-1928: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,000: Al Baffert battled Bull Montana to a 15 minute draw… Howard Cantonwine defeats Firpo Wilcox… World Heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeats Nick Lutze 2 falls to 1.
06-25-1928: Houston, TX: Buffalo Stadium. Houston TX: Attendance 8,000: Rudy Dusek defeats Joe Stangle… Paul Jones defeats Ned McGuire… World Heavyweight & AWA World Heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeats Joe Malcewicz 2 falls to 1.
Philadelphia, PA: Outdoor Arena: Attendance 13,000: Felice Ruffo defeats Fred Meyers… Dick Daviscourt wrestled Mike Romano to a Time Limit Draw… Jim Londos defeats Dick Shikat.
06-29-1928: Boston, MA: Arena: Attendance 12,000: George McLeod defeats John Freberg… Joe Malcewicz battled Stanley Stasiak to a 30 minute draw… Charlie Hansen battled Joe Komar to a time limit draw… John Spellman battled Jose Dominguez to a 15 minute draw… Waino Ketonen defeats Jack Fisher… World heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeats Gus Sonnenberg by referee's decision after splitting one fall each, Sonnenberg is injured on a dive from the ring.
09-19-1928: Johnny Valentine (John Theodore Wisniski) is born in Hobart, WA.
Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 7,100: Joe Malcewicz defeated Nick Lutze 2 out of 3 falls to win a tournament to meet Ed “Strangler” Lewis for the World heavyweight title… Dr. P.A. Mullikan defeated Walter O’Connor… Al Baffert defeated Leo Ghilarducci.
09-1928: William Muldoon, now the President of the New York State Athletic Commission tells Ring Magazine, “Boxing is the greatest form of entertainment known to man.”
10-01-1928: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 2,000: Alan Eustace defeated John Evko… World Middleweight champion Gus Kallio defeated Martin Merkur… World Welterweight champion Jack Reynolds defeated Charlie Gribbell… George Calza defeated Paul Harper… Nat Pendleton defeated Clevo Massimo.
10-03-1928: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 9,300: Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeated Joe Malcewicz 2 out of 3 falls to retain the World heavyweight title… Howard Cantonwine defeated Al Baffert… P.A. Mullikan defeated Tommy Henderson.
10-08-1928: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 3,500: George Calza defeated Toots Mondt… Alan Eustace defeated Jim Clinstock… Gus Kallio defeated Ali Murray… World Welterweight champion Jack Reynolds battled Harry Glick to a draw… Dick Shikat defeated Young Gotch.
10-17-1928: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 10,115: Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeated Marin Plestina 2 out of 3 falls to retain the World heavyweight title… Dr. P.A. Mullikan defeated Pete Aisbrenner… Bill Shaw defeated Bill Beth.
11-10-1928: Clarence Eklund wins a tournament in Melbourne, Australia to become World lightweight champion.
11-22-1928: Boston, MA: Boston Arena: Attendance: 10.000: Dan Koloff defeats Ned McGuire… Joe Malcewicz battled George McLeod to a 30 minute draw… Gus Sonnenberg defeats Stanley Stasiak.
11-23-1928: Future NWA World heavyweight champion Gene Kiniski (Eugene Nicholas Kiniski) is born near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
11-31-1928: The famous match between Stanislaus Zbyszko and Gama the Great takes place in Paddulo, India where Zbyszko is pinned by Gama in four seconds of the first fall. Supposed attendance is 40,000.
Stanislaus Zbyszko verses Great Gama in India
12-02-1928: in Athens, Greece: Panathenaic Stadium drawing 50,000: Jim Londos beat Karol Zbyszko.
12-19-1928: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance: 8,500: Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeated Joe Malcewicz 2 out of 3 falls to retain the World heavyweight title… Dick Daviscourt wrestled Paul Jones to a draw… Kazuo Yoshimi fought Jack Roller to a draw in a Ju-Jitsu match.
DragonKingKarl (Karl Stern) is a long time pro wrestling historian who has been published in books, newsletters, and podcasts since the mid-1990s.
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