Hall of Fame Legacy Wing: George Hackenschmidt

Wrestling’s foundation comes from a mixture of myth, kayfabe, and real athleticism. Before 1919, the earliest research I found where no one contested that wrestling matches were fixed, the tails of wrestling feel like old fighting lore. I have read that men wrestled for 5 hours, chasing away crowds as they struggled for real supremacy in the 1910s, yet in the 1890’s it was already known some wrestlers were agreeing to endings as they knew that with each close match, the rematch would sell even more tickets and they’d make more money.

It was in this time frame that the king of wrestling emerged. Born in the Russian Empire, in what is now Tartu, Estonia, Hackenschmidt developed into one of the strongest men in the world at that time. Entering both wrestling and weightlifting contests, Hackenschmidt would change the course of history as he was credited for inventing the bench press. That is right, George Hackenschmidt was credited for creating a lift in which most athletes today are measured for their strength. It was said that he lifted 164 kilograms (362 pounds) in 1899.

World Tour

What Hackenschmidt is most known for to wrestling fans is wrestling Frank Gotch. But to get to that point, first Hackenschmidt needed to be recognized as a champion. You see, in 1900’s Europe, this was hard. Each country would hold tournaments to crown a “world” champion. In 1899 in Paris, France, Hackenschmidt entered a world championship tournament, in which he was injured. By 1901 though, Hackenschmidt won his first “world” tournament, also in Paris, and this started his rise to fame.

In 1903 Catch as Catch Can wrestling was gaining in popularity. Roman Greeco wrestling is wrestling until a pin, and is still the wrestling style used in the Olympics. Catch as Catch Can added submission to the rules, and this allowed “hookers” to get in their favorite moves to make another wrestler submit. Hackenschmidt loved to get people in the Bear Hug.

In 1904, it was said Hackenschmidt won the world title in London, England, while others claim he won the world title in 1905 by beating Tom Jenkins in New York, unifying Europe and American titles. Either way, Hackenschmidt was completely dominating pro wrestling at this time. He’d wrestle in one-night tournaments, beating as many as five men in a night.

Rivalry with Frank Gotch

As early as this match rumors spread about wrestling’s legitimacy What’s funny is between Hackenschmidt and Frank Gotch, you couldn’t have two more “real” wrestlers at this point. Some report that Gotch used his speed and agility to beat the much bigger and stronger Hackenschmidt. Others have argued that it was agreed upon that Hackenschmidt was supposed to win the match, but Gotch double-crossed him, taking the match and the title. This did make way for a rematch, though that wouldn’t be for three years.

Gotch did submit Hackenschmidt with his toe hold. Afterwards, Hackenschmidt congratulated Gotch and said he was the greatest man he ever faced. Later he claimed Gotch had fouled him (there was a reported punch during the match) and the refs were against him. He wanted a rematch in Europe, but he also needed to rehabilitate as Gotch’s toe hold messed up his knee.

After Wrestling

Hackenschmidt was more than a muscular body with a pretty face. He would go on to write books, do speaking tours, and enjoy a long life. Hackenschimt was a pro’s pro, and it is reported more often than not that his matches were legit contests. So as a sportsman, Hackenschmidt might be seen as one of the finest in all of sports history.

So it is with my honor that I induct George Hackenschmidt to the Wrestling Headline Hall of Fame Legacy wing.