Today in Pro Wrestling History (August 1): A Russian Lion is Born

Today in Pro Wrestling History: On August 1st, 1877, Georg Karl Julius Hackenschmidt is born. Hackenschmidt would go on to worldwide fame, being recognized publicly as the “world’s strongest man” and one of professional wrestling’s first world champions.

Today in Pro Wrestling History (August 1): A Russian Lion is Born

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In the days of catch-as-catch-can wrestling, Hackenschmidt engaged in one of the greatest sports rivalries of all-time with American champion Frank Gotch. One of the first massive sporting events of the 20th century was the pair’s showdown at Chicago’s Comiskey Park on September 4th, 1911.

He also wrote several books about weightlifting and fitness, and dedicated his life to the subject. Hackenschmidt died in London in 1968. He was 90.

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