Tag: Comiskey Park

Gotch vs. Hackenschmidt II

Posted on Saturday, March 9th, 2019 by John Wood
Gotch vs. Hackenschmidt II
September 4, 1911 was the date when George Hackenschmidt faced Frank Gotch for the second time. The bout took place in the infield right on home plate at the newly opened Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois and which drew a crowd of nearly 30,000 spectators and a record gate of $87,000. Hackenschmidt was easy prey for Gotch, losing in straight falls in only 20 minutes. Gotch clinched the match with his feared toe hold, which forced Hackenschmidt to quit. Here’s an extremely rare wide shot that you probably haven’t seen before.
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Gotch vs. Hackenschmidt

Posted on Wednesday, January 25th, 2017 by John Wood

The greatest pro wrestling match ever held is undoubtedly on April 3rd, 1908 when the Frank Gotch and George “The Russian Lion” Hackenschmidt stepped in the ring to face each other after years of build-up. The undefeated Hackenschmidt was favored to win but after two hours of grappling, he finally submitted to an ankle lock by the American Champion Gotch. The match took place at Chicago’s Dexter Park Pavilion. The referee (middle, above) was Ed Smith.

Gotch and Hackenschmidt would face each other once again on September 4, 1911, this time at Comiskey Park stadium in front of 30,000 fans. Gotch won the rematch in two straight falls and would go on to hold the heavyweight title until he retired in 1913.