Professional Wrestler Archives - www.oldtimestrongman.com

The Claw!

Posted on Sunday, May 1st, 2022 by John Wood

The year was 1967 and a mild-mannered and soft-spoken fellow from Nebraska, Jim Raschke, was trying to break into the wrestling business. Like many wrestlers who are starting out, Raschke was still trying to figure out what kind of wrestler he would be… Fortune was smiling on the young wrestler when he crossed paths with the legendary Maurice “Mad Dog” Vachon, who took one look at the young Nebraskan, shaved his head, and dubbed him “Baron Von Raschke” … from the Republic of Germany.

The change was immediate, almost uncanny, like Jekyll and Hyde from those who saw it, no longer a timid Nebraskan, “The Baron” was now a force to be reckoned with in the ring as well as behind the microphone. “Dat is all da People need to know!”

Baron Von Raschke’s main weapon in the ring was “The Claw!” — a grip so strong that anyone he slapped it on had no choice but to submit.

The Baron “officially” retired in 1996 … but every great wrestler makes at least one come back, and in November, 2021, Raschke made an appearance with All Elite Wrestling at its Full Gear pay-per-view putting “The Claw” on Ethan Page!

Johnny Silvi

Posted on Tuesday, October 12th, 2021 by John Wood

Johnny Silvi was a professional wrestler from Canada who, in order to drum up interest for his matches, used to pull a call down the street in front of the arena with his teeth. As his impressive neck development would indicate, clearly he made a habit of this practice. Above, Silvi pulls a 1949 Ford Tudor as onlookers are amazed.

Thor Jensen

Posted on Tuesday, November 27th, 2018 by John Wood

Thor Jensen, pro wrestler, promoter, and swashbuckler had a very strong neck. Here a friend puts a boot right on Jensen’s Adam’s Apple with no ill effect. Don’t try this one at home folks.

The Brothers Baillargeon

Posted on Wednesday, September 10th, 2014 by John Wood

The Brothers Baillargeon are another entry in the long line of great strongmen from Quebec. From left to right: Charles, Paul, Adrian, Lionel, Jean, and Antonio. They traveled the continent performing tremendous strength feats and all eventually became famous professional wrestlers.

Note the family crest on their uniforms: It featured the number “6” (representing all six brothers) a beaver, their name and a maple leaf logo.

Lou Thesz & Expander Training

Posted on Friday, September 5th, 2014 by John Wood

Expander work has always been popular with wrestlers since they offer a workout that is both portable and effective. Here is the great champion Lou Thesz, the man who held the NWA Championship belt longer than anyone else is history, doing a couple curls with what looks like one of Roy Noe’s Graduated Xercisors. This is a really fantastic exercise and the tension can be adjusted based on foot placement.

Bruno Sammartino

Posted on Thursday, July 10th, 2014 by John Wood

Talk about “built for strength,” this rare image of the great Bruno Sammartino highlights his incredible bone structure. No wonder he toyed with 550+ lb bench presses and wiped the mat with pretty much everyone he ever faced in the ring… I sure wouldn’t want to be at the other end of THAT fist.

Henry “Milo” Steinborn

Posted on Monday, April 14th, 2014 by John Wood

Henry "Milo" Steinborn

Henry “Milo” Steinborn was a German strongman and wrestler who came the the U.S. in 1921 and immediately caused a big splash in the world of physical training. At a bodyweight of 210 pounds, he could snatch 220 pounds with one hand, military press 265 pounds and clean and jerk 347-1/2.

Milo was most well-known for introducing hard and heavy squatting to this side of the world.
Milo could tip a barbell loaded to 550 pounds up and onto his back unassisted and then perform five deep reps with it — a feat yet to be duplicated.

The Iron Sheik’s Persian Club Challenge

Posted on Saturday, February 22nd, 2014 by John Wood

he Iron Sheik's Persian Club Challenge

Many oldschool Pro-Wrestlers had their own strength challenge to confound their opponents and sometimes members of the crowd.
The Iron Sheik had “The Persian Club” challenge where he offered $2000 to all comers if they swung a pair of “75 pound” traditional meels for as many reps as he could.

To my knowledge The Sheik was never beaten, and what’s more, Sheik used the Persian Club Challenge to injure then-champion Bob Backlund before their title match back in ’83 (it wasn’t the first time he used the clubs to get the upper hand against his opponents either, see below.)

He’s a crafty one, that Sheik.

Also of note is the Takhteh Shena (traditional Zurkhaneh pushup board) at his feet. Before his pro-wrestling gig, the Sheik was a bonafide stud on the amateur mat and competed for the Iranian Greco-Roman team in the 1968 Olympics.

Doug Hepburn The Pro-Wrestler

Posted on Friday, February 21st, 2014 by John Wood

Doug Hepburn The Pro-Wrestler

Most people don’t know that Doug Hepburn had a short professional wrestling career in Canada once his weight lifting career came to an end. Shown above, he even got his own Parkhurst trading card in the 1955-56 set.
Doug often performed feats of strength before his matches, hence the dumbbell by his feet.

Doug’s finishing move was an inverted bear-hug, using his great strength to squeeze the life out of his opponents until they had no choice but to submit.

Ivan Shemyakin

Posted on Thursday, August 1st, 2013 by John Wood

Ivan Shemyakin

Born in a small village near Moscow Ivan Shemyakin ran off to join the circus when he was fifteen years of age to become a strongman and wrestler. He was quite skilled in both areas, winning the kettlebell lifting championship of Russia in 1899 and a World Championship in wrestling in 1913.