WRESTLERS' BUFFOONERY

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXII, Issue 4639, 13 May 1938, Page 2

WRESTLERS' BUFFOONERY

TRAGEDY BEHIND THE THEATRICALISM. DEATH, BROKEN LIMBS. AND TORN MUSCLES. Behind the theatricaiism and buffoonery of the modern wrestling ring is a story of death, broken limbs and torn muscles. In two years, 27 wrestlers have been killed outright, or have died from injuries received in the ring. Almost every week in America, a leg, an arm. or an ankle is broken, or ligaments are torn so severely, that wrestlers are "on the shelf" foi months.

Wrestling is not a pastime for the weak, and its followers must have physical fitness and scientific minds To-day millions of fans, the world over, fight their way to box offices in order to see their favourites perform, and a Sydney correspondent forwards the following illuminating information:—

Recently an American sports writer split a wrestling crowd into three sections:

(1) The fans who think that most bouts are "fixed";

(2) Those who do not care a hoot so long as they see & good show; (3) Those who are positive that the sport is on the level—the real wrestling enthusiast. Three men have died after contests with "Man Mountain" Dean.

This giant dazed an opponent, flung him to the canvas, and then, leaping in the air, crashed on to the prostrate figure. One wrestler's lungs burst under the impact, while two others had their backs broken.

In another bout, five years agoDean threw himself on to a wrestler named Bill Pogi-

Pogi is being wheeled around in a chair and it is said that he will never walk again.

Dean escaped injury for years, but in August, 1937, he had a leg broken, and is still on the shelf.

Mike Romano met his death in an unusual manner at Washington.

"Wrestling Arthur Donovan, Romiano stood dazed in a corner, an easy victim for Donovan. Famous for his flying tackles, Donovan hit his rival with all his weight, breaking Romano's ribs.

The jagged bones pierced the wrestler's lungs and he died in the ring. i Jim Browning, former world heavyweight champion, died from internal injuries received in a contest, while Pat M'cGill, in trying a flying tackle, missed his man and crashed on to the seats outside, breaking his neck. McGill escaped death, but will not' wrestle again. Again, at Washington, Babe Caddock picked up Joe Shimkas by the legs and four times drove his head into the canvas —the "Pile Driver" * hold used in Australia last year by Don Noland.

Shimkas Jay senseless on the canvas, and a fall was awarded to Caddock.

When the boll went for the next round, Shimkas was unable to continue, and because the Wrestling Commission thought Shimkas had quit, it held up his money. Shimkas died the following night in hospital, from a broken neck. It is not uncommon for wrestlers to be thrown out of the ring, but this practice meant the death of 'Steve Znosky. In a bout at Madison Square Garden, New York, Bill Robinson flung his rival over the ropes.

Znosky landed on his head, re- i ceived a fracture of the skull, and died in hospital. "Sailor" Jack Lewis was killed in ghastly fashion at Dupte, Montana. Harry Kent picked him up and slammed him to the mat, and again seized his dazed opponent, held him high in the air for another slam. He slipped as he threw his opponent, however, and Lewis was impaled on one" of the thin hardwood corner posts. '

Bill Langson had his back broken about 15 niionths ago, but is wrestling-to-day.

Some time ago at Boston, the Frenchman, Henri de Glane, was struck by one of Ed. Don. George's flying tackles. His collarbone was broken, and one of the bones protruded. With python-like headlocks, Ed. ("Strangler") Lewis won the world heavyweight championship, but his terrific strength was not realised until after his bout at Boston against Al. Morelli. Holding his opponent in a vice-like grip, Lewis exerted such pressure that Morelli's skull bones touched the brain. A delicate operation was performed and now Morelli has a silver plate in his head.

Earl McCready, who impressed Australian fans last year, was once thrown out of the ring and so severely injured that he was in bed for 12 months.

Gus Sonnenberg introduced the fly ing tackle into wrestling, and hit his opponents so heavily that they often had to retire for months.

He put "Strangler" Lewis out of the sport for two months, and then went into hospital himself when he missed a rival. He dived through, the ropes, on to the seats, and broke his pelvis. ■ '

Sammy Stein, one of the most popular wrestlers to visit this country, has had a dozen ribs broken at various times, and his shoulder dislocated on three occasions.

Leo Numa, who wrestled a short while ago at the Sydney Stadium, has had both shoulders dislocated, and Glen Wade, here last year, has had both arms and ankles broken.., In Australia wrestlers have been injured, but so far not seriously.