Ed Lewis (wrestler)

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Ed Lewis
Statistics
Ring name(s) Ed Lewis
Billed height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Billed weight 265 lb (120 kg)
Born June 30, 1891
Nekoosa, Wisconsin
Died August 8, 1966
New York, New York

Robert Herman Julius Friedrich June 30, 1891 - August 8, 1966, was a professional wrestler whose career spanned four decades. He was a seven time World Heavyweight Champion.

Contents

[edit] Wrestling career

Born in Nekoosa, Wisconsin, Friedrich began wrestling at the age of 14, using the stage name Ed "Strangler" Lewis, in tribute of 1890s star Evan "Strangler" Lewis, and because his parents did not approve of him wrestling.

Lewis became the biggest star in wrestling during the late 1910s and throughout the 1920s. He was the pivotal figure in the "Gold-Dust Trio", along with promoters Toots Mondt and Billy Sandow, a travelling road show that was the precursor to wrestling tours, and which revolutionized wrestling by creating undercards, promoting full events instead of one match shows. They also developed the first wrestling storylines, creating "worked" feuds between wrestlers.

Lewis captured his first world heavyweight championship recognized on December 13, 1920, defeating Joe Stecher. Stecher would prove to be Lewis' biggest rival, both in and out of the ring, with Stecher running his own shows against the Gold-Dust Trio, beginning quite possibly the first promotional rivalry. Lewis and Stecher wrestled one of the longest matches in pro wrestling history, where they battled for five and a half hours, earning only "a draw". The climax of their feud came on April 15, 1925 when Gold-Dust Trio star, and former champion, Stanislaus Zbyszko, was asked to lose to the Gold-Dust Trio's own handpicked champion, Wayne Munn, a former football star, in an effort to give Munn credibility. Zbyszko balked at the idea of losing to an unskilled wrestler, and secretly jumped to the Joe Stecher camp. Zbyszko double-crossed the Gold-Dust Trio, using his knowledge of holds to legitimately defeat, and in the process, humiliate, Munn. Eventually Lewis and Stecher settled their differences, and agreed to do business with each other, with Stecher dropping the World Championship back to Lewis on February 20, 1928.

On September 20, 1934, Lewis wrestled Jim Londos in front of an audience of 35, 265 at Wrigley Field, and drawing a record gate of $ 96, 302, which would stand until 1952. Later in his career, Lewis befriended a young wrestler by the name of Lou Thesz, who he taught the art of "hooking" (the ability to inflict pain on a person using various holds). Lewis himself was one of the greatest hookers of his day and passed his knowledge onto Thesz.

Ed "Strangler" Lewis is considered to be the creator of the sleeper hold, though it was actually a cross between the modern day sleeper and a side headlock.

[edit] Post wrestling

Lewis went into semi-retirement in 1935, but came out of retirement in 1942 despite being legally blind. He retired from wrestling for good in 1948, later becoming the manager of his good friend, and reigning NWA Champion, Lou Thesz. He died in New York on August 8, 1966 at the age of 76. Near his death, he suffered blindness, which would eventually be cured because of what Lewis thought to be because of a prayer. However, for the last few years of his life, he became blind again.

[edit] Wrestling facts

[edit] Notable Feuds

[edit] Championships and accomplishments

[edit] Trivia

  • According to Lewis' own notes, he appeared in over 6,200 matches (with only 33 losses).[citation needed]
  • A Wisconsin state historical marker commemorates his achievements in his hometown of Nekoosa.
  • Lewis' father worked as a South Wood County, Wisconsin, police officer.
  • Lewis lectured widely across America about perseverance and stamina, as well as his deeply held beliefs in God, his country and family.
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