Joe Stecher
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Joe Stecher, (April 4, 1893 - March 29, 1974), sometimes spelled Joe Stetcher, was a professional wrestler and multiple time World Heavyweight Champion.
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[edit] Wrestling career
Born in Dodge, Nebraska, Stecher was the son of Bohemian immigrants who owned a farm. He turned pro in 1912, defeating Bill Hokief for $26 in his first match. Stecher toiled for a few years before attracting the attention of legendary wrestler Martin Burns, who managed Stecher into one of the biggest stars of the day. He was believed to be the heir apparent to the biggest star of the era, Frank Gotch, as promoters began to eagerly anticipate a match between the two. Unfortunately, Gotch retired before the bout could take place, and Stecher was forever cast in his shadow. On July 15, 1915, Stecher defeated the reigning American Heavyweight Champion, Charlie Cutler, to capture the vacant World Heavyweight Championship.
On October, 20 1915, Stecher wrestled the first of many matches against Ed Lewis, wrestling to a draw after two hours, they would wrestle again on July 4, 1916, in one of the longest matches in pro wrestling history, lasting nearly five hours, and again, ending with a draw. Stecher would form a lasting rivalry with Lewis, both in and out of the ring. During the 1920's, Lewis, along with promoters Toots Mondt and Billy Sandow, formed the Gold-Dust Trio, a touring act that put on the first wrestling shows with undercards and widely believed to be responsible for changing wrestling into a staged spectacle, where as earlier matches varied between real and staged. Stecher formed a rival group, holding shows of his own, beginning the first promotional war in professional wrestling history. The fued came to an apex when Stecher coerced Gold-Dust wrestler Stanislaus Zbyszko to jump sides after hearing he would lose to football star turned wrestler, Wayne Munn. On April 15, 1925, Zbyszko defeated Munn, using his vast knowledge of holds to beat him legitimately. As part of the deal, Zbyszko dropped the Championship back to Stecher. Eventually the two factions came to an agreement, and Stecher lost the championship for the last time on December 20, 1928 to Lewis.
Stetcher would suffer an emotional breakdown later in his life. As a result, his wife left him, and took their children. He was institutionalized in the St. Cloud Veteran's Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where he remained for 30 years. Joe Stecher died on March 29, 1974. He was 80.
[edit] Profile
- Birthday: April 4, 1893
- Town of birth: Dodge, Nebraska
- Height: 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
- Weight: 220 lb (100 kg)
- Finishing and Signature moves: Body Scissors
[edit] Notable Feuds
[edit] Titles held
- World Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
[edit] Trivia
- Verne Gagne was quoted as saying that Joe Stecher could burst sacks of grain with the pressure from his leg muscles.
