A century ago, two men with radically different backgrounds climbed in to the ring to do battle with each other in Chicago. Twice.

One was a corn-fed American farm boy who learned to wrestle in the farm fields of his native Iowa. His name was Frank Gotch, "The Iowa Plowboy" (on left of 1911 match handshake photo; arms folded across his chest in other photo). (Montage by John Clarke)

The other was a massive, muscular Estonian who learned to wrestle in the gym of the physician to the Russian czar and in the salons of Europe. His name was George Hackenschmidt, "The Russian Lion" (double bicep pose).

Their two wrestling matches--held in 1908 and 1911--not only determined the world title, but were huge news stories of the time.

This Yahoo group is designed to honor Frank Gotch and George Hackenschmidt--and other great wrestlers of the early 1900s--with:
> Photos of these great wrestlers in and out of the ring;
> Images from their April 1908 and September 1911 championship matches;
> News stories, profiles and articles;
> A chance to discuss Gotch and Hackenschmidt, their matches, their contemporaries, and the world as it was back then.

A FEW POSTING GUIDELINES
To make sure you and your fellow Gotch/Hackenschmidt group members have a great experience, please follow these rules of good sportsmanship:
1. No obscenity, vulgarity, threatening language or taunts.
2. No discussion of the WWE and modern-day pro rasslin' or rasslers unless it has a direct connection to Gotch, Hackenschmidt and early 20th century wrestling.
3. This is not an advertising forum. Posts plugging off-topic websites will be deleted, and offending members will be bounced from the group.
4. Be respectful of your fellow members. No slams or flames.

Violators will be warned by the moderator. If violations continue, the moderator will exercise his right to ban the offending member from this Yahoo group. All new members will be moderated.

Moderator Mark