How to Wrestle: Instructions Based on the Work of Frank A. Gotch by George Robbins 
 
DIGITAL EDITION
 
BY GEORGE ROBBINS
of the Sporting Staff, The Chicago Daily News
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MAX STEIN PUBLISHING HOUSE (1934)
 
Frank Gotch is a true pioneer in the world of wrestling. The first American professional wrestler to win the World Heavyweight Freestyle Championship, Gotch is credited by historians for popularizing what would come to be known as sports-entertainment in the United States. His reign as World Heavyweight Champion from 1908 until his final match in 1913 remains one of the longest in history to this day.
 
Only two months after his debut, Gotch competed against reigning American Heavyweight Champion Dan McLeod. Although Gotch was unsuccessful against the champion, it took McLeod nearly two hours to defeat the rookie.
 
After touring the Yukon and earning the nickname “Champion of The Klondike,” Gotch returned to the United States and defeated Tom Jenkins to become American Heavyweight Champion. Not satisfied with being America’s best, Gotch set his sights on George Hackenschmidt and the Heavyweight Championship of the World.