Gotch-Hackenschmidt Match Film (lost world championship match; 1911): Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 13:16, 22 February 2024

Poster of the Gotch-Hackenschmidt match.

Status: Lost

Frank Gotch vs. George Hackenschmidt was a 1911 wrestling match for Frank Gotch's World Heavyweight Championship,^[1] which he won from Hackenschmidt three years earlier. It is one of the most infamous matches in professional wrestling history, due to it not only being one of, if not the first big rematches, but also the controversy revolving around Hackenschmidt and his injured knee.^[2]

Background

On September 4th, 1911, George Hackenschmidt would challenge then World Heavyweight champion, Frank Gotch in front of a crowd of around 30,000 spectators in the Chicago White Sox's recently opened stadium, Comiskey Park. The two had met three years earlier, on April 3rd, 1908 at Dexter Park, also in Chicago, which was also filmed.^[3] Gotch would defeat Hackenschmidt, the inaugural champion, in just over two hours, in a match where Hackenschmidt would complain to the referee about Gotch's tactics.

This rematch would be heavily publicized, after Gotch would become famous following their first bout. The two would wrestle for only twenty minutes in their second match, with Gotch targeting Hackenschmidt's injured knee early on into the match. Hackenschmidt himself would claim the injury was not major, saying he was, "fit to wrestle for my life". Wrestler Ad Santel would later claim that he was paid $5000 back supporters of Gotch to injure Hackenschmidt, making it look like an accident, though Hackenschmidt and his training partner, Dr. Roller, would both claim it was Roller who accidentally injured his knee, which already had issues prior to the accident.

Gotch would win the rematch in short time for the time period, in an era where matches would still last hours. Gotch would retire just two years later as champion, wrestling his final match on April 1st, 1913, defeating Georg Lurich.^[4] He would pass away just a few years afterwards, on December 16th, 1917, reportedly from uremic poisoning.^[5] Hackenschmidt would retire after this match due to his knee issues,^[6] passing away on February 19th, 1968.

Footage

Due to the highly anticipated nature of the match, it was due to be filmed for distribution to other areas. Two complete reels, or 2000 feet of film^[7] would be brought to other towns in the following months, shown at theaters. Many Newspapers would claim the film to be even better than the event, for showing the two falls clearly and up close, one source even claiming the "wrinkles on the brow of Hack"^[8] were clear in the film.

The film would be brought to many towns, including St. Louis,^[9] Albuquerque,^[10] and even Sydney, Australia.^[11] The match would be shown into the next year, though seemingly fell into obscurity sometime after this, with it's last reported showing seemingly being April 1st, 1912 in Sydney.^[12]

A newspaper at the time would describe the film:

"These pictures will absolutely settle beyond any doubt every dispute which has arisen concerning this marvelous event-they show intimate, unobstructed, close up, complete views of every movement and intendent, including both falls.^[13]

The whereabouts of the film is currently unknown, and is thought to be lost.

Gallery

Images of the Match

References

↑ Article from the Chicago Tribute on the match. Retrieved 20 Feb '21
↑ Clipping showing it's infamy only a few years later. Retrieved 20 Feb '21
↑ Clipping from 1908 about the first match. Retrieved 20 Feb '21
↑ Clipping of the 1913 match. Retrieved 20 Feb '21
↑ Obituary for Frank Gotch. Retrieved 20 Feb '21
↑ Clipping about Hackenschmidt's knee in 1912. Retrieved 20 Feb '21
↑ Clipping showing the mention of length of film. Retreived 20 Feb '21
↑ Clipping talking about Hack's wrinkles. Retrieved 20 Feb '21
↑ St. Louis clipping. Retrieved 20 Feb '21
↑ Albuquerque clipping. Retrieved 20 Feb '21
↑ Clipping from a Sydney paper. Retrieved 20 Feb '21
↑ Clipping from a Sydney paper. Retrieved 20 Feb '21
↑ Newspaper clipping describing the film. Retrieved 20 Feb '21

[1] Article from the Chicago Tribute on the match. Retrieved 20 Feb '21

[2] Clipping showing it's infamy only a few years later. Retrieved 20 Feb '21

[3] Clipping from 1908 about the first match. Retrieved 20 Feb '21

[4] Clipping of the 1913 match. Retrieved 20 Feb '21

[5] Obituary for Frank Gotch. Retrieved 20 Feb '21

[6] Clipping about Hackenschmidt's knee in 1912. Retrieved 20 Feb '21

[7] Clipping showing the mention of length of film. Retreived 20 Feb '21

[8] Clipping talking about Hack's wrinkles. Retrieved 20 Feb '21

[9] St. Louis clipping. Retrieved 20 Feb '21

[10] Albuquerque clipping. Retrieved 20 Feb '21

[11] Clipping from a Sydney paper. Retrieved 20 Feb '21

[12] Clipping from a Sydney paper. Retrieved 20 Feb '21

[13] Newspaper clipping describing the film. Retrieved 20 Feb '21

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[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{InfoboxLost
-|title=<center>Gotch-Hackenschmidt Match Film</center>
+|title=<center>Gotch-Hackenschmidt Match (footage)</center>
 |image=Gotch-hack1.jpg
 |imagecaption=Poster of the Gotch-Hackenschmidt match.
 |status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
 }}
-'''''Frank Gotch vs. George Hackenschmidt''''' was a 1911 wrestling match for Frank Gotch's World Heavyweight Championship<ref>[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2013-09-08-ct-per-flash-wrestling-0908-20130908-story.html#:~:text=Gotch%20won%20the%20match.&text=It's%20called%20one%20of%20the,The%20%22Russian%20Lion%22%20vs.&text=4%2C%201911%2C%20the%20pro%20heavyweight,wrestling%20fans%20into%20a%20headlock. Article from the Chicago Tribute on the match.] Retrieved 2/20/21</ref>, which he won from Hackenschmidt three years earlier. It is one of the most infamous matches in professional wrestling history, due to it not only being one of, if not the first big rematches, but also the controversy revolving around Hackenschmidt and his injured knee.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71552856/ Clipping showing it's infamy only a few years later.] Retrieved 2/20/21</ref>
+'''''Frank Gotch vs. George Hackenschmidt''''' was a 1911 wrestling match for Frank Gotch's World Heavyweight Championship,<ref>[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2013-09-08-ct-per-flash-wrestling-0908-20130908-story.html#:~:text=Gotch%20won%20the%20match.&text=It's%20called%20one%20of%20the,The%20%22Russian%20Lion%22%20vs.&text=4%2C%201911%2C%20the%20pro%20heavyweight,wrestling%20fans%20into%20a%20headlock. Article from the Chicago Tribute on the match.] Retrieved 20 Feb '21</ref> which he won from Hackenschmidt three years earlier. It is one of the most infamous matches in professional wrestling history, due to it not only being one of, if not the first big rematches, but also the controversy revolving around Hackenschmidt and his injured knee.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71552856/ Clipping showing it's infamy only a few years later.] Retrieved 20 Feb '21</ref>
-== Background ==
+==Background==
-On September 4th, 1911, George Hackenschmidt would challenge then World Heavyweight champion, Frank Gotch in front of a crowd of around 30,000 spectators in the ''Chicago White Sox's'' recently opened stadium, ''Comiskey Park''. The two had met three years earlier, on April 3, 1908 at ''Dexter Park'', also in Chicago, which was also filmed.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71553046/ Clipping from 1908 about the first match.] Retrieved 2/20/21</ref> Gotch would defeat Hackenschmidt, the inaugural champion, in just over two hours, in a match where Hackenschmidt would complain to the referee about Gotch's tactics.
+On September 4th, 1911, George Hackenschmidt would challenge then World Heavyweight champion, Frank Gotch in front of a crowd of around 30,000 spectators in the ''Chicago White Sox's'' recently opened stadium, ''Comiskey Park''. The two had met three years earlier, on April 3rd, 1908 at ''Dexter Park'', also in Chicago, which was also filmed.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71553046/ Clipping from 1908 about the first match.] Retrieved 20 Feb '21</ref> Gotch would defeat Hackenschmidt, the inaugural champion, in just over two hours, in a match where Hackenschmidt would complain to the referee about Gotch's tactics.
 This rematch would be heavily publicized, after Gotch would become famous following their first bout. The two would wrestle for only twenty minutes in their second match, with Gotch targeting Hackenschmidt's injured knee early on into the match. Hackenschmidt himself would claim the injury was not major, saying he was, "fit to wrestle for my life". Wrestler Ad Santel would later claim that he was paid $5000 back supporters of Gotch to injure Hackenschmidt, making it look like an accident, though Hackenschmidt and his training partner, Dr. Roller, would both claim it was Roller who accidentally injured his knee, which already had issues prior to the accident.
-Gotch would win the rematch in short time for the time period, in an era where matches would still last hours. Gotch would retire just two years later as champion, wrestling his final match on April 1, 1913, defeating Georg Lurich.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71552677/ Clipping of the 1913 match.] Retrieved 2/20/21</ref> He would pass away just a few years afterwards, on December 16, 1917, reportedly from uremic poisoning.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71552623/obituary-for-frank-gotch-aged-41/ Obituary for Frank Gotch.] Retrieved 2/20/21</ref> Hackenschmidt would retire after this match due to his knee issues<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71553002/ Clipping about Hackenschmidt's knee in 1912.] Retrieved 2/20/21</ref>, passing away on February 19, 1968.
+Gotch would win the rematch in short time for the time period, in an era where matches would still last hours. Gotch would retire just two years later as champion, wrestling his final match on April 1st, 1913, defeating Georg Lurich.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71552677/ Clipping of the 1913 match.] Retrieved 20 Feb '21</ref> He would pass away just a few years afterwards, on December 16th, 1917, reportedly from uremic poisoning.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71552623/obituary-for-frank-gotch-aged-41/ Obituary for Frank Gotch.] Retrieved 20 Feb '21</ref> Hackenschmidt would retire after this match due to his knee issues,<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71553002/ Clipping about Hackenschmidt's knee in 1912.] Retrieved 20 Feb '21</ref> passing away on February 19th, 1968.
-== Footage ==
+==Footage==
-Due to the highly anticipated nature of the match, it was due to be filmed for distribution to other areas. Two complete reels, or 2000 feet of film<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71552421/ Clipping showing the mention of length of film.] Retreived 2/20/21</ref> would be brought to other towns in the following months, shown at theatres. Many Newspapers would claim the film to be even better than the event, for showing the two falls clearly and up close, one source even claiming the "wrinkles on the brow of Hack"<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71552498/ Clipping talking about Hack's wrinkles.] Retrieved 2/20/21</ref> were clear in the film.
+Due to the highly anticipated nature of the match, it was due to be filmed for distribution to other areas. Two complete reels, or 2000 feet of film<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71552421/ Clipping showing the mention of length of film.] Retreived 20 Feb '21</ref> would be brought to other towns in the following months, shown at theaters. Many Newspapers would claim the film to be even better than the event, for showing the two falls clearly and up close, one source even claiming the "wrinkles on the brow of Hack"<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71552498/ Clipping talking about Hack's wrinkles.] Retrieved 20 Feb '21</ref> were clear in the film.
-The film would be brought to many towns, including St. Louis<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71552524/ St. Louis clipping.] Retrieved 2/20/21</ref>, Albuquerque<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71552547/ Albuquerque clipping.] Retrieved 2/20/21</ref>, and even Sydney, Australia<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71552304/ Clipping from a Sydney paper.] Retrieved 2/20/21</ref>. The match would be shown into the next year, though seemingly fell into obscurity sometime after this, with it's last reported showing seemingly being April 1, 1912 in Sydney.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71552304/ Clipping from a Sydney paper.] Retrieved 2/20/21</ref>
+The film would be brought to many towns, including St. Louis,<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71552524/ St. Louis clipping.] Retrieved 20 Feb '21</ref> Albuquerque,<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71552547/ Albuquerque clipping.] Retrieved 20 Feb '21</ref> and even Sydney, Australia.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71552304/ Clipping from a Sydney paper.] Retrieved 20 Feb '21</ref> The match would be shown into the next year, though seemingly fell into obscurity sometime after this, with it's last reported showing seemingly being April 1st, 1912 in Sydney.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71552304/ Clipping from a Sydney paper.] Retrieved 20 Feb '21</ref>
 A newspaper at the time would describe the film:
@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 ==Gallery==
-===Images of the match===
+===Images of the Match===
 <gallery mode=packed heights=180px>
 Gotch-Hack Match.jpg
 Gotch-Hack Match 1.jpg
 </gallery>
+==See Also==
+*[[AJ Styles vs Kenny Omega (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 2006)]]
+*[[Alberto Del Rio vs CM Punk vs Dolph Ziggler vs Jack Swagger vs John Cena (partially found master tape footage of untelevised Hell in a Cell match; 2011)]]
+*[[Awesome Kong vs Melissa Anderson (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 2009)]]
+*[[Bill Longson vs Whipper Billy Watson (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 1947)]]
+*[[Blood Circus (partially found Santo Gold film; 1985)]]
+*[[Braden Walker's "Knock Knock" promo (lost original pre-tapes of WWE backstage segment; 2008)]]
+*[[Bradshaw vs Christian (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 2001)]]
+*[[Bret Hart-Hulk Hogan photoshoot (lost professional wrestling promotional photos; 1993)]]
+*[[Bret Hart vs Tom Magee (found untelevised professional wrestling match; 1986)]]
+*[[Catch-As-Catch-Can Wrestling (lost early BBC televised professional wrestling matches; 1938-1939; 1946-1947)]]
+*[[Celebrity Wrestling (partially found ITV professional wrestling reality show; 2005)]]
+*[[Chowdaheads (partially found unaired professional wrestling cartoon show; 1999)]]
+*[[Collision in Korea (found professional wrestling event in North Korea; 1995)]]
+*[[Collision in Korea wrestler sketches (lost North Korean pencil sketch portraits of professional wrestlers; 1995)]]
+*[[Cultaholic (found debut video of professional wrestling YouTube channel; 2017)]]
+*[[ECW Anarchy Rulz (lost build of cancelled Nintendo 64 port of professional wrestling game; existence unconfirmed; 2000)]]
+*[[ECW at E3 2000 (partially found footage of professional wrestling at gaming trade event; 2000)]]
+*[[ECW Hardcore TV final episodes (lost episodes of Professional Wrestling Show; 2001)]]
+*[[FMW at E3 2000 (partially found footage of professional wrestling at gaming trade event; 2000)]]
+*[[The Game (partially found Disturbed cover of professional wrestling theme song; mid 2000s)]]
+*[[GFW Amped (partially found unaired professional wrestling show; 2015)]]
+*[[The Giant's moonsault (lost footage of professional wrestling move; existence unconfirmed; 1990s)]]
+*[[Girls Gone Wild: Live from Spring Break (found WWE/Girls Gone Wild crossover special; 2003)]]
+*[[GLOW (lost unfinished final season of Netflix comedy-drama series; 2019-2020)]]
+*[[Goldberg's pre-television debut matches (lost footage of professional wrestling dark matches; 1997)]]
+*[[Gotch-Hackenschmidt Match Film (lost world championship match; 1908)]]
+*[[Jake "The Snake" Roberts DDTs Hulk Hogan (lost Snake Pit segment; 1986)]]
+*[[Johnny Gargano vs Velveteen Dream (lost footage of alternate finish to professional wrestling match; 2019)]]
+*[[Kurt Angle vs Owen Hart (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 1999)]]
+*[[The Last Battle of Atlanta (found untelevised professional wrestling steel cage match; 1983)]]
+*[[Lita's training matches (partially found training videos of professional wrestler; late 1990s-2000)]]
+*[[Low Ki & Mercury vs Ric Blade & TCK (partially lost footage of hardcore wrestling tag team match; 2000)]]
+*[[Mark Jindrak in Evolution (partially found unaired vignettes of professional wrestling stable; 2003)]]
+*[[Pat Tanaka vs Rocco Rock (lost footage of "Body Count" professional wrestling match; 1993)]]
+*[["Plane Ride From Hell" (lost photographs of drunk wrestler incidents; 2002)]]
+*[[Radio WWF (lost professional wrestling radio show; 1993-1994; late 1990s-2000)]]
+*[[Screwed: The Bret Hart Story (lost unfinished wrestling documentary film; 2005)]]
+*[[Sex University (lost WWE webshow; 2006)]]
+*[[Shin Nihon Pro Wrestling Gekitou Densetsu (lost build of unreleased Virtual Boy wrestling game; 1995)]]
+*[[Strange Kentucky People (lost recording of Chris Jericho "tribute"; 1994)]]
+*[[TNA Impact! 2 (lost build of unfinished professional wrestling game; 2009)]]
+*[[TNA International and TNA Wrestling Collection (completely lost pro-wrestling TV shows; 2006)]]
+*[[TNA Xplosion (partially found TV series; 2002-2016)]]
+*[[WCW 2000 (lost work on unfinished PlayStation 2 game; 2000)]]
+*[[WCW All Nighter (partially lost professional wrestling compilation show; 1994-1995)]]
+*[[WCW Classics (partially found professional wrestling compilation show; 2000-2001)]]
+*[[WCW Internet-only Special Events and PPVs (lost audio streams; 1997-1998)]]
+*[[WCW/nWo Live (lost build of cancelled PlayStation professional wrestling game; 1998)]]
+*[[WWE 24x7 (lost professional wrestling compilation show; 2007)]]
+*[[WWE Brawl (lost build of cancelled fighting game based on professional wrestling; 2012)]]
+*[[WWE Crush Hour (lost build of cancelled Xbox port of vehicular combat game; 2002)]]
+*[[WWE SmackDown vs Raw Online (lost build of cancelled online professional wrestling PC game; 2010-2011)]]
+*[[WWE Wrestlemania 36 (lost footage of alternate finishes to professional wrestling matches; 2020)]]
+*[[WWF Attitude (lost professional wrestling recap show; 2001-2002)]]
+*[[WWF Backlash (non-existent unfinished Nintendo 64 professional wrestling game; 2001)]]
+*[[WWF Excess (partially found professional wrestling talk show; 2001-2002)]]
+*[[WWF In Your House 8: Beware Of Dog (partially found untelevised professional wrestling matches; 1996)]]
+*[[WWF Livewire (partially found professional wrestling recap and talk show; 1996-2001)]]
+*[[WWF No Mercy (lost Game Boy Color games based on Nintendo 64 wrestling game; 2000)]]
+*[[WWF Shotgun (partially found July to December season of syndicated wrestling show; 1997)]]
+*[[WWF Xperience (found pay-per-view event footage; 1996)]]
 ==References==
 {{reflist}}
-[[Category:Lost recordings of real incidents]]
+[[Category:Lost recordings of sports events]]
-[[Category:Lost films]]
 [[Category:Completely lost media]]