Rokket Reload: Oldest Pro Wrestling on Film: Caddock vs Stecher, 1920 & More

Sometimes it's hard to believe that recognized pro wrestling has been around since the 1800's. Unfortunately most footage of classic wrestling has been lost due to age. Occassionally you find footage worth viewing, partially for the historic aspect, partially to revisit a time before wrestling became more entertainment and less sport. As a sport wrestling has always been used to provide entertainment but there was a time long ago when wrestling was as real as say, boxing.

Found online is rough footage of a January 1920 bout between Earl Caddock and Joe Stecher. The footage, while hard to watch at times, is a prime example of when pro wrestling still resembled actual wrestling.




It's also sometimes hard to imagine wrestling without the presence of lights, entrance music, spectacle but there was a time when wrestlers had only athleticism and the ability to "sell" for tools to go over. With only those two things wrestlers such as Ed "Strangler" Lewis would command huge buildings of people. Some say that Lewis was such a frightening character that women would faint in fear and that someone once died of a heart attack at one of lewis' matches. All without the benefit of a promo video, scary music, crazy costume or online promoting capabilities! Check out the conclusion of this match from 1932 as Lewis takes on Dick Shikat. Notice how wide the ring apron is!




For those more into high flyer moves look no further than where it all started with this match pitting Argentinian Antonio Rocca vs the massive Don Leo Jonathan. Rocca makes great use of the legs even administering an in the air head scissors. Even Jonathan gets into the act as the big man drops a wicked standing drop kick on Rocca and even climbs to the top of the flimsy ropes for a failed knee drop. In the end Rocca passes on using his patented backbreaker (and you thought Lex Luger invented that move) in place of several submission moves getting the big guy to eventually tap out! If you take the time to hunt down other Rocca matches you can catch moves first used by Rocca that are popular today and even some pretty amazing moves not seen since Rocca made them rocca "originals".