George Hackenschmidt & Me - A Historical Moment
In 1908, George Hackenschmidt wrestled Joe Rogers in London. In 2024, 116 years later, footage of that fight emerged. I write about what it means to me, after spending years researching the life and times of George Hackenschmidt, to see the man himself in action, and how this footage should exonerate him in the eyes of history.
AEW Wrestledream 2024 Thoughts
Thoughts on one of AEW's odder PPVs, the seeming end of the wrestling career of Bryan Danielson, and what comes next for a heel-heavy promotion in turmoil, with an unfortunate amount of fantasy booking.
Le Domino Rouge, Orion & Kendo Nagasaki - the Magic & Mystery of the Mask
How a glamorous masked dancer in the 1900s changed the course of professional wrestling and American burlesque, with an exploration of the role of the mask in wrestling and pop culture myth-making - taking in Kendo Nagasaki, the Masked Marvel, and maybe Elvis Presley? [citation needed]
Review: AAA Triplemania XXXII Mexico City
My thoughts on Triplemania XXXII Mexico City, the wrestling equivalent of repeatedly stepping on a rake that hates you.
Donald Trump: The Kayfabe President?
In the aftermath of an assassination attempt, I look at the oft-cited suggestion that Donald Trump can be explained through the lens of pro-wrestling, and at Trump’s history with WWE.
Photo by Sean Ferigan on Unsplash
Review: AAA Triplemania XXXII - Tijuana
AAA’s latest chaotic supercard - featuring the Vampiro retirement tour, Jeff Jarrett, thoughts on the Wyatt 6 and when wrestling isn’t wrestling, and a chaotic lucha family tree.
My Friend Twiggy, & The Wrestlers Who Made Soho
An exercise in autobiography and psychogeography, in this long read I reflect on a formative and life-altering friendship while looking at the wrestlers who shaped London’s Soho in the second half of the 20th century.
Between The Rock & A Hard Place, The Rhodes To Wrestlemania
How many puns is too many puns for one title?
Bunkum & Bullsh*t - The Mandela Effect
A meandering look at the internet’s favourite elaborate explanation for false memories, and why people will believe any old nonsense. Featuring Bigfoot.
Thoughts on AEW World’s End
My thoughts on AEW’s last PPV of 2023, Worlds End, and of the current state of AEW.
Panther Pleasants - Wrestling in Hitler’s Shadow
The story of Eric “Panther” Pleasants, the Norfolk wrestler who fought for Hitler.
Ghoulish Grapplers & Monstrous Matmen - Wrestling in the Spooky Season
It’s the Spooky Season, so here’s a look at the classic movie monsters that have graced the wrestling ring - vampires, Frankenstein’s monster and, most of all, Mummies.
Forever - Remembering Terry Funk
I pay tribute to the greatest of all time, my hero, Terry Funk.
Review: AAA Triplemania XXXI - Mexico City
A look back at a typically frustrating AAA event, Triplemania XXXI from Mexico City, featuring El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Speedball Mike Bailey vs. Daga vs. Jack Cartwheel, and Rush vs. Psycho Clown vs. Sam Adonis vs. L.A. Park.
The Glam Rock Kitsch of Adrian Street
The late Adrian Street was a glitter-coated glam rock icon - let’s take a look at his legacy, his place in pop culture, and at his musical career.
Bunkum & Bullsh*t - The Magic Maskelynes
A dynasty of magicians, from one who made exposing fraud his life's work, to his grandson, who propagated a wartime fraud of his own. Spanning generations, it's a story that takes in World War 2, the debunking of phony mediums, and history’s first hacker, with walk-on parts for drag acts, pro-wrestlers and a spot of Channel Island local history.
Further Research: The Great Antonio and Mr. Wonder, the amputee wrestler of the 1960s
Originally published to Patreon, a further look at my research into The Great Antonio, and the inspirational life and career of Mr. Wonder, the double amputee wrestler of the 1960s.