Pro Wrestling History Nerds

Pro Wrestling History Nerds

Greco Roman and Catch as Catch Can, epic battles and Carny scams. Why were there two Strangler Lewises? What’s a Hippodrome? Find out when you listen, learn, and party with Nick and Heidi Howitzer: The Pro Wrestling History Nerds!

Episodes

May 14, 2024 63 mins

Learn about the impact of disease in warfare, the horrors of pre-OSHA railroad work, an ill-fated attempt to swindle a "Jay In The Woods" town, trash talking in the sports pages, and more!

Join Nick and Heidi for the story of Fred Beell, part two!

Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Mark as Played

Today Nick and Heidi discuss the railroad expansion into the post-Civil War Midwest, why fire is bad, old timey language that makes us giggle, and of course the early life and career of Fred Beell.

 

Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Mark as Played
April 9, 2024 78 mins

Today we discuss a man of many stolen gimmicks. A man with multiple shots at the NWA title. A man who set fires, committed crimes, did prison time, and was the body guard of a Mafia boss, who went on to be a movie icon.

Nick and Heidi tell the story of Lenny Montana!

Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

-The Godfather Wars, by Mark Seal. From t...

Mark as Played
March 26, 2024 89 mins

How did an all-women's show impact the Colorado Wrestling Scene? How do women wrestlers navigate the  world of regional pro wrestling? Why did Priscilla Kelly kick Heidi Howitzer in the face?

Listen up as we solve these mysteries and tell wild stories from Respect Women's Wrestling!

 

Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Mark as Played
March 12, 2024 80 mins

Murder, scandals, intervention by the supreme court, Nazi in-laws, a Texas Death match, and the hottest short run a tag team could ask for. Today Nick and Heidi discuss the life and career of Sam Sheppard!

Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.

Mark as Played
February 27, 2024 74 mins

Join Nick and Nova Mente BJJ Instructor Troy Everett for a look back at the world of martial arts instructional VHS tapes. So wash your gi, buy a black belt online, and get ready to kick your friends in the head while learning karate in your basement!

 

Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Mark as Played
February 12, 2024 120 mins

The end of an era, the decline of the Howard Theater, the Bowsers enjoy the success of their Boston promotion, and of course a few arrests, rumors, and drama. It's the conclusion of our look at the life and times of Cora Livingston!

Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Mark as Played
January 23, 2024 75 mins

Returning to Boston, a pretender to the title, an audience member gets slapped, and more.

Nick and Heidi continue the story of Cora Livingston!

Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Mark as Played
January 9, 2024 74 mins

Nick and Heidi discuss the dawn of the 1920s, the impact of the Great War on women's wrestling, The origin of masked wrestling, the purpose of submission holds, and Cora's marital status in advertisements.

It's the story of Cora Livingston, Part 9!

 

Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Mark as Played
December 26, 2023 76 mins

Circus wrestling, Freak show questions, Intergender challenges, Angry Women's groups, and an idiot who gambled a fortune on a wrestling match.

All this and more, as Nick and Heidi continue the story of Cora Livingston.

 

Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Mark as Played
December 14, 2023 66 mins

Cora joins the circus! Are charity shows a scam? Why did Cora's matches lose their viciousness? Why was the Howard Theater's ad department so good? Listen up and learn, as Nick and Heidi continue the story of Cora Livingston.

Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Mark as Played
November 21, 2023 58 mins

Changing the finish, a light house, getting thrown through a painting, women's suffrage, and ref bumps. Nick and Heidi continue the wild story of Cora Livingston.

 

Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Mark as Played
November 8, 2023 56 mins

A big match against Laura Bennett! DQs galore! Why toe-holds got so popular! Why wouldn't Lottie Oliver wrestle men? Why did church groups protest wrestling? Listen to Nick and Heidi continue the story of Cora Livingston to find out!

Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Mark as Played
October 24, 2023 57 mins

More strangling, more violence, near riots, a drunken woman on a rampage, and more!

Nick and Heidi continue the exciting and strange tale of Cora Livingston.

 

Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Mark as Played
October 10, 2023 81 mins

More challenges, more strangling, a possible vacation for marriage and motherhood, and an outraged police officer who shut down a match.

All this and more, as Nick and Heidi talk about Cora Livingston!

Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Mark as Played
September 29, 2023 65 mins

Strangling! Mysterious challenges from the balcony! A wrestler who saw a Ghost!

All this and more as Nick and guest host Heidi Howitzer continue the story of Cora Livingston.

Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

 

Mark as Played
September 12, 2023 61 mins

From life as an orphan in a convent, to the cirus as a runaway, to the theater stage as a champion.

Today Nick and guest Heidi Howitzer talk about the early life of Cora Livingston.

 

Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Primary sources: Sited articles from American and Canadian Newspapers.

Mark as Played
August 29, 2023 67 mins

Let's look at the rematch between Hackenschmidt and Gotch, and how it affected the wrestling world. Tom Jenkins has his final run as a wrestler, but a longer run as a coach at west point. Two world wars, the loss of his greatest rival, and the end of the story of Tom Jenkins.

Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Primary sources: Sited articles from American, Canadian, and British Newspapers.

Mark as Played
August 15, 2023 62 mins

Gotch wants to retire, Jenkins can't get days off work, Zbyszko learns not to shake hands after the bell, Jack Carkeek goes to Jail, the Fight of the Century drives racists to violence, checkers are in the sports pages, and Hackenschmidt might not be taking the biggest match of his life very seriously.

All this and more!

Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Primary sources: Sited articles from American, Canadian, ...

Mark as Played
August 1, 2023 58 mins

From Holiday matches in Montreal, to living in the shadow of Gotch vs Hackenschmidt, and a showdown with another Terrible Turk. It's the story of Tom Jenkins, Part Nine!

Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert

Primary sources: Sited articles from American, Canadian, and British Newspapers.

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.

    The Nikki Glaser Podcast

    Every week comedian and infamous roaster Nikki Glaser provides a fun, fast-paced, and brutally honest look into current pop-culture and her own personal life.

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Crime Junkie

    If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.

    Start Here

    A straightforward look at the day's top news in 20 minutes. Powered by ABC News. Hosted by Brad Mielke.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2024 iHeartMedia, Inc.