Georgia Wrestling History: Cards & Results

CARDS & RESULTS: 1800s

1800s

1900s

1910s

References to the following individuals and organizations are made throughout this section: Colonel Welch; Dennis O'Leary; Duncan C. Ross; E.E. Smith; F.S. Hughes; Frank Dougherty; Greek George (01); Hinton Wright; James Lynch; John Muhler; John Tyler Cooper; Mr. Hopper; O’Connor; Piero Celi; Sergeant Walsh; Thebaud Bauer.

March 7, 1883 (Wednesday) – Atlanta, GA – DeGive Grand Opera House (Promoter – Unknown) > Mixed Greco-Roman, Collar-and-Elbow, Catch-as-Catch-Can Match: Duncan C. Ross versus Thebaud Bauer / Notes: Bauer was billed as a ‘Professor’. It was reported the purse for the Bauer-Ross match was $200. It is unclear as to whether this match ever actually took place, as nearly five years later a card on December 12, 1887, was reported to be the first professional wrestling match held in Atlanta.

November 24, 1887 (Thursday) – Augusta, GA – Market Hall (Promoter – Unknown) > Handicap Match: John Muhler over F.S. Hughes (three falls to none) / Notes: Hughes substituted for E.E. Smith in the match against Muhler. Smith had been billed as a ‘Captain’ from Augusta. Mr. Hopper managed Muhler. It was reported that Smith would receive $100 from Muhler if he could win a single fall, with Muhler receiving gate receipts. Smith arrived late for the match, and in an effort to make certain the audience who had gathered were entertained, Hughes volunteered to wrestle Muhler.

December 2, 1887 (Friday) Notes: John Muhler arrived in Atlanta and went directly to the office of the Atlanta Constitution, where he and his manager, Mr. Hopper, were reported to be proposing a challenge to anyone who would come forth and accept.

December 12, 1887 (Monday) – Atlanta, GA – Concordia Hall (Promoter – Unknown) > $100 Handicap Challenge Match: John Muhler over Frank Dougherty four falls to none and Dennis O'Leary four falls to none to retain the money / Notes: Per a stipulation, Muhler had to defeat both Dougherty and O’Leary four times in a two hours or forfeit $100. A fall would consist of two shoulders and one hip or two hips and one shoulder. Muhler required 0:40, 0:40, 0:50, and 3:00, respectively, to gain the requisite four falls over Dougherty. Muhler then managed to get the four specified falls from O'Leary at 2:00, 8:00, 4:00, and the other in an undisclosed amount of time, during which O'Leary nearly pinned Muhler before succumbing. As a result, Muhler kept the money he had risked. Dougherty was described as “a Stone Mountain stone-cutter”, who was known as ‘Mr. Hercules’. It was reported that the stage was covered with sawdust to the depth of three inches, over which a tarpaulin was spread. Mr. Hopper managed Muhler. Hinton Wright was credited as being the referee.

December 24, 1887 (Saturday) – Savannah, GA (Promoter – Unknown) > Greek George (01) over Colonel Welch / Notes: It was reported that Welch’s arm was broken during the match against George. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

December 27, 1887 (Tuesday) – Atlanta, GA – Concordia Hall (Promoter – Unknown) > Greco-Roman Match: John Muhler and Greek George (01) went to a draw at 1:19 one fall each / Notes: It was reported that Muhler won the first fall at 48:00 and George won the second at 13:00. The final round ended upon a midnight curfew at 18:00. James Lynch was credited as the referee. It was reported that the winner would receive 75% of the gate money, with the loser getting the remainder. Mr. Hopper managed Muhler. Atlanta Mayor John Tyler Cooper was in attendance for this card.

January 4, 1888 (Wednesday) – Augusta, GA – Clinch Rifles Hall (Promoter – Unknown) > Greek George (01) over Piero Celi two falls to one / Notes: It was reported that 300 were in attendance for this card.

January 5, 1888 (Thursday) – Atlanta, GA – Concordia Hall (Promoter – Unknown) > Mixed Catch-as-Catch-Can, Greco-Roman, Side-Hold Match: John Muhler over Greek George (01) two falls to one / Notes: George won the first fall with Muhler at 29:00, Muhler won the second fall at 36:00, and the third fall in an undisclosed amount of time. Mr. Hopper managed Muhler. James Lynch was credited as being the referee.

January 6, 1888 (Friday) – Savannah, GA (Promoter – Unknown) > $250 Mixed Styles Challenge Match: Duncan C. Ross over Greek George (01) to win the money / Notes: It was reported that one of the styles used in the Ross-George match included Ross’ specialty, the side-hold, and that the two men had a side bet of $250 on the match. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

January 9, 1888 (Monday) – Atlanta, GA – Concordia Hall (Promoter – Unknown) > Mixed Styles Match: John Muhler over Greek George (01) / Notes: It was reported that 200 were in attendance for this card. Muhler won the first fall under Greco-Roman style, and was declared the winner of the match when George was deemed unable to continue during the Catch-as-Catch-Can style second fall. Mr. Hopper managed Muhler. James Lynch was credited as being the referee.

January 13, 1888 (Friday) – Augusta, GA (Promoter – Unknown) > John Muhler versus O’Connor / Notes: The Augusta Evening News only listed the advertisement for the Muhler-O’Connor Match (no first name was provided). It described O’Connor as a blacksmith from the Carolinas. Mr. Hopper managed Muhler. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

January 16, 1888 (Monday) – Atlanta, GA – Concordia Hall (Promoter – Unknown) > $300 Mixed Styles Challenge Match: Duncan C. Ross over John Muhler two falls to one to win the money / Notes: It was reported that 300 were in attendance for this card. Muhler took a fall at Greco-Roman style, but Ross countered with falls in the catch-as-catch-can and collar-and-elbow styles. It was reported that the men had a side bet of $300, and that the winner would receive 85% of the gate receipts with the loser getting the remainder. It was reported that Sergeant Walsh, the only man ever reported to have over Ross in a mounted sword contest, was traveling with Ross. Mr. Hopper managed Muhler.