The Unbreakable Legacy of Ed "Strangler" Lewis: A Wrestling God Who Defined The Sport

You guys ready to talk about a straight-up beast—a man who didn’t just wrestle but dominated the squared circle like a force of nature. Ed "Strangler" Lewis wasn’t just a wrestler; he was a damn institution. A colossus of the early 20th century who made the world believe in the raw, unrelenting power of professional wrestling. If you’re ready to dive into the story of a legend who crushed opponents, revolutionized the game, had the endurance of a superhero and left a legacy that still echoes today, strap in. This is the tale of the one, the only, Ed "Strangler" Lewis. 💪

Born to Rule The Mat

Picture this: June 30, 1891, in Nekoosa, Wisconsin. Robert Herman Julius Friedrich enters the world, a kid who’d grow into a mountain of a man—250 pounds of pure strength and power with a chest measuring a monstrous 56 inches. This wasn’t just a guy; this was a gladiator in the making. By 14, he’s already tossing grown men around in Louisville, Kentucky, under the name Ed Lewis, a nod to 1890s star Evan "Strangler" Lewis and a sneaky way to keep his disapproving parents in the dark. Smart move, young champ. 😎

But where’d that "Strangler" nickname come from? Some say it was a tribute to Evan’s legacy. Others point to a wild story from a match in France where Lewis slapped on a sleeper hold so vicious the crowd thought he was choking his opponent out for real. Either way, the name stuck, and it fit like a glove. This man wasn’t just wrestling—he was shattering the competition’s hopes and dreams.

The Gold Dust Trio: Carving The Industry That Leads To An Ever Lasting Legacy

Lewis wasn’t just a grappler; he was a visionary, a mad scientist if you will. In the 1920s, he teamed up with promoters Toots Mondt and Billy Sandow to form the Gold Dust Trio, a game-changing crew that turned wrestling from one-off barroom brawls into a full-blown spectacle. These guys didn’t just book matches; they created events. Undercards, storylines, feuds that had fans losing their minds—this was the birth of modern pro wrestling as we know it. Lewis was the star, the muscle, and the brains behind it all. He didn’t just win titles; he built an empire. 🏆

And win titles he did. Lewis snagged his first World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship on December 13, 1920, by outclassing Joe Stecher. He’d go on to hold the world title five times (some say up to ten, depending on the record books), ruling the sport for nearly two decades. Over a career spanning four decades, Lewis wrestled in over 6,200 matches—legit shoot fights and worked bouts alike—and lost only 33 times. Let that sink in. That’s not a record; that’s a myth. The man was untouchable. He could go with anybody at anytime he wanted.

The Strangler’s Grip: A Style Like No Other

What made Lewis so fucking terrifying? His catch wrestling prowess. This wasn’t flashy flips or choreographed drama—this was pure unadulterated pain. Lewis was a master of "hooking," using brutal holds to make opponents tap or nap. His signature move? The Strangler’s headlock, a proto-sleeper hold that could put anyone to sleep—permanently, if he wanted. Lou Thesz, Verne Gagne, and others called him the greatest ever, saying he’d only lose when he chose to, to push a storyline. That’s power. That’s control. 😤

One of his wildest moments? September 20, 1934, at Wrigley Field. Lewis faced Jim Londos in front of 35,275 screaming fans, pulling in a record gate of $96,302—a mark that stood until 1952. Or how about 1936, when he took on Lee Wykoff in one of wrestling’s last legit shoot matches? Lewis, nursing a separated clavicle, still fought to a draw. The man was a warrior, plain and simple. Even in 1937, wrestling in New Zealand, he went 4-2 against top talent, only falling to Canadian champ Earl McCready. No one could keep him down for long. 

Rivalries and Real Talk

Lewis’s biggest rival? Joe Stecher. These two titans clashed in and out of the ring, even sparking one of wrestling’s first promotional wars when Stecher ran his own shows against Lewis’s Gold Dust Trio. Their most epic battle? A five-and-a-half-hour marathon on July 4, 1916, ending in a draw because neither man could break the other. That’s not wrestling—that’s war if there ever was one. Their feud hit a peak in 1925 when Stanislaus Zbyszko, a Gold Dust Trio star, double-crossed Lewis' camp by legit beating their handpicked champ, Wayne Munn, to humiliate them. Wrestling was wild back then, and Lewis was at the heart of it all. 🥊

But not every match was a classic. In 1933, Lewis faced Ray Steele (a legit wrestler himself) at Madison Square Garden for the title. The two circled each other, barely locking up, and the fans got bored. Sometimes, even legends have off nights. Still, Lewis’s ability to draw crowds, even in controversy, was unmatched. He was the Babe Ruth of wrestling, rubbing shoulders with the Yankee slugger and Jack Dempsey, the era’s biggest stars. Hell, there’s even a photo from April 16, 1935, of Lewis putting Ruth in a headlock. Iconic.

The Later Years: Blind but Unbowed

By 1935, Lewis was semi-retired, frustrated with wrestling’s shift toward “slambang” entertainment over real grappling. But the fire never left him. In 1942, at 51 years old and legally blind from trachoma, a brutal eye condition common in wrestlers, he stepped back into the ring. Think about that—a blind man wrestling. And he kept going until 1948, retiring at 57. That’s not just heart; that’s soul and the will to keep fighting. 💥

Even after hanging up his boots, Lewis’s influence lived on. He trained legends like Lou Thesz, his protégé, along with Danny Hodge, Dick Hutton, and Judo Gene LeBell, passing down his hooking secrets. Thesz became a world champ, carrying Lewis’s torch. The Strangler didn’t just shape his era; he shaped wrestling’s future. 

The Final Bell

On August 8, 1966, Ed "Strangler" Lewis passed away in Muskogee, Oklahoma, at 75. Newspapers across the country hailed him as a pioneer who made wrestling a global phenomenon. His health battles—especially the blindness that plagued his final years—never dimmed his spirit. He’d earned millions in the ring and spent it like it was nothing, living life as big as his legend.

Today, Lewis is immortalized in every major wrestling hall of fame: Wrestling Observer Newsletter (1996), George Tragos/Lou Thesz (1999), Professional Wrestling (2002), WWE Legacy Wing (2016), and International Professional Wrestling (2021). His name is synonymous with greatness, a reminder of a time when wrestling was raw, real, and ruled by legit grappling warriors.

Why Does The Strangler Matter

Ed "Strangler" Lewis wasn’t just a champion; he was a revolution. He took a gritty, underground sport and made it what we see today. He fought through injuries, blindness, and changing times, never backing down. He trained the next generation, ensuring his art would live on. In the 1920s and ‘30s, he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey and other greats, not just as an athlete but as a myth.

So, next time you watch a wrestling match, remember the man who laid the foundation. The man who strangled doubt, crushed rivals, and built a legacy that’ll never tap out. Ed "Strangler" Lewis—the original powerhouse, the ultimate might. 🏋️‍♂️

What’s your favorite Strangler story? Drop it below and let’s celebrate this crazed SOB together! 💬

Be amazingly awesome and learn the valued history of the great sport of Catch As Catch Can Wrestling.

Get Jacked with Isometrics: The Ultimate Power Hold for God-Tier Strength

What's up everyone, it’s time for some more kick ass stuff about Isometrics that has been forging unbreakable bodies since the days of ancient gods and gritty old-school lifters. A lost art of flexing so hard you make the universe jealous without moving a single inch. If you’re ready to crank up your strength, build a physique that screams “I HAVE THE POWER”, and dominate like an Olympian God, this one’s for you. Let’s dive into why Isometrics are just unbelievable and unleash the beast within you! 😤

Isometrics for the most part are like the quiet, stoic badass of the strength game. You push, pull, or hold against an immovable object (or your own body) with max effort, no movement, just pure, raw tension. Think of it as flexing so intense you’re basically telling gravity to sit down and shut the fuck up. Whether you’re pressing against a wall, gripping the Worldfit Iso Trainer like it owes you money, or locking your core in a plank that’d make a statue sweat, you’re building strength, stability, and mental toughness.

Why should you give a damn? Because isometrics is the Game Genie for unlocking superhuman strength and a body that looks carved from granite. Plus, they’re versatile AF—do ‘em anywhere, anytime, no fancy gym required. Just you, your will, and a whole lotta “I ain’t quittin’” energy.

Why Isometrics Is One of the GOATs 🐐

Strength Gains That Hit Like a Freight Train 🚂

Studies (Look into them) show isometrics can boost strength by up to 5-15% in just weeks. Why? You’re firing every muscle fiber at once, teaching your nervous system to recruit max power. It’s like overclocking your body’s CPU.

Build Muscle Without Moving 💪

No reps, no problem. Holding a max-effort contraction for 7-12 seconds can spark hypertrophy (aka muscle growth) just as well as grinding out sets. Your muscles don’t know the difference—they just know you’re making ‘em work with a vengeance.

Injury-Proof Your Body 🛡️

Isometrics are low-impact, so you’re not beating up your joints. They’re a godsend for rehab, prehab, or just keeping your body bulletproof while you chase those PRs. Injuries suck so here is a way to minimize that and still make some serious gains.

Mental Fortitude Forge 🧘‍♂️

Holding a max-effort iso is a battle of mind over matter. You vs. you. Every second you don’t quit, you’re forging a mindset that laughs in the face of your enemies of the mind.

Do It Anywhere, Look Cool Doing It 😎

No weights? No gym? No excuses. Push against a doorframe, hold a bodyweight squat, or flex your lats like you’re about to deadlift a Buick. Bonus: people will think you’re some kinda fitness ninja. Push/Pull against a pillar at the park, try to throw a tree like the Great Gama and cool other things.

How to Crush Isometrics Like a Warlord ⚔️

When you add Isometrics to your repertoire, here’s a playbook to dominate:

1. The Classic Wall Press (Chest, Shoulders, Triceps) 🏛️

Stand facing a wall, hands at chest height.

Push like you’re trying to move a mountain—max effort, no mercy.

Hold for 7-12 seconds, breathe like a dragon and give it almost everything you got.

Pro tip: Angle your hands to hit different parts of your chest. Feel that chest working!

2. Deadlift Hold (Posterior Chain Power) 🏋️‍♂️

Take a strap or Iso Trainer, stand it up at knee height.

Grip it, pull like you’re ripping the earth apart, but don’t move it.

Hold for 7-12 seconds. Your hamstrings and traps will thank you. Breathe, do not hold the breath.

3. Plank of the Gods (Core of Steel) 🛠️

Get in a plank, on the palms.

Brace your core like you’re about to take a punch from Thor.

Pull Your Hands & Feet towards your chest without moving For 7-12 seconds. Want extra spice? Add a side plank to carve those obliques. Again, pull the hands and towards towards each but no moving.

4. Doorframe Row (Back & Biceps) 🚪

Stand in a doorframe, hands gripping the frame at chest height.

Pull like you’re trying to collapse the house, keeping elbows tight.

Hold 7-12 seconds. Your lats will pop like never before.

5. Bodyweight Squat Hold (Quads of Destiny) 🦵

Drop into a half squat, thighs parallel to the ground.

Hold it like you’re sitting on a Clydesdale Horse ready to march into battle.

Aim for 7-12 seconds flexing the legs hard. Feel the burn, embrace the glory.

Pro Tips to Level Up Your Iso Game 🎮

Max Effort, Every Time: Don’t half-ass it. Give it close to your max force (70-85%) for short bursts to spark gains.

Breathe, Don’t Pass Out: Exhale slowly during holds to keep blood flowing and avoid seeing stars. Making the SSSS sound as well helps with blood pressure.

Mix It In: Combine isometrics with dynamic lifts or other bodyweight exercises. Example: hold a horse stance squat iso, then bang out 5 explosive bodyweight squats.

Track Your Holds: Time your holds or measure force (if you’re fancy with a dynamometer). Progress is power.

Mind-Muscle Connection: Focus on the target muscle. Visualize it growing stronger with every second.

Real Talk: Why Isometrics are NEEDED In Life 🗣️

In a world full of flashy fitness trends and TikTok workouts, isometrics are the OG, no-BS path to strength. They’re not just about building muscle—they’re about building you. The discipline to hold a position when every fiber screams “quit.” The power to push past limits. The swagger of knowing you’re stronger than yesterday.

Plus, you can do ‘em while stuck in traffic (flex those glutes!), waiting for your coffee, or even during a boring Zoom call (desk push, anyone?). Isometrics don’t care about your schedule—they just demand you show up and bring the heat.

Join the Isometric Revolution! 🌋

So, what’s it gonna be, guys? You gonna keep scrolling or start flexing your way to god-tier strength? Grab a wall, a bar, or just your own body, and start holding like your life depends on it. Share your favorite iso moves or epic hold times in the comments—let’s build a legion of the unmovable! 💥

Stay strong, stay relentless, and never stop chasing the grind. Be amazingly awesome.

Send me an email using the contact form

Share this on your Social Media

2 Decades And It Still Haunts Me But Teaches Me Lessons Everyday

 

It's never easy having a memory like this. It's still embedded into my mind that will last the rest of my life. That spot that changed everything. One bad day becomes a haunting reminder yet still teaches me lessons that have kept me going all these years. A stupid mistake/accident by a 20 year old that had to learn new things beyond the physical about pain, suffering and fighting to get back.

20 years ago today, at this very spot was the day I was broken, physically, emotionally and mentally. It was sunnier, in the late morning, early afternoon and went here for a date where the girl I was hanging with brought friends along. Climbed up to the top of that long stretch of rock below the green. I was supposed to go all the way to the very end where the water would've been highest, I jumped more towards the middle like a dumbass (Red Foreman wouldn't hesitate to say this) and thought the water was still good but it went out within about a split second after I jumped and both feet landed on the very hard and rugged sand below. 

Because of my own stupidity, I shattered my left tibia fibula and both my ankles all in one shot. Everything felt weird and held up my leg to see it flop without me moving it. Luckily no bones broke through the skin but I heard the sound of them coming from the inside, I had a lady come over and asked me to try and stand up and I didn't want to get up. Two guys pulled onto the shore and I just laid there. The call that even at the time nearly killed my mother when she learned that I told her I think I broke my legs. I was laying there on the sand in the warm sun waiting for an ambulance which had to bring the Gurney down the cliff a few yards away. The girls and a couple other people kept me talking since the shock was hitting me like a freight train.

My dad and stepmom came around the time the ambulance showed up. Paramedics asked me all the general questions and was completely conscious to answer them all as best as I could. Asked the girls what happened and asked witnesses around there including the two guys who pulled me in. Because of where the vehicle was, they had strap me in and haul me back up the cliff which already has a very narrow pathway. Scary as hell to say the least. They got me in and one of the things the they asked is what music I like to listen to, for some odd reason I said AC/DC. 

Got to the hospital and because of the sand in my shorts, they had to cut them and wipe me down, it was everywhere. About a couple minutes into being in that room with people including my parents, a woman that helped raise me, her son one of my best friends and my stepmom, I just lost it. The true shock kicked in and I just balled and screamed right then and there like learning someone had just murdered someone in my family. Horrifying moment on top of what had already happened.

Had to go into surgery that night or so because the damage was insane. The bones in my left leg split to the point where repairing took some weird way to piece them but they couldn't stay straight or line up properly the same way ever again. Before they put me under anesthesia, they asked what I wanted to listen to to keep me calm, again I said AC/DC and they put on Back In Black. Most likely they turned it off the moment I was out but I do remember couniting and then just going to sleep.

I woke up later in a hospital room and was told about all these procedures I had to do. Not going into gross details so I'll leave that amongst yourselves. This was where the true beginnings of what would become my findings of inner strength to get back to walking again. I learned the value and the strength needed to pull myself up into a wheel chair. Got several visitors around that time, even the girls and my date from the beach, I felt horrible having them see me like that but I was nice and being friendly with them and I think the girl who jumped after me apologized or something along those lines and I shrugged it off and told her it was ok. 

Once I got the clearance to go home, I had a ramp built for me to roll up into the house and had to get a hospital bed put in the living room because the pathway from the living room to my room was extremely narrow. Everyday was a struggle and had friends and family come and hang with me and keep me occupied. Before all this happened, I was going to gold's gym and doing powerlifting and other training stuff, going to concerts in downtown Santa Cruz at a place called the Catalyst where famous bands played and it was a place to go with my Stepdad before he died, getting burgers and fries and watching a giants game. Those concerts in the atrium around 2004, roughly a year before my accident, was where I met Logan Christopher and reconnected with my neighbor two doors down from me Tyler Bramlett who was the Drummer for his band Archer at the time with guitarist Dylan Rosenberg (Goes by Dylan Rose now) and their Bassist Isaiah May if I have the last name correctly. They would play cover songs and their own stuff for battle of the bands and things like that. Logan was the guy who helped set up the equipment.

Logan & Tyler came around often either after workouts or before and talked to me about all this stuff about Physical Culture and about guys like Dennis Rogers, Jon Hinds, Bud Jeffries and many others. I believe they were the first ones to mention to me about Matt Furey and his combat conditioning book. Their the ones that gave me the tools to research all this stuff which is why I have always credited them as the guys that saved my life. They treated me like a brother and taught me how to be strong.

As the weeks went by and another surgery had to be done, I went to another hospital to get work done on my legs that needed a greater set of tools to operate and put things in. After a while, I got to be in my own bed. I did have an incident and fell flat on my left foot and thought something got damaged again. rushed to the hospital but was taken to one in Watsonville, not Santa Cruz and they didn't tell my mom so when she went to Keiser Permanente in SC, they couldn't find me there and ended up telling her I was in another town because of something going on with Ambulances being shorthanded or something like that. Remember about the narrow pathway to get to my room? Well the Gurney couldn't fit through so without any help, I literally dragged my legs and my ass backwards on my hands since I couldn't and wasn't able to get up on my feet.

I got a copy of combat conditioning and for the last few weeks before my last surgery, I read through that thing maybe a dozen times, learning everything. The final surgery was on July 29th, the day after my 21st birthday. I always joke that because of getting it done the next day, I couldn't have a beer on my own 21st birthday. So I advise those turning 21 to have fun as much as you can and don't be an idiot like me and get hurt. I was doing occupational therapy during the time between my second and third surgeries. Was told that my therapy would take roughly a year to let things completely heal after my surgery. I made the decision to do PT on my own, my way and everyone but a few friends and my mom were pissed at me that I was going to do that and were afraid for me making things worse. Within days after that last surgery, I started working on Hindu Squats, Hindu Push-ups & Bridges just like Matt suggested in the book. 

I couldn't do more than 10 squats, 15 pushups and my bridge was terrifying to look at at first. I kept at it every single day for a month, then switched to other exercises but ever since those first squats, pushups and bridge, I haven't taken one day off of doing exercise or a workout. I was just determined to fight with everything I had and it was painful as fuck and walking for more than 10 minutes exhausted me. By December of that year, I managed more than 1000 squats in a single workout, 1050 to be exact. Regular Hindu Squats & Jumping Squats for almost an hour, taking breaks when I needed to. 

For 20 years now, I still take those lessons and tools those guys gave me and kept the promise to myself to do something every single day no matter what. I've had set backs, little injuries, weight fluctuations and dealt with relationships, deaths, funerals, traveling and many other things but I still found a way to exercise because in my mind, if I don't, it's like losing a piece of my soul. It's my second language, the thing that drives me and what has led me to a life that has brought me many friendships, working doing what I love and promoting those that inspire me and it brought me to meet my wife when one of the last things she saw on our first date was when I bent a 60D Penny Nail for her. 

Although I still have some nightmares to this day of what happened, I' am grateful for what came to light and what I've become along the way and to say thank you to everyone who encouraged me and gave me the strength to keep doing this. You guys are incredible and I'm thankful for your support with this blog and putting up with some of my crazy shit all these years. You all are amazingly awesome, thank you.