Komar or DeVito to Tackle Lewis

Pawtucket Times – April 10, 1928

The elimination tournament to determine an opponent for “Strangler” Ed Lewis in a championship match at Providence reaches a climax at the Arcadia in Providence this evening when Joe (“Bull”) Komar, who is generally regarded as the roughest and most unpopular matman in the game, meets the Italian favorite, Joe De Vito, who has won all his Providence matches impressively. Matchmaker Cy Mitchell plans to send the winner of the match against Lewis at the Arcadia within a fortnight.

Illinois May Put Ban On “Pro” Wrestling

Pawtucket Times – June 7, 1927

CHICAGO, June 7 (United Press) – Professional wrestling may be barred in Illinois as result of an investigation being made here by a legislative committee.

Representative Claude Rew of Harrisburg, Ill., after yesterday’s testimony, announced he would father a bill to that effect before the lower House of the Legislature.

One of the chief witnesses yesterday was Bill Demetral, a former wrestler. Among the charges he made were:

Lewis To Wrestle At Auditorium Tonight

Pawtucket Times – April 20, 1927

Professional wrestling, which has been undergoing a revival in all parts of the country will be in order tonight at the Auditorium with a series of four of four matches between men of established reputation, the main event bringing together “Strangler” Ed Lewis, holder of the Tex Rickard $10,000 belt, against Dr. Karl Sarpolis, the Lithuanian physician wrestler. They are to go best two out of three falls to a finish.

The supporting numbers indicate a well-balanced programme. Ned McGuire, the Irish giant, and Mike Romano, the Italian heavyweight, are down for a one fall match, and as both have wrestled Lewis and scored falls, the winner will get after the champion real hard for a return match.

Live Wires of Sports

The Pawtucket Times – February 24, 1916

Fans who attended the wrestling match in Boston last night which Zbyszko won from Hussane must have believed that the grappling game can be almost as exciting as boxing. Zbyszko knocked Hussane cold by tossing him upon his head. When Hussane came to in the dressing room he asked who ran the engine off his neck.

Promoters of Kansas City have offered a purse of $10,000 for a finish match at catch-as-catch-can between Joe Stecher and Stranger Lewis. The latter is to meet Dick Butler, the Irish giant, at the Harlem Sporting Club of New York Monday night.

Strangler Lewis, Wrestler, Dead

New York Times – August 8th, 1966

MUSKOGEE, Okla., Aug. 7 (AP) — Ed (Strangler) Lewis, a wrestler who parlayed bulging muscles, a nasty headlock, a frightening name and a talent for publicity into ring earnings of more than $4 million, died here today at the Veterans Administration Hospital. He was 76 years old.

Mr. Lewis, whose real name was Robert H. Friedrich, was blind and poor in his last years, but he said of his afflictions: “This is just another test to prove the allness, the omnipotence of God. I’m going through a beautiful experience.”

Lewis’ Headlock Too Much For Mr. Shikat

New York Times-Union – June 10, 1932
By Ford C. Frick

Just Before Lewis Won

THAT FAMOUS Lewis headlock is still one of the deadliest holds in wrestling.  Here’s the Strangler with his arms entwined about Dick Shikat’s head.  A moment later Shikat was flat on the floor, next in line for the world’s championship.

NEW YORK, June 10 (INS). – I was right about that headlock.  The Rocky Mountain burro could not stand it – and neither could Dick Shikat.

Lewis – Zbyszko Matched

Saskatoon Daily Star – May 12, 1923

MINNEAPOLIS, May 12.  A wrestling match for the world’s heavyweight championship between Ed “Strangler” Lewis, title holder, and Stanislaus Zbyszko, former champion, will be held here Tuesday, May 22, it was announced Friday.  Lewis won the championship from Zbyszko in New York 18 months ago.  Among cities that sought the championship was Winnipeg.

Three Big Men Of Mat And Ring

The Leader-Post – May 8, 1923

LEFT TO RIGHT: STAN ZBYSZKO, JESS WILLARD, STRANGLER LEWIS

Presenting the three big men of the mat and ring, Stan Zbyszko, Jess Willard and Ed Strangler Lewis.

Just at present the three huskies are doing a bit of training at Excelsior Springs, Mo.

The Wrestling Game Is Not Killed In This City

Argus-Leader – March 14, 1917

The Hoodoo Which Has Followed Joe Carr Will Be Shaken Off With New Parties

The wrestling game has received a bad setback through the fizzles in connection with Gillis and Carr. But who is the loser? The public has not lost anything. The local promoter and the wrestlers themselves have been the financial losers.

Joe Carr has been sidetracked and the local management is now out after a new game.  Jimmie Londos has given the local management full power to match him with anyone who is deemed fit to put up a good match. With this assurance the local promoter has started correspondence which looks for a match in this city between Londos and Dr. Roller or Nels Moe or some other first-class man. Even George Cotsonaros wants to come back and meet Londos. Roy Gillis would meet Londos in Sioux Falls with the toe hold barred.

Zbyszko Successfully Defends Title

The Pawtucket Times – December 1, 1921

Stanislaus Zbyszko, world’s heavyweight wrestling champion, successfully defended his title when he pinned the shoulders of Strangler Lewis, former champion, to the mat twice. Lewis won the first fall, but the aged Pole came back strong and won his two falls in less than three quarters of an hour.