The Death of Clarence Whistler and Lewis Becomes the Strangler - 1000 Hours
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
Release Date: 01/18/2026
June 16, 1986 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Review
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
This week on my classic wrestling podcast, I take a look back at the June 16, 1986, issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter by Dave Meltzer. This was one of the sources used in my latest book available at Amazon. This is an issue with a huge news story discussing the severe motorcycle accident suffered by Kerry Von Erich which ultimately led to the partial amputation of his foot. In addition, that huge story is news on Billy Jack Haynes, Roddy Piper, and a major AWA show heading to Denver. Plus, news on the NWA Great American Bash 1986 tour series.
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That Didn't Go as Planned - 1000 Hours
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
Join me on the podcast dealing with the pioneer era of pro wrestling. Taken from the pages of my book available at Amazon, we are detailing the events of the last decade of the pioneer era of pro wrestling, the 1890s. Martin 'Farmer' Burns has been on the rise and the star of the moment of the brutal Evan 'Strangler' Lewis, the original 'Strangler' of pro wrestling. So, when the two finally meet for the American heavyweight championship, it was supposed to have ushered in a big new era in pro wrestling history, and it did, just not the way anyone expected. Evan 'Strangler' Lewis' reputation...
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Long Form History of Wrestling Podcast - May 1986 - World Class, WWF, Magnum TA)
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
Today on my Long Form History of Pro Wrestling Series, I cover May 1986 from my latest book available at Amazon. April 1986 was one of the most impactful months in pro wrestling history with most major promotions in the United States holding a super card. In May, WWF, AWA, and NWA try to keep their momentum going and World Class, now having left the National Wrestling Alliance, holds their annual David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions card. Join me as I discuss another packed month of pro wrestling history!
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Captain Caveman (1977)
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
Today on our retro TV review we take a look at the world's first superhero- Captain Caveman! Captain Caveman not only had his own stand alone series but also crossed over with the Flintstones and shared a show with them at one point. Based on two Hanna-Barbara characters previously discussed on our Wacky Races podcast, Captain Caveman also shared a lot of elements (as well as the basic plot of his shows) with Scooby-Doo. Today, let's look back at this Saturday morning cartoon classic.
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June 10, 1986 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Review
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
This week, I continue to take a look back at 1986 from my latest book available at Amazon. I take a deep dive into the June 10, 1986 issue of Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer Newsletter where he looks at major stories involving Billy Jack Haynes leaving the Pacific Northwest territory for the WWF, major problems in Fritz Von Erich's World Class Championship Wrestling, and the upcoming NWA Great American Bash Tour.
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The Last Match of William Muldoon - 1000 Hours
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
We continue in the final decade of the pioneer era of pro wrestling and the biggest star of the pioneer era, William Muldoon, has his last pro wrestling match in New York. Another veteran pioneer wrestler, John McMahon, has his last match as well. Still earlier pioneers like Col. James H. McLaughlin and Homer Lane continue to wrestler periodically, but it is now the era of Evan 'Strangler' Lewis and Farmer Burns is on the rise as well. The 1890s were an incredible era in pro wrestling history that set the stage for what American pro wrestling would become in the 1900s. YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES!...
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William Muldoon the Con Man - 1000 Hours
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
This week on my 1000 Hours podcast series which focuses exclusively on pre-Frank Gotch era pro wrestling, we finish out the 1880s and enter the last decade of the pioneer era of pro wrestling. Taken from my popular book , we look at the final days of William Muldoon as a pro wrestler. Muldoon began losing interest in pro wrestling after the more entertainment based Greco-Roman wrestling declined in popularity, replaced by the rougher and more vicious style of Catch-as-Catch-Can and the rise of Evan 'Strangler' Lewis. Muldoon began casting his lot more and more with boxing, particularly pioneer...
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1986 and 1987 Two Incredible Years!
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
My latest book, is now available for order, and it is a massive near 600-page book detailing ever major event, story, and happening in pro wrestling for 1986 and 1987. On today's podcast I touch on just a few highlights and deep dives explored in the book from the real attendance for 1987's WWF WrestleMania III to both the 1986 and 1987 NWA Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial tag team tournaments. Let's also not forget the AWA had WrestleRock in 1986 and Japan, Canada, and Mexico had some incredible moments. Plus, sadly, the drug death epidemic began hitting pro wrestling hard and there were multiple...
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The Return of William Muldoon - 1000 Hours
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
William Muldoon got about a 25-year head start on Frank Gotch's gimmick of returning from 'retirement' multiple times and about a 100-year head start on Terry Funk. William Muldoon had begun suffering from nagging hand and arm injuries and a severe downturn in the popularity of pro wrestling, especially French Greco-Roman style of which he was the dominate master. Evan 'Strangler' Lewis and the rise of Catch-as-Catch-Can wrestling was beginning to dominate the scene. All the ingredients are starting to set the stage for the coming of Frank Gotch. Martin 'Farmer' Burns is now on the scene and...
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Strangler Lewis is a Heel - 1000 Hours
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
Today on my 1000 Hours podcast series we discuss the continued rise of Evan 'Strangler' Lewis and how crowds in the late 1800s turned on this man. The vicious tactics of the original Strangler Lewis bumps up against the code of conduct of the era's sporting culture. Plus, William Muldoon says he is retired but is really? The wild 1880s continue on the 1000 Hours Podcast with Karl Stern. YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of to either...
info_outlineToday's show is packed with very important events in the history of the pioneer era of pro wrestling. The first event we will talk about may have even changed the course of history. When Clarence 'The Kansas Demon' Whistler died while on tour of Australia he was considered by many newspapers to be the real and true World champion of pro wrestling. His death is full myth and misinformation, and we will cut through the fog of time to get to the truth. Also on this show, Evan Lewis earns his nickname as The Strangler and in the same instance become the first real heel that wrestling had ever seen.
The extended Patreon edition is here.
YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put “1000” in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 119. This is hour 89.