Fury
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 21, 2007 21:19:09 GMT -5
Posts: 4,257
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Post by Fury on Aug 3, 2013 5:51:33 GMT -5
Backstory The year was 1920, the first world war had passed. The United States had passed the Volsted Act that ordered the prohibition of the distribution and use of alcohol. And the professional wrestling landscape had changed. Through the visions of a few of the promoters they saw that crowds were dwindling, the formula was growing tired. Few people wanted to see two hour long legitimate matches anymore. A change was needed in order to draw crowds and that change saw the death of the legitimacy of wrestling. Wrestling had changed to become more of a show and adapt, there was a good guy and a bad guy, they knew who was going to win the match beforehand, this formula has remained true for at least 100 years. This is a documentary of the lives of the people involved in this period.
Currently the situation in the professional wrestling world is a mixed up one and has been that way since Frank Gotch retired as the world champion and later died. This resulted in a number of claimants. First was Stanislaus Zybysko, in 1914 he claimed the title but soon left the country and hasn't returned since. Joe Stecher then became the widely recognised champion defeating Charley Cutler to claim the belt. This is where the major confusion happened. Stecher wrestled a match against John Olin. Olin was stalling and Stecher left the ring. Olin proceeded to claim the title as his, whilst Stecher did the same leaving two lines of championships in the Olin line and the Stecher line. Stecher lost in the ring to Earl Caddock. Olin lost to Ed Lewis who proceeded to lose the title back to Joe Stecher. A tournament was designed to get an undisputed champion and the final two are Joe Stecher and Earl Caddock who will meet at Madison Square Garden to crown an undisputed World Heavyweight Champion.
This diary will document their journeys across the country as they travel across the land. We will get the insights of the many wrestlers, managers, promoters and various other folk associated with the professional wrestling industry at this time and reveal the dark underbelly of the wrestling world.
The Players
| Ed “The Strangler” Lewis
Undoubtedly the most popular wrestler going, being on high demand all across the country. Ed Lewis is the poster child for this generation, with personality and talent to back it up. Lewis has mastered the headlock and competed in many high profile matches, on the verge of superstardom Lewis is still looking to breakout and win his first world championship, but with his talent, charisma and personality that shouldn’t be too long until he is the “man”.
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| Billy Sandow
The manager of Ed Lewis, Billy Sandow is a conniving, slimy personality who always gets what he wants. The reason he gets what he wants is because he realises how much other people want his client Ed Lewis and they cave to his demands just to get Lewis to show up. Sandow has made himself and Lewis rich and Sandow is looking to ride Lewis to the top and get a championship reign which will put him in even greater demand. | 
| Joe Stecher
Perhaps the best technical wrestler of the time, Joe Stecher is a top notch wrestler with a bad attitude to back it up. Stecher is viewed as a bit of a wildcard, only looking out for himself with an ego the size of the moon. But there is no denying Stecher’s talent, a former world heavyweight champion, Stecher has put on classics all across America. Stecher is looking to regain his championship at the present and become the top dog that he thinks he deserves to be once again. |  | Earl Caddock
Earl Caddock is the present World Heavyweight Championship. A talented technician, Caddock achieved huge success as champion. With his success you’d think he’d be excused for not volunteering for the war, but Caddock volunteered to be frontline, he wanted to go toe to toe with the Germans. Caddock is a great champion, but a better person, perhaps he had too many morals and was too nice for the world that wrestling was becoming. | 
| Stanislaus Zbysko
One of the most intimidating wrestlers in the world right now. Stanislaus was considered the best wrestler following the retirement of Frank Gotch in 1914 but shortly thereafter had to return to Russia and was placed under house arrest and has not returned since. On return Stanislaus will find a vastly different landscape to the one he left in 1915, but Stanislaus is a more than capable grappler who strikes fear into anyone around him. | 
| Jim Londos
The Greek Jimmy Londos is one of the fastest rising stars in the wrestling world. A former gymnast and powerlifter, Londos has a radiate personality and is a physical specimen to boot. Londos is no slouch technically either as he can hang with the best of them. Londos is ready to breakthrough and it’s only a matter of time as crowds are gravitating towards Londos and that is sure to get the attention of promoters across the country. | 
| Wladek Zbysko
The brother of Stanislaus, Wladek is also a feared personality within the wrestling world. Regarded as one of the top wrestlers in the world today, Wladek can more than handle is own in the ring and has done more than enough to break out of the mold of his generally regarded more talented brother. | 
| John Pesek
Another famed “hooker” of the period, Pesek is the go to man to go to when the trust wants someone roughed up. One of the most talented grapplers around, Pesek is reckless and ruthless when it comes to injuring someone who opposes the trust. | 
| Joe “Toots” Mondt
“Toots” was given to him because of his baby face, don’t let that fool you though, Mondt is as tough as they come. Mondt is the man with the vision, to bring wrestling the mainstream exposure it has lacked since the days of Hackenschmidt v Gotch. Mondt is a visionary, he knows what the people want but for now he is just your average wrestler. | 
| Jack Curley
The godfather of the professional wrestling world. . You want to run anything in New York, you go through Jack Curley, boxing, wrestling, you name it and Jack Curley can promote it. Curley has promoted some of the biggest boxing and wrestling matches all across the biggest cities in America. | 
| Tony Stecher
Joe Stecher’s brother and manager. Tony is very demanding when it comes to his brother and his obligations. | 
| John Olin
A disputed former world champion, most places don’t recognise Olin or the line of superstars that beat him’s “reigns”, nonetheless a talented competitor anywhere he goes. | 
| Marin Plestina
Plestina is a very talented grappler. The problem with Plestina is that he doesn’t want to confide to the trust. He wants to wrestle matches how they were supposed to be wrestled. | 
| Farmer Burns
Farmer Burns was one of the greatest champions ever. Having over 3000 matches Burns has now become the top wrestling trainer in the world. | 
| Paul Bowser
Bowser is a competent grappler but he yearns for much more. He has a brain and wants to use and envisions a change in the wrestling business. | 
| Ad Santel
Ad Santel is the current World Light Heavyweight Champion. Santel is one of the few wrestlers who will travel the world and take on comers from all different countries | 
| Max Baumann
Ad Santel is the current World Light Heavyweight Champion. Santel is one of the few wrestlers who will travel the world and take on comers from all different countries |
And a cast of many more.
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robby.blade
Main Eventer
64 Refs
Joined on: Jan 16, 2007 13:52:35 GMT -5
Posts: 4,382
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Post by robby.blade on Aug 3, 2013 15:29:13 GMT -5
OH. MY. GOD.
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Post by DTP. on Aug 3, 2013 20:45:22 GMT -5
This is something EXTREMELY out of the box. I'm liking it already. Your format for the diary shall be interesting to see. Very creative. P.S: I'm expecting a lot of racial squashes, given the time period.  |
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Post by Rule 30 on Aug 3, 2013 20:48:01 GMT -5
Quite excited by this, I hope this sticks around because these diaries never last too long. Good luck.
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Fury
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 21, 2007 21:19:09 GMT -5
Posts: 4,257
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Post by Fury on Aug 4, 2013 5:34:34 GMT -5
Oklahoma City, January 2, 1920
"Ed Lewis can't do this show for less than $2500" Billy Sandow had recognised a mark when he saw one. That's exactly what Joe Miller was, Miller was new to the promoting scene in Oklahoma and had never dealt with Lewis and Sandow before. "Come on Billy" he pleaded "I thought we discussed $1500 and travel expenses." Sandow put his hand on Miller's shoulder "I like you I do" he lied "but we got an offer for $2500 from Tom up in Kansas, now I got things I have to pay for so any week I'm only making what your offering with Ed Lewis is a bad week". "The gate is barely going to cover that, I gotta pay the other guys, I gotta make money for myself as well". Sandow smiled at Miller "alright, alright, because I like you we'll take $2000 up front otherwise I'm sorry but we have to take the offer from Tom Law to wrestle for him, I can't make both shows and you're going to have to find a replacement for Lewis." Miller sighed as he reluctantly agreed and shook Sandow's hand. Sandow smiled to Lewis as he had pulled yet another one.
Another man was sitting nearby and began to laugh at what he had just saw. Sandow had his interest piqued and walked over to the man. "Something you find funny?" Sandow asked. The man looked Sandow dead in the eye and deadpanned to him "I think you could've made a lot more, he would've caved in to your $2500 demand, hell if you said Tom Law was giving you $3000 at this fictional show he would've caved" Sandow looked at the man curiously. "And what would you know about that?" Sandow asked. "Because the guy isn't paying people in gate percentages as he should be, if you leave he's got $1250 to Olin, $500 to my opponent and $900 to myself, if Lewis isn't there the refunds come and he is in debt to cover us. Ed Lewis is the biggest star at any show he should be making 50% of the gate in a dump like this, these people literally come to see The Strangler fight." Sandow nodded in agreement impressed at the young man "you're making $900?" he looked puzzled, the man laughed "yeah and to lose to some rook with a good body with some Navy training". Sandow held his hand out to the man "it's Joe isn't it", the man smiled and nodded "we should talk again" he said whilst walking away from the man they call "Toots". 
Sioux City, January 4 1920
World Heavyweight Champion Earl Caddock was budy training at his farm in Sioux City. He was sparring with some of the finest wrestlers around in preparation for his big contest with Joe Stecher at Madison Square Garden, including the retired legend Dr Ben Roller and Middleweight Champion Weino Ketonen. When something caught his eye in one of the sheds, it was his manager Gene Melady shouting at some shoe shine boy he had hired for the weekend. Caddock walked over to find out what was going on.
Melady turned when he saw Caddock entering. "Looking good out there champ" he complimented him. "What's going on in here?" Caddock asked his manager. "Oh nothing" Melady sighed and began to laugh "this coon here was asking if he could learn to wrestle from the great Earl Caddock, can you believe that?" Melady began laughing, so did Waino Ketonen. Caddock however wasn't laughing "is this true?" he asked of the young boy, 18 year old Alfred Holmes. Caddock had noticed he was quite the athlete and smarter than a slave for Melady. The boy looked embarrassed has his had his head in his chest. "Get the hell out of here boy, you should be lucky you even get to polish the man of a thousand holds boots, just shine the shoes, carry the bags and leave the wrestling the professionals." The kid stormed off before he could listen to any more. "Why you have to be mean to the kid, Gene?" Caddock asked. "Are you a  lover Earl? He deserves it for having the nerve to even ask that. Please, the man of a thousand holds training a coon." Melady continued his rant whilst Caddock shook his head.
"Anyway champ, I was talking to Joe Coffey from Chicago about the match you have scheduled for the 18th, I said he's going to have raise his offer to $10,000 to have you appear on the 18th less than 2 weeks out from the biggest match of your career and a $20,000 payday" Caddock glared at Melady in almost disbelief "what did he say?". Melady shrugged "look kid there's no way we should be putting you at risk that close to Madison Square Garden we need a big down guarantee for you to even appear, I say you just stay up at the farm and train until the 30th. We cannot risk this, tickets are going to be sold for $20, everyone is going to be there to witness it and we can't take $5,000 from Joe Coffey to put that on the line, what if the guy shoots on you, injures you and you can't go for the 30th, what if he takes the gold?" Melady had a tone that was demanding, as if to say his decision was final and Caddock could see his point of view and knew it was the smart thing to do, but screw the smart thing.
"Do you even bother to consult me before you make decisions that directly regard me" Earl responded as Melady had a look of disbelief at being questioned. "I can handle myself against anyone and Joe's a professional, he's not going to do anything shady, I want to wrestle in Chicago, I agreed to wrestle there." Melady sighed and realised he had no say "the war changed you Earl. I think this is stupid to risk it all, but I see there's no changing your mind" Melady reluctantly agreed to the decision. Caddock smiled "come on what's the worse that could happen? I go to Chicago, wrestle some guy, take an extra $5,000 to New York."
New York, January 5 1920
A hulking bald man walked into the First Regiment Armory in New York, all the faces were turned towards him or engaged in whispers as he walked past. "Is that, no it couldn't be" a voice called out "Stanislaus" an extatic Jack Curley ran over to greet the returning champion. Stanislaus couldn't put his finger on it but he was quite off put by this guy. Curley kept on talking but Stanislaus was ignoring him, looking around for someone. Finally when he spotted him he let out a loud "BROTHER!" that boomed across the room as he embraced the man. "Stanislaus, why didn't you tell me you were back, how did the motherland treat you" Wladek was smiling at the sight of seeing his brother again. Stanislaus let out a small chuckle "how's life been treating you over here brother" Stanislaus asked curious to catch up on the wrestling landscape and how it had changed since he left.
"Life's been good, you missed out on a lot, I have to prepare for tonight, but we need to go out, catch up and get drunk before it's illegal" Wladek exclaimed. "Alcohol's going to be illegal?" Stanislaus asked as Wladek exhaled as if to say don't even begin. Jack Curley came back over "so Stanislaus I think we need to get you back in the ring, big matches with Joe, Ed, Earl, you and me can make a lot of money off of each other." Curley had a grin on his face and saw dollar signs in his eyes, he knew a name as big as Stanislaus would draw instant attention. "We can make money or you can make money" Stanislaus said wearily, clearly offput by Curley's aggression in courting him. "I pay the premier rates for my workers and bring in the largest gates across America, I could get you more than $10,000 for a match with the undisputed champion" Stanislaus liked the sound of that, $10,000 was more than he ever could of dreamed of. "When do I start?" Stanislaus asked as the trio began to laugh, "how about tonight we can get this bum off the card and get you out there" Curley said jokingly as Stanislaus laughed but Wladek didn't.
Meanwhile across the room Joe Stecher was talking to his brother and manager Tony Stecher. "Stanislaus is back" Tony groaned at the thought of it. "What's the matter brother, you can't be worried about him, the game has changed so much since he left he'll never be able to catch up, he's a bum, I would destory him" Joe boasted. "I know you would" Tony agreed "it just complicates things, everything was falling into place for us, I don't want that baboon ruining things".
"Who's a baboon?" the booming voice of Stanislaus was now standing right beside them. Tony nearly fell off his feet as Joe laughed. "No one Stan this doesn't concern you" Joe said firmly to Stanislaus. "Joe I think we had unfinished business from when I left, I heard you claimed my title after I left" Stanislaus declared. Tony had regathered himself and seemingly his confidence and spoke up "get in line Stanislaus, you can't just waltz in and get a shot at Joe Stecher, we aren't here to arrange a match with you, we are in New York to scout some of the premier talent to work matches with, finalise the title match and work on a boxer vs wrestler match with Jack Dempsey, we are very busy people, we don't have time for you do you understand?" he asserted. "What about you Joe, what do you think?" Stanislaus turned his attention directly to Joe ignoring Tony. Joe shrugged and pointed at Tony as if to say he agreed with everything his brother said. Stanislaus stormed off and back over to his brother, obviously feeling insulted.
Joe and Tony then went out and proceeded to watch three matches, one with Wladek, one of the big four who was impressive as always. John Pesek, one of the toughest fighters in the world dominated and dispatched of his opponent quickly, but Joe and Tony were most impressed with a young Jim Londos, "The Golden Greek" he fought for 90 minutes and looked as fresh as he did walking in, the crowd rose to their feet everytime he performed a move. Joe and Tony realised they had to get Londos, Joe knew that if he could get Londos on his side. Joe knew this guy would be more popular than anyone shortly and he could use him to keep the title off of Ed Lewis, whom he deeply hated.
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Post by Matt on Aug 10, 2013 14:43:35 GMT -5
I remembering trying to do a 1950's historic diary in the past, and really enjoying it. I love the idea of this, your format and presentation is perfect. From a historic stance, the money seems a little off. I believe $1 in 1920 would be almost $12 nowadays, so that means Ed Lewis would be making $30,000/show. Granted, I don't know what wrestlers were being payed back in 1920, but that just seems a bit high. Anyway, I really like this, I think you are handling it in a smart way, and presenting it in a way for people with limited knowledge of early american wrestling history can still understand and enjoy the diary. Good luck, I hope this lasts long enough to see Ike Robin come in and destroy everyone - that dude always came off as a real badass to me.
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btha
Mid-Carder
Joined on: Apr 14, 2013 19:16:10 GMT -5
Posts: 158
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Post by btha on Aug 15, 2013 18:00:32 GMT -5
very cool
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Billy the Kid
Main Eventer
Joined on: Oct 5, 2004 19:43:31 GMT -5
Posts: 1,302
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Post by Billy the Kid on Sept 7, 2013 4:23:18 GMT -5
I absolutely love the concept but I would recommend working on your writing skills a little bit more. The dialogue between the wrestlers is rather hard to understand at times.
It kind of reminds me of the wrestling novel Blood Red Turns Dollar Green. Keep it up, I will be reading.
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