John McMahon (wrestler)
Encyclopedia
John McMahon was an American
professional wrestler
who specialized in collar-and-elbow
wrestling. He competed from 1861 to 1891, traveling throughout the United States and Canada
to face the top wrestlers of the day. He competed in several styles of wrestling, and his biggest rivalry was with Colonel J.H. McLaughlin. Toward the end of his career, he performed in wrestling matches for traveling circuses.
in June 1861. He won the match, which began an undefeated streak that lasted until 1878. Although he favored the collar-and-elbow wrestling practiced in Ireland, the country of his ancestry, he also competed in matches that involved catch wrestling
and Greco-Roman wrestling
. McMahon served in the Union
army during the American Civil War
, during which he gained notoriety as a wrestler.
On July 22, 1873, McMahon defeated Thomas Copeland to become recognized as the champion of the United States and Canada. The following month, he also defeated Albert Ellis, who was billed as the champion of England. Because McMahon outweighed his opponent by 60 pounds, the match was contested under Cornwall and Devon rules, which required both men to wear short jackets. His rivalry with Ellis continued, and the pair faced each other twice more. One bout was declared a draw
because of a disputed call by the referee. McMahon won the third and final match between the two. McMahon also traveled to the Western United States in search of competitors. In 1877, he defeated Harry Thurston in a match held in a lumberyard in California. He was also sent to Virginia City, Nevada
to help a gambler who had lost a large sum of money to "Dakota Bill" Tompkins. Without revealing his identity, McMahon arranged a match with Tompkins, a local championship wrestler. McMahon's friends bet money on McMahon, who defeated Tompkins in a best-of-five match.
McMahon wrestled James Farwell in January 1878; Falwell won a controversial victory to retain his status as champion of the Pacific Coast. After McMahon's main rival, Colonel J.H. McLaughlin, retired, McMahon ceased to compete as well. The two had never faced each other, but there was a dispute as to who would win if such a match took place. McMahon returned to Virginia City to open a saloon. In October of that year, McLaughlin offered a bet that nobody would be able to defeat Robert Wright, one of his trainees. McMahon accepted the bet, defeated Wright, and arranged a match against McLaughlin. He defeated McLaughlin in a best-of-three match on November 23, 1878. A rematch took place, which McLaughlin won. The third and final contest between the two took place in March 1879 and ended in a draw. On May 12 of that year, McMahon defeated Professor William Miller in a best-of-three match before a crowd of over 2000 spectators in Gilmore's Garden in New York.
In August 1879, McMahon faced his second cousin once removed, James Owens, in the St. James Opera House on Broadway
in New York City. McMahon lost the first fall but won the next two to claim victory in the match. They faced each other again on July 16, 1880 for the collar-and-elbow world championship. After a match lasting over three hours, McMahon emerged victorious to win the title.
In the mid-1880s, McMahon traveled internationally to compete and won titles in Australia and Argentina. In 1884, he defeated John Tedford in England to win the world collar-and-elbow wrestling championship.
In his later career, McMahon faced such wrestlers as Sorakichi Matsuda
, Captain James C. Daly and Gus Lambert. He also faced William Muldoon
, now a member of the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. One match between the two, which took place on March 22, 1881, featured a best-of-three-falls rule, in which the wrestlers would competed in Muldoon's favored Greco-Roman style, followed by the collar-and-elbow style preferred by McMahon. Each competitor won the fall in their preferred style, which led to a catch-as-catch-can match to determine the winner. The match did not take place, however, as the men were unable to agree to the outfits that would be worn during the match; as a result, the contest was declared a draw. One of McMahon's final series of matches was against Henry Moses Dufur. Their first match was declared a draw after neither competitor was able to throw the other within six hours. Although the wrestlers were willing to continue, the lease on the hall had expired and the match was ended at 2:45 in the morning. McMahon lost the second contest, but he defeated Dufur for the world collar-and-elbow championship in their final encounter.
McMahon also wrestled in traveling circuses. He was part of Adam Forepaugh
's Circus, and he competed for P.T. Barnum's circus for over two years. With the latter group, he wrestled over 300 pre-arranged matches against Ed Decker. He also continued in regular competition outside the circus; in his final match, he defeated Jim Cowley on March 2, 1891. McMahon died in 1912.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional wrestler
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
who specialized in collar-and-elbow
Collar-and-elbow
Collar-and-elbow wrestling is a style of folk wrestling native to Ireland that can be traced back to the 17th century but it has ties to the Games of Tailtinn between 632 BC and 1169 AD. Though originating in Ireland, the style flourished in America. The style is often compared to Catch wrestling,...
wrestling. He competed from 1861 to 1891, traveling throughout the United States and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
to face the top wrestlers of the day. He competed in several styles of wrestling, and his biggest rivalry was with Colonel J.H. McLaughlin. Toward the end of his career, he performed in wrestling matches for traveling circuses.
Career
Born in Vermont in 1841, McMahon began his professional wrestling career in Port Henry, New YorkPort Henry, New York
Port Henry is a village in Essex County, New York, United States. The population was 1,152 at the 2000 census.The Village of Port Henry lies on the east side of the Town of Moriah and is approximately one hour's drive south of Plattsburgh...
in June 1861. He won the match, which began an undefeated streak that lasted until 1878. Although he favored the collar-and-elbow wrestling practiced in Ireland, the country of his ancestry, he also competed in matches that involved catch wrestling
Catch wrestling
Catch wrestling is a style of folk wrestling that was developed and popularised in the late 19th century by the wrestlers of traveling carnivals who incorporated submission holds, or "hooks", into their wrestling to increase their effectiveness against their opponents...
and Greco-Roman wrestling
Greco-Roman wrestling
Greco-Roman wrestling is a style of wrestling that is practised worldwide. It was contested at the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and has been included in every edition of the summer Olympics held since 1908. Two wrestlers are scored for their performance in three two-minute periods, which can...
. McMahon served in the Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
army during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, during which he gained notoriety as a wrestler.
On July 22, 1873, McMahon defeated Thomas Copeland to become recognized as the champion of the United States and Canada. The following month, he also defeated Albert Ellis, who was billed as the champion of England. Because McMahon outweighed his opponent by 60 pounds, the match was contested under Cornwall and Devon rules, which required both men to wear short jackets. His rivalry with Ellis continued, and the pair faced each other twice more. One bout was declared a draw
Tie (draw)
To tie or draw is to finish a competition with identical or inconclusive results. The word "tie" is usually used in North America for sports such as American football. "Draw" is usually used in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Commonwealth of Nations and it is usually used for sports such as...
because of a disputed call by the referee. McMahon won the third and final match between the two. McMahon also traveled to the Western United States in search of competitors. In 1877, he defeated Harry Thurston in a match held in a lumberyard in California. He was also sent to Virginia City, Nevada
Virginia City, Nevada
Virginia City is a census-designated place that is the county seat of Storey County, Nevada. It is part of the Reno–Sparks Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 855 at the 2010 Census.- History :...
to help a gambler who had lost a large sum of money to "Dakota Bill" Tompkins. Without revealing his identity, McMahon arranged a match with Tompkins, a local championship wrestler. McMahon's friends bet money on McMahon, who defeated Tompkins in a best-of-five match.
McMahon wrestled James Farwell in January 1878; Falwell won a controversial victory to retain his status as champion of the Pacific Coast. After McMahon's main rival, Colonel J.H. McLaughlin, retired, McMahon ceased to compete as well. The two had never faced each other, but there was a dispute as to who would win if such a match took place. McMahon returned to Virginia City to open a saloon. In October of that year, McLaughlin offered a bet that nobody would be able to defeat Robert Wright, one of his trainees. McMahon accepted the bet, defeated Wright, and arranged a match against McLaughlin. He defeated McLaughlin in a best-of-three match on November 23, 1878. A rematch took place, which McLaughlin won. The third and final contest between the two took place in March 1879 and ended in a draw. On May 12 of that year, McMahon defeated Professor William Miller in a best-of-three match before a crowd of over 2000 spectators in Gilmore's Garden in New York.
In August 1879, McMahon faced his second cousin once removed, James Owens, in the St. James Opera House on Broadway
Broadway (New York City)
Broadway is a prominent avenue in New York City, United States, which runs through the full length of the borough of Manhattan and continues northward through the Bronx borough before terminating in Westchester County, New York. It is the oldest north–south main thoroughfare in the city, dating to...
in New York City. McMahon lost the first fall but won the next two to claim victory in the match. They faced each other again on July 16, 1880 for the collar-and-elbow world championship. After a match lasting over three hours, McMahon emerged victorious to win the title.
In the mid-1880s, McMahon traveled internationally to compete and won titles in Australia and Argentina. In 1884, he defeated John Tedford in England to win the world collar-and-elbow wrestling championship.
In his later career, McMahon faced such wrestlers as Sorakichi Matsuda
Sorakichi Matsuda
Matsuda Sorakichi was a Japanese professional wrestler of the 19th century of some national fame. While his name is largely unknown today, he remains the lone pioneer as a Japanese wrestler who became a feature attraction in America, competing in a distinctly western sport, long before it was...
, Captain James C. Daly and Gus Lambert. He also faced William Muldoon
William Muldoon
William A. Muldoon was the Greco-Roman Wrestling Champion, physical culturist and the first chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission. He once wrestled a match that lasted over seven hours...
, now a member of the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. One match between the two, which took place on March 22, 1881, featured a best-of-three-falls rule, in which the wrestlers would competed in Muldoon's favored Greco-Roman style, followed by the collar-and-elbow style preferred by McMahon. Each competitor won the fall in their preferred style, which led to a catch-as-catch-can match to determine the winner. The match did not take place, however, as the men were unable to agree to the outfits that would be worn during the match; as a result, the contest was declared a draw. One of McMahon's final series of matches was against Henry Moses Dufur. Their first match was declared a draw after neither competitor was able to throw the other within six hours. Although the wrestlers were willing to continue, the lease on the hall had expired and the match was ended at 2:45 in the morning. McMahon lost the second contest, but he defeated Dufur for the world collar-and-elbow championship in their final encounter.
McMahon also wrestled in traveling circuses. He was part of Adam Forepaugh
Adam Forepaugh
Adam John Forepaugh was an American entrepreneur, businessman, and circus owner. He owned and operated a circus from 1865 through 1890 under various names including Forepaugh's Circus, The Great Forepaugh Show, The Adam Forepaugh Circus, and Forepaugh & The Wild West.-Biography:Forepaugh was born...
's Circus, and he competed for P.T. Barnum's circus for over two years. With the latter group, he wrestled over 300 pre-arranged matches against Ed Decker. He also continued in regular competition outside the circus; in his final match, he defeated Jim Cowley on March 2, 1891. McMahon died in 1912.