Lou Thesz vs. Verne Gagne

Lou Thesz (Aloysius Martin Thesz) faces Verne Gagne (LaVerne Clarence Gagne) in a Best 2 of 3 falls match with a 30 minute time limit. Chicago International Amphitheatre.
Original: 16mm., B&W, Optical Sound. F.2008-04-0241.
Chicago Film Archives holds the copyright for this film and all films in the Russ & Sylvia Davis Collection.
For more information on CFA's wrestling films, visit the Russ & Sylvia Davis Collection page on our website: www.chicagofilm...

[@LaptopLarry330]

I would like to thank the late Russ and Sylvia Davis, and the Chicago Film Archives, for saving, then sharing, one of the truly great pro wrestling matches of the 20th Century, for future generations to watch and enjoy.

[@rafay79]

I have been watching wrestling fro over 30 years starting from the 80s WWF to now. Randomly decided to look up an old match and realised I have wasted 30 years of my life watching cartoons! This is fascinating stuff!

[@willieluncheonette5843]

great comment

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

I was born in 1969 ... Thesz was still wrestling then and Verne Gagne's terrirory was a roaring success . We lost a lot when the promoters stopped caring about what sort of product they sold . Think about how the Roadwarriors would have been laughed out of the ring back then .

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

Sportsmanship has died in wrestling since the eighties .... in the 50s and 60s there was no punches allowed , no eye gouges allowed , not many body slams nor clotheslines , nor rope runs ....things made sense ... you had to wear down your foe with stretches and leaning hard on them and fightinf for position , then maybe a body slam which was sold for impact as if it were done on concrete , and while you had a hold on your guy he might have one on you ... Notice little things like Thesz's " inadvertent " choke which he immediately released got serious heat ... its was supposed to be sport ...so people fully expected a fair match . You know like we do with other combat sports ...

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

Take that guy Jones in MMA ... he has little cheats ... nothi g too overt but if he can eye poke you he will and people lose their minds .An eye poke makes him the top drawing heel in MMA not just the fact that he is a great shoot fighter ....like Thesz

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

What that announcer said about Ed Lewis killing a man with a head lock was true ... these guys trained for such great tendon strength that a few of the best could actually crack your skull with a relentless head lock . Lewis trained with this heavily springed mannequin head . The goal was to compress the springs fully with a side grip ... only Lewis could do it until he had Danny Hodge try and Hodge compressed it fully on his first try . Some of these guys were freaks . Hodges hand strength was such that he could break steel pliers .

[@bryannevers4679]

Two of the all time great legends. R.I.P. to these greats for paving the way for others.

[@pauldavis22]

This is a great look back at how it was done. The ring announcer was dressed up, each wrestler had a second in his corner to assist him between falls, the ref was dressed sharp and the commentator was very articular and knowledgeable.

[@garybell523]

No soap opera’s here

[@oscaralegre3683]

boomer

[@AlienFrequency]

I came here just to see what the late Verne was all about. I'm finding myself enjoying this more than modern wrestling. Every move means something.

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

When I first began wastching wrestling , 73 or 74 , you would see guys feeling each other out like this . No one was as foolish as to launch into an immediate lockup . But with say five years , you began seeing just that more often . A little thing like that helped to erode realism over the decades ...the proverbial camel's nose .

[@ReadingWithJT]

Alien Frequency yeah. I agree. Unlike how it is these days with the theatrics and the stupid storylines or any of that bullshit. And the fact that these days it all looks like kid's entertainment. I know a coworker who still watches WWE and I just tell him "bro, you gotta get a life" and he just shrugs it off. He's the only one at work who watches that shit even to this day.

[@seanavp]

It's too bad that the NWA kept refusing to give the title to Vern via Lou Thesz. The NWA's continual decision to deny Vern the title gave rise to one of the all time greatest wrestling promotions in history, the AWA. And, I really enjoyed pro wrestling when there were multiple promotions all in their respected territories competing and cooperating with one another in sharing talent. The NWA, AWA, WWF, WCCW, WCW, Mid-Atlantic, ect. Those were fun times for me as a boy growing up. Whenever I was down about something pro wrestling was there to help cheer me up. Pro wrestling usually has to "reinvent" it's self around every 10 years. The mid 70's through most of the 80's were hands down the best era of professional wrestling in my opinion.

[@peterp2153]

Yeah I don’t know the full story of refusing to move the belt to Gagne, though most likely it had to do with politics, namely who controlled the champ and how. I know Thesz was still the good standard as the man on top, much the way Flair in 1990 WCW and Hogan in 1991 WWF were - I.e., probably at the ends of their runs but still the old reliables as champs and draws. But, if you think about it, it was the best in the long run as both AWA and WWWF grew out of these sorts of disputes and gave an alternative to just having one champ. And the fact that kayfabe was so alive it gave credibility to the AWA/WWWF belts and ergo, the promotions themselves thanks to guys having legit claims to be world champ.

[@danielstamp3301]

I wholeheartedly agree. Especially the point about every move being meaningful. A slam to the mat took a toll on the opponent unlike today. They really sold the match as a sporting contest which is amazing given what we know. Considering the time period we are talking about, there was no way to have weekly television deals to show these matches, no shoots, no storylines to create. Just grappling and two men putting on a helluva performance for the crowd.

[@patandmacmusic]

That flip out of the head scissors is one of the most impressive things I’ve seen in a wrestling match!

[@SRG1966]

Two 100% legit shooters. Nice to see Thesz getting to be the heel for a change. Imagine putting on a suit to go to the matches. My how times have changed. Look at the fast counting by the ref! Look at how REAL those punches look! Look at people popping for a punch! Look at wrestlers SELLING a punch! Look at the turnbuckles! Look at how they both kept their heat at the end! Jesus I miss the old days.

[@billtrevon191]

Look at all the smark talk.

[@SRG1966]

@billtrevon191 I was in the business for a few years, and been a fan for more than 50. For me, this stuff is golden.

[@johngotti3487]

you do know 50 years would be 73' and this match happened in 52...@@SRG1966

[@halriggs9328]

Back then it much more realistic 😊

[@StandWatie1862]

​@halriggs9328 That's because it used to be and even though this was predetermined they still learned traditional catch. Sometimes people went into business for themselves so you had to still know how to wrestle for real.

[@Ringey247]

R.I.P Mr.. Gagne & Mr. Thesz . 2 of wrestling's pioneers .

[@stonewallmcgraw3307]

Nothing fancy just one hour of basic fundamental genius on display. Perfect performance by two of the greatest of all time.

[@franx2much]

I remember watching these 'boys' on a roundscreen 8 inch TV with magnifying glass option when I was a little kid. Channel 10 Providence RI had it all!!

[@MrBranh0913]

I loved the psychology of wrestling back in the days. Things like head locks and hammer locks seemed to have had way more purpose. You can legitimately buy into the fact that a headlock meant danger. They even added the fact that it takes some time to recover from a hammer lock, and Lou Thez actually tried to stall. I also liked the fact that they boo'd when Thez came off the rope too early. I guess back at this time, a heel was literally someone who didn't do pure wrestling. I love it.

[@domagojkersun9630]

+Brandon H I find wrestling where their are storylines and characters much better then this. Wrestling peek was the monday night wars and that is a fact IMO. Still if you like this who am I to stop you from liking it.

[@Kfowlkes09]

These pioneers had character. Most of them anyway. Feuds were often played out in the newspapers and were similar to the techniques that modern MMA and boxers have used to hype fights.

[@jazzmanchgo]

It was a slower-paced culture then; holds like headlocks and hammerlocks, and extended spots on the mat wrapped up in holds of various kinds -- this could go on for many minutes at a time, and the crowd would get increasingly excited. Today's world is a different place; they'd get bored within thirty seconds. Slam-bang action and hyperstimulation are what people have been conditioned to want. No way would modern-day patience and attention spans allow the kind of wrestling we see in these tapes.

[@mattg5257]

@@jazzmanchgo Exactly. I think the best possible way would be to incorporate both styles. The way the crowd is reacting to them in this video is what every wrestler wants but 20 superkicks is not going to give them thay

[@michaelmurray7425]

@@jazzmanchgo I'm not sure mate I really do just believe this equivalent audience is now watching mma With technique and conditioning mma fights zip along even mat based and there is now enough history for fights to contain narrative

[@tennesseekayakd255]

Simply amazing. Best sports commentary ever. Audio in room excellent. And then thez and Gagne. Wow!

[@libertarianrevolution7026]

Both of these guys had authentic wrestling skills.

[@tombaranyai6683]

It is so good to be able to see this match. This is pro wrestling as it should be.

[@ec906]

This was a gem. Great match. Amazing psychology.

[@grawakendream8980]

yes

[@GumperVanLier]

Great footage. Look at the fans. Dressed with ties. What an era.

[@thebigandgreat1]

Tripper Harrison gotta love that code speak! ;)

[@boscopit]

@@thebigandgreat1 Yeah I caught that also. no one can't just post anything anymore. Someone always has to make some kinda social commentary. Just enjoy the video damn it.

[@thebigandgreat1]

Nathan Justice I agree! Everything has to be some political statement nowadays. Don’t get me wrong I have my politics but I wanna escape that when I’m watching wrestling NOT be bombarded with coded fascist speech.

[@franksullivan7110]

The good old days

[@purplecitydemon1961]

@@thebigandgreat1 I agree with you. Politics has no place in this thread You liberal idiot !!

[@bobbydowns8004]

This was a true wrestling event. Both of these men were class athletes.

[@wizard9403]

A far cry from that wwe garbage!

[@michaelwenzel1682]

Professional wrestling is not supposed to be like a cartoon or a soap opera

[@seanwilson4885]

@@michaelwenzel1682 Exactly. Thesz always said he was out there to wrestle, regardless of whether it was a contest or a performance.

[@teller1290]

@Michael Terrell II you make a pretty good point but allow me this: for me, I'm not here for mindless nostalgia. I'm here because I enjoy things, people and events that reflected values, expectations of the people from (as my late dad called it when I was a boy in '60s, '70s) "that other America;" meaning pre-late 60s U.S., and meaning more precisely the WWII generation. Look at all the suits at ringside. I can remember dad (who didn't care much for pro wrestling, though didn't object to my boyish enthusiasm for it) dropping me off at County Hall in Charleston, SC for wrestling every so often in early to mid -70s. Place filled with fans screaming and in casual dress, not nearly looking or behaving as these people. It was fun, don't get me wrong, esp for a kid who liked aggravating nearby adults by pulling for the bad guys! But it is interesting to see difference in the way wrestlers and crowd works here in 1952 vs less than 25 yrs later.

[@nobleone89]

I tell you those 15 min headlocks really keep me on the edge of my seat #sarcasm

[@eugene1926]

This had to be the very early 1950's with Gagne having so much hair on his head. Really great to see these old classic matches! These guys could tie all current "stars" in knots!! Drug free athletes as well!!

[@JackCarterDOA]

Nairb Finn 1950-1951, they mentioned ages somewhere in the match saying Verne was 25 and Lou in his early 30s

[@dantegood2195]

JackCarterDOA Verne was 25 here? Damn! He doesnt look a day under 45 in this match, lol

[@RandomUserName2319]

+JackCarterDOA Thesz was champ in 1950. He didn't have the belt here. Plus, they are 10 years apart in age.

[@wrestlingconnoisseur]

This match couldn't have occurred earlier than 1952, as that was the year of Thesz and Gagne's first Chicago encounter. He did have the NWA belt at this time, if you'll watch the whole thing, you hear Russ Davis reference him as champion.

[@certifiedbootygoon]

This was January 25th, 1952

[@fitboy74]

I have been a wrestling fan all my life. I had yet to be born during this time, but I just watched this match and loved it. I think if some of you miss this type of wrestling the closest thing that comes to it would be British wrestling. Good stuff.

[@VolumedMusicMan]

The true masters of pro wrestling. It's an honor to see this. Thanks for the download. Growing up watching AWA in Chicago along with Dick the Brusier's and Wilbur Snyder's Indy promotion. This match is significant in Chicago wrestling. Chicago promoter Fred Kohler pulled this one off beautifully!

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

I won't knock anyones favorites but I have often wondered how Dick the Bruiser could still draw into his late fifties . I guess he just be ame some sort of institution . I did see some Crusher Lisowski's early work and he was still motoring pretty good into the early eighies .

[@VolumedMusicMan]

Andrew Gardener Brusier was the 1st anti hero in wrestling. Long before Stone Cold Steve Austin was. Yes Dick fought dirty, But so did the Bobby Heenan family! It was violent wrestling with a lot of blood LOL! They drew so well at the old Chicago international amphitheater. I would say Brusier and Crushier ran strong from there 66’to 83’.Until Vern Gagne took over as head booker.

[@r.thompson2190]

These guys were legit. You can tell by the cauliflower ears. Thez's cauliflower ears were huge

[@larry45044]

remember the califlower ear special the did a move i saw it in the 60s

[@jacobragsdale3434]

Look at lesnars ears back when he faced cena.

[@mariamamart8086]

Yeah !!!!!!!! 👌💪🤙 👏👏👏👏👏

[@KasumiRINA]

You know it's all fake right? >_>

[@r.thompson2190]

@@KasumiRINA different era. Back then, they worked stiff. Not like today

[@levhugh]

Lou and Verne actually wrestled . I would rather watch this than what is on today .

[@gvravel]

+bubba hughes They used to call this "scientific wrestling".

[@crossvlog1070]

+bubba hughes this wouldnt draw a dime today, in moderation maybe, but not on an unremitted bases.

[@Kfowlkes09]

Yeah, because modern fans have been conditioned to enjoy high spots and faster pacing. I was watching RAW last night and fans were booing basic psychology and story telling.

[@joshuacoleman8000]

What was the date of that Raw episode?

[@Kfowlkes09]

***** Most legit wrestler. Dan Hodge would probably have something to say about that.

[@Earthsaverdon99]

Wow! This is a master class on wrestling! Thanks so much for preserving and posting!

[@baileyslife3469]

Classic by two legends , the March psychology was everything , no fancy kick flips and dives , just slow paced , intense , wrAstling match

[@JackJones-ke8mo]

Yeah dude 😎. You are so right. What is up? Man on man action 🔥. R U man enough?

[@jonnybrotten1290]

I was lucky enough to be able to get in the ring with Lou and train while Lou and Mark Fleming were training a Japanese kid named Uki. They would use the ring at the gym I trained in at the oceanfront in Virginia Beach. It was an amazing experience just to stand next to this great man. He was the toughest man I have ever met yet very much the gentleman at the same time. I can assure you that in his day he could handle and strech anyone on today's rosters. Even at the time I was around him he had two hip replacements and still could go and still had the speed and strength. There was absofuckinglutly nothing about Lou Thesz that was " sports entertainment ".

[@WrestlingNewsOpinionsWNO]

Two of the All-Time Greats in Professional Wrestling.

[@davidjones6470]

This is wrestling, bloody love it! Thanks for the great upload👏👍

[@grawakendream8980]

What's unbelieveable is that by the time of this match, Lou had been wrestling professionally for 20+ years.

[@karlschneider9479]

My great uncle wrestled Thesz.

[@grawakendream8980]

@@karlschneider9479 who was that

[@85futureshock]

Thesz is actually really good as a subtle heel veteran vs the rising young babyface in Gagne who has his eyes on the NWA title. The modern day equivalent of this match would be if Bret Hart faced Daniel Bryan.

[@mfbinc]

+85futureshock its impossible for new fans to enjoy this style of wrestling because wrestling is exposed. during this match 99% of the fans in the audience believed it was legit. now nobody in the audience believe it's legit and wouldn't stand for it.

[@LT-qd9ts]

+Peace Bro I'd take these slow paced old school matches over the choreographed dances that pass for pro wrestling these days.

[@mfbinc]

i grew up watching in the late 60's and all though the 70's ..im right with ya

[@simonc3112]

+LT9856 god absolutely!

[@Kfowlkes09]

+LT9856. I grew up watching wrestling in the modern. Guess I am one of the few that can appreciate both.

[@Sargebri]

If they came up today Gagne and Thesz would probably be working in MMA. They were legit shooters and you dared not try any crap against them. Of course, it was the Minnesota Wrestling and Boxing club's attempts to put the belt on Gagne that led to them splitting from the NWA and forming the AWA in 1961.

[@Kfowlkes09]

Gagne should have gotten the belt too. Dick Hutton turned out to be a box office disaster.

[@mr.mirchenstein6549]

Watching them work is like watching 2 legit guys really competing with eachother

[@Sargebri]

@@Kfowlkes09 they were afraid that once they put it on Gagne that the midwest promoters would monopolize it, especially since they were nationally televised.

[@grawakendream8980]

@@Kfowlkes09 They didn't know how to handle Hutton

[@RatPfink66]

Jan. 25, 1952. Broadcast live over the DuMont Network via WGN-TV.

[@raydarable]

Thanks!

[@fawad12able1]

My God! 50 minutes of pure clean wrestling! Wjat a glorious display of one upmanship and proving who the top dog is. Tbh these guys would wipe the floors clean with the Wwe roster these days. On the other hand I am absolutely willing to pay thousands of dollars to see Thesz or Verne go against Chris Benoit or a Prime Bret Hart or Daniel Bryan. Lou vs Cesaro can be a match of the decade. And the biggest shoot fight of them all. Thesz or Verne vs Brock Lesnar. Totally a dream match. Any of these guys against Steamboat and Kurt Angle will also be a delight to watch.

[@aaanderson0014]

Lesnar is garbage. he's a horrible wrestler and he's a horrible human being just like his stupid fans.

[@StandWatie1862]

Karl Gotch vs Kurt Angle is my dream match. Kurt would have to learn catch but he's got the base down. Gotch would probably stretch him.

[@x5079x]

This one match alone is better than 3 hours of RAW.

[@at1212b]

+Spectral_Insomnia I agree! You can just feel and see the intensity.

[@thisguy3708]

The fans went a long way to making that what it was, I often feel like that's the thing stopping wrestling being great these days, so much more could be done in much more subtle ways

[@franksullivan7110]

Agree

[@h0pelessnerd]

I believe the date of this match was 1/25/52. 60+ year old match and it's still great.

[@brandonelliott6152]

David Kim You know the exact date, so wanting to ask a legit question but after rolling through a bunch of stupid comments, realized I don't want to bother throwing this in general comments, rather reply to u directly to ask someone knowledgeable. Do you know if this is from a Dumont broadcast?

[@vincentlorusso689]

David Kim thanks for pointing out the date of this match!

[@Yoni123]

@@brandonelliott6152 Considering the time period, Chicago and Brickhouse doing play-by-play it should be. Atleast I'm not aware of anyone else who's broadcast it could be

[@bradarchibald2571]

The quality of the video is amazing, just like the wrestling

[@Xontar02]

Brickhouse didn't call this match. Russ Davis did.

[@tijindersingh5635]

Two legit badasses in the ring right there.

[@RicoLen1]

I wish there were a wrestling company out there that worked like this. The rules, the slower style, the shoot atmosphere, calling the match in the ring instead of talking about anything but, the time limits, the ground and pound (or rather, ground and submit) philosophy, the only gimmicks are the ones the wrestlers themselves show in their own personality. Forget all the bullshit theatrics, I want to watch for the sporting side of pro-wrestling.

[@pithair1]

I agree I wish this style of wrestling would return but these days but now audiences want to see high flying and non-wrestling theatrics.

[@raddmann99]

Me too. I stopped watching wrestling in the early 90's. Any there's a monopoly like McMahon has the quality goes in the toilet.

[@Kfowlkes09]

IMO I could see the industry going back to this kind of style probably within the next decade. Or at least a more athletic background, getting away from the spotty entertainment style. Though, I think the slower paced matches are dead. I could see a match like this one... but 20 minutes long.

[@RandomUserName2319]

+RicoLen1 Try early 90s matches from UWFi in Japan. It was a "worked shoot" promotion. No running the ropes, no closed fist punches, no assisted body slams. Just submission wrestling, open palm strikes, kicks, and unassisted throws.

[@ribletbasket286]

+Wrestling Historian Bernkastel hope you're right.

[@raddmann99]

I grew up in the same neighborhood as Verne Gagne and his son Greg was my t-ball coach. Until now I had never seen Verne with a full head of hair lol. Man two of the best shooters of all time here. Thanks for posting this

[@treada1583]

Thanks, will finish watching this tomorrow

[@313SilverPhantom]

R.I.P Mister Gagne , a true pioneer and legend

[@jasonpdsi]

I may have commented elsewhere here but I'll say it again. Thesz hardly did anything to get heat from the fans. He did it subtly, at least in the beginning. So good.

[@kennethnorthrup2138]

The best wrestling I have ever seen. Today's displays of wrestling is a shame of what was by two of best ever!

[@karlschneider9479]

My dad saw Gagne wrestle at the old Boston Garden sometime in the 50's. My paternal great uncle wrestled in the 30's and early 40's. His name was Dick Stahl the German Oak and was considered wrestling's strongest man.

[@nassermj7671]

These 2 set the table for generations. This was back when your handshake was your bond, your word.

[@tonyking7714]

These two legends endurance is amazing.

[@jerryblair2339]

Two of the greatest wrestlers of their times.

[@johnhoffmann2311]

It was awesome to watch two legends going at it.I grew up on AWA in the late sixties and seventies.

[@JackJones-ke8mo]

Yeah dude 😎. You are so right. What is up? Man on man action 🔥. R U man enough?

[@TheBoomer418]

RIP Verne Gagne. Hope U and Lou Thesz are having a great match up in heaven.

[@yasumasaoka3622]

二人とも若い！ ガニアもまだこのころは髪フサフサ でもとても綺麗な画像にも感動！ 英語のリスニングの勉強にもなりました。ありがとうございます。

[@mayormc]

Super classic match between two guys who could really wrestle.

[@wizard9403]

I suppose Thesz was nearing the end of his reign as he was not at all impressive.

[@jamaalmoses8821]

They were moving and selling the whole time. Truly amazing!

[@suzanneflowers2230]

Lou knew just how to be the heel, getting the crowd going, with the younger Verne.

[@BruceAChristie]

This was a treat to watch. There was a 10- year difference between them, 1916 and 1926. If Gagne was 25, this would have been 1951 (my year of birth). These guys were great wrestlers and performers, thanks.

[@garylarose5586]

I just turn 76 years old, this was the real deal wrestling.

[@mda1218]

best match ever... two well matched, slabs of beef seein whose best man... 100% testosterone in that ring... championchip wrestling at it's best... seein Lou soften up in the sleeper was classic...saved by the bell... Gagne was best man here

[@fytefan2011]

Agree about the testosterone. Lou was a fine physical specimen of a man, with power and wrestling skills and a toughness that made a tough combo to beat. Enjoyed seeing Gagne take the backdrop that dominated many of Lou's opponents. Gagne was good but Thesz was better

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

They wanted there to be debatw on that . It kept both strong .

[@vicmartinoofficial331]

A classic good old fashioned wrestling match between two classic good old time wrestlers who were both long time champions in their wrestling territories. This is a good example of a good clean old fashioned "face" to "face" wrestling bout. Although in this match Thesz is sort of heel and Gagne is more the face. GOOD MATCH!

[@ParentsNightIn]

Fascinating to watch old school wrestling from when it was presented as a legit sport. Grappling was king, every move meant something, the crowd popped for stuff as simple as Gagne escaping a hold. NJPW still espouses much of the 50s philosophy, just look at Tanahashi vs. Okada for example. Their matches always started out slow and methodical and built to big moves (which are admittedly more spectacular than their 1950s counterparts). But it’s fun to see how today’s wrestling styles evolved from Thesz-era grappling.

[@kadasrichard]

Tanahashi and Okada matches are always awesome, I love NJPW.

[@alanderson9711]

Went to dozens of these matches from the 50’s-70’s. One highlight was the $10 steak and a wrestler like Dick the Bruiser or Moose Sholock would come over to Your table with your tickets, sometime give you a nugie headlock.

[@johnchavezjr3312]

Al Anderson Yeah? I like that! 🤣

[@jazzmanchgo]

Moose owned a bar on Chicago's southeast side, too.

[@ihavetubes]

both guys are better than 99 percent of today's wrestlers.

[@Nostalgicguy2242]

Look at the crowds, also much better than today's "fans".. fine wealthy businessmen and drug dealers all dressed to the nines in suit and ties, unlike today's crowds clad in wifebeaters, smelly t shirts and basketball shorts

[@daytonabeachUSA]

Omg are you serious? A match based around a headlock? Boring.

[@pantangela]

@@daytonabeachUSA some of the 70s 80s and early 2000s were good to great times to be a fan. Now, not so much, its impossible to suspend disbelief.

[@buzuxi]

Both guys are literally better than 99% of everyone that has come since. Thesz is arguable the greatest wrestler ever and Verne's credentials are legit.

[@johnchavezjr3312]

Yeah put Billy Robinson in too. 🤙

[@doctormusha]

驚くほどシンプルな試合で、最も驚いたのはNWAベルトの小さなこと。 昔のプロレスはこうだったんだね。Both Gagna and Thesz are young. It was a surprisingly simple match, and what surprised me the most was the small NWA belt. This was how wrestling used to be in the past.

[@apocyldoomer]

Wow, way b4 my time, true legends, heard about these 2 men many years ago, classic!

[@benjaminharrisongray9079]

"He came off the ropes too quick." Now just think, back then that was considered an underhanded move!

[@leondarnell1]

I've never seen Thesz wrestle as a heel...he's great with those subtle moves.

[@JackJones-ke8mo]

Yeah dude 😎. You are so right. What is up?. Man on man action 🔥.RU man enough?

[@jacobfloyd6975]

Two of the greatest wrestlers of all time.

[@JackJones-ke8mo]

Yeah dude 😎. You are so right. What is up? Man on man action 🔥. RU man enough?

[@琉球の空]

Ｉ think so.

[@bemore1134]

Loved watching this, terrific match, thanks for posting. I have to say though, when Gagne came out in that trenchcoat, I was worried he wouldn't have trunks on underneath.

[@JackJones-ke8mo]

Yeah dude 😎. You are so right. What is up? Man on man action 🔥. RU man enough

[@stevemichaels1386]

Lou is the best professional wrestler of all time, he was legit in and out of the ring and as a shooter was second to none. Could’ve easily defeated any wrestler in any generation. The fact that so many are asking, “was this a shoot?” here in the comments shows how seriously both men took their craft. Would love to see some more old footage like this, hopefully someone will post.

[@iBmEVanquisher]

Only fools think this is a shoot. Just because you trick dumbasses doesn't mean much. Unfortunately there are a lot of dumbasses

[@jerryblair4106]

I've been watching wrestling all my life their will never be a another Lou This one of the best wrestlers of his era.

[@superduperjerk6840]

19 people watched this near perfect match while apparently sucking on lemons? there should be a like times ten button

[@DaveyChainZ69]

This is the wrestling I grew up with. Not the high flying, chair smashing, wrestling you see today. That's not real pro wrestling, just backyard brawling. Want to thank Russ and Sylvia Davis for this collection of wrestling classics.

[@JackJones-ke8mo]

Yeah dude 😎. You are so right What is up? Man on man action 🔥. R U man enough?

[@mr.mirchenstein6549]

2 of the all time greats...Awesome match! Now THIS is wrestling! 🤼‍♂️

[@michaelfrazia4569]

amazing...even at wrestling matches people wore suits back in the day...the effort put in by people to at least appear to have a level of class is long gone

[@JackJones-ke8mo]

Yeah dude 😎. You are so right. What is up? Man on man action 🔥. RU man enough?

[@cortezbrown1064]

Man these guys where the definition of wrestling being able to exchange holds for as long as they have in this match this was a really great match

[@JackJones-ke8mo]

Yeah dude 😎. You are so right. What is up? Man on man action 🔥. R U man enough??

[@StandWatie1862]

​@@JackJones-ke8mo these guys would make you cry. Go to a bjj gym and say that to them

[@RichardFreeman-gk1pd]

Absolutely 100 times better than watching the steroid babies of today! Lou Thesz and Verne Gagne, two of The very best.

[@Gotchism4Life]

This is professional wrestling. No blonde roid boys talking about pythons. No denim shorts wearing goofballs saying they can't be seen. No flip floppy spot monkeys...no idiots who got their spot by sleeping with the boss's daughter...no obnoxious fat fans full of their own crap chanting crap every 30 seconds. Just two wrestlers showing this sport is a beautiful art form.

[@aaanderson0014]

and no roid boy UFC failure getting by with 2 moves of doom using only one of them 16 times in his sorry ass matches.

[@Gotchism4Life]

AAAnderson001 Exactly!

[@Modxn]

you actually like two boring, charisma vaucums, hugging for an hour? boring, and pro wrestling is not a sport when the outcome is pre determined

[@Gotchism4Life]

@@Modxn Check you out...coming onto a pro wrestling video to say it's not a sport...wow...you are so edgy and prolific. You win a internet!

[@Modxn]

@@Gotchism4Life read the definition of a sport and compare it to pro wrestling, you'll see the big difference

[@stewartberger7734]

Doesn't get any better than this

[@mr.mirchenstein6549]

These guys look so legit, sometimes I almost forget they were "working"

[@ModernDayRenaissanceMan]

I love this style of wrestling. Not a single top rope high spot and not a single shoot off into the ropes. Just pure mat wrestling

[@SYDNEYFC7]

Adult audience, patiently watch the match unfold , paying attention to every move .Imagine today’s wrestling audience sitting through a match like this ?no way

[@saswatamaitra2765]

They were so well-dressed/groomed! Everything was down to earth,robust,had a soily smell of genuineity 'nd hard work 'nd had class!!!!!💙💜💙🙏🏼💙

[@ztm999]

All I could think in this match was Lou is an excellent tweener, loved the shades of grey in the match, do what you have to in order to win. I don’t know why but the thought ringing in my head during the bout was that Lou reminds me so much of Bret Hart, Bret clearly watched his tapes.

[@inuenndo_]

Baseball, Football, Basketball, Soccer, Wrestling. All are Art, each era can be appreciated. But they all evolve, some good some bad

[@Sanguiluna]

In the 1950s, the face of professional wrestling was Lou Thesz, legitimately one of the most talented wrestlers in the world, of all time. Now, we have... Roman Reigns. A guy whose "ability" consists of punching and tackling his opponents. How far this sport has fallen.

[@SuperWarking]

+Sanguiluna I was just literally thinking the same to myself while watching another match from the 40s

[@tacojiminez7243]

+Sanguiluna This isn't a sport. It's theater. It's pantomime. It's what people think actual wrestling is like because they've never seen legit wrestling in their lives. Anyone that knows anything about legit collegiate or Olympic class wrestling will look at this, have a laugh, and walk away knowing what's up. That these two were both legitimately solid amateur wrestlers is completely irrelevant to their ability as professional wrestlers, other than to help make them seem like they weren't completely full of shit as to what was going on in the ring. Let's not forget what pro wrestling is. It's a fake fight between two people pretending to beat each other up. Nothing more, nothing less.

[@Sanguiluna]

Taco Jiminez Actually, the Olympic and collegiate styles have little in common with the wrestling that pro wrestling was based on. Collegiate/Olympic wrestling is based mainly on Greek freestyle or Greco-Roman style, which emphasize victory via pinfall or takedowns, while pro wrestling is based more on submission-based disciplines like pankration or catch-as-catch-can, which emphasize victory by submission or crippling. Most likely an Olympic wrestler attempting to wrestle a legitimately skilled pro wrestler would end up crippled or injured, since Olympic wrestlers treat the sport more like a "game" while submission wrestlers treat it more like a fight. And while pro wrestling by this time was already staged, the difference here is at least back then, they made an effort to look real, and they actually gave titles to guys with the most real life catch wrestling skill. Nowadays, they don't even try to pass off as legitimate, and they award titles to guys who clearly have zero knowledge of catch wrestling and who probably wouldn't last two seconds in a legit match.

[@tacojiminez7243]

Sanguiluna Quit sperging on your own face.

[@Sanguiluna]

+Taco Jiminez Says the chick who took time to try and respond to my initial comment in the first place. Have fun pretending to be a wrestling expert while the rest of us laugh and forget about you. lol And I already know you're going to reply to this comment because you're just that predictable. Go ahead and prove me right yet again, so I can close this thread. :)

[@djyahtzee7260]

The phrase; '... since he (Lou Thesz) won *some years back* '. That is more realistic than today, when belts were passed out like candy, rewards for good promos. A tough man remains champion until someone tougher comes along.

[@sb4pro]

Rest in Peace Verne . You'll be missed 😪

[@davidjohnson5906]

This is why wrestling was so big. This is like watching ufc from like the 90s. It was presented as more real, The holds were worked and there was more rules. No punching or kicking or it could get you disqualified. It’s weird how wrestling started like this but ended up to what it is today

[@wrst11]

man that was wrestling by 2 greats

[@stewartberger7734]

Incredible matchup

[@joshuacoleman8000]

I just want to make it clear that while I prefer the fast paced action of today, I do very much appreciate the wrestling from way back in the day and would without complaining watch old school wrestling every once in a while.

[@StandWatie1862]

This was closer to the days when wrestling was real. Legit catch wrestling.

[@johnbaudhuin2987]

I’m 33 and have become a wrestling fan over the past few years. When I told my parents I liked pro wrestling, my mom said she thought this was something I was doing just to upset her. My dad on the other hand just asked me if id ever heard of Verne Gagne. It’s a truly amazing thing to have a parent that supports your interests no matter what... and even better leads you to KZbin searches that find you stuff like this. Gagne is a fucking monster and I love him. This match is every bit as brutal as hell in a cell 98, just more technical and less stunt man stuff. I LOVE wrestling in the late 40s-60s

[@curthennig9448]

You're on the right track! Scientific wrestling at its best in the 1950s.

[@darrenbuttery3527]

Wow, this was an incredible match to watch. The way these guys worked the crowd and told a story was incredible. The psychology of wrestling was mastered by both of these guys who truly did pave the way for the Hulk Hogan's and Stone Cold's of this business to follow.

[@plan9tek]

thank you for sharing this. better than anything on today.

[@SpinosaurusTheProudSocialist]

Good match, before there was a Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, or Bruno Sammartino, there was Lou Thesz. Thesz is a true legend and a pioneer who invented many wrestling moves that are still used to this day such as the Lou Thesz press, the German suplex, the STF, and the powerbob. Lou Thesz is truly the Babe Ruth of professional wrestling.

[@jonathanturbide2232]

Wasn't the German suplex created by Karl Gotch?

[@jefferygwatkins]

Two baby faces, one in his prime, the other nearing his prime. This should be one of the greatest matches of all time.

[@jasonscott1611]

Damn this match was a nail-biter! Loved it!

[@marksingletary8309]

Look at Thez''s cauliflower left year during the instructions. This is how today's wrestling should be.

[@dankmiec]

This had to be mid 50's when wrestling was transitioning from real wrestling to stunt show wrestling

[@Kfowlkes09]

To be fair, that had already happened in the 20's and 30's.

[@currypablo]

Nothing close to a shoot.

[@lampini]

it's interesting how the face and heel dynamic was still in effect even back then. It's interesting how little some stuff has changed

[@Eman-wj8gq]

Even in a draw better than anything I seen in 30 years of wrestling I've seen.

[@hookalakah]

What a match--two of the best Greco-Roman wrestlers of their era. What an education.

[@Kfowlkes09]

Catch wrestlers you mean.

[@JackJones-ke8mo]

Yeah dude 😎. You are so right. What is up,? Man on man action 🔥. RU man enough?

[@Steve4206]

unfortinatly we will never see a pure wrestling match as god as this again ?

[@joeboggio4002]

Don't get me wrong, I am entertained by the contemporary wrestling of now, but this match was so good. This was athleticism and good ol' wrestling.

[@Yoni123]

Great audience moment at 42:13 (Timestamped link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6fZYqqsmsyaq6M) with the fan shouting "ask him ref, ask him!" One of my all-time favorite matches

[@BJORNArtist]

28 minutes of headlocks and a shoulder tackle that built to a backdrop, all sold like grim death. Best.

[@grawakendream8980]

they were just better back then because they wrestled week in and week out

[@iaminsanity2238]

starting wrestling, when does rhea ripley come in