Top 5 screwjobs in professional wrestling
Most of those who’ve never watched professional wrestling complain about the business being “fake”, and don’t understand the artistic aspect of the industry. While the performers train for years, traveling around the world to hone their craft, there are those who cannot appreciate that fact, and are steadfast in their opinion about the professional wrestling business being phony.However, as most of the wrestling fans would know, there have been many instances when the situation turned into a real life fiasco inside the ring. While the performers trust each other, and have enough faith in their opponents to risk their health and well being, either due to personal grudges or getting into a dispute with the promoter, there are times when the performers go off – script, and “shoot” on their opponents.In this article, we look at five instances when the performers broke the number one rule in the business, and screwed their opponents.
#5 Frank Gotch vs. George Hackenschmidt
This has become infamous as the earliest known screwjob in professional wrestling. Frank Gotch was universally recognized as the world champion in wrestling, and known for his remarkable catch wrestling and his dreaded toe hold, Gotch had already won the earlier bout with Hackenschmidt after a two hour marathon.
After a couple of years, the two agreed for a rematch, but according to rumors, Gotch paid off one of Hackenschmidt’s training partners, who tore off George’s knee.
However, before their much anticipated rematch, both men agreed to win one fall each, before going for the decider in the three – fall encounter. However, once the match started, Gotch worked on George’s bad knee, and won two consecutive falls within just 30 minutes into the match, leaving the 30,000 audience in awe and disbelief.
Gotch trapped Hackenschmidt in his patented toe hold, as the “Russian Lion” had no other option but to submit and give the victory to Gotch.