Evan Lewis (wrestler)

Infobox Wrestler
name= Evan Lewis


img_capt=
names=Evan Lewis, "the Strangler"
height= height|ft=5|in=9
weight= convert|180|lb|kg st|abbr=on|lk=on
birth_date = birth date|1860|5|24
death_date = death date and age|1919|11|3|1860|5|24
birth_place = Ridgeway, Wisconsin, United States
death_place = Dodgeville, Wisconsin
resides=
billed=
trainer=
debut=May 1882
retired=1899|

:"For other people named, or using the name, Evan Lewis, see Evan Lewis."

Evan Lewis (May 24, 1860 – November 3, 1919 [ cite web |url=http://www.garywill.com/wrestling/decwres.htm |title=Gary Will: Deceased Pro Wrestlers - A Tribute to Mat Stars of the Past |accessdate=2007-06-18 |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2003 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Gary Will's Pro Wrestling History |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] ), was an American professional wrestler who was the first recognized American Heavyweight Champion and is credited with perfecting the "stranglehold" or "neck yoke" more commonly known today as the rear naked choke. He is sometimes confused with Ed "Strangler" Lewis, a later 4-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion also credited with first using the hold, whose monkier is attributed to Lewis's after a reporter noted a resemblance between the two. [ cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/personalities/lewis_ed/early.html |title=Neck Yoke Strangler Lewis In The Bid For Honors |accessdate=2007-06-18 |author=Pearson, Ray C. |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=1913-11-30 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Chicago Tribune |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

Early career

Born in Ridgeway, Wisconsin, Lewis began wrestling professionally winning a 64-man tournament in Montana in May 1882. He returned to Wisconsin and defeated Ben Knight for the Wisconsin Heavyweight Championship in a Mineral Point match on March 20, 1883. Moving to Madison in 1885, he later went on to defeat several international wrestlers including Andre Christol, Tom Cannon and Matsada Sorakichi.

Defeating Joe Action in Chicago, Illinois for the World Catch-as-Catch-can Championship on March 14, 1887, he later unified the World Catch-as-Catch-can and American Graeco-Roman Championship in a best-of-five match against Ernest Roeber in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 3, 1893 (he also had defeated him for the "collar and elbow championship" on May 18, 1890 [ cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingclassics.com/wawli/New011-020.htm |title=The Line of Acension |accessdate=2007-06-18 |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2001 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=The New WAWLI (Wrestling As We Liked It) Papers No. 15-2001 |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] ). After defending the title for over two years, Lewis lost the American Heavyweight Championship to Martin Burns, whom he had previously defeated in his debut match in 1886.

Championships and accomplishments

*World Catch-as-Catch-can Championship (1 time) [ cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/world/catch-h.html |title= World Catch-as-Catch-Can Heavyweight Title (19th Century) |accessdate=2007-06-18 |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2003 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]
*American Graeco-Roman Heavyweight Championship (1 time) [ cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/us-greco-h.html |title= American Greco-Roman Heavyweight Title (19th Century) |accessdate=2007-06-18 |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2003 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]
*American Heavyweight Championship (1 time) [ cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/american-h.html |title= American Heavyweight Title (19th Century) |accessdate=2007-06-18 |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2003 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]
*British World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

*Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards:*Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 2007)

References

External links

* [http://www.wrestlingclassics.com/wawli/REDUXNos.31-40.html WAWLI Redux No. 37 - The Toughest Madisonian Who Ever Lived]
* [http://www.bodyslamming.com/deceased/evanlewis.html Deceased Superstars: Evan Lewis]