Mike Chapman

Guest column: Gene LeBell was one of a kind

Posted by Mike Chapman | Aug 11, 2022 | Obituaries, Opinion, Tragos/Thesz HOF

When I created the International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Newton, Iowa, in 1998, one of...

Strangler Lewis’ Headlock Machine goes home

Posted by Mike Chapman | Apr 12, 2022 | Interviews, News

One of the most intriguing pieces of memorabilia in the history of wrestling is back home! Called...

Hodge’s influence spanned world of combat sports

Posted by Nathan Hatton | Dec 30, 2020 | Classics, Interviews, Obituaries, The Sporting Connection

Danny Hodge was the rarest of individuals who inspired universal awe and admiration across the...

Babe Bisignano’s life in and out of wrestling a wild read

Posted by Jon Langmead | Jul 14, 2020 | Gary Howard Memorial Library

Jimmy Wheeler’s love of pro wrestling was cemented the first time he was able to see it live. Just...

Career interrupted: The story of “The Great Wojo” Wojciechowski

Posted by Greg Oliver | Jun 17, 2015 | Interviews, Tragos/Thesz HOF

Had circumstances been different, more people would have known about the wrestling career —...

Book on Nat Pendleton brings Olympian and actor to life

Posted by Greg Oliver | Apr 3, 2015 | Gary Howard Memorial Library

If he were around today, Nat Pendleton’s tale would have been told again and again—amateur...

Pendleton biographer Chapman happily grappling with the past

Posted by Greg Oliver | Mar 13, 2015 | Gary Howard Memorial Library, Interviews

Mike Chapman’s just-published biography on Olympic wrestler turned pro, turned actor, Nat...

Danny Hodge biography a riveting read

Posted by Stephen Dean Johnson | Jul 1, 2009 | Gary Howard Memorial Library

If Dan Hodge was competing today, it is more likely he would be a star mixed martial arts fighter...

Waters have receded; Now museum readies a flood of memories

Posted by Steven Johnson | Jan 8, 2009 | Interviews, Tragos/Thesz HOF

After flooding devastated the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute & Museum in...

Bret Hart’s speech from 2008 Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Posted by Slam Wrestling | Aug 30, 2008 | Canadian Hall of Fame, Interviews, Tragos/Thesz HOF

On June 28, 2008, the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Hall of Fame held its annual induction ceremony in...

Melby Award winners deserving of honor

Posted by SHELLEY BONIN | Jul 3, 2008 | Opinion, Tragos/Thesz HOF

This past weekend, Greg Oliver and Steven Johnson were the recipients of the James C. Melby Award,...

Piper, Saito, Jacobs enter Tragos/Thesz HOF

Posted by Greg Oliver | Jun 28, 2008 | Interviews, Tragos/Thesz HOF

WATERLOO, Iowa – It was an international event Saturday, as the lives of two Canadians...

Iowa wrestling museum flooded

Posted by KYLE KLINGMAN | Jun 14, 2008 | Tragos/Thesz HOF

What has been labeled the worst flooding in nearly 50 years in Waterloo, Iowa, has caused...

Family & faith dominates Tragos/Thesz induction

Posted by JAMES C. MELBY | Jul 17, 2006 | Interviews, Tragos/Thesz HOF

NEWTON, Iowa – The Eighth Annual George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall Of Fame...

Memories will haunt at Tragos/Thesz inductions

Posted by Greg Oliver | Jul 3, 2006 | Interviews, Tragos/Thesz HOF

It’s going to be a bittersweet induction weekend at the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional...

Tragos/Thesz HOF announces Class of 2006

Posted by Greg Oliver | Nov 30, 2005 | Interviews, Tragos/Thesz HOF

The Funks, Harts, DiBiase’s, Hennigs were all great pro wrestling families. Come this July,...

Tragos/Thesz Hall inducts six more

Posted by Greg Oliver | Jul 16, 2005 | Interviews, Tragos/Thesz HOF

NEWTON, Iowa – On a steamy hot day, with too many people stuffed into a tiny room dominated...

Newton HOF set to grow by six

Posted by Greg Oliver | Jul 10, 2005 | Interviews, Tragos/Thesz HOF

Take a Japanese legend, a Canadian Olympian, a veterinarian/wrestler, an eight-time world champ,...

Kiniski, Rheingans entering Newton hall

Posted by Greg Oliver | Jul 28, 2004 | Interviews, Tragos/Thesz HOF

The two living inductees into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame,...

Ventura given Museum’s top honour

Posted by Greg Oliver | Aug 4, 2003 | Tragos/Thesz HOF

NEWTON, Iowa (Staff) — Former Minnesota governor and pro-wrestler Jesse Ventura discussed...

Tag: Mike Chapman

Guest column: Gene LeBell was one of a kind

Strangler Lewis’ Headlock Machine goes home

Hodge’s influence spanned world of combat sports

Babe Bisignano’s life in and out of wrestling a wild read

Career interrupted: The story of “The Great Wojo” Wojciechowski

Book on Nat Pendleton brings Olympian and actor to life

Pendleton biographer Chapman happily grappling with the past

Danny Hodge biography a riveting read

Waters have receded; Now museum readies a flood of memories

Bret Hart’s speech from 2008 Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Melby Award winners deserving of honor

Piper, Saito, Jacobs enter Tragos/Thesz HOF

Iowa wrestling museum flooded

Family & faith dominates Tragos/Thesz induction

Memories will haunt at Tragos/Thesz inductions

Tragos/Thesz HOF announces Class of 2006

Tragos/Thesz Hall inducts six more

Newton HOF set to grow by six

Kiniski, Rheingans entering Newton hall

Ventura given Museum’s top honour

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