Colonel James Hiram McLaughlin was a Civil War officer, a traveling attraction, train conductor, Klondike gold miner and arguably the first true American professional wrestling champion.

We're going all the way back to the 1800s again to uncover the brutal, chaotic, and often unbelievable origins of pro wrestling through the life of one of JH.

McLaughlin was a force of nature. A legit grappler in both collar and elbow and catch as catch can and his matches were real, violent, and sometimes deadly.

For the video episode check out 10 Bell Pod on Spotify or YouTube.

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For video be sure to check out 10 Bell Pod on Spotify or YouTube

Long before Vince McMahon turned wrestling into a national empire, Jack Curley was helping reshape the business from the ground up.

In this episode, I dig into the wild life and lasting influence of one of wrestling’s earliest great promoters, a carny, boxing fixer, media manipulator, and big city hustler who helped drag pro wrestling out of saloons and sideshows and into major venues.

This is not just the story of a forgotten promoter.

It is the story of how wrestling evolved from rough spectacle into organized entertainment.

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In this off-season video episode of 10 Bell Pod, I dive deep into the life and legacy of a wild, unpredictable brawler who helped redefine what a pro wrestler could be: Pampero Firpo.

From his origins in Argentina to becoming a traveling attraction across the United States, Japan, Hawaii, and beyond, Firpo built a career as a chaotic force of nature.

This isn’t just wrestling history. It’s rediscovery.

Firpo’s intense, unorthodox style broke away from traditional wrestling norms, his eerie presentation and use of Chimu helped introduce mystical elements into the business, and his influence quietly echoes through generations, most notably in legends like Randy Savage.

At his peak, Firpo was a true territory superstar, a headliner who could walk into any city, any promotion, and instantly feel like the most dangerous man in the building.

But like many legends of his era, his legacy has faded with time, reduced to footnotes and passing references.

Pampero, is way more than that.

For the full video episode check out 10 Bell Pod on YouTube or Spotify

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If you want one of the most underrated stories in wrestling history, Doc Roller is it.

In this episode, I explore the wild life of Doc Roller, a real physician, college athlete, early professional football player, professor, and pro wrestler who somehow managed to be all of those things at once.

From his rise through medicine and athletics to his time in the ring with names like Frank Gotch, Farmer Burns, Fred Beell, George Hackenschmidt, Great Gama, Joe Stecher, and Ed “Strangler” Lewis, Roller’s story sits at the crossroads of sports, spectacle, and the weird birth of modern pro wrestling.

For the video episode check out 10 Bell Pod on YouTube or Spotify





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Farmer Burns stands at the foundation of American pro wrestling history.

Martin “Farmer” Burns was a catch wrestling pioneer, champion, trainer, and physical culture evangelist whose influence helped shape both amateur and professional wrestling forever.

This episode looks into his farm boy beginnings in Iowa, his rise through carnivals, challenge matches, and catch as catch can competition, to his later role training legends like Frank Gotch and influencing figures tied to the birth of modern pro wrestling.

This is the story of one of the most important names in wrestling history, even if modern fans rarely hear it.

Farmer Burns was not just a great wrestler from the 1800s.

He was a bridge between real grappling, carnival hustle, early sports culture, and the future of professional wrestling.

For the video episode check out YouTube or Spotify.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

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