NO HOLDS BARRED

My latest piece, "RAF03, Iowa-Iowa State, Gotch, and Gable", is up on the No Holds Barred Patreon page.

Labels: Dan Gable, Eddie Goldman, Frank Gotch, Iowa State Wrestling, Iowa Wrestling, No Holds Barred, RAF, RAF03, Real American Freestyle, wrestling

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with Raul Ramirez of the Catch Wrestling Alliance.

We spoke with him by phone Friday.

There is a lot happening in the coming weeks in catch wrestling, including a tribute to Joe Stecher, who was a world heavyweight wrestling champion in the days before professional catch wrestling ceased to be a sport. This event is called "Joe Stecher Days" and takes place July 14-15 in the village of Dodge, Nebraska, Stecher's hometown. Raul Ramirez will be there, along with wrestling author and historian Mike Chapman, who will be a guest speaker.

Also on July 14, there will be an eight-man catch wrestling tournament organized by the Snake Pit U.S.A. at the Primal Gym in Hamilton, New Jersey. There undefeated Catch Wrestling Alliance wrestler Curran Jacobs will be competing.

Next is the 2018 Frank Gotch World Catch Wrestling Tournament, organized by the Catch Wrestling Alliance, on August 4 at the Westside Training Center, at Cheviot Hills/Palms, 3272 Motor Avenue, Suite D, Los Angeles, California 90034.

We discussed all these, including Curran Jacobs's preparation for these tournaments, and how strength and conditioning is essential to being able to carry out his strategy.

"Personally I feel that that is the key to winning, regardless of your sport. So if you're really into competing at the highest level, having a good strength and conditioning coach is really the key," said Raul Ramirez.

"You do have to spend your time wrestling to get better at wrestling. But in order to minimize injuries, to make sure you're as strong as you can be, to make sure you have enough gas in your gas tank when you compete, especially in tournaments where you might have to have several matches, or at catch wrestling tournaments when we have a 20-minute match, you need this endurance. So having a good strength and conditioning coach can get your body to that level."

We also discussed that this year's Gotch Tournament will feature matches by both veteran wrestlers and new competitors, plans to hold mixed-styles grappling and catch wrestling matches in Singapore this year, and much more.

(Photo by Phil Monson, courtesy of Catch Wrestling Alliance.)

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link does not work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is available at Google Play Music.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web here.

The PodOmatic Podcast Player app is available for free, both for Android at Google Play, and for iOS on the App Store.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is sponsored by:

The Catch Wrestling Alliance, resurrecting and promoting the sport of authentic catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance provides tournaments, seminars, and training as well as education about catch wrestling. Join the movement and keep real wrestling alive. For more information, go to CatchWrestlingAlliance.com.

Skullz Double-End Bags, the perfect bag for your combat sports training. Skullz Double-End Bags provide a realistic striking target, and help improve timing, distance, and hand and eye coordination. Hang it and hit it right out of the box! No pump required. For more information, go to SkullzDeBags.com.

Labels: catch wrestling, catch-as-catch-can, conditioning, Curran Jacobs, Eddie Goldman, Frank Gotch, No Holds Barred, Raul Ramirez, strength

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with wrestling historian and author Mike Chapman.

We spoke with him by phone Thursday.

With two important catch wrestling tournaments scheduled for July and August, there appears to be some life left in this latest but small and struggling incarnation of catch wrestling. However, as we discussed, much, much more needs to be done, and very soon.

"I just hope that somebody out there will say, 'Catch wrestling is a cultural part of American history that deserves to continue to exist,'" he said.

"And that somehow, with all your cajoling and all my cajoling, that we can get this done. You and I are out there telling people that there's a formula for this. And we're both willing to work with anybody. I think we'd both serve on a board if somebody came up with some kind of a platform and plan.

"You have invaluable knowledge that you'd like to share, and I'd like to think that I do, too."

We discussed how undefeated catch wrestler Curran Jacobs has become "the face of catch wrestling" to many younger people, and these upcoming catch tournaments.

In addition, we discussed how Mike will be a guest speaker and part of the "Joe Stecher Days" event on July 14-15 in the village of Dodge, Nebraska, Stecher's hometown. Joe Stecher was a world heavyweight wrestling champion in the days before professional wrestling ceased to be a sport. His two matches with Earl Caddock, with Caddock winning the first and Stecher the second, are still talked about. A video of highlights of that second match, held at Madison Square Garden on January 30, 1920, still survives today.

And we discussed the passing at age 89 of 1952 Olympic freestyle wrestling gold medalist Bill Smith; the planning of several wrestling media projects including a full-length dramatic film; his offer to sell his inventory of books and posters; why we don't really retire; and much, much more.

(Photo by Phil Monson, courtesy of Catch Wrestling Alliance.)

You can play or download No Holds Barred here.

No Holds Barred is available at Google Play Music.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web here.

The PodOmatic Podcast Player app is available for free, both for Android at Google Play, and for iOS on the App Store.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is sponsored by:

The Catch Wrestling Alliance, resurrecting and promoting the sport of authentic catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance provides tournaments, seminars, and training as well as education about catch wrestling. Join the movement and keep real wrestling alive. For more information, go to CatchWrestlingAlliance.com.

Skullz Double-End Bags, the perfect bag for your combat sports training. Skullz Double-End Bags provide a realistic striking target, and help improve timing, distance, and hand and eye coordination. Hang it and hit it right out of the box! No pump required. For more information, go to SkullzDeBags.com.

Labels: Bill Smith, catch wrestling, catch-as-catch-can, Eddie Goldman, Frank Gotch, Joe Stecher, Mike Chapman, No Holds Barred, retiring

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with Raul Ramirez of the Catch Wrestling Alliance.

We spoke with him by phone Monday.

Based in Los Angeles, in March Raul traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, for the 2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. There the Catch Wrestling Alliance had a booth at the WIN Memorabilia Show, and he met and talked with numerous people of all ages from the wrestling community about catch wrestling.

"It's always really great to go out to this event. And I have to definitely thank our mutual friend, Mike Chapman, for bringing it up to me a few years ago," he said.

"This event is huge. They pack arenas. and just the excitement there is electrifying. Everyone there is a wrestling expert basically. The vibe there is really amazing."

We discussed the history of catch wrestling and how it was a precursor to high school and college wrestling, and American folkstyle wrestling in general. At the NCAA tournament, he found many people both unaware of that history, but also open to the rules of catch wrestling where there are no points and you can win by pin or submission.

"The freedom of catch wrestling is attractive," he said.

We also discussed his plans to travel to Singapore this year, the growth of interest in grappling and catch wrestling in Singapore and Southeast Asia, how there will likely be more catch wrestling matches in Singapore at grappling and Catch Wrestling Alliance events, the finalizing of plans for this year's Frank Gotch World Catch Wrestling Tournament, and much more.

(Photo by Phil Monson, courtesy of Catch Wrestling Alliance.)

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link does not work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is available at Google Play Music.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web here.

The PodOmatic Podcast Player app is available for free, both for Android at Google Play, and for iOS on the App Store.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is sponsored by:

The Catch Wrestling Alliance, resurrecting and promoting the sport of authentic catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance provides tournaments, seminars, and training as well as education about catch wrestling. Join the movement and keep real wrestling alive. For more information, go to CatchWrestlingAlliance.com.

Skullz Double-End Bags, the perfect bag for your combat sports training. Skullz Double-End Bags provide a realistic striking target, and help improve timing, distance, and hand and eye coordination. Hang it and hit it right out of the box! No pump required. For more information, go to SkullzDeBags.com.

Labels: catch wrestling, catch-as-catch-can, college, Eddie Goldman, Frank Gotch, grappling, NCAA, No Holds Barred, Raul Ramirez, Singapore, tournament

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with Raul Ramirez of the Catch Wrestling Alliance.

We focused on the plans for catch wrestling for 2018. We spoke with Raul Ramirez by phone Thursday.

This year, a key part of the plan is for "a lot more outreach, but then also trying to get more youth involved, but not exactly in pure catch-as-catch can with all the really painful submission holds," he said.

"Traditionally it was always seen as something a little bit too dangerous for children. But so we want to try to bring back what we call amateur catch-as-catch-can. We want to really try to get kids into that."

This amateur catch wrestling would have no submissions or points. Matches would have time limits, with victory either by pin, or if there is no pin, by judges determining the winner by who controlled the match and went for the pin the most.

We discussed plans to hold the first of these amateur tournaments in April; plans to appear at the 2018 NCAA Div. I Wrestling Championships and WIN Memorabilia Show in March in Cleveland; plans for a third annual Frank Gotch Tournament in the summer in a new location; training in Singapore along with the Kapap Academy; the close connections and historical links between catch wrestling, grappling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and judo; why catch wrestling is "most ideal" for self-defense; why Chinese kickboxing (sanda) is also important both for sport and self-defense; and much more.

(Photo by Phil Monson, courtesy of Catch Wrestling Alliance.)

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link does not work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is available at Google Play Music.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web here.

The PodOmatic Podcast Player app is available for free, both for Android at Google Play, and for iOS on the App Store.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is sponsored by:

The Catch Wrestling Alliance, resurrecting and promoting the sport of authentic catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance provides tournaments, seminars, and training as well as education about catch wrestling. Join the movement and keep real wrestling alive. For more information, go to CatchWrestlingAlliance.com.

Skullz Double-End Bags, the perfect bag for your combat sports training. Skullz Double-End Bags provide a realistic striking target, and help improve timing, distance, and hand and eye coordination. Hang it and hit it right out of the box! No pump required. For more information, go to SkullzDeBags.com.

Trans Boxing, organizing boxing training for transgender and gender non-conforming people, for fitness and self-defense. For more information, go to TransBoxing.org.

Labels: catch wrestling, catch-as-catch-can, Eddie Goldman, Frank Gotch, No Holds Barred, Raul Ramirez, tournament

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with wrestling historian and author Mike Chapman.

It is now 100 years since the passing of Frank Gotch of Humboldt, Iowa, who was the professional wrestling heavyweight champion of the world from 1908 to 1913, at a time when pro wrestling was largely a real sport. His style was known as catch-as-catch-can wrestling, or simply catch wrestling, where matches were won by pin or submission. But along with his death, real professional wrestling died soon after.

We spoke with Mike Chapman by phone Tuesday.

"He died December 16, 1917, just a few weeks shy of his fortieth birthday, so he was 39 years old," he said. "And it marked a monumental turning point, I think, in Iowa history and in wrestling, because Frank Gotch was gone. In his place came Joe Stecher and Earl Caddock and Ed 'Strangler' Lewis and people like that. And the sport changed.

"I maintain it was largely a true athletic contest in his era. Not 100 percent, there were some worked matches. But I maintain Frank didn't work matches, and I can spend an hour explaining why I firmly believe that.

"But after he passed away, the regional territories developed and wrestling just went a completely different direction. So his passing, December 16, 1917, marked a huge changing in wrestling in America."

We discussed why Gotch's death was a "seminal moment in wrestling history"; why Gotch was "the father of wrestling in America"; the circumstances of his death and the context of what was the average life expectancy in his era; modern attempts at rebuilding catch wrestling; his latest book entitled "A Journey: Reflections on 50 Years of Writing, Wrestling, Weightlifting and Heroes"; why Mike's first sporting love was baseball; and much more.

(Photo of Mike Chapman wearing Frank Gotch's favorite derby hat by Brad Wilder.)

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link does not work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is available at Google Play Music.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web here.

The PodOmatic Podcast Player app is available for free, both for Android at Google Play, and for iOS on the App Store.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is sponsored by:

The Catch Wrestling Alliance, resurrecting and promoting the sport of authentic catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance provides tournaments, seminars, and training as well as education about catch wrestling. Join the movement and keep real wrestling alive. For more information, go to CatchWrestlingAlliance.com.

Skullz Double-End Bags, the perfect bag for your combat sports training. Skullz Double-End Bags provide a realistic striking target, and help improve timing, distance, and hand and eye coordination. Hang it and hit it right out of the box! No pump required. For more information, go to SkullzDeBags.com.

Labels: catch, catch-as-catch-can, centenary, Eddie Goldman, Frank Gotch, Iowa, Mike Chapman, No Holds Barred, pro, wrestling

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with Raul Ramirez of the Catch Wrestling Alliance.

Our main topic was the update to the format of the 2017 Frank Gotch World Catch Wrestling Tournament.

This event, which had its inaugural edition last year, has emerged as the biggest and most important tournament in the world in catch wrestling.

This year's edition will take place Saturday, July 15, at Humboldt High School in Humboldt, Iowa. Humboldt is the hometown of the legendary wrestler Frank Gotch, who was world heavyweight champion in the early 1900s when professional wrestling was still a real sport.

Unlike last year's event, this year there will be one open-weight bracket for all male wrestlers. This will also be a double-elimination tournament.

We spoke with Raul Ramirez by phone Thursday.

"We were getting a lot of interest from heavier weights," he said. "So, since last year we had four-man divisions, and because of the demand for the heavier weights, so then we just opened it up. So we want to try to let more people in, and since we're also getting most of the champions back from last year, they're all really tough guys, so we figured even a lighter weight champion would be willing to go up against a larger man.

"So we're turning the format into a double-elimination, weightless division. It's like an absolute division. So we're going to have a champion of all the different -- regardless of weight."

As of now, 13 wrestlers have signed up to compete, and have been divided up into two groups. The top bracket has six wrestlers while the bottom bracket has seven wrestlers.

The top bracket has two opening round matches, with the winners each facing opponents who have been given byes to the next round. The first opening round match is Ned Morales vs. Jake Lahniers. The winner will take on last year's champion and a favorite to win this year, Travis Wiuff. The second opening round match will have James Bunn vs. Nicholas "The Giant" Caggia, with the winner facing Chris Morales.

The lower bracket has three opening round matches. Wil Bunn will face Mark Benge in one, while Curran Jacobs, another of this year's favorites, will face Joshua Hightower, with the winners of these two opening round matches wrestling each other next. The third opening round match will have Sean Duckworth vs. Kody Konicki, with the winner facing Anthony Pacheck.

We discussed who these wrestlers are and the matchups, more on the format of this tournament, plans for regional qualifying tournaments, plans for more seminars and educational work about catch wrestling, the worldwide growth of interest in catch wrestling in many places including Asia and Europe, plans to livestream this event on YouTube, and much, much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link does not work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is available at Google Play Music.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web here.

The PodOmatic Podcast Player app is available for free, both for Android at Google Play, and for iOS on the App Store.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is sponsored by:

The 2017 Frank Gotch World Catch Wrestling Tournament. On Saturday, July 15, 2017, catch wrestlers from all around the world will compete in Humboldt, Iowa, the hometown of the legendary world champion wrestler Frank Gotch. Organized by the Catch Wrestling Alliance (CWA) and co-sponsored by City of Humboldt Chamber of Commerce, Sprout Living (official protein powder of the CWA), and Ultima Replenisher (official electrolyte drink of the CWA), the event will take place at Humboldt High School. For more information, go to CatchWrestlingAlliance.com.

Skullz Double-End Bags, the perfect bag for your combat sports training. Skullz Double-End Bags provide a realistic striking target, and help improve timing, distance, and hand and eye coordination. Hang it and hit it right out of the box! No pump required. For more information, go to SkullzDeBags.com.

USA Combat Wrestling, the official U.S. governing body for combat wrestling and U.S. delegate of the International Combat Wrestling Federation (FICW), which was founded by the legendary wrestler Noriaki Kiguchi of Japan. For more information, go to CombatWrestling.us.

Labels: catch wrestling, double elimination bracket, Eddie Goldman, Frank Gotch, Humboldt, Iowa, No Holds Barred, Raul Ramirez, tournament

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with the captain of the 2011 Michigan State University wrestling team and current catch wrestler, Curran Jacobs.

His next competition will be at the 2017 Frank Gotch World Catch Wrestling Tournament.

He will be wrestling in the men's 199-pound division and, if he wins that, also in the absolute division.

This event, which had its inaugural edition last year, has emerged as the biggest and most important tournament in the world in catch wrestling.

This year's edition will take place Saturday, July 15, at Humboldt High School in Humboldt, Iowa. Humboldt is the hometown of the legendary wrestler Frank Gotch, who was world heavyweight champion in the early 1900s when professional wrestling was still a real sport.

We spoke with Curran Jacobs by phone Monday.

Catch wrestling, where you win by pin or submission, is an art making a comeback. It can appeal to wrestlers and grapplers from every style, discipline, and ruleset.

"I encourage everybody to learn all aspects of grappling, whether it's catch, whether it's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, judo. It doesn't matter. If you want to be a well-rounded grappler, I encourage everyone to learn it all," said Curran Jacobs.

"However, catch wrestling has a specific ruleset. So for all these Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guys complaining about the rulesets, the pinning rule, listen, if you don't like it, you don't have to compete in catch wrestling. There are BJJ tournaments out there."

But the potential of catch wrestling has largely been squandered since professional catch wrestling turned completely fake almost a century ago.

"Catch wrestling has the potential to be THE most exciting style of wrestling in the world," he said.

"It's important to me, it's important to everyone involved with the Catch Wrestling Alliance that we bring it back, and we create an NFL for collegiate, high school wrestlers alike, after they graduate, who don't have Olympic aspirations or who don't want to go through with the MMA scene.

"I think catch wrestling is the best outlet for wrestlers."

We also discussed his match at last year's Frank Gotch World Catch Wrestling Tournament where he defeated Travis Newaza, the role of both pins and submissions in this style of wrestling, why top-level college wrestlers are better suited for catch than MMA, how the best catch wrestlers in the U.S. will be in this tournament, Jon Strickland's online catch wrestling program, plans for the Catch Wrestling Alliance to hold regional tournaments, the need for drug testing in catch wrestling, keeping greed and the antics seen in other combat sports out of catch, the drama and art of catch wrestling, and much, much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link does not work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is available at Google Play Music.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web here.

The PodOmatic Podcast Player app is available for free, both for Android at Google Play, and for iOS on the App Store.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is sponsored by:

The 2017 Frank Gotch World Catch Wrestling Tournament. On Saturday, July 15, 2017, catch wrestlers from all around the world will compete in Humboldt, Iowa, the hometown of the legendary world champion wrestler Frank Gotch. Organized by the Catch Wrestling Alliance (CWA) and co-sponsored by City of Humboldt Chamber of Commerce, Sprout Living (official protein powder of the CWA), and Ultima Replenisher (official electrolyte drink of the CWA), the event will take place at Humboldt High School. For more information, go to CatchWrestlingAlliance.com.

Skullz Double-End Bags, the perfect bag for your combat sports training. Skullz Double-End Bags provide a realistic striking target, and help improve timing, distance, and hand and eye coordination. Hang it and hit it right out of the box! No pump required. For more information, go to SkullzDeBags.com.

USA Combat Wrestling, the official U.S. governing body for combat wrestling and U.S. delegate of the International Combat Wrestling Federation (FICW), which was founded by the legendary wrestler Noriaki Kiguchi of Japan. For more information, go to CombatWrestling.us.

Labels: catch wrestling, Curran Jacobs, Eddie Goldman, Frank Gotch, Humboldt, Iowa, No Holds Barred, tournament

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with Raul Ramirez of the Catch Wrestling Alliance.

Our main topic was the 2017 Frank Gotch World Catch Wrestling Tournament.

This event, which had its inaugural edition last year, has emerged as the biggest and most important tournament in the world in catch wrestling.

This year's edition will take place Saturday, July 15, at Humboldt High School in Humboldt, Iowa. Humboldt is the hometown of the legendary wrestler Frank Gotch, who was world heavyweight champion in the early 1900s when professional wrestling was still a real sport.

We spoke with Raul Ramirez by phone Wednesday.

This event will feature "authentic catch-as-catch-can wrestling, like the way it was done in the 1800s and early 1900s. You can go back and see the old rulebooks," he said. "Basically there are no points, and you can win by pin or submission."

Competition is planned for five men's weight classes and a women's division whose format will be determined depending on how many women sign up for the event.

In addition, this year there will be an absolute division open to the winners in each men's weight class. The winner of the absolute division will take home a $500 cash prize.

Matches will be one fall each with a 20-minute time limit. If time expires before there is a pin or submission, to keep the tournaments going, a winner will be chosen by officials based on who was the most dominant wrestler.

Among the wrestlers so far slated to compete are Curran Jacobs, Travis Wiuff, Christopher Morales, Nicholas "The Giant" Caggia, and Qin Yunquan.

We discussed the development of this event, the differences and similarities between catch wrestling and other styles like American folkstyle and freestyle, plans to live stream and record the video of this event, how more schools and wrestlers are training in catch wrestling than previously, the need to revive real professional wrestling with catch rules, his teaching catch wrestling to many grapplers and wrestlers in Singapore, the involvement of many members of the wrestling community in Iowa in this event, the need for drug testing in catch wrestling, and much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link does not work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is available at Google Play Music.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web here.

The PodOmatic Podcast Player app is available for free, both for Android at Google Play, and for iOS on the App Store.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is sponsored by:

The 2017 Frank Gotch World Catch Wrestling Tournament. On Saturday, July 15, 2017, catch wrestlers from all around the world will compete in Humboldt, Iowa, the hometown of the legendary world champion wrestler Frank Gotch. Organized by the Catch Wrestling Alliance (CWA) and co-sponsored by City of Humboldt Chamber of Commerce, Sprout Living (official protein powder of the CWA), and Ultima Replenisher (official electrolyte drink of the CWA), the event will take place at Humboldt High School. For more information, go to CatchWrestlingAlliance.com.

Skullz Double-End Bags, the perfect bag for your combat sports training. Skullz Double-End Bags provide a realistic striking target, and help improve timing, distance, and hand and eye coordination. Hang it and hit it right out of the box! No pump required. For more information, go to SkullzDeBags.com.

USA Combat Wrestling, the official U.S. governing body for combat wrestling and U.S. delegate of the International Combat Wrestling Federation (FICW), which was founded by the legendary wrestler Noriaki Kiguchi of Japan. For more information, go to CombatWrestling.us.

Labels: catch wrestling, Eddie Goldman, Frank Gotch, Humboldt, Iowa, No Holds Barred, Raul Ramirez, tournament

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with the captain of the 2011 Michigan State University wrestling team and current catch wrestler, Curran Jacobs.

With the successful holding of the first Frank Gotch World Catch Wrestling Tournament last year in Humboldt, Iowa, a second edition is planned this year, as well as many other catch wrestling events and activities in 2017.

To discuss all this, we spoke with Curran Jacobs by phone Thursday.

"There's a lot on the docket for catch wrestling, with the Catch Wrestling Alliance this year. It's going to start with the NCAAs," he said, referring to the 2017 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.

"Of course, I've told you before, my mission is targeting wrestlers, specifically Division I wrestlers. Mike Chapman has invited us to join him and the WIN Memorabilia Show at the NCAAs March 16th through the 18th" at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

"So we're excited to see him there. We're going to set up our Catch Wresting Alliance booth and educate wrestlers and fans alike. And there's no better place to do it than the NCAA tournament."

Another way to help introduce people to catch wrestling is the American Hook Wrestling Long Distance Training Program. A century ago the legendary wrestler and trainer Martin "Farmer" Burns had a mail order wrestling program, and this program uses today's technology to reach those people who do not have access to a place to train in catch wrestling.

We discussed the various programs and seminars in catch wrestling, the many wrestlers going into MMA while there is no real professional wrestling, the historical ties between folkstyle and catch wrestling, the need for an international catch wrestling federation, the plan for the Catch Wrestling Alliance to begin holding regional qualifying tournaments in 2018 leading to a national tournament in the U.S., the growth of the Catch Wrestling Alliance, his plans to continue both coaching and competing in catch wrestling, and much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link does not work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is available at Google Play Music.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web here.

The PodOmatic Podcast Player app is available for free, both for Android at Google Play, and for iOS on the App Store.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is sponsored by:

The Boxing Tribune, boxing's independent media. Unlike every other major boxing website, The Boxing Tribune is not funded or owned by promoters, managers, or networks, and is fully independent and free to write the truth. For independent boxing news and views, go to TheBoxingTribune.com.

Skullz Double-End Bags, the perfect bag for your combat sports training. Skullz Double-End Bags provide a realistic striking target, and help improve timing, distance, and hand and eye coordination. Hang it and hit it right out of the box! No pump required. For more information, go to SkullzDeBags.com.

USA Combat Wrestling, the official U.S. governing body for combat wrestling and U.S. delegate of the International Combat Wrestling Federation (FICW), which was founded by the legendary wrestler Noriaki Kiguchi of Japan. For more information, go to CombatWrestling.us.

Labels: alliance, catch wrestling, Curran Jacobs, Eddie Goldman, Frank Gotch, NCAA, No Holds Barred

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with catch wrestler Josh Barnett.

We spoke with him by phone Tuesday.

Several athletes he has helped train will be competing this Sunday, July 3, at the Frank Gotch World Catch Wrestling Tournament in Humboldt, Iowa, run by the Catch Wrestling Alliance. Among them are Travis Newaza, Shayna Baszler, Laura Anderson, and Javier Garcia.

"I saw some opportunity to send some athletes out there," he said, "and the biggest thing for me that I have preached as a catch wrestler and a combat athlete is: compete. You have to go out there and compete. And our guys go out and compete in jiu-jitsu-based competitions, catch-based competitions, it doesn't matter. Most of them parlay it into MMA fighting careers. And part of our success is that we compete. We get on the mat, and we're adaptable, we're flexible. And have double wristlock, will travel, essentially."

We discussed the format for this tournament, the upcoming Metamoris card in July and the many problems that organization has had, his UFC fight in September against Andrei Arlovski, and his starring a new movie called "Never Back Down: No Surrender".

While doing all of this, he is conducting a series of catch wrestling seminars and training camps with Wade Schalles and Jake Shannon called "pin & submit", including going to Denver in August, London in September, and Fort Lauderdale in October.

We also discussed how the 2016 U.S. Grappling World Team Trials, run by USA Wrestling in May in North Carolina, were marked by what he described as "incompetence" and being run by people who had "no idea what they're doing." In that event, he finished second in the 100+ kg/unlimited no-gi grappling division, even though officials admitted that he should not have lost.

In addition, we discussed what it would take for him to compete in a catch wrestling competition, how "there is really no money in catch" today, how he is following the legacy of the legendary 20th century catch wrestler Ad Santel, the need for everyone involved in catch wrestling to work together, his role in the California Catch Wrestling Association, his training with Satoshi Ishii, how college wrestlers are well-prepared to transition into catch wrestling, and much, much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is available at Google Play Music.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web here.

The PodOmatic Podcast Player app is available for free, both for Android at Google Play, and for iOS on the App Store.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

The Frank Gotch World Catch Wrestling Tournament. On Sunday, July 3, 2016, catch wrestlers from all around the world will compete in Humboldt, Iowa, the hometown of the legendary world champion wrestler Frank Gotch. Organized by the Catch Wrestling Alliance and co-sponsored by IAWrestle, the Frank Gotch Statue Committee, and the Frank Gotch Kids Wrestling Club, the event will take place at Humboldt High School. For more information, go to CatchWrestlingAlliance.com.

The North American Catch Wrestling Association, a grassroots organization designed to help rebuild the sport of catch-as-catch-can-wrestling. For more information, go to their Facebook page at facebook.com/NorthAmericanCatchWrestlingAssociation.

BJJ Eastern Europe, for the latest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu news, articles, interviews, competition calendar, European belt rankings, academy directory, and more. For more information, go to BJJEE.com.

The National Registry for Wrestling, whose mission is to increase wrestling's fanbase, to build a registry of all wrestling fans, to serve as a connecting point for all wrestling fans, and to provide TV and Internet listings for wrestling. For more information, go to NR4W.com.

Labels: catch wrestling, Eddie Goldman, Frank Gotch, grappling, jiu-jitsu, Josh Barnett, MMA, No Holds Barred

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with the captain of the 2011 Michigan State University wrestling team and current catch wrestler, Curran Jacobs.

He will next be competing in what is shaping up to be an historic event in the 21st century revival of catch wrestling: The Frank Gotch World Catch Wrestling Tournament.

This event will take place Sunday, July 3, at Humboldt High School in Humboldt, Iowa, the hometown of the legendary world champion wrestler Frank Gotch.

We spoke with Curran Jacobs by phone Wednesday.

"This is going to be outrageous," he said. "I just spoke with Mike Chapman [the wrestling historian and author who inspired this event], and he said that in Iowa it's just blowing up. There are flyers everywhere."

When Curran Jacobs booked his hotel for this event by phone, the woman with whom he spoke "freaked out and treated me like I was LeBron James," saying that her whole family was going to go to it.

"There are a lot of people excited about this event. It's going to be pretty huge. And there are some serious competitors that are showing up to compete in it, so it's going to be quite the day."

He will be competing in the 180-200 lbs. weight class. On the other side of the four-man bracket will be Travis Newaza, who won the heavyweight division of the West Coast King of Catch Wrestling Tournament, has competed in numerous tournaments in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling, and trains with Josh Barnett and Erik Paulson. If both Travis Newaza and Curran Jacobs advance to the finals, they will finally meet in a highly-anticipated match, and we discussed how they match up.

One of the issues which has been discussed at length in catch wrestling circles is the need for unity among the various organizations.

While he works with the Catch Wrestling Alliance, which is the main organizer of the Frank Gotch Catch Wrestling Tournament, he had a clear message to the entire catch wrestling community:

"To every catch wrestling organization out there, I think it's important that we start supporting each other and that we unify under one banner and that we agree to team up. We're very small in the grappling world right now. If we want to grow and succeed, then we're going to have to team up."

We also discussed his training with two-time NCAA Div. I wrestling champion Gabe Dean, the need to bring more college wrestlers into catch wrestling, how wrestling is like a "sledgehammer" while BJJ is like "water", and much, much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is available at Google Play Music.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web here.

The PodOmatic Podcast Player app is available for free, both for Android at Google Play, and for iOS on the App Store.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

The Frank Gotch World Catch Wrestling Tournament. On Sunday, July 3, 2016, catch wrestlers from all around the world will compete in Humboldt, Iowa, the hometown of the legendary world champion wrestler Frank Gotch. Organized by the Catch Wrestling Alliance and co-sponsored by IAWrestle, the Frank Gotch Statue Committee, and the Frank Gotch Kids Wrestling Club, the event will take place at Humboldt High School. For more information, go to CatchWrestlingAlliance.com.

The North American Catch Wrestling Association, a grassroots organization designed to help rebuild the sport of catch-as-catch-can-wrestling. For more information, go to their Facebook page at facebook.com/NorthAmericanCatchWrestlingAssociation.

BJJ Eastern Europe, for the latest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu news, articles, interviews, competition calendar, European belt rankings, academy directory, and more. For more information, go to BJJEE.com.

The National Registry for Wrestling, whose mission is to increase wrestling's fanbase, to build a registry of all wrestling fans, to serve as a connecting point for all wrestling fans, and to provide TV and Internet listings for wrestling. For more information, go to NR4W.com.

Labels: catch wrestling, Curran Jacobs, Eddie Goldman, Frank Gotch, Humboldt, Iowa, No Holds Barred, tournament

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with Raul Ramirez of the Catch Wrestling Alliance.

Our topic was what is shaping up to be an historic event in the 21st century revival of catch wrestling: The Frank Gotch World Catch Wrestling Tournament.

This event will take place Sunday, July 3, at Humboldt High School in Humboldt, Iowa, the hometown of the legendary world champion wrestler Frank Gotch.

We spoke with Raul Ramirez by phone Monday.

The tournament will include five weight classes for men with four contestants per weight class, and one open-weight division for women.

"We're definitely gong to have two wrestling mats going at once," said Raul Ramirez, since the "goal is to have everything done in one day."

He added, "Each division will be run as a tournament of its own."

Every match has a 20-minute time limit. Victory in each match comes with a three-second pin or submission. While there are no points, if there is no pin or submission before the time expires, a winner will be chosen based on factors such as aggression and control.

Among the contestants signed up to date are:

Curran Jacobs, captain of the 2011 Michigan State University wrestling team, who has won two previous catch tournaments and was given the Frank Gotch Award as the outstanding competitor in the 2014 catch tournament in Los Angeles. He also scored a 29-second knockout in a recent MMA fight.

Nick Caggia, called by some "Nick the Giant", who is a 300-plus pounder with numerous titles in many combat sports and martial arts. At the 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championship, which took place at the MMA World Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in New York, he won the overall championship belt after defeating four opponents without surrendering a fall.

Travis Newaza, who won the heavyweight division of the West Coast King of Catch Wrestling Tournament held in San Diego and was named the outstanding competitor, winning all his matches by submissions. Besides competing in numerous tournaments in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling, Newaza trains in catch wrestling with former UFC champion Josh Barnett.

Adam DeHart of North Carolina, who has an overall (amateur and pro) record of 17-10 in MMA. He is a student of the late catch wrestling legend Billy Wicks, whose lineage goes back to Farmer Burns and Tom Connors.

Travis Wiuff of Rochester, Minnesota, with an overall record of 73-20 in MMA. He was also an All-American wrestler at Minnesota State University-Mankato (2001) and RCTC - Rochester Community and Technical College (1998 and 1999).

Bruce Wilson of Waterloo, Iowa, a former state wrestling champion from Dan Gable's high school. He is also a black belt in karate and a very respected tough guy who knows a lot of hooking moves.

Ned and Christopher Morales, a father-and-son catch wrestling duo who train at Catch Wrestling Los Angeles under Raul Ramirez.

Also competing in the women's open division:

MMA fighter and pro wrestler Shayna Baszler, who trained under the late Billy Robinson and currently under Josh Barnett, and is part of MMA's "Four Horsewomen".

Laura Anderson, who is a world and U.S. grappling champion.

Two-time NCAA All-American gymnast and catch wrestler Wendy Minch, who also trained under the late catch wrestling legend Billy Wicks.

Among the many other topics we also discussed was the July 2 catch wrestling seminar with Roy Wood, the coach and owner of the legendary Snake Pit wrestling club in Wigan, England, and Raul Ramirez. This will take place in Humboldt's Bicknell Park, where Frank Gotch trained for his epic 1911 match with George Hackenschmidt, and where a statue of Gotch now stands.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is available at Google Play Music.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web here.

The PodOmatic Podcast Player app is available for free, both for Android at Google Play, and for iOS on the App Store.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

The Frank Gotch World Catch Wrestling Tournament. On Sunday, July 3, 2016, catch wrestlers from all around the world will compete in Humboldt, Iowa, the hometown of the legendary world champion wrestler Frank Gotch. Organized by the Catch Wrestling Alliance and co-sponsored by IAWrestle, the Frank Gotch Statue Committee, and the Frank Gotch Kids Wrestling Club, the event will take place at Humboldt High School. For more information, go to CatchWrestlingAlliance.com.

The North American Catch Wrestling Association, a grassroots organization designed to help rebuild the sport of catch-as-catch-can-wrestling. For more information, go to their Facebook page at facebook.com/NorthAmericanCatchWrestlingAssociation.

BJJ Eastern Europe, for the latest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu news, articles, interviews, competition calendar, European belt rankings, academy directory, and more. For more information, go to BJJEE.com.

The National Registry for Wrestling, whose mission is to increase wrestling's fanbase, to build a registry of all wrestling fans, to serve as a connecting point for all wrestling fans, and to provide TV and Internet listings for wrestling. For more information, go to NR4W.com.

Labels: catch wrestling, Eddie Goldman, Frank Gotch, Humboldt, Iowa, No Holds Barred, Raul Ramirez, tournament

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman discusses why, after an almost century long exile from the world of real sports, catch wrestling is back.

Excerpts from previous interviews on No Holds Barred are played to explain this issue in depth, including from:

- Wrestling historian Nathan Hatton
- Wrestling historian and author Mike Chapman
- Roy Wood, head coach of the Snake Pit Wigan
- Wade Schalles, new coach of Scientific Wrestling
- Jake Shannon of Scientific Wrestling
- Raul Ramirez of the Catch Wrestling Alliance
- Jon Strickland of the Billy Wicks Foundation
- MMA and grappling pioneer John Perretti
- MMA legend Frank Shamrock
- wrestling and shootfighting coach and promoter Steve Nelson
- MMA and wrestling legend Randy Couture
- catch wrestler Curran Jacobs
- MMA fighter and catch wrestler Colleen Schneider
- catch wrestler Kyle Johnson
- catch wrestler Qin Yunquan
- catch wrestler Adam Laporte
- catch wrestler Jennifer Thomas
- Garry Davis of Brazen Martial Arts
- Dan Kanagie of the North American Catch Wrestling Association
- John Potenza of the Snake Pit USA Catch Wrestling Association
- Kris Iatskevich of the ISWA (International Submission Wrestling Alliance)
- Stephen Greenfield of the Snake Pit Wigan and the Llanelli Catch Wrestling and Traditional Japanese Martial Arts Club
- and, last but not least, the late catch wrestling legend Billy Robinson

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

MMA World Expo. The mixed martial arts community comes to New York City July 26 and 27, 2014, for the fifth annual MMA World Expo, featuring the Fighters Source U.S. Nationals amateur MMA tournament, two days of ADCC no-gi and gi grappling tournaments, MMA fighters, seminars with world-class trainers, vendors, panel discussions, catch wrestling competition, and much more. The MMA World Expo takes place Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, 2014, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

Catch Wrestling Alliance International Invitational: The Rebirth. This invitational event will be held under catch wrestling rules, where you can only win by pin or submission. It will take place Saturday, June 7, in Collins Court in the John Wooden Center on the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles, California. For more information, go to catchwrestlingalliance.com.

American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.

Takedown Wrestling Media, America's wrestling TV and radio shows, which are hosted by founder Scott Casber, and have been airing on radio and Internet for over 17 years. Takedown Media produces a weekly TV program seen in 54 million homes in the U.S. on DirecTV, Dish Network, and cable affiliates around the country, called Takedown TV. Takedown Media also produces the weekly USA Wrestling TV show for the governing body of the sport, USA Wrestling. For more information, go to http://takedownradio.com.

Labels: alliance, catch wrestling, Eddie Goldman, Frank Gotch, No Holds Barred, real pro, Snake Pit Wigan

Mike Chapman - Photo courtesy of Mike Chapman Collection


Martin Farmer Burns poses with his most famous pupil, Frank Gotch, circa 1905 - Photo courtesy of Mike Chapman Collection


Abraham Lincoln wrestling at the age of 22 in New Salem, Illinois - Artwork by Carole and Jack Bender - Courtesy of Mike Chapman Collection


On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with wrestling historian and author Mike Chapman.

He is presently en route, by car, from his home in Iowa to California for what is shaping up to be an historical wrestling event.

That event is the Catch Wrestling Alliance International Invitational: The Rebirth.

This event will be held Saturday, June 7. The location is the Collins Court in the John Wooden Center on the campus of UCLA, at 221 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, California 90095-1612. In this event, you can only win by pin or submission.

We spoke with Mike Chapman by phone Thursday.

Aside from his dislike of flying, one of the reasons he is driving all the way from Iowa to California, with stops in-between, is because he is transporting an exhibition of rare catch wrestling memorabilia to be shown at the June 7 event. These include: the favorite derby hat of then-world heavyweight wrestling champion Frank Gotch, with a photo of Gotch wearing it in 1910; a poster of Frank Gotch and other top challengers for the world title from 1910; a program from the Frank Gotch-George Hackenschmidt wrestling match held on September 4, 1911, in Chicago in front of 30,000 fans (the most discussed pro match of all time); a framed signed letter that Frank Gotch wrote in 1913; a framed original artwork of a Frank Gotch poster; framed artwork of Abraham Lincoln wrestling as a young man, at the age of 22 in 1831 in New Salem, Illinois; and many more. He will also have wrestling books and posters for sale.

The main part of our discussion with Mike Chapman was about how catch wrestling can develop from these initial stages of revival into retaking its place as a major spectator and recreational sport.

Noting that already it is on the "right path," he said, "The test will be, can it grow?"

In order to grow, he mentioned several key requirements.

"The formula's there. We know what we have to do," he said.

"Catch wrestling has to form an alliance of leaders, and they have to come together and form a business plan. They have to find enough money to be self-sustaining for a couple of years and to hire an executive director who can put plans into action. And then they have to get on TV. To me, it's about a six-step process."

We also discussed how the upcoming film "Foxcatcher", about the life of Olympic and world champion wrestler Mark Schultz and the 1996 murder of his brother, fellow Olympic and world champion wrestler Dave Schultz, by multimillionaire John du Pont, may impact the sport of wrestling. Due to premiere in November of this year, the film's director, Bennett Miller, recently won the best director award at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, with many film critics predicting that the film is a top Oscar contender.

In addition, we discussed that while catch wrestling is a "niche sport," it still has great potential to find a major audience; why it needs more exposure and promotion; how getting sponsors is essential; and much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

MMA World Expo. The mixed martial arts community comes to New York City July 26 and 27, 2014, for the fifth annual MMA World Expo, featuring the Fighters Source U.S. Nationals amateur MMA tournament, two days of ADCC no-gi and gi grappling tournaments, MMA fighters, seminars with world-class trainers, vendors, panel discussions, catch wrestling competition, and much more. The MMA World Expo takes place Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, 2014, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

Catch Wrestling Alliance International Invitational: The Rebirth. This invitational event will be held under catch wrestling rules, where you can only win by pin or submission. It will take place Saturday, June 7, in Collins Court in the John Wooden Center on the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles, California. For more information, go to catchwrestlingalliance.com.

American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.

Takedown Wrestling Media, America's wrestling TV and radio shows, which are hosted by founder Scott Casber, and have been airing on radio and Internet for over 17 years. Takedown Media produces a weekly TV program seen in 54 million homes in the U.S. on DirecTV, Dish Network, and cable affiliates around the country, called Takedown TV. Takedown Media also produces the weekly USA Wrestling TV show for the governing body of the sport, USA Wrestling. For more information, go to http://takedownradio.com.

Labels: alliance, catch wrestling, Eddie Goldman, Frank Gotch, Los Angeles, Mike Chapman, No Holds Barred, UCLA

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with Dan Kanagie of the North American Catch Wrestling Association.

Their first event, held in conjunction with Scientific Wrestling, will be on Saturday, August 31, during Labor Day weekend, and is called the 1st Annual Liberty Bell Classic East Coast King of Catch Tournament.

The location is the Norcom Community Center at 10980 Norcom Road, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19154.

The rules for this competition are very straightforward. You can only win by pin or submission. Basically all submissions are allowed, but no striking of any type is allowed. Matches are best of three falls, with a 12-minute time limit per fall. There are no judges or points, but there are weight classes and weigh-ins. There will be competition for both men and women, with the women's divisions based on the number of entrants in the event.

There will also be an absolute division, and winner of that division will be awarded the Frank Gotch Memorial Award and named the East Coast King of Catch 2013.

We spoke with Dan Kanagie by phone Monday about this event and the continued growth and revival of catch wrestling.

"Right now catch is still definitely in its infancy in the modern day. It's still a very small community. We're all pretty tight, and most people know each other right now," he said.

"It's about getting the name out there, getting the brand out there, and letting people who possibly haven't heard of it, which is a lot of people out there, that we're here and this sport does exist."

The potential is there for catch wrestling to attract competitors from all styles and disciplines.

"It's a great style of grappling that's open for all different styles, from amateur wrestling to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, sambo, it doesn't matter. It's a great ruleset for everybody," he added.

We discussed the rules and format of this event, why basic wrestling technique is the foundation of catch wrestling, the potential for catch wrestling to redevelop into a popular spectator sport, the need for all the catch wrestling organizations to work together, and much more.

The 1st Annual Liberty Bell Classic East Coast King of Catch Tournament on August 31 in Philadelphia has all the earmarks of a groundbreaking event, so try to be there.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com.

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American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.

Labels: Dan Kanagie, Eddie Goldman, Frank Gotch, grappling, Liberty Bell Classic East Coast King of Catch Tournament, No Holds Barred, North American Catch Wrestling Association

Labels: catch-as-catch-can, Earl Caddock, Eddie Goldman, Frank Gotch, Mike Chapman, No Holds Barred, pro, real, wrestling