Wrestling continues to be on the down trend. Once a major professional sport in the United States, it has been on the wane since 1934. But in amateur and intercollegiate circles it is thriving. The 'pros' injected too much hectic entertainment into the matches, and their pseudo-championship contests in this state and that for the 'world's championship' caused the fans to lose interest in the sport.
The greatest blow to 'pro' wrestling was the refusal of both the New York State Athletic Commission and the New Jersey Commission to recognize the so-called champions. Among the professionals who consider themselves to be 'world' champions or champions of some states are Bobby Bruns, Crusher Casey, Tom Casey, Abie Coleman, Rudy Dusek, Don Evans, The Great Gama, Maurice LaChappelle, Strangler Lewis, Jim Londos (once the recognized world's champion), Danny O'Mahoney, Gus Pesek, Jack Sherry, Gus Sonnenberg, Phil Thesz and Gino Vagnone.
Amateur wrestling under the supervision of the Amateur Athletic Union is increasing in interest, and excellent progress is being made in both the development of wrestlers and in the popularity of the sport in practically every section of the United States. The national championships of 1939, promoted by the Pacific Association of the A. A. U., attracted entries from nearly every district of the organization, with the team championship awarded to the New York Athletic Club.
In collegiate circles wrestlers in Oklahoma have been supreme for about 5 years; and again in 1939 Oklahoma A. and M. won the National Collegiate A. A. championship title. In the Eastern intercollegiate group, Lehigh once more saw its grapplers go through the tournament successfully to win the championship.
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