Trivia

Professional wrestler for several decades.

Inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2002 (charter class).

Developed his devastating Headlock while at Louisville University. Through scientific study of anatomy and kinesiology, he was able to duplicate the intensity of force from a Heavyweight Boxer's best Knockout Punch; but applied through his Headlock (proper term, Side Chancery).

Born Robert Friedrich, June 30, 1891 in Nekoosa, Wisconsin; but took the Ring Name of Ed "Strangler" Lewis because a Newspaperman saw in him a resemblance to popular Wrestler of the 1880s and '90s, Evan "Strangler" Lewis.

Attended Louisville University on an Athletic Scholarship for Baseball; also, later playing Professional Minor League Baseball.

He used a specially made, patented, spring loaded wooden "head" exerciser to make his headlock even more powerful and devastating. The device was invented by his associate Trainer/Manager, Billy Sandow in 1926. (They also marketed the item for sale to the public, with some modest degree of success.).

NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion.

MWA World Heavyweight Champion.

Perennially a Heavyweight Wrestling Champion or Top Ranked Contender, Lewis was finally done in by his contracting Trachoma; which is a bacterial infection of the eyes. It caused blindness in the Champ and was far more common (and dangerous) in those pre-penicillin days.