Ad Santel, the German-American professional wrestler, left an indelible mark on the lineage of Catch wrestling, Judo, and modern mixed martial arts (MMA). His groundbreaking encounters and innovative approach to martial arts challenged established norms and paved the way for the evolution of these disciplines. In this article, we will explore Santel’s significance to the world of wrestling, his encounters with notable figures such as Tokugoro Ito and Taro Miyake, and his impact on the development of martial arts in Japan and beyond.

Ad Santel’s Early Career and Rise to Prominence

Adolph Ernst, better known as Ad Santel, was recognized as one of the greatest practitioners of Catch wrestling. His professional wrestling career spanned the 1910s, ’20s, and ’30s, during which he faced some of the top wrestlers of the time, including Joe Stecher, John Pesek, and Clarence Eklund. Santel’s exceptional skills and tenacity led him to become the World Light Heavyweight Champion for several years, solidifying his reputation as a formidable competitor.

Taro Miyake and Santel’s Pro Circuit Meetings

While researching Santel’s encounters, it becomes apparent that separating fact from fiction can be challenging. One figure who features prominently in Santel’s career is Taro Miyake. Contrary to popular belief, Miyake was not a resident Judo master in Seattle but rather a globe-trotting professional wrestler. He and Santel crossed paths numerous times on the pro circuit. Miyake’s background was rooted in an old style of jiu-jitsu, and he was renowned for his street fighting skills. Some speculate that Miyake left Japan due to troubles with the Yakuza.

Santel’s Clash with Tokugoro Ito, then Journey to Japan

One of Santel’s most notable clashes was with Tokugoro Ito, a 5th degree black belt in judo. Santel, fighting under judo rules, utilized his catch wrestling techniques to defeat Ito in their first encounter. However, Ito would later gain redemption by choking Santel unconscious in their second bout, leaving the score between them at one win each.

In the early 1900s, Santel embarked on a journey to Japan at the request of a sumo promoter. Accompanied by Henry Weber, Santel sought to showcase his wrestling prowess in the land of martial arts. However, his encounters with the judo community would prove to be the most impactful.

Santel’s Historic Matches in Japan

Despite the Kodokan’s prohibition on its judoka competing in professional matches, Santel managed to convince four of Jigoro Kano’s students to face him and Weber in Japan. The encounters took place under neutral rules, demanding judogi jackets but allowing a wide array of holds.

During these matches, Santel achieved two draws and one victory, while Weber secured two draws and one loss. Santel’s triumphs and competitive performances against respected judo practitioners left a lasting impression on the Japanese martial arts scene. These encounters shattered preconceived notions and sparked a fascination with the submissions and techniques of Catch wrestling within the Japanese community.

Santel’s Influence and Legacy

Ad Santel’s impact on the development of martial arts, particularly Judo, cannot be overstated. His willingness to challenge established norms and cross boundaries between different styles served as a catalyst for the evolution of these disciplines. The infusion of Catch wrestling techniques into Judo sparked a new era of exploration and innovation in Japanese martial arts.

Santel’s influence extended beyond his matches in Japan. His brutal style of Catch wrestling, which he likely acquired from training under Charles Olson in Chicago, led to major bouts with renowned wrestlers such as Joe Stecher, John Pesek, and his fierce rival, Clarence Eklund, in the world of Catch wrestling. Santel’s reputation as a formidable competitor and his unyielding determination left a lasting impact on the sport.

In addition to his in-ring accomplishments, Santel’s encounters in Japan and his interactions with the judo community had a profound effect on the martial arts landscape. His performances captivated the Japanese audience, inspiring a wave of interest in catch wrestling and prompting Japanese fighters to travel to Europe to learn catch wrestling techniques at schools like Billy Riley’s school in Wigan, UK. Some of Kano’s expelled judo challengers even followed Santel to the United States to train with him, further contributing to the cross-pollination of techniques and ideas between Catch wrestling and Judo.

Today, Santel’s legacy lives on in the lineage of Catch wrestling, Judo, and modern mixed martial arts. His willingness to push boundaries, challenge traditional martial arts norms, and introduce new techniques opened doors for future generations of fighters and contributed to the development of the dynamic and diverse martial arts landscape we see today.

In conclusion, Ad Santel’s significance to the lineage of Catch wrestling, Judo, and modern mixed martial arts cannot be overstated. Through his encounters in Japan, his clashes with notable figures like Tokugoro Ito and Taro Miyake, and his unyielding commitment to pushing the boundaries of martial arts, Santel left an indelible mark on the world of combat sports. His innovative approach, fierce competitiveness, and willingness to challenge the status quo continue to inspire and shape the evolution of martial arts today.

Let’s honor and recognize Ad Santel’s contributions to the sport and his enduring legacy. His impact on the world of wrestling and martial arts will forever be etched in history, and his pioneering spirit serves as a reminder to continuously push the boundaries and embrace innovation in our pursuit of excellence.

(Very special thanks to Mark Hewitt and C. Nathan Hatton for adding important details.)

Bartolomeo “Bert” Assirati, a name that resonates with awe and respect in the annals of professional wrestling. Born on 9th July 1908, Assirati was a formidable figure whose toughness and brutal prowess in the ring are still celebrated today. This posthumous tribute seeks to encapsulate the life and career of the multiple-time British Heavyweight Champion, who is recognized as a charter member of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. His unmatched feats of strength, his relentless pursuit of victory, and his resolute dedication to the sport make his story both inspiring and timeless.

A Prodigy in the Making

Assirati’s journey into the world of strength and stamina began at the tender age of twelve, when he took up weight-training. The young lad’s innate talent and commitment laid the foundation for his career in professional wrestling. His strength didn’t just stay on the mat, it was also showcased in his acrobatic stage duo Mello and Nello, where he and his partner traveled to every port they could reach, performing a variety of hand-balancing acts.

His athleticism was a sight to behold. Even at his peak weight of 240 pounds, Assirati remained one of the strongest men globally, capable of performing intricate acrobatic maneuvers like the iron cross and a one-arm handstand. His victory ritual? A standing backflip, a testament to his agility and strength. But his strength wasn’t just for show. In 1938, Assirati set a British record by deadlifting a whopping 800 pounds​.

A Tough Competitor

Assirati’s wrestling career was as fierce as it was successful. Known for his brutal competitiveness, he often reveled in the challenge of causing discomfort to his opponents. This unyielding approach often led to conflicts with the predetermined nature of professional wrestling, earning him a reputation for double-crossing his opponents. Even the great Lou Thesz was said to be wary of facing him. However, his aggressive style also lent credibility to the sport, as facing him in the ring was a testament to a wrestler’s mettle​.

A Legacy of Championships

Assirati claimed his first major championship while competing in the British Wrestling Association (BWA), officially winning the title of the British Heavyweight Champion on 27th January 1945. His winning streak didn’t stop there. In 1947, he also clinched the European version of the World Heavyweight Championship, proving his prowess beyond Britain’s borders. His last championship win came in 1955, when he defeated Ernie Baldwin for the vacant British Heavyweight Championship​.

However, his success in the ring was not without controversy. Assirati’s decision to wrestle in India in 1950 led to him being stripped of the British Heavyweight Championship. Despite the setback, he continued to wrestle in Europe and India, even winning back the European Heavyweight Championship in 1952. His career was not without its fair share of challenges, but Assirati’s determination and passion for the sport never wavered​​.

Life Beyond the Ring

After retiring from professional wrestling in 1960, Assirati continued to showcase his strength in a more mundane setting. Working as a doorman at Ebbisham Halls in Epsom, Surrey, he was known for his unique party trick: crushing a metal drink cap between each finger on both hands. He continued to live his life with the same vigor and strength that he demonstrated in the ring, a true testament to his character. He died of bladder cancer on August 31, 1990​.

Ladies and gentlemen, I have a story to share with you today. It’s a story of a boy who fought through life’s toughest challenges to emerge victorious. I remember one Fourth of July, as the fireworks reflecting off the lake through the window slowly faded, the laughing gas & anesthesia began to take hold of my young mind. I was only 10 and I was being wheeled into emergency surgery due to gangrene poisoning from a botched appendix surgery 3 weeks prior.

I didn’t die, obviously, and the following year, The Karate Kid premiered, and it changed my life.

I’m just like you, a human being who has been dealt some tough hands in life. But I’ve done something extraordinary in pursuing building my passion, Scientific Wrestling, over twenty years, and it has earned me purpose, power, and respect beyond my wildest dreams. I learned from the world’s undisputed greatest legendary wrestlers and fighters and have been trusted with their legacy and sharing their teaching with the world.

I’ve had my fair share of setbacks in life, but I’ve never let them define me. When I was 15, I earned my black belt at Mile High Karate. But then I got nuked again. Hodgkin’s lymphoma. When I say nuked, I mean it literally. I endured 8 weeks of brutal radiation “therapy,” 4 very tough surgeries, and 6 months of chemotherapy.

The teenage body I’d built up to a strong 6’1″ and 165lbs withered down to 117lbs within two months. This was the same weight I was when I started Karate as a twelve-year-old! I became bitter and self-destructive; self-pity, drinking, drugs, and failing my classes at college.

But I found my way back. I stopped my self-destructive behaviors and began building myself up once again. I had no plan, but I did have a roommate who had been absolutely obsessed with skateboarding and Thrasher magazine. I didn’t like skateboarding at all, but my friend Michael was a good dude, and his obsessiveness was contagious.

He was doing great things and inspiring others with his obsession. And here I was, the first in my family to attend college, and on a Leadership scholarship, no less, but I was not a leader. I was a loser.

I set upon myself to find my own obsession, like my roommate had (he now runs Thrasher magazine as Editor-In-Chief)!

I whittled it down to a shortlist. I began modeling my friend’s obsession with skateboarding and applied it to martial arts. I studied everything I could from the library and bookstores. Between May of 1993 and 1994, my life radically changed, and I began working hard on my fitness and martial skill again. That same year, the UFC came out and I attended it live. It was like kerosene to the spark I started. My roommates must’ve noticed because that year, they threw me a birthday party where we had boxing matches in the half-pipe in our backyard. I beat everyone silly. Me!!! They even tried to grapple me, two-on-one, again I tapped them both (one with a triangle choke with my legs and the other with a sleeper using my arms). I started respecting myself again!! It was so powerful. That year changed the entire course of my life.

From this experience, I’ve developed five tips, strategies, and solutions that, when implemented correctly, will give you purpose, power, and respect too.

1) Deal in facts and measurable results. Allow yourself to be disgusted with yourself. Really look in the mirror and hold yourself to a higher standard.

2) Get obsessed and let that obsession drive you to become the best version of yourself. Sustained single-minded focus is the magic behind all great things.

3) Take calculated risks. Bet big on yourself, then take close notes as to what works and what doesn’t.

4) Put in the tremendous effort required to achieve big goals. This will require never quit levels of commitment and discipline.

5) You need people. You need mentors. You need a team. You need clients. You need people that trust you, and trust is earned through follow-through and living up to your agreements, especially with yourself.

These principles helped me build my legendary company Scientific Wrestling.

We’ve talked about the power of obsession and how it can lead to greatness. We’ve talked about taking calculated risks and betting big on yourself. We’ve talked about the tremendous effort and hard work that is required to achieve your goals. But none of that matters if you don’t have a community of people to support you and hold you accountable.

I know that life can be tough. It can be filled with challenges and setbacks, and it can be easy to lose hope and give up. No matter how difficult things may seem, I believe in your strength, your resilience, and your ability to overcome any obstacle. You don’t have to participate in surrender. You can win.

That’s why I want to share with you some wisdom from the art of wrestling. You see, wrestling is a lot like life. It requires discipline, determination, and the willingness to keep getting back up, no matter how many times you get knocked down. And just like in wrestling, the only way to get better at life is to keep trying.

So the next time you face a challenge or a setback, don’t give up. Don’t let fear or doubt hold you back. Remember: the only way to succeed is to keep trying. Do it again, and again, and again. Trust in yourself and your abilities, and know that I am with you every step of the way.

And when you couldn’t possibly do it again, just do it anyway…

So go out there, do it again. Not just once more. Just keep going. Persist. Persist past your lifetime and become a legend. Build your legacy.

Make mistakes, learn from them, and keep moving forward. That’s the only way to achieve the greatness born within you.

How Scientific Wrestling is revolutionizing the combat sports industry and why it should be on your radar.

With Endeavor, the parent company of UFC, acquiring WWE, the worlds of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts (MMA) are converging like never before. However, there’s a hidden gem in the industry that’s poised to make an even greater impact: Scientific Wrestling. Combining the best aspects of catch-wrestling, professional wrestling, and MMA, Scientific Wrestling is not only revolutionizing combat sports but is also elevating the status and perceived value of the entire industry.

The Science Behind the Art

Scientific Wrestling’s unique approach to combat sports is rooted in the foundational principles of catch-wrestling, an ancient martial art that emphasizes holds, takedowns, and submissions. By drawing upon the rich history and techniques of catch-wrestling, Scientific Wrestling provides a solid foundation for athletes to develop their skills and achieve success in the world of combat sports.

But Scientific Wrestling doesn’t stop there. By seamlessly integrating elements of professional wrestling and MMA, it has created an innovative hybrid that showcases the best of both worlds. This groundbreaking fusion allows athletes to develop and showcase their technical skills, showmanship, and athleticism in ways never before seen in the industry.

Elevating the Industry

Scientific Wrestling is redefining the way combat sports are perceived by the public, media, and potential investors. By emphasizing the importance of technical proficiency and athletic performance, it is pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a successful competitor in the world of professional wrestling and MMA.

As a result, Scientific Wrestling is attracting top talent from various disciplines, such as grappling, boxing, and Muay Thai. This diverse array of athletes brings unique skillsets and backgrounds, further enriching the company’s roster and providing exciting matchups that fans are eager to watch.

A Platform for Growth

The acquisition of WWE by Endeavor presents a unique opportunity for Scientific Wrestling to capitalize on the growing interest in combat sports. As the industry landscape shifts and expands, Scientific Wrestling’s unique blend of catch-wrestling, professional wrestling, and MMA offers a fresh and engaging alternative to traditional combat sports.

Investing in Scientific Wrestling

Scientific Wrestling’s innovative approach and rapid growth make it an attractive prospect for investors looking to capitalize on the booming combat sports industry. With the backing of Endeavor and the potential synergies between UFC, WWE, and Scientific Wrestling, the future looks bright for this rising star in the world of combat sports.

Quantifying the exact impact of catch-as-catch-can wrestling and its derivative sports is a complex task, as it involves estimating the total number of fans, athletes, coaches, and promoters involved since 1870. Furthermore, comparing this number to the impact of all other sports would require making broad assumptions and generalizations. However, we can provide some context and rough estimates based on available data and historical trends.

Catch-as-catch-can wrestling and its derivative sports, including Olympic freestyle wrestling, American scholastic wrestling, WWE-style sports entertainment/pro-wrestling, and mixed martial arts, have attracted millions of participants and fans over the years.

It’s challenging to provide a single number estimate for the total number of people involved in these sports since 1870. However, we can make a rough estimate based on some known facts:

According to a report from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), there were over 245,000 high school wrestlers in the United States in 2020. The WWE, a leading professional wrestling organization, reportedly has around 36 million fans worldwide. The UFC, the premier MMA organization, has millions of fans and athletes worldwide. In 2020, the UFC was estimated to have a global fan base of around 625 million people. Considering these data points, along with participants and fans of Olympic wrestling, we can conservatively estimate that there have been hundreds of millions (perhaps billions) of people impacted with catch-as-catch-can wrestling and its derivative sports in some capacity since 1870.

Comparing this number to the impact of all other sports is challenging, as each sport has its unique following and level of participation. Some of the most popular sports worldwide include soccer, football, baseball, basketball, running, and cycling. According to a 2018 report from Nielsen, soccer alone has an estimated global fan base of more than 4 billion people. Other popular sports like basketball, football, and baseball also have fan bases in the hundreds of millions.

In conclusion, although catch-as-catch-can wrestling and its derivative sports have had a significant impact with tens of millions of participants and fans, with over a century of impact the quantity could be well into hundreds of millions or even billions. The influence of catch-as-catch-can wrestling remains dominant within the world of combat sports and was seminal in shaping the development of modern MMA and professional wrestling, and remember Scientific Wrestling is the King of Catch!