A midwestern version of the original Dutch Mantell was Fred Grubmeier. Tremendous wrestler, tall and skinny as a rail. He came into towns acting like a village idiot and betting on himself to win foot races or tests of strength, etc. Lost every time. Finally he'd offer to wrestle the toughest guy in town and people couldn't wait to bet against him. Then it was on to the next town.

I could listen to Dutch talk about wrestling for hours, his knowledge is immense, he’s been involved in so many promotions and been around/trained with/worked with so many wrestlers, it’s incredible.

I don't know much of pro wrestling from the 70s and on back before then. I got into pro wrestling as a young kid in the early 80s. I can keep up fairly well with conversations of pro wrestling from about 1983-2003 but not well on the times before or since then. But I am a complete history nerd and find stories like this of the earlier days of organized pro wrestling fascinating. Thanks Dutch!

Supposedly, Regal was touring with a carnival at 15 and wrestling the local guys.

@Ghoulies

2 жыл бұрын

Correct. There's some footage here on KZread. Back in the day, from Blackpool I believe.

Glad this video is here. Was listening to a Dave Schultz shoot and he mentioned Herb Welch trained him. I looked up Herb Welch and saw his brother Roy was trained by Cal Farley and...Dutch Mantel? Roy Welch died in 1977, so I was so confused. Thanks for this info! Love your channel!

Ron Fuller actually has a great "original Dutch Mantell" story, giving you once again yet one more reason to get him for an interview. This Dutch Mantell was one of my favorites, having seen him in Mid South wrestling. Was an instant fan. Mr. Mantell had this "mystery" and "intrigue" about him, and a bullrope to go along with it. Just freaking outstanding.

I was just reading the Nov 1952 NWA Wrestling magazine, and there is an article about Tex Riley that mentions his "old master" Dutch Mantell. Had never heard of the original, so that brought me here. Glad we got to hear Dutch give the story.

I remember Ron Fuller similarly explaining how wrestling in the carnival days worked on his podcast, and I think it’s fascinating. It’s given me a respect for the “hustle”, or whatever you want to call it, and how it’s an art form, really! Anyone who’s felt swindled at a fairground or show has been a willing participant, you just played their game, not yours.

@rancidcrawfish

Жыл бұрын

I've been trying to find that but I can't listen to Brian Last for more than 30 seconds before wanting to pull my hair out

Alfred Albert Joe de Re la Gardiur is the birth name of the original, he was from Luxembourg

Just amazing stories and memories. Thanks Mr Mantell.

My early memories of Professional Wrestling were attending matches at the County Fair that came of town. 60's and early 70's.

Talking about the carnival days: the bluegrass player Bill Monroe got his start playing on package shows and a lot of them have different entertainment/attractions and one of them that Monroe started on had boxing matches, and Monroe, who was 6'4 and 250lbs would play a concert, then strap on boxing gloves and take on any local who volunteered.

@joiekelly3141

2 жыл бұрын

Hearing stories like Dutches and yours then going to a carnival or fair now you can really see how many freedoms we’ve lost and how white washed everything is now.

@JackBarrett7

2 жыл бұрын

@@joiekelly3141 Please dont be that person.

@therealmattfowler

2 жыл бұрын

That’s good stuff. Thanks.

@patrickdaly5068

2 жыл бұрын

I’m from Kentucky and I love Bluegrass, and I’ve never heard that. Thanks!

@JackBarrett7

2 жыл бұрын

@@therealmattfowler Youre welcome.

Got see Billy Robinson in the AWA The average stay at the Snake Pit was between 30 and 90 days. Robbo spent EIGHT YEARS there.

My wrestling coach wrestled on the AT shows. That was in the late 50s in the northern Midwest. Funny I grew up in South Carolina as well. Yes Riley’s gym is still in Wigan. You should interview Roy Wood who is the head coach there. Tell him I sent you. Jon

The original looks like Jonjo Shelvey.

@bigglilwayne7050

2 жыл бұрын

I was thinking more like Frank Rizzo lol

@MichaelWilliams-bx7ce

2 жыл бұрын

C'mon Newcastle! JoJo Shells

@vlada

2 жыл бұрын

Ah, the chants of "Voldemort!"

I'm going to rock the grown-out mutton chops and call it the Dirty Dutch

The Original Dutch Mantell also had a ranch in Texas if I remember correctly for orphans. The man would go from town to town suckering the people out of their hard earned money. The story goes the he would use most of that money to help[ support those orphaned kids there.

That was a great story.

Great story!

Fascinating history, to bad everyone who worked in those days are gone. Would be interesting to learn more.

Great video 👏🏻

God Bless You Wayne indeed.

That's what you call truly working the marks! 😁👍

Regal got started in the carnivals

I wondered where Dutch got his name. I figured he made it up for his old west character. It's a shame that old school wrestlers didn't make the money like the carnival guys.

wow i never heard of an original dutch mantel

If the original Mantell made $1000 a week in 1935 that's $20,521.75 today. 🤯

The thumbnail looks like Jim Norton lol

Cool story

From the U.S. And I must say I love your platform. Can def tell you are a true fan at heart and you know which questions to ask in which you obviously have beyond copious it's quite perpetual in that sense. Not to mention the fact that you allow these wrestlers and/or guys who've worked in the wrestling business room to talk and finish their stories. Wonderful work!!! I love these shoot interviews forget watching WWE and AEW(I tune into AEW very very very seldom but that niether here nor there. Extremely miniscule)

That pic of the original Dutch makes Brock look like Brad Pitt

Damn Dutch, the two of you could be twins !

Never knew ole dirty Dutch was loaned a name. Wow

boy if wwe put dutch as head of ctreative it would be a lot better 🙋‍♂️

Shout out to Wigan uk

Honestly never heard of the original Dutch mantell

Dutch whip days it's like man that guy?

This is real interesting, I wouldn't mind reading a book about what Dutch is talking about. Any suggestions?

@daveconleyportfolio5192

2 жыл бұрын

A good start is "Hooker," by Lou Thesz. Thesz traveled with the old shooters in the 30s and tells stories about their hustles, then connects it with guys like Ed Lewis and Toots Mondt who created pro wrestling because there wasn't much money in being a legit grappler. "Fall Guys" by Marcus Griffin fills in details on promoters, but don't believe everything in it.

@adriansmith300

2 жыл бұрын

Jody Hamilton (The Assassin) is another biography with stories from the A&T shows. If you want to read about 'The Snake Pit' (Wigan) there is Billy Robinson's book. But I also agree with Lou Thez's 'Hooker', that's probably the best book I have read on the early years of wrestling. There is also Gorgeous George's bio, but that is written by a historian not by Wagner himself.

Blood Hunter interview

1500 bucks in today's money would be about 400 grand .

🤘🍻🤘

He grew up in SC? I was under the impression he grew up in TX or TN.

Mr. Mantell have a podcast or appear on one? If not he should, I find myself getting lost in his stories

@stewartmeetball3417

2 жыл бұрын

Hes a great watch isn't he

@joiekelly3141

2 жыл бұрын

He doesn’t have his own but he has been on a lot of other peoples. Pretty sure you can find hour long shoots of him on Austin, Cornette, Hannibal and probably more. He’s also got a couple books, which I would highly recommend.

@contour157

2 жыл бұрын

@@joiekelly3141 Great booker as well.

Wow he was like the Angle or the wrestler they based Shrek off but look unreal like you swear he had make up on

I think the original looks like an American minoru Suzuki

Yosemite Sam interviewed

How in the name of everything holie have you so much subscribers yet so little interaction in the comments

@WSI

2 жыл бұрын

No idea - simply depends on the topic of the video to how much people interact. Lots of comments on vids like “top 3 tag teams” because people then post their own top 3s, or “what’s wrong with WWE”.

@takerdust

2 жыл бұрын

this channel produces great content for smart people, like myself, who remain silent or have very little to add. We could bring back the "FIRST", or "SECOND", in the comments again.

The guy who is mad at Dom for being dirty Dom doesn't even have an original name

More than a pretty face

This was great. Just when U thought U knew what it is, the history just shuts U up. U should join AEW. DUTCH MANTEL to AEW. Yup.