WEAPONIZED WRESTLING: Scientific Wrestling’s Two-Decade Integration of American Folkstyle, Olympic Freestyle, and Catch-as-Catch-Can Wrestling
In the annals of combat sports, few disciplines have been as influential, yet as misunderstood, as catch-as-catch-can wrestling. A potent blend of grappling and submission holds, catch wrestling has been the foundation of many modern combat sports, including American folkstyle wrestling, Olympic freestyle wrestling, and mixed martial arts (MMA).
The case for considering American folkstyle and Olympic freestyle as modern iterations of catch wrestling is compelling. The historical lineage, the shared techniques, and the underlying philosophy all point to a family with catch-as-catch-can as the patriarch.
Firstly, the historical lineage is clear. Catch wrestling, with its roots in the 19th-century Lancashire style in England, was brought to the United States by immigrants. It quickly became a popular sport in fairs and carnivals, eventually influencing the development of American folkstyle wrestling. Similarly, the international wrestling community, seeking a unified style for the Olympics, incorporated many elements of catch wrestling into what we now know as freestyle wrestling.
Secondly, the shared techniques are undeniable. The takedowns, throws, and pins that are fundamental to both folkstyle and freestyle wrestling are directly descended from catch wrestling. The double leg takedown, the fireman's carry, the half nelson - all these moves can be traced back to the catch wrestling tradition.
However, the most compelling argument lies in the underlying philosophy of catch wrestling: "catch-as-catch-can." This phrase, meaning "catch anywhere you can," embodies a spirit of innovation, adaptability, and pragmatism. It's a philosophy that encourages wrestlers to seize any opportunity, to adapt to any situation, and to use any technique that works. This philosophy is alive and well in both folkstyle and freestyle wrestling, where wrestlers are constantly innovating, adapting, and finding new ways to win.
So, if folkstyle and freestyle wrestling are modern iterations of catch wrestling, how can they be "weaponized" for MMA, grappling, and self-defense? The answer lies in re-incorporating the original catch wrestling submissions and concession holds.
In its original form, catch wrestling was a brutal, no-holds-barred combat sport. Wrestlers could win by pin or by forcing their opponent to submit, often using painful joint locks or chokeholds. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, catch wrestling found its way to the United States, where it was popularized by wrestlers of traveling funfairs. These wrestlers developed their own submission holds, or "hooks," to increase their effectiveness against their opponents. The sport was particularly popular in the carnivals, where local challengers could win a cash reward if they could defeat the carnival’s strongman by a pin or a submission.
These submission techniques were gradually phased out of folkstyle and freestyle wrestling due to safety concerns, but they remain highly effective in MMA and self-defense situations.
Catch wrestling was included in the 1904 Olympic Games, but with new rules and weight categories similar to other amateur wrestling styles. Dangerous moves, including all submission holds, were banned. These new rules and regulations were later developed and codified by FILA (Fédération Internationale des Luttes Associées), and amateur catch wrestling became known as freestyle wrestling.
By re-incorporating these submissions and concession holds, wrestlers can add a new dimension to their arsenal. They can become more versatile, more dangerous, and more effective. They can seamlessly transition from takedowns to submissions, from pins to chokeholds. They can truly embody the spirit of "catch-as-catch-can." That’s what I’ve been doing with blessing of legends like Karl Gotch, Billy Robinson, Wade Schalles, Frank Shamrock, and others…
In conclusion, American folkstyle and Olympic freestyle wrestling are not just descendants of catch wrestling - they are its modern incarnations. By acknowledging this lineage and embracing the full spectrum of catch wrestling techniques, we can unlock the full potential of these sports for MMA, grappling, and self-defense. The future of combat sports lies in its past, in the rich tradition of catch-as-catch-can wrestling.
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