John McMahon (wrestler)

John McMahon (July 7, 1841 – April 3, 1911) was an American professional wrestler who specialized in collar-and-elbow wrestling.

The 13th Regiment went into camp at Brattleboro on September 29, 1862, and was mustered into United States service on October 3 with 953 officers and men.

The regiment set up camp on East Capitol Hill, a half-mile west of the 12th Vermont Infantry, then moved to Camp Chase, Arlington, Virginia, on October 25, returning to East Capital Hill three days later when the 2nd Vermont Brigade was formed.

The regiment was stationed at Wolf Run Shoals from January 20 to April 2, then performed railroad guard duty at Warrenton Junction until June 25.

[2] John McMahon began his professional wrestling career in Port Henry, New York in June 1861.

[3] On July 22, 1873, McMahon defeated Thomas Copeland to become recognized as the champion of the United States and Canada.

[1] Because McMahon outweighed his opponent by 60 pounds, the match was contested under Cornwall and Devon rules, which required both men to wear short jackets.

He was also sent to Virginia City, Nevada to help a gambler who had lost a large sum of money to "Dakota Bill" Tompkins.

[1] McMahon wrestled James Farwell in January 1878; Falwell won a controversial victory to retain his status as champion of the Pacific Coast.

[1] On May 12 of that year, McMahon defeated Australian "Professor" William Miller in a best-of-three match before a crowd of over 2000 spectators in Gilmore's Garden in New York.

[2] In his later career, McMahon faced such wrestlers as Sorakichi Matsuda,[8] Captain James C. Daly and Gus Lambert.

Each competitor won the fall in his preferred style, which led to a catch-as-catch-can match to determine the winner.

[10] McMahon lost the second contest, but he defeated Dufur for the world collar-and-elbow championship in their final encounter.

[11] He also continued in regular competition outside the circus; in his final match, he defeated Jim Cowley on March 2, 1891.