CAGEMATCH » Wrestlers Database » George Hackenschmidt

George Hackenschmidt

Also known as Georg Hackenschmidt

Personal Data

Birthday:

02.08.1878

Birthplace:

Tartu, Estland

Day of death:

19.02.1968 (at the age of 89)

Cause of death:

natürlicher Tod

Gender:

male

Height:

6' 0" (183 cm)

Weight:

231 lbs (105 kg)

Background in sports:

Ringen, Gewichtheben

Career Data

Alter egos:

George Hackenschmidt
a.k.a. Georg Hackenschmidt

Roles:

Singles Wrestler (1896 - 1911)

Beginning of in-ring career:

09.1896

End of in-ring career:

04.09.1911

In-ring experience:

15 years

Wrestling style:

Technician

Trainer:

Georg Lurich

Nicknames:

"Russian Lion"

Signature moves:

Bearhug

Tidbits

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Number of comments: 10

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Latest comments of the CAGEMATCH inmates

CutieSuzuki wrote on 08.09.2025:

"Referred to by promoter Jack Curley as the greatest wrestler of all time, The Russian Lion wrestled all over the world and shaped the wrestling world as we know it."

the nox wrote on 06.08.2025:

"Will always be appreciative of the legends that helped to shape the wrestling landscape as it is today."

PEW565 wrote on 17.05.2025:

"10. Generally considered as the first widely recognized world champion in wrestling George Hackenschmidt is one of the most important figures in laying the foundation for modern wrestling."

TheOneAndOnlyCactus wrote on 13.09.2022:

"The first widely recognized world champion in the history of the business, The Russian Bear' s (Estonia was part of the Russian Empire back then) importance to wrestling can not be understated. A strong beast with good technical acumen, inventor of the bear hug, he is a bonafide legend. I would give him a 10 if I was allowed to rate him"

KENTAfan wrote on 23.09.2019:

"Hackenschmidt was ridiculously revolutionary in both the wrestling and strongman world. Great technical wrestler and attained a ridiculously strong body through years of dedication, back in a time where steroids didn? t exist and people were still doing floor presses instead of bench presses. And he still managed to set several world records. Truly a legend."

JEK 1991 wrote on 15.03.2019:

"One of the most strongest wrestlers the world has ever seen. Just natural muscle and a great technical."

Blood Pump wrote on 19.04.2017:

"One of the most recognizable names of the earliest of the early days along with Gotch. Hackenschmidt was the first recognized World Heavyweight Champion, and while no one here can say for certain as to whether or not he carried it with pride or not we can say it makes for a very interesting topic. Hackenschmidt and Gotch didn't really effect what wrestling would become in the later days but they do both deserve some recognition for initially popularizing it."