5 famous ''screwjobs'' before that night in Montreal

#2 The King of the Screwjob, Ed ‘Strangler’ Lewis

Ed ‘Strangler’ Lewis might just be one of the most influential wrestlers in the early years of the industry, having been a huge draw during the 1920s. He is a four-time World Heavyweight Champion. He helped train the likes of Danny Hodge, Dick Hutton, Gene LeBell and Lou Thesz. He is also known as ''The King of the Screwjob"

Why does he have this moniker? Well, it’s because he has been involved in three different screwjobs during his four-decade career. This first happened in 1925 when he lost his championship to Wayne Munn, a former college footballer. This was planned, and promoter Billy Sandow asked Stanislaus Zbyszko to do the job for Munn to make him seem more credible as a champion.

Instead, Zbyszko would shoot on Munn, resulting in the referee calling the match in his favor to avoid a riot in Philadelphia. Zbyszko didn’t want to lose to someone unskilled, so jumped ship to Joe Stecher and his promotion, being paid a hefty amount to screw Munn.

The next two took place during 1931 with the first involving both Paul Bowser and Billy Sandow. Lewis was set to lose to Bowser’s champion Ed Don George. This didn’t sit well with Sandow and Lewis. The two men threatened to turn it into a shoot fight if George didn’t do the job. Lewis he wouldn’t win in a real fight, and gave into their demands. This allowed for Ed ‘Strangler’ Lewis to become champion once again.

Later in the year Paul Bowser would get payback on Lewis. This was when he faced off against Henri DeGlane in a two out of three falls match. Between the second and third fall, DeGlane would head to the back and bit himself on his arm, drawing blood. As the third fall began, DeGlane would give out a horrific scream revealing his wound and causing the referee to disqualify Lewis. Paul Bowser got his revenge with a masterstroke at Screwjobbery and the championship back off of Lewis.