In Episode 32 we tell the story of Väinö (aka Waino) Ketonen. The Finnish cotton mill boy who became a world champion, who stood toe-to-toe with the greatest middleweights in history, who trained Olympians and humbled carnival wrestlers — yet never played the game of showbiz wrestling.
His story highlights the early days of wrestling, showcasing his journey from a working-class background to achieving greatness in a sport that was still forming its identity, even planting a little seed in the future of catch as catch can wrestling.
This is the story of Väinö Ketonen: hooker, champion, and one of the toughest men you’ve probably never heard of.
The Grapple Of Your Eye Show 
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