The definitive take on the McMahon family’s journey to wrestling domination For decades, the northeastern part of the United States, better known to insiders as the territory of the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, was considered the heart of the professional wrestling world. Capitol territory — from Boston southward to Washington, D.C. — enjoyed lucrative box-office receipts, and New York’s Madison Square Garden was centre stage. Three generations of McMahons have controlled wrestling in that storied building and have since created the most powerful wrestling company the world has ever known. Capitol Revolution: The Rise of the McMahon Wrestling Empire documents the growth and evolution of pro wrestling under the leadership of the McMahons, highlighting the many trials and tribulations beginning in the early 20th century: clashes with rival promoters, government inquests, and routine problems with the potent National Wrestling Alliance monopoly. In the ring, superstars such as Buddy Rogers and Bruno Sammartino entertained throngs of fans, and Capitol became internationally known for its stellar pool of vibrant performers. Covering the transition from old-school wrestling under the WWWF banner to the pop-cultural juggernaut of the mid- to late-’80s WWF, Tim Hornbaker’s Capitol Revolution is the detailed history of how the McMahons outlasted their opponents and fostered a billion-dollar empire. Tim Hornbaker is the author of three nonfiction books, including National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly that Strangled Pro Wrestling (ECW, 2007). He lives in South Florida with his wife Jodi. Capitol Revolution The Rise of the McMahon Wrestling Empire By Tim Hornbaker ECW PRESS Copyright © 2015 Tim Hornbaker All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-77041-124-1 CHAPTER 1 AN EMERGING TERRITORY IN TURMOIL During World War I, professional wrestling was in a state of flux as syndicate leaders struggled to maintain their relevance. A lack of new and exciting superstars was hurting the industry, and while top-tier wrestlers Ed "Strangler" Lewis, Joe Stecher, and Wladek Zbyszko were capable box office attractions, wrestling needed a boost. The fact that Earl Caddock, the generally accepted world heavyweight champion, was overseas in combat also hurt big-time grappling — especially after various title claimants appeared in his absence. The confusion damaged wrestling's reputation and left many wondering who was in charge of the sport. In the East, Jack Curley was considered the most powerful sponsor of pro wrestling. Nearing 41, he was originally from San Francisco but had traveled throughout the Americas and Europe in his quest to become one of the sport's top promoters. Based out of New York City, he masterminded the first-rate spectacles at Madison Square Garden, wrestling's premier venue, and his shows were highly successful. He was cordial with promoters and managers across the country and, because of that, was able to import many recognizable wrestlers for his programs. His shows offered a diversity of talent, from quicker light heavyweights to the bulky mastodons who relied on their strength to defeat foes. Curley expertly managed the politics of professional sports, and he was a diplomat in many respects: He synchronized efforts with city officials, laying the groundwork for his public events while cleverly handling the erratic personalities of various boxing and wrestling personnel. There was rarely a dull moment among the upper tier of wrestling leaders, and he ably balanced the fragile environment made up of Billy Sandow and Tony Stecher, managers of Lewis and Joe Stecher, respectively. Between 1917 and 1921, harmony prevailed for the most part, and a number of high-profile matches were staged, which advanced the principal storylines. From 1916, when he first put down roots in the New York metropolitan area, Curley was the primary wrestling impresario, and his local monopoly went unchallenged. That changed in 1921, when a perceived insult motivated well-known boxing promoter George Lewis "Tex" Rickard to enter the sport. The supposed offense related to the American tour of Georges Carpentier and the way Curley overshadowed Rickard because of his personal friendship with the French fighter. Rickard was unwilling to forgive and essentially declared war on Curley, pledging to take over all preeminent grappling in New York. Rickard used his political pull to banish his foe from the Garden — if any future wrestling shows were staged, he'd run them himself. The spiteful retaliation didn't end there. Rickard's beliefs were impressed upon the members of the newly instituted New York State Athletic Commission, and Chairman William Muldoon, the "Iron Duke," agreed that the theatrical wrestling presented by Curley was substandard at best. A champion wrestler 40 years before, Muldoon considered himself to be the best judge of virtuous and honest wrestling in the state, and he spearh